Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus to which an input device including a plurality of hardware keys which include a numerical key portion where a plurality of numerical keys capable of inputting numerical information on 0 to 9, respectively, by being pushed down by a user are provided in an arrangement of an electronic calculator type, an outputting portion for outputting a key signal corresponding to each of the hardware keys, a switching key capable of selectively switching, in a case that said input device is connected to an information processing device including a display screen, a condition when the information processing device processes the key signal from the outputting portion, between a first processing condition in which the key signal is processed as information on a numerical value and a second processing condition in which the key signal is processed as information for moving a cursor displayed on the display screen, and a light emitting portion capable of notifying a user of that the first processing condition is set for the information processing device by being turned on and capable of notifying the user of that the second processing condition is set for the information processing device by being turned off is connectable, said image forming apparatus comprising:

• an image reading device for reading an image of an original;
• an image forming portion for forming the image on a recording medium on the basis of a reading result of said image reading device;
• an operating panel capable of displaying a software execution key, as a software key, for providing an instruction of a start of image reading to said image reading device;
• a connecting portion capable of connecting the input device;
• and
• a controller for controlling the input device so as to turned on the light emitting portion in response to connection of the input device to said connecting portion.

An image forming apparatus to which an input device including a plurality of hardware keys which include a numerical key portion where a plurality of numerical keys capable of inputting numerical information on 0 to 9, respectively, by being pushed down by a user are provided in an arrangement of an electronic calculator type, an outputting portion for outputting a key signal corresponding to each of the hardware keys, a switching key capable of selectively switching, in a case that said input device is connected to an information processing device including a display screen, a condition when the information processing device processes the key signal from the outputting portion, between a first processing condition in which the key signal is processed as information on a numerical value and a second processing condition in which the key signal is processed as information for moving a cursor displayed on the display screen, and a light emitting portion capable of notifying a user of that the first processing condition is set for the information processing device by being turned on and capable of notifying the user of that the second processing condition is set for the information processing device by being turned off is connectable, said image forming apparatus comprising:

• an image reading device for reading an image of an original;
• an image forming portion for forming the image on a recording medium on the basis of a reading result of said image reading device;
• an operating panel capable of displaying a software execution key, as a software key, for providing an instruction of a start of image reading to said image reading device;
• a connecting portion capable of connecting the input device;
• a receiving portion for receiving the key signal;
• a processing portion for processing the key signal received by said receiving portion on the basis of a processing condition;
• and
• a setting portion where irrespective of the notification light emitting portion is turned on, a condition for processing, as information a numerical value, the key signal received by said receiving portion is set to said processing portion as the processing condition.