JP2003143339A - Facsimile machine, and multifunction printer apparatus with facsimile function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile machine and a multifunction printer apparatus with a facsimile function that can easily be operated even while an operator sits on a chair and are not restricted in their installed places. SOLUTION: The facsimile machine and the multifunction printer apparatus with a facsimile function are constituted such that an operation panel 21 is designed to be a separate and independent panel from a machine main body or apparatus main body 10 and can be removably installed on any of a plurality of sides 18, 19 and 20 of the device main body 10.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile device having excellent operability and a multifunction printer device having a facsimile function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 shows an overall perspective view of a conventional multifunction printer having a facsimile function.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 10 denotes a main body of a multifunction printer device having a facsimile function. Inside, an image reading device for reading a document image and a facsimile means for outputting the read image data to an external device are generally provided. An image forming apparatus for recording image data from the image reading apparatus on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic process, a sheet supplying unit for supplying an original, and a conveying unit for conveying the original.

Reference numeral 16 is a sheet supply cassette for supplying a sheet, 15 is a sheet supply tray for manually setting a sheet, 14 is a sheet supply tray for setting a read original, and 13 is a sheet discharge for discharging a recorded sheet face down. A tray, 11 is a sheet discharge tray for discharging recorded sheets face up, 12 is a sheet discharge tray for discharging a read document, and 17 is a power source of the apparatus.
This is an operation panel for operations such as ON-OFF and switching of copy functions.

In these conventional apparatuses, when the operator uses the facsimile as a facsimile,
When it is used as a printer, copy sheets for copying are set in the sheet supply tray 14 or 15 and the predetermined operation buttons on the operation panel are operated to transmit the desired character information or graphic information, or copy. Was there.

[0006]

However, in the above conventional example, as shown in FIG. 4, since the operation panel is fixed at the position 17, the installation direction of the facsimile apparatus or the multifunction printer apparatus is restricted and the inside of the office is restricted. There is a problem in that the layout cannot be efficiently laid out, or the operation panel is difficult to see when the operator operates while sitting on the chair.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile device or a multifunction printer device having a facsimile function, in which an operator can freely lay out an operation panel at a position convenient for him or herself. It is what

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the first invention is characterized in that the operation panel is detachable in a facsimile device and a multifunction printer device having a facsimile function. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a facsimile device and a multifunction printer device having a facsimile function, separate and independent operation panels separated from the device body can be detachably installed on a plurality of surfaces of the device body. Is.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a multi-function printer having a facsimile function according to the first or second embodiment of the present invention.

The same parts as those of the conventional example shown in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a main body of a multifunction printer device having a facsimile function. Inside, an image reading device for reading a document image and a facsimile means for outputting the read image data to an external device are generally provided. An image forming apparatus for recording image data from the image reading apparatus on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic process, a sheet supplying unit for supplying an original, and a conveying unit for conveying the original.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 18 denotes a first place where the operation panel can be installed, which is the same position as the installation position of the operation panel 17 shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 19 is a second place where the operation panel can be installed, and is a position on the left outside above the apparatus main body.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a third place where the operation panel can be installed, which is a position on a diagonal line with respect to the first installation place 18.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the operation panel 21 showing the first embodiment according to the present invention.

Reference numeral 22 is an electrical connector for electrically connecting the operation panel to the apparatus main body.

A one-touch connection mechanism (not shown) for connecting to the apparatus main body 10 is provided on the back surface or the lower surface of the operation panel 21.

On the other hand, on the apparatus main body 10 side, a locking mechanism (not shown) corresponding to the connection mechanism of the operation panel and the connector 22 are provided.
The electrical connection (not shown) corresponding to
19 and 20, respectively. The operation panel 21 is
It is fixed to the apparatus main body 10 by the connecting mechanism and the locking mechanism, and is electrically connected via the connector 22. When the operation panel 21 is operated, the electric signal is transmitted to the apparatus main body 10 via the connector 22.

When the operation panel is installed in the second place 19, the operation panel is close to the operator's hand and the operation panel surface is inclined in the direction of the operator, so that the operator stands on the chair. Even when sitting and working, the operation panel surface is easy to see and the workability is improved.

When the operation panel is installed in the third place 20, the operator can work from the side opposite to the case where the operation panel is installed in the first place 18, so that the operator can operate the operation panel on the front side. It is effective when there is no work space for workers.

Further, since the sheet supply trays 14 and 15 and the sheet discharge trays 11 and 12 have an inverse relationship, it is possible to use the sheets in either a right-handed or a left-handed state in a convenient state. .

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an operation panel 23 showing a second embodiment according to the present invention, and 24 is a communication signal transmission of a wireless communication means such as high speed infrared communication. It is a department.

Similar to the first embodiment, the installable locations of the operation panel are set to 18, 19, and 20 shown in FIG. 1, and the operation panel 23 can be installed on a plurality of surfaces of the apparatus main body. In the same manner as in the above embodiment, a one-touch connection mechanism (not shown) with the device body 10 is provided on the back surface or the lower surface of the operation panel 23, while the device body 10 has a locking mechanism corresponding to the connection mechanism of the operation panel 23. (Not shown) is 18 in FIG.
19 and 20 are provided.

The operation signal to the apparatus main body 10 is made by infrared rays transmitted from the high-speed infrared communication transmitting section 24 of the operation panel 23 to the receiving section (not shown) of the apparatus main body.

As a result, the electric connector 22 is not required as compared with the first embodiment, the operation panel 23 can be easily installed on the apparatus main body 10, and the position of the operation panel 23 is changed frequently. It is convenient for

[0028]

According to the present invention, in the facsimile device and the multifunction printer device having the facsimile function of the present invention, the operation panel can be freely laid out by the user, and the operator at the installation place can sit on the chair. Even when working, the operation panel surface is easy to see and the workability is good.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing first and second embodiments according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an operation panel showing the first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an operation panel showing a second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view of a conventional multifunction printer device having a facsimile function.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ・ ・ ・ Main body of multifunction printer device having facsimile function 11 ・ ・ ・ Sheet discharge tray (face up) 12 ・ ・ ・ Sheet discharge tray (image scanner) 13 ・ ・ ・ Sheet discharge tray (face down) 14 ・ ・-Sheet supply tray (image scanner) 15 ... Sheet supply tray (manual feed) 16 ... Sheet supply cassette 17 ... Operation panel installation location 18 ... First location 19 where operation panel can be installed ... Second place where operation panel can be installed 20 ... Third place where operation panel can be installed 21 ... Operation panel 22 ... Electrical connection connector 23 ... Operation panel 24 ... Communication to device body Signal transmitter

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image reading device for reading a document image, a facsimile means for outputting the read image data to an external device, and an image forming device for recording the image data from the image reading device on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic process. In a facsimile apparatus having a sheet supplying unit for supplying a document, a conveying unit for conveying the document, and an operation panel, the operation panel is detachably attached to the main body of the facsimile apparatus. . 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel can be removably installed on any of a plurality of surfaces of the facsimile apparatus main body. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body of the facsimile apparatus and the operation panel are connected by an electrical connector. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein signals between the facsimile apparatus main body and the operation panel are connected by wireless communication means. 5. An image reading device for reading a document image, an image reading device for outputting the read image data to an external device, and an image forming device for recording the image data from the image reading device on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic process. A multifunctional printer device having a facsimile function capable of using the image reading device as an image scanner, the multifunctional device having a sheet feeding means for feeding an original, a conveying means for conveying the original, and an operation panel. A multifunction printer device having a facsimile function, wherein the operation panel is detachably attached to a printer device main body. 6. The multifunction printer device having a facsimile function according to claim 5, wherein the operation panel can be detachably installed on any of a plurality of surfaces of the multifunction printer device main body. 7. The multifunction printer device having a facsimile function according to claim 5, wherein the multifunction printer device main body and the operation panel are connected by an electrical connector. 8. The signal between the multifunction printer device main body and the operation panel is connected by wireless communication means.
A multifunction printer device having the facsimile function described in 1.