JP2009171286A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system wherein, even when an external display device is mounted at any one of a plurality of positions on an image forming apparatus, a display screen of the external display device is settled within a field of view of a user of the image forming apparatus, so that an image or the like being displayed on the display screen becomes easy to watch for the user. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming system 100 includes: an image forming apparatus 102 that is a multifunction machine of an electronic photograph system to function as a copier, printer and facsimile; and an external display device 110 as a display integrated touch panel device that can be mounted at both two connecting positions provided in the image forming apparatus 102 and operates as an auxiliary system, for the image forming apparatus 102, which displays an image for a user and accepts operation, from the user, based on the image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, and more particularly to an image forming system in which an external display device is installed in an image forming apparatus and a user operates the image forming apparatus via the external display device.

  In recent years, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), which is installed in a convenience store and has functions such as a printer, a scanner, a copy, and a fax machine, and a function that allows a user to view images taken with a digital camera There can be seen a configuration in which an external display device that is a display-integrated touch panel device having a function for instructing image printing and the like is provided.

  Conventionally, there are many cases where the external display device is fixedly connected to only one of the right side and the left side of the MFP. However, it is desirable that an external display device can be connected to the right and left of the MFP flexibly depending on the usage status of the MFP and the surrounding space.

In view of this, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 discloses a technique that can attach an operation panel to be attached to the outside of the image forming apparatus at a plurality of positions of the image forming apparatus. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, an operation panel that is an external display device including a flat housing having a rectangular parallelepiped shape can be attached to a plurality of positions of the image forming apparatus. In addition, regardless of whether the image forming apparatus is installed in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction with respect to the ground, the characters on the operation panel are displayed in a direction that is easy for the user to read according to the direction in which the image forming apparatus is installed. Is controlled.
JP-A-6-320836

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the back side of the display surface of the operation panel having a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape is installed along the outer surface of the image forming apparatus, the display surface of the operation panel is always the same as the outer surface of the image forming apparatus. It will face in the vertical direction. If the user wants to use the operation panel while using the image forming apparatus while standing in front of the image forming apparatus, the user must bother to move to a position where the display surface of the operation panel can be seen or bow down. . That is, the standing position when the user is standing in front of the image forming apparatus and operating the image forming apparatus may be different from the standing position when operating the operation panel. Need to change. That is very annoying for the user.

  In Patent Document 1, a rectangular operation panel is attached to a base so that it can be rotated about one side thereof, so that the display on the operation panel is easy to see. However, even in such a case, the rotation range of the display surface of the operation panel is limited, and depending on the installation position of the operation panel, it is suitable for a user whose display surface of the operation panel is standing in front of the image forming apparatus. There may be no.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to display the display surface of the external display device on the display surface even if the external display device is attached to any of the plurality of positions on the image forming device. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system for making it easy for a user to see a displayed image or the like.

  An image forming system according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image forming system using an image forming apparatus and an external display device having a predetermined viewing angle, and the image forming system includes a viewing angle range of the external display device. However, the support means for supporting the external display device at any of the plurality of locations related to the image forming apparatus so as to face the center side of the image forming apparatus, and the external display device within the plurality of locations by the support means An image displayed on the external display device stands upright when viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus according to a detection unit that detects where the image is supported and a position detected by the detection unit. Display rotation angle control means for controlling the display rotation angle of the image.

  The support unit supports the external display device at an arbitrary location among the plurality of locations related to the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the user of the image forming system can use a plurality of information related to the image forming device depending on the usage status of the image forming device. It is possible to flexibly select which of the above locations should support the external display device. Further, the detecting means can detect a place where the external display device is supported, and the display rotation angle control means can determine whether the image displayed by the external display device is upright according to the place detected by the detecting means. The display rotation angle of the image is controlled to do so. Therefore, when the user uses the image forming apparatus to which the external display device is attached, the image displayed on the external display device is easy for the user to see and the user can easily use the image forming apparatus and the external display device. . As a result, even if the external display device is attached to any of a plurality of positions on the image forming apparatus, the display surface of the external display device enters the field of view of the user of the image forming apparatus and the image displayed on the display surface, etc. It is possible to provide an image forming system that makes it easy for the user to see.

  Preferably, the support means includes a plurality of support portions that are respectively arranged at a plurality of locations and support the image forming apparatus such that the viewing angle of the external display device faces the center side of the image forming apparatus.

  The support means are arranged at a plurality of locations, respectively, and the viewing angle of the external display device faces the center side of the image forming apparatus, regardless of the location of the external display device. Therefore, when the user uses the image forming system, the user can view the image displayed by the external display device without changing the standing position while standing in front of the image forming apparatus.

  More preferably, the support means is disposed at each of a plurality of locations, each of which includes a plurality of support portions that support the image forming apparatus such that the viewing angle range of the external display device faces the center side of the image forming apparatus, and a plurality of support portions. A plurality of connection portions for providing an electrical connection between the external display device and the image forming apparatus when the external display device is connected to the corresponding support portion. Including. The detecting means detects where the external display device is supported in the plurality of locations by an electrical change caused by the connection of the external display device at the plurality of connection portions.

  The support means includes a plurality of connection portions for providing an electrical connection between the external display device and the image forming apparatus, and the detection means is electrically changed due to the connection of the external display device at the connection portion. Since it is detected where the external display device is connected on the image forming apparatus, the connection position of the external display device can be detected by a simple mechanism.

  More preferably, the external display device includes an operation unit and a medium connection unit to which an external storage medium is attached.

  Since the external display device has an operation unit and a medium connection unit, the user can operate the external display device, and can read data stored in the external storage medium on the external display device. Can do.

  More preferably, in response to receiving an instruction from the user from the operation unit, the external display device further reads out data stored in an external storage medium connected to the medium connection unit and transfers it to the image forming apparatus. Transfer means for transferring is included. The image forming apparatus forms and outputs an image based on the data transferred by the transfer unit.

  The external display device reads the data stored in the external storage medium connected to the medium connection unit and transfers it to the image forming device according to an instruction from the user, and the image forming device reads the image from the transferred data. Form and output. Therefore, if the external display device is supported by the image forming apparatus, the user can form and output an image of data stored in the external storage medium on the image forming apparatus.

  More preferably, the support means is provided in association with the image forming apparatus, and is a movable support that supports the external display device so that the viewing angle range of the external display device always faces the center side of the image forming device. Including means.

  The moving support means movably supports the external display device provided in association with the image forming apparatus, so that the user can change the position of the external display device depending on the usage status of the image forming apparatus. Can be determined. Further, the movement support means is such that the viewing angle range of the external display device provided in association with the image forming apparatus is always directed to the center side of the image forming apparatus, and the display rotation angle control means is the front portion of the image forming apparatus. Since the display angle of the external display device is controlled so that the image is in an upright state when viewed from above, when the user is standing in front of the image forming device and using the image forming device, the user The image displayed on the external display device can be viewed in the upright state without changing the standing position.

  More preferably, the moving support means has a first end portion rotatably attached around a rotation shaft provided on the image forming apparatus, and a viewing angle of the external display device faces a center side of the image forming apparatus. As described above, the external display device has a second end portion to which the external display device is fixed, and includes a support arm that rotates around the rotation axis.

  The user can flexibly determine how to rotate the support arm according to the usage status of the image forming apparatus, and can easily change the position of the external display device.

  More preferably, the image forming apparatus includes a main body portion of the image forming apparatus, and a document reading device disposed at an upper portion of the main body portion so as to form a gap between the upper portion of the main body portion. The rotating shaft is disposed between the main body portion and the document reading device, and the support arm is connected to the rotating shaft so as to be movable in the gap around the rotating shaft.

  The support arm is connected to the rotation shaft so as to be movable in the gap between the main body of the image forming apparatus and the document reading device around the rotation shaft. The support arm is disposed at a convenient position for the user's body, and the user can easily operate the support arm.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their functions and names are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[First Embodiment]
1 and 2 are views showing an external configuration of the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 102 that is an electrophotographic multifunction machine that functions as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, and two connection positions provided in the image forming apparatus 102. The display-integrated touch panel device that operates as an auxiliary system of the image forming apparatus 102 that can be attached to any of the above, displays an image to the user, and receives an operation from the user based on the image. Display device 110.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment. 1 to 3, an image forming apparatus 102 reads a color image of a document and outputs a RGB (R: Red, G: Green, B: Blue) analog image signal, and a document reading unit 104. The RGB analog image signal output by the document reading unit 104 is digitally processed, converted into a CMYK (C: cyan, M: magenta, Y: yellow, K: black) digital signal and output. 156. The image forming apparatus 102 is further installed below the document reading unit 104 and installed in front of the document reading unit 104 and an image forming unit 108 for forming a CMYK image output by the image processing unit 156 on a recording sheet. The operation panel 106 includes a display unit 120 and an operation unit 122 that are used when the user operates the image forming apparatus 102. The image forming apparatus 102 is further installed on the right side as viewed from the front in the document reading unit 104, and a first connection unit 114 for connecting the external display device 110 to the image forming apparatus 102, And a second connection unit 116 that is installed on the left side surface from the front and connects the external display device 110 to the image forming apparatus 102. The image forming apparatus 102 further includes a storage unit 152 for storing programs and the like, an operation panel 106, a document reading unit 104, an image processing unit 156, an image forming unit 108, a first connection unit 114, and a second connection. The control unit 150 includes a control unit 150 that is connected to the unit 116 and that realizes a general function as an image forming apparatus by executing a program stored in the storage unit 152.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, external display device 110 is arranged when housing 128 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape and almost the entire top surface of housing 128 operate external display device 110. An operation panel 112 including a display unit 124 and an operation unit 126, a memory card slot 118 for connecting a memory card, and a storage unit 160 for storing a program and the like are used. The external display device 110 is further connectable with the first connection portion 114 of the image forming apparatus 102, and a first connector 130 for providing an electrical connection between the image forming apparatus 102 and the external display device 110. And a second connector 132 that can be connected to the second connecting portion 116 and provides an electrical connection between the image forming apparatus 102 and the external display apparatus 110.

  One of the connector pins of the first connection portion 114 is connected to the power supply potential. One connector pin of the first connector 130 is connected to the power supply potential via the connector pin described above when the first connector 130 is connected to the first connection portion 114. The connector pin is connected to the ground potential via a resistor. Therefore, the potential of this connector pin of the first connector 130 is at a high level while the first connector 130 is connected to the first connection portion 114, and the first connector 130 is connected to the first connection portion 114. While it is not connected to, it goes low.

  Similarly, one of the connector pins of the second connection portion 116 is connected to the power supply potential. One connector pin of the second connector 132 is connected to the power supply potential via the connector pin described above when the second connector 132 is connected to the second connection portion 116. The connector pin is connected to the ground potential via a resistor. Therefore, the potential of this connector pin of the second connector 132 is at a high level while the second connector 132 is connected to the second connection portion 116, and the second connector 132 is in the second connection portion. While it is not connected to 116, it is at a low level.

  The external display device 110 is further connected to the power supply potential via the first connection portion 114 and the second connection portion 116 of the first connector 130 and the second connector 132, respectively. A connection location output signal indicating which of the first connector 130 and the second connector 132 is connected to the image forming apparatus 102 is output according to the potential of the signal from the connector pin of the second connector 132. The detection part 162 for this is included.

  The external display device 110 is further connected to the operation panel 112, the memory card slot 118, the storage unit 160, the first connector 130, the second connector 132, and the detection unit 162, and is stored in the storage unit 160. , The function of transmitting the user's operation to the operation unit 126 to the image forming apparatus 102 via the first connector 130 and the second connector 132, and the first connector 130 and In response to an instruction from the control unit 150 of the image forming apparatus 102 via the second connector 132, a function of displaying a display image on the display unit 124, and the first connector 130 are connected to the image forming apparatus 102. While receiving the connection location output signal indicating that from the detection unit 162, the display image displayed on the display unit 124 is displayed upright. A function of inverting and displaying the display image displayed on the display unit 124 while receiving the connection location output signal indicating that the second connector 132 is connected to the image forming apparatus 102 from the detection unit 162. A control unit 158 for realizing is included.

  When the first connection unit 114 and the first connector 130 are connected, the display unit 124 displays an image at a viewing angle 134, and the second connection unit 116 and the second connector 132 are connected. If so, the display unit 124 displays an image at a viewing angle 136.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a screen 188 displayed on the display unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 102. Referring to FIG. 4, a screen 188 has a button 180 operated by the user for realizing a function for copying an original, and a user operated for realizing a function for fax. A button 182, a button 184 operated by the user to make the functions of the external display device 110 available, and a button 186 operated by the user to convert the characters on the operation panel 106 into English notation Is displayed.

  FIG. 5 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 124 of the external display device 110. FIG. 5A shows an example of a screen 208 displayed on the display unit 124 when the button 184 shown in FIG. 4 is not pressed by the user. Referring to FIG. 5A, when the button 184 is not pressed by the user, the display unit 124 displays a standby screen. FIG. 5B is an example of a screen 210 displayed on the display unit 124 when the button 184 is pressed by the user. Referring to FIG. 5B, when button 184 is pressed by the user, display unit 124 is operated by the user to select the type of memory card inserted in memory card slot 118. Buttons 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, and 204 and an end button 206 are displayed. When one of the buttons 190 to 204 is pressed by the user, a thumbnail display screen (not shown) for allowing the user to select image data to be printed by the user from the memory card inserted in the memory card slot 118 is displayed. Displayed on the part 124. In this way, the image data of the memory card can be printed. When the button 206 is pressed by the user, the screen is switched from the screen 210 to the screen 208.

(Operation)
1 to 5, image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration operates as follows.

  First, the user of the image forming system 100 activates the image forming apparatus 102 and the external display apparatus 110 to connect the first connection unit 114 of the image forming apparatus 102 and the first connector 130 of the external display apparatus 110. The external display device 110 is arranged on the right side. The potential of the connector pin of the first connector 130 connected to the power supply potential of the image forming apparatus 102 is at a high level, and the detection unit 162 indicates that the first connector 130 is connected to the first connection unit 114. The connection location detection signal shown is output. Therefore, the control unit 158 displays the image upright.

  The image forming apparatus 102 displays the screen 188 on the display unit 120, and waits until the user presses the button 180, 182, 184, or 186. When the button 180, 182, or 186 is pressed by the user, the image forming apparatus 102 exhibits a normal copy function, a fax function, or a function for converting into English notation.

  When the user presses the button 184 on the screen 188, the control unit 150 of the image forming apparatus 102 notifies the external display device 110 via the first connection unit 114, and the external display device 110 In the display unit 124, the screen 208 is switched to the screen 210. The user inserts a memory card into the memory card slot 118 and presses one of the buttons 190 to 204 displayed on the screen 210. The control unit 158 switches from the screen 210 to a thumbnail display screen (not shown) on the display unit 124, and the user selects image data stored in the memory card.

  Next, assume that the user removes the external display device 110 from the image forming apparatus 102 and arranges the second connection portion 116 and the second connector 132 by placing them on the left side. In the external display device 110, one connector pin of the second connector 132 is connected to the power supply potential, and the potential is applied to the detection unit 162. While receiving the high-level potential from the second connector 132, the detection unit 162 outputs a connection location output signal indicating that the second connector 132 is connected to the image forming apparatus 102 to the control unit 158. . While receiving the connection location output signal from the detection unit 162, the control unit 158 inverts the image and causes the display unit 124 to display the image. The operation after the user's operation on the screen 188 displayed on the display unit 120 is the screen 188 displayed on the display unit 120 while the first connection unit 114 and the first connector 130 are connected. This is the same as the operation after the operation by the user.

(Effect of this embodiment)
As is clear from the above description, by using the image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment, the external display device 110 can be attached to either the left or right side of the image forming device 102. Depending on the situation, the user can flexibly select whether the external display device 110 should be attached to the left or right.

  In addition, even if the external display device 110 is attached to either the left or right side of the image forming apparatus 102, the display surface of the display unit 124 of the external display device 110 is in the field of view of the user standing in front of the image forming apparatus 102. The orientation of the image displayed on the display unit 124 is controlled so that the user can easily see it. Therefore, when using the image forming system 100, the user operates both the image forming apparatus 102 and the external display apparatus 110 at one time without changing the standing position while standing in front of the image forming apparatus 102. Can do.

(Modification of this embodiment)
In the above-described embodiment, the portion to which the external display device 110 is connected is the left and right side surfaces of the document reading unit 104. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. Even if the external display device 110 can be connected to the upper side of the document reading unit 104 or the front side, right side, or left side of the image forming unit 108, the display surface of the display unit 124 of the external display device 110 faces the front side of the image forming device 102. As long as it is connected so that it may enter into the visual field of the standing user, and the image displayed on the display part 124 is controlled by the connection position so that it can be easily seen by the user, it may be connected to any position.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming system 250 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, an image forming system 250 can be connected to an image forming apparatus 252 and an image forming apparatus 252, which are electrophotographic multifunction peripherals, and displays an image for a user. And an external display device 260 which is a display-integrated touch panel device that receives an operation from a user based on the above.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus 252 and the external display apparatus 260 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, image forming apparatus 252 scans document processing unit 156, image forming unit 108, and document reading unit arranged so that a gap is formed above image forming unit 108. And an operation panel 106 including a display unit 120 and an operation unit 122. The image forming apparatus 102 further has a support arm 262 having a connection portion 258 at one end, and rotatably holds the other end of the support arm 262 on the lower surface of the document reading portion 104, and the image reading portion 104, the image forming portion 108, and the like. And a support arm support 266 for rotating the support arm 262 on a horizontal plane with the other end of the support arm 262 as a rotation axis. Further, the image forming apparatus 252 is installed on the lower side of the document reading unit 104 on the right side of the support arm support unit 266, and repeatedly determines whether or not the support arm 262 is just below the installed part. The first detection unit 254 and the document reading unit 104 are installed on the left side of the support arm support unit 266, and it is repeatedly determined whether the support arm 262 is just below the installed part. And a second detection unit 256. The image forming apparatus 252 further includes a storage unit 302 for storing a program for realizing the functions of the image forming apparatus 252, the operation panel 106, the document reading unit 104, the image processing unit 156, the image forming unit 108, the first The determination of the first detection unit 254 and the second detection unit 256 is executed by executing a program connected to the detection unit 254, the second detection unit 256, and the connection unit 258, respectively, and stored in the storage unit 152. According to the result, a function of causing the connection unit 258 to output a rotational position detection signal indicating which of the first detection unit 254 and the second detection unit 256 is below the support arm 262, and an image forming apparatus The control part 300 for implement | achieving these general functions is included.

  With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the external display device 260 realizes the functions of the housing 128, the operation panel 112 including the display unit 124 and the operation unit 126, the memory card slot 118, and the external display device 260. And a connector 264 that can be connected to the connection unit 258 of the image forming apparatus 252 and that receives a rotation position detection signal output from the connection unit 258. The external display device 260 is further connected to the operation panel 112, the memory card slot 118, the storage unit 306, and the connector 264, respectively. By executing a program stored in the storage unit 306, the user can connect the operation unit 126. A function of transmitting the operation to the image forming apparatus 252 via the connector 264, a function of receiving an instruction from the image forming apparatus 252 via the connector 264, and displaying a display image on the display unit 124; While receiving the rotation position detection signal indicating that the support arm 262 is below the first detection unit 254 from the image forming apparatus 252 via the connector 264, the display image displayed on the display unit 124 is displayed. A rotation position detection signal indicating that the support arm 262 is located below the second detection unit 256 is displayed in an upright position. While receiving 64 from the image forming apparatus 252 via, and a controller 304 for realizing the function for reversing the display image displayed on the display unit 124.

  The images displayed on the display unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 252 and the display unit 124 of the external display apparatus 260 are the same as the screen 188 shown in FIG. 4 and the screen 208 and screen 210 shown in FIG.

(Operation)
6 to 7, image forming system 250 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration operates as follows.

  A user of the image forming system 250 connects the connection unit 258 of the image forming apparatus 252 and the connector 264 of the external display apparatus 260 to activate the image forming apparatus 252 and the external display apparatus 260.

  The image forming apparatus 252 displays the screen 188 on the display unit 120 and waits until the user performs an operation of pressing the button 180, 182, 184, or 186. When the user presses the button 180, 182, or 186, the image forming apparatus 252 exhibits a normal copy function, a fax function, or a function of converting into English notation, respectively.

  It is assumed that the user has rotated the support arm 262 so that the support arm 262 is just below the first detection unit 254. The control unit 300 causes the connection unit 258 to output a rotation position detection signal indicating that the support arm 262 is below the first detection unit 254. The control unit 304 displays the image displayed on the display unit 124 upright while receiving the rotation position detection signal from the connection unit 258 via the connector 264.

  It is assumed that the user has rotated the support arm 262 so that the support arm 262 is just below the second detection unit 256. The control unit 300 causes the connection unit 258 to output a rotation position detection signal indicating that the support arm 262 is below the second detection unit 256. The control unit 304 inverts the image displayed on the display unit 124 while receiving the rotation position detection signal from the connection unit 258 via the connector 264.

(Effect of this embodiment)
As is clear from the above description, by using the image forming system 250 according to the present embodiment, the external display device 260 can be rotated around the support arm support portion 266, so that the use of the image forming device 252 is used. Depending on the situation, the user can flexibly select whether the external display device 260 should be moved to the left or right.

  In addition, even if the user rotates the external display device 260 to the left or right of the image forming device 252, the image displayed on the display unit 124 of the external display device 260 is displayed upright or easy for the user to see. Inverted display. Therefore, when using the image forming system 250, the user operates both the image forming apparatus 252 and the external display apparatus 260 at the same time without changing the standing position while standing in front of the image forming apparatus 252. Can do.

(Modification of this embodiment)
In the above-described embodiment, the portion where the external display device 260 is located is the left and right portions of the document reading unit 104. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The external display device 260 can be rotated within a range from the right side of the image forming apparatus 252 to the left side of the image forming apparatus 252 through the front of the image forming apparatus 252, and the support arm support unit 266 is supported by the support arm 262. It is possible to detect which direction the is facing. In this case, each time the support arm 262 is rotated, the orientation of the image displayed on the display unit 124 of the external display device 260 is changed based on the direction of the support arm 262 detected by the support arm support unit 266. do it.

  In the embodiment described above, the external display device 260 rotates on the horizontal plane between the document reading unit 104 and the image forming unit 108. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and the support arm support unit 266 is installed on the upper side of the document reading unit 104, and the external display device 260 rotates on the horizontal plane with the support arm support unit 266 as the center. You may make it move.

  The embodiment disclosed herein is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim in the claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein are intended. Including.

1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming system 100 shown in FIG. 1. It is a screen displayed on the operation panel 106 shown in FIG. It is a screen displayed on the operation panel 112 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the image forming system 250 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the image forming system 250 shown in FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100,250 Image forming system 102,252 Image forming apparatus 104 Original reading part 106 Operation panel 108 Image forming part 110,260 External display device 114 First connection part 116 Second connection part 118 Memory card slot 120,124 Display part 122, 126 Operation unit 130 First connector 132 Second connector 150, 158, 300, 304 Control unit 152, 160, 302, 306 Storage unit 156 Image processing unit 162 Detection unit 254 First detection unit 256 Second Detection unit 258 Connection unit 264 Connector

Claims (8)

An image forming system using an image forming apparatus and an external display device having a predetermined viewing angle,
A support means for supporting the external display device at any of a plurality of locations related to the image forming apparatus such that a viewing angle range of the external display device faces a center side of the image forming apparatus;
Detecting means for detecting where the external display device is supported by the supporting means in the plurality of places;
A display that controls the display rotation angle of the image so that the image displayed on the external display device stands upright when viewed from the center side of the image forming apparatus according to the position detected by the detection means. An image forming system including a rotation angle control unit.   The support means includes a plurality of support portions that are arranged at the plurality of locations, respectively, and support the external display device such that a viewing angle of the external display device faces a center side of the image forming apparatus. Item 4. The image forming system according to Item 1. The support means is
A plurality of support portions that are arranged at the plurality of locations, respectively, and support the external display device such that the viewing angle range of the external display device faces the center side of the image forming device;
A plurality of units that are provided corresponding to the plurality of support units and that provide electrical connection between the external display unit and the image forming apparatus when the external display unit is connected to the corresponding support unit. Connecting parts,
The detection means detects, in the plurality of connection portions, where the external display device is supported by the electrical change caused by the connection of the external display device. Item 4. The image forming system according to Item 1.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the external display device includes an operation unit and a medium connection unit to which an external storage medium is mounted. The external display device further reads out data stored in the external storage medium connected to the medium connection unit in response to receiving an instruction from a user from the operation unit, and the image forming apparatus. Including transfer means to transfer to
The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus forms and outputs an image based on the data transferred by the transfer unit.   The support means is provided in association with the image forming apparatus, and moves to support the external display apparatus so that the viewing angle range of the external display apparatus always faces the center of the image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1, comprising support means.   The movement support means includes a first end portion rotatably mounted around a rotation shaft provided on the image forming apparatus, and a viewing angle of the external display device facing a center side of the image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 6, further comprising: a support arm that has a second end portion to which the external display device is fixed and rotates around the rotation axis. The image forming apparatus includes:
A main body of the image forming apparatus;
An original reading device disposed on the upper portion of the main body so as to form a gap with the upper portion of the main body;
The pivot shaft is disposed between the main body and the document reading device,
The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the support arm is connected to the rotation shaft so as to be movable in the gap around the rotation shaft.

Images