JP3346944B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a copying machine, a printer, it relates to an image forming location such as a facsimile, especially yearly complexity for corresponding to multiple functions of the apparatus, the operation unit on key increasing, the display unit configuration, regardless of the number, the elderly and, for users that do not require complex functions, easy to use the required key, the image forming equipment having improved operability by arranging the easy-to-read position
About the.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, etc., an operation section is arranged at an appropriate position on an outer surface of a main body of the apparatus. , Or output of information from the apparatus side. In recent years, the number of cases where an elderly person operates an image forming apparatus in various offices has been increasing. However, the configuration of an operation unit of a conventional image forming apparatus has a key configuration assuming a general young and middle age group. Therefore, it is difficult to operate because there are many keys including keys that are not usually used,
In addition, there are problems such as the characters attached to the keys being small and difficult to see. Also, by combining the functions of the image forming apparatus,
Not only copy function but also facsimile function, printer function, etc. are added.
It is difficult for general users to use.
As a method for solving such a problem, it is necessary to design an operation unit that simplifies the arrangement of keys and the like by enlarging the character display for the elderly and hiding unnecessary keys that are rarely used by general users. Although it is conceivable, in this method, it is necessary to manufacture various types of operation units in order to meet the needs of the user, which results in an increase in the manufacturing cost, complicated parts management, and the like, resulting in reduced practicality.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has been complicated year by year in order to cope with the multifunctionalization of the apparatus. ,
For the elderly and users who do not need complex functions,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an operation unit of an image forming apparatus in which only necessary keys are arranged at easy-to-use and easy-to-see positions to enhance operability. It is another object of the present invention to provide an operation unit that does not require individual operation units according to the needs of the user and can reduce costs and simplify component management.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having an operation unit having a plurality of keys, wherein at least a part of the operation unit is provided in the image forming apparatus. And a first surface pivotally supported at one end of the fixed surface so as to open and close the second surface. The first surface includes a plate-shaped base. A key top movably supported by the base, the second surface having at least a switch, a light-emitting element, a printed circuit board supporting the switch and the light-emitting element, and directly above the printed circuit board A holding member that movably supports a key top that presses the switch and a sheet that covers the upper surface of the holding member, on the sheet corresponding to the switch provided on the second surface,
A large character or symbol, which indicates the contents of the switch, is easily visible, and a minimum number of switches is provided on the second surface.
A switch is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having an operation section having a plurality of keys, at least a part of the operation section is provided on a second surface provided on a fixed surface of the image forming apparatus. A first surface pivotally supported at one end of the fixed surface so as to open and close the second surface. The first surface is movably supported by the plate-like base and the base. and a key top, variable second surface is a switch, a light emitting element, a printed circuit board that supports the switch and the light emitting element, a key top to press the switch located immediately above the said printed circuit board
A holding member for supporting the movement ; and a sheet for covering the upper surface of the holding member, wherein a minimum necessary number of key tops are arranged on the first surface. The invention according to claim 3 is
The invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first surface is configured to be detachable from the fixed surface.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation unit having a plurality of keys.
At least a part of the operation unit in the image forming apparatus
Is a second surface provided on the fixed surface of the image forming apparatus;
One end is pivotally supported at an appropriate position on the fixed surface so as to open and close the two surfaces.
A first surface, the first surface comprising a plate-like base, and the base
And a key top movably supported by the second surface.
Comprises an analog film sheet switch . The invention described in claim 5 is the same as the invention described in claim 4.
In addition, the minimum number of key tops is required on the first side
It is characterized by being arranged.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The operation section of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of an operation unit of an image forming apparatus generally used in the related art. The operation unit 1 includes a hard key group K related to input and a central display unit D related to output. As a hard key, start key 2 for copy start,
Clear / stop key 3 for clearing the number, numeric keypad 4 for entering the number, mode clear key 5 for returning to the initial state, program key 6, interrupt key 7 for operation interrupt, density adjustment Automatic density key 8, photo / density key 9, paper key 10, automatic paper key 11 related to paper,
It is composed of the same-size key 12 and the enlargement / reduction key 13 for performing operations related to zooming. On the other hand, as the output-related display section, there is provided the centralized display section D having an LED for displaying the number, a jam position display section, an alarm display section, and the like. In a recent multifunction peripheral, an edit-related key 15 unique to a digital copying machine is arranged.

In the conventional operation unit having the above-described structure, a large number of keys and display units are arranged in a limited space, so that display characters representing keys and the like are small, and keys that are used less frequently are used. Because many are arranged in parallel on the same surface,
There is a problem that not only is it difficult for the elderly to visually recognize the displayed contents, but also for ordinary operators to operate it.

FIG. 2A is a plan view showing the structure of an operation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2B is a plan view of a second surface, FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a main part, and FIG. It is -A sectional drawing. Of the keys K and the display unit constituting the operation unit 1, the same parts as those of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, but the operation unit 1 of this embodiment is provided with the first part at the appropriate position, for example, the left end. A characteristic feature is that a key unit having a two-stage structure including a surface and a second surface is provided. The key unit 21 on the second surface is provided on a fixed surface of the image forming apparatus, and the key unit 20 on the first surface is provided at an appropriate position on the fixed surface so as to open and close the upper surface of the key unit 21 on the second surface. It is pivotally supported by a pivot 22 so as to be rotatable vertically.

The key unit 20 on the first surface is provided with necessary editing keys and light emitting diodes (hereinafter, referred to as LEDs) for use by general users. By arranging a small number of frequently used keys (for example, scaling, italic, etc.) in the key unit 21 on the second surface, printing large characters for the elderly, and reducing the number of keys to be used. , Eliminating the complexity of operation. As shown in FIG. 2 (c), the second surface is exposed by opening and closing the first surface key unit 20 which can be opened and closed around the pivot 22.
The keys on the second surface 21 can be visually recognized and operated.

When operating the first surface 20 which is an operation surface for general users, the first surface 20 may be closed on the second surface 21. That is, the keys on the first surface correspond to the same function keys on the second surface located immediately below, and when the keys on the first surface are depressed, the same keys on the second surface located immediately below are turned on. Will be done.

That is, FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration for realizing such a configuration. The key unit 20 on the first surface includes a plate-shaped base 40 (unit case) and the base 4.
A key top 41 supported by a support hole 40a of 0.
A key plate 41 is provided to prevent the key top 41 from falling off, and the key top 41 is vertically movably supported within a predetermined range by a gap in the support hole 40a.

The key unit 21 on the second surface includes a switch 43, a light emitting element 44, a printed circuit board 45 supporting the switch 43 and the light emitting element 44, and a printed circuit board 4.
5 is provided with a holding member 47 which is located at a predetermined gap and supports the key top 46 of the switch 43, and a sheet 48 which covers the upper surface of the holding member. The key top 46 is supported so as to be able to move up and down. The switch 43 is turned on when the seat 48 is depressed, and returns to the OFF position by the original restoring force of the switch 43 itself or a spring (not shown) when the pressing force is released. Is configured.

The key top 41 on the first surface and the key top 46 on the second surface located immediately below the key top 41 are in a vertical positional relationship.
, The lower keytop 46 is depressed to turn on the switch 43. In addition, LED
The holding member 47 and the base 40 corresponding to the through holes 44 respectively have through holes 4.
Since 7A and 40A are formed so as to communicate with each other, the light emitting state of the LED can be visually checked even when the first surface is closed.

In this embodiment, the key unit 2 on the first surface
Since the number of keys on 0 is greater than the number of keys on the key unit 21 on the second surface, keys that do not exist on the second surface and exist on the first surface There is no character display on the second surface, but by adopting the switch structure shown in FIG. 2 (d) for all keys on the first surface, the first surface is closed on the second surface. Key operation becomes possible.

Since the key unit 20 on the first surface is provided with the above-described key top and the through hole in the base 40, no electric parts, wiring, etc. are required. The number of parts can be reduced and simplified, and the number of manufacturing steps is not increased, the complexity is not increased, and the cost is not increased. As shown in FIG. 3, contrary to the above-described embodiment, a sufficient number of key tops necessary for processing and editing are provided on the key unit 21 on the second surface.
The LED unit is arranged, and the key unit 20 on the first surface is arranged.
The operability may be enhanced by arranging only a minimum number of key tops necessary at the top.

FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (b) and 4 (c) show another embodiment in which the pivot portion is improved. The pivot portion 22 includes a boss portion 60 (60a, 60b) fixed to a fixing surface, The projections 61a and 61b project from the end of the key unit 20 on the first surface, and the projections 61a and 61b can be elastically fitted into holes provided in the bosses 60a and 60b. A keyboard configuration suitable for the user can be realized at the time of manufacture or by a serviceman replacing the key unit on the first surface. As described above, since there is no electric wiring in the key unit on the first surface, the first surface side provided with an arbitrary key top arrangement corresponding to the switch configuration on the second surface side is attached by the pivotal support. Key operation using one screen becomes possible. (b) and (c) are examples of the configuration of the key on the first surface.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention, which is characterized in that the key unit 21 on the second surface is constituted by an analog film sheet switch (analog type touch panel) 80. This analog film sheet switch 80
Unlike the above-mentioned digital touch panel, the switch has a large degree of freedom in the position and number of switches, so that it is advantageous that any key can be arranged at any position. This analog film sheet switch 80 includes two films 80a and 80b arranged in parallel. When the key top 41 is pressed down, the specific points of both films come into contact with each other so that the patterns on both films come into contact with each other. It exerts a switch function. That is, the analog signal obtained from the contact point between the two films is A / D converted on the circuit 81 side, and the position coordinates are detected. The first surface of the embodiment of FIG. 5 may be configured to be detachable similarly to the embodiment of FIG.

[0018]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having an operation section having a plurality of keys, at least a part of the operation section is provided on a fixed surface of the image forming apparatus. A second surface; and a first surface pivotally supported at one end of the fixed surface to open and close the second surface. The first surface is movably supported by the plate-shaped base and the base. A key top, the second surface having at least a switch, a light emitting element,
A printed board that supports the switch and the light emitting element, a holding member that is located immediately above the printed board and movably supports a keytop that presses the switch, and a sheet that covers the upper surface of the holding member. provided, above the said sheet corresponding to the switch provided on the second surface to form a large character or symbol <br/> viewing easily show the contents of the switch, and, said first
Since the minimum number of switches required on two surfaces is provided , in addition to the operation unit for general users, it is possible to obtain an operation unit having a large character display that is easy to see for the elderly and the like, so that operation is easy. Becomes That is, it is possible to expose the first surface provided with all general keys so that the first surface can be visually recognized, and to expose the key surface for the elderly or the like as needed. In addition, since the electrical components are provided on the second surface, the number of components can be reduced and the configuration can be simplified.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having an operation section having a plurality of keys, at least a part of the operation section is provided on a second surface provided on a fixed surface of the image forming apparatus. And a first surface pivotally supported at one end on the fixed surface to open and close the second surface, the first surface being a plate-like base and a key top supported by the base. Having a switch, a light-emitting element, a printed circuit board supporting the switch and the light-emitting element, and a holding member that is located immediately above the printed circuit board and supports a keytop of the switch; A sheet that covers the upper surface of the holding member, and a minimum number of key tops are arranged on the first surface, so that the first surface with the minimum number of keys is usually shown, The operation can be simplified without confusion for the user. In addition, problems such as inadvertently pressing down a key that is not normally used are eliminated.

[0020] The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In the invention described above , since the first surface is configured to be detachable from the fixed surface, it is possible to prepare an operation unit for displaying a key necessary for each user not only during manufacture but also after purchase by the user. And expand marketability. 4. 及
The inventions described in ( 5) and (5 ) have an operation unit having a plurality of keys.
In the image forming apparatus, at least a part of the operation unit includes:
A second surface provided on a fixed surface of the image forming apparatus, and the second surface
One end pivotally supported at an appropriate position on the fixing surface to open and close
The first surface includes a plate-shaped base and the base.
And a key top movably supported, and the second surface is an
Since it is composed of a analog film sheet switch , an arbitrary key configuration can be realized only by sheet printing without limiting the number of keys.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an operation unit of an image forming apparatus generally used conventionally.

2A is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2B is a plan view of a second surface, FIG.
(d) is an AA sectional view.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

4 (a), (b) and (c) are an exploded perspective view and a main part plan view of another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 operation part, D central display part, 2 start key, 3
Clear / stop key, 4 numeric keypad, 5 mode clear key, 6 program key, 7 interrupt key, 8
Automatic density key, 9 photo / density key, 10 paper key,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Automatic paper key, 12 same-size key, 13 enlargement / reduction key, 15 editing-related key, 10 first-side key unit, 21 second-side key unit, 40 base (unit case), 40a support hole, 41 Key top,
42 holding plate, 43 switch, 44 light emitting element, 45
Printed circuit board, 46 key tops, 47 holding members, 4
8 sheet, 60 (60a, 60b) boss, 61
a, 61b Projection, 80 Analog film sheet switch (analog type touch panel).

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Joji Kato 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-3-142521 (JP, A) JP-A Heisei 7-68901 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 B41J 29/00 G03G 21/00 376-380

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] In an image forming apparatus having an operation unit having a plurality of keys, at least a part of the operation unit includes a second surface provided on a fixed surface of the image forming device, A first surface pivotally supported at one end of the fixed surface so as to open and close the surface, the first surface having a plate-shaped base and a keytop movably supported by the base; A second surface having at least a switch, a light-emitting element, a printed circuit board supporting the switch and the light-emitting element, and a holding member movably supporting a keytop located directly above the printed circuit board and pressing the switch; , and a sheet covering the holding member upper surface, above the said sheet corresponding to the switch provided on the second surface to form a visible easily large characters or symbols indicating the contents of said switch, and said first The minimum number of
Imaging equipment being characterized in that disposed switch. 2. An image forming apparatus having an operation section having a plurality of keys, wherein at least a part of the operation section includes a second surface provided on a fixed surface of the image forming apparatus, A first surface pivotally supported at one end of the fixed surface so as to open and close the surface, the first surface having a plate-shaped base and a keytop movably supported by the base; The second surface is a switch, a light-emitting element, a printed circuit board supporting the switch and the light-emitting element, and a holding member movably supporting a keytop located directly above the printed circuit board and pressing the switch, and a sheet covering the holding member upper surface, an image forming equipment, characterized in that a number of key tops of the minimum required in the first surface. Wherein said image forming equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first surface, characterized by being configured detachably relative to the fixed surface. 4. An image having an operation unit having a plurality of keys.
In the forming apparatus, at least a part of the operation unit is a fixing surface of the image forming apparatus.
And a second surface provided on the
A first surface pivotally supported at one end on a predetermined surface of the fixed surface, the first surface being movably supported by the plate-like base and the base;
It had a key top, images formed equipment that said second surface is to characterized by comprising from analog film sheet switch. 5. The minimum required number of ketos is provided on the first surface.
5. The image form according to claim 4, wherein a tip is arranged.
Equipment.