JP2006003678A - Display device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device which makes the display contents of a display element visible not only from the front but the other directions of the device as well and an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The display device is equipped with a liquid crystal display element 4 for displaying a prescribed image and is provided with a first shaft member 111 for rotatably pivotally supporting the liquid crystal display element 4 around a first axis and is provided with a second shaft member 112 for pivotally supporting the liquid crystal display element 4 rotatably around an axis different from the first axis. The first shaft member 111 is rotatably and attachably and detachably held by a first holding member 123 and a second shaft member 112 is rotatably and attachably and detachably held by a second holding member 112. One of the first shaft member 111 and the second shaft member 112 is removed and a display panel is erected with the other as an axis of rotation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device including a display unit and an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a display unit for displaying various types of information is provided on an upper surface of a front portion of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer device, a facsimile machine, and a printing machine. This display section displays instructions for paper jam handling and settings for each part of the machine, and the user or service person can set paper jam handling and settings for each part of the machine while viewing the display screen displayed on the display. Do.

  By the way, when a user or a service person performs an inspection operation or the like on the back side of the image forming apparatus, it is difficult to perform the operation while looking at the display screen because the display unit is provided on the upper surface of the front part of the apparatus.

Therefore, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the display unit can be rotated 360 degrees around an axis that protrudes from the upper surface of the image forming apparatus, so that the display screen can be directed to the rear of the apparatus. I am doing so. In the invention described in Patent Document 2, a display unit, an operation unit, and a scanner unit arranged on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus are freely instructed by the apparatus main body, so that any position around 360 degrees around the apparatus can be used. Users and service personnel can operate.
JP-A-10-39683 JP-A-8-317132

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, when the operation unit and other members are arranged in the rotating circle, the operation is disturbed, so nothing can be arranged in the rotating circle, There is a risk that the apparatus will be enlarged. Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, since the entire display unit, operation unit, and scanner unit are rotated, the apparatus becomes large, which may lead to an increase in cost.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and provides a display device and an image forming apparatus capable of visually recognizing the display content of the display unit not only from the front of the device but also from other directions. It is the purpose.

  The display device according to the present invention includes a display unit that displays a predetermined image, and the display unit includes a first shaft member that pivotally supports the display unit so as to be rotatable about a first axis, and A second shaft member is provided for pivotally supporting the display unit around a second axis different from the first shaft, and the first shaft member is rotatably and detachably held by the first holding member. The second shaft member is rotatably and detachably held by the second holding member.

  In the display device described above, the first and second holding members are fixed to a support member, and the support member is attached to the support member around a third axis different from the first and second axes. A third shaft member rotatably supported is provided, and a fourth shaft member is provided to rotatably support the support member about a fourth axis different from the first to third shafts; Preferably, the third shaft member is rotatably and detachably held by a third holding member, and the fourth shaft member is rotatably and detachably held by a fourth holding member.

  In the display device described above, a first detection unit that detects that the first shaft member has been removed from the first holding member, and the second shaft member from the second holding member. Second detection means for detecting removal, third detection means for detecting that the third shaft member has been removed from the third holding member, and the fourth shaft member Display control for changing the orientation of the display image displayed on the display unit according to detection results of the fourth detection means and the first to fourth detection means; It is preferable to further comprise means.

  Further, in the above display device, when the aspect ratio of the display screen of the display unit is different, the first display image data in which the horizontal length of the display screen is longer than the vertical length, and the display screen Storage means for storing second display image data having a length in the vertical direction longer than the length in the horizontal direction, wherein the display control means includes a first detection means, a second detection means, and a third One of the first display image data and the second display image data is read from the storage unit according to the detection result of the detection unit and the fourth detection unit, and the display unit is read by the display control unit. It is preferable to display any one of the read first display image and second display image.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and the display device displays an operation screen of the image forming device.

  In the above image forming apparatus, the display device is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the first to fourth shaft members are pivotally supported so that the display portion can be rotated 90 degrees or more. It is preferable to do.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the display unit that displays the predetermined image is provided with the first shaft member that pivotally supports the display unit so as to be rotatable around the first axis, and the display unit is the first unit. A second shaft member rotatably supported around a second shaft different from the first shaft is provided, the first shaft member is rotatably and detachably held by the first holding member, and the second shaft member Is rotatably and detachably held by the second holding member. Therefore, by removing one of the first shaft member and the second shaft member and erecting the display unit using the other as the rotation axis, the display unit can be viewed not only from one direction but also from the other direction. Thus, the display content of the display unit can be visually recognized not only from the front of the apparatus but also from other directions.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first and second holding members are fixed to the support member, and the support member is rotated around the third axis different from the first and second axes. A third shaft member is provided for pivotal support, and a fourth shaft member for pivotally supporting the support member about a fourth axis different from the first to third shafts is provided; The shaft member is rotatably and detachably held by the third holding member, and the fourth shaft member is rotatably and detachably held by the fourth holding member. Accordingly, one of the first shaft member and the second shaft member is removed, the display unit is erected with the other as the rotation shaft, and one of the third shaft member and the fourth shaft member is removed. By raising the support plate with the other as the rotation axis, the display unit can be viewed not only in four directions but also in all directions around the device, and the display content of the display unit can be displayed not only from the front of the device but also from other directions. It can be visually recognized.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, the orientation of the display image displayed on the display unit in accordance with the detection results of the first detection means, the second detection means, the third detection means, and the fourth detection means is determined. Since the display image is changed, the display image can be displayed in a direction that can be visually recognized by the user without being displayed upside down.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the horizontal length of the display screen of the display unit is longer than the vertical length when the display unit is erected, the horizontal length is the vertical length. If the first display image data longer than the length is read and displayed, and the vertical length of the display screen is longer than the horizontal length, the second length is longer than the horizontal length. Since the display image data is read and displayed, it is possible to provide a user-friendly screen without interrupting the display image.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes the display device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and the operation screen of the image forming apparatus is displayed on the display device. When the jam processing is performed while confirming the display content of the operation screen displayed on the display unit, the display content can be confirmed without being in front of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the display device is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the display unit is pivotally supported by the first to fourth shaft members so as to be rotatable at 90 degrees or more. Therefore, even if the user is at a position lower than the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus, the user can visually recognize the display content displayed on the display unit.

  Hereinafter, a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The display device according to the present invention can be applied to all electric devices including a display device that presents various information to a user. In the following description, a copier, a printer device, a facsimile device, and a printing device will be described. A case where the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus such as a printer will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus to which a display device according to the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.

  An operation unit 3 is arranged on the upper surface of the front portion of the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 3 displays a start key 31 for a user to input a print execution instruction, a numeric keypad 32 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, operation guide information for various copying operations, and the like. The display device 10 including a liquid crystal display or the like having a touch panel function for inputting various settings, the reset key 33 for resetting the setting contents set in the display device 10, the stop of the printing operation, the stop of the reading operation, And a stop / clear key 34 for clearing an input numerical value and a function switching key 35 for switching between a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  Here, the display device 10 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the display device 10 according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the display device 10 shown in FIG.

  The display device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a display panel 11 that supports the liquid crystal display unit 4 that displays an operation screen of the image forming apparatus 1, and a support plate 12 that supports the display panel 11.

  The display panel 11 has a rectangular shape whose horizontal length is longer than the vertical length, and a first shaft member 111 is provided on the short side of one end of the display panel 11, and the short side of the other end. A second shaft member 112 is provided on the side. The support plate 12 includes a first holding member 123 that holds the first shaft member 111 in a rotatable and detachable manner, and a second holding member 124 that holds the second shaft member 112 in a rotatable and detachable manner. Is provided. The first holding member 123 is composed of two holding members, a holding member that holds one end of the first shaft member 111 and a holding member that holds the other end. The second holding member 124 is a second holding member 124. The shaft member 112 includes two holding members, a holding member that holds one end and a holding member that holds the other end. The display panel 11 is fixed to the support plate 12 by fitting the first shaft member 111 into the first holding member 123 and fitting the second shaft member 112 into the second holding member 124.

  A third shaft member 121 is provided on the long side of one end of the support plate 12, and a fourth shaft member 122 is provided on the long side of the other end. The main body 2 is provided with a third holding member 131 that holds the third shaft member 121 in a rotatable and detachable manner, and a fourth holding member 132 that holds the fourth shaft member 122 in a rotatable and detachable manner. It has been. The third holding member 131 is composed of two holding members, a holding member that holds one end of the third shaft member 121 and a holding member that holds the other end, and the fourth holding member 132 is a fourth holding member. The shaft member 122 includes two holding members, a holding member that holds one end and a holding member that holds the other end. The support plate 12 is fixed to the main body 2 by fitting the third shaft member 121 into the third holding member 131 and fitting the fourth shaft member 122 into the fourth holding member 132.

  In addition, a circular hole 125 is formed in a substantially central portion of the support plate 12, and a circular hole 133 is also formed in the main body 2 corresponding to the hole 125 formed in the support plate 12. Yes. The wiring 14 led out from the substantially central portion of the back surface of the display panel 11 passes through the hole 125 formed in the support plate 12, and the wiring 14 that passes through the hole 125 passes through the hole 133 formed in the main body 2. Led into the body.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the display panel 11 or the support plate 12 of the display device 10 according to the present invention is erected, and FIG. 5A is a case where the display screen is viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an upright state of the support plate 12 of the display apparatus 10 when the display screen is viewed from the rear of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 5C is a diagram showing a standing state of the display panel 11 of the display device 10 when the display screen is viewed from the left side of the image forming apparatus 1, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a standing state of the display panel 11 of the display device 10 when viewed from the right side of the forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the user views the display screen from the front (front surface) of the image forming apparatus 1, the user removes the third shaft member 121 from the third holding member 131 and the fourth shaft member. The support plate 12 is erected on the axis 122. The fourth holding member 132 holds the fourth shaft member 122, and the support plate 12 can be fixed steplessly by the holding force of the fourth holding member 132. In the present embodiment, the support plate 12 can be raised 90 degrees or more with respect to the upper surface of the main body 2 using the fourth shaft member 122 as a rotation axis.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the user views the display screen from the rear (back) of the image forming apparatus 1, the user removes the fourth shaft member 122 from the fourth holding member 132, The support plate 12 is erected with the shaft member 121 as a shaft. The third holding member 131 holds the third shaft member 121, and the support plate 12 can be fixed steplessly by the holding force of the third holding member 131. In the present embodiment, the support plate 12 can be raised 90 degrees or more with respect to the upper surface of the main body 2 using the third shaft member 121 as a rotation axis.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the user views the display screen from the left (left side) of the image forming apparatus 1, the user removes the second shaft member 112 from the second holding member 124, and The display panel 11 is erected with the shaft member 111 as an axis. The first holding member 123 holds the first shaft member 111, and the display panel 11 can be fixed steplessly by the holding force of the first holding member 123. In the present embodiment, the display panel 11 can be raised 90 degrees or more with respect to the upper surface of the main body 2 using the first shaft member 111 as a rotation axis.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5D, when the user views the display screen from the right side (right side) of the image forming apparatus 1, the user removes the first shaft member 111 from the first holding member 123, and The display panel 11 is erected with the second shaft member 112 as an axis. The second holding member 124 holds the second shaft member 112, and the display panel 11 can be fixed steplessly by the holding force by the second holding member 124. In the present embodiment, the display panel 11 can be raised 90 degrees or more with respect to the upper surface of the main body 2 using the second shaft member 112 as a rotation axis.

  As described above, the display device 10 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface of the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1, and the display panel 11 or the support plate 12 is 90 degrees or more by the first to fourth shaft members 111, 112, 121, 122. Therefore, even if the user is at a position lower than the upper surface of the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is raised by raising the display panel 11 or the support plate 12 to 90 degrees or more. The display content displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal display unit 4 can be visually recognized while working below the upper surface of the LCD.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration of the display device according to the present invention. The display device 10 illustrated in FIG. 6 includes a first detection unit 21, a second detection unit 22, a third detection unit 23, a fourth detection unit 24, a control unit 25, a display unit 26, and a storage unit 27. Configured.

  The first detection unit 21 detects that the first shaft member 111 has been removed from the first holding member 123. The first detector 21 outputs a detection signal to the controller 25 when the first shaft member 111 is detached from the first holding member 123. The second detection unit 22 detects that the second shaft member 112 has been removed from the second holding member 124. The second detector 22 outputs a detection signal to the controller 25 when the second shaft member 112 is detached from the second holding member 124. The third detection unit 23 detects that the third shaft member 121 has been removed from the third holding member 131. The third detection unit 23 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 25 when the third shaft member 121 is detached from the third holding member 131. The fourth detection unit 24 detects that the fourth shaft member 122 has been removed from the fourth holding member 132. The fourth detection unit 24 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 25 when the fourth shaft member 122 is detached from the fourth holding member 132.

  The storage unit 27 includes, for example, an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) and stores data related to the display image displayed on the display unit 26. The storage unit 27 includes the first display image data storage unit 271 and the second display image data storage unit 271. And a display image data storage unit 272. The first display image data storage unit 271 stores first display image data in which the horizontal length is longer than the vertical length of the display screen. The second display image data storage unit 272 stores the second display image data having the same contents as the first display image data and having a longer vertical length than a horizontal length of the display screen.

  The control unit 25 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and controls the entire image forming apparatus, and includes a display control unit 251. The display control unit 251 determines the orientation of the display image displayed on the display unit 26 according to the detection results of the first detection unit 21, the second detection unit 22, the third detection unit 23, and the fourth detection unit 24. To change.

  The display control unit 251 also displays the first display image from the storage unit 27 according to the detection results of the first detection unit 21, the second detection unit 22, the third detection unit 23, and the fourth detection unit 24. Either one of the data and the second display image data is read and output to the display unit 26. For example, when the first shaft member 111 is removed from the first holding member 123 and a detection signal is input from the first detection unit 21, the display screen faces rightward, and the horizontal length of the display screen Since the vertical length is longer than the second display image data, the second display image data is read from the second display image data storage unit 272, and the read second display image data is output to the display unit 26. The Further, when the third shaft member 121 is detached from the third holding member 131 and a detection signal is input from the third detection unit 23, the display screen faces the front direction, and the vertical length of the display screen is long. Since the horizontal length is longer than the first length, the first display image data is read from the first display image data storage unit 271, and the read first display image data is output to the display unit 26. The

  The display unit 26 includes, for example, the liquid crystal display unit 4 and displays operation guide information for various copying operations. For example, when a paper jam occurs in the image forming apparatus 1, the display unit 26 displays a location where the paper jam has occurred and a method for clearing the paper jam.

  Next, the operation of the display device 10 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the display processing of the display device 10 shown in FIG.

  First, in step S1, the display control unit 251 determines whether a detection signal is input from the first detection unit 21, and when a detection signal is input from the first detection unit 21 (YES in step S1). ), The process proceeds to step S2, and when the detection signal is not input from the first detection unit 21 (NO in step S1), the process proceeds to step S6.

  When the detection signal is input from the first detection unit 21, the display control unit 251 selects one of the second detection unit 22, the third detection unit 23, and the fourth detection unit 24 in step S <b> 2. If a detection signal is input from any one of the second detection unit 22, the third detection unit 23, and the fourth detection unit 24 (step S2). YES), when the process proceeds to step S3, and no detection signal is input from any one of the second detection unit 22, the third detection unit 23, and the fourth detection unit 24 (NO in step S2) ), The process proceeds to step S4.

  When a detection signal is input from any one of the second detection unit 22, the third detection unit 23, and the fourth detection unit 24, the display control unit 251 displays the first detection unit 21 in step S3. A warning image for warning that a plurality of shaft members are removed from the second detection unit 22, the third detection unit 23, and the fourth detection unit 24 is displayed on the display unit 26, and display processing is performed. finish. In other words, when a plurality of shaft members are removed from among the first detection unit 21, the second detection unit 22, the third detection unit 23, and the fourth detection unit 24, the user can connect the image forming apparatus 1. On the other hand, it cannot be detected from which direction the display screen is viewed. Therefore, when a plurality of shaft members are removed, a warning image is displayed to notify the user that the plurality of shaft members are removed.

  On the other hand, if no detection signal is input from any one of the second detection unit 22, the third detection unit 23, and the fourth detection unit 24, in step S4, the display control unit 251 The second display image data is read from the display image data storage unit 272, and the read second display image data is output to the display unit 26. Next, in step S5, the display unit 26 displays the second display image data and ends the display process.

  If no detection signal is input from the first detection unit 21, the display control unit 251 determines whether or not a detection signal is input from the second detection unit 22 in step S <b> 6. If a detection signal is input from the detection unit 22 (YES in step S6), the process proceeds to step S7. If a detection signal is not input from the second detection unit 22 (NO in step S6), step S12 is performed. The process is transferred to.

  When a detection signal is input from the second detection unit 22, in step S7, the display control unit 251 determines whether the detection signal is input from any one of the third detection unit 23 and the fourth detection unit 24. If the detection signal is input from any one of the third detection unit 23 and the fourth detection unit 24 (YES in step S7), the process proceeds to step S8, and the third If a detection signal is not input from any one of the detection unit 23 and the fourth detection unit 24 (NO in step S7), the process proceeds to step S9.

  When a detection signal is input from any one of the third detection unit 23 and the fourth detection unit 24, the display control unit 251 displays the first detection unit 21 and the second detection unit 22 in step S8. In the third detection unit 23 and the fourth detection unit 24, a warning image for warning that a plurality of shaft members has been removed is displayed on the display unit 26, and the display process ends.

  On the other hand, when the detection signal is not input from any one of the third detection unit 23 and the fourth detection unit 24, the display control unit 251 determines from the second display image data storage unit 272 in step S9. Second display image data is read.

  Next, in step S <b> 10, the display control unit 251 flips the read second display image upside down and outputs the second display image data upside down to the display unit 26. That is, since the second display image is displayed so as to be visible when viewed from the right direction of the image forming apparatus 1, it is necessary to invert the top and bottom when viewed from the left direction of the image forming apparatus 1. Next, in step S <b> 11, the display unit 26 displays the second display image data that is vertically inverted, and ends the display process.

  If no detection signal is input from the second detection unit 22, the display control unit 251 determines whether or not a detection signal is input from the third detection unit 23 in step S <b> 12. If a detection signal is input from the detection unit 23 (YES in step S12), the process proceeds to step S13. If a detection signal is not input from the third detection unit 23 (NO in step S12), step S17 is performed. The process is transferred to.

  When the detection signal is input from the third detection unit 23, the display control unit 251 determines whether or not the detection signal is input from the fourth detection unit 24 in step S <b> 13, and the fourth detection unit 24. If a detection signal is input from (YES in step S13), the process proceeds to step S14. If a detection signal is not input from the fourth detection unit 24 (NO in step S13), the process proceeds to step S15. Transition.

  When a detection signal is input from the fourth detection unit 24, in step S14, the display control unit 251 causes the first detection unit 21, the second detection unit 22, the third detection unit 23, and the fourth detection. A warning image for warning that a plurality of shaft members of the unit 24 has been removed is displayed on the display unit 26, and the display process ends.

  On the other hand, if the detection signal is not input from the fourth detection unit 24, the display control unit 251 reads the first display image data from the first display image data storage unit 271 in step S15, and reads the read first display image data. 1 display image data is output to the display unit 26. Next, in step S16, the display unit 26 displays the first display image data, and ends the display process.

  If the detection signal is not input from the third detection unit 23, the display control unit 251 determines whether or not the detection signal is input from the fourth detection unit 24 in step S17. If a detection signal is input from the detection unit 24 (YES in step S17), the process proceeds to step S18. If a detection signal is not input from the fourth detection unit 24 (NO in step S17), step S1 is performed. The process is returned to and it is determined again whether a detection signal is input from the first detection unit 21.

  When the detection signal is input from the fourth detection unit 24, the display control unit 251 reads the first display image data from the first display image data storage unit 271 in step S18.

  Next, in step S <b> 19, the display control unit 251 flips the read first display image upside down and outputs the first display image data flipped up and down to the display unit 26. That is, since the first display image is displayed so as to be visible when viewed from the front direction of the image forming apparatus 1, it is necessary to invert the top and bottom when viewed from the back direction of the image forming apparatus 1. Next, in step S20, the display unit 26 displays the first display image data that is turned upside down, and ends the display process.

  In this way, the first and second holding members 123 and 124 are fixed to the support plate (support member) 12, and the support plate 12 is attached to the support plate 12 with a third axis different from the first and second axes. A fourth shaft member 122 is provided, which is provided with a third shaft member 121 which is rotatably supported around the shaft and which rotatably supports the support plate 12 around a fourth axis which is different from the first to third shafts. The third shaft member 121 is rotatably and detachably held by the third holding member 131, and the fourth shaft member 122 is rotatably and detachably held by the fourth holding member 132. Accordingly, one of the first shaft member 111 and the second shaft member 112 is removed, and the liquid crystal display unit 4 is erected with the other as the rotation shaft, or the third shaft member 121 and the fourth shaft member. By removing one of 122 and erecting the support plate 12 with the other as the rotation axis, the liquid crystal display unit 4 can be viewed from four directions, and the display of the display unit can be displayed not only from the front of the apparatus but also from other directions. The contents can be visually recognized. In particular, in an image forming apparatus, maintenance processing and jam processing may be performed not only on the front side of the apparatus but also on the side surface or the back side of the apparatus. In this case, by rotating the display device 10 so that the display screen faces in the direction in which the user exists, the display content of the liquid crystal display unit 4 can be viewed not only from the front of the device but also from other directions.

  Further, the orientation of the display image displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 4 is changed according to the detection results of the first detection unit 21, the second detection unit 22, the third detection unit 23, and the fourth detection unit 24. Therefore, the display image can be displayed in a direction that is visible to the user without being displayed upside down.

  Further, when the liquid crystal display unit 4 is erected, if the horizontal length of the display screen is longer than the vertical length, the first display image data whose horizontal length is longer than the vertical length is displayed. When the vertical length of the display screen is longer than the horizontal length, the second display image data whose vertical length is longer than the horizontal length is read and displayed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a screen that is easy for the user to see without interrupting the display image.

  Furthermore, since the liquid crystal display unit 4 of the display device 10 provided on the edge of the upper surface of the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 is pivotally supported so as to be able to rotate 90 degrees or more, the user can Even if the user is at a position lower than the upper surface, the user can visually recognize the display contents.

  When the aspect ratio of the display surface of the display panel 11 is the same (that is, when the display surface is a square), the storage unit 27 stores only one display image data, and the first detection unit 21. The orientation of the display image may be changed according to detection signals from the second detection unit 22, the third detection unit 23, and the fourth detection unit 24. For example, when a detection signal is input only from the first detection unit 21, the display control unit 251 outputs display image data obtained by rotating the display image 90 degrees leftward to the display unit 26, and performs the second detection. When a detection signal is input only from the unit 22, display image data obtained by rotating the display image 90 degrees to the right is output to the display unit 26, and when a detection signal is input only from the third detection unit 23, When the read display image data is output to the display unit 26 as it is and a detection signal is input only from the fourth detection unit 24, the display image data is rotated 180 degrees leftward (upside down). Is output to the display unit 26.

  Further, even when the aspect ratio of the display surface of the display panel 11 is different, only one display image data is stored in the storage unit 27, and the first detection unit 21, the second detection unit 22, The display image may be reduced in accordance with detection signals from the third detection unit 23 and the fourth detection unit 24. For example, the display control unit 251 receives a detection signal from only one of the first detection unit 21 and the second detection unit 22 when the horizontal length of the display surface is longer than the vertical length. Then, the read display image is reduced at a ratio in which the horizontal length and the vertical length are the same, and the reduced display image data is output to the display unit 26.

  In this embodiment, the display control unit 251 detects detection signals from a plurality of detection units among the first detection unit 21, the second detection unit 22, the third detection unit 23, and the fourth detection unit 24. Is input, a warning image for warning that a plurality of shaft members has been removed is displayed on the display unit 26. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and the first detection unit 21, When detection signals are input from a plurality of detection units among the two detection units 22, the third detection unit 23, and the fourth detection unit 24, the first display image data storage unit 271 stores the first display image. Data may be read and displayed on the display unit 26. In this case, the user can remove the display panel 11 or the support plate 12 from the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 and view it.

  In the present embodiment, any one of the first shaft member 111, the second shaft member 112, the third shaft member 121, and the fourth shaft member 122 is removed from the holding member and the display panel 11 is removed. Alternatively, the support plate 12 is raised, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and one of the first shaft member 111 and the second shaft member 112 provided at both ends of the display panel 11. May be removed to raise the display panel 11 and either the third shaft member 121 or the fourth shaft member 122 provided at both ends of the support plate 12 may be removed to raise the support plate 12. As described above, one of the first shaft member 111 and the second shaft member 112 is removed, and the display panel 11 is erected with the other as the rotation shaft, so that the third shaft member 121 and the fourth shaft member 122 are raised. Since the support plate 12 is erected with the other as the rotation axis, the liquid crystal display unit 4 of the display panel 11 can be viewed not only in four directions but also in all directions around the apparatus, and only in front of the apparatus. In addition, the display content of the liquid crystal display unit 4 can be viewed from other directions as well.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the display panel 11 provided with the first shaft member 111 and the second shaft member 112 at the left and right ends, and the third shaft member 121 and the fourth shaft member 122 are provided at the upper and lower ends. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and the first shaft member 111, the second shaft member 112, and the third shaft member 121 are not provided without the support plate 12. And at least two of the fourth shaft members 122 are provided on the display panel 11, and the first holding member 123, the second holding member 124, the third holding member 131, and the fourth holding member 132 are provided. At least two of the holding members may be provided on the main body 2.

  For example, the display panel 11 is provided with the first shaft member 111 and the second shaft member 112, and one of the first shaft member 111 and the second shaft member 112 is removed and the other is used as the rotation shaft. 11 is erected, the liquid crystal display unit 4 of the display panel 11 can be viewed from two directions, and the display content of the liquid crystal display unit 4 can be viewed not only from the front of the apparatus but also from other directions.

  Further, for example, when the first shaft member 111 and the second shaft member 112 are provided at the left and right ends of the display panel 11, and the third shaft member 121 and the fourth shaft member 122 are provided at the upper and lower ends, 4 Three of the shaft members are removed, and the display panel 11 is erected with the remaining one shaft member as a rotation axis. For example, when the display panel 11 is erected with the first shaft member 111 as the rotation axis, the display control unit 251 detects from the second detection unit 22, the third detection unit 23, and the fourth detection unit 24. A signal is input, and second display image data is read out. Further, when the display panel 11 is erected with the third shaft member 121 as the rotation axis, the display control unit 251 detects from the first detection unit 21, the second detection unit 22, and the fourth detection unit 24. A signal is input, first display image data is read, and the read first display image is inverted upside down. In this case, three of the first shaft member 111, the second shaft member 112, the third shaft member 121, and the fourth shaft member 122 are removed, and the display panel 11 is erected using one as the rotation shaft. Therefore, the liquid crystal display unit 4 of the display panel 11 can be viewed from four directions, and the display content of the liquid crystal display unit 4 can be viewed not only from the front of the apparatus but also from other directions.

1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus to which a display device according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a top view which shows the display apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the disassembled perspective view which decomposed | disassembled the display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which stood up the display panel or support plate of the display apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the electrical constitution of the display apparatus which concerns on this invention. 7 is a flowchart for explaining display processing of the display device shown in FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Main body 3 Operation part 4 Liquid crystal display part 10 Display apparatus 11 Display panel 12 Support plate 21 1st detection part 22 2nd detection part 23 3rd detection part 24 4th detection part 25 Control part 26 Display unit 27 Storage unit 111 First shaft member 112 Second shaft member 121 Third shaft member 122 Fourth shaft member 123 First holding member 124 Second holding member 131 Third holding member 132 Fourth Holding member 251 display control unit 271 first display image data storage unit 272 second display image data storage unit

Claims (6)

  A display unit configured to display a predetermined image, wherein the display unit is provided with a first shaft member that rotatably supports the display unit around a first axis, and the display unit is provided with the first shaft; A second shaft member rotatably supported about a second shaft is provided, and the first shaft member is rotatably and detachably held by a first holding member, and the second shaft member Is a display device that is rotatably and detachably held by a second holding member.   The first and second holding members are fixed to a support member, and the support member is pivotally supported on the support member so as to be rotatable about a third axis different from the first and second axes. And a fourth shaft member that pivotally supports the support member about a fourth axis different from the first to third shafts, and the third shaft member is a first shaft member. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth holding member is rotatably and detachably held by the three holding members, and the fourth shaft member is rotatably and detachably held by the fourth holding member.   First detection means for detecting that the first shaft member has been removed from the first holding member; and first detection means for detecting that the second shaft member has been removed from the second holding member. 2 detection means, third detection means for detecting that the third shaft member is removed from the third holding member, and the fourth shaft member is removed from the fourth holding member. And a display control means for changing the orientation of the display image displayed on the display unit in accordance with the detection results of the first to fourth detection means. The display device according to claim 2.   When the aspect ratio of the display screen of the display unit is different, the first display image data in which the horizontal length of the display screen is longer than the vertical length, and the vertical length of the display screen is the horizontal direction Storage means for storing second display image data longer than the first display image data, and the display control means includes a first detection means, a second detection means, a third detection means, and a fourth detection means. One of the first display image data and the second display image data is read from the storage unit according to the detection result of the first display image, and the display unit reads the first display read by the display control unit. The display device according to claim 3, wherein one of the image and the second display image is displayed.   An image forming apparatus comprising the display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device displays an operation screen of the image forming device. The display device is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first to fourth shaft members pivotally support the display unit so that the display unit can be rotated 90 degrees or more.

Images