JP2006184558A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which enables a user to tactually recognize an ejection tray assigned by the user. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of the ejection trays provided at a finisher 6 are adapted to eject printed paper sheets to the outside. An ejection tray assignment section 41a assigns the ejection tray to eject the paper sheets out of the plurality of the ejection trays. A guide button 61 is arranged near each ejection tray and guides the position of the ejection tray assigned by the ejection tray assignment section 41a by the tactile sense of the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer.

Conventionally, an image forming apparatus having a plurality of discharge trays for discharging recording paper is known. In such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to designate which discharge tray of the plurality of discharge trays the recording paper is output from.
JP 2001-186306 A

  However, in a conventional image forming apparatus having a plurality of discharge trays, it is specified when the designated discharge tray is forgotten, or when a user with a narrow field of view or a user with low vision tries to take out the desired output. There is a problem that it takes time to find the discharge tray.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of tactile recognition of a designated discharge tray.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of discharge trays for discharging printed paper, a discharge tray specifying means for specifying a discharge tray for discharging paper from the plurality of discharge trays, and the vicinity of each discharge tray And a discharge tray guide means for guiding the position of the discharge tray specified by the discharge tray specifying means by the user's tactile sense.

  According to this configuration, the discharge tray for discharging the paper is designated from among the plurality of discharge trays for discharging the printed paper. And the position of the designated discharge tray is guided by the user's tactile sense by the discharge tray guide means arranged in the vicinity of each discharge tray. Therefore, the specified discharge tray can be recognized tactilely. Especially for a user who has forgotten the specified discharge tray or a visually impaired user, the position of the discharge tray from which the paper is discharged is determined. This can be confirmed by the discharge tray guiding means, and the operability for the user can be improved.

  In the above image forming apparatus, the discharge tray guide means is a button arranged in the vicinity of each discharge tray, and the button arranged in the vicinity of the discharge tray designated by the discharge tray designation means is It is preferable to guide the position of the discharge tray by protruding from the mounting surface to which the button is mounted.

  According to this configuration, the position of the discharge tray is guided by causing the button disposed in the vicinity of the designated discharge tray to protrude from the mounting surface to which the button is attached. By confirming with, it is possible to confirm the position of the discharge tray from which the paper has been discharged.

  In the above image forming apparatus, the discharge tray guide means is a button arranged in the vicinity of each discharge tray, and the button arranged in the vicinity of the discharge tray designated by the discharge tray designation means is It is preferable to guide the position of the discharge tray by being recessed from the mounting surface to which the button is mounted.

  According to this configuration, the position of the discharge tray is guided by the depression of the button arranged near the designated discharge tray from the mounting surface to which the button is attached. By confirming with, it is possible to confirm the position of the discharge tray from which the paper has been discharged.

  In the image forming apparatus, it is preferable that when the button is pressed by a user, the button pressing surface and the mounting surface return to a position where they are the same surface. According to this configuration, when the button is pressed by the user from a protruding or depressed state, the button pressing surface and the mounting surface are returned to the same surface. A mechanism for returning to the above state is not necessary, and the configuration can be simplified.

  Further, in the above image forming apparatus, storage means for associating and storing specific information for specifying a user and a user who needs guidance for a discharge tray, and an input receiving means for receiving input by the user of the specific information When an input of specific information is received by the input receiving means, a user corresponding to the received specific information is searched from the storage means, and it is determined whether or not the searched user needs guidance for the discharge tray. And determining the position of the discharge tray specified by the discharge tray specifying means when the determination means determines that the user needs guidance of the discharge tray. It is preferable to guide by tactile sense.

  According to this configuration, the specifying information for specifying the user and the user who needs guidance for the discharge tray are stored in the storage unit in association with each other. Then, when the input of the specific information by the user is accepted, the user corresponding to the accepted specific information is searched by the storage means, and it is determined whether or not the searched user needs guidance of the discharge tray. Subsequently, when it is determined that the user needs to guide the discharge tray, the position of the designated discharge tray is guided by the user's sense of touch. Therefore, since the position of the designated discharge tray is guided only by the user's tactile sensation only to the user who needs guidance of the discharge tray, for example, for a user who does not want guidance, the position of the button is restored. Troublesome operation becomes unnecessary, and operability can be improved.

  The image forming apparatus may further include a changeover switch for switching whether or not to perform guidance by the discharge tray guide unit, and the discharge tray guide unit is configured to switch the discharge tray designation unit when the changeover switch is on. It is preferable that the position of the discharge tray designated by the user is guided by the user's tactile sense, and the position of the discharge tray designated by the discharge tray designating means is not guided by the user's tactile sense when the changeover switch is off.

  According to this configuration, whether to perform guidance by the discharge tray guide means is switched by the changeover switch. When the changeover switch is on, the position of the discharge tray designated by the discharge tray designation means is guided by the user's tactile sense, and when the changeover switch is off, the position of the discharge tray designated by the discharge tray designation means is Not guided by the user's sense of touch. Therefore, it is possible to switch whether or not to guide by the discharge tray guiding means by the changeover switch, and for the user who does not want the guidance by the discharge tray guiding means, for example, the operation of returning the button position becomes unnecessary. Can be improved. Further, when a user who desires guidance by the discharge tray guide means is used in a state in which the changeover switch is turned off, the guidance can be easily guided by the discharge tray guide means by turning on the changeover switch.

  In the above image forming apparatus, it is preferable that the discharge tray guide means is disposed in a groove formed on the surface of the apparatus so as to be parallel to a direction in which the plurality of discharge trays are disposed.

  According to this configuration, the discharge tray guide means is disposed in a groove formed on the surface of the apparatus so as to be parallel to the direction in which the plurality of discharge trays are disposed. Therefore, the user can confirm the position of the discharge tray guiding means by moving his / her hand up and down along the groove. In particular, for users who are visually impaired, it is possible to easily find the discharge tray guide means and improve operability.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to tactilely recognize a designated discharge tray, and in particular, for a user who has forgotten the designated discharge tray or a user who is visually impaired, The position of the tray can be confirmed by the discharge tray guide means, and the operability for the user can be improved.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The multifunction device 1 has functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The multi-function device 1 is installed at a lower portion of the main body 2, a main body 2 having a recording unit 100, an original feeding mechanism 3 that serves as a document presser and an original reading unit 4. And a finisher 6 installed on one side of the main body 2.

  The document feed mechanism 3 includes a document placement unit 301, a carry-in drive unit 302 including a carry-in roller pair, a conveyance roller pair 303, a discharge roller pair 304, a paper discharge table 305, and a document that detects the presence or absence of a document. A detection switch 306 is provided, and the originals placed on the original placement unit 301 are automatically conveyed one by one in contact with the contact glass 402, and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 305 after exposure scanning of the originals. .

  The document reading unit 4 includes a scanner unit (not shown) that generates image data from an optically acquired document image, and includes a contact glass 401 and a contact glass 402 on an upper surface thereof. Then, the document reading unit 4 reads image data obtained from a document placed on the contact glass 401 or a document conveyed so as to be in contact with the contact glass 402 by the document feeding mechanism 3 with a scanner unit. It outputs to the control part mentioned later.

  An operation unit 41 is provided at the front part of the multifunction machine 1. The operation unit 41 displays a start key 411 for a user to input a print execution instruction, a numeric keypad 412 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, operation guide information for various copying operations, and the like. A display unit 413 composed of a liquid crystal display having a touch panel function, a reset key 414 for resetting setting contents set in the display unit 413, and a stop key for stopping a printing (image forming) operation being executed. And a function switching key 416 for switching between a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  The paper feed unit 5 includes paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 and manual paper feed units 503 that store paper of each type of size and vertical and horizontal directions. The paper feeding unit 5 includes a conveyance path 504 that conveys paper from the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 to the recording unit 100 and a conveyance path 505 that conveys paper from the manual paper feeding unit 503 to the recording unit 100. Each of the paper feed cassettes 501 and 502 and the manual paper feed unit 503 includes pickup rollers 506, 507, and 508 for taking out the stored paper (recording paper), and a pair of paper feed rollers for feeding the paper one by one to the transport path. 509, 510, 511.

  The conveyance path 504 includes a conveyance roller pair 512 and 513 that conveys a sheet, and a registration roller pair 514 that waits the sheet conveyed in front of the recording unit 100 at a predetermined position. Further, the transport path 505 joins the transport path 504 on the upstream side of the registration roller pair 514.

  The recording unit 100 includes a drum-shaped photosensitive member 101 that is rotatably supported, a charging unit 102 that is disposed around the photosensitive member 101, a developing unit 103, a cleaning unit 104, and a laser scanning unit 105. A transfer roller 106 and a fixing roller pair 107 are provided. The charging unit 102 uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 101 to a predetermined potential. The laser scanning unit 105 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive member 101 with a laser beam based on the image data transmitted from the control unit 10 (FIG. 4), and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive member 101.

  The developing unit 103 attaches toner to the electrostatic latent image to make the image appear. The transfer roller 106 transfers the exposed toner image to a sheet. The fixing roller pair 107 The toner image transferred to the paper is fixed. The cleaning unit 104 cleans toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 101 after image transfer.

  Further, a face down tray 108 is provided on the upper part of the main body 2, and the sheet conveyed from the fixing roller pair 107 is conveyed by the discharge roller pair 109 and discharged to the face down tray 108. The discharge roller pair 110 discharges the sheet conveyed from the fixing roller pair 107 to the finisher 6, and the discharge direction of the sheet is discharged by a discharge branch guide 111 driven according to a control signal from the control unit 10. Can be switched between the discharge roller pair 109 side and the discharge roller pair 110 side.

  Further, when forming images on both sides of the recording paper, the recording unit 100 forms an image on one side of the recording paper, and then the recording paper is nipped by the discharge roller pair 109. In this state, the discharge roller pair 109 is reversed to switch back the recording paper, and the recording paper is sent to the paper transport path L and transported again to the upstream area of the recording unit 100, and the recording unit 100 forms an image on the other surface. After that, the recording paper is discharged to the face-down tray 108 or conveyed to the finisher 6.

  Next, the finisher 6 will be described. The finisher 6 performs punching and stapling as post-processing on the paper carried from the discharge roller pair 110 of the main body 2. The finisher 6 has a mail box 622 composed of a plurality of bins from which post-processed paper is discharged, a sub-tray 623 disposed below the mailbox 622, and a sheet loading capacity disposed below the finisher 6. A main tray 624 is provided.

  Inside the finisher 6 is provided an intermediate tray 650 (in FIG. 1, the configuration details are omitted and only the position is shown) for performing a stapling process, a book folding middle folding process, and the like. In the mail box 622, the sub-tray 623, and the main tray 624, paper after finishing the post-processing in the intermediate tray is discharged. It is also possible to discharge the paper conveyed from the discharge roller pair 110 of the main body 2 to the mail box 622 and the sub-tray 623 without passing through the intermediate tray 650. The main tray 624 is configured so that the paper conveyed from the discharge roller pair 110 of the main body 2 cannot be discharged unless it passes through a path passing through the intermediate tray 650. Further, the sheet that has been recorded by the recording unit 100 is discharged to the face-down tray 108 at the top of the main body 2 without passing the finisher 6.

  The finisher 6 has a groove 611 formed from the upper surface to the lower surface. The groove portion 611 is provided with guide buttons 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e, 61f, 61g corresponding to the plurality of mailboxes 622 (622a, 622b, 622c, 622d, 622e), the sub-tray 623, and the main tray 624, respectively. It has been. The mail boxes 622 (622a, 622b, 622c, 622d, 622e), the sub-tray 623, and the main tray 624 are collectively referred to as a discharge tray. Further, the guidance buttons 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e, 61f, and 61g are collectively referred to as a guidance button 61. Further, the guide button 61 corresponds to an example of a discharge tray guide unit.

  2 is a view for explaining a groove portion and a guide button formed in the finisher 6, and FIG. 2A is an enlarged perspective view of the upper end portion of the finisher 6 shown in FIG. (B) is the sectional view on the AA line of the finisher 6 shown to Fig.2 (a). Each guide button 61 is arranged in a horizontal direction with respect to a paper discharge port (not shown) of each discharge tray. Normally, each of the guide buttons 61a to 61g is stored in a state where the button mounting surface 612 in the groove portion 611 and the pressing surface 613 on which the button is pressed are flush with each other, and the paper is discharged from the corresponding discharge tray. Then, the pressing surface 613 protrudes from the button mounting surface 612. As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, when the mail box 622a is designated by the user, the guide button 61a associated with the mail box 622a protrudes from the button mounting surface 612. The projected guide button 61a is returned to the original position (the position of the guide button 61b in FIG. 2B) where the button mounting surface 612 and the pressing surface 613 are the same surface when pressed by the user. .

  As described above, the guide buttons 61a to 61g are arranged in the groove portion 611 formed on the surface of the apparatus so as to be parallel to the direction in which the plurality of discharge trays are arranged. Therefore, the user can confirm the position of the guide button 61 by moving his / her hand up and down along the groove 611. In particular, for a visually impaired user, the protruding guide button 61 can be easily found, and operability can be improved.

  Further, when the guide button 61 is pressed by the user from the protruded state, the button pressing surface 613 and the button mounting surface 612 are returned to the same surface, so that the protruding guide button 61 is returned to the original position. A mechanism for automatically returning to the state becomes unnecessary, and the configuration can be simplified.

  In the present embodiment, the position of the designated discharge tray is guided by causing the guide button 61 to protrude. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and is arranged in the vicinity of the designated discharge tray. The position of the discharge tray may be guided by retracting the guide button 61 from the button mounting surface.

  FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a modified example of the guide button. FIG. 3A is an enlarged perspective view of the upper end portion of the finisher 6 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of the finisher 6 shown to 3 (a). Each of the guide buttons 61a to 61g is stored in a state where the button mounting surface 612 in the groove 611 and the pressing surface 613 where the button is pressed are on the same surface, and when the paper is discharged from the corresponding discharge tray. The pressing surface 613 is depressed more than the button mounting surface 612. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, when the user designates the mail box 622a, the guide button 61a associated with the mail box 622a is depressed more than the button mounting surface 612. Then, when the depressed guide button 61a is pressed by the user, the button mounting surface 612 and the pressing surface 613 return to the original position (the position of the guide button 61b in FIG. 3B). .

  In this way, the position of the discharge tray is guided by the depression of the guide button 61 arranged in the vicinity of the designated discharge tray from the surface of the apparatus, so that the user confirms the guide button 61 that has been depressed by hand. Thus, the position of the discharge tray from which the sheet is discharged can be confirmed. In other words, in the present invention, the position of the discharge tray specified by the discharge tray specifying unit 41a is guided by the user's sense of touch using the unevenness.

  Further, when the guide button 61 is pressed by the user from the depressed state, the button pressing surface 613 and the button mounting surface 612 are returned to a position where they are the same surface. A mechanism for automatically returning to the state becomes unnecessary, and the configuration can be simplified.

  Note that the guide button 61 may be automatically returned to the original state after a predetermined time has elapsed from the protruding or depressed state.

  In the present embodiment, the groove portion 611 is formed on the surface of the apparatus so that the plurality of discharge trays are parallel to the direction in which the plurality of discharge trays are arranged in a row, and the guide button 61 is disposed in the groove portion 611. The present invention is not particularly limited to this, and the guide button 61 may be disposed on the surface of the apparatus without providing the groove portion 611. Furthermore, without providing the groove portion 611, the material on the surface of the apparatus on which the guide buttons 61 are arranged parallel to the direction in which the plurality of discharge trays are arranged in a line (the vertical direction on the paper surface) is the material of the apparatus surface. May be formed of different materials.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the multifunction machine 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The multifunction device 1 shown in FIG. 4 includes a control unit 10 that controls operation of the entire apparatus. Connected to the control unit 10 is a scanner unit 40 that can read a document image, such as an exposure lamp and a CCD, and a recording unit 100. In addition, the control unit 10 has an image memory 71 used as a work area for temporarily storing document data read by the scanner unit 40 and a large storage capacity capable of storing a large amount of document data. A capacity HDD (internal storage device) 72 is connected.

  The image processing unit 73 converts an analog image signal output from the scanner unit 40 into a digital image when the scanner unit 40 reads a document, performs image processing to improve image quality, and then converts the image into a compressed image. This compressed image is written in the image memory 71. The control unit 10 stores the compressed image written in the image memory 71 in the HDD 72 as file data to be document managed. At the time of printing out the registered document, file data (compressed image) to be printed out is written out from the HDD 72 or each computer on the network to the image memory 71, and the image processing unit 73 stores the compressed file data. For example, in the case of laser exposure, analog modulation is performed on the laser signal. The recording unit 100 prints out based on the analog-modulated signal.

  The control unit 10 includes a scanner controller, a facsimile controller, a printer controller, a copy controller, and a network controller that control each function that can be executed by the multifunction device 1.

  The scanner controller controls the operation of each unit necessary for the operation of the scanner unit 40. The facsimile controller controls the operation of each unit necessary for the facsimile operation, and controls a facsimile communication unit (not shown) that adjusts data necessary for facsimile communication. The facsimile communication unit is provided with an NCU (Network Control Unit) that controls connection of a telephone line with a destination facsimile that is a data transmission / reception partner. The copy controller controls the operation of each unit necessary for the copy operation. The printer controller controls the operation of each unit necessary for printer operation.

  The network controller controls data transmission / reception performed between the multifunction machine 1 and a computer on the network. The network controller transmits / receives data to / from the outside via a network I / F unit (not shown).

  Further, the multifunction device 1 is provided with an operation unit 41 to which various operation instructions are input from an operator, and the operation unit 41 is also controlled by the control unit 10. The operation unit 41 includes a discharge tray specifying unit 41a, an operation key unit 41b, and a display unit 41c.

  The discharge tray specifying unit 41a specifies a discharge tray for discharging the printed recording paper. The user can designate a desired discharge tray from among a plurality of discharge trays displayed on the display unit 41c. In the present embodiment, any one of the face-down tray 108, the mail box 622, the sub-tray 623, and the main tray 624 can be designated. The operation key unit 41b includes a start key for inputting a print execution instruction by the operator, a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies, and the like. The display unit 41c includes the display unit 413 shown in FIG. 1, and includes a liquid crystal display or the like that displays operation guide information for various copying operations and has a touch panel function for inputting various settings. The display unit 41c receives input of user specifying information for specifying a user.

  The paper transport unit 150 includes a transport roller provided in a paper transport path on the downstream side of the recording unit 100 in the paper transport direction, a driving unit thereof, and the like, and transports paper that has been recorded by the recording unit 100 to each tray. It is.

  Further, the control unit 10 includes a user information storage unit 11, a guidance determination unit 12, and a guidance button control unit 13.

  The user information storage unit 11 stores user specifying information for specifying a user and a user who needs guidance for a discharge tray in association with each other. When the input of the user identification information is received by the display unit 41c, the guidance determination unit 12 searches the user information storage unit 11 for a user corresponding to the received user identification information, and the searched user needs guidance for the discharge tray. It is determined whether or not.

  When it is determined by the guidance determination unit 12 that the guidance button control unit 13 is a user who needs guidance of the discharge tray, the guidance button control unit 13 pushes the guide button 61 disposed in the vicinity of the discharge tray specified by the discharge tray specification unit 41a. The position of the discharge tray is guided by protruding from the surface of the apparatus.

  In this way, the position of the discharge tray is guided by causing the guide button 61 disposed in the vicinity of the designated discharge tray to protrude from the surface of the apparatus, so that the user confirms the protruding guide button 61 by hand. Thus, the position of the discharge tray from which the sheet is discharged can be confirmed.

  The finisher 6 is controlled by the control unit 10. The finisher 6 includes a guide button 61 and a finisher control unit 62. In the finisher 6, the finisher control unit 62 controls the operation of each unit of the finisher 6 according to the control signal received from the control unit 10. For example, the finisher control unit 62 controls post-processing operations such as paper discharge operation and stapling processing by the sub-tray 623 and the main tray 624 in each of the mail boxes 622 selected by the user.

  Next, the operation of the multifunction machine 1 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the multifunction machine 1 shown in FIG.

  First, in step S1, the display unit 41c receives input of user specifying information for specifying a user. For example, input of user specific information is accepted by inputting a password using the touch panel function of the display unit 41c. Then, authentication between the received user identification information and user identification information registered in advance is performed.

  Next, in step S2, the discharge tray designation unit 41a accepts designation of one discharge tray from among a plurality of discharge trays. For example, the user places a document on the document placement unit 301 and selects one discharge tray from among a plurality of discharge trays displayed on the display unit 41c.

  Next, in step S <b> 3, the control unit 10 determines whether there is an output product discharged from the discharge tray. That is, printing is started when the user presses the start key of the operation key unit 41b. Here, when it is determined that there is an output to be output from the discharge tray, that is, when the start key is pressed by the user (YES in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no output product output from the discharge tray, that is, when the start key is not pressed by the user (NO in step S3), the process waits until there is an output product.

  If it is determined that there is an output to be output from the discharge tray, in step S4, the finisher control unit 62 discharges the printed recording sheet to the discharge tray specified by the discharge tray specifying unit 41a. For example, when the main tray 624 is specified by the discharge tray specifying unit 41a, the finisher control unit 62 controls to discharge the recording paper from the main tray 624.

  Next, in step S5, when the input of the user specifying information is received by the display unit 41c, the guidance determining unit 12 searches the user information storage unit 11 for a user corresponding to the received user specifying information, and searches for the user. It is determined whether or not the user needs guidance of the discharge tray. If it is determined that the user needs guidance on the discharge tray (YES in step S5), the process proceeds to step S6, and if it is determined that the user does not need guidance on the discharge tray. (NO in step S5), the process proceeds to step S8.

  If it is determined that the user needs guidance for the discharge tray, in step S6, the guide button control unit 13 projects the guide button 61 associated with the discharge tray specified by the discharge tray specifying unit 41a. Let For example, when the main tray 624 is designated by the discharge tray designation unit 41a, the guide button 61g disposed in the vicinity of the main tray 624 is projected.

  Next, in step S7, the guidance button control unit 13 determines whether or not the projection of the guidance button 61 has been released. In other words, the guide button 61 is pushed in by the user, and the protrusion of the guide button 61 is released when the surface pressed by the finger of the guide button 61 and the surface of the apparatus become the same surface. If it is determined that the protrusion of the guide button 61 has been released (YES in step S7), the process proceeds to step S8, and if it is determined that the protrusion of the guide button 61 has not been released (in step S7). NO), it will be in a standby state until the projection of the guide button 61 is released.

  If it is determined in step S7 that the protrusion of the guide button 61 has been released, or if it is determined in step S5 that the user does not need guidance of the discharge tray, in step S8, the control unit 10 performs printing by the user. It is determined whether or not to end. For example, the control unit 10 determines whether or not a reset key 414 for resetting the setting content has been pressed by the user. If it is determined that printing is to be ended (YES in step S8), the process proceeds to step S9. If it is determined that printing is not to be ended (NO in step S8), the process returns to step S2.

  If it is determined that printing is to be terminated, the control unit 10 clears the set user identification information in step S9. In this embodiment, the user specifying information is cleared by pressing the reset key 414 by the user. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and for example, an input operation is performed even after a predetermined time has elapsed. If not, the user specifying information may be automatically cleared (a so-called auto clear function is executed).

  In this way, a discharge tray for discharging paper is designated from among a plurality of discharge trays for discharging printed paper. And the position of the designated discharge tray is guided by the user's tactile sensation by the guidance button arranged in the vicinity of each discharge tray. Therefore, the specified discharge tray can be recognized tactilely. Especially for a user who has forgotten the specified discharge tray or a visually impaired user, the position of the discharge tray from which the paper is discharged is determined. This can be confirmed by the guidance button, and user operability can be improved.

  In addition, user identification information for identifying a user and a user who needs guidance for a discharge tray are stored in the user information storage unit 11 in association with each other. And when the user's input of user specific information is received, the user corresponding to the received user specific information will be searched by the user information storage part 11, and whether the searched user needs guidance of a discharge tray or not? Is judged. Subsequently, when it is determined that the user needs to guide the discharge tray, the position of the designated discharge tray is guided by the user's sense of touch. Therefore, since the position of the designated discharge tray is guided only by the user's tactile sensation only to the user who needs guidance of the discharge tray, for the user who does not desire guidance, for example, based on the position of the guide button 61. A troublesome operation such as returning is unnecessary, and operability can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, input of user specific information is accepted, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and input of user specific information may not be accepted. In this case, the processing of steps S1 and S5 in FIG. 5 can be omitted.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a plate member that is parallel to the floor surface may be disposed below the groove portion 611, and irregularities may be formed on the surface of the plate member. In this case, the user can confirm the position of the groove 611 from the position of the plate member. In particular, for the visually impaired user, the groove 611 can be easily found, and the operability can be improved.

  Further, a changeover switch for switching whether or not to perform guidance by the guide button 61 may be further provided below the finisher 6, preferably below the groove portion 611. At this time, the guidance button 61 guides the position of the discharge tray designated by the discharge tray designation unit 41a by the user's tactile sense when the changeover switch is on, and by the discharge tray designation unit 41a when the changeover switch is off. The designated discharge tray position is not guided by the user's sense of touch. For example, the change-over switch is composed of a pedal that is turned on and off by depressing it. In this way, it is possible to switch whether or not the guide button 61 protrudes from the surface of the apparatus by the changeover switch. For a user who does not want the protrusion of the guide button 61, the work of returning the guide button 61 is unnecessary. Operability can be improved. In addition, when a user who desires projection of the guide button 61 is used in a state where the switch is turned off, the guide button 61 can be easily projected by turning on the switch.

1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a figure for demonstrating the groove part and guide button which are formed in a finisher. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of a guidance button. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the multifunction machine shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunction machine 6 Finisher 10 Control part 11 User information storage part 12 Guidance judgment part 13 Guide button control part 40 Scanner part 41 Operation part 41a Ejection tray designation | designated part 41b Operation key part 41c Display part 61 Guide button 62 Finisher control part 71 Image memory 72 HDD
73 Image processing section 100 Recording section 150 Paper transport section 611 Groove section

Claims (7)

Multiple output trays for discharging printed paper;
A discharge tray specifying means for specifying a discharge tray for discharging paper from the plurality of discharge trays;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a discharge tray guide unit that is disposed in the vicinity of each discharge tray and guides the position of the discharge tray specified by the discharge tray specifying unit by a user's tactile sense.   The discharge tray guide means is a button arranged in the vicinity of each discharge tray, and the button arranged in the vicinity of the discharge tray specified by the discharge tray specifying means protrudes from the mounting surface to which the button is attached. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position of the discharge tray is guided.   The discharge tray guide means is a button arranged in the vicinity of each discharge tray, and the button arranged in the vicinity of the discharge tray designated by the discharge tray designating means is recessed from the mounting surface to which the button is attached. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position of the discharge tray is guided.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the button is pressed by a user from a protruding or depressed state, the button pressing surface and the mounting surface return to a position where they are the same surface. apparatus. Storage means for storing the specific information for specifying the user and the user who needs guidance for the discharge tray in association with each other;
Input receiving means for receiving input by the user of the specific information;
When the input of the specific information is received by the input receiving means, a determination is made to search the storage means for a user corresponding to the received specific information, and to determine whether the searched user needs guidance for the discharge tray. And further comprising means,
The discharge tray guide means guides the position of the discharge tray designated by the discharge tray designation means by a user's tactile sense when it is judged by the judgment means that the user needs guidance of the discharge tray. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. It further comprises a changeover switch for switching whether to guide by the discharge tray guide means,
The discharge tray guide means guides the position of the discharge tray designated by the discharge tray designation means by a user's tactile sense when the changeover switch is on, and the discharge tray designation means when the changeover switch is off. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position of the discharge tray specified by is not guided by a user's tactile sense.   The said discharge tray guide means is arrange | positioned in the groove | channel formed in the apparatus surface so that it may become parallel with the direction where a some discharge tray is arrange | positioned. The image forming apparatus described.

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