JP2003094769A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus in which a switching is made to a normal waiting mode when the angle of an operating section is altered during energy saving mode. SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus comprises an operating panel 10 and can be controlled to be switched between energy saving mode and waiting mode. The operating panel 10 is fixed to the apparatus body such that the angle can be altered and a retractable handle 20 required for inclination operation of the operating panel 10 is provided. Furthermore, a sensor 13 for detecting alteration in the angle of the operating panel 10, and a sensor 14 for detecting draw-out of the handle 20 are provided. Switching is made from energy saving mode to waiting mode based on an angle alteration detection signal from the sensor 13 or a handle draw-out detection signal from the sensor 14.

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 used in a copying machine, a facsimile machine or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus has been proposed in which the angle of an operating portion can be changed so that both a normal person and a person sitting on a wheelchair can easily operate it. For example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-19498: “Electronic Image Device”, the first installation angle of the operation unit is inclined at least downwardly in the range of 20 to 30 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. The angle can be changed to a second angle smaller than the first angle.

On the other hand, in recent years, from the viewpoint of energy saving, an image forming apparatus has been put into practical use in which, when the apparatus is not used for a certain period of time, an unnecessary portion of the power source is cut off to shift to the energy saving mode. In this device, to switch from the energy saving mode to the normal standby mode, a facsimile incoming call,
By setting the original on the printer and pressing the operation key on the operation unit.

[0004]

Incidentally, even in the image forming apparatus in which the angle of the operation section can be changed, the angle of the operation section is usually changed on the premise that the user performs an operation from now on. Therefore, when the angle of the operating portion is changed during the energy saving mode, it is preferable to shift from the energy saving mode to the normal standby mode. However,
This is not the case at present.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to such an actual situation, and provides an image forming apparatus which is switched to a normal standby mode when the angle of the operating portion is changed during the energy saving mode. Is intended.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with an operating portion and is capable of switching control between an energy saving mode and a standby mode. An angle changing unit is attached to the main body, and includes a detection unit that detects a change in the angle of the operation unit, and a control unit that controls switching between the energy saving mode and the standby mode based on the output of the detection unit. It is characterized by

In this image forming apparatus, when the angle change of the operation section is detected by the detection section, the energy saving mode is switched to the standby mode. Therefore, even if the user is a healthy person, a physically handicapped person sitting in a wheelchair can Even if there is, a desired operation can be immediately performed on the operation unit.

Further, the operating unit has a retractable handle for changing the angle of the operating unit, and a second detecting unit for detecting the retracted state of the handle, and the control unit is the second detecting unit. Even based on the output, by controlling the switching between the energy saving mode and the standby mode, the angle of the operating portion can be changed by the handle, so that the angle of the operating portion can be easily changed. Moreover, if the handle is pulled out from the operating unit, the angle of the operating unit is also changed. Therefore, if the pulling out of the handle is detected by the second detecting unit, the energy saving mode is switched to the standby mode. Replace

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. This device is a compound device having both a facsimile device and a copying device.

In FIG. 1, a CPU (central processing unit) 1
Functions as an overall control unit of the device. This CPU1
NCU (Network Control Unit) 2, MODEM
3 is connected. The NCU 2 is controlled by the CPU 1 to control the connection between the line L and this device, and
It has a function of sending dial pulses according to the telephone number of the communication partner and a function of detecting an incoming call. The line L is connected to a general public telephone line (not shown).
The MODEM 3 modulates / demodulates the transmission / reception data, specifically, modulates the transmission data, which is originally a digital signal, into an analog voice signal and sends the analog voice signal to the line L via the NCU 2, and conversely receives from the line L via the NCU 2. The analog voice signal is demodulated into a digital signal.

The CPU 1 also includes a scanner 4 and a COD.
An EC (encoder / decoder) 5, a printer 6, a ROM 7, a RAM 8, and an image memory 9 are connected. The scanner 4 reads a document image using, for example, a CCD image sensor. The CODEC 5 encodes image data to be transmitted and decodes the received image data. The printer 6 functions as a unit that prints the received image data or the image data read by the scanner 4 by printing on a sheet and outputs the hard copy.

The ROM 7 stores in advance a program for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus. RAM8
Stores data required for control by the CPU 1 and data that needs to be temporarily stored during control operation. Image memory 9
Stores the image data read by the scanner 4 and also stores the image data received from the outside via the line L and the MODEM 3.

The operation panel 10 as an operation unit is a CRT display or LCD (which displays a soft copy of various information such as a telephone number input by the operation of the operation panel 10 and the remaining amount of toner in the printer 6 for display. A display 11 including a liquid crystal display device) and a keypad 12 including a numeric keypad for inputting numbers such as a telephone number, a one-touch key, a speed key, operation keys for instructing various operations, and the like.

Further, an operation panel angle sensor 13 as a detection unit for detecting an angle change of the operation panel 10 and a retractable state of a handle 20 which is provided on the operation panel 10 so as to be retractable for changing the angle of the panel 10 will be described. A handle pull-out sensor 14 is arranged as a second detection unit for detecting. The detection signals of these sensors 13 and 14 are S
It is taken in by the UB CPU15 and the SUB CPU15
Functions as a control unit that controls switching between the energy saving mode and the standby mode based on those detection signals. That is, the SUB CPU 15 controls the transition from the energy saving mode in which the main power source 16 is off to the standby mode in which the main power source 16 is on.

Further, the SUB CPU 15 has an NCU2
A facsimile incoming signal, a document set signal from the scanner 4, and an operation signal of the keypad 12 of the operation panel 10 are fetched. Further, the SUB CPU 15 sends these signals and the detection signals from the sensors 13 and 14 to the CP.
Send to U1. The SUB CPU 15 itself operates on the auxiliary power supply 17.

Next, an example of the angle changing mechanism of the operation panel 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 (schematic structure diagram) and FIG. 3 (operation panel 1).
0 schematic plan view). Operation panel 10
Is fixed to the front end of the support portion 30 by a fixture 31,
The support portion 30 is attached to an upper end portion of a support column or a support frame 32 of the apparatus body by a support shaft 37 so as to be tiltable. Furthermore,
The rear end portion of the support portion 30 is constantly urged upward (in the arrow direction) by the coil spring 33. In the normal state, the support portion 30 is lightly locked in the horizontal state of the operation panel 10 shown by the solid line.

Further, when the operation panel angle sensor 13 is arranged above the rear end portion of the support portion 30 and the operation panel 10 is tilted to raise the rear end portion of the support portion 30, the sensor 1
3 is turned on, and the angle change of the operation panel 10 is detected. On the contrary, when the operation panel 10 is returned to the horizontal state when the operation panel 10 is in the tilted state shown by the dotted line, the sensor 1
3 is turned off, and the angle change is detected even if this is received.

The operation panel 10 has the display 11 and the keypad 12 arranged on the upper surface thereof.
A handle 20 for tilting is provided so as to be retractable from the front side surface of the operation panel 10. Handle 20
Is in a state of being retracted into the operation panel 10 when it is not used, and is pulled out when the operation panel 10 is tilted. When the operation panel 10 is lowered while holding the handle 20, the lock in the horizontal state is released, and the operation panel 10 can be easily tilted along the dotted line by borrowing the biasing force of the coil spring 33.

When the handle pull-out sensor 14 is arranged inside the operation panel 10 and the handle 20 is pulled out, the sensor 14 is turned on and the pull-out of the handle 20 is detected.

In the image forming apparatus thus constructed, when the operation panel 10 is pushed down without the handle 20 in the energy saving mode, the horizontal lock is released,
The operation panel 10 easily tilts with the help of the coil spring 33. Then, the sensor 13 is turned off at the rear end of the support portion 30.
N, the angle change of the operation panel 10 is detected. This detection signal is taken into the SUB CPU 15 and
The CPU 15 turns on the main power supply 16 to switch from the energy saving mode to the standby mode.

On the other hand, when tilting the operation panel 10,
When the handle 20 is pulled out, the sensor 14 is turned on, the pulling out of the handle 20 is detected, and the SU
Upon receiving the detection signal, the BCPU 15 switches from the energy saving mode to the standby mode.

After the tilting operation of the operation panel 10, the operation panel 10 can be returned to its original position by directly raising the operation panel 10 or by holding the handle 20. After that, if it is not used for a certain period of time, the standby mode is switched to the energy saving mode. Then, when the handle 20 is pulled out or the operation panel 10 is tilted, the energy saving mode again shifts to the standby mode.

Another example of the angle changing mechanism of the operation panel will be described with reference to FIG. 4 (schematic structure diagram). However, the same elements as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this mechanism, the column or support frame 32 is urged upward by a coil spring 35 provided at the lower end thereof, and an operation panel tilting lever 34 is provided below the column or support frame 32 in a protruding manner. here,
When the lever 34 is pushed down, the horizontal lock of the support portion 30 is released, and the operation panel 10 is inclined downward by the biasing force of the coil spring 33.

According to this angle changing mechanism, when a physically handicapped person sitting in a wheelchair tilts the operation panel 10,
All that is necessary is to push down the lever 34, and consideration is given to people with disabilities. Of course, even when the operation panel 10 remains tilted, when a normal person operates the operation panel 10, the operation panel 10 can be returned to the original horizontal state without any trouble.

Next, the general operation of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. When the device is in the energy saving mode, first, in step ST1, it is determined whether or not the operation panel 10 has been tilted. If this determination is NO, it is determined in step ST2 whether the handle 20 of the operation panel 10 has been pulled out. If this judgment is also NO, step ST
At 3, it is determined whether the keypad 12 of the operation panel 10 has been pressed. If this determination is also NO, it is determined in step ST4 whether or not a document is set on the scanner 4. If this determination is also NO, it is further determined in step ST5 whether or not a facsimile call has arrived. If this determination is also NO, the process returns to step ST1 and the processes of steps ST1 to ST5 are repeated again.

On the other hand, if the determination in any of steps ST1 to ST5 is YES, the process proceeds to step ST6.
That is, in step ST1, the tilt of the operation panel 10 is detected by the operation panel angle sensor 13, and step S
At T2, the pull-out of the handle 20 is detected by the handle pull-out sensor 14. In step ST3, the device was operated, in step ST4, the device was used, and in step ST5, there was an incoming call through the line L.

At step ST6, both are SU.
The B CPU 15 controls the main power supply 16 to turn on, and the mode is switched from the energy saving mode to the standby mode. Then, in step ST7, the SUB CPU 15 notifies the CPU 1 of the cause of recovery (which of the determinations in steps ST1 to ST5 is YES), and the process is terminated.

[0029]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, when the angle change of the operating portion is detected by the detecting portion, the energy saving mode is shifted to the standby mode. Whether the user is a healthy person or a physically handicapped person sitting in a wheelchair, a desired operation can be immediately performed on the operation unit.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the angle of the operating portion can be changed by the handle, the angle of the operating portion can be easily changed. Moreover, the handle is pulled out to shift from the energy saving mode to the standby mode.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram showing an example of an angle changing mechanism of an operation panel in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of an operation panel in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram showing another example of the angle changing mechanism of the operation panel in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a schematic operation of the image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU 2 NCU 4 scanner 10 Operation panel (operation section) 12 keypad 13 Operation panel angle sensor (detection unit) 14 Handle pull-out sensor (second detector) 15 SUB CPU (control unit) 16 Main power supply 17 Auxiliary power supply 20 handles

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus, comprising an operating section and capable of switching control between an energy saving mode and a standby mode, wherein the operating section is attached to an apparatus main body so that an angle can be changed
An image forming apparatus comprising: a detection unit that detects a change in the angle of the operation unit; and a control unit that controls switching between the energy saving mode and the standby mode based on the output of the detection unit. 2. The operation section has a retractable handle for changing the angle of the operation section, and a second detection section for detecting the retracted state of the handle, and the control section is provided with a second The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching between the energy saving mode and the standby mode is controlled based on the output of the detection unit.