JP2007158646A - User interface device and image reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user interface device capable of improving user's convenience when various users use the device. <P>SOLUTION: The user interface device estimates an operational range for a user for an operation panel 10 and a reading portion 20 etc. The device performs an adjustment control such as the change in the relative position of the operation panel 10 to the user or change in the height of the reading portion 20, in response to the estimated operational range. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus such as a copying machine and a user interface apparatus used by various users.

  Examples of the user of the user interface device having a user interface part such as an image reading device (for example, a copying machine or a scanner device) include a child, a short person, and a person who uses a wheelchair on a daily basis. For such users, copying machines designed to be used by persons with a certain height are difficult to reach the place where the document is placed and the operation panel for operating instructions. Or the content displayed on the operation panel is difficult to see, which may be difficult to use.

In order to deal with such a problem, there is a technique for specifying a user using personal authentication information such as a fingerprint or an IC card and adjusting an operation panel or the like according to the specified user (for example, Patent Document 1). And 2).
JP 2002-370421 A JP 2003-337505 A

  However, according to the prior art, it is necessary to register personal identification information for identifying the user in advance in a copying machine or the like. Therefore, desirable control cannot be performed when personal identification information is not registered in a copier or the like that is placed in a place where there are many users who use the copier for the first time, such as a convenience store.

  In addition, in order for such a copying machine or the like to identify a user, the user needs to approach the copying machine or the like and cause the copying machine or the like to read a fingerprint or an IC card, so that the operability cannot be improved. Further, after the user approaches the copying machine or the like, it is necessary to wait until the copying machine or the like specifies the user and finishes the adjustment of the operation panel and the like, which is not convenient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its purposes is to provide a user interface device and an image reading device that can improve convenience when used by various users. .

  A user interface device according to the present invention for solving the above-described problem is a user interface device including an operation panel to be operated by a user, and is operable to estimate an operable range for the operation panel of the user. It includes range estimation means and operation panel control means for changing a relative position of the operation panel with respect to a user according to the estimated operable range.

  This makes it easy for the user to see or operate the operation panel by adjusting the position of the operation panel according to the operable range of the user regardless of whether the user is registered or not. User convenience can be improved.

  Further, in the user interface device, the operation panel control means changes a relative position with respect to the user by changing at least one of a height, a direction, and a distance from the user of the operation panel. It is good as well.

  The image reading apparatus according to the present invention is an image reading apparatus having a reading unit on which a document to be read is placed and reading the placed document, and a range in which a user can operate the reading unit. And a reading control means for changing the height of the reading unit in accordance with the estimated operable range.

  This makes it easier for the user to place a document on the reading unit by adjusting the height of the reading unit according to the user's operable range, regardless of whether the user is registered or not. Can improve convenience.

  Further, another image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a document placing glass on which a document to be read is placed, and a scanner that reads an image by scanning the document placed on the document placing glass. , An operable range estimating means for estimating an operable range of the user on the original placement glass, and an original on the original placement glass according to the estimated operable range. A reference position changing means for changing a mounting reference position serving as a reference for a position for mounting the image, and an image included in a predetermined area determined based on the mounting reference position among the images read by the scanner Image acquisition means for acquiring an image.

  This makes it easier for the user to place the document on the document placement glass by changing the placement reference position according to the user's operable range regardless of whether the user is registered or not. User convenience can be improved.

  The image reading apparatus may further include reference position display means for displaying information indicating the changed placement reference position when the reference position changing means changes the above-described placement reference position.

  Further, another image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes an original placing glass on which an original to be read is placed, and a cover that can be opened and closed so as to shield the original placing glass. And an operable range estimating means for estimating an operable range for the cover of the user, and a cover control means for restricting the movable range of the cover according to the estimated operable range. Features.

  This restricts the movable range of the cover according to the operable range of the user regardless of whether the user is registered, thereby preventing the cover from being too wide for the user to open and close. This can improve user convenience.

  Another user interface device according to the present invention includes a feature recognition unit for recognizing a user's physical feature and a range operated by the user based on the physical feature recognized by the feature recognition unit. And a changing means adapted to do so.

  Further, the user interface device has an operation unit for a user to give an operation instruction, and the changing means changes a range operated by the user by changing a position of the operation unit. It is good as well.

  The user interface device is provided in a reading device for reading an image on a document, and has a document placement portion on which a user places a document to be read by the reading device. The changing unit may change a range operated by a user by changing a position where the document is to be placed on the document placing unit.

  Further, the user interface device is provided in an image reading device having a document placement glass for placing a document and a cover that covers the document placement glass, and the changing means includes the cover It is good also as what changed the range which a user operates by changing the range to operate.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a case of a copying machine will be described as an example of the user interface device and the image reading device in the embodiment of the present invention.

  A copying machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an operation panel 10, a reading unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a camera 40, and a control unit 50, as shown in FIG. 1A shows a view of the copying machine 1 viewed from the front, and FIG. 1B shows a view of the copying machine 1 viewed from the right side.

  The operation panel 10 displays various types of information to the user and accepts information related to operation instructions from the user. As a specific example, the operation panel 10 includes a display area for displaying setting information relating to a copying method and the like, information relating to the state of the copying machine 1 to the user, and a touch sensor is overlaid on the display area. Yes. Thus, when the user touches the display area with his / her finger, the operation panel 10 can accept selection of various setting information and operation instruction commands for the copying machine 1 from the user. Alternatively, the operation panel 10 may include various operation buttons and the like together with the display area, and may receive an operation instruction by pressing the operation button from the user. The operation panel 10 is an example of an operation unit on which a user gives an operation instruction.

  In the present embodiment, the operation panel 10 is connected to the main body of the copier 1 by the operation panel drive unit 11, and the operation panel drive unit 11 is controlled by the control unit 50 as described later. 10 position is changed. The operation panel drive unit 11 includes, for example, a motor and a rack and pinion that change the height of the operation panel 10 in the vertical direction. In addition, the operation panel drive unit 11 includes a motor that rotates the operation panel 10 in a tilt direction and a rotation driven by the motor so that the support that supports the operation panel 10 can change the tilt angle of the operation panel 10. A pan head may be provided. Here, the tilt direction is a direction in which the elevation angle of the display area surface of the operation panel 10 is changed.

  The reading unit 20 places an original such as paper to be read, and reads the placed original as an image. Here, the reading unit 20 includes a document placement glass 21, a cover 22, and a scanner 24. Further, it is assumed that the reading unit 20 is placed on the reading unit mounting table 25.

  The document placement glass 21 is glass such as contact glass on which a document to be read is placed, and the glass surface is read by the scanner 24. The user can read the original to be copied by setting one of the four corners of the original to be copied to the predetermined placement reference position on the glass surface of the original placement glass 21. . The document placement glass 21 is an example of a document placement unit on which a user places a document to be read.

  The cover 22 is a member for shielding the original placing glass 21 when read by the scanner 24, and is connected to the main body of the reading unit 20 by a cover rotating unit 23 so that the user can manually open and close the cover. . Further, the cover rotating unit 23 opens and closes the cover 22 and regulates the movable range of the cover 22 by rotating based on the control of the control unit 50. The cover 22 may include an automatic document feeder (ADF) that sequentially sends a plurality of documents set on the cover 22 to a predetermined reading unit of the scanner 24.

  The scanner 24 reads an image by scanning a document placed on the glass surface of the document placement glass 21 or a document sent from the ADF provided to the cover 22. Then, the read image is output to the control unit 50.

  The image forming unit 30 forms a copy target image obtained by processing the image read by the scanner 24 as needed by the control unit 50 on a medium such as paper. As a result, the copying machine 1 can copy the document placed by the user.

  The camera 40 captures an image of a predetermined range around the copying machine 1 and outputs the obtained captured image to the control unit 50. In the present embodiment, the camera 40 is necessary for estimating the user's operable range for each part of the copying machine 1 by imaging the user approaching the copying machine 1 in order to use the copying machine 1. Information is provided to the control unit 50.

  The control unit 50 includes, for example, a CPU and the like, and controls each unit of the copying machine 1 described above. Further, by executing image processing for performing processing such as trimming on the scanned image read by the scanner 24 as necessary, a copy target image is generated and output to the image forming unit 30.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 50 estimates the operable range of the user for each part of the copying machine 1, and applies to each part of the copying machine 1 according to the information of the operable range obtained by the estimation. Perform various adjustment controls. The contents of this processing will be described below based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the user U approaches the copying machine 1 to use the copying machine 1, the control unit 50 acquires a captured image obtained by the camera 40 imaging a predetermined range (S1).

  Next, the control unit 50 estimates the operable range of the user U who intends to use the copying machine 1 by analyzing the captured image acquired by the process of S1 (S2). Here, as a specific example, the control unit 50 estimates the operable range of the user U by acquiring information (eye level information) related to the eye height of the user U.

  When the control unit 50 acquires eye level information, for example, the following is performed. First, the eye position of the user U is specified by performing image analysis such as face recognition processing on the captured image. Next, for the specified eye position, a height L with respect to a predetermined reference line that crosses the captured image in the horizontal direction is calculated. As an example, when the distance between the identified two eye positions and the reference line is L1 and L2, the eye height L with respect to the reference line is calculated as an average value of L1 and L2, for example, L = (L1 + L2 ) / 2. Note that L is a positive value when the eye position is above the reference line, and L is a negative value when the eye position is below the reference line.

  Here, it is assumed that the reference line on the captured image corresponds to a predetermined reference height with respect to the floor surface where the copying machine 1 is actually installed. The predetermined reference altitude is a predetermined altitude value based on a general adult eye height or the like. The control unit 50 calculates eye level information as a difference value with respect to the reference altitude based on the eye height L with respect to the reference line and information on the distance from the camera 40 to the user U at the time when the captured image is acquired. it can. The eye level information thus obtained represents the difference between the standard user eye height assumed by the standard state of the copying machine 1 and the actual user U eye height. ing.

  The control unit 50 may use a predetermined standard value as the distance from the camera 40 to the user U. For example, the control unit 50 captures the user U using a plurality of cameras installed at a predetermined interval. The distance may be calculated by doing so. Or you may acquire by the method of estimating based on the information regarding the focus shift | offset | difference of the to-be-photographed object in a captured image.

  Further, instead of specifying the position of the eyes of the user U, the control unit 50 specifies the eye level information based on the relationship of the positions of the eyes with respect to a standard face by specifying the position of the face by image analysis, for example. It is good also as acquiring.

  The control unit 50 that estimated the operable range by calculating the eye level information in the process of S2 then performs adjustment control for each unit of the copying machine 1 based on the estimated operable range (S3). That is, the range operated by the user of the copying machine 1 is changed based on the physical features recognized by the above-described processing. Note that when the absolute value of the eye level information is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the eye height of the user U is within a certain range from the reference altitude, so the control unit 50 does not perform adjustment control. It is good as well.

  As a specific example, the control unit 50 performs at least one of a plurality of controls described below as adjustment control based on the eye level information.

  As an example of the first adjustment control, position change control of the operation panel 10 will be described. The control unit 50 controls the operation panel drive unit 11 to change the orientation or height of the operation panel 10 from the standard state by a change amount determined according to the value of the eye level information. Thereby, the relative position with respect to the user U of the operation panel 10 can be changed, and the operation panel 10 can be adjusted to the position where it is easy to see and operate for the user U. As a specific example, FIG. 3 shows a case where the orientation of the operation panel 10 is changed, and FIG. 4 shows a case where the height of the operation panel 10 is changed. In these drawings, the rectangles indicated by broken lines indicate the position of the operation panel 10 in the standard state before adjustment, and the arrows indicate the process of moving the operation panel 10. In FIG. 3, the direction of the operation panel 10 is changed downward so that the user U sitting in a wheelchair can easily view the display content of the operation panel 10. Further, in FIG. 4, the position of the operation panel 10 is changed so that the user U sitting in a wheelchair can easily operate.

  As an example of the second adjustment control, altitude control of the reading unit 20 will be described. The control unit 50 controls the reading unit mounting table 25 to change the height of the reading unit 20 from the standard state by the amount of change determined according to the value of the eye level information. Accordingly, the height of the reading unit 20 can be adjusted so that the user U can easily place the document on the reading unit 20 or collect the document after the reading unit 20 has read the document. As a specific example, FIG. 5 shows the copying machine 1 in a state in which the altitude of the reading unit 20 is lowered according to the user U sitting in a wheelchair.

  As an example of the third adjustment control, the placement reference position change control will be described with reference to FIG. 6 which is a view of the document placement glass 21 as viewed from above. Here, the reference placement position in the standard state on the document placement glass 21 is set to a point P on the far left side as shown in FIG. Suppose that it is done. In a normal case, the user places the document on the document placing glass 21 so that one end of the four corners of the document coincides with the point P.

  Here, when the control unit 50 estimates that the value of the eye level information is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and thus the eye height of the user U is at a position lower than the predetermined altitude, the mounting reference position is set to the left side, for example. Change to the previous point Q. Thereby, the user U can place the document on the front side of the document placing glass 21 as shown in the example of FIG. 6 so that one end of the four corners of the document coincides with the point Q. Therefore, for example, the user U sitting in a wheelchair can easily place the document as compared with the case where the document is aligned with the back side where the line of sight or the hand is difficult to reach.

  When the placement reference position is changed, the control unit 50 may display information indicating that the placement reference position has been changed or information indicating the changed placement reference position. This prevents the user from wondering where to place the document on the document placement glass 21. As a specific example, the control unit 50 may display information representing the placement reference position on the operation panel 10, but may display the information on the document placement glass 21. In the example of FIG. 6, the control unit 50 displays that the placement reference position has been changed to the point Q by turning on the lamp L when the placement reference position is changed. Further, control such as displaying an arrow mark instead of the lamp L may be performed.

  As an example of the fourth adjustment control, the movable range control of the cover 22 will be described. In the standard state, as shown in FIG. 1, when the cover 22 is open, for example, the user U sitting in a wheelchair cannot reach the cover 22 and cannot close the cover 22. In such a case, the control unit 50 controls the cover rotating unit 23 so that the cover 22 is closed to an angle determined according to the eye level information as shown in the example of FIG. Let Thus, for example, when the user U wants to place a document on the document placement glass 21, the user U can place the document as it is and close the cover 22. When it is desired to place a document on the ADF on the cover 22 and read it, the document can be placed on the ADF after the cover 22 within the reach of the cover is closed by hand.

  Further, the control unit 50 controls the cover rotating unit 23 to restrict the movable range of the cover 22 so that the cover 22 can be opened only to an angle θ determined according to the eye level information. For example, the maximum angle (maximum opening) θ that is opened in advance is determined in a stepwise manner in association with the eye level range indicated by the eye level information. And in order to regulate the rotation angle of the cover rotation part 23 in each maximum opening degree θ set in steps, a convex part is provided in the radial direction of the rotation axis of the cover rotation part 23, For example, a pin that reciprocates between a position that contacts the convex portion at a position corresponding to the maximum opening and a position that does not contact the convex portion by a solenoid or the like is provided. Then, the pin corresponding to the maximum opening degree to be regulated may be moved to a position where it abuts on the convex portion to regulate the rotation range.

  Accordingly, even when the user U opens the cover 22 by hand, the cover 22 is controlled so as not to be opened beyond a certain angle, and the cover 22 can be prevented from being opened to the extent that the user U cannot reach. For example, in the example of FIG. 7, control is performed so that the angle of the cover 22 with respect to the document placement glass 21 opens and closes within a movable range from 0 degree to the maximum opening degree θ degree. As a result, it is possible to control the opening so as not to exceed the above-mentioned θ degree, thereby preventing the user U from reaching the hand.

  Adjustment control as in the example described above can be performed after the user enters the field of view of the camera 40 and before standing in front of the copier 1. Therefore, the copying machine 1 can perform adjustment control before the user is ready to use the copying machine 1, and can control each part to be easy for the user to use without waiting for the user.

  In addition, when performing the adjustment control, the control unit 50 displays information indicating that the adjustment control is being performed on the operation panel 10, or provides voice information indicating that the adjustment control is being performed from a speaker (not shown). It is good also as making it output. As a result, the user is not surprised and the user can use the copier 1 with peace of mind.

  When the adjustment control is completed, the copying machine 1 copies the document based on the instruction operation of the user U (S4). Here, when the scanner 24 copies an image obtained by reading the glass surface of the document placement glass 21, the control unit 50 determines the placement reference position after the change and the document size among the read images. Thus, an image included in the predetermined area is acquired as a copy target image by trimming processing. Then, by outputting the image to be copied to the image forming unit 30, it is possible to copy the document placed in accordance with the placement reference position.

  In addition, after the user finishes copying the document, the control unit 50 performs adjustment control such as the position of the operation panel 10, the altitude of the reading unit 20, and the placement reference position of the document placement glass 21. You may perform control which returns each part to a standard state. As a result, the copying machine 1 returns to a state that is easy for a user who is assumed to have a standard eye height.

  Specifically, the control unit 50 determines that the user's work has been completed based on the following conditions, for example. That is, when a time during which no instruction operation is performed on the operation panel 10 continues for a predetermined time or more, a setting clear command for returning the setting information to the standard state, an instruction operation indicating work completion, or the like is performed from the user to the operation panel 10. This is the case. Or it is good also as performing control which returns to a standard state, when it detects that the user has gone out of the visual field of the camera 40 by analyzing the captured image of the camera 40. FIG. Furthermore, it is good also as performing control which returns to a standard state, when the state from which the user remove | deviated from the visual field of the camera 40 continued for a fixed time.

  In the above description, the eye level information is used to estimate the operable range of the user U. However, this is an example of processing for recognizing the physical characteristics of the user, and the control unit 50 May estimate the operable range by acquiring other information. For example, the control part 50 is good also as acquiring the information regarding the height which the user U can reach by analyzing the image picked up by the camera 40 and specifying the position of the user's shoulder. Further, for example, information on the height of the user U may be acquired by using a sensor such as an infrared sensor instead of the camera 40.

  In addition, the control unit 50 obtains a plurality of types of information for estimating the operable range, and uses them in combination, so that the amount of change in the position of the operation panel 10, the reading unit 20, and the cover 22 in the adjustment control can be determined. It can also be determined. Further, for example, the orientation of the operation panel 10 is changed according to the eye level information, and the height of the reading unit 20 and the movable range of the cover 22 are adjusted according to information on the reachable height. Adjustment control may be performed according to information.

  Further, the copying machine according to the present embodiment is not limited to the structure as described above. For example, as shown in the example of FIG. 8, in the case of a copying machine in which the operation panel 10 is installed sideways in the standard state, the direction of the operation panel 10 is indicated by an arrow in the drawing according to the user's operable range. It may be changed to. Alternatively, as shown in the example of FIG. 9, when the operation panel 10 placed vertically is moved along the slope and the height is changed by the operation panel drive unit 11, the distance from the user U also changes. It is good also as controlling to do. By controlling the depth in this way, for example, for a user who is assumed to be tall and therefore have a long hand length, various distances from the user of the operation panel 10 can be obtained. It is easy to operate for users with high height.

  According to the present embodiment described above, without registering information about the user in advance, the operation panel, the reading unit, the placement reference position on the document placement glass, according to the operable range of the user, By performing adjustment control of the cover or the like, each part can be adjusted to a state that is easy for various users to use, and convenience for the user can be improved. Further, in the adjustment, each part can be adjusted without requiring a user to perform a special instruction operation.

  Further, the contents of the adjustment control described above may be used in appropriate combination.

  In the above description, the case of a copying machine has been described as an example of a user interface device. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and an operation unit that is a target of operation by a user such as a keyboard. It is applicable to an information processing device (user interface device) including The user interface device may be an independent unit device that is provided in an image reading device such as a copying machine and controls the image reading device.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a copying machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart showing an example of the control processing which the control part 50 performs. 2 is a side view of the copying machine 1 when control for changing the direction of an operation panel 10 is performed. FIG. 3 is a side view of the copying machine 1 when control for changing the height of an operation panel 10 is performed. FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the copying machine 1 when control for changing the height of a reading unit 20 is performed. It is a figure showing the state which looked at the original placement glass 21 from the top. 3 is a side view of the copying machine 1 when control for changing the position of a cover 22 is performed. FIG. It is a figure showing an example of the control which changes the direction of the operation panel of a copying machine. It is a figure showing an example of control which changes the height of the operation panel of a copying machine, and the distance from a user.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier, 10 Operation panel, 11 Operation panel drive part, 20 Reading part, 21 Original mounting glass, 22 Cover, 23 Cover rotation part, 24 Scanner, 25 Reading part mounting base, 30 Image formation part, 40 Camera, 50 Control unit.

Claims (10)

In a user interface device including an operation panel to be operated by a user,
Operable range estimating means for estimating an operable range for the operation panel of the user;
An operation panel control means for changing a relative position of the operation panel with respect to a user according to the estimated operable range;
A user interface device comprising: The user interface device according to claim 1,
The operation panel control means changes a relative position with respect to a user by changing at least one of a height, an orientation, and a distance from the user of the operation panel. . In an image reading apparatus provided with a reading unit on which a document to be read is placed and reading the placed document,
Operable range estimating means for estimating an operable range for the reading unit of the user;
Read control means for changing the height of the reading unit according to the estimated operable range;
An image reading apparatus comprising: An image reading apparatus comprising: a document placement glass on which a document to be read is placed; and a scanner that reads an image by scanning the document placed on the document placement glass.
Operable range estimating means for estimating an operable range for the document placement glass of the user;
Reference position changing means for changing a placement reference position serving as a reference of a position on which the document is placed on the document placement glass according to the estimated operable range;
Image acquisition means for acquiring, as an image to be copied, an image included in a predetermined area determined based on the above-described reference position among the images read by the scanner;
An image reading apparatus comprising: The image reading apparatus according to claim 4.
An image reading apparatus, further comprising reference position display means for displaying information indicating the changed placement reference position when the reference position changing means changes the placement reference position. In an image reading apparatus comprising a document placement glass on which a document to be read is placed, and a cover that can be opened and closed to shield the document placement glass,
Operable range estimating means for estimating an operable range for the cover of the user;
Cover control means for restricting the movable range of the cover according to the estimated operable range;
An image reading apparatus comprising: A feature recognition means for recognizing a user's physical features;
A changing unit configured to change a range operated by the user based on the physical feature recognized by the feature recognizing unit;
A user interface device. The user interface device of claim 7, wherein
Furthermore, the user has an operation unit for giving an operation instruction,
The user interface device, wherein the changing means changes a range operated by a user by changing a position of the operation unit. The user interface device of claim 7, wherein
The user interface device is provided in a reading device for reading an image on a document,
A document placement unit on which a user places a document to be read by the reader;
The change means is a user interface device that changes a range operated by a user by changing a position where a document is to be placed on the document placement unit. The user interface device of claim 7, wherein
The user interface device is provided in an image reading apparatus having a document placement glass for placing a document and a cover covering the document placement glass,
The change means is a user interface device that changes a range operated by a user by changing a range operated by the cover.

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