JP2007036605A - Multifunction device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for reducing the size and thickness of a multifunction device comprising a section for reading out the image of a read medium, and a section for recording an image on the read medium. <P>SOLUTION: The multifunction device 1 comprises a scanner 3 for reading out the image of a document, and a printer 2 for recording an image on a recording sheet wherein the scanner 3 and the printer 2 are arranged vertically while locating the scanner 3 on the upper side. Outline of the entire device is substantially square in plan view and on the front side of the upper surface of he device, a control panel 9 having an operation key 10 for inputting commands of the scanner 3 and the printer 2, and a liquid display section 11 for displaying the information about the scanner 3 and the printer 2 is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-function device including an image reading unit that reads an image on a read medium and an image recording unit that records an image on a recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus that is integrally provided with a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, and a facsimile function has been put into practical use. An apparatus having a plurality of functions as described above is generally called a multi-function device.

  The multi-function device is provided with an image recording unit that records an image on a recording sheet in order to realize a printer function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like. In addition, the multi-function device is provided with an image reading unit that reads an image of a document in order to realize a scanner function and a copy function.

  When realizing the printer function, the multi-function device operates an image recording unit based on data transmitted from a computer or the like, and records an image or document based on the data on a recording sheet. When realizing the scanner function, the multi-function device operates an image reading unit to read an image of a desired document and convert it into image data. The converted image data is transmitted to a computer or the like or written on a recording medium. When realizing the copy function, the multi-function device operates the image reading unit, reads an image of a desired document, converts the image into image data, operates the image recording unit, and based on the image data Record the image on recording paper. When realizing the facsimile function, the multi-function device operates an image reading unit, reads an image of a desired document, converts it into image data, and transmits the image data through a modem, an NCU, and a telephone line. The multi-function device records facsimile data received through a modem, NCU, and telephone line on a recording sheet by operating an image recording unit.

  The image reading unit is provided with an operation panel for inputting commands and settings for various functions. The operation panel is realized by a plurality of operation keys and a display unit. The user operates the operation keys while confirming the guidance and settings displayed on the display unit, and uses various functions of the multi-function device. There is a demand for such a multifunction device to be reduced in size and thickness in order to reduce the installation space (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-80129 A

  In the multi-function device having the image reading unit and the image recording unit as described above, a configuration is adopted in which the image reading unit is arranged on the upper side of the device and the image recording unit is arranged on the lower side of the device for the convenience of operation. . Further, it is desirable that the operation panel is disposed on the upper surface of the apparatus in consideration of the operability of the operation keys and the visibility of the display unit. Further, as the functions realized by the multi-function device are diversified, operation of the multi-function device becomes complicated and operation keys are increased. Furthermore, the display unit is enlarged in order to improve the visibility of the display unit. As a result, the space required for the operation panel is increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and is capable of reducing the size of a multi-function device including an image reading unit that reads an image on a read medium and an image recording unit that records an image on the recording medium. An object is to provide means capable of realizing thinning.

  Another object of the present invention is to efficiently arrange operation keys to reduce the area of the operation panel and improve operability.

  Still another object of the present invention is to improve the visibility of a display unit on an operation panel.

  (1) The present invention is a multi-function device including an image reading unit that reads an image of a read medium and an image recording unit that records an image on the recording medium, the image reading unit and the image recording unit Are arranged vertically with the image reading unit on the top, and the outer shape of the entire device is substantially square in plan view, and commands relating to the image reading unit and the image recording unit are input to the front side of the upper surface of the device An operation panel is provided that includes an operation key for performing the operation and a display unit that displays information related to the image reading unit and the image recording unit.

  The image reading unit and the image recording unit are arranged up and down with the image reading unit facing upward. When reading an image, the read medium is set at a predetermined position of the image reading unit every time the image is read. For image recording, a recording medium in which a predetermined number of sheets is set in advance in a paper feed tray or the like is used. Therefore, the medium to be read can be easily set by arranging the image reading unit on the upper side. The multi-function device is configured such that the outer shape of the entire device is substantially square in plan view. An operation key and a display unit are provided on the operation panel. The user performs a desired input by using the operation keys at the time of image reading or image recording, and confirms the display on the display unit. By providing the operation panel on the front side of the upper surface of the apparatus, it becomes easy to perform an input operation using the operation keys and display confirmation on the display unit.

  (2) The operation keys may be arranged around the display unit. Thereby, the space around the display unit can be effectively used.

  (3) Further, the operation keys may be arranged in a line along the side edge of the display unit on the side of the display unit. Thereby, the space of the side of a display part can be used effectively.

  (4) The display unit may display a command that can be input by each operation key in an area close to each operation key in association with each operation key. Thereby, the user can recognize the command that can be input by pressing the operation key by the display on the display unit.

  (5) Further, the display unit may be rotatable so as to be raised and lowered with respect to the operation panel with the front side of the apparatus as an axis. When the display unit is erected from the operation panel, the visibility of the display unit from the front side of the apparatus is improved. By the display unit lying on the operation panel, the visibility of the display unit from the upper surface side of the apparatus is improved.

  (6) The display unit may be arranged at the center in the width direction of the operation panel. Thereby, operation keys can be arranged on both sides of the display unit. Further, the balance of the position of the display unit with respect to the arrangement of the operation keys is improved.

  (7) The image reading unit reads an image by scanning the image sensor with respect to the read medium in a stationary posture with the longitudinal direction of the rectangular read medium set as the width direction of the apparatus. And the image recording unit has a recording head with respect to the recording medium while the recording medium is U-turned so that the recording medium is reversed with the longitudinal direction of the rectangular recording medium being the depth direction of the apparatus. The image recording may be performed by scanning.

  The image reading unit reads the image with the longitudinal direction of the rectangular read medium set in the width direction of the apparatus, and the image recording unit carries the U-turn with the longitudinal direction of the rectangular record medium set in the depth direction of the apparatus. By performing the above, it is possible to reduce the installation area of the device whose plan view is substantially square. Further, a space for arranging the operation panel is formed on the front side of the apparatus, and the entire apparatus can be reduced in size by effectively using the space. In addition, since the plan view of the device is substantially square, packaging is facilitated and costs can be reduced.

  According to the present multi-function device, the image reading unit and the image recording unit are arranged vertically with the image reading unit on the upper side, so that the medium to be read can be easily set and the operability is improved. In addition, the overall outer shape of the device is configured to be substantially square in a plan view, and an operation panel is provided on the front side of the upper surface of the device, thereby facilitating input work with operation keys and display confirmation on the display unit, Operability is improved. In addition, downsizing of the apparatus is realized. In addition, since the plan view of the device is substantially square, packaging is facilitated and costs can be reduced.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
FIG. 1 shows an external configuration of a multi-function device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multi-function device 1 is an MFD (Multi Function Device) integrally provided with a printer unit (image recording unit) 2 at the bottom and a scanner unit 3 (image reading unit) at the top, and includes a printer function, a scanner function, It has a copy function and a facsimile function.

  The multi-function device 1 is mainly connected to a computer (not shown), and records images and documents on recording paper based on image data and document data transmitted from the computer. Furthermore, the multi-function device 1 is connected to an external device such as a digital camera, records image data output from the digital camera on a recording sheet, or loads various recording media such as a memory card, The recorded image data or the like can be recorded on a recording sheet. The configuration of the multi-function device 1 described below is an example of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention, and it is natural that the configuration can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(Printer part)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the printer unit 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 4 is formed on the front side of the multi-function device 1, and a paper feed tray 20 and a paper discharge tray 21 are attached to the multi-function device 1 through the opening 4. 1, 4, 10, and 12 show the multi-function device 1 with the paper feed tray 20 and the paper discharge tray 21 removed.

  The paper feed tray 20 accommodates recording paper (recording medium) having a desired size such as A4 size or B5 size. As shown in FIG. 2, by attaching the paper feed tray 20 to the multi-function device 1, the rectangular longitudinal direction of the recording paper stored in the paper feed tray 20 is the depth direction of the multi-function device 1. . The paper discharge tray 21 is supported by the paper feed tray 20 and disposed above the paper feed tray 20. The paper feed tray 20 and the paper discharge tray 21 are mounted on the multi-function device 1 in two upper and lower stages.

  A separation inclined plate 22 is disposed on the back side of the paper feed tray 20 mounted on the multi-function device 1. The separation inclined plate 22 separates the recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 20 and guides it upward.

  A conveyance path 23 is formed above the separation inclined plate 22. The conveyance path 23 is bent from the upper side of the separation inclined plate 22 to the front side of the multi-function device 1, extends from the back side of the device to the front side, and further passes below the image recording unit 24. It leads to the paper discharge tray 21. The recording paper fed out from the paper feed tray 20 is guided by the conveyance path 23 so as to make a U-turn from the lower side to the upper side and reaches the image recording unit 24. The recording sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 21 after image recording by the image recording unit 24.

  A paper feed roller 25 is provided on the upper side of the paper feed tray 20. The paper feed roller 25 separates the recording paper stacked on the paper feed tray 20 one by one and supplies it to the transport path 23. The paper feed roller 25 is pivotally supported at the front end of a paper feed arm 26 that moves up and down so as to come into contact with and separate from the paper feed tray 20. The paper feed roller 25 is rotated by a drive transmission mechanism 27 in which a plurality of gears are engaged with each other, with the drive of the LF motor 108 (see FIG. 8) being transmitted.

  The paper feed arm 26 is disposed so as to be swingable in the vertical direction with the base end side as an axis. In a state where the paper feed tray 20 is mounted on the apparatus, the paper feed arm 26 moves downward so as to press the paper feed roller 25 against the paper feed tray 20. When the paper feed tray 20 is removed from the apparatus, the paper feed arm 26 jumps upward due to a biasing force of a spring or the like. When the paper feed arm 26 is lowered, the paper feed roller 25 pivotally supported at the tip of the paper feed arm 26 comes into pressure contact with the recording paper on the paper feed tray 20. In this state, when the paper feeding roller 25 rotates, the uppermost recording paper is sent out to the separation inclined plate 22 by the frictional force between the roller surface of the paper feeding roller 25 and the recording paper. The front end of the recording sheet comes into contact with the separation inclined plate 22 and is guided upward, and is sent to the conveyance path 23. When the uppermost recording paper is sent out by the paper feed roller 25, even if the recording paper directly below it is sent out by the action of friction or static electricity, the recording paper is stopped by abutting against the separating inclined plate 22. The

  The conveyance path 23 includes an outer guide surface and an inner guide surface that are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval except for a portion where the image recording unit 24 and the like are disposed. For example, the conveyance path 23 on the back side of the multi-function device 1 has an outer guide surface formed integrally with the frame of the multi-function device 1, and the inner guide surface is configured by fixing the guide member 28 in the frame. ing. A conveyance roller 29 is provided at a predetermined position of the conveyance path 23, particularly at a position where the conveyance path 23 is bent. The transport roller 29 is provided to be rotatable about the width direction of the transport path 23 as an axial direction so that the roller surface is exposed from the outer guide surface or the inner guide surface. The conveyance roller 29 facilitates the conveyance of the recording paper that contacts the guide surface at a location where the conveyance path 23 is bent.

  The image recording unit 24 includes a scanning carriage 31 that mounts the recording head 30 and reciprocates in the main scanning direction. The recording head 30 is supplied with inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) from an ink tank 32 (see FIG. 3) through an ink tube 33. The recording head 30 ejects each ink as a minute ink droplet from a nozzle provided on the lower surface thereof. As the scanning carriage 31 reciprocates, the recording head 30 scans the recording paper, and image recording is performed on the recording paper conveyed on the platen 34.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of guide rails 35 and 36 are disposed above the conveyance path 23 where the image recording unit 24 is disposed. The guide rails 35 and 36 are extended in the width direction of the transport path 23 with a separation in the transport direction of the recording paper. The scanning carriage 31 is slidably provided so as to straddle the guide rails 35 and 36. The guide rail 35 disposed on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper is a flat plate whose length in the width direction of the conveyance path 23 is longer than the scanning width of the scanning carriage 31. The upper surface of the guide rail 35 slidably carries the upstream end of the scanning carriage 31.

  The guide rail 36 disposed on the downstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction is a flat plate whose length in the width direction of the conveyance path 23 is substantially the same as that of the guide rail 35. The upper surface of the guide rail 36 slidably supports the upstream end of the scanning carriage 31. An end 37 on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the guide rail 36 is bent at a substantially right angle upward. The scanning carriage 31 holds the end portion 37 of the guide rail 36 by a pair of rollers (not shown). Accordingly, the scanning carriage 31 is slidably supported on the guide rails 35 and 36 and reciprocates in the width direction of the transport path 23 with the end 37 of the guide rail 36 as a reference. A sliding member for reducing friction is appropriately provided at a portion where the scanning carriage 31 contacts the upper surfaces of the guide rails 35 and 36.

  A belt drive mechanism 38 is disposed on the upper surface of the guide rail 36. The belt driving mechanism 38 is formed by stretching an endless annular timing belt 41 having teeth on the inside between a driving pulley 39 and a passive pulley 40 provided near both ends in the width direction of the conveying path 23. Is. A driving force is input to the shaft of the driving pulley 39 from the CR motor 107 (see FIG. 8). The timing belt 41 moves circumferentially by the rotation of the driving pulley 39. In addition to the endless annular belt, the timing belt 41 may be one in which both ends of the endless belt are fixed to the scanning carriage 31.

  The scanning carriage 31 is fixed to the timing belt 41. By the circumferential movement of the timing belt 41, the scanning carriage 31 reciprocates on the guide rails 35 and 36 with the end portion 37 as a reference. A recording head 30 is mounted on the scanning carriage 31. Therefore, the recording head 30 can reciprocate together with the scanning carriage 31 with the width direction of the transport path 23 as the main scanning direction. An encoder strip 42 of a linear encoder is disposed on the guide rail 36 along the end 37. The linear encoder detects the encoder strip 42 by a photo interrupter. Based on the detection signal of the linear encoder, the reciprocating movement of the scanning carriage 31 is controlled.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a platen 34 is disposed below the conveyance path 23 so as to face the recording head 30. The platen 34 is disposed over the central portion of the reciprocating range of the scanning carriage 31 through which the recording paper passes. The width of the platen 34 is sufficiently larger than the maximum width of the recording paper that can be conveyed, and both ends of the recording paper always pass over the platen 34.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a purge mechanism 43 and a waste ink tray 44 are disposed outside the image recording range by the recording head 30, that is, in a range where recording paper on both sides of the platen 34 does not pass. The purge mechanism 43 sucks and removes bubbles and foreign matters together with ink from the nozzles of the recording head 30. The purge mechanism 43 includes a cap 45 that covers the nozzle surface of the recording head 30. A pump mechanism is connected to the cap 45. Further, the cap 45 is brought into contact with and separated from the nozzle surface of the recording head 30 by a moving mechanism. When performing suction removal of bubbles or the like of the recording head 30, the scanning carriage 31 is moved so that the recording head 30 is positioned on the cap 45. In this state, the cap 45 moves upward so that the nozzles on the lower surface of the recording head 30 are in close contact with each other. Then, ink is sucked from the nozzles of the recording head 30 by a pump connected to the cap 45.

  The waste ink tray 44 is disposed outside the image recording range of the scanning carriage 31 and on the opposite side of the purge mechanism 43. The waste ink tray 44 receives the ink ejected from the recording head 30. This idle discharge is called flushing. Maintenance such as removal of air bubbles and mixed color ink in the recording head 30 is performed by a maintenance unit including the purge mechanism 43 and the waste ink tray 44.

  The ink tank 32 is accommodated in an ink tank accommodating portion 46 provided in a housing on the right front side of the printer portion 2. The ink tank 32 is provided separately from the scanning carriage 31 on which the recording head 30 is mounted in the apparatus. Ink is supplied from the ink tank 32 to the scanning carriage 31 through the ink tube 33.

  Specifically, the ink tanks 32 are four ink tanks 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K that store inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk). Each of the ink tanks 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K is loaded in a predetermined position of an ink tank housing portion 46 provided in the apparatus housing. Each of the ink tanks 32C, 32M, 32Y, 32K is a cartridge type in which each color ink is filled in a casing made of synthetic resin. Each of the ink tanks 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K is detachable from above the ink tank housing portion 46.

  Each color ink is supplied from the ink tanks 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K loaded in the ink tank housing portion 46 to the recording head 30 through the ink tube 33 independent for each color. Each of the ink tubes 33C, 33M, 33Y, and 33K is a tube made of synthetic resin, and has such flexibility that it bends in accordance with the scanning of the scanning carriage 31. Each of the ink tubes 33C, 33M, 33Y, and 33K has an opening at one end thereof connected to each joint provided at each ink tank housing position of the ink tank housing 46. The ink tube 33C corresponds to the ink tank 32C and supplies cyan (C) ink. Similarly, the ink tubes 33M, 33Y, and 33K correspond to the ink tanks 32M, 32Y, and 32K, respectively, and supply magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) inks, respectively. It is.

  The ink tubes 33C, 33M, 33Y, and 33K led out from the ink tank housing portion 46 are pulled out to the vicinity of the center along the width direction of the apparatus, and are temporarily fixed to an appropriate member such as an apparatus frame. The portion from the fixed portion to the scanning carriage 31 is not fixed to the apparatus frame or the like, and changes its posture following the reciprocating movement of the scanning carriage 31. That is, as the scanning carriage 31 moves to one end in the reciprocating direction (left side in FIG. 3), each of the ink tubes 33C, 33M, 33Y, and 33K bends so that the bending radius of the U-shaped curved portion becomes smaller. The scanning carriage 31 moves in the moving direction. On the other hand, as the scanning carriage 31 moves to the other end in the reciprocating direction (right side in FIG. 3), each of the ink tubes 33C, 33M, 33Y, and 33K bends so that the bending radius of the curved portion increases, and the scanning carriage 31 Move in the direction of movement.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of conveying rollers 47 and a pinch roller 48 are provided on the upstream side of the image recording unit 24. The transport roller 47 and the pinch roller 48 sandwich the recording paper transported through the transport path 23 and transport it onto the platen 34. On the other hand, a pair of paper discharge rollers 49 and a spur roller 50 are provided on the downstream side of the image recording unit 24. The paper discharge roller 49 and the spur roller 50 nipped and transport the recorded recording paper. The conveying roller 47 and the paper discharge roller 49 are intermittently driven with a predetermined line feed width when a driving force is transmitted from the LF motor 108 (see FIG. 8). The rotations of the transport roller 47 and the paper discharge roller 49 are synchronized. The rotary encoder detects the encoder disk 51 provided on the transport roller 47 with a photo interrupter, and the rotation of the transport roller 47 and the paper discharge roller 49 is controlled based on the detection signal of the rotary encoder.

  The pinch roller 48 is urged so as to be pressed against the conveying roller 47 with a predetermined pressing force, and is provided rotatably. When the recording paper enters between the conveyance roller 47 and the pinch roller 48, the pinch roller 48 is retracted by the thickness of the recording paper and sandwiches the recording paper together with the conveyance roller 47. Thereby, the rotational force of the conveyance roller 47 is reliably transmitted to the recording paper. The spur roller 50 is also provided in the same manner as the paper discharge roller 49. However, since the spur roller 50 is pressed against the recorded recording paper, the roller surface is uneven in a spur shape so as not to deteriorate the image recorded on the recording paper. Has been.

  The recording sheet held between the transport roller 47 and the pinch roller 48 is intermittently transported on the platen 34 with a predetermined line feed width. The recording head 30 is scanned for each line feed, and image recording is performed from the front end side of the recording paper. The front end side of the recording paper on which image recording has been performed is held between the paper discharge roller 49 and the spur roller 50. That is, the recording paper is intermittently conveyed with a predetermined line feed width with the front end side being sandwiched between the paper discharge roller 49 and the spur roller 50 and the rear end side being sandwiched between the conveyance roller 47 and the pinch roller 48, Image recording is performed by the recording head 30 for each line feed. When the recording sheet is further conveyed, the trailing edge of the recording sheet passes through the conveying roller 47 and the pinch roller 48, and the nipping by these is released. That is, the recording sheet is nipped between the discharge roller 49 and the spur roller 50 and intermittently conveyed with a predetermined line feed width, and image recording is performed by the recording head 30 for each line feed. After image recording is performed on a predetermined area of the recording paper, the paper discharge roller 49 is continuously driven to rotate. As a result, the recording paper held by the paper discharge roller 49 and the spur roller 50 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a control board 52 is disposed on the front side of the apparatus. A recording signal or the like is transmitted from the control board 52 to the recording head 30 through the flat cable 53. The flat cable 53 is a thin strip-like member in which a conductor for transmitting an electric signal is covered with a synthetic resin film such as a polyester film for insulation. A control board 52 and a control board (not shown) of the recording head 30 are electrically connected by a flat cable 53. The flat cable 53 is led out from the scanning carriage 31 in the reciprocating direction, and is bent in a substantially U shape in the vertical direction. The substantially U-shaped portion is not fixed to other members, and changes its posture following the reciprocating movement of the scanning carriage 31.

(Scanner part)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the scanner unit 3 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the scanner unit 3 has an automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder, hereinafter referred to as “ADF”) with respect to the document table 5 functioning as an FBS (Flatbed Scanner). .) 6 is attached to the document cover 7 with a hinge on the back side so as to be freely opened and closed. The document table 5 is a housing of the multi-function device 1 and constitutes a part of the upper surface of the device. The document cover 7 also constitutes a part of the upper surface of the apparatus. In the present embodiment, since the structure and function of the ADF 6 are not directly related to each other, the document conveyance opening (document image surface exposure opening) for the ADF 6 is omitted in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a platen glass 60 is disposed on the upper surface of the document table 5. When the document cover 7 is closed as shown in FIG. 1, the platen glass 60 covers the document cover 7. Is called. In this state, the document cover becomes a part of the upper surface of the apparatus. A pressing member 62 made of a sponge, a white plate, or the like is disposed on the lower surface of the document cover 7 in order to press the document placed on the platen glass 60. As shown in FIG. 5, an image reading unit 61 is built in the document table 5. When the scanner unit 3 is used as an FBS, the document cover 7 is opened and the document is placed on the platen glass 60. The platen glass 60 can place a document of A4 size or smaller, and is placed on the platen glass 60 with the longitudinal direction of the rectangular document as the width direction of the multi-function device 1. Then, the document cover 7 is closed and the document is fixed on the platen glass 60. When the image reading unit 61 is scanned along the platen glass 60, the image reading of the document by the FBS is performed.

  The platen glass 60 is used to place a document when the scanner unit 3 is used as an FBS, and is a transparent glass plate, for example. One end side of the platen glass 60 reaches the lower side of the document conveying roller 98 (see FIG. 8), and also constitutes a reading surface when the ADF 6 is used to read an image.

  FIG. 5 shows the internal structure of the document table 5. An image reading unit 61 is disposed in the lower frame 63 of the casing of the document table 5. An upper cover 71 (see FIG. 6) in which an opening for exposing the platen glass 60 is formed in the center is fitted to the lower frame 63, and the casing of the document table 5 is configured. Both the lower frame 63 and the upper cover 71 are made of synthetic resin. The lower frame 63 includes a base portion 64 constituting a bottom plate, a side wall 65 rising from the periphery of the base portion 64, a portion where the image reading unit 61 is disposed, a portion where the substrate of the operation panel 9 and the like are disposed. The partition plate 66 for partitioning is integrally molded. The lower frame 63 is further provided with support ribs for supporting the platen glass 60, bosses for screwing various members, through holes for electrical wiring, etc. Is appropriately designed according to the embodiment of the document placing table 5, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The image reading unit 61 includes a contact image sensor 67, a carriage 68, a guide shaft 69, and a belt driving mechanism 70. The contact image sensor 67 emits a light source to irradiate light on a document, guides reflected light from the document to a photoelectric conversion element through a lens, and the photoelectric conversion element outputs an electric signal corresponding to the intensity of reflected light. This is an image sensor. The contact image sensor 67 is mounted on the carriage 68 and is reciprocated below the platen glass 60. The carriage 68 is engaged with a guide shaft 69 installed across the width direction of the lower frame 63, is driven by the belt driving mechanism 70, and is moved so as to slide on the guide shaft 69. The carriage 68 is mounted so that the contact image sensor 67 is brought into close contact with the platen glass 60 and moved on the guide shaft 69, whereby the contact image sensor 67 is moved in parallel with the platen glass 60.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the carriage 68 carries a contact image sensor 67 so as to be carried on the upper side thereof. A shaft receiving portion 72 is formed on the lower surface of the carriage 68 so as to be fitted over the guide shaft 69 from above. The shaft receiving portion 72 and the guide shaft 69 are fitted, and the carriage 68 is carried on the guide shaft 69, and the carriage 68 is slidable in the axial direction of the guide shaft 69. A belt gripping portion 73 projects downward from the side of the shaft receiving portion 72. When the belt gripping portion 73 grips the timing belt 74 of the belt driving mechanism 70, the timing belt 74 and the carriage 68 are connected. As a result, the driving force is transmitted from the belt driving mechanism 70 to the carriage 68, and the carriage 68 moves on the guide shaft 69.

  Inside the carriage 68, spring receiving portions 75 are formed at two places on the left and right. A coil spring 76 is interposed between the contact image sensor 67 and the carriage 68, positioned by the spring receiving portion 75. The contact image sensor 67 mounted on the carriage 68 is brought into close contact with the lower surface of the platen glass 60 by the coil spring 76. Rollers 77 are provided on both ends of the contact image sensor 67. The contact image sensor 67 pressed against the lower surface of the platen glass 60 by the rollers 77 moves smoothly while closely contacting the lower surface of the platen glass 60 as the carriage 68 moves.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the belt drive mechanism 70 is configured by winding a timing belt 74 between a drive pulley 78 and a driven pulley 79. The timing belt 74 is an endless belt having teeth formed inside. The rotation of the CR motor 112 (see FIG. 8) is output to the shaft of the drive pulley 78. In response to the rotation of the drive pulley 78, the timing belt 74 moves circumferentially. The drive pulley 78 is disposed at the left back of the lower frame 63. The timing belt 74 wound around the drive pulley 78 extends to the front side of the lower frame 63, is wound around an intermediate pulley 80 disposed in front of the guide shaft 69, and bends at a substantially right angle. It extends to the right end of the lower frame 63 along and is wound around a driven pulley 79 disposed in the vicinity of the right end so as to be installed in an L shape. The belt gripping portion 73 of the carriage 68 grips the portion of the timing belt 74 between the driven pulley 79 and the intermediate pulley 80, that is, the portion along the guide shaft 69. Thereby, the timing belt 74 and the carriage 68 are connected. Needless to say, the timing belt 74 may be an endless belt in which both ends of the belt are fixed to the carriage 68 in addition to the endless belt.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the document cover 7 is provided with an ADF 6 that continuously conveys documents from a document tray 81 to a document discharge tray 83 through a document conveyance path formed inside the ADF 6. In the conveyance process by the ADF 6, the image reading unit 61 that passes through the reading surface of the platen glass 60 and stands by below the reading surface reads the image of the document. In the present invention, the ADF 6 has an arbitrary configuration, and the scanner unit 3 may not include the ADF 6 and may perform image reading only as an FBS. Therefore, a detailed description of the ADF 6 is omitted.

  When the scanner unit 3 is used as an FBS, the carriage 68 is moved below the platen glass 60 in parallel with the platen glass 60, and the contact image sensor 82 mounted on the carriage 68 is placed on the platen glass 60. Scan the original image. When the ADF 6 is used, the carriage 68 moves below the reading surface of the platen glass 60 and stops, and the contact image sensor 82 reads an image of the document passing through the reading surface.

  In the present embodiment, the contact image sensor 82 is used as the image reading unit 61. However, instead of the contact image sensor 82, a reduction optical system image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used. Of course, the effect of the present invention can be obtained.

(Control part)
Hereinafter, a control unit that controls operations of the printer unit 2 and the scanner unit 3 will be described. FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the control unit 100 of the multi-function device 1. The control unit 100 controls the operation of the multi-function device 1 including the printer unit 2 and the scanner unit 3. As shown in the figure, the control unit 100 is a microcomputer mainly including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 104. And is connected to an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 106 via a bus 105.

  The ROM 102 stores a program for controlling various operations of the multi-function device 1. The RAM 103 is used as a storage area or a work area for temporarily recording various data used when the CPU 101 executes the program.

  The ASIC 106 generates a phase excitation signal or the like for energizing the CR motor 107 or LF motor 108 of the printer unit 2 according to a command from the CPU 101, and sends the signal to the drive circuits 109 and 110 of the CR motor 107 or LF motor 108. Give. When a drive signal is energized to the CR motor 107 or the LF motor 108 via the drive circuits 109 and 110, rotation control of the CR motor 107 and the LF motor 108 is performed.

  The drive circuit 109 drives the CR motor 107 connected to the scanning carriage 31 of the printer unit 2. The drive circuit 109 receives the output signal from the ASIC 106 and generates an electrical signal for rotating the CR motor 107. Upon receipt of the electrical signal, the CR motor 107 rotates, and the rotational force of the CR motor 107 is transmitted to the scanning carriage 31 via the belt drive mechanism 38, whereby the scanning carriage 31 is scanned.

  The drive circuit 110 drives the LF motor 108 connected to the paper feed roller 25, the transport roller 47, the paper discharge roller 49, and the purge mechanism 43 of the printer unit 2. The drive circuit 110 receives the output signal from the ASIC 106 and generates an electrical signal for rotating the LF motor 108. The LF motor 108 that has received the electrical signal rotates, and the rotational force of the LF motor 108 is fed via a known drive mechanism including a gear, a drive shaft, and the like, through a paper feed roller 25, a transport roller 47, a paper discharge roller 49, and a purge mechanism. 43.

  The drive circuit 111 selectively ejects ink from the recording head 30 onto the recording paper at a predetermined timing. The drive circuit 111 receives the output signal generated in the ASIC 106 based on the drive control procedure output from the CPU 65, and drives and controls the recording head 30.

  Connected to the ASIC 106 are a rotary encoder for detecting the amount of rotation of the transport roller 47 of the printer unit 2, a linear encoder for detecting the amount of movement of the scanning carriage 31, and the like. Based on the detection signals of these rotary encoders and linear encoders, the CPU 101 outputs a command to the ASIC 106, and the ASIC 106 generates a phase excitation signal and the like for energizing the CR motor 107 and the LF motor 108 according to the command.

  The ASIC 106 generates a phase excitation signal or the like for energizing the CR motor 112 of the scanner unit 3 or the LF motor 113 of the ADF 6 in accordance with a command from the CPU 101, and outputs the signal to the drive circuit 114, the CR motor 112 or the LF motor 113. 115. When a drive signal is energized to the CR motor 112 or the LF motor 113 through the drive circuits 114 and 115, rotation control of the CR motor 112 and the LF motor 113 is performed.

  The drive circuit 114 drives the CR motor 112 connected to the carriage 68 of the scanner unit 3. The drive circuit 114 receives the output signal from the ASIC 106 and generates an electrical signal for rotating the CR motor 112. Upon receipt of the electrical signal, the CR motor 112 rotates, and the rotational force of the CR motor 112 is transmitted to the carriage 68 via a known scanning mechanism, whereby the carriage 68 is moved.

  The drive circuit 115 drives the LF motor 113 connected to a drive portion such as a conveyance roller of the ADF 6. The drive circuit 115 receives the output signal from the ASIC 106 and generates an electrical signal for rotating the LF motor 113. The LF motor 113 that has received the electrical signal rotates, and the rotational force of the LF motor 113 is transmitted to a transport roller of the ADF 6 via a known drive mechanism including a gear, a drive shaft, and the like.

  Connected to the ASIC 106 is a contact image sensor 67 that reads an image of a document in the scanner unit 3. The ASIC 106 provides the contact image sensor 67 with an electrical signal for irradiating light from the light source of the contact image sensor 67 and a timing signal for outputting image data from the photoelectric conversion element based on a command from the CPU 101. The contact image sensor 67 receives these signals, irradiates the document with light at a predetermined timing, and outputs image data converted by the photoelectric conversion element.

  Connected to the ASIC 106 is a panel gate array 116 that controls the operation keys 10 for inputting desired commands to the multi-function device 1. The panel gate array 116 detects the pressing of the operation key 10 and outputs a predetermined code signal. This key code is assigned corresponding to the plurality of operation keys 10, and in particular, the operation key 10 arranged around the liquid crystal display unit (display unit) 11 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. A plurality of key codes are given in association. When the CPU 101 receives a predetermined key code from the panel gate array 116, the CPU 101 performs control processing to be executed according to a predetermined key processing table. The key processing table is a table in which key codes and control processes are associated with each other, and is stored in the ROM 102, for example.

  Connected to the ASIC 106 is an LCD controller 117 that controls screen display of the liquid crystal display unit 11. The LCD controller 117 causes the liquid crystal display unit 11 to display information on the operation of the printer unit 2 or the scanner unit 3 on the screen based on a command from the CPU 101.

  The ASIC 106 is connected to a slot portion 8 into which various small memory cards are inserted, a parallel interface 118 and a USB interface 119 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the computer via a parallel cable or a USB cable. Further, the ASIC 106 is connected with an NCU (Network Control Unit) 120 and a MODEM 121 for realizing a facsimile function.

(control panel)
Hereinafter, the operation panel of the multi-function device 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 9 is provided on the front side of the document table 5. The operation panel 9 includes various operation keys 10 and a liquid crystal display unit 11. The user inputs a desired command using the operation panel 9. The multi-function device 1 receives a predetermined input and performs a predetermined operation. The multi-function device 1 is operated not only by a command input to the operation panel 9 but also by a command connected to the computer and transmitted from the computer via a printer driver, a scanner driver, or the like.

  A slot portion 8 into which various small memory cards as recording media can be loaded is provided in the upper left portion of the front surface of the multi-function device 1. Image data recorded on a small memory card loaded in the slot unit 8 can be read out, information on the image data can be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11, and an arbitrary image can be recorded on a recording sheet by the printer unit 3. The input for this is performed from the operation panel 9.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the liquid crystal display unit 11 is a horizontally long rectangle in plan view, and its vertical dimension is slightly smaller than the depth dimension of the operation panel 9. Therefore, there is no space for arranging the operation keys 10 on the operation panel 9 on the back side and the near side of the liquid crystal display unit 11. In other words, the liquid crystal display unit 11 is enlarged to a size that can be arranged on the operation panel 9. By using such a large liquid crystal display unit 11, the visibility of characters and images displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11 is improved.

  The liquid crystal display unit 11 is disposed at the center in the width direction of the operation panel 9. The width dimension of the liquid crystal display unit 11 is sufficiently smaller than the width dimension of the operation panel 9. Therefore, there is a space for arranging the operation keys 10 on the operation panel 9 on the side of the liquid crystal display unit 11. By disposing the liquid crystal display unit 11 in the center of the operation panel 9, the operation keys 10 can be disposed on both the left and right sides of the liquid crystal display unit 11. Thereby, the balance of the position of the liquid crystal display unit 11 with respect to the arrangement of the operation keys 10 is improved.

  There are three operation keys 10, an operation key 10 </ b> A provided around the liquid crystal display unit 11, an operation key 10 </ b> B provided on the right end side of the operation panel 9, and an operation key 10 </ b> C provided on the left end side of the operation panel 9. Broadly divided.

  The operation keys 10 </ b> A are arranged around the liquid crystal display unit 11 and in a line along the side edges of the liquid crystal display unit 11 on both the left and right sides. Thus, by arranging the operation keys 10A on the left and right sides of the liquid crystal display unit 11, the space on the side of the liquid crystal display unit 11 can be used effectively.

  The operation key 10A is a mode key for switching each mode such as a facsimile mode, a copy mode, and a scan mode, and also serves as a setting key for performing various settings in each mode. That is, a plurality of inputs are assigned to the operation key 10 </ b> A, and the content input by pressing each operation key 10 </ b> A is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. The relationship between the operation key 10A and the display on the liquid crystal display unit 11 will be described later.

  The operation key 10B is a power key for turning on / off the power of the multi-function device 1, a search of a phone book or abbreviated dial registered in the control unit 100, a change of a call volume or warning sound, a volume of an input confirmation sound, A navigation key for confirming various settings, a start key for inputting start of image recording and image reading, a stop key for inputting interruption of various processes, and the like are provided. Further, the operation key 10C includes a dial key for inputting a telephone number. Note that the types of the operation keys 10B and 10C are examples, and the operation keys of the present invention are naturally not limited to these.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display unit 11 lies on the operation panel 9 so that the surface thereof and the surface of the operation panel 9 are flush with each other. This posture of the liquid crystal display unit 11 is referred to as a lying posture. On the other hand, the liquid crystal display unit 11 can be rotated so as to stand up with respect to the operation panel 9 as shown in FIG. This posture of the liquid crystal display unit 11 is called a standing posture. By setting the liquid crystal display unit 11 to the lying posture, the liquid crystal display unit 11 does not protrude from the surface of the operation panel 9 and the appearance of the operation panel 9 is improved. Further, the visibility of the display of the liquid crystal display unit 11 from the upper side of the multi-function device 1 is improved. On the other hand, the display visibility of the liquid crystal display unit 11 from the front side of the multi-function device 1 is improved by setting the liquid crystal display unit 11 in the standing posture.

  Such rotation of the liquid crystal display unit 11 is realized by the shaft 12 (see FIG. 11) provided in the liquid crystal display unit 11 being pivotally supported by the document placing table 5. The liquid crystal display unit 11 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display) arranged in a flat plate shape having a predetermined thickness so as to be visible from the front side. Although not shown in the drawing, a flat cable is extended from the back side of the liquid crystal display unit 11, and the flat cable is connected to the control board 52 (see FIG. 3), so that an electric signal is transmitted from the control board 52. In response, a predetermined screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a shaft 12 protrudes laterally on the side surface of the casing of the liquid crystal display unit 11. The shaft 12 is pivotally supported in the vicinity of the center of the operation panel 9 of the document table 5, so that the liquid crystal display unit 11 can be rotated around the shaft 12. The shaft 12 protrudes in the horizontal direction (front side in FIG. 11) from the vicinity of the lower corner of the thickness direction on the front side of the apparatus (left side in FIG. 11) in the lying posture. Although not shown in the figure, a similar shaft 12 is provided on the opposite side surface of the liquid crystal display unit 11.

  As shown in FIG. 11, an engagement member 13 is disposed so as to be fitted on the upper side of the shaft 12 of the liquid crystal display unit 11 pivotally supported on the document placing table 5. In a state where the liquid crystal display unit 11 is pivotally supported on the document placing table 5, the engaging member 13 is fixed to the document placing table 5. A plurality of locking claws 14 are formed on the engaging member 13 so as to be aligned in the circumferential direction of the shaft 12. The liquid crystal display unit 11 is provided with a leaf spring 15 that is bent in a mountain fold so that the tip of the liquid crystal display unit 11 is aligned between the adjacent locking claws 14.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the liquid crystal display unit 11 is in the lying posture, the leaf spring 15 is engaged with the locking claw 14 at the lying side end. In order to rotate the liquid crystal display unit 11 in the lying posture to be in the standing posture, it is necessary to elastically deform the mountain-shaped tip of the leaf spring 15 outward from the tip of the locking claw 14 in the radial direction of the shaft 12. is there. In other words, the liquid crystal display unit 11 is not rotated unless a force for elastically deforming the leaf spring 15 is applied to the liquid crystal display unit 11. This prevents the liquid crystal display unit 11 in the lying posture from shaking in the rotation direction.

  If the user rotates the liquid crystal display unit 11 in the lying posture so that the liquid crystal display unit 11 stands upright, the tip of the leaf spring 15 is pivoted along the locking claw 14 by the turning force applied by the user. 12 is elastically deformed radially outward. And if the front-end | tip of the leaf | plate spring 15 exceeds the front-end | tip of the latching claw 14 of a lying side end, the front-end | tip of the leaf | plate spring 15 bent in the mountain shape will be the latching claw 14 and the latching claw 14 adjacent to it. The shaft 12 is restored to the inside in the radial direction so as to engage with the valley between the two. In order to rotate the liquid crystal display unit 11 in either the standing direction or the lying down direction from the state in which the tip of the leaf spring 15 is engaged in the valley between the latching claws 14, It is necessary to apply a force for elastic deformation from the tip of the locking claw 14 to the radially outer side of the shaft 12. In other words, unless the user further rotates the liquid crystal display unit 11, the liquid crystal display unit 11 maintains the posture with the tip of the leaf spring 15 engaged with the valley between the locking claws 14.

  When the user further rotates the liquid crystal display unit 11, the distal end of the leaf spring 15 is elastically deformed radially outward of the shaft 12 along the locking claw 14 as described above, and the distal end of the leaf spring 15. However, when the tip of the predetermined locking claw 14 is exceeded, the tip of the bent leaf spring 15 is engaged in a valley between the locking claw 14 and the adjacent locking claw 14. Thus, the shaft 12 is restored to the inside in the radial direction. Unless the user further rotates the liquid crystal display unit 11, the liquid crystal display unit 11 maintains its posture in a state where the tip of the leaf spring 15 is engaged in the valley between the locking claws 14. Due to the engagement between the locking claw 14 and the leaf spring 15, the posture of the liquid crystal display unit 11 is maintained at a predetermined rotation position. That is, a so-called tilt mechanism is realized that can temporarily fix the liquid crystal display unit 11 in a predetermined posture in which the locking claw 14 and the leaf spring 15 are engaged.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the document placing table 5 is rotatable so as to open upward with respect to the lower part of the apparatus constituting the printer unit 2. The document table 5 is connected to the side (left side in FIG. 12) of the casing 16 at the lower part of the apparatus constituting the printer unit 2 via a hinge mechanism. By this hinge mechanism, the document table 5 is movable with respect to the housing 16.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the document table 5 is opened upward, the inside of the housing 16, that is, the inside of the printer unit 2 is exposed. In this state, maintenance such as replacement of the ink tank 32 and jam processing in the transport path 23 can be performed. Since the operation panel 9 is provided on the front side of the upper surface of the document placing table 5, it rotates together with the document placing table 5. On the other hand, portions of the operation panel 9 that pivotally support the liquid crystal display unit 11, that is, portions on both sides of the liquid crystal display unit 11, are not rotated with the document placing table 5 and are fixed to the housing 16. . This portion is called a fixed portion 17.

  In order to enable the liquid crystal display unit 11 to rotate with respect to the operation panel 9, it is necessary to provide the operation panel 9 with a portion (fixed portion 17) that supports the shaft 12. By arranging the operation key 10A on the fixed portion 17, the space of the fixed portion on both sides of the liquid crystal display unit 11 is effectively used.

  Hereinafter, the relationship between the operation key 10A and the display on the liquid crystal display unit 11 will be described. The liquid crystal display unit 11 displays a command that can be input by each operation key 10A in an area adjacent to each operation key 10A, that is, a left and right area of the screen of the liquid crystal display unit 11 in association with each operation key 10A. Thereby, the user can recognize the command that can be input by pressing each operation key 10 </ b> A from the display on the liquid crystal display unit 11.

  As shown in FIG. 13, four operation keys 10A are arranged on the left and right sides of the liquid crystal display unit 11, respectively. Four operation keys 130, 131, 132, and 133 arranged on the right side of the liquid crystal display unit 11 are mode keys, and as shown in FIG. 14, the main function selection of the multi-function device 1 is performed by pressing these keys. (S1). The facsimile function (S2), copy function (S3), scanner function (S4), or media function (S5) is set in accordance with the pressed operation keys 130, 131, 132, 133. Four operation keys 134, 135, 136, and 137 arranged on the left side of the liquid crystal display unit 11 are used when inputting various settings and moving the screen in each function.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the screen of the liquid crystal display unit 11 has a content display area 140 and a key input display area 141. The content display area 140 is arranged at the center of the screen. In the content display area 140, the current date and time are displayed in the standby state, and various settings and images are displayed for each function. The key input display area 141 is arranged separately on the left and right ends of the screen. The key input display area 141 displays commands that can be input by the operation keys 130 to 137. In the present embodiment, since the operation keys 130 to 137 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the liquid crystal display unit 11, the key input display area 141 is arranged on the left and right ends of the screen. If the operation keys are arranged only on either the left or right side of the liquid crystal display unit 11, the key input display area 141 may be arranged only on either the left or right side of the screen.

  The arrangement of the key input display area 141 is not limited to the left and right sides of the screen. However, when the liquid crystal display unit 11 is a horizontally long rectangle as in the present embodiment, the screen of the liquid crystal display unit 11 is arranged. By setting the left and right ends as the key input display area 141, the content display area 140 and the key input display area 141 can be arranged in an easy-to-view layout. Moreover, since each operation key 130-137 and the liquid crystal display part 11 are arrange | positioned horizontally, space efficiency is good when arrange | positioning these on the front side of the multi-function device 1.

  The key input display area 141 is divided into a plurality of sub areas 150 to 157 corresponding to the operation keys 130 to 137. In each of the sub-regions 150 to 157, commands that can be input using the closest operation keys 130 to 137 are displayed. That is, the key input table area 141 on the right side of the screen has sub-areas 150 to 153 that are vertically divided into four corresponding to the four operation keys 130 to 133 arranged in a vertical line on the right side of the screen. . The sub area 150 corresponds to the operation key 130, the sub area 151 corresponds to the operation key 131, the sub area 152 corresponds to the operation key 132, and the sub area 153 corresponds to the operation key 133. It corresponds to.

  The key input table area 141 on the left side of the screen has sub-areas 154 to 157 divided vertically into four corresponding to the four operation keys 134 to 137 arranged in a vertical line on the left side of the screen. The sub area 154 corresponds to the operation key 134, the sub area 155 corresponds to the operation key 135, the sub area 156 corresponds to the operation key 136, and the sub area 157 corresponds to the operation key 137. It corresponds to. As a result, the user can recognize which command is input by pressing any one of the plurality of operation keys 130 to 137 by displaying each sub-region 150 to 157.

  FIG. 13 shows a screen display (first display screen) of the multifunction device 1 in the standby state. Although not shown in the figure, the content display area 140 displays the current date and time. In the sub area 150, “Media” is displayed. This means that the media function is executed when the operation key 130 is pressed. In the sub area 151, “COPY” is displayed. This means that the copy function is executed when the operation key 131 is pressed. In the sub area 152, “FAX” is displayed. This means that the facsimile function is executed when the operation key 132 is pressed. In the sub area 153, “SCAN” is displayed. This means that the scanner function is executed when the operation key 133 is pressed.

  Although the display of the sub-areas 154 to 157 is not particularly shown, if there is no command input by pressing the operation keys 134 to 137 in the standby state, the display may be made blank. On the other hand, when any command is input by pressing the operation keys 134 to 137 in the standby state, a display indicating the command may be displayed. Note that the display order and language shown in this embodiment are examples, and it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the display order and language shown in this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when any one of the operation keys 130 to 133 is pressed in the standby state (S1), a predetermined code signal is output from the control unit 100, and control corresponding to the output code signal is performed. Is made. That is, when the operation key 130 is pressed in the standby state, the media function can be executed (S2). When the operation key 131 is pressed in the standby state, the copy function can be executed (S3). When the operation key 132 is pressed in the standby state, the facsimile function can be executed (S4). When the operation key 133 is pressed in the standby state, the scan function can be executed (S5).

  The control unit 100 holds commands that can be input by the operation keys 130 to 137 as a hierarchical structure. The first hierarchy command is a selection command for selecting each function, and the second hierarchy command is a command for various settings in each function. That is, the commands based on “Media”, “COPY”, “FAX”, and “SCAN” displayed in the sub areas 150 to 153 in the standby state constitute the first layer. Then, the second hierarchy is configured by commands for inputting the setting of each function corresponding to the commands in the first hierarchy.

  FIG. 15 shows a screen display (second display screen) of the liquid crystal display unit 11 when the operation key 130 corresponding to the display of “Media” is pressed in the standby state. As a result, execution of media functions and various settings are performed. The media function is a function for reading out image data stored in a small memory card loaded in the slot 8 and performing printing or the like. Also on this screen, a content display area 140 is arranged at the center of the screen, and a key input display area 141 is arranged on the left and right of the screen. Similarly, the key input display area 141 is divided into sub areas 150 to 157 corresponding to the operation keys 130 to 137. In each of the sub-areas 150 to 157, a second hierarchy command that can be input with the operation keys 130 to 137 is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a function display area 142 for displaying a first hierarchy command is provided on the upper side of the content display area 140. In the function display area 142, the command of the first hierarchy input on the first display screen is displayed. In FIG. 15, “Media” indicating the media function is displayed. Accordingly, the user can recognize which of the first layers is instructed in the second layer below the setting screen (second display screen) of each function. Is improved.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the content display area 140 displays that “View Photos”, “Print Index”, “Print All Photos”, and “Print Photos” are selectable. “View Photos” is a function for displaying an image of image data stored in the small memory card on the liquid crystal display unit 11. “Print Index” is a function for index printing images of image data stored in a small memory card. “Print All Photos” is a function for printing images of all image data stored in a small memory card. “Print Photos” is a function for selecting and printing an image of arbitrary image data among image data stored in a small memory card.

  As shown in FIG. 15, “View Photos”, “Print Index”, “Print All Photos”, and “Print Photos” are displayed in the sub areas 150 to 153, respectively. In the sub area 157, “top” is displayed. The display of “top” means that when the operation key 137 is pressed, the screen returns to the standby screen shown in FIG. When one of the operation keys 130 to 133 is pressed on this screen, a predetermined code signal is output from the control unit 100, and control corresponding to the output code signal is performed, and the above-described functions are executed. Is done. In addition, when the operation key 137 is pressed, a predetermined code signal is output from the control unit 100, control corresponding to the output code signal is performed, and the display on the liquid crystal display unit 11 becomes a standby screen. . Thereby, the user can recognize that each function mentioned above is performed by pressing down each of the operation keys 130-137. In addition, since the first hierarchy command and the second hierarchy command can be assigned to the operation keys 130 to 137, the number of operation keys with respect to the command count can be reduced.

  FIG. 16 shows a screen display of the liquid crystal display unit 11 when the operation key 130 corresponding to the display of “View Photos” in FIG. 15 is pressed. Thereby, an image based on the image data stored in the small memory card can be confirmed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. In the function display area 142 of the liquid crystal display unit 11, “Media” indicating a media function is displayed. In addition, the key input display area 141 is not displayed, and the content display area 140 is displayed with an enlarged horizontal width. In the content display area 140, an image of one of the image data stored in the small memory card is displayed. The user can display an image of another image data in the content display area 140 by operating the navigation key included in the operation key 10B. Further, the image display is ended by pressing the stop key.

  FIG. 17A shows a screen display of the liquid crystal display unit 11 when the operation key 131 corresponding to the display of “Print Index” in FIG. 15 is pressed. As a result, an image based on the image data stored in the small memory card can be index printed. In the function display area 142 of the liquid crystal display unit 11, “Media” indicating a media function is displayed. The content display area 140 displays that “6 images / Line fast” and “5 images / Line fine” can be selected. “6 images / Line fast” is a setting for printing 6 images per line in index printing. “5 images / Line fine” is a setting for printing 5 images per line in index printing. In the case of 5 images per line, the printing speed is slower than in the case of 6 images per line, but the print quality is improved.

  As shown in FIG. 17A, “6 images / Line fast” and “5 images / Line fine” are displayed in the sub areas 150 and 151, respectively. When one of the operation keys 130 and 131 is pressed on this screen, a predetermined code signal is output from the control unit 100, and control corresponding to the output code signal is performed. Then, the screen shown in FIG. 17B is displayed. In this screen, “Media” indicating the media function is displayed in the function display area 142 of the liquid crystal display unit 11. In the content display area 140, “Print Range Input No.” is displayed. Then, a range of image data to be index printed is input by a dial key included in the operation key 10C. When the start key included in the operation key 10B is pressed, the index print based on the setting is executed by the printer unit 2.

  FIG. 18 shows a screen display of the liquid crystal display unit 11 when the operation keys 132 and 133 corresponding to the display of “Print All Photos” or “Print Photos” in FIG. 15 are pressed. As a result, an image based on the image data stored in the small memory card is printed by the printer 2. In the function display area 142 of the liquid crystal display unit 11, “Media” indicating a media function is displayed.

  In the content display area 140, various settings that can be entered in “Print All Photos” or “Print Photos” and the current setting status are displayed. Specifically, in the content display area 140, seven settings of “Print quality”, “Paper Size”, “Print Size”, “Brightness”, “True 2 Life”, “Cropping”, and “Borderless” are set. Is displayed. “Print quality” means print quality. As the print quality, for example, either standard or photograph can be set. In the content display area 140, “Photo” is displayed, and it can be seen that the picture quality is currently set. “Paper Size” means a recording paper size. As the recording paper size, for example, L plate, 2L plate, postcard, letter, A4, etc. can be set. In the content display area 140, “Letter” is displayed, indicating that the letter size is currently set. “Print Size” means a print size. As the print size, for example, 6 inches × 4 inches can be set. In the content display area 140, “6” × 4 ”is displayed, which indicates that 6 inches × 4 inches are currently set. “Brightness” means the brightness of the printed image. As the brightness of the printed image, for example, a total of five steps can be set in two steps from the standard to the positive side or the negative side. In the content display area 140, “0” is displayed, which indicates that the standard is currently set. “True 2 Life” means image quality enhancement. As image quality enhancement, for example, white balance, sharpness, and color adjustment can be set in five stages. Since “Off” is displayed in the content display area 140, it can be seen that the image quality enhancement is not currently set. “Cropping” means image cropping. Since “Off” is displayed in the content display area 140, it can be seen that trimming is not currently set. “Borderless” means borderless printing. Since “Off” is displayed in the content display area 140, it can be seen that no borderless printing is currently set.

  As shown in FIG. 18A, “Print quality”, “Paper Size”, “Print Size”, “Brightness”, and “True 2 Life” are displayed in the sub areas 150 to 154, respectively. In the sub areas 155 to 157, “next”, “back”, and “top” are displayed, respectively. The display of “next” means that when the operation key 135 is pressed, the screen shifts to the next setting screen shown in FIG. The display of “back” means that when the operation key 136 is pressed, the screen returns to the previous screen. On this screen, when any one of the operation keys 130 to 134 is pressed, a predetermined code signal is output from the control unit 100, and control corresponding to the output code signal is performed. It becomes possible. Each setting is selected and determined by, for example, a navigation key included in the operation key 10B.

In FIG. 18A, when the operation key 135 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 18B is displayed. In this screen, “Cropping” and “Borderless” are displayed in the sub areas 150 and 151, respectively. In the sub areas 155 to 157, “next”, “back”, and “top” are displayed, respectively.
On this screen, when one of the operation keys 130 and 131 is pressed, a predetermined code signal is output from the control unit 100, and control corresponding to the output code signal is performed, and each setting described above is input. It becomes possible. Each setting is selected and determined by, for example, a navigation key included in the operation key 10B. After the various settings are input in this way, the printer unit 2 executes image printing based on the settings by pressing the start key included in the operation key 10B.

  FIG. 19 shows a screen display (second display screen) of the liquid crystal display unit 11 when the operation key 131 corresponding to the display of “COPY” is pressed in the standby state. As a result, the copy function is executed and various settings are performed. The copy function is a function for printing an image read by the scanner unit 3 using the printer unit 2. Also on this screen, a content display area 140 is arranged at the center of the screen, and a key input display area 141 is arranged on the left and right of the screen. Similarly, the key input display area 141 is divided into sub areas 150 to 157 corresponding to the operation keys 130 to 137. In each of the sub-areas 150 to 157, a second hierarchy command that can be input with the operation keys 130 to 137 is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 19, a function display area 142 for displaying a first layer command is provided on the upper side of the content display area 140. In the function display area 142, the command of the first hierarchy input on the first display screen is displayed. In FIG. 19, “COPY” indicating the copy function is displayed. Accordingly, the user can recognize which of the first layers is instructed in the second layer below the setting screen (second display screen) of each function. Is improved.

  In the content display area 140, various settings that can be input in the copy function and the current setting status are displayed. Specifically, the content display area 140 includes “Quality”, “Enlarge / Reduce”, “Paper Layout”, “Paper Type”, “Paper Size”, “Stack / Sort”, “Brightness”, “Contrast”. , And nine types of “Color Adjust” are displayed. “Quality” means copy image quality. As the copy image quality, for example, any one of high speed, standard, and high image quality can be set. In the content display area 140, “Normal” is displayed, which indicates that the standard is currently set. “Enlarge / Reduce” means an enlarged copy or a reduced copy. As the enlarged copy / reduced copy, for example, a setting such as 86% can be selected as the reduction from A4 to B5, or an arbitrary enlargement ratio or reduction ratio of a predetermined magnification can be set. In the content display area 140, “50%” is displayed, and it can be seen that 50% reduced copy is currently set. “Paper Layout” means layout copy or poster copy. As layout copy / poster copy, 2 or 4 originals can be assigned to one recording paper, or the original can be enlarged to 3 × 3 poster size and printed on 9 recording papers. It is. Since “Off” is displayed in the content display area 140, it can be seen that the allocated copy / poster copy is not currently set.

  “Paper Type” means the type of recording paper. As the type of recording paper, for example, plain paper, inkjet glossy paper, and OHP film can be set. In the content display area 140, “Plain” is displayed, which indicates that plain paper is currently set. “Print Size” means the copy size. As the copy size, for example, A4 size, B5 size, and postcard can be set. In the content display area 140, “A4” is displayed, and it can be seen that the A4 size is currently set. “Stack / Sort” means a paper discharge method. When a sort function is added to the paper discharge tray 21, sorting can be selected. In the content display area 140, “Stack” is displayed, and it can be seen that the normal paper discharge method for discharging paper to the paper discharge tray 21 is currently set. “Brightness” means the brightness of the copy. As the brightness of copying, for example, a total of five steps can be set in two steps from the standard to the positive side or negative side. In the content display area 140, “+2” is displayed, and it can be seen that a setting with two steps added to the positive side is currently set. “Contrast” means copy contrast. As the contrast, for example, a total of five steps can be set in two steps from the standard to the positive side or the negative side. In the content display area 140, “−1” is displayed, and it can be seen that the setting minus one step is made on the negative side. “Color Adjust” means color setting. As color settings, for example, for each color of red, green, and blue, a total of five levels can be set in two levels from the standard to the positive side or the negative side.

  In the screen shown in FIG. 19A (second display screen), the sub areas 150 to 154 include “Quality”, “Enlarge / Reduce”, “Paper Layout”, “Paper Type”, “Paper Size”. Is displayed. In the sub areas 155 to 157, “next”, “back”, and “top” are displayed, respectively. In the screen shown in FIG. 19B (third display screen), “Stack / Sort”, “Brightness”, “Contrast”, and “Color Adjust” are displayed in the sub areas 150 to 153, respectively. In the sub areas 155 to 157, “next”, “back”, and “top” are displayed, respectively.

  The second layer command in the copy function corresponds to nine types of settings, and is more than the eight operation keys 130 to 137. Therefore, the control unit 100 displays a part of the commands in the sub areas 150 to 154 of the screen shown in FIG. 19A, assigns the commands to the operation keys 130 to 134, and specifies the remaining designations in FIG. Each command is assigned to each of the operation keys 130 to 133 by being displayed in the sub areas 150 to 153 of the screen shown in FIG. Then, “next” and “back” for switching the display of these screens are displayed in the sub areas 155 and 156 of both screens, and the respective commands are assigned to the operation keys 135 and 136. As a result, a plurality of commands on the same level can be assigned to one operation key, so that the number of operation keys for the number of commands on the same level can be reduced.

  When any of the operation keys 130 to 134 is pressed on these screens, a predetermined code signal is output from the control unit 100, and control corresponding to the output code signal is performed, so that each setting described above is input. It becomes possible. Each setting is selected and determined by, for example, a navigation key included in the operation key 10B. After various settings are input, the number of copies is input using a dial key included in the operation keys 10C. The input copy number is displayed in a copy number display area 143 provided in the function display area 142. When the start key included in the operation key 10B is pressed, copying based on the setting is executed by the printer unit 2 and the scanner unit 3.

  FIG. 20 shows a screen display (second display screen) of the liquid crystal display unit 11 when the operation key 132 corresponding to the display of “FAX” is pressed in the standby state. As a result, the facsimile function is executed and various settings are performed. The facsimile function is a function for transmitting an image read by the scanner unit 3 as facsimile data through a telephone line, and printing facsimile data received through the telephone line by the printer unit 2. Also on this screen, a content display area 140 is arranged at the center of the screen, and a key input display area 141 is arranged on the left and right of the screen. Similarly, the key input display area 141 is divided into sub areas 150 to 157 corresponding to the operation keys 130 to 137. In each of the sub-areas 150 to 157, a second hierarchy command that can be input with the operation keys 130 to 137 is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 20, a function display area 142 for displaying a first hierarchy command is provided on the upper side of the content display area 140. In the function display area 142, the command of the first hierarchy input on the first display screen is displayed. In FIG. 20, “FAX” indicating the facsimile function is displayed. Accordingly, the user can recognize which of the first layers is instructed in the second layer below the setting screen (second display screen) of each function. Is improved.

  The content display area 140 displays various settings that can be input in the facsimile function and the current setting status. Specifically, the content display area 140 includes “Quick Dial”, “Outgoing & Call histry”, “Caller ID history”, “Broadcasting”, “Contrast”, “Fax Resolution”, “Delated Fax”, “Batch”. Twelve settings of “TX”, “Real Time TX”, “Polled TX”, “Overseas Mode”, and “Scan Size” are displayed. “Quick Dial” means speed dial. Speed dials can be preset and registered in the phone book. “Outgoing & Call histry” and “Caller ID history” mean communication management. The communication management can set the report of the latest transmission / reception, the transmission report, and the like. “Broadcasting” means manual transmission. Manual transmission can be set on / off. Since “Off” is displayed in the content display area 140, it can be seen that manual transmission is not currently set. “Contrast” means document density. As the document density, for example, “automatic”, “light”, and “dark” can be set. In the content display area 140, “Auto” is displayed, which indicates that auto is currently set. “Fax Resolution” means image quality. As the image quality of the original, for example, “Fine” set when the original text is small, “Fine” set when the original text is finer, and set when the original includes a photograph or the like. “Shashin” can be set. In the content display area 140, “Standard” is displayed, which indicates that the standard is currently set.

  “Delayed Fax” means timer transmission. In timer transmission, for example, facsimile transmission can be performed by specifying a transmission time. Since “Off” is displayed in the content display area 140, it can be seen that timer transmission is not currently set. “Batch Fax” means batch sending. In the collective sending, for example, when a plurality of timer transmissions are set to the same destination at the same transmission time, it is possible to set so as to send them together in one communication. Since “Off” is displayed in the content display area 140, it can be seen that the batch feed is not currently set. “Real Time TX” means real-time transmission. In real-time transmission, it is possible to dial the other party immediately and transmit while reading the image of the document. Since “Off” is displayed in the content display area 140, it can be seen that real-time transmission is not currently set. “Polled TX” means polling transmission. In polling transmission, it is possible to automatically transmit a document by operating a facsimile on the other side. Since “Off” is displayed in the content display area 140, it can be seen that polling transmission is not currently set. “Overseas Mode” means overseas transmission. In overseas transmission, it is possible to reduce communication errors when performing facsimile transmission overseas. Since “Off” is displayed in the content display area 140, it can be seen that overseas transmission is not currently set. “Scan Size” means the document size. As the document size, for example, A4 size, B5 size, letter size, etc. can be set. In the content display area 140, “Letter” is displayed, indicating that the letter size is currently set.

  In the screen shown in FIG. 20A (second display screen), the sub areas 150 to 154 include “Quick Dial”, “Outgoing & Call histry”, “Caller ID history”, “Broadcasting”, “Contrast”. "Is displayed. In the sub areas 155 to 157, “next”, “back”, and “top” are displayed, respectively. In the screen shown in FIG. 20B (third display screen), the sub areas 150 to 154 include “Fax Resolution”, “Delated Fax”, “Batch TX”, “Rea Time TX”, “Polled TX”. "Is displayed. In the sub areas 155 to 157, “next”, “back”, and “top” are displayed, respectively. In the screen shown in FIG. 20C (third display screen), “Overseas Mode” and “Scan Size” are displayed in the sub areas 150 and 151, respectively. In the sub areas 155 to 157, “next”, “back”, and “top” are displayed, respectively.

  The command of the second hierarchy in the facsimile function corresponds to 12 types of settings, and there are more than eight operation keys 130 to 137. Therefore, the control unit 100 displays a part of the commands in the sub areas 150 to 154 of the screen shown in FIG. 20A, assigns the commands to the operation keys 130 to 134, and designates the remaining designations in FIG. (b) and the sub-areas 150 to 154 on the screen shown in FIG. 20 (c), respectively, and the commands are assigned to the operation keys 130 to 134, respectively. Then, “next” and “back” for switching the display of these screens are displayed in the sub areas 155 and 156 of the three screens, and the respective commands are assigned to the operation keys 135 and 136. As a result, a plurality of commands on the same level can be assigned to one operation key, so that the number of operation keys for the number of commands on the same level can be reduced.

  When any of the operation keys 130 to 134 is pressed on these screens, a predetermined code signal is output from the control unit 100, and control corresponding to the output code signal is performed, so that each setting described above is input. It becomes possible. Each setting is selected and determined by, for example, a navigation key included in the operation key 10B. The facsimile number is input by a dial key included in the operation key 10C. The input dial is displayed in the facsimile number display area 144 provided in the content display area 140. Subsequently, when the start key included in the operation key 10B is pressed, facsimile transmission based on the setting is executed by the printer unit 2 and the scanner unit 3.

  FIG. 21A shows a screen display (second display screen) of the liquid crystal display unit 11 when the operation key 133 corresponding to the display of “SCAN” is pressed in the standby state. As a result, the scan function is executed and various settings are performed. The scan function is a function of reading an image of a document by the scanner unit 3 and storing image data of the read image in a small memory card or the like loaded in the slot unit 8. Also on this screen, a content display area 140 is arranged at the center of the screen, and a key input display area 141 is arranged on the left and right of the screen. Similarly, the key input display area 141 is divided into sub areas 150 to 157 corresponding to the operation keys 130 to 137. In each of the sub-areas 150 to 157, a second hierarchy command that can be input with the operation keys 130 to 137 is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 21 (a), a function display area 142 for displaying a command of the first hierarchy is provided on the upper side of the content display area 140. In the function display area 142, the command of the first hierarchy input on the first display screen is displayed. In FIG. 21A, “SCAN” indicating the scan function is displayed. Accordingly, the user can recognize which of the first layers is instructed in the second layer below the setting screen (second display screen) of each function. Is improved.

  As shown in FIG. 21A, the content display area 140 displays that “Card”, “E-mail”, “Image”, “OCR”, and “File” can be selected. . “Card” is a function for storing image data read by the scanner unit 3 in a small memory card. “E-mail” is a function that uses image data read by the scanner unit 3 as an attached file of an e-mail. “Image” is a function for displaying an image read by the scanner unit 3 on a computer or the like connected to the multi-function device 1. “OCR” is a function of converting characters included in image data read by the scanner unit 3 into text data. “File” is a function for storing image data read by the scanner unit 3 in a predetermined storage medium.

  As shown in FIG. 21A, “Card”, “E-mail”, “Image”, “OCR”, and “File” are displayed in the sub areas 150 to 154, respectively. In the sub area 157, “top” is displayed. On this screen, when any one of the operation keys 130 to 134 is pressed, a predetermined code signal is output from the control unit 100, control corresponding to the output code signal is performed, and the functions described above are executed. Is done. In addition, when the operation key 137 is pressed, a predetermined code signal is output from the control unit 100, control corresponding to the output code signal is performed, and the display on the liquid crystal display unit 11 becomes a standby screen. .

  FIG. 21B shows a screen display of the liquid crystal display unit 11 when the operation key 130 corresponding to the display of “Card” in FIG. 21A is pressed. As a result, the image data read by the scanner unit 3 is stored in a small memory card loaded in the slot unit 8. In the function display area 142 of the liquid crystal display unit 11, “SCAN” indicating a scan function is displayed.

  In the content display area 140, various settings that can be input in “Card” and the current setting status are displayed. Specifically, settings of “Resolution”, “File Type”, and “File Name” are displayed in the content display area 140. “Resolution” means scan image quality. As the scan image quality, for example, color 150 dpi, color 300 dpi, color 600 dpi, monochrome 200 × 100 dpi, and monochrome 200 dpi can be set. In the content display area 140, “Color 300 dpi” is displayed, and it can be seen that the color 300 dpi is currently set. “File Type” means a file format for storing image data. As the file format, for example, a PDF format, a JPEG format, or a TIFF format can be set. In the content display area 140, “JPEG” is displayed, which indicates that the JPEG format is currently set. “File Name” means a file name. The fill name is a name of a file to be saved, and can be arbitrarily given a name.

  On this screen, when any one of the operation keys 130 to 132 is pressed, a predetermined code signal is output from the control unit 100, and control corresponding to the output code signal is performed. It becomes possible. Each setting is selected, input, and determined by, for example, a navigation key included in the operation key 10B or a dial key included in the operation key 10C. When the start key included in the operation key 10 </ b> C is pressed, scanning based on the setting is executed by the scanner unit 3 and the slot unit 8.

  In this manner, since the commands that can be input by the operation keys 130 to 137 arranged around the liquid crystal display unit 11 are displayed in the key input display region 141 of the liquid crystal display unit 11, the user can enter the key input display region. With the display of 141, commands input by the operation keys 130 to 137 can be recognized, and the operability of the apparatus is improved. In addition, by assigning a plurality of commands to one operation key, the number of operation keys with respect to the number of commands is reduced, and the space where each of the operation keys 130 to 137 and the liquid crystal display unit 11 is arranged can be reduced.

  The operation keys 130 to 137 are color-coded into different colors such as green, orange, and red, and the sub areas of the key input display area 141 of the liquid crystal display unit 11 are set to 150 to 157 and the operation keys are set. If it corresponds to 130-137, it is good also as displaying on the same color. As a result, the user recognizes the sub areas 150 to 157 in which the commands input by the operation keys 130 to 137 are displayed according to colors in addition to the positional relationship between the operation keys 130 to 137 and the sub areas 150 to 157. Therefore, the operability is improved.

  Furthermore, each operation key 130-137 can be made to be able to light by forming each operation key 130-137 with a translucent material, and arrange | positioning LED in operation key 130-137. And the control part 100 is good also as lighting only the operation keys 130-137 corresponding to the sub area | regions 150-157 which displayed the command which can be input. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, when no command is assigned to the operation keys 134 to 137 in the standby state, the operation keys 134 to 137 are turned off and only the operation keys 130 to 133 are turned on. Accordingly, the user can determine the operation keys 130 to 133 that can be input by light in addition to the display of the sub-regions 150 to 157, so that the operability is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the multi-function device 1 has four functions of a media function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and a scan function. However, in the present invention, at least two or more of these functions are used. Needless to say, all of these four functions are not necessarily required.

Hereinafter, the layout of the printer unit 2, the scanner unit 3, and the operation panel 9 of the multi-function device 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer unit 2 and the scanner unit 3 are arranged vertically with the scanner unit 3 facing upward. For example, when the scanner unit 3 is used as an FBS, each time an image is read, the document cover 7 is opened and a document is placed on the platen glass 60. On the other hand, when the printer unit 2 is used, since a plurality of recording sheets are stored in the sheet feeding tray 20, it is not necessary to set the recording sheets for each image recording. That is, the frequency of setting the original on the platen glass 60 of the scanner unit 3 is higher than the frequency of setting the recording paper on the paper feed tray 20 in the printer unit 2. Therefore, by placing the scanner unit 3 on the upper side with respect to the printer unit 2, it is easy to set a document. Further, when the ADF 6 of the scanner unit 3 is used, the document tray 81 is on the upper surface of the apparatus, so that the document can be easily set.

  The overall shape of the multifunction device 1 is substantially square in plan view. In the printer unit 2, the recording paper is set on the paper feed tray 20 so that the longitudinal direction of the rectangular recording paper is the depth direction of the apparatus. The set recording paper is conveyed U-turns in the depth direction of the apparatus, image recording is performed by the image recording unit 24, and the sheet is discharged to the front of the apparatus.

  In the scanner unit 3, the original is set on the platen glass 60 such that the longitudinal direction of the rectangular original is the width direction of the apparatus. Then, the image reading unit 61 moves in the width direction of the apparatus with respect to the platen glass 60 to perform image reading. A document is set on the document tray 81 of the ADF 6. Then, it is conveyed U-turns in the width direction of the apparatus, and image reading is performed by the image reading unit 61. Thereby, the installation area of the multifunction device 1 having a substantially square plan view can be reduced.

  If the maximum size of the recording paper that can be recorded in the printer unit 2 is A4 size and the maximum size of the document that can be read in the scanner unit 3 is A4 size, the space of the difference between the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the A4 size is multifunctional. It can be secured on the front side of the device 1. Thereby, the space for arrange | positioning the operation panel 9 in the front side of an apparatus is formed, without enlarging the installation area of the multifunction apparatus 1. FIG. That is, the space of the apparatus is effectively used, and the entire apparatus can be reduced in size.

  The operation panel 9 is a space on the upper surface side of the apparatus secured as described above, and is disposed on the document placing table 5 constituting the upper surface of the apparatus. The operation panel 9 is provided with the operation keys 10A, 10B, and 10C and the liquid crystal display unit 11 as described above. The user performs desired input using the operation keys 10A, 10B, and 10C during image reading and image recording, and confirms the display on the liquid crystal display unit 11. By providing the operation panel 9 on the front side of the upper surface of the apparatus, the input operation by the operation keys 10A, 10B, and 10C and the display confirmation of the liquid crystal display unit 11 are facilitated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a multi-function device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the printer unit 2. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the main configuration of the printer unit 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the multi-function device 1 with the document cover 7 open. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the document table 5. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the document table 5. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the configuration of the belt driving mechanism 70. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 100 of the multi-function device 1. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation panel 9. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the multi-function device 1 with the liquid crystal display unit 11 in an upright posture. FIG. 11 is a side view showing a configuration near the axis 12 of the liquid crystal display unit 11. FIG. 12 is a front view showing the external configuration of the multi-function device 1 with the document table 5 opened. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the liquid crystal display unit 11 and the operation keys 130 to 137 in the standby state. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of main function selection. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the liquid crystal display unit 11 and the operation keys 130 to 137 in the media function. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the liquid crystal display unit 11 and the operation keys 130 to 137 in the media function. FIG. 17 is a plan view showing the liquid crystal display unit 11 and the operation keys 130 to 137 in the media function. FIG. 18 is a plan view showing the liquid crystal display unit 11 and the operation keys 130 to 137 in the media function. FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the liquid crystal display unit 11 and the operation keys 130 to 137 in the copy function. FIG. 20 is a plan view showing the liquid crystal display unit 11 and the operation keys 130 to 137 in the facsimile function. FIG. 21 is a plan view showing the liquid crystal display unit 11 and the operation keys 130 to 137 in the scan function.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Multifunctional device 2 ... Printer part (image recording part)
3 ... Scanner unit (image reading unit)
9 ... Operation panel 10A ... Operation keys 11 ... Liquid crystal display unit (display unit)
30 ... Recording head 67 ... Contact image sensor

Claims (7)

A multi-function device comprising an image reading unit for reading an image of a read medium and an image recording unit for recording an image on the recording medium,
The image reading unit and the image recording unit are arranged up and down with the image reading unit facing up, and the outer shape of the entire apparatus is substantially square in plan view,
An operation panel comprising an operation key for inputting commands relating to the image reading unit and the image recording unit and a display unit for displaying information relating to the image reading unit and the image recording unit on the front side of the upper surface of the apparatus Is a multi-function device.   The multi-function device according to claim 1, wherein the operation keys are arranged around the display unit.   The multi-function device according to claim 1, wherein the operation keys are arranged in a line along a side edge of the display unit on a side of the display unit.   4. The multi-function device according to claim 2, wherein the display unit displays an instruction that can be input by each operation key in an area adjacent to each operation key in association with each operation key. 5.   5. The multi-function device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is rotatable so as to be raised and lowered with respect to the operation panel with the front side of the device as an axis.   The multi-function device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is arranged at a center in the width direction of the operation panel. The image reading unit reads an image by scanning an image sensor with respect to the read medium in a stationary posture with the longitudinal direction of the rectangular read medium being the width direction of the apparatus,
The image recording unit scans the recording head with respect to the recording medium while the recording medium is U-turned so that the recording medium is reversed with the longitudinal direction of the rectangular recording medium being the depth direction of the apparatus. The multi-function device according to claim 1, wherein image recording is performed by performing the operation.

Images