JP2001318563A - Device equipped with control panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device equipped with a control panel with which the shape and the size of a device main body, a printed circuit board for a control panel and a control panel are made common. SOLUTION: A type of control panel out of control panels 34a, 34b and 34c is selectively installed on the device main body. The control panel is provided with type discriminating parts 41a, 41b and 41c different according to the type, and the device main body is provided with a type discrimination means 46 for discriminating the type by using the type discriminating part of the attached control panel. The control part of the device main body is constituted to perform processing using each of a plurality of types of device conditions corresponding to the type of the control panel, and a device condition corresponding to the type of the control panel is selected out of the plurality of types of device conditions on the basis of the discrimination result on the type of the control panel, and the processing using the selected device condition is performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus having an operation panel such as an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile (FAX), or a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality of these functions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a copying machine, for example, an operation panel is attached to the main body of the apparatus. On the surface of the operation panel, characters indicating the size of paper to be used, the fixed magnification of enlarged / reduced copy, and the like are engraved. Is provided.

[0003] Copiers are used worldwide, and copiers of the same model are sometimes sold in Japan and overseas. In this case, since the language, the size of the paper to be used, and the like differ depending on the country, the contents of the processing in the control unit of the apparatus main body, the contents of the inscription on the operation panel, and the contents of the display on the liquid crystal display unit differ depending on the destination.

For this reason, conventionally, different types of apparatus main body and operation panel are prepared for each destination, and those for the same destination are combined to assemble a copying machine. Further, the shape, size, and the like of the operation panel are changed depending on the destination so that an operation panel for a certain destination is not erroneously attached to an apparatus body for a different destination.

[0005] The operation panel is usually mounted on a printed circuit board provided on the main body of the apparatus, and various switches operated by operation of operation keys provided on the operation panel are provided on the printed circuit board. An LED or the like for displaying a magnification or the like is provided. As for the printed circuit board, a different type is used for each destination for the above reason.

[0006]

As described above, in the conventional copying machine, the shape and size of the apparatus main body, the printed circuit board, and the operation panel cannot be shared, and therefore, there is a problem that the cost is increased.

[0007] The same applies to a device with an operation panel other than a copying machine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device with an operation panel that can share the shape and size of the device main body, the printed circuit board for the operation panel, and the operation panel.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems and Action and Effect of the Invention A device with an operation panel according to the present invention comprises:
In a device with an operation panel, one type of operation panel is selectively attached from a plurality of types of operation panels, and a control unit of the device main body performs processing according to a type of the operation panel attached to the device main body. On the operation panel,
A type identification portion different depending on the type is provided, and the device main body is provided with type identification means for identifying the type by the type identification portion of the attached operation panel, and a control unit of the device main body includes: It is configured to be able to perform processing using each of a plurality of types of device conditions corresponding to the type of operation panel, and based on the result of identification of the type of operation panel by the type identification unit, the plurality of types of device conditions. Then, a device condition corresponding to the type of the operation panel is selected, and a process using the selected device condition is performed.

When the operation panel is attached to the apparatus main body, the type of the operation panel is identified by the type identification means, and the control section selects an apparatus condition corresponding to the type of the operation panel, and uses the apparatus condition. Processing is performed. The control unit of the apparatus main body is configured to be able to perform processing using each of a plurality of types of apparatus conditions, and to perform processing by selecting an apparatus condition corresponding to the type of the operation panel from these. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a different apparatus body for each type of operation panel. That is, the apparatus main body can be shared for a plurality of types of operation panels, and the cost can be reduced accordingly.

[0011] Further, simply by attaching the operation panel to the apparatus main body, the apparatus conditions corresponding to the operation panel are automatically selected, so that there is no need for an operator or the like to select or change the apparatus conditions. A process different from the type of the operation panel is not performed by erroneously attaching the operation panel. Therefore, the shape and size of the operation panel itself can be shared, and the cost can be reduced accordingly.

In the apparatus with an operation panel according to the present invention, for example, a type identification portion is provided at a different position on the operation panel depending on the type, and the type identification means identifies the type of the operation panel based on the position of the type identification portion. Is what you do.

With this configuration, the type of the operation panel can be easily and reliably identified by detecting the position of the type identification portion.

In the above-described apparatus with an operation panel, for example, the type identification portion is a projection provided on the back surface of the operation panel, and the type identification means corresponds to the type identification portions of a plurality of types of operation panels. And a plurality of switches provided to operate by the type identification portion.

According to this configuration, only the switch corresponding to the type identification portion is operated, whereby the type of the operation panel can be easily and reliably identified.

However, the type identification portion is not limited to the protrusion.

In the above-mentioned operation panel, for example, the switch of the type identification means is a mechanical switch that is activated when the type identification portion of the operation panel is hit.

With this configuration, only the switch corresponding to the type identification portion is reliably operated, and the type of the operation panel can be easily and reliably identified.

However, the switches are not limited to mechanical switches (contact switches), and non-contact switches such as proximity switches can also be used.

In the apparatus with an operation panel according to the present invention, for example, the operation panel is mounted on a printed circuit board for the operation panel provided on the apparatus main body, and the type identification means is provided on the printed circuit board.

In this way, as described above, it is not necessary to use a different printed circuit board for each type of operation panel.
Therefore, the printed circuit boards can be shared, and the cost can be reduced accordingly.

When the apparatus with an operation panel is an image forming apparatus, for example, the apparatus conditions selected by the control unit are a sheet cassette display indicating the type of paper to be used and cassette detection.

When the operation panel-equipped apparatus is an image forming apparatus, for example, the apparatus condition selected by the control unit is a fixed magnification conversion display indicating a magnification function based on the type of paper used.

When the apparatus with an operation panel is an analog image forming apparatus, for example, the control unit selects a fixed magnification as the apparatus condition, and changes the fixed magnification of the through lens of the original reading optical unit according to the selected fixed magnification. Change the travel distance for

When the apparatus with an operation panel is a digital image forming apparatus, for example, the control unit selects a fixed magnification as the apparatus condition, and changes the conversion magnification table at the time of image editing of the input image according to the selected fixed magnification. I do.

For example, the control unit changes the printing process conditions including the charged potential width of the photosensitive member according to the selected fixed magnification.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a copying machine which is one of image forming apparatuses will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a copying machine. In the following description, the left and right of FIG. 1 will be referred to as left and right, and the front side of the sheet of FIG. Also, the rear side (paper feed side) in the normal moving direction of the recording paper is defined as upstream, and the front side (paper discharge side) is defined as downstream.

The apparatus main body (1) of the copying machine includes a document reading section (2), an image forming section (3), a sheet feeding / conveying section (4), a sheet discharging section (5), and control for controlling the whole. Part (not shown in FIG. 1)
Etc. are provided.

The middle part of the height of the left part of the apparatus main body (1) is largely removed, and this part serves as a paper discharge part (5).

The document reading section (2) has a document table (6) made of transparent glass or the like on the upper surface, and a scanner optical system (7) is arranged below the document table (6). The optical system (7) includes an exposure light source (8), a plurality of reflecting mirrors (9) (10) (11), an imaging lens (12), and a CCD (photoelectric conversion element) (13). Platen
Optical scanning is performed on the original placed on (6) by the irradiation light from the light source (8), and the reflected light from the original is reflected by the reflecting mirrors (9) (1).
0) (11) and the lens (12) to the CCD (13). The document image data read by the CCD (13) is subjected to image processing and sent to the image forming unit (3).

The image forming section (3) includes a drum-shaped photosensitive member (14) which is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, and is arranged around the photosensitive member (14) in the rotational direction. (14) a main charger (15) for charging a predetermined potential, a charged photoconductor (14)
A laser light irradiation device (16) that irradiates a laser beam onto the surface of the photoconductor to form an electrostatic latent image, and a photoconductor (1
A developing device (1) that develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of 4) with toner
7), a transfer charger (18) for transferring the toner image on the photoconductor (14) to the recording paper, and a cleaning device (19) for removing residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor (14) are arranged in this order. The laser beam irradiation device (16) is a CDD (13)
The surface of the photoreceptor (14) is irradiated with a laser beam based on the original image data read and image-processed by the scanner to form an electrostatic latent image.

The paper feeder (4) is configured as follows.

A paper cassette (20) containing recording paper (P) is mounted below the paper discharge section (5) in the apparatus body (1), and a paper (P) is placed at the tip of the cassette (20). Roller (21) for feeding paper and a paper separating portion (22) are provided.
The sheet separating section (22) is composed of a roller and a friction sheet member or a reverse rotation roller. A manual feed tray (23) is provided at the lower part on the right side of the apparatus main body (1), and a pickup roller (24) and a paper separating unit (25) are arranged at the tip thereof. At the downstream side of the cassette (20) and the manual feed tray (23), a pre-registration detection switch (not shown) for detecting the passage of the paper (P), and a photoconductor (14) based on a signal of this switch.
A registration roller (26) for aligning the upper toner image with the paper (P) is arranged, and the paper (P) is registered with the registration roller (26).
Paper transport paths (27) and (28) are formed. Fix the toner image on the paper (P) downstream of the image forming unit (3) 1
The pair of fixing rollers (29) and (30) and the paper (P)
(29) A fixing paper detection switch (not shown) for detecting that the sheet has passed through (30) is provided. Paper output unit (5) of the main unit (1)
A paper discharge roller (31) for discharging the paper (P) to the paper discharge section (5), and a discharge roller for detecting that the paper (P) has passed in front of the paper discharge roller (31). A paper detection switch (not shown) is provided. Fixing roller (29) (30) and paper discharge roller (31)
A paper transport path (32) for guiding the paper (P) is formed between the paper (P) and the paper (P) between the downstream side of the fixing rollers (29) and (30) and the upstream side of the registration roller (26). A paper transport path (sub-transport path) (33) used for performing double-sided printing is formed.

In the above copying machine, in the case of single-sided printing,
The paper (P) is fed from the cassette (20) or the manual feed tray (23) through one of the transport paths (27) and (28), and is transported to the image forming unit (3) through the registration rollers (26). The selection of the cassette (20) and the manual feed tray (23) is performed based on, for example, the setting of the user. After the toner image is transferred to the paper (P) in the image forming section (3), the fixing roller
(29) The toner image is fixed by (30), and the conveyance path (32)
Then, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit (5) through the paper discharge roller (31).

In the case of double-sided printing, after the printing on one side is completed as described above, the sheet (P) is returned to the upstream side of the registration roller (26) through the sub-conveyance path (33), and the remaining one side is printed. Is printed. After that, in the same way as for single-sided printing,
(P) is discharged to the paper discharge unit (5).

Although not shown in FIG. 1, in the above-described copying machine, one type of operation panel from among a plurality of types of operation panels can be selectively mounted on the upper surface of the apparatus main body (1). ing.

In this example, the type of the operation panel differs depending on the destination, and examples thereof are shown in FIG.

FIG. 2A shows an A / B series operation panel (first panel) (34a) for Japan and FIG. 2B shows an inch series operation panel (second panel) for overseas. Figure 34b)
(c) shows an operation panel (third panel) (34c) for the overseas A / B series. These operation panels are collectively referred to by reference numeral (34). The operation panel (34) is the main unit
It can be mounted almost horizontally on the upper surface of (1), but the operation panel
Regarding (34), when viewed from the front, up, down, left, right,
That is, the upper, lower, left and right in FIG. The left and right sides of the operation panel (34) coincide with the left and right sides of the apparatus main body (1), the upper side of which is the rear side of the apparatus main body (1), and the lower side thereof is the apparatus main body (1).
The device body (1) is attached so as to come to the front side of the device.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a state in which the operation panel (34) is attached to the apparatus main body (1). Equipment body
A common operation panel printed circuit board (35) is mounted almost horizontally on the upper surface of (1), and one type of operation panel is mounted on the upper surface.
(34) is attached. FIGS. 3 and 4 (a) show the first panel (34a), FIG. 4 (b) shows the second panel (34b), and FIG. 4 (c) shows the third panel (34c).

Each operation panel (34) has a common base (36) having the same shape and dimensions. The base (36) has a plurality of fixed magnification display sections (37) and fixed magnification selection keys (38). ), Two zoom magnification conversion keys (39a) (39b), a liquid crystal display (40), and the like. Number and position of fixed magnification display area (37), position of fixed magnification selection key (38), two zoom magnification conversion keys
The positions of (39a) and (39b) and the position and function of the display unit (40) are the same for each operation panel (34). In addition, on the surface of the base (36) of each operation panel (34), the correspondence between the fixed magnification of each fixed magnification display section (37) and the paper size for a predetermined fixed magnification, and each key (38) (39a ) (39b) Fixed information (numbers, characters, symbols, etc.) indicating the function (type) of (39b) is displayed. These pieces of fixed information are stamped, for example, on the surface of the base (36). Destination or operation panel (3
Depending on the type of 4), the language to be used, the size of the paper to be used, etc. differ, and the fixed magnification varies accordingly.Therefore, the fixed information displayed on the surface of the base (36) is
4) It depends on the type.

Protrusions (41a), (41b), and (41c) are provided on the rear side of the base (36) of each operation panel (34) near the right end, as type identification portions that differ depending on the type. These projections are collectively referred to by reference numeral (41). In this example, each operation panel (34) has a projection with the same shape and size.
(41), and projections (4
The position of 1) is different. That is, the first panel (34a)
The projection (first projection) (41a) is provided on the upper part of the base (36),
The projection (second projection) (41b) of the panel (34b) is in the vertical center of the base (36), and the projection (third projection) (41c) of the third panel (34c) is the lower part of the base (36). It is provided in.

The printed circuit board (35) is common regardless of the type of the operation panel (34), and a plurality of LEDs (42) and a plurality of LEDs (42) corresponding to the fixed magnification display section (37) are provided on the upper surface thereof. Fixed magnification selection switch (4) corresponding to fixed magnification selection key (38)
3), two zoom magnification conversion switches (44a) and (44b) respectively corresponding to the zoom magnification conversion keys (39a) and (39b), and three switches arranged at positions respectively corresponding to the positions of the three projections (41). Type identification switches (45a), (45b), (45c) and the like are provided. These type identification switches are collectively referred to by reference numeral (45). A switch (45a) corresponding to the first protrusion (41a) is a first switch, and a switch (45b) corresponding to the second protrusion (41b) is a second switch. The switch (45b) corresponding to the third protrusion (41b) is
I will call it a switch. Type identification switch (45)
Constitutes a type identification section (46) as type identification means, and in this example, is constituted by a mechanical switch.

As described above, each operation panel (34) is common except for the fixed information displayed on the front surface of the base (36) and the position of the projection (41) on the back surface. For this reason, the protrusion (41)
Is made separately from the base (36), and the base (3
If it is fixed to 6), the base (36) before imprinting the fixed information can be shared irrespective of the type of the operation panel (34). Furthermore, if the fixed information on the surface of the base (36) is displayed, for example, by attaching a sticker or the like on which characters are printed, instead of engraving, the base (36) itself is completely shared. be able to. By thus sharing the base (36) of the operation panel (34), the printed circuit board (35) can be shared including the mounting portion of the operation panel (34).

FIG. 5 functionally shows an example of the configuration of the control section (50) of the apparatus main body (1).

The control section (50) performs processing according to the type of the operation panel (34) attached to the apparatus main body (1), and includes a printing process condition setting section (51) and a paper condition setting section (51). Five
2) a display switching setting section (53), a magnification change setting section (54), and the like.

The printing process condition setting section (51) is for selecting a printing process according to the type of the operation panel (34) attached. The printing process conditions including the charging potential width of 14) are stored.

The paper condition setting section (52) is for selecting conditions relating to paper to be used in accordance with the type of the operation panel (34) attached. Paper cassette storage display, cassette detection conditions, etc.
Information about paper is stored.

The display switching setting section (53) is for switching the display on the display section (40) according to the type of the operation panel (34) attached. Information about the display is stored.

The magnification change setting section (54) is for selecting conditions for conversion of the fixed magnification in accordance with the type of the operation panel (34) attached, and stores information relating to the conversion of the fixed magnification. . For example, for an analog copier,
Information about the moving distance for changing the fixed magnification of the through lens of the original reading optical unit is stored. In the case of a digital copying machine, a conversion magnification table or the like at the time of editing an input image is stored.

When assembling the above copying machine, the
A common printed circuit board (35) is mounted on (1), and one of the three types of operation panels (34) for the destination of the copying machine is mounted.

Before the operation panel (34) is attached to the printed board (35), three switches (4) on the printed board (35) are used.
5) is in the off state (non-operating state). When the first panel (34a) is attached, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the first projection (41a) presses the first switch (45a) of the printed circuit board (35) to turn it on. Operating state), but the other switches (45b) (45c) remain off. Similarly, when the second panel (34b) is attached, as shown in FIG.
Only the switch (45b) is turned on, and the third panel (34c)
When the is attached, as shown in FIG.
Only the third switch (45c) is turned on by the projection (41c).

When the worker turns on the power after the assembly of the copying machine is completed, the control unit (50) causes the control unit (50) to print on the printed circuit board (35) based on the state of the switch (45) of the type identification unit (46). The type of the attached operation panel (34) is identified, and the device conditions corresponding to the type are selected and set.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
An example of the operation of the control unit (50) will be described.

As described above, when the power is turned on by the operator (S1), first, only the power of the control system is turned on (S2), and it is checked whether the first switch (45a) is in the ON state (S1). S3). If this is the ON state, it is determined that the first panel (34a) is attached, and selection and setting of device conditions for the first panel (34a) are performed in each of the setting units (51) to (54). (S4). If the first switch (45a) is not on in S1, it is checked whether the second switch (45b) is on (S5), and if it is on, the second panel (34) is on.
b) is determined to be attached, and each setting section (51) to (54)
In, the selection and setting of the device conditions for the second panel (34b) are performed (S6). If the second switch (45b) is not on in S5, it is checked whether or not the third switch (45c) is on (S7).
(34c) is determined to be attached, and each setting section (51) ~
In (54), the selection and setting of the device conditions for the third panel (34c) are performed (S8). If the third switch (45c) is not on in S7, the process returns to S3. When the processing of S4, S6 or S8 is completed, high-voltage energization is performed (S9), and thereafter, operation confirmation of the apparatus and image quality confirmation are performed (S10), and the processing ends. After the processing in S4, S6 or S8 is completed, processing using the device conditions set there is performed.

In the above embodiment, a copying machine has been described, but the present invention can be applied to a device with an operation panel other than the copying machine.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a plurality of types of operation panels attached to an apparatus main body of a copying machine.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged right side view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram functionally showing an example of a configuration of a control unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the control unit when identifying the type of the operation panel attached to the apparatus main body and setting the apparatus conditions.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Main unit (34a) (34b) (34c) Operation panel (35) Printed circuit board (41a) (41b) (41c) Projection (45a) (45b) (45c) Type identification switch (46) Type identification section

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2C061 AP04 CE07 CF01 CF11 CF14 CQ05 CQ06 CQ24 2H027 DA27 FB04 FC01 GA05 GA32 ZA07 ZA09 5C062 AA05 AB20 AB40 AC58 AD06 AE15 BA02

Claims (5)

[Claims] An apparatus main body is provided with a plurality of operation panels.
A type of operation panel is selectively attached, and in the control unit of the apparatus main body, a process according to the type of the operation panel attached to the apparatus main body is performed. A different type identification part is provided, and the apparatus main body is provided with type identification means for identifying the type by the type identification part of the attached operation panel, and a control unit of the apparatus main body is provided with a control unit of the operation panel. It is configured to be able to perform processing using each of a plurality of types of device conditions corresponding to the type, and based on a result of the type identification of the operation panel by the type identification means, from among the plurality of types of device conditions, An apparatus with an operation panel, wherein an apparatus condition corresponding to the type of the operation panel is selected, and a process is performed using the selected apparatus condition. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the type identification portion is provided at a different position on the operation panel depending on the type, and the type identification means identifies the type of the operation panel based on the position of the type identification portion. The device with an operation panel according to claim 1. 3. The type identification portion is a projection provided on the back surface of the operation panel, and the type identification means is provided to correspond to the type identification portions of a plurality of types of operation panels. 3. The device with an operation panel according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of switches that are operated by the use part. 4. The device with an operation panel according to claim 3, wherein the switch of the type identification means is a mechanical switch that is activated when the type identification portion of the operation panel is hit. 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation panel is mounted on a printed circuit board for an operation panel provided on said apparatus main body, and said type identification means is provided on said printed circuit board. A device with an operation panel according to any one of the preceding claims.