JP2001305814A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-functional image forming device which can cope with to the change of the office environment in the future. SOLUTION: The image forming device has a image forming means 2, a image reading means 4, and a sheet discharging point 7. The means 2 makes images on the sheets. The means 4 is set above the means 2 with space between them, and reads image information from manuscripts with image information recorded on them. On the point 7, the sheets with images formed by the means 2 are discharged. In the frame body which contains the means 2, there is a holding point 3. This holding point 3 supports the means 4, and the means 4 rotates in the horizontal direction with point 3 as a center.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for reading an image recorded on a document or forming an image on a sheet based on image information transmitted through a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, OA equipment such as copiers, facsimile machines, and printers have become more multifunctional due to advances in digital technology and network technology. Have been doing.

Further, in consideration of future changes in the office environment, office work is carried out while extracting and reading in real time electronic information and paper information gathered there from an OA device which has been turned into an information device. The creation of a space that can be used is conceivable. As a new generation of information equipment in such a new office space, an image forming apparatus having a multi-function is expected to further develop.

[0004]

However, there is no image forming apparatus having the current multi-function corresponding to the above-mentioned future change of the office environment. It is only conceived to be installed in a space or a corner of a room or living room. In other words, even if the office environment changes as described above, there is no device that can cope with the change.

An object of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional image forming apparatus capable of coping with future changes in the office environment.

[0006]

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is provided with an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, and a space above the image forming means, wherein image information is recorded. A sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit is discharged to an image reading unit that reads the image information from the original, and into the space formed between the image forming unit and the image reading unit. The image reading unit is supported by a support unit provided on a frame body in which the image forming unit is accommodated, and horizontally in the horizontal direction around the support unit. It is characterized by being configured to rotate.

Further, a driving means for rotating the image reading means is provided in the support portion.

Further, a table portion rotatably supported by the support portion is disposed below the image reading means.

Further, the table section can be rotated independently of the image reading means.

Further, a control means for controlling the image forming apparatus can be accommodated inside the table section.

Further, an operation unit for displaying the operation of the apparatus and the operating status of the apparatus is provided on the upper surface of the support unit.

Further, the operation section is provided so as to be rotatable independently of the image reading means.

Further, the image forming apparatus has a power storage means capable of storing power from an external power supply, and is capable of operating the apparatus with the power stored in the power storage means. I do.

[0014]

(First Embodiment) An image forming apparatus embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a digital copying machine 1 as an image forming apparatus embodying the present invention.

The configuration of the copying machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. An image forming section 2 having a frame for accommodating an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet is provided with a sheet cassette 9 for stacking and accommodating sheets for forming an image under the frame.
And feeds the sheets stored in the sheet cassette 9 to the image forming means by a paper feeding means (not shown). The image forming means in the image forming unit 2 forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, develops the latent image with a developer such as toner, and transfers the developed image to a sheet.
Any image forming method such as an ink jet recording method and a thermal transfer method in which an image is formed on a sheet by discharging ink onto the sheet may be used.

A caster 11 is provided at the bottom of the apparatus so that the copying machine 1 can be freely moved.
In addition, a handle 12 that can be pulled out and stored is provided on the support portion 3 described in detail later so that the user can easily move the device. By providing the casters 11 and the handles 12 in the copying machine 1 in this manner, the user can freely move the copying machine 1 to a desired space, and the apparatus can be used in various situations.

If the copying machine 1 can be freely moved, the means is not limited to the casters. If the handle 12 can be easily moved by the user, the means can be used. Any shape may be used.

The image reading section 4 irradiates light to image information recorded on a document, reads the image information with optical means (not shown) such as a mirror or a sensor, and processes the read optical image information into digital signals. It has conversion means (not shown) such as a D converter. The image information of the document digitized by the converting means is transmitted to the image forming unit 2 to form an image on a sheet by the image forming means, or can be transmitted as facsimile or e-mail via a network line. is there. It is also possible to transmit by infrared communication or the like.

The image reading means of the image reading section 4 irradiates light to a document being conveyed at a constant speed even in a reading method in which a document image is placed on a platen glass and the document surface is scanned by optical means. Alternatively, a drift reading method in which the reflected light is read by a contact image sensor may be used.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a support section for supporting an image reading section 4 having image reading means provided above the image forming section 2 with a space therebetween. The support section 3 is provided integrally with the frame of the image forming section 2 and can maintain sufficient strength to support the image reading means.

A space 14 for installing a battery 13 as a power storage means for supplying electric power to the copying machine 1 is provided in the support section 3. As shown in the figure, connecting the battery 13 to the installation space 14 eliminates the need to connect the copier 1 to an outlet outside the apparatus with a power cord for supplying power to the copier 1.
Further, the degree of freedom of the installation space of the copying machine 1 is increased, and the user can move the copying machine 1 to an arbitrary space. Thereby, the copying machine 1 can be set in an environment desired by the user.
Can be moved and used, and usability can be improved as compared with a conventional device.

Of course, the copier 1 can be connected by connecting to an external power supply by a cord as in the conventional case. Further, it is also possible to store power from an external power supply via the copying machine 1 in a battery 13 connected to the copying machine 1.

Image reading unit 4 supported by support unit 3
A sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 2 is discharged to a space 10 formed between the image forming unit 2 and the space 10 formed on the upper surface 8 of the image forming unit 2. The sheet is discharged and stacked on the sheet discharge tray 7.

An operation section 5 is provided above the support section 3 so that the operation of the apparatus can be controlled and the user can instruct the operation of the apparatus itself. The operation section 5 allows the user to touch the screen. Thus, a touch sensor type display 6 capable of performing operation input of the device is incorporated. The display 6 also functions as a display unit that displays the state of the device and the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a control system of the image forming apparatus. Control of the entire system and storage of data
An operation unit, an image forming unit, an image reading unit, a telephone line communication unit, and a network communication unit are connected to a control unit for holding. Further, as described above, the power supply unit for obtaining electric power from the battery 13 or the external power supply is provided.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the image reading unit 4 is rotated in the direction of the arrow about the support unit 3 as a rotation center. As described above, since the image reading unit 4 is held rotatably in the horizontal direction with respect to the support unit 3, the image reading unit 4 and the image forming unit 2 are relatively free about the support unit 3. It is possible to arrange.

The rotation of the image reading section 4 is caused by the support section 3
It can be performed by a bearing, a gear, or the like (not shown) provided at a connection portion between the image reading unit 4 and the image reading unit 4. Further, it is also possible to accommodate a driving means such as a motor inside the support part 3 and to automatically rotate the driving part by a user's operation or the like.
The internal structure of the copying machine 1 centering on the support 3 will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS.

By rotating the image reading section 4 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 3, the user can easily recognize the image-formed sheet discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 7, and the This prevents the user from forgetting to take the sheet, and also eliminates the need to bend the body to take out the sheet, thereby contributing to improved usability.

As shown in FIG. 3, the display 6 of the operation unit 5 provided above the support unit 3 is provided with a tilt-up structure (not shown) so that the user can easily operate the display unit 6 and the visibility is improved. It can be freely raised as much as possible.

Further, a frame section of the display 6 is provided with a transmitting / receiving section 20 for performing data communication with an external terminal via a radio signal such as an infrared ray or an electromagnetic wave (radio wave). This enables wireless access to a portable information terminal or the like having a wireless communication function based on a communication standard such as IrDA. By making such a network connection with an external terminal wirelessly, not only the degree of freedom of installation of the copying machine 1 is improved, but also the user can transfer data via the copying machine 1 or connect the copying machine 1 to a data server. And can be used as a network server.

As described above, the image reading section 4 can be freely rotated in the horizontal direction about the support section 3 with respect to the image forming section 2 as shown in the present embodiment. It is possible to improve the visibility and visibility of the sheet discharged to the outside.

Further, since the operation section 5 is provided on the upper surface of the support section 3, even if the reading section 4 is rotated, the operation section 5 does not interlock with the rotation, but rotates independently of each other. Therefore, a device having high operability can be provided.

The display 6 provided on the operation unit 5 can be freely raised so that the user can easily operate the display. Thereby, the operability of the user can be further improved.

It is also possible to display image information transmitted through a network or text information such as e-mail on the display 6, and the user confirms such information on the display 6 to form an image. The document can be recorded on a sheet by the unit 2 and can be transmitted / received to / from another information terminal by wireless communication such as infrared rays or radio waves.

It should be noted that the display 6 can display all operations and states relating to the apparatus. Since this device is connected to a network, it is possible to grasp the operating status of other terminals and devices connected in the same way, and it is naturally necessary to operate those devices via the network. Can also.

Further, by utilizing the touch sensor type display, it is also possible to perform identity verification using the fingerprint of the user. By linking the start key of the device and the identification by fingerprint, the user can use the device without being aware that the fingerprint is being verified. By having such a function, charges and expenses incurred by using the present apparatus can be automatically charged to the apparatus user and the cost source using the identification data of identity verification using a fingerprint. .

Further, only the user whose identity is queried by the fingerprint collation can access the sharable data.
Fingerprint verification can also be used for security between individuals.

Further, the personal data set by the individual can be used without being conscious of the user, based on the status data obtained by the fingerprint collation. For example, by setting your favorite font when printing a document, you can automatically print out according to the settings when you print using a device by fingerprint matching. Become.

By providing the apparatus with an automatic language translation function, it is possible to translate data of another language sent to the apparatus into a desired language, print out the data, and transmit the data. Conversely, it is also possible to convert the read data into another language and send it.

By providing the apparatus with a voice recognition function, the minutes of a meeting can be automatically created when the apparatus is installed in a conference room or the like, and the contents can be automatically transmitted to attendees. It is also possible to record the contents of the meeting and convert it into data.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Note that members having the same configuration and the same function as those described in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 4 shows a table 15 as a table section held below the image reading section 4 so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction around the support section 3. This table 1
Reference numeral 5 has an area substantially equal to or less than the occupied area of the image reading unit 4, and is rotatable independently of the image reading unit 4 as shown by an arrow in FIG. 3 is held. Also, the operation unit 5 can rotate independently of the image reading unit 4 similarly to the first embodiment, and the display 6 can be erected.

Next, FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the device and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing each component independently, with respect to the configuration of rotation of the device of the present embodiment centering on the support portion 3. The configuration of the apparatus according to the present embodiment centering on the support portion 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The operation unit rotating frame 5 a and the image reading unit 4, the table 15 and the support unit 3, and the image reading unit 4 and the support unit 3 rotate about the rotation axis about the center axis of the support unit 3 indicated by the dashed line. A ball bearing 30 is provided as a means. Further, a motor 31 as a driving unit for rotating the image reading unit 4 is provided inside the support unit 3, and the drive is transmitted to a rotating gear 32 meshed with the gear of the motor 31, so that the image is transmitted. The reading unit 4 can freely rotate with respect to the image forming unit 2.

The image reading section 4 has an operation section rotating frame 5a.
An operation unit 5 having a display 6 is rotatably provided by a ball bearing 30 via the. The display 6 is covered with a cover 34 to form the operation unit 5.
The motor 35 capable of freely standing up is provided. As a result, the user can operate the operation unit 5 with the image reading unit 4.
In addition, it can be rotated and operated in a free direction independently of the table 15 and can be raised at an angle that is easy for the user to use.

Inside the table 15, electronic components 15a such as a control board and a memory as control means of the copying machine 1 are provided.
Can be stored. Thereby, space saving of the image forming unit 2 and the image reading unit 4 can be achieved.

Also, as shown in FIG.
A portable information terminal such as a mobile computer and a connector which is a communication interface such as USB or IEEE 1394 or a plug-in type throttle unit 16 are provided on the upper surface. Further, a transmitting / receiving unit 17 that enables wireless communication by transmitting and receiving a radio signal such as an infrared ray or an electromagnetic wave (radio wave) is provided on a side surface of the support unit 3 and a frame of the display 6.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a state in which the image reading section 4 and the table 15 are independently rotated as viewed from above the apparatus. As described above, by providing the table 15 which can be freely rotated and pulled out from below the image reading section 4, the user can place an original or a sheet on the table 15 to perform image forming and image reading operations. Can be
Usability can be improved.

Further, since the connector section 16 which can be connected to a portable information terminal such as a mobile computer is provided on the upper surface of the table 15, the table 15 is pulled out and a mobile phone, a digital camera, a mobile computer, etc. By connecting the portable information terminal to the copier 1 and connecting the portable information terminal, information from the portable information terminal can be easily transmitted to the copier 1, and such information can be printed or can be connected via a network. You can send or receive. Further, information possessed by the portable information terminal can be displayed on the display 6 and a meeting can be held around the device.

The operation section 5 provided on the upper surface of the support section 3 can also be rotated independently of the image reading section 4 and the table 15. Thus, the user can operate the copying machine 1 from 360 ° around the copying machine 1. Therefore, even if the OA device is installed in the central space of the office, the OA device can be operated from any direction, and the usability for the user is improved.

As described above, since the transmitting and receiving unit 17 is provided on the side surface of the support unit 3 and the frame of the display 6, the copying machine 1 can be accessed even from a position remote from the copying machine 1. Data transmission and reception and data sharing such as a conference can be easily performed.

In particular, the transmission / reception unit 17 provided in the frame of the display 6 can wirelessly access the device from any direction around the device because the operation unit 5 is rotatable. . On the other hand, when a portable information terminal such as a mobile computer is placed on the upper surface of the table 15, the transmitting / receiving unit provided on the side surface of the support unit 3 can wirelessly communicate with the portable information terminal.

The transmitting and receiving unit 17 may be one which is hardly affected by obstacles such as radio waves. Further, a terminal of the portable information terminal may be provided inside the table 15 and the portable information terminal may be connected to the terminal to charge the information terminal and transmit and receive data. Further, a plurality of such tables can be provided in a stacked manner.

The structure of rotating the image reading unit 4, the table 15, and the operation unit 5 in the support unit 3 is as described in the second embodiment. However, the present invention is also applicable to the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) A copying machine 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In a third embodiment of the present invention, a system having a table unit 27, an image reading unit 4, a display unit 23, a controller unit 24, a projector unit 25, and the like for a printer as the image forming unit 2 is provided. Is a module unit, and a necessary system is selected to realize a multifunctional image forming apparatus. Hereinafter, the device configuration will be described.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a display unit equipped with a liquid crystal display; 24, a controller unit capable of installing a function as a controller or a network server of the device; 25, a projector unit capable of projecting an image on a screen or the like; Reference numeral 27 denotes an operation unit having a display 6 with a built-in touch sensor, for displaying the operation state of the apparatus and performing various operation inputs, and 27 denotes a table unit having the image forming unit 2 as a leg. Reference numeral 22 denotes a port unit provided with an interface such as a USB and a transmission / reception unit for wireless communication described in the first and second embodiments.

Each of the above-mentioned module units is provided with a connecting portion 28 for independently and rotatably attaching to the supporting portion 21 provided in the image forming portion 2.
All of the configurations of these connection parts 28 are common,
It can be attached to the support 21 of the image forming unit 2 in any combination and in any order. As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can meet various needs of users, such as a minimum necessary apparatus configuration and an apparatus configuration suitable for an installation location.

For example, if the apparatus is installed in a conference room or the like, it is possible to make detailed settings such as configuring the apparatus with a table unit 27 and a projector unit 25 so that a plurality of people can meet. By adding the voice recognition function described in the first embodiment to the above, the conference form can be made more efficient and simplified, and the business can be made more efficient.

In the present embodiment, the above-described system has been exemplified as a system configuration in a module unit. However, the present invention is not limited to only these systems.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the three embodiments, the usability is improved in a multifunctional image forming apparatus which responds to changes in the office environment as described in the related art. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of further improving the efficiency of work.

The dimensions, shapes, and the like of the components described in the above-described embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a multifunctional image forming apparatus that can play a central role in office OA equipment in response to changes in the office environment accompanying networking and advances in digital technology.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an image forming apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a control system of the image forming apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration and an operation of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment as viewed from above.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier (image forming apparatus) 2 Image forming part (image forming means) 3, 21 Support part 4 Image reading part (image reading means) 5, 26 Operation part 6 Display (display means) 7 Sheet discharge tray (sheet discharging part) 8 upper surface of image forming section 9 sheet cassette 10 space section 11 caster 12 handle 13 battery 15, 27 table section 16 connector section 17, 20 transmitting / receiving section 22 port section 23 display section 24 controller section 25 projector section 30 ball bearing (rotating means) ) 31 Motor (drive means)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Akihisa Shiozaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takashi Kusanagi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (72) Inventor Isao Yoshihara 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) 2H071 AA34 AA38 BA05 BA14 DA01 DA24 DA34 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB17 AB20 AB22 AB23 AB35 AB49 AD01 AD03 AD06 BA00

Claims (8)

[Claims] An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; an image reading unit that is disposed with a space above the image forming unit and reads the image information from a document on which image information is recorded; A sheet discharge unit configured to discharge a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit to the space formed between the image forming unit and the image reading unit;
Wherein the image reading means is supported by a support provided on a frame in which the image forming means is accommodated, and is configured to rotate horizontally about the support. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a driving unit for rotating the image reading unit in the support unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a table unit rotatably supported by the support unit is disposed below the image reading unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the table unit can be rotated independently of the image reading unit. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein control means for controlling the image forming apparatus can be accommodated inside the table section. 6. The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein an operation unit for displaying an operation of the apparatus and an operation state of the apparatus is provided on an upper surface of the support unit. Image forming device. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the operation unit is rotatably provided independently of the image reading unit. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a power storage means capable of storing power from an external power supply, wherein the apparatus can be operated with the power stored in said power storage means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.