JP2004142254A - Image forming apparatus and display - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can be operated easily even by a visually handicapped user. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus comprises a section for obtaining image data by reading an image from a document, a section for forming an image on a sheet based on the image data, and a section for displaying information to a user and inputting an operational designation of the user. Display region of the displaying/operating section is divided into a plurality of areas and marking for allowing the user to recognize each of the plurality of areas is provided on the displaying/operating section or on the periphery thereof. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a display device for forming an image on a sheet by, for example, an electrophotographic method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A latent image is formed by irradiating the photosensitive layer of a uniformly charged photoreceptor with light to form a latent image, toner is adhered to the photosensitive layer, developed, and transferred to paper to form an image, such as a digital copying machine. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is well known.
[0003]
An operation such as when an image is formed by such an image forming apparatus is performed by a user operating and inputting using a display operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus.
[0004]
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an operation device in which a touch panel for inputting an operation to the device and a display for displaying information from the device are overlapped, and operability is improved.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-61-282916 [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
However, in the operation device described in Patent Document 1 and the conventional image forming apparatus, the display operation unit is intended for a user who can see the eyes. It is inconvenient, and there is a problem that a blind person cannot operate a device equipped with a touch panel function.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus that can be easily operated and input even by a visually impaired user.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image reading unit that reads an image from a document to obtain image data, an image forming unit that forms an image on paper based on the image data, displays information to a user, And a display operation unit for inputting an operation instruction, the display area of the display operation unit is divided into a plurality of areas on or around the display operation unit, and each of the plurality of areas is Is provided with a marking that can be recognized.
[0008]
Further, in the invention according to claim 1, the present invention is configured such that the user presses an enter button provided on the display operation unit and then presses the enter button after the user selects an enter button. The apparatus further comprises a determination control means for determining the selection and input of the function assigned to the input unit selected by the user.
[0009]
According to the present invention, in the invention according to claim 2, a mode in which the selection control means selects and inputs only after pressing the determination button, and an input provided by the user on the display operation unit. It is characterized in that control is performed so that the user can switch between a mode in which selection and input are confirmed by simply selecting a unit.
[0010]
The present invention is characterized in that, in the invention according to the first, second or third aspect, the marking is recognizable to a user by a tactile sensation.
[0011]
The present invention is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 4, the marking is provided at a boundary part that divides a display area of the display operation unit into a plurality of areas.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the marking is provided on each of a plurality of areas obtained by dividing a display area of the display operation unit.
[0013]
The present invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the marking is the same in each of the plurality of areas.
[0014]
The present invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the marking is different for each of the plurality of areas.
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the sixth aspect, the marking indicates the name of each of the plurality of areas in Braille.
[0016]
Further, in the invention according to claim 4, the marking is provided around the plurality of areas, and indicates a position of each area in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.
[0017]
The present invention is characterized in that, in the invention according to the first, second or third aspect, the marking is recognizable to a user by sound.
[0018]
The present invention is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, 2, or 3, the marking emits a sound when the user touches each of the plurality of areas, and is recognizable by the sound. .
[0019]
According to the present invention, in the twelfth aspect, the marking emits a different sound for each of the plurality of areas.
[0020]
Also, in the invention according to claim 12, the marking changes the horizontal area number and the vertical area number of each of the plurality of areas, and changes the pitch of sound in the vertical and horizontal directions. The buzzer sounds as many as the number.
[0021]
According to the present invention, in the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the marking emits a name given in advance to each of the plurality of areas by voice.
[0022]
The present invention also provides a display device with a touch panel having a touch panel for displaying information to a user and inputting an operation instruction by the user, wherein the touch panel is divided into a plurality of areas on or around the touch panel, and It is characterized by having markings that can be recognized by the user.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0024]
In the following embodiments, an image forming apparatus in which a display device with a touch panel is provided in an operation unit will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the operation device of the image forming device. It goes without saying that it can be applied to any available device.
[0025]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, an electrophotographic copying machine will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus.
[0026]
Here, the configuration and basic operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0027]
When the user operates a display operation unit, which will be described later, provided in the image forming apparatus 100 and inputs a copy instruction, the document is placed on the document feeder 11 of the automatic document feeder 1 with the image surface facing upward, and the document is The sheet is fed one by one by the operation of the feed roller 12, temporarily stopped by the registration roller 13, and its tip is trimmed. Then, the sheet is transferred to the transfer drum 14, and united along the surface of the transfer drum 14. The image surface is read by the image reading unit 2 in the process of rotating in the counterclockwise direction. Thereafter, the image is diverged from the drum surface at a position substantially halfway around and is discharged to the paper discharge table 15. In double-sided reading, the read original is turned upside down, and is again conveyed by the conveying drum 14 to perform backside reading.
[0028]
In the image reading unit 2, a first mirror unit 23 including a light source 23 a and a mirror 23 b sequentially illuminates and reads a passing document at a position directly below the transport drum 14 so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the document. The light is reflected by a second mirror unit 24 having a mirror 24a and a mirror 24b arranged at the same position, and forms an image on a linear imaging element 26 via an imaging lens 25 to obtain image information. The image forming apparatus 100 also has a function of placing a document on the stationary document table 27 and moving and reading the mirror units 23 and 24.
[0029]
Image information of the document image read by the image reading unit 2 is subjected to image processing by an image processing device, and is temporarily stored in a memory as image information.
[0030]
In the image forming section 3, the image information is read out from the memory and input to the exposure device 33, and a laser beam modulated according to the image information from a laser light source (not shown) has a photosensitive layer by rotating a polygon mirror. The main scanning exposure is performed on the photosensitive drum 31. The main scanning by the polygon mirror in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 31 to which the charging potential has been previously applied by the charging device 32 and the sub-scanning by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 31 are performed, and the electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum 31. Form an image. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is reversely developed with a developer by a developing device 40 to be a toner image.
[0031]
In parallel with this, paper for forming an image is fed from the manual paper feed tray 19 or the main paper feed tray 7 that stores paper as the paper feed device 5. The main body paper feed tray 7 has, for example, three stages of 7a, 7b, and 7c, and one of the paper feed rollers 51A, 51B, and 51C operates to carry out the paper, and the conveyance roller 55, the registration roller 56, and the conveyance roller The paper is fed to the photosensitive drum 31 and is synchronized with the toner image on the photosensitive drum 31.
[0032]
The photosensitive drum 31 on which the sheet is stuck receives the discharge from the transfer device 35 and the irradiation of light from the charge elimination lamp (TSL) 41, whereby the toner image on the photosensitive drum 31 is moved to the sheet side. The paper on which the toner image has been transferred and transferred is discharged by the separating device 36 and separated from the photosensitive drum 31, and is conveyed to the fixing device 38 via the conveying belt, and has the heater 38 c to be heated by the fixing device 38 c. When the toner passes between the fixing roller 38b and the fixing roller 38a, the toner is fixed by heat, and the toner is fixed. The sheet is discharged from the fixing discharge roller 61 of the discharge unit 6 and discharged to the discharge tray 64. Is done.
[0033]
On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 100 is configured so that the photosensitive drum 31 from which the sheet has been separated and from which the residual potential has been removed is cleaned by removing the residual toner in the cleaning device 37 and then enters the next image forming process. All controls are performed by the CPU as control means.
[0034]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to control of image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 101 that performs overall control, an image reading unit 2 that reads an image from a document, and an image forming unit 3 that forms an image on an image forming sheet such as paper. A storage unit 102 for storing image data read by the image reading unit 2, other programs to be executed by the control unit 101, parameters necessary for the operation of the digital copying machine 100, and the like. And an operation unit 103 for displaying information and allowing the user to input an operation, an instruction, and the like to the digital copying machine 100. The operation unit 103 includes a display operation unit integrated like a touch panel.
[0036]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a display operation unit in the operation unit 103 illustrated in FIG.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 3, the display operation unit 103a displays the name of the operation content for the user to operate the digital copier 100, and the position is displayed when the user presses or touches the position. It has an input unit for selecting and inputting contents.
[0038]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the display operation unit 103a is divided into nine areas vertically and seven areas horizontally, that is, a total of 63 areas. Are made to correspond to each other.
[0039]
In the present embodiment, the display operation unit 103a is divided into 63 areas as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be 63 or more or 63 or less. Also, the size and shape of each area need not be the same size and shape.
[0040]
The user can select the operation content by identifying each area. In the present embodiment, by providing markings on the display operation unit 103a, each area can be identified even if the user is a blind person, and the input unit of any position of the display operation unit 103a can be identified. So that you know if you are holding down.
[0041]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of marking in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 4, in the first embodiment, each area on the display operation unit 103a is divided by a grid-like marking 103b. The marking 104b may be convex or concave, and may be any as long as the user can recognize the grid-like marking 103b when touched with a fingertip, for example.
[0043]
When marking on the touch panel in this manner, a transparent member with the marking may be attached to the surface of the touch panel, or a transparent member sheet with the marking may be placed on the surface of the touch panel, and the frame of the touch panel ( The transparent member sheet may be sandwiched between the touch panel and its frame by placing the operation unit casing) from above, or a marking may be formed on the surface of the touch panel.
[0044]
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a second embodiment of the marking in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 5, in the second embodiment, in each area on the display operation unit 103a, irregularities indicating the respective areas are provided as markings 103c. As this marking 103c, the position of each area is indicated by the number of irregularities or Braille, the vertical position and the horizontal position of each area is indicated by the number of irregularities or Braille, and the name of each area is indicated by the number of irregularities or Braille. Or a different marking for each area. Thereby, the user can recognize each area with a tactile sensation.
[0046]
When marking on the touch panel in this manner, a transparent member with the marking may be attached to the surface of the touch panel, or a transparent member sheet with the marking may be placed on the surface of the touch panel, and the frame of the touch panel ( The transparent member sheet may be sandwiched between the touch panel and its frame by placing the operation unit casing) from above, or a marking may be formed on the surface of the touch panel.
[0047]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a third embodiment of the marking in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 6, in the third embodiment, a marking 103d, which is a marking with unevenness common to each area, is provided in each area on the display operation unit 103a. As described above, even when the marking of the same shape is performed on each area, the position of each area can be recognized, which is helpful for the user to operate.
[0049]
When marking on the touch panel in this manner, a transparent member with the marking may be attached to the surface of the touch panel, or a transparent member sheet with the marking may be placed on the surface of the touch panel, and the frame of the touch panel ( The transparent member sheet may be sandwiched between the touch panel and its frame by placing the operation unit casing) from above, or a marking may be formed on the surface of the touch panel.
[0050]
FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a fourth embodiment of the marking in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 7, in the fourth embodiment, as the marking 103 e, markings by irregularities indicating the horizontal position and the vertical position of each area on the display operation unit 103 a are provided around the outside of each area. It is provided. In FIG. 7, markings indicating the vertical position of each area are provided on the left side of the display operation unit 103a, and markings indicating the horizontal position of each area are provided on the upper side.
[0052]
In addition, in the case of this marking 103e, it is more effective when used together with the grid-like marking 103b shown in FIG.
[0053]
When marking is performed on the outside of the touch panel as in the fourth embodiment, a marked transparent member may be attached to that position, or the marking may be integrally formed on a frame (operation unit casing) of the touch panel. May be used.
[0054]
In the first to fourth embodiments, the user can recognize each area by the tactile sensation. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user touches each area. At this time, a sound indicating the area may be emitted. Here, a configuration in which the user identifies each area by sound as described below is also called identification by marking.
[0055]
As an example of the emitted sound, a different sound such as a pitch, a loudness, or the like may be emitted for each area, or a number of buzzers sounding as many as the position (for example, the horizontal position and the vertical position) of the area. Or the position of the area (for example, the horizontal position and the vertical position) may be uttered by voice (for example, the vertical direction is the sixth area from the top and the horizontal direction is the second area from the left. If it is, a voice is emitted as "vertical 6 horizontal 2"), a name given in advance to the area may be voiced, or an operation or function name assigned to the area may be voiced. (For example, when touching the position of a button for selecting the function of copying a two-sided original on both sides, a sound such as “from both sides is emitted”), the horizontal area number and the vertical area number of the area Over the, in the vertical and horizontal by changing the height of the sound, may be the one to sound the buzzer only a few of the area number.
[0056]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a confirmation button when operating the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
[0057]
The operation unit 103 of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is preferably provided with an enter button 103f as shown in FIG.
[0058]
In the case of a conventional ordinary display device with a touch panel, touching the displayed button means selecting and confirming the display button, moving to another screen, or determining an input. However, in the present invention, since the user searches for and selects an arbitrary position on the touch panel by tracing the display portion with a fingertip, it is not possible to adopt a configuration in which the input is determined as soon as the user touches the touch panel.
[0059]
Therefore, in the present invention, the enter button 103f shown in FIG. 8 is provided, and even if the user touches the touch panel (the display operation unit 103a) to select each area, the user moves to another screen or the input is determined. It is assumed that only the selection of each area is performed on the touch panel, and the selection is confirmed by pressing the confirmation button 103f provided in a portion other than the touch panel portion, and the screen is moved to another screen or the input is determined. I did it. This control is performed by software operated by the control means 101 which is a confirmation control means.
[0060]
The confirmation button 103f may be provided as an independent button having only the confirmation function, or may be used as a button for another function and the confirmation button.
[0061]
Further, the confirm button 103f is not a soft key whose function at the time of pressing is changed according to the display content such as the display operation unit 103a, but a hard key provided at the same position at any time as the same function. desirable. By doing so, it is possible to make the operation easy even for a person who is blind.
[0062]
Also, if the input is confirmed only after the user presses the confirm button 103f as described above, the number of keys to be operated is increased for a visually impaired person, but is increased for a healthy person. The operability will be further deteriorated. Therefore, the user can switch between the mode of selecting and confirming by touching the touch panel, or the mode of confirming by pressing the confirm button only by touching the touch panel. Preferably, the means is controlled.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can be easily operated and input even by a visually impaired user.
[0064]
That is, according to the present invention, the display operation unit is divided into a plurality of areas, and each of the divided areas can be recognized by the user. Can be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration related to control of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a display operation unit in the operation unit illustrated in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of marking in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the marking in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the marking in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment of the marking in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a confirmation button when operating the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 automatic document feeder 11 document feeder 12 feeder roller 13 registration roller 14 transport drum 15 discharger 2 image reader 23a light source 23b mirror 23 first mirror unit 24a mirror 24b mirror 24 second mirror unit 25 imaging lens 26 Image pickup device 27 Still platen 3 Image forming section 31 Photoreceptor drum 32 Charging device 33 Exposure device 40 Developing device 5 Paper feeder 19 Manual feed tray 7 Main feed trays 7a, 7b, 7c Main feed trays 51A, 51B , 51C paper feed roller 55 transport roller 56 registration roller 56
39 transport roller 35 transfer device 41 static elimination lamp (TSL)
36 separation device 38 fixing device 38a, 38b fixing roller 38c heater 6 discharge unit 61 fixing discharge roller 64 discharge tray 37 cleaning device 100 image forming device 101 control unit 102 storage unit 103 operation unit 103a display operation units 103b, 103c, 103d, 103e Marking 103f Confirm button

Claims (16)

An image reading unit that reads an image from a document to obtain image data, an image forming unit that forms an image on paper based on the image data, and a display operation unit that displays information to the user and inputs an operation instruction by the user In the image forming apparatus,
Image forming, on or around the display operation unit, a marking that divides a display area of the display operation unit into a plurality of areas and allows a user to recognize each of the plurality of areas. apparatus. An enter button pressed by the user;
A user selecting an input unit provided on the display operation unit and pressing the enter button, thereby selecting a function assigned to the input unit selected by the user and confirming the input. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A mode in which the determination control means selects and inputs only after pressing the determination button, and a mode in which the user selects and inputs only by selecting an input unit provided on the display operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control is performed so that the user can switch between the two. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the marking is recognizable by a user by a tactile sensation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the marking is provided at a boundary portion that divides a display area of the display operation unit into a plurality of areas. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the marking is provided on each of a plurality of areas obtained by dividing a display area of the display operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the marking is the same in each of the plurality of areas. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the marking is different for each of the plurality of areas. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the marking indicates a name of each of the plurality of areas in Braille. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the marking is provided around the plurality of areas, and indicates a position of each area in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the marking is recognizable by a user by sound. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the marking emits a sound when a user touches each of the plurality of areas, and is recognizable by the sound. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the marking emits a different sound for each of the plurality of areas. The marking is characterized in that the horizontal area number and the vertical area number of each of the plurality of areas are changed in pitch vertically and horizontally, and the buzzer sounds as many as the area number. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the marking utters a name given in advance to each of the plurality of areas by voice. A display device with a touch panel having a touch panel for displaying information to the user and inputting an operation instruction by the user,
A display device with a touch panel, characterized in that the touch panel is divided into a plurality of areas on or around the touch panel, and markings that allow a user to recognize each of the plurality of areas are provided.

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