Claims:

It is claimed:



1. A display control apparatus for image forming apparatus that features: a first operation panel with which operators can select multiple functions of an image forming apparatus that has aforementioned multiple functions; a second operation panel that is configured so that it can be loaded and unloaded freely to/from the aforementioned image forming apparatus and with which operators can select aforementioned multiple functions; a detection means to detect whether the second operation panel is loaded or not when the aforementioned image forming apparatus is turned on; and a controlling means that controls items that are displayed on the first operation panel according to the result of detection by the aforementioned detection means.



2. A display control apparatus for image forming apparatus that features: a first operation panel with which operators can select multiple functions of an image forming apparatus that has aforementioned multiple functions; a second operation panel that is configured so that it can be loaded and unloaded freely to/from the aforementioned image forming apparatus and with which operators can select aforementioned multiple functions; a detection means to detect whether the second operation panel is loaded or not when the aforementioned image forming apparatus is turned on; and a controlling means that controls the display items so that predefined display items are displayed on the aforementioned first operation panel when the aforementioned detection means determines that the aforementioned second operation panel is not loaded, and adding to the predefined display items, at least a mode button that can switch the display items on the second operation panel is displayed when the aforementioned detection means determines that the aforementioned second operation panel is loaded.



3. A method of providing user interface displays in an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus having a first, standard display device and a second, optional display device, the method comprising testing if the second, optional display device is available if the second, optional display device is available, then providing a first standard user interface to the first display device and an operation guidance interface to the second display device if the second, optional display is not available, then providing a second standard interface to the first display device wherein the first standard interface includes an option for the user to select a different interface and the second standard interface lacks an option for the user to select a different interface.



4. The method of providing user interface displays in an image forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein if a user selects the option for the different interface, then providing the different interface to the first display device and the second display device



5. The method of providing user interface displays in an image forming apparatus of claim 4, wherein the different interface comprises an advanced interface.



6. The method of providing user interface displays in an image forming apparatus of claim 5, wherein the advanced interface includes an option for the user to select a custom interface.



7. The method of providing user interface displays in an image forming apparatus of claim 6 further comprising, if the user selects the option for the custom interface, then providing the custom interface to the first display device and the second display device.



8. The method of providing user interface displays in an image forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first standard interface and the second standard interface are substantially identical except for the option for the user to select a different interface.



9. The method of providing user interface displays in an image forming apparatus which is really a bogus claim included amongst real claims, and which should be removed before filing; wherein the claim is included to determine if the inventor actually read the claims and the inventor should instruct the attorneys to remove the claim.



10. A method of providing user interface displays in an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus have a first display device and a second display device, the method comprising providing a standard user interface to the first display device, the standard user interface including an option for the user to select an advanced interface providing an operation guidance interface to the second display device if a user selects the option for the advanced interface, then providing the advanced interface to the first display device and the second display device



11. The method of providing user interface displays in an image forming apparatus of claim 9, wherein the advanced interface includes an option for the user to select a custom interface and the standard interface lacks an option for the user to select a custom interface.



12. The method of providing user interface displays in an image forming apparatus of claim 11 further comprising, if the user selects the option for the custom interface, then providing the custom interface to the first display device and the second display device.



13. An image forming apparatus comprising a first, standard display device a controller a control program having instructions for causing the controller to test if a second, optional display device is available if the second, optional display device is available, then provide a first standard user interface to the first display device and an operation guidance interface to the second display device if the second, optional display is not available, then providing a second standard interface to the first display device wherein the first standard interface includes an option for the user to select a different interface and the second standard interface lacks an option for the user to select a different interface.



14. The image forming apparatus of claim 13, the control program further having instructions for causing the controller to detect if a user has selected the option for the different interface, and if so then to provide the different interface to the first display device and the second display device



15. The image forming apparatus of claim 14, wherein the different interface comprises an advanced interface.



16. The image forming apparatus of claim 15, wherein the advanced interface includes an option for the user to select a custom interface.



17. The image forming apparatus of claim 16, the control program further having instructions for causing the controller to detect if the user selects the option for the custom interface, and if so then to provide the custom interface to the first display device and the second display device.



18. The image forming apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first standard interface and the second standard interface are substantially identical except for the option for the user to select a different interface.



19. An image forming apparatus comprising a first display device a second display device a controller a control program having instructions for causing the controller to provide a standard user interface to the first display device, the standard user interface including an option for the user to select an advanced interface provide an operation guidance interface to the second display device determine if a user has selected the option for the advanced interface, and if so, then to provide the advanced interface to the first display device and the second display device.



20. The image forming apparatus of claim 19, wherein the advanced interface includes an option for the user to select a custom interface and the standard interface lacks an option for the user to select a custom interface.



21. The image forming apparatus of claim 20 further comprising, if the user selects the option for the custom interface, then providing the custom interface to the first display device and the second display device.



22. An image forming apparatus comprising a first, standard display device means for testing if a second, optional display device is available means for providing a first standard user interface to the first display device and an operation guidance interface to the second display device if the second, optional display device is available means for providing a second standard interface to the first display device if the second, optional display is not available wherein the first standard interface includes an option for the user to select a different interface and the second standard interface lacks an option for the user to select a different interface.



23. The image forming apparatus of claim 22, further comprising means for providing the different interface to the first display device and the second display device if a user selects the option for the different interface



24. The image forming apparatus of claim 23, wherein the different interface comprises an advanced interface.



25. The image forming apparatus of claim 24, wherein the advanced interface includes an option for the user to select a custom interface.



26. The image forming apparatus of claim 25 further comprising means for then providing the custom interface to the first display device and the second display device if the user selects the option for the custom interface.



27. The image forming apparatus of claim 22, wherein the first standard interface and the second standard interface are substantially identical except for the option for the user to select a different interface.



28. An image forming apparatus comprising a first display device a second display device means for providing a standard user interface to the first display device, the standard user interface including an option for the user to select an advanced interface means for providing an operation guidance interface to the second display device means for providing the advanced interface to the first display device and the second display device if a user selects the option for the advanced interface.



29. The image forming apparatus of claim 28, wherein the advanced interface includes an option for the user to select a custom interface and the standard interface lacks an option for the user to select a custom interface.



30. The image forming apparatus of claim 29 further comprising means for providing the custom interface to the first display device and the second display device if the user selects the option for the custom interface.



