JP2007287440A - Input device and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device which reduces the number of keys required for numeric value input and enables a desired value to be input easily without increasing a key depression frequency and an input time. <P>SOLUTION: This input device comprises a number of switches 4781 to be turned on at depression, a depression button 4782 provided in a way that it covers the switches 4781 and capable of changing an area for depressing the switches 4781 depending on an amount of depression by the operator to change the number of switches to be turned on, a counter for counting the number of switches 4781 to be turned on by the depression button 4782, and an input value acceptor for accepting an input value based on the count value of the counter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device that accepts numerical input from an operator, and an image forming apparatus including the input device.

Conventionally, an electronic apparatus such as an image forming apparatus has been provided with an input device for inputting a numerical value of the number of copies from an operator. This input device is often provided with a numeric keypad that accepts numeric input from an operator. In the case of this numeric keypad, a large number of keys are required to enable the input of many numeric values (for example, 10 keys from 0 to 9), the operator must also operate many keys. Therefore, as shown in the following Patent Document 1, a touch panel is provided, a pressing force received from an operator with respect to the touch panel is detected, and an input of a numerical value corresponding to the pressing force is received, and a key necessary for numerical input Devices with a reduced number of have been proposed.
JP-A-4-106614

  However, when a configuration that accepts input of numerical values according to the pressing force is adopted as in the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the operator wants to input desired numerical values, the operator operates the touch panel with high accuracy. Since the pressing force needs to be changed, there is a problem that an operation for inputting a desired numerical value becomes difficult. In addition, an input device that accepts input of numerical values according to the length of time for which a key is pressed has been proposed, but in this device as well, in order to input a desired numerical value, an operator operates the touch panel with high accuracy. It is necessary to change the pressing time and operation is difficult. Furthermore, an input device that accepts input of numerical values corresponding to the number of times the key is pressed has been proposed. In this device, the operator increases the number of times the key is pressed to input a large numerical value. There is a problem that it takes a long time.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. The number of keys required for numerical input is small, and a desired operation can be achieved with a simple operation without increasing the number of key presses and input time. The purpose is to make it possible to input numerical values.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a plurality of switches that are turned on upon being pressed,
A pressing unit that is provided in a state of covering the plurality of switches, changes an area where the switch is pressed according to a pressing amount by an operator, and changes the number of switches that are turned on,
Counting means for counting the number of the switches that are turned on by the pressing means;
And an input value receiving means for receiving an input value based on the count value by the counting means.

  According to this configuration, when the pressing means is pressed by an operation by the operator, the area where the pressing means presses the switch changes according to the amount of pressing, and the number of switches that are turned on differs. Depending on the amount of pressing, the number of switches counted by the counting means differs, and the input value accepted by the input value accepting means can be changed. This is not to directly detect the key pressing force by the operator as in the prior art, but to accept the input value from the count value based on the switch pressing area of the pressing means that changes according to the pressing amount of the operator. Therefore, it is possible to input a desired numerical value with a simple operation without requiring a highly accurate key operation to input the desired numerical value.

The invention according to claim 2 is the input device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing means increases as the amount of pressing increases and the area for pressing the switch increases and turns on. It is assumed that the number of switches in the state increases,
The input value receiving means uses the maximum value of the count value by the counting means as an input value when the operator pushes the pressing means once.

  According to this configuration, the input value receiving means selects the maximum value as the input value from the count value that changes according to the change in the pressing amount when the operator presses the pressing means once. As a result, the operator can recognize the count value when it is most depressed as an input value, so that an operation for specifying the input value is simplified.

  Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the input value receiving means has a predetermined amount of count value counted by the counting means. The input value to be accepted is changed every time only the change is made.

  In this configuration, the input value is not controlled one by one in accordance with the change of each switch to the ON state, and the input value receiving means receives the input every time the count value changes by a predetermined amount. The value changes. According to this, since the change range of the input value according to the change amount of the count value can be changed, the relationship between the input amount of the pressing means by the operator and the input value can be adjusted.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pressing means has a shape in which an area for pressing the switch differs according to the amount of pressing. It is what has.

  In this configuration, the shape of the pressing means is such that the switch pressing area varies depending on the amount of pressing by the operator. This makes it possible to change the input value according to the amount of pressing by the operator without complicating the switch layout and design.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the number of the plurality of switches is pressed according to the amount of pressing by the pressing means. It has a different configuration.

  In this configuration, the number of the switches that are pressed according to the amount of pressing by the operator is different. Thus, the input value can be changed according to the amount of pressing by the operator without complicating the shape and design of the pressing member.

The invention according to claim 6 is the input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a keyboard for inputting a numerical value by the operator,
The input value receiving means adds or subtracts an input value received based on the count value to a numerical value input from the keyboard, and receives the numerical value after the addition or subtraction as a final input value It is.

  According to this configuration, the input value receiving means receives the numerical value obtained by adding or subtracting the input value received based on the count value as the final input value with respect to the numerical value input from the keyboard. The person can input a desired numerical value by combining the input from the keyboard and the input from the pressing means, and is excellent in the convenience of operation.

The invention according to claim 7 is the input device according to claim 1 to claim 6, wherein each of the switches includes a light emitting unit that emits light when turned on.
The pressing means is made of a material that transmits light emitted from the light emitting means.

  In this configuration, when the operator depresses the pressing means and the switch of the switch means is turned on, the light emitting means of each switch that has been turned on emits light, and this light emission passes through the pressing means and is visually recognized by the operator. Therefore, the operator can recognize the ON state of each switch. This makes it easier for the operator to grasp the relationship between the pressing amount of the pressing means and the input value received by the input value receiving means according to this, so that the operability is improved.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including any one of the input devices according to the first to seventh aspects.

  According to this configuration, the operation of any one of the input devices according to claims 1 to 7 can be obtained in numerical input to the image forming apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the count value based on the switch pressing area of the pressing means that changes according to the pressing amount of the operator, instead of directly detecting the pressing force of the key by the operator as in the prior art. Since the input value is received from the above, it is possible to input a desired numerical value with a simple operation without requiring a highly accurate key operation to input the desired numerical value. Furthermore, the number of keys required for realizing the input of a desired numerical value by the simple operation is small, and the number of key presses does not increase and the input time does not increase.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the operator can recognize the count value when it is most depressed as the input value, so that the operation for specifying the input value is simplified.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the relationship between the input amount and the pressing amount of the pressing means by the operator can be adjusted by changing the width of the input value change according to the change amount of the count value. it can.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to change the input value according to the push amount by the operator without complicating the arrangement and design of the switch.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the input value can be changed according to the amount of pressing by the operator without complicating the shape and design of the pressing member.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, since the operator can input a desired numerical value by combining the input from the keyboard and the input from the pressing means, the operational convenience is further improved.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since the operator can visually recognize the light emission associated with each switch being turned on, the pressing amount of the pressing means and the input received by the input value receiving means in accordance with the pressing amount. It becomes easy to grasp the relationship with the value, and the operability is improved.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the effect obtained by the input device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects can also be achieved in the numerical value input to the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an input device and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. The multifunction device 1 has functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The multi-function device 1 includes a main body 2, a stack tray 3 disposed on the left side of the main body 2, a document reading unit 5 disposed on the top of the main body 2, and an upper side of the document reading unit 5. And a document feeding unit 6 disposed.

  An operation unit 47 is provided at the front part of the multifunction machine 1. The operation unit 47 displays a start key 471 for an operator to input a print execution instruction, a numeric keypad 472 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, operation guide information for various copying operations, and the like. A display unit 473 formed of a liquid crystal display or the like having a touch panel function for input, a reset key 474 for resetting setting contents set on the display unit 473, and a stop for stopping a printing (image forming) operation being executed. A key 475, a function switching key 477 for switching between a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, and a numerical value input unit 478 for inputting numerical values are provided.

  The document reading unit 5 includes a scanner unit 51 including a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor and an exposure lamp, and a document table 52 and a document reading slit 53 made of a transparent member such as glass. The scanner unit 51 is configured to be movable by a drive unit (not shown). When reading a document placed on the document table 52, the scanner unit 51 is moved along the document surface at a position facing the document table 52, and the document image is scanned. The image data acquired while scanning is output to the control unit 101 (FIG. 2). Further, when reading a document fed by the document feeding unit 6, the document is moved to a position facing the document reading slit 53 and synchronized with the document feeding operation by the document feeding unit 6 via the document reading slit 53. The image of the original is acquired and the image data is output to the control unit 101.

  The document feeding unit 6 includes a document placing unit 61 for placing a document, a document discharge unit 62 for discharging a document whose image has been read, and a document placed on the document placing unit 61. A document transport mechanism 63 including a paper feed roller (not shown), a transport roller (not shown) and the like for feeding the paper one by one to a position facing the document reading slit 53 and discharging it to the document discharge section 62 is provided. The document conveyance mechanism 63 further includes a sheet reversing mechanism (not shown) that reverses the document and reversely conveys the document to a position facing the document reading slit 53, and scans both sides of the document through the document reading slit 53. 51 can be read.

  The document feeding unit 6 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body unit 2 so that the front side thereof can move upward. By moving the front side of the document feeder 6 upward to open the upper surface of the document table 52, the operator can place a read document, for example, a book in a spread state, on the upper surface of the document table 52. It has become.

  The main body 2 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 461, a paper feed roller 462 that feeds the recording paper from the paper feed cassette 461 one by one and transports it to the recording unit 40, and a recording paper transported from the paper feed cassette 461. And a recording unit 40 for forming an image.

  The recording unit 40 outputs an optical beam or the like based on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 51 to expose the photosensitive drum 43, and a developing unit 44 that forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 43. A transfer unit 41 for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 43 to the recording paper, a fixing unit 45 for fixing the toner image to the recording paper by heating the recording paper to which the toner image has been transferred, Conveying rollers 463 and 464 that are provided in the sheet conveying path and convey the recording sheet to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 48 are provided.

  When forming images on both sides of the recording paper, the recording unit 40 forms an image on one side of the recording paper, and then the recording paper is nipped by the conveyance roller 463 on the discharge tray 48 side. . In this state, the conveyance roller 463 is reversed to switch back the recording paper, and the recording paper is sent to the paper conveyance path L and conveyed again to the upstream area of the recording unit 40, and an image is formed on the other surface by the recording unit 40. Thereafter, the recording paper is discharged to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 48.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of the internal configuration of the multifunction device 1. The multifunction device 1 includes a control unit 100 that controls the operation of each unit of the apparatus, a document reading unit 5, an image memory 120 that temporarily stores data of a document image read by the document reading unit 5, and a recording unit 40. And an operation unit 47.

  In addition, the multifunction machine 1 includes a facsimile communication unit 140, an HDD 170, and a data transmission / reception unit 180. The facsimile communication unit 140 executes various functions necessary for facsimile communication and receives image data from the external facsimile apparatus 80 through the public line 81. The HDD 170 stores image data read by the document reading unit 5. The data transmission / reception unit 180 receives data to be recorded by the recording unit 40 from a personal computer connected to the network via an intranet or a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The operation unit 47 includes a numeric keypad 472, a display unit 473, a numerical value input unit 478, and an operation key unit 479. The display unit 473 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. The operation key unit 476 includes a start key 471, a reset key 474, a stop key 475, a function switching key 477, and the like. The numerical value input unit 478 includes a plurality of switches 4781 and a push button (press means) 4782. The switch 4781 is turned on when pressed by the push button 4782, and outputs a signal indicating that the switch 4781 is turned on to the count unit 102. The push button 4782 is provided so as to cover all of the plurality of switches 4781, and the number of switches 4781 to be turned on varies depending on the amount of pressing by the operator, and the area where the plurality of switches 4781 are pressed changes. Are supposed to be different.

  The control unit 100 includes a control unit 101, a count unit 102, and an input value reception unit 103. The control unit 101 controls operation of each unit of the apparatus. The counting unit (counting unit) 102 is composed of, for example, a counter, and counts the number of switches 4781 that are turned on when pressed by the push button 4782 based on the output from each switch 4781. The input value receiving unit (input value receiving unit) 103 receives an input value based on the count value of the count unit 102 (the number of switches 4781 that are turned on). Details of the input value receiving process based on the count value by the input value receiving unit 103 will be described later. For example, when the input value receiving unit 103 receives a numerical value indicating the number of copies as an input value, the input value receiving unit 103 outputs the input value to the control unit 101. Based on the input value, the control unit 101 controls the operation of the recording unit 40 to form an image on the designated number of recording sheets.

  Further, the multifunction device 1 includes an image processing unit 190 that performs editing / processing (encoding / decoding processing, enlargement / reduction processing, compression / decompression processing) processing, etc., on the image data read by the document reading unit 5. Yes. The image processing unit 190 also performs a process of erasing a part of the image data read by the document reading unit 5 based on an instruction from the control unit 101.

  The input device according to the present invention includes a numerical value input unit 478, a count unit 102, and an input value reception unit 103. When a numerical value obtained by adding up input values from a numeric keypad 472, which will be described later, is received as a final input value, the input device according to the present invention further includes a numeric keypad 472.

  Next, the numerical value input unit 478 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of the numerical value input unit 478. As will be described later, the numerical value input unit 478 is disposed in a state where a part of the push button 4782 is in contact with the upper part of the switch 4781 in the specific row. However, in FIG. The switch 4781 and the push button 4782 are illustrated in a state where the distance is larger than the state in which the switch 1 is loaded in the multifunction device 1. Further, the size and number of the switches 4781 are not limited to the contents shown in FIG.

  The numerical value input unit 478 includes a plurality of switches 4781 and a push button 4782 as described above. A plurality of switches 4781 are arranged in the X direction and the Y direction in FIG. The upper part of each switch 4781 has substantially the same height. FIG. 4 shows an example of the switch 4781 that is turned on by being pushed from above by an operator and that outputs an on signal to the counting unit 102 when turned on. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the switch 4781 side arranged in the row a is the front side of the multifunction device 1 (operator side operating the multifunction device 1), and the switch 4781 side arranged in the row e is the back side of the multifunction device 1. is there.

  The push button 4782 has a facing surface facing each switch 4781 arranged in the row a as a plane 4782a parallel to the plane formed at the top of each switch 4781. The push button 4782 has an inclined surface 4782b that inclines in the Z direction from the surface facing each switch 4781 arranged in the b row to the surface facing each switch 4781 arranged in the c row, d row, e row,. It is said that.

  The push button 4782 is configured to be movable in the −Z direction. The push button 4782 is provided so that all parts of the push button 4782 including the plane 4782a and the inclined surface 4782b move in the −Z direction with an equal amount of movement, regardless of which part is pushed by the operator. ing. Further, in the initial state, the push button 4782 has a flat surface 4784a that contacts the upper part of each switch 4781 arranged in the a row, and the inclined surface 4782b is arranged in each of the b row, c row, d row, and e row. The upper part of each switch 4781 is provided in a state of not contacting.

  The push-in stroke of the switch 4781 in each row is set so that, for example, the push-in stroke of the switch 4781 becomes deeper from the e row toward the a row, and the switch 4781 in each row is set to the last row (the a row is the first row). The switches 4781 in each row are set so as to be turned on when pressed down until the respective switches 4781 arranged in the order of e.

  In the initial state, the switches 4781 in any row are not in the on state, and when the push button 4782 is pushed in the −Z direction by the operator, first, the switches 4781 arranged in the a row are pushed down, and the push amount in the −Z direction Is increased in sequence, the upper part of the switch 4781 arranged in each of the columns b, c, d, e,. For this reason, the switch 4781 of each column is turned on in the order of the a column, the b column, the c column, the d column, and the e column in accordance with an increase in the pressing amount of the push button 4782 in the −Z direction by the operator. It becomes.

  In other words, the push button 4782 increases the area where the switch 4781 is pushed down as the push amount by the operation manual increases, and the row of switches 4781 (the number of switches 4781) to be turned on increases. Yes.

  Next, a first embodiment of numerical value input processing from the numerical value input unit 478 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of processing when a numerical value is input from the numerical value input unit 478. When the operator depresses the push button 4782 of the numerical value input unit 478 and an ON signal is output from any one of the switches 4781 to the count unit 102 (YES in S1), the count unit 102 transmits the signal from each switch 4781. The number of ON signals that have been received is counted (S2). Subsequently, the input value receiving unit 103, for example, an input corresponding to the count value of the count unit 102 based on a data table stored in the HDD 170 and storing the correspondence between the count value of the count unit 102 and the input value. A value is specified (S3), and the specified input value is received (S4). For example, the input value accepting unit 103 selects the maximum value of the count value by the counting unit 102 and specifies and accepts the input value corresponding to the maximum value when the operator presses the push button 4782 once. To.

  An example of the data table is shown in FIG. For example, when the operator has not pressed the push button 4782, the switches 4781 in any column are not in the on state, and the count value is 0, the input value is 0. When the operator starts to push the push button 4782 in the −Z direction and the switch 4781 arranged in the row a shown in FIG. 4 is pressed, the input value is set to 1. In FIG. 6, the count value corresponding to the input value 1 is 1 to 4 and has a width. This is because (1) not all of the switches 4781 in each column are always turned on due to the operation of the push button 4782 by the operator, and (2) the change of the input value with respect to the pressing amount is considered. This is because it is easy to make the push-down operation of the push button 4782 by the operator to specify the input value loose. Thereafter, similarly, the input value 2 for the count values 5 to 8, the input value 3 for the count values 9 to 12, The input value is specified by the input value receiving unit 103 such that the input value is 4 for the values 13 to 16, the input value is 5 for the count values 17 to 20, and so on.

  Note that the correspondence between the count value and the input value and the width of the count value in the data table shown in FIG. 6 are merely examples. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the input value 0 for the count value 0, the input value 1 for the count value 4, the input value 2 for the count value 8, the input value 3 for the count value 12, and the count When all the switches 4781 in each column are turned on, such as the input value 4 for the value 16, the input value 5 for the count value 20, and the like, the corresponding input value is specified. It is good also as a correspondence which does not give width to a count value.

  Furthermore, only one switch 4781 is provided for each of the columns a, b, c, d, e,..., And the correspondence between the count value of the data table and the input value is Input value 0, input value 1 for count value 1, input value 2 for count value 2, input value 3 for count value 3, input value 4 for count value 4, input value 4 for count value 5 Thus, the count value and the input value may be the same as the input value 5.

  Next, a second embodiment of numerical value input processing from the numerical value input unit 478 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the process when inputting a numerical value from the numerical value input unit 478. Note that the same processes as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the second embodiment, the input value receiving unit 103 specifies and receives an input value based on a combination of the operation of the push button 4782 of the numerical value input unit 478 and the operation of the numeric keypad 472 by the operator. It is.

  When a numeric value is input by an operation of the numeric keypad 472 by the operator (YES in S11), the input value receiving unit 103 receives a value input from the numeric keypad 472 (S12). Then, when the operator operates the push button 4782 of the numerical value input unit 478 and an ON signal is output from any one of the switches 4781 to the count unit 102, the input value receiving unit 103 inputs the input corresponding to the count value. A value is specified and accepted (S1 to S3). It should be noted that any of the processing based on the operation of the numeric keypad 472 indicated by S11 and S12 and the processing based on the operation of the numerical value input unit 478 indicated by S1 to S3 may be performed first.

  Subsequently, the input value receiving unit 103 determines whether at least one of the input value from the numeric keypad 472 or the input value from the numerical value input unit 478 is received (S13). When both the input value from the numeric keypad 472 and the input value from the numerical value input unit 478 are not received (YES in S13), the input value receiving unit 103 does not receive the input value. The process returns to S11.

  On the other hand, when both the input value from the numeric keypad 472 and the input value from the numeric value input unit 478 are received (YES in S13), the input value reception unit 103 receives the input value from the numeric keypad 472 and the numeric value input unit. The input values from 478 are added together (S14), and this added value is accepted as the final input value (S15). For example, (1) a value obtained by adding an input value from the numeric keypad 472 and an input value from the numeric value input unit 478 is used as a final input value, or (2) a numeric value input unit 478 is obtained from the input value from the numeric keypad 472. The value obtained by subtracting the input value is used as the final input value. Also, (3) a value obtained by subtracting the input value of the numeric keypad 472 from the input value from the numerical value input unit 478 may be used as the final input value.

  When only one of the input value from the numeric keypad 472 or the input value from the numerical value input unit 478 is accepted (YES in S13), the input value accepting unit 103 is not accepted in S14. The above summation is performed with the other value set to 0.

  According to the processing of the first and second embodiments, the operator can input a desired numerical value with a simple operation without requiring high accuracy in the operation of inputting the desired numerical value. Further, the number of keys for realizing the desired numerical value input by the simple operation is small, and the number of times the key is pressed does not increase and the input time does not increase.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the embodiment described above, the number of the switches 4781 that are turned on varies depending on the amount of pressing of the push button 4782 by the operator because the push button 4782 of the numerical value input unit 478 has the flat surface 4784a and the inclined surface 4782b. As shown in FIG. 9, the numerical value input unit 478 ′ is arranged so that the upper height of the switch 4781 ′ arranged in the above-described a column to e column is different for each column. The shape of the push button 4782 ′ may be a flat plate shape. FIG. 9 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the numerical value input unit 478 ′. In this case, the pushing stroke of the switch 4781 ′ in each row is set so that the pushing stroke of the switch 4781 ′ becomes deeper from the e row to the a row, for example, and is pushed down to each switch 4781 ′ arranged in the last row. It is configured to be in an on state.

  In addition, the push buttons 4782 and 4782 ′ of the numerical value input units 478 and 478 ′ are made of a light transmissive material, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) etc. The light emitting unit may be provided, and the control unit 101 may cause the light emitting units of the switches 4781 and 4781 ′ that are turned on to emit light. In this case, since the operator can visually recognize that the switches 4781 and 4781 ′ are turned on, the operator can receive the push-down buttons 4882 and 4782 ′ and the input value receiving unit 103 accordingly. It becomes easy to grasp the relationship with the input value, and the operability is improved.

1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a figure which shows an operation part. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of a multifunction machine. It is a perspective view which shows the structure outline of a numerical value input part. It is a flowchart which shows 1st Embodiment of the process at the time of the numerical value input from a numerical value input part. It is a figure which shows the example of the data table in which the correspondence of the count value of a count part and an input value was memorize | stored. It is a figure which shows the example of the data table in which the correspondence of the count value of a count part and an input value was memorize | stored. It is a flowchart which shows 2nd Embodiment of the process at the time of the numerical value input from a numerical value input part. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the numerical value input part which concerns on other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Multifunction Machine 47 Operation Unit 478 Numerical Input Unit 4781, 4781 ′ Switch 4782, 4782 ′ Press Button 4782a Plane 4784b Inclined Surface 100 Control Unit 101 Control Unit 102 Count Unit 103 Input Value Accepting Unit

Claims (8)

A plurality of switches that are turned on in response to pressing,
A pressing unit that is provided in a state of covering the plurality of switches, changes an area where the switch is pressed according to a pressing amount by an operator, and changes the number of switches that are turned on,
Counting means for counting the number of the switches that are turned on by the pressing means;
An input device comprising input value receiving means for receiving an input value based on a count value obtained by the counting means. As the pressing amount increases, the pressing means increases the area for pressing the switch, and the number of switches that are turned on increases.
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input value accepting unit uses, as an input value, a maximum value of the count value by the counting unit when the operator pushes the pressing unit once.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input value receiving unit changes the received input value every time the count value counted by the counting unit changes by a predetermined amount.   The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pressing unit has a shape in which an area for pressing the switch differs according to the pressing amount.   The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of switches are configured such that the number of pressing is different depending on a pressing amount of the pressing unit. A keyboard for inputting numerical values by an operator;
The input value receiving means adds or subtracts an input value received based on the count value to a numerical value input from the keyboard, and receives the numerical value after the addition or subtraction as a final input value. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Each of the switches includes a light emitting means that emits light when turned on.
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing unit is made of a material that transmits light emitted from the light emitting unit.   An image forming apparatus comprising the input device according to claim 1.

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