JP2006246332A - Image reading and forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading and forming apparatus of which the operating state can be visually confirmed at a place away from the apparatus as occasion demands even when there is a user operating the image reading and forming apparatus while standing in front of a control panel of the image reading and forming apparatus, and which is easy to use even for a user working in front of the control panel. <P>SOLUTION: The image reading and forming device is provided with: an image receiving unit for receiving image data from an external input means; an image reading unit 2 in which a scanner for reading image data from a document is packaged; an image forming unit for forming an image onto a paper sheet based on the received image data or the image data read by the scanner; and an operating unit 7 for a user to input and output. In the image reading and forming apparatus, a light emitting unit 9 for notifying an operating state of the image reading and forming apparatus is provided at the side of the operating unit and at a position lower than the operating unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides an image receiving unit that receives image data from an external input unit, an image reading unit that includes a scanner that reads image data from a document, a sheet based on the received image data or image data read by the scanner. In particular, the present invention relates to an image reading and forming apparatus including an image forming unit for forming an image and an operation unit for a user to input and output.

At present, multifunctional digital multifunction peripherals equipped with functions such as facsimiles, copiers, printers, and scanners are commercially available. Such digital multifunction peripherals receive image data from various external input means such as facsimiles and PCs. Then, it is possible to form an image on a sheet based on the respective image data.
In general, a plurality of PCs are connected to such a digital multi-function peripheral, and some of these PCs are installed at some distance from the digital multi-function peripheral. A PC user who is far from the digital multifunction peripheral uses the digital multifunction peripheral as a printer. For example, the paper feeding mechanism of the digital multifunction peripheral causes trouble (for example, paper shortage or jam). If the user sends data despite being unable to do so, the user thinks that the image data he / she sent has been printed out. The above-mentioned trouble may indicate that the printout has not been made, and may cause unpleasant feelings.
Such inconveniences are desirably prevented from the viewpoint of work efficiency. In the conventional multi-function digital multi-function peripheral, the operation state (for example, whether data can be received (or not)) is indicated. There is an LED installed on the front side of the operation panel part for the user to input various operation modes or above the operation panel so that the use of the LED can be judged by the light emission (patent) Reference 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-219081

  However, when the LED indicating the operation state of the digital multi-function peripheral is installed on the front side of the operation panel part or above the operation panel as in the above conventional example, when a person stands and operates in front of the operation panel LED light may be blocked by the person. For this reason, for example, when a digital multi-function peripheral is used as a copier, it may be difficult for a user away from the digital multi-function peripheral to immediately recognize the light emission state of the LED.

  In addition, such LEDs are usually brighter than normal light emission so that their operating state can be visually recognized even at a distance from the main body of the digital multifunction peripheral. It was unnecessarily bright and annoying for the operating user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even if there is a user who is standing and operating in front of the operation panel of the image reading and forming apparatus, the operation state is always changed in a place away from the apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading and forming apparatus that can be visually recognized and is easy to use for a user working in front of an operation panel.

  The first characteristic configuration of the present invention includes an image receiving unit that receives image data from an external input unit, an image reading unit that includes a scanner that reads image data from a document, the received image data, or an image read by the scanner. An image reading and forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on data, and an operation unit for a user to input and output, and a notifying unit that notifies an operation state of the image reading and forming apparatus. In the point which is provided in the side of the said operation part, and a position lower than the said operation part.

[Action and effect]
The present invention provides an image receiving unit that receives image data from an external input unit, an image reading unit that includes a scanner that reads image data from a document, a sheet based on the received image data or image data read by the scanner. The image reading and forming apparatus includes an image forming unit for forming an image and an operation unit for a user to input and output.

  Accordingly, since the present invention can receive image data from an external facsimile, a PC, or the like as an external input means, it can function as a facsimile or printer and has an image reading unit equipped with a scanner that reads image data from a document. Since it has a section, it can also function as a copier or a scanner.

In other words, the present invention can be applied to a multi-function digital multi-function peripheral having functions such as a facsimile, a copier, a printer, and a scanner.
Therefore, since the present invention can consolidate various functions required in the office, etc., work efficiency by effective use of office space, reduction of running costs, and network functions (such as writing scan data to a shared folder on the LAN). Can be streamlined.

On the other hand, the versatility is increased and the frequency of using the operation unit (operation panel or the like) is increased. However, a light emitting unit for notifying the operation state of the image reading and forming apparatus of the present invention is provided on the side of the operation unit. Therefore, even if there is a person who performs copying or the like in front of the operation panel, the light emitting unit is not blocked, and a remote PC user who is away from the device is in an operating state. Can be viewed instantly.
In other words, the PC user can instantly grasp the status such as whether the image reading and forming apparatus of the present invention can receive data or whether or not a trouble has occurred in the paper feed mechanism before data transmission. Therefore, if the data is transmitted after confirming that it is in a normal state, the image can be reliably formed (printed out).
Therefore, there is no unpleasant feeling that the data has not been printed out even though the data has been transmitted, and even if a trouble has occurred, a trouble has occurred in the operation of the personal computer at the desk. It is possible to select and use another normal image reading and forming apparatus without using the existing image reading and forming apparatus, so that the working efficiency is improved without wasting time. In addition, since the light emitting unit is provided at a position lower than the operation unit, it is difficult for the person who is working in front of the operation unit to enter the field of view and does not become annoying.

  The 2nd characteristic structure of this invention exists in the point by which the light source of the said light emission part is comprised by LED.

[Action and effect]
Since the light source of the light emitting part is composed of LEDs, it is possible to increase the luminance, and it is easy to visually recognize even from a remote place. In addition, it has a longer life than conventional light sources such as incandescent lamps, and can also reduce power consumption, resulting in high cost performance. Furthermore, since it can be reduced in size and thickness, it can be highly flexible in designing and designing.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a multi-function digital multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. The digital multi-function peripheral 1 of the present invention includes an image reading unit 2 provided with a scanner or the like for reading image data of a document, an outer case body 3, and a protruding outer case 4.

  The image reading unit 2 is provided with a document placing table 5 for placing a document. When a document is placed on the document placing table 5 and the start key is pressed, the scanner reads and reads the documents one by one. The document is discharged to a document receiver 6 disposed below the document table.

  Further, the exterior case body 3 is provided with an operation unit 7 including an operation display panel 7a and a numeric keypad 7b for a user to input operation conditions and the like so as to protrude from the upper part of the exterior case body 3 to the front side. It has been.

  The exterior case body 3 includes an image receiving unit (not shown) such as an interface for receiving image data from an external facsimile or a PC (personal computer), and an image on a sheet based on the read image data or the received image data. An image forming unit (not shown) provided with a photoconductor and toner for forming a sheet, a paper transport mechanism unit (not shown) for transporting paper, and a paper feed cassette 8 for loading various papers are stored. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the protruding outer case 4 protrudes from the side surface of the outer case body 3 so that its topmost portion is lower than the installation position of the operation unit 7, and the front side of the topmost portion. In addition, a light emitting unit 9 for notifying the operation state of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is installed. The light emitting unit 9 includes a data reception notification light emitting unit 9A and an error notification light emitting unit 9B. The data reception notification light emitting unit 9A is provided with a green LED, and the error notification light emitting unit 9B is provided with a red LED. Each of the green and red lights is displayed through the cover.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the operation unit 7. The operation unit 7 is provided with an operation display panel 7a (liquid crystal display) and a numeric keypad 7b for a user to input operation conditions and the like, a start key 7c for executing copying, and the like. Further, the operation unit 7 also has a light emitting unit 9 (data reception notification light emitting unit 9a, error notification light emitting unit 9b) for notifying the operation state of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 at the top of the operation display panel 7a. It is installed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication / image formation control system in the digital multi-function peripheral of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 3, the digital multi-functional peripheral 1 of the present invention has (1) a copy function for reproducing and discharging a document from image data read by a scanner, and (2) image data received via a telephone line. It may have a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function for forming and discharging an image based on the original, and (3) a printer function for forming and discharging an image based on image data sent from a PC via a LAN.

Here, a case where image data is transmitted from the PC (external input means) 10b to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 to form an image will be described.
Image data transmitted from the PC 10b via a LAN (Local Area Network) 12 is input to the printer function control unit 14b via the interface 13b (image receiving unit), is subjected to data processing, and is output to the operation control unit 16. . The operation control unit 16 outputs the image formation control data to the image forming unit 15 and operates the image forming unit 15 and the paper transport mechanism unit to form an image on the paper. In the operation control unit 17, setting conditions (operation mode or the like) for image formation are input from the operation unit 7 by the user, and the control content in the operation control unit 16 can be changed / set.

  Further, a plurality of external input means 10 (external facsimile 10a and PC 10b) can be connected. When data is output from the plurality of external input means 10 to the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the timing is taken. Image reception is performed sequentially.

  In the digital multi-function peripheral 1 of the present invention, the image, document, etc. created by the PC 10b are converted as facsimile transmission data via the printer function control unit 14b, the facsimile function control unit 14a, etc., and the interface 13a (image It is also possible to transmit to the external facsimile machine 10a through the receiver). Further, transmission data from the external facsimile 10a and scan data by the image reading unit (scanner) 2 are processed by the facsimile function control unit 14a, the printer function control unit 14b, the copy function control unit 14c, and the like, and a plurality of PCs 10b through the LAN 12 are processed. It is also possible to forward to.

The display control unit 18 drives and controls the light emitting unit 9 for notifying the operation state of the digital multi-function peripheral 1.
That is, the display control unit 18 monitors the status data (image data transmission / reception status, paper conveyance status, etc.) output from the operation control unit 17, and data transmission / reception from a PC or facsimile is normally performed. When it is in a normal state, the lighting control data is output, and the lighting of the data reception notification light emitting units (green LEDs) 9A and 9a of both light emitting units 9 (the projecting exterior case 4 and the operation unit 7) is synchronized. To control. Alternatively, for example, when trouble in paper conveyance such as paper shortage or jam occurs, lighting control data is output and error notification light emitting parts (red LEDs) of both light emitting parts 9 (the projecting exterior case 4 and the operation part 7). Control is performed so that the lighting of 9B and 9b is synchronized.
In addition, about the LED of the light emission part 9 (9a, 9b) provided in the operation part 7, by reducing the brightness | luminance, for the user who is standing in front of the operation display panel 7a and is performing the copy etc. It is possible to prevent the light emission from becoming an obstruction.

The color of the light source used in the light emitting unit 9 is not limited to green or red as described above, and any color can be used as long as it is possible to distinguish between a normal state and a trouble occurrence time. Can be done. Further, as described above, the lighting state is determined based on the emission color so that the green LED emits light in the normal state and the red LED emits light in the normal state (when trouble occurs). For example, the LED (red, etc.) may be lit only when it is not in a normal state, or it is possible to notify whether or not it is in a normal state by changing the lighting cycle. It is also possible to notify various states by appropriately combining the emission color and the lighting cycle.
As a light source of the light emitting unit, a light emitting diode (LED) having excellent directivity may be used, but a normal lamp may be used.

[Other Embodiments]
In the present embodiment, the light emitting unit is provided in both the projecting exterior case and the operation unit. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the light emitting unit may be provided only in the projecting exterior case.
In the present embodiment, the data receiving notification light emitting unit and the error notification light emitting unit are provided one by one at the same position in the light emitting unit of the protruding outer case, but the present invention is not limited to this, and each installation is not limited thereto. About a place and its number, as long as it is provided in the position below the operation part at the side of an operation part, it can take arbitrary structures.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a digital multi-function peripheral according to the present invention. The top view which shows the operation part of the digital multifunctional device of this invention 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication / image formation control system in a digital multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital multifunction device 2 Image reading part 3 Outer case main body 4 Protruding outer case 5 Original mounting base 6 Original receiving stand 7 Operation part 7a Operation display panel 7b Numeric keypad 7c Start key 8 Paper feed cassette 9 Light emission part 9A, 9a Data reception notification light emission part 9B, 9b Error notification light emitting unit 10 External input means 10a External facsimile 10b PC
11 Telephone line 12 LAN
13 Image receiving unit 13a Interface including modem 13b Interface 14a Facsimile function control unit 14b Printer function control unit 14c Copy function control unit 15 Image forming unit 16 Operation control unit 17 Operation control unit 18 Display control unit

Claims (2)

An image receiving unit that receives image data from an external input unit, an image reading unit equipped with a scanner that reads image data from a document, an image on a sheet based on the received image data or image data read by the scanner An image reading and forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image and an operation unit for a user to input and output,
An image reading and forming apparatus in which a light emitting part for notifying an operation state of the image reading and forming apparatus is provided on a side of the operating part and at a position lower than the operating part.   The image reading and forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a light source of the light emitting unit is configured by an LED.

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