Image forming apparatus, computer-readable storage medium, and method for accepting input operations from mobile terminal

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions executable by a processor of an image forming apparatus comprising a network interface, and an operation panel including a touch panel, the instructions being configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the image forming apparatus to:

• start providing a mobile input function of the image forming apparatus to a mobile terminal via the network interface in response to receiving access for starting the mobile input function from the mobile terminal via the network interface in a state where the mobile input function is not provided, the mobile input function enabling the image forming apparatus to accept operations from the mobile terminal via the network interface;
• after starting to provide the mobile input function, send display data to the mobile terminal via the network interface, thereby causing the mobile terminal to display an operation screen for operating the image forming apparatus from the mobile terminal;
• receive operation data from the mobile terminal via the network interface while the mobile input function is being provided, the operation data indicating what kind of operation has been accepted on the operation screen displayed on the mobile terminal;
• perform a process according to what kind of operation is indicated by the received operation data;
• display a standby screen including a particular operable object on the touch panel when the mobile input function is not provided, whereas not display the particular operable object on the touch panel while the mobile input function is being provided;
• when the particular operable object has been operated, switch the standby screen displayed on the touch panel to a local operation screen;
• and
• in response to accepting an operation on the local operation screen, perform a process according to what kind of operation has been accepted on the local operation screen.

A method implementable on a controller of an image forming apparatus comprising a network interface, and an operation panel including a touch panel, the method comprising:

• starting providing a mobile input function of the image forming apparatus to a mobile terminal via the network interface in response to receiving access for starting the mobile input function from the mobile terminal via the network interface in a state where the mobile input function is not provided, the mobile input function enabling the image forming apparatus to accept operations from the mobile terminal via the network interface;
• after starting to provide the mobile input function, sending display data to the mobile terminal via the network interface, thereby causing the mobile terminal to display an operation screen for operating the image forming apparatus from the mobile terminal;
• receiving operation data from the mobile terminal via the network interface while the mobile input function is being provided, the operation data indicating what kind of operation has been accepted on the operation screen displayed on the mobile terminal;
• performing a process according to what kind of operation is indicated by the received operation data;
• displaying a standby screen including a particular operable object on the touch panel when the mobile input function is not provided, whereas not displaying the particular operable object on the touch panel while the mobile input function is being provided;
• when the particular operable object has been operated, switching the standby screen displayed on the touch panel to a local operation screen;
• and
• in response to accepting an operation on the local operation screen, performing a process according to what kind of operation has been accepted on the local operation screen.