JP2007110700A - Image processing apparatus and application method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus and its application method, in which data destruction and troubles in OS operation are prevented by inhibiting an opening/closing cover covering a portable storage medium from being freely opened and inhibiting the ejection of the portable storage medium during an access such as the writing or reading of information in/from the portable storage medium. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus is provided with the opening/closing cover 12 covering a removable memory medium reader/writer or a portable storage medium loaded into the removable memory medium reader/writer and an opening operation checking means 36 for checking the opening of the opening/closing cover at least during the writing or reading of information in/from the portable storage medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a method of using the image processing apparatus.

  In recent years, small portable storage media (removable memory media) have become widespread and are used as storage means for documents and captured images. Examples of such removable memory media include smart media, DVD (Digital Video Disk), CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable), CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), Compact Flash (registered trademark), multimedia card ( There are various storage media such as MMC), SD card (Secure Digital), and memory stick. An image processing apparatus having a print function for reading data stored in these storage media and outputting a predetermined number of images is installed in a store or the like and is generally available.

  On the other hand, when a storage medium is detachably attached to the media interface and data is input / output, an open / close type cover is provided on the media interface to prevent the storage medium from dropping or pulling out during the process. There is an example to attach. For example, an image printing apparatus that reads and prints out when a storage medium that stores image data of a photographic image taken by an imaging device such as a digital camera is inserted through the insertion port is provided with an openable / closable cover at the insertion port. There is an example of an image printing apparatus (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

As an image processing apparatus, a digital multifunction peripheral called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) in which a copy function, a facsimile function (FAX function), a print function, and a scanner function are combined is provided.
Also, there are digital color multifunction peripherals equipped with an external media input / output device that reads image data and the like stored in a storage medium such as a semiconductor medium and writes the image data and the like to the storage medium (for example, And Patent Document 3).

  In recent image processing apparatuses, a removable memory media reader or a removable memory media writer equipped with a connector for a portable storage medium is mounted, and stored in a portable storage medium attached to the removable memory media reader or the removable memory media writer. It is also possible to print out the printed information, and store the original information read by the scanner function and the document data created by the key operation in the portable storage medium.

  The portable storage medium is directly plugged into the connector of the removable memory media reader or removable memory media writer so that the user can physically insert and remove it freely. There is a problem that the operation of System) is hindered.

  As described above, there is an example in which an open / close type cover is attached to the media interface unit in order to prevent the storage medium from dropping or pulling out. However, by opening the cover, the storage medium can be easily accessed even during access. There is a possibility of removal.

Japanese Patent No. 2838731 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-300334 JP 2004-356882 A

  The present invention provides a portable storage medium that is being accessed, such as when information is being written to or read from the portable storage medium, so that the open / close cover that covers the portable storage medium cannot be freely opened in certain cases. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and a method of using the image processing apparatus that are prohibited from being extracted and that do not interfere with data corruption or OS operation.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an image processing apparatus equipped with a removable memory media reader or a removable memory media writer, and is a portable type mounted on the removable memory media reader or the removable memory media writer. An opening / closing cover for covering the storage medium and an opening operation blocking means for preventing the opening / closing cover from being opened at least during writing of information to or reading of information from the portable storage medium.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the function of the opening operation preventing means is canceled when the power is turned off.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the opening / closing cover has a transparent portion that allows the presence or absence of an internal portable recording medium to be visually recognized from the outside.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the opening operation blocking function by the opening operation blocking unit is canceled based on a switch operation.
The invention according to claim 5 is the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the opening / closing cover is swingable about an arbitrary fulcrum.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the opening operation preventing means includes a hole or a recess provided in a side surface of the opening / closing cover, and the hole or the recess. And a latch member that can be fitted.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the latch member is reciprocated so as to be fitted into the hole or the recess, and the fitting is released and the cover is opened and closed. Electromagnetic drive means were provided.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the latch member is attached so that the latch member is fitted into the hole or the recess when the electromagnetic drive means is turned off. The engagement is released when the electromagnetic drive means is energized and is turned on.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the latch member is configured integrally with an operating shaft portion of the electromagnetic driving means for locking and releasing the opening / closing cover. It was.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the electromagnetic drive means for locking and releasing the opening / closing cover provided with the operation shaft portion integrally formed with the latch member is smaller than a finger. It is arranged inside the protective cover having a small hole with a diameter, and is movably supported when a predetermined external force is applied, and can be pushed and moved by an operating rod inserted from the small hole. Under the state where the latch member is fitted into the hole or the recess by operation, the engagement state by the latch member with respect to the hole or the recess can be released.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the latch member has a fulcrum shaft in a direction crossing a reciprocating direction of the latch member together with the electromagnetic driving means for locking and releasing the opening / closing cover. The hole or the recess formed in the opening / closing cover has a long shape in the swinging direction of the latch member.
The invention according to claim 12 is the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the biasing means biases the latch member in a direction in which the latch member is fitted into the hole or the recess, and the biasing means. A latch member stopper that stops the movement of the latch member at the fitting position, and a latch member that fits the latch member into the hole or the recess and guides the latch member so as to be movable in a disengagement direction for releasing the fitting. A guide member; an electromagnetic drive means for locking and releasing the latch member having a movable shaft portion reciprocally movable in a direction of entering and exiting a fitting hole formed in the latch member; and an electromagnetic actuator for locking and releasing the latch member Second driving means for biasing the electromagnetic driving means for movably guiding the driving means in the engaging / disengaging direction and the electromagnetic driving means for locking / releasing the latch member in the same direction as the biasing direction of the latch member. Means When,
A stopper for electromagnetic driving means for stopping the movement of the electromagnetic driving means for locking and releasing the latch member by the second urging means at a position where the movable shaft portion faces the fitting hole; and locking and releasing the latch member And a handle that moves integrally with the electromagnetic driving means.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, the latch member and the electromagnetic driving means for locking / releasing the latch member are provided inside the protective cover in which a small hole having a diameter smaller than a finger is formed. The handle is arranged outside the protective cover, and the latch member can be pushed and moved by an operating rod inserted from the small hole. By this pushing operation, the latch member is moved to the hole or The fitting state by the latch member with respect to the hole or the depression can be released under the condition of being fitted into the depression.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, the latch member has an inclined surface that converts a direction pushed by the operation rod into a release direction of a fitting state by the latch member. It was decided that it was formed.
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the urging means for urging the latch member in a direction in which the latch member is fitted into the hole or the recess, and the urging means A latch member stopper that stops the movement of the latch member at the fitting position, and a latch member that fits the latch member into the hole or the recess and guides the latch member so as to be movable in a disengagement direction for releasing the fitting. Guiding means, electromagnetic driving means for locking / releasing latch member having a movable shaft portion reciprocally movable in a direction to move in and out of a locking portion formed in the latch member, and the latch member in the hole or recess And a pushing member that pushes in a direction to release the fitting.
A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the image processing apparatus can be engaged with the opening / closing cover and is located below the removable memory media reader or the removable memory media writer. A reciprocating member, a biasing means for biasing the reciprocating member in a direction in which the reciprocating member is engaged with the opening / closing cover; Latch member guide means for movably guiding, and electromagnetic drive means for restricting the reciprocating member provided with a movable shaft portion capable of reciprocating in a direction for restricting and releasing the movement of the reciprocating member. It was decided.
The invention according to claim 17 is the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein an operation board of the image processing apparatus operates an operation means provided attached to the operation board. The removable memory media reader or removable memory media writer is installed below the operation board, and the side closer to the operator is the side farther from the operator. It was decided that it was installed so as to be higher.
The invention according to claim 18 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the removable memory media reader or the removable memory media writer has a connector for a portable storage medium.
The invention according to claim 19 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, wherein an operation unit area in which the removable memory media reader or the removable memory media writer and the operation board are arranged is provided from the image processing apparatus. It is assumed that it is arranged adjacent to a discharge confirmation area provided for confirming discharge of the output sheet-like recording medium.
According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the seventeenth to nineteenth aspects, the operation substrate and the operation means are disposed on the upper surface portion of the image processing apparatus.
According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to twentieth aspects has an image forming function for forming an image by an electrophotographic method.
According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the twenty-first aspect, the lower structure of the removable memory media reader or the removable memory media writer visually recognizes the recording medium discharged into the cylinder of the image forming apparatus. It was decided to have a possible transparent part.
The invention according to claim 23. A method for using an image processing apparatus comprising a removable memory media reader or a removable memory media writer, and performing image processing by attaching a portable storage medium to the removable memory media reader or removable memory media writer, the portable storage medium The opening / closing cover is covered with a latch member covered with a protective cover in a hole or a recess provided in the opening / closing cover, and the opening / closing cover is locked. A movable shaft portion of electromagnetic driving means movable in the fitting release direction integrally with a handle provided outside the protective cover is engaged with the latch member, and the latch member is moved together with the handle and the electromagnetic driving means. It is movable in the mating release direction, and at least reads data from the portable storage medium. During take-out or writing, the handle is moved in an idle state so that the movement of the handle is not transmitted to the latch member by releasing the fitting of the movable shaft portion to the latch member by the operation of the electromagnetic driving means. Thus, the unlocking state by the operation of the handle is disabled, and the opening / closing cover is prevented from being opened.
According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the method of using the image processing apparatus according to the twenty-third aspect, before or after reading or writing data to or from the portable storage medium, the movable shaft portion is moved by the operation of the electromagnetic driving unit. By connecting to the latch member, the connection state of the handle and the latch member is obtained, and the lock state can be released by the operation of the handle.

  The present invention prohibits removal of the portable storage medium during access, such as writing information to or reading information from the portable storage medium, so that the open / close cover that covers the portable storage medium cannot be freely opened. In addition, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and a method for using the image processing apparatus that do not impair data corruption or OS operation.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
[1] Example 1
The external appearance of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. The image processing apparatus 1 is a digital multifunction machine that combines a copy function, a facsimile function (FAX function), a print function, and a scanner function. A scanner 2 and a document transport unit 3 are located at the top of the apparatus.
The document placed on the document placement unit 3a of the document transport unit 3 is read by the scanner 2 during automatic feeding and is discharged to the document discharge unit 3b. The information read by the scanner 2 can be printed on a sheet-like medium by the printer 4 positioned at the middle stage of the image processing apparatus 1 and can be transmitted to a desired transmission destination by the FAX function. The printed sheet-like medium is discharged to the paper discharge unit 6.

  The sheet feeding unit 5 located at the lowermost part of the apparatus has a four-stage sheet-like medium storage area, and different sizes or types of sheet-like medium are accommodated in each stage of the sheet feeding tray. A sheet-like medium is supplied to the printer 4 at the timing.

The scanner 2 and the document transport unit 3 are configured as a unit, and are placed on an upper part of a document placing table made of a transparent plate (not shown). A portion in contact with the document placing table is flexibly deformed to cover a copy document. The pressure plate is made of an elastic material.
A scanning unit that scans the document is provided below the document placement table, and a copy document such as a thick document can be exposed and scanned to read information into the image sensor, and can be printed on a sheet-like medium by the printer 4. .

  At the top of the image processing apparatus 1 and on the side facing the operator of the image processing apparatus, there is an operation section 10 adjacent to the document conveying section 3. The operation unit 10 includes various operation keys 7 necessary for operating the image processing apparatus, a switch button 8, an operation panel 11 having a switch function such as a touch key, and an information display function. There is also an open / close cover 12 that covers the portable storage medium. In FIG. 2, the left side of the operation unit 10 when facing the front surface of the image forming apparatus 1 is a discharge confirmation region 6 a in which the ceiling portion of the paper discharge unit 6 is removed.

Of the image processing apparatus 1, the printer 4 has an image forming function for forming an image by an electrophotographic method. A schematic configuration and an image forming process will be described.
Four image forming units 13 (13Y, 13C, 13M, and 13K), an optical writing device 14 that emits a light beam, and an intermediate transfer belt 15 are disposed in a substantially central portion inside the main body case 9. . Each image forming unit 13 is a part for forming images (toner images) of different colors. Regarding the components of each image forming unit 13, in the description of the present specification and the drawings, the subscripts Y, C, M, and K attached to the numbers are yellow, cyan, and magenta corresponding to the respective image forming units. , Showing the color of black.

  The four image forming units 13Y, 13C, 13M, and 13K have the same basic structure except that the colors of the formed images are different because the colors of the toners used are different. Each image forming unit 13 includes a photosensitive member 16 (16Y, 16C, 16M, 16K) that is rotationally driven in the direction of an arrow, a charging unit 17, a developing unit 18, a cleaning unit 19, and the like disposed around the photosensitive member 16. Has been.

  The photoconductor 16 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown). A photosensitive layer is provided on the outer peripheral surface portion of the photoconductor 16, and the outer peripheral surface 16a which is the surface of the photoconductor 16 is a scanned surface. When the light beam emitted from the optical writing device 14 is spot-irradiated on the outer peripheral surface 16a of the photoconductor 16, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to image information is written on the outer peripheral surface 16a of the photoconductor 16.

  The charging unit 17 uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface 16 a of the photoconductor 16, and a non-contact type is used for the photoconductor 16. The developing unit 18 supplies toner to the photoconductor 16, and the supplied toner adheres to the electrostatic latent image written on the outer peripheral surface 16 a of the photoconductor 16, thereby causing the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 16. Is developed as a toner image, and a non-contact type is used for the photoreceptor 16.

  The cleaning unit 19 cleans residual toner adhering to the outer peripheral surface 16 a of the photoconductor 16, and employs a brush contact type in which a brush contacts the outer peripheral surface 6 a of the photoconductor 16.

  The intermediate transfer belt 15 is a loop belt formed with a resin film or rubber as a base, and a toner image formed on the photoreceptor 16 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 15. The intermediate transfer belt 15 is supported by rollers and is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow.

  On the inner peripheral surface side (inside the loop) of the intermediate transfer belt 15, there are four pieces that press the intermediate transfer belt 15 against the photoconductor 16 in order to transfer the toner image on each photoconductor 16 onto the intermediate transfer belt 15. A transfer roller 24 is disposed. On the outer peripheral surface 16a side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 (outside of the loop), a cleaning unit 25 that cleans residual toner, paper dust, and the like attached to the outer peripheral surface 16a of the intermediate transfer belt 15 is disposed.

  A sheet-like medium separated and fed from one of the four paper feed trays of the paper feed unit 5 follows the conveyance path 26, passes through a registration roller 27, an intermediate transfer roller 29, a fixing unit 30, and a paper discharge roller 31 in this order. Be transported.

  The registration roller 29 is a roller that is intermittently rotated at a predetermined timing. By intermittently driving the registration roller 29, the sheet-like medium that has been transported to the position of the registration roller 29 and stopped is sent to a transfer position that is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the intermediate transfer roller 29. At this transfer position, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is transferred to the sheet-like medium.

  The fixing unit 30 is a part that applies heat and pressure to the toner image transferred onto the sheet-like medium and fixes the toner image. The sheet-like medium on which the toner image is fixed in the process of passing through the fixing unit 30 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 6 by the paper discharge roller 31.

  In the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3, an area denoted by reference numeral 310 located above the paper discharge unit 6 is a part where an exposure scanning apparatus for exposing and scanning a copy document is arranged. An area indicated by reference numeral 32 is an area in which the scanner 2 and the document conveying section 3 in FIGS. 1 and 2 are arranged.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 in which the operation unit 10 is taken out of the components of the image processing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the user determines or starts the number of copies using the operation keys 7.
There is an operation board 32 under the operation key 7 to detect pressing of the operation key 7 or the like. These operation keys 7, operation panel 11, operation buttons 8 such as switches, etc., the operation board 32 on which operation means for determining the number of copies and performing a start instruction are placed with respect to the horizontal plane so that the front side is lower than the back side. Inclined. This is to improve the operability of the operator who operates facing the front side.

That is, the operation board 32 is inclined so that the side (front side) close to the operator who operates the operation means attached to the operation board 32 is lower than the side far from the operator (back side). is set up. Further, the removable memory media reader 35 provided with a connector 34 for detachably attaching the portable storage medium 33 is below the operation board 32, the side closer to the operator (front side) farther from the operator (back side). It is installed at an angle so that it is higher than
That is, the removable memory media reader 35 is provided so as to be inclined in the direction opposite to the operation board 32.

  On the other hand, in the first comparative example, as shown in FIG. 6, the removable memory media reader 35 is placed below the operation board 32 on the side closer to the operator (front side) and the side farther from the operator (back side). 5 and the position of the connector 34 without changing the position of the connector 34, the front end of the removable memory media reader 35 is the opening / closing cover. 12 will hit. Therefore, the dimension of the operation unit 10 has to be extended to the front side as indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  In the second comparative example, as shown in FIG. 7, the removable memory media reader 35 is placed below the operation board 32, and the side closer to the operator (front side) is away from the operator (back side). 5 and the position of the connector 34 without changing the position in FIG. 5, the front end of the removable memory media reader 35 faces downward when compared with the connector 34 rotated around the connector 34. The operability when the media reader 35 is attached to and detached from the connector 34 is significantly deteriorated. In order to improve the operability, the size of the operation unit 10 must be extended downward as indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  In the image processing apparatus 1 in this specification, a removable memory media writer may be mounted instead of the removable memory media reader 35. However, the figure shows an example in which the removable memory media reader 35 is provided.

  The image processing apparatus 1 is required to reduce the floor area, and the operation unit 10 cannot be protruded so much forward as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. If the operation unit 10 protrudes greatly toward the front side, not only the operability of the scanner 2 is in contact with the operator's body, but also the discharge area 6a shown in FIG. It is difficult to confirm the presence of the sheet-like medium.

  On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the width (width dimension in the direction from the front side to the back side) of the operation unit 10 can be made smaller than in the examples of FIGS. The operation section area in which the media reader or the removable memory media writer and the operation board 32 are arranged is adjacent to the discharge confirmation area 6a provided for confirming the discharge of the sheet-like recording medium output from the image processing apparatus 1. Since it is arranged, it is possible to secure a discharge confirmation area 6a for confirming the sheet-like medium discharged to the paper discharge unit 6, so that the visibility of the discharged sheet-like medium is improved.

  In this example, the removable memory media reader or the removable memory media writer is inclined so that the operation board 32 and the back side overlap with each other, so that the size can be reduced. In addition, the operation means such as the operation board 32 and the operation keys are provided on the upper surface of the upper part of the image processing apparatus 1, and the front side of the removable memory media reader or the removable memory media writer (for the operator). Since the front side) is directed upward, it is easy to see the back where the connector 34 is located, so that the operability when inserting / removing the portable storage medium 33 with the opening / closing cover 12 opened is also improved. In FIG. 5, the insertion / removal direction of the portable storage medium 33 is the direction indicated by the bidirectional arrow.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which the opening / closing cover 12 covering the portable storage medium 33 attached to the removable memory media reader 35 is opened. The open / close cover 12 is swingable about an arbitrary fulcrum, in this example, a fulcrum shaft OO provided at an upper portion of the connector 34. Since it is configured to swing and open about the fulcrum shaft OO, space can be effectively used as much as it does not move linearly compared to the slide type opening and closing cover. In addition, it can be quickly opened and closed by a rotating operation.

The opening / closing cover 12 has a transparent portion that allows the presence or absence of an internal portable recording medium to be visually recognized from the outside. In this example, the entire cover is transparent so that the mounting of the portable recording medium can be visually recognized from the outside.
The lower structure (configured as a part of the protective cover 42 in this example) located below the removable memory media reader or the removable memory media writer is discharged to the paper discharge unit 6 located in the cylinder of the image forming apparatus. The whole or a part thereof is transparent so that the sheet-like medium to be viewed can be visually recognized. Since the opening / closing cover 12 is transparent, it is possible to visually recognize the state of paper discharge in the paper discharge unit 6 through these.
The opening / closing cover 12 prevents the opening / closing cover 12 from being opened during the writing of information to the portable storage medium 33 or reading of the information by the opening operation blocking means.
With the function of the opening operation prevention means, the portable storage medium is not allowed to be removed during access such as writing information to or reading information from the portable storage medium, so that data is not damaged or the operation of the OS is not hindered. I made it.

  The open / close cover 12 is maintained closed by its own weight moment about the fulcrum axis OO, and can be opened by the operator by grasping and lifting a part of the open / close cover by hand. By attaching a torsion coil spring or the like to O, it can be urged in the opening direction to have a configuration of opening behavior.

  In the case of an open behavior configuration, the portable storage medium 33 can be automatically removed from the removable memory media reader 33 (or the removable memory media writer) by releasing the lock by the opening movement prevention means. The rotation is stopped by coming into contact with a stopper provided as appropriate at the position where it is opened. In this case, the operator does not need an operation of grasping and opening a part of the opening / closing cover 12 by hand.

  The function of preventing the opening / closing cover from being opened by the opening operation preventing means can be canceled when the image processing apparatus 1 is powered off. When the opening operation preventing means is electrically driven, the opening operation preventing means cannot be driven when the power is turned off, and in the locked state, it is inconvenient if the portable storage medium 33 cannot be taken out. Therefore, the lock by the opening operation preventing means can be released even when the power is turned off. When the power is turned off, reading and writing of information with respect to the portable storage medium is interrupted, so there is no problem even if the opening / closing cover 12 is unlocked by the opening operation blocking means and the portable storage medium is removed. This lock release mechanism will be described later.

  As described above, when the power is turned off, the opening operation prevention means is automatically released. Otherwise, the operator operates the operation key 7 when the operator wants to open the opening / closing cover 12 arbitrarily. Alternatively, a touch key displayed on the operation panel 11 is operated. The control unit of the image processing apparatus 1 does not cancel the opening operation blocking means even if such a key operation is performed at least during writing of information to or reading of information from the portable storage medium. As a result, removal of the portable storage medium is prevented and safety is maintained. For the operator, the reason why the opening / closing cover 12 is not opened is displayed on the operation panel 11.

The opening / closing cover opening preventing means will be described below.
In FIG. 9, the opening operation blocking means 36 includes a hole (or a recess: the same applies hereinafter) 37 provided in the side surface of the opening / closing cover 12 and a latch member 38 that can be fitted in the hole 37. As shown in FIG. 10, the opening / closing cover 12 cannot be opened with the latch member 38 fitted in the hole 37. Therefore, the operator can accidentally take out the portable storage medium 33 from the connector 34 by setting the latch member 38 to be fitted in the hole 37 during writing or reading of information to the portable storage medium 33. Can be prevented. Further, when the writing of information or the reading of information is completed, the latch member 38 is removed from the hole 37 (fitting release). The portable storage medium 33 can be attached to and detached from the connector 34.

  The latch member 38 is fitted to and released from the hole 37 by reciprocating the latch member 38. As the means for reciprocating, an electromagnetic drive means for opening / closing cover lock / release was used. In this example, an electromagnetic solenoid 39 is used as electromagnetic driving means for locking and releasing the opening / closing cover. The latch member 38 is configured integrally with an operating shaft portion (shaft body that reciprocates when energization is turned on / off) of the electromagnetic solenoid 39. By using the electromagnetic solenoid 39, the opening / closing cover 12 can be easily blocked and released by operating the switch.

  The operating shaft portion 40 formed integrally with the latch member 38 has a habit of projecting from the electromagnetic solenoid body due to the elasticity of the extensible spring 41 when the energization of the electromagnetic solenoid 39 is off, and the spring is turned on when energization is turned on. It is pulled and retracted by the electromagnetic force superior to the elasticity of 41.

  Thus, the operating shaft portion 40 (in this example, the operating shaft portion 40 and the latch member 38 are integrated) is the spring 41 so that the latch member 38 is fitted in the hole 37 when the electromagnetic solenoid 39 is turned off. The projection is stopped by an appropriate stopper means incorporated in the electromagnetic solenoid 38 in the fitted state.

  When the energization of the electromagnetic solenoid 39 is turned on with the latch member 38 fitted in the hole 37 in this way, the operating shaft portion 40 is pulled against the biasing force of the spring 41 by the electromagnetic force. As a result, the fitting is released.

  FIG. 10 shows a state in which the energization is turned off, and the latch member 38 is fitted in the hole 37 to prevent the opening / closing cover 12 from being opened. When energization is turned on, the latch member 38 is retracted from the hole 37 and the opening / closing cover 12 can be opened. It can be opened by hand, and when it is biased in the opening direction, it automatically opens with that biasing force.

  For example, in the configuration in which the opening / closing cover 12 is urged in the opening direction, the opening / closing cover 12 can be opened because the hole 37 and the latch member 38 are fitted even if the opening / closing cover 12 is opened by this urging force. Can not. The latch member 38 and the hole 37 are always urged so as to keep the fitting. When the solenoid 32 is driven and the latch member 38 is pulled, the fitting is released and the cover 16 is opened.

  The electromagnetic solenoid 39 is supported on the main body side of the image processing apparatus 1. For example, by operating the operation key 7 or the touch key of the operation panel 11, the energization of the electromagnetic solenoid 39 can be turned on / off.

The unlocking mechanism when the opening / closing cover 12 is closed and it is necessary to open the opening / closing cover 12 urgently with the electromagnetic solenoid 39 turned off will be described.
In FIG. 9, the electromagnetic solenoid 39 is disposed inside a protective cover 42 (see FIG. 1) in which a small hole 44 having a diameter smaller than that of a finger is formed.

  The electromagnetic solenoid 39 can swing integrally around a fulcrum shaft 43 that is long in the vertical direction intersecting the reciprocating direction of the latch member 38. The fulcrum shaft 43 is pivotally attached to the main body of the image processing apparatus 1. The electromagnetic solenoid 39 can be swung by the action of an external force, but returns to its original position when the external force disappears. As a means for returning to the original position, the fulcrum shaft 43 is pulled in the diameter direction by springs 45 and 46 as shown in FIG. As a result, even if the fulcrum shaft 43 is twisted by an external force, the fulcrum shaft 43 returns to the original position when the external force disappears. When in this original position, the latch member 38 can be fitted into a hole 37 formed in the side surface of the open / close cover 12 in the closed state.

  The hole 37 has a long hole shape that is long in the lateral direction, which is the swinging direction of the latch member. Under the state where the latch member 38 is fitted in the hole 37, an external force is applied by the operation rod 47 inserted from the lateral direction through the small hole 44 formed in the protective cover 42 to push and move the electromagnetic solenoid 39. The fulcrum shaft 43 can be swung around.

  By such swinging, the latch member 38 moves in the longitudinal direction of the hole 37 and comes out of the hole 37, and the fitting state of the latch member 38 with respect to the hole 37 by the latch member 38 is released. That is, in an emergency, the operation bar 47 can push the side portion of the electromagnetic solenoid 39 to release the opening operation blocking function of the opening / closing cover 12 by the opening operation blocking means. In this way, when the operating rod 47 is pulled out from the small hole 44 after the opening / closing cover 12 is opened, the electromagnetic solenoid 39 is returned to the original position by the restoring function of the fulcrum shaft 43.

  After the opening / closing cover 12 is opened and the portable storage medium 33 is attached / detached, when the opening / closing cover 12 is closed, the tip of the latch member 38 has a slope (taper). The inclined surface rides on and slides on the end of the opening / closing cover 12, and is fitted into the hole 37 when the opening / closing cover 12 is completely closed.

Thus, in an emergency, for example, when the operation of the image processing apparatus is stopped or a power failure occurs, the electromagnetic solenoid 39 can be pushed from the outside by operating the operation rod 47 inserted from the small hole 44, With this pushing operation, the latch member 38 can be released from the fitting state with respect to the hole 37 while the latch member 38 is fitted in the hole 37, and the opening / closing cover 12 can be opened. The portion of the small hole 44 in the protective cover 42 may be given a certain thickness so as to achieve the guide function of the operation rod 47.
There are various types of electromagnetic solenoids. Some electromagnetic solenoids operate in the opposite direction when energization is turned on and off. Of course, those types can also be used.

  In general, in the image processing apparatus 1, when the energization is turned off and the frequency of energization being turned off is high, the electromagnetic solenoid of a type in which the energization is turned off and the latch member 38 is fitted into the hole 37, the degree of wear of parts There is an advantage that becomes smaller.

FIG. 12 shows the opening / closing cover 12, the electromagnetic solenoid 39, the hole 44 formed in the protective cover 42 for inserting the operation rod 47, and the like together with the operation unit 10.
Further, instead of directly blocking the opening and closing of the cover, it is possible to restrict the user's unlocking operation as follows.

[2] Example 2
Case 1
This will be described with reference to FIGS.
The open / close cover 12 can be opened / closed by swinging about a fulcrum shaft OO. The open / close cover 12 shown in FIG. 13 is in the closed position, and when it is opened, it rotates in the counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow about the fulcrum axis OO. A torsion coil spring 71 is mounted on a shaft portion 70 concentric with the fulcrum shaft OO, and one end of the torsion coil spring 71 is an edge of the opening / closing cover 12, and the other end is a spring stopper (not shown). It is locked and urges the opening / closing cover 12 in the opening direction.

  A rectangular hole 72 (or a recess may be formed) is formed in one side surface portion (side portion shown in FIG. 13) of the opening / closing cover 12 in the fulcrum axis OO direction. In the state shown in FIG. 3, the latch member 73 is fitted in the hole 72. The latch member 73 is attached to a mounting plate 74 configured as a part of the protective cover 42.

  Here, how the latch member 73 is mounted on the mounting plate 74 will be described. The upper surface level of the mounting plate 74 matches the height position of the hole 72 of the opening / closing cover 12 at the closed position. A guide groove 74a is formed in a portion of the upper surface of the mounting plate 74 facing the hole 72 in parallel with the fulcrum axis OO. The shape of the guide groove 74a itself is a rectangular through hole as shown in FIGS.

  In FIG. 16, the latch member 73 shown in FIG. 13 is turned upside down for convenience of explanation, and a piece member 73 a of a size that can be slidably fitted in the guide groove 74 a is integrally formed at the bottom of the latch member 73. Has been. Further, a retaining plate 75 is fixed to the bottom surface of the piece member 73a by using a screw 76. The length of the piece member 73a in the direction of the fulcrum axis OO is smaller than that of the guide groove 74a. Therefore, the piece member 73a can reciprocate in the guide groove 74a. In this manner, the latch member 73 is guided by the guide groove 74a and can reciprocate with a predetermined stroke. The predetermined stroke refers to the distance between the open / close cover locking position where the latch member 73 moves to the open / close cover 12 side and enters the hole 72 and the retracted position retracted to the outside of the hole 72.

  An extensible spring 77 is incorporated in the guide groove 74a. The spring 77 is interposed between the piece member 73a and the longitudinal end portion of the guide groove 74a, and always urges the latch member 73 toward the opening / closing cover 12.

  In FIG. 13, the latch member 73 urged by the spring 77 is stopped at the opening / closing cover locking position in the state of entering the hole 72. For this reason, the opening / closing cover 12 has an opening behavior, but is prevented from opening by the latch member 73. In order to open the opening / closing cover 12, the latch member 73 must be moved to the retracted position.

  A means for moving the latch member 73 to the retracted position will be described. The latch member 73 has a wedge shape as shown in FIGS. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, it has an inclined surface 73 b whose upper piece is inclined so as to taper as it approaches the opening / closing cover 12 in the direction of the fulcrum axis OO.

  A push piece 78 is positioned above the inclined surface 73b. The push piece 78 is configured integrally with the shaft portion 79 and the push button 80 and constitutes a press member 81 as a whole. The shaft portion 79 is slidably fitted through a through hole 82 (see FIGS. 13, 14, and 17) formed in the mounting plate 74. A shaft member 79 is secured to the bottom by a retaining member 83 fixed to the bottom. A hook-shaped spring receiver 84 is fixed to an intermediate portion of the shaft portion 79. An extensible spring 85 is mounted between the spring receiver 84 and the mounting plate 74 so as to wind the shaft portion 79.

  In a state where no external force is applied to the push button 80 by the biasing force of the spring 85, the push piece 78 is positioned above the inclined surface 73b as shown in FIG. When the opening / closing cover 12 needs to be opened, if the push button 80 is pushed down, the pushing piece 78 abuts against the inclined surface 73b, and the latch member 73 is made elastic by the component force in the lateral direction acting on the inclined surface. Move to the retracted position. Thereby, the opening / closing cover 12 is opened in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 13 by the elasticity of the torsion coil spring 71.

  The opening / closing cover 12 is opened and stopped until it is locked by a stopper (not shown). If the push button 80 stops being pushed, the push piece 78 returns to the upper side of the inclined surface 73 b by the elasticity of the spring 85. At this position, the retaining member 83 is in contact with the mounting plate 74.

  When the open / close cover 12 is open, the latch member 73 has advanced to the open / close cover locking position and is positioned on the closing operation path of the side edge of the open / close cover 12. When the opening / closing cover 12 is closed under this condition, the side edge of the opening / closing cover 12 will eventually come into contact with the inclined surface 73b, and the lateral component acting on the inclined surface The latch member 73 is pushed and moved, and the distal end portion of the latch portion 73 slides on the side surface portion of the opening / closing cover 12 by the elastic force of the spring 77. Eventually, when the latch member 73 and the hole 72 coincide with each other, the latch member 72 is fitted into the hole 72, and the opening / closing cover 12 is held in the closed position.

  As described above, when the open / close cover 12 is manually closed, the latch member 73 is automatically engaged with the hole 72 at a predetermined predetermined closed position, and the closed state is maintained, and the push button 81 is pushed. The opening / closing cover 12 can be opened. In addition, when the shaft portion 79 rotates in the through hole 82 while the push button 80 is repeatedly pushed and returned, the push piece 78 is detached from the inclined surface 73b. In order to avoid this, the shaft portion 79 is avoided. Of course, an appropriate detent means is provided by providing a key and a key groove between the through hole 82 and the like.

Under such a configuration, the opening operation blocking means is configured to block the opening / closing cover 12 from being opened while information is being written to or read from the portable storage medium.
An electromagnetic solenoid 86 is attached to the upper surface of the attachment plate 74. The four screw holes 87 shown in FIG. 14 are mounting screw holes for the electromagnetic solenoid 86, and the electromagnetic solenoid 86 is located in the vicinity of the latch member 73 as shown in the figure.

The movable shaft portion 86a of the electromagnetic solenoid 86 is retracted from the electromagnetic force when the electromagnetic solenoid 86 is energized, and protrudes by the spring force provided on the movable shaft portion 86a when the energization is off. When the electromagnetic solenoid 86 is turned off with the open / close cover 12 closed (open / close cover locking position), the movable member 86a protrudes from the retracted position shown in FIG. In the protruded state, the movable member 86 a intersects the rear wall portion (locking portion) 73 c of the latch member 73. Accordingly, the movable shaft portion 86a locks the movement of the latch member 73.
It is also possible to form a hole or a recess in the latch member 73 and lock the movable shaft portion 86a by fitting it in the hole or recess.

  Therefore, in the energized off state, the latch member 73 is mechanically locked, and the lock cannot be released even if the push button 80 is pushed. In order to release the lock, the electromagnetic solenoid 86 may be turned on. In this manner, by controlling the energization state of the electromagnetic solenoid 86, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing cover from being accidentally opened while information is being written to or read from the portable storage medium.

  In such a configuration, the spring 77 is an example of a biasing unit that biases the latch member 73 in a direction in which the latch member 73 is fitted into the hole 72 (or the recess). The piece member 73a and the guide groove 74a are an example of a latch member stopper that stops the movement of the latch member 73 by the spring 77 at a position where it is fitted in the hole 72 (or the recess). Further, the piece member 73a and the guide groove 74a are an example of a latch member guide means that guides the latch member 73 so that the latch member 73 is fitted in the hole 72 (or the recess) and is movable in the engagement / disengagement direction to release the fitting. . The electromagnetic solenoid 86 has a movable shaft portion 86a that can reciprocate in a direction to move in and out of a locking portion (a rear wall portion 73c, or a hole or a recess) formed in the latch member 73. It is an example of the electromagnetic drive means. The pushing member 81 is an example of a pushing member that pushes the latch member 73 in a direction to release the fitting from the hole 72 (or the recess).

Case 2
This will be described with reference to FIGS.
The open / close cover 12 can be opened / closed by swinging about a fulcrum shaft OO. The opening / closing cover 12 shown in FIG. 18 is in the closed position, and when opened, it rotates in the counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow about the fulcrum shaft OO. Although not shown, a torsion coil spring 71 similar to that described in the case 1 is attached to the shaft portion 70 concentric with the fulcrum shaft OO, and urges the opening / closing cover 12 in the opening direction.

  As described above, the opening / closing cover 12 covers the portable storage medium attached to the removable memory media reader or the removable memory media writer. A pull-out reciprocating member 90 made of a transparent casing-like container is located below the opening / closing cover 12.

  The reciprocating member 90 is fitted in a concave guide groove 91 formed in the protective cover 42, and can be moved in and out in a direction restricted by an engagement / disengagement direction indicated by an arrow 92. In addition, since the ridge formed on the bottom of the reciprocating member is engaged with the dovetail groove 95 of the protective cover 42, the reciprocating member 90 can reciprocate in the above-described engagement / disengagement direction without lifting upward.

  A hook portion 93 is formed at a central portion of the opening / closing cover 12 with the reciprocating member 90 in the fulcrum axis OO direction. The reciprocating member 90 includes an engaging portion 94 that engages with the hook portion 93 at a portion corresponding to the hook portion 93.

  19 to 21 show cross sections that pass through the hook portion 93 and the engaging portion 94 and are orthogonal to the fulcrum axis OO. FIG. 19 corresponds to FIG. 18 in a state where the opening / closing cover 12 is closed. 10 to 21, the opening / closing cover 12 is urged in a leftward direction by an extensible spring 940.

  In FIG. 19, the flange portion 93 is engaged with the engagement portion 94. The opening / closing cover 12 is originally rotatable with the shaft portion 70 as a fulcrum, but in the state shown in FIG. 19, the engagement portion 93 is biased by the elasticity of the spring 940 and tends to bite into the flange portion 93. The opening / closing cover 12 is kept closed.

  In the state shown in FIG. 19, when the reciprocating member 90 is pressed in the right direction so as to be pushed into the protective cover 42, the reciprocating member 90 moves right with respect to the protective cover 42. As shown, the flange 93 is disengaged from the engaging portion 84 and the engagement is released. When the engagement is released, the opening / closing cover 12 has an opening habit, so it opens in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.

  When the protective cover 12 is closed, if the protective cover 12 is manually rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 20, the collar portion 93 is engaged with the engaging portion 94, as shown in FIG. The closed state of the opening / closing cover 12 is maintained.

  In this way, when the opening / closing cover 12 is in the closed state, if the reciprocating member 90 is pushed in, the engagement between the flange portion 93 and the engaging portion 94 can be released and the opening / closing cover 12 can be opened, and the opening / closing cover 12 can be closed. In this case, the engaging portion 94 is automatically engaged with the flange portion 93 in conjunction with the closing operation, and the closed state is maintained.

  Under such a configuration, the opening operation blocking means is configured to block the opening / closing cover 12 from being opened while information is being written to or read from the portable storage medium. The sliding surface of the reciprocating member 90 closest to the outside of the rear end portion of the reciprocating member 90 in a state where the opening / closing cover 12 is in a closed state and the hook portion 93 is hooked on the engaging portion 94 of the reciprocating member 90. The electromagnetic solenoid 96 was installed in the.

  When the electromagnetic solenoid 90 is energized, the movable shaft portion 96a is retracted to a height position that does not hinder the movement of the reciprocating member 90 (FIGS. 19 and 20). When the electromagnetic solenoid 90 is turned off when the open / close cover 12 is in the closed state, the movable shaft portion 96 protrudes as shown in FIG. Prevent movement. As a result, it is intended to open the opening / closing cover 12 by mistake, and even if the reciprocating member 90 is pushed and moved, it does not move, thus preventing an erroneous operation. When energization of the electromagnetic solenoid 90 is turned on, the movable shaft 96 is retracted, so that the reciprocating member 90 can be pushed and moved to open the open / close cover 12.

  FIG. 22 shows the electromagnetic solenoid 90 in an enlarged manner. An opening 98 for entering and exiting the movable shaft portion 96 is provided in the protective cover 42, and a seat portion of the opening portion 98 can be applied to the spring receiver 99 to serve as a stopper for the movable shaft portion 96.

  In this manner, by controlling the energization state of the electromagnetic solenoid 96, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing cover from being accidentally opened while information is being written to or read from the portable storage medium.

  As described above, the reciprocating member 90 positioned below the removable memory media reader or the removable memory media writer can be engaged with the flange portion 93 of the opening / closing cover 12. The spring 940 is a biasing unit that biases the reciprocating member 90 in a direction to engage the opening / closing cover 12. The dovetail groove 95 and a part of the reciprocating member fitted in the dovetail groove 95 engage the reciprocating member 90 with the opening / closing cover 12, and guide the movably in the engaging / disengaging direction for releasing the engagement. It is an example of a latch member guide means. The electromagnetic solenoid 96 is an example of a reciprocating member restricting electromagnetic driving means having a movable shaft portion 96a capable of reciprocating in a direction to restrict and release the reciprocating member 90.

  With these configurations, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing cover 12 from being opened regardless of the user's intention, particularly in the case of an apparatus in which the opening / closing cover 12 is biased in the release direction.

Case 3
This example is another example of the opening operation preventing means, and will be described with reference to FIGS. The common constituent members will be described with the same reference numerals as before.
Unlike the first example, in the opening operation preventing means 360 in this example, the latch member 48 is separate from the electromagnetic solenoid. The latch member 48 has a block-like shape and has a wedge-shaped tip 48 a that fits into a hole (or recess: the same applies hereinafter) 49 provided on the side surface of the opening / closing cover 12. The latch member 48 is biased by an extensible spring 50 as a biasing means that biases the latch member 48 in a direction to be fitted in the hole 49 of the open / close cover 12 in the closed state.

A latch member stopper 51 for stopping the movement of the latch member 48 by the spring 50 at the fitting position in the hole 49 is provided on a member integral with the image processing apparatus main body.
Although not shown, there is a latch member guiding means for fitting the latch member 48 into the hole 49 and guiding the latch member 48 so as to be movable in the engagement / disengagement directions 55A and 55B for releasing the fitting. The latch member guide means is composed of a convex portion formed on the latch member 48 and a groove long in the engagement / disengagement direction to be fitted to the convex portion. This groove is formed in a member integral with the image processing apparatus main body.

  A fitting hole 52 (see FIG. 24) is formed in the upper surface of the latch member 48. Above the latch member 48, there is disposed an electromagnetic solenoid 54 as an electromagnetic drive means for latch member locking / releasing, which has a movable shaft portion 53 that can reciprocate in the direction of entering and exiting the fitting hole 52 (vertical direction). Yes. The movable shaft portion 53 is biased in the protruding direction by an extensible spring 60.

  There is electromagnetic drive means guide means for guiding the electromagnetic solenoid 54 so as to be movable in the engagement / disengagement direction 55. Although not shown, the electromagnetic drive means guide means is composed of a convex portion formed on the electromagnetic solenoid 54 and a groove long in the engagement / disengagement direction that fits into the convex portion. This groove is formed in a member integral with the image processing apparatus main body.

There is a spring 56 as second urging means for urging the electromagnetic solenoid 54 in the same direction as the urging direction of the latch member 48 by the spring 50. A stopper 57 for electromagnetic driving means that stops the movement of the electromagnetic solenoid 54 by the spring 56 at a position facing the fitting hole 52 of the latch member 48 where the movable shaft 53 is stopped by the stopper 51 is provided with the image processing apparatus main body. It is provided on an integral member.
A handle 58 that moves integrally with the electromagnetic solenoid 54 is provided so that a part thereof is slidably fitted into a groove 59 parallel to the engagement / disengagement direction 55.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the operator opens the open / close cover 12 in a closed state, and the movable shaft portion 53 is fitted in the fitting hole 52 with the electromagnetic solenoid 54 energized off. When it is desired to open the opening / closing cover 12, the handle 58 is moved along the groove 59 in a direction away from the opening / closing cover 12. Then, the solenoid 54 integrated with the handle 58 and the latch member 48 that is substantially fitted to the movable shaft portion 53 of the solenoid 54 move in a direction away from the opening / closing cover 12. As a result, the engagement of the latch member 48 with the hole 49 is released, so that the opening / closing cover 12 that prevents the opening operation blocking means from opening can be opened.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 24, during reading or writing of data to / from the portable storage medium 33, the electromagnetic solenoid 54 is energized and the electromagnetic solenoid 32 is driven to resist the elasticity of the spring 60 to move the movable shaft. Retract part 53. Then, the fitting between the movable shaft portion 53 and the latch member 48 is released.

  In this state, when the operator accidentally moves the handle 58 to open the opening / closing cover 12 during reading or writing of data to the portable storage medium 33, the movable shaft 53 and the latch member 48 are fitted. Since the engagement is disengaged, the handle 58 and the electromagnetic solenoid 54 move in the direction of the arrow 55B against the spring 56, but the latch member 48 retains the engagement with the hole 49 of the opening / closing cover 12 by the force of the spring 50. The opening / closing cover 12 cannot be opened continuously. That is, the handle 58 is swung away, and the opening operation of the opening / closing cover 12 is prevented, so that it is possible to avoid a situation in which data is damaged or an OS operation is hindered. A member that moves together with the electromagnetic solenoid 54 other than the handle 58 is configured not to be exposed on the front side of the protective cover 42.

  When the open / close cover 12 is closed and the electromagnetic solenoid 54 is energized, the handle 58 is swung as described above, and the tip 48a of the latch member 48 cannot be removed from the hole 49. Therefore, the unlocking mechanism when it is necessary to open the opening / closing cover 12 urgently will be described.

In FIG. 25 showing the top view of the latch member 48, the latch member 48 and the electromagnetic solenoid 54 are arranged inside the protective cover 42 in which a small hole 61 having a smaller diameter than the finger is formed, and the handle 58 protective cover 42. The latch member 48 can be pushed and moved by an operating rod 62 (for example, an extension of a clip) which is disposed outside and inserted from the small hole 61. By this pushing operation, the engagement state of the latch member 48 with respect to the hole 49 can be released under the condition that the latch member 48 is engaged with the hole 49.
Also, if there is a problem of opening the cover (when the media is removed), the user can clearly see whether the handle is locked or the movement (slip) is getting worse by configuring the handle so that it swings empty. It is understood that it will not be damaged by applying force.

  That is, the latch member 48 is formed with an inclined surface 48b that converts the direction pushed by the operation rod 62 into the release direction (engagement / disengagement direction 55B) of the fitting state of the latch member 48 with respect to the opening / closing cover 12.

  In an emergency, for example, when the operation of the image processing apparatus stops or when a power failure occurs, the operation rod 62 is inserted from the small hole 61 and the inclined surface 48b is pushed to move the latch component 48 to the force of the spring 50. It moves in the direction of arrow B against it. By this movement, the front end portion 48a of the latch member 48 is removed from the hole 49 of the opening / closing cover 12, so that the fitting is released and the opening / closing cover 12 can be opened. The portion of the small hole 61 in the protective cover 42 may be given a certain thickness so as to achieve the guide function of the operation rod 62.

  As described above, the portable storage medium 33 is covered with the opening / closing cover 12, and the opening / closing is performed by fitting the tip 48 a of the latch member 48 covered with the protective cover 42 into the hole 49 or the recess provided in the opening / closing cover 12. When the cover 12 is brought into the locked state and the locked state is released, the movable shaft portion 53 of the electromagnetic solenoid 54 movable in the fitting release direction (engagement / disengagement direction) integrally with the handle 58 provided outside the protective cover 12. The latch member 48 is fitted or engaged with the latch member 48 so that the latch member 48 can be moved together with the handle 58 and the electromagnetic solenoid in the fitting release direction, and at least during reading or writing of data with respect to the portable storage medium, the electromagnetic solenoid. The movement of the handle 58 is not transmitted to the latch member 48 by releasing the fitting of the movable shaft portion 53 to the latch member 48 by the above operation. Thus, the handle 58 is swung in the idle state (idle feed), the release of the locked state by the operation of the handle 58 is disabled, and the opening and closing cover 12 is prevented from being opened, so that the image processing apparatus and the portable storage medium are safe. Retained.

In addition, before or after reading or writing data to or from the portable storage medium 33, the coupling state of the handle 58 and the latch member 48 is obtained by fitting the movable shaft portion 53 to the latch member by the operation of the electromagnetic solenoid 54. The lock state can be released by operating the handle 58.
In the present invention, since the portable storage medium is directly inserted into the connector and used by the user, the user can freely insert / remove, while the open / close cover prevents the problem of data corruption or troubles in the OS operation when removed during access. And a lock mechanism to limit the removal of removable memory media being accessed. In addition, in order to ensure the visibility of discharged paper, particularly for the operation unit, it is necessary to reduce the size so that the floor area of the entire image processing apparatus does not increase even if a removable memory media reader or removable memory media writer and its cover are installed. Since the operation key board is tilted forward and the removable memory media reader or removable memory media writer section is tilted back and the board overlaps with the back in response to the demand for downsizing the device width direction, the device Especially, the operation part can be downsized and the operability is improved.
In addition, in the event of an emergency, a means for mechanically removing the removable memory medium is provided, so that the portable storage medium can be recovered even when the function of the entire apparatus is stopped or a power failure occurs.

1 is an external perspective view of an image processing apparatus. 1 is an external perspective view of an image processing apparatus. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer unit in the image processing apparatus. FIG. It is the external appearance perspective view which took out and showed the operation part. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the operation part concerning this invention. It is a figure explaining the comparative example of the operation part other than this invention. It is a figure explaining the comparative example of the operation part other than this invention. It is a perspective view of the connector and protective cover part of a portable storage medium. It is a disassembled perspective view explaining the structure of the opening operation | movement prevention means. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the locked state of the opening / closing cover by fitting of a latch member. It is the perspective view explaining the original position return means of the fulcrum shaft. It is a partial front view of an operation part. It is the perspective view explaining the structure of the opening operation | movement prevention means. It is a fragmentary perspective view of an attachment board. It is sectional drawing of the guide groove part of an attachment plate. It is a disassembled perspective view of a latch member. It is a front view of a pressing member. It is the perspective view explaining the structure of the opening / closing cover and the opening operation | movement prevention means. It is the figure explaining the engagement relationship of the collar part and engagement part in an open / close cover closed state. It is the figure explaining the state which pushed the reciprocating member and canceled the engagement relation of a collar part and an engaging part. It is a figure explaining the state which blocked pushing of the reciprocating member with the electromagnetic solenoid. It is a fragmentary sectional view explaining the arrangement state of an electromagnetic solenoid in a protective cover. It is a fragmentary sectional view explaining composition and operation of an opening operation prevention means. It is a fragmentary sectional view explaining composition and operation of an opening operation prevention means. It is a fragmentary sectional view explaining composition and operation of an opening operation prevention means. It is a perspective view of an operation part. It is a fragmentary perspective view of an operation part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 7 Operation key 8 Switch button 10 Operation part 11 Operation panel 12 Opening / closing cover 33 Portable storage medium 34 Connector 35 Removable media reader 36 Opening movement prevention means 38 Latch member 39 (Electromagnetic drive means for opening / closing cover lock / release Electromagnetic solenoid 40 Operating shaft 54 Electromagnetic solenoid (as an electromagnetic drive means for latch member locking / releasing)
70, 79 Shaft portion 71 Torsion coil spring 72 Hole 73 Latch member 73a Piece member 73b Inclined surface 73c Rear wall portion 74 Mounting plate 74a Guide groove 75 Retaining plate 78 Pushing piece 80 Push button 81 Pressing member 82 Through hole 83 Retaining member 85, 77, 94, 97 Spring 86, 96 Electromagnetic solenoid 86a Movable shaft portion 90 Reciprocating member 91 Guide groove 93 Hook portion 95 Dovetail groove 96a Movable shaft portion 98 Opening 99 Spring receiver

Claims (24)

  An image processing apparatus equipped with a removable memory media reader or a removable memory media writer, and an open / close cover that covers the portable storage medium attached to the removable memory media reader or the removable memory media writer, and at least the portable storage medium An image processing apparatus comprising: an opening operation blocking means for blocking the opening / closing cover from being opened while information is being written or read. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function of the opening operation blocking means is canceled when the power is turned off. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing cover has a transparent portion from which the presence or absence of an internal portable recording medium can be visually recognized. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening operation blocking function by the opening operation blocking unit is released based on a switch operation. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An image processing apparatus, wherein the opening / closing cover is swingable about an arbitrary fulcrum. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening operation blocking means includes a hole or a recess provided in a side surface of the opening / closing cover, and a latch member that can be fitted into the hole or the recess. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6.
An image processing apparatus comprising: an electromagnetic drive means for opening / closing cover locking / releasing that causes the latch member to reciprocate to be fitted into the hole or the recess and to release the fitting. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7.
The latch member is biased so that the latch member is engaged with the hole or the recess when the energization to the electromagnetic drive means is off, and the engagement is performed when the energization to the electromagnetic drive means is on. An image processing apparatus that is released. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the latch member is configured integrally with an operation shaft portion of the electromagnetic driving means for locking and releasing the opening / closing cover. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9.
The opening / closing cover locking / releasing electromagnetic driving means having the operating shaft portion formed integrally with the latch member is disposed inside a protective cover having a small hole having a diameter smaller than that of the finger, and has a predetermined external force. Can be pushed by an operating rod inserted through the small hole, and the latch member is fitted in the hole or the recess by this pushing operation. The image processing apparatus is capable of releasing the fitted state by the latch member with respect to the hole or the recess. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10.
The latch member is swingable about a fulcrum shaft in a direction intersecting the reciprocating direction of the latch member together with the electromagnetic driving means for locking / releasing the open / close cover, and the hole or recess formed in the open / close cover Has an elongated shape in the swinging direction of the latch member. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A biasing means for biasing the latch member in a direction to fit the hole or the recess;
A latch member stopper for stopping movement of the latch member by the biasing means at the fitting position;
Latch member guide means for fitting the latch member into the hole or recess and guiding the latch member so as to be movable in a disengagement direction for releasing the fitting;
An electromagnetic drive means for latch member locking / releasing comprising a movable shaft portion reciprocally movable in a direction of entering and exiting a fitting hole formed in the latch member;
Electromagnetic drive means guide means for guiding the latch member lock / release electromagnetic drive means to be movable in the engagement / disengagement direction;
A second biasing means for biasing the electromagnetic driving means for locking and releasing the latch member in the same direction as the biasing direction of the latch member;
A stopper for electromagnetic driving means for stopping movement of the electromagnetic driving means for locking and releasing the latch member by the second urging means at a position where the movable shaft portion faces the fitting hole;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an electromagnetic driving means for locking and releasing a latch member; and a handle that moves integrally. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12.
The latch member and the electromagnetic driving means for locking / releasing the latch member are disposed inside a protective cover in which a small hole having a diameter smaller than a finger is formed, and the handle is disposed outside the protective cover. The latch member can be pushed and moved by an operation rod inserted from the base, and the pushing operation allows the latch member to be latched with respect to the hole or the recess under a state in which the latch member is fitted into the hole or the recess. An image processing apparatus capable of releasing a fitted state by a member. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the latch member is formed with an inclined surface that converts a direction pushed by the operation rod into a release direction of a fitting state of the latch member with respect to the opening / closing cover. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A biasing means for biasing the latch member in a direction to fit the hole or the recess;
A latch member stopper for stopping movement of the latch member by the biasing means at the fitting position;
Latch member guide means for fitting the latch member into the hole or recess and guiding the latch member so as to be movable in a disengagement direction for releasing the fitting;
An electromagnetic drive means for latch member locking / releasing comprising a movable shaft portion capable of reciprocating in a direction to move in and out of a locking portion formed in the latch member;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a pushing member that pushes the latch member in a direction to release the fitting from the hole or the recess. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A reciprocating member that is engageable with the open / close cover and is located below the removable memory media reader or the removable memory media writer;
Biasing means for biasing the reciprocating member in a direction to engage the opening / closing cover;
Latch member guide means for engaging the reciprocating member with the opening / closing cover and for movably guiding the engagement member to disengage the engagement;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an electromagnetic drive means for restricting the reciprocating member provided with a movable shaft portion capable of reciprocating in a direction for restricting and releasing the movement of the reciprocating member.   The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein an operation board of the image processing apparatus has a side closer to an operator who operates an operating means attached to the operation board. The removable memory media reader or removable memory media writer is inclined below the operation board so that the side closer to the operator is higher than the side far from the operator. An image processing apparatus characterized by being installed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 17.
An image processing apparatus, wherein a removable memory media reader or a removable memory media writer has a connector for a portable storage medium. The image processing apparatus according to claim 17 or 18,
An operation unit area in which the removable memory media reader or the removable memory media writer and the operation board are arranged is adjacent to a discharge confirmation area provided for confirming discharge of a sheet-like recording medium output from the image processing apparatus. An image processing apparatus characterized by being arranged in the form of The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 19,
An image processing apparatus, wherein the operation board and the operation means are arranged on an upper surface portion of the image processing apparatus.   21. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus has an image forming function of forming an image by an electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
An image processing apparatus, wherein the lower structure of the removable memory media reader or the removable memory media writer has a transparent portion that can visually recognize a recording medium discharged into the cylinder of the image forming apparatus. A method of using an image processing apparatus comprising a removable memory media reader or a removable memory media writer, and performing image processing by attaching a portable storage medium to the removable memory media reader or removable memory media writer,
Cover the portable storage medium with an open / close cover, and lock the open / close cover by fitting a latch member covered with a protective cover into a hole or recess provided in the open / close cover. When doing so, the movable shaft portion of the electromagnetic drive means movable in the fitting release direction integrally with the handle provided outside the protective cover is engaged with the latch member, together with the handle and the electromagnetic drive means. The latch member is movable in the fitting release direction,
At least during reading or writing of data with respect to the portable storage medium, the movement of the handle is not transmitted to the latch member by releasing the fitting of the movable shaft portion to the latch member by the operation of the electromagnetic driving means. The method of using the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handle is set to an idle feed state, the unlocking state by the operation of the handle is disabled, and the opening / closing cover is prevented from being opened. The method for using the image processing apparatus according to claim 23,
Before or after reading or writing data to or from the portable storage medium, the movable shaft portion is engaged with the latch member by the operation of the electromagnetic driving means to obtain a connected state of the handle and the latch member, and the handle A method of using an image processing apparatus, characterized in that the locked state can be released by an operation.

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