JP2017016146A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus which improves the operability of a user by bringing a charge processing part and an operation part close to each other.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus 100 for performing image formation by reading image data includes: a charge processing part 110 which executes charge processing by receiving a coin from a coin insertion processing part; an operation part 120 which receives setting of image formation; a first image formation part 130 which performs image formation on the basis of the setting of the operation part 120; an in-body sheet discharge part which is loaded with sheets after image formation; and a second image formation part 140 which is arranged independently of the first image formation part 130 and performs image formation of the read image data on the basis of the setting of the operation part 120. The first image formation part 130 and the second image formation part 140 are located independently outside a range in the vertical direction. The coin insertion processing part is arranged on the upper side of the second image formation part 140 and at the same height as the in-body sheet discharge part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that operates in accordance with a charging state.

  An image forming apparatus installed in a convenience store includes a coin vendor and an MFP. When a coin is inserted into the coin vendor, a predetermined image is formed by the MFP.

  Accordingly, since the coin vendor and the MFP are operated as one body, the operability is deteriorated if the installation distance between the coin vendor and the MFP is increased.

  Therefore, a convenience store employs a configuration in which a coin vendor and an MFP are arranged close to each other (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-266359 A

  However, in the image forming apparatus installed in the convenience store, as described in Patent Document 1, the coin insertion processing unit (billing processing unit) of the coin vendor and the operation unit of the MFP are separated from each other. For this reason, the operability is bad for the user, which is a physical burden.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving user operability by bringing the charging processing unit and the operation unit closer to each other.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention forms an image by reading image data. In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a billing processing unit, an operation unit, a first image forming unit, and an in-body sheet discharge unit. The charging processing unit executes a charging process for allowing image formation by the image forming apparatus by receiving coins from the coin insertion processing unit. The operation unit accepts settings for image formation by the image forming apparatus. The first image forming unit forms an image of the read image data based on the setting of the operation unit. The in-body sheet discharge unit stacks sheets after image formation by the first image forming unit. The image forming apparatus of the present invention further includes a second image forming unit that is arranged independently of the first image forming unit and forms an image of the read data based on the setting of the operation unit. The first image forming unit and the second image forming unit are each independently located outside the vertical range, and the coin insertion processing unit is located above the second image forming unit and is disposed inside the cylinder. It is arranged at the same height as the paper part.

  According to this configuration, since the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit are independently located outside the vertical range, it is easy to repair if a failure such as a failure occurs on one side. . In addition, since the coin insertion processing unit is located above the second image forming unit, the second image forming unit does not block the coin insertion processing unit, so the user inserts coins into the coin insertion processing unit. easy. Furthermore, since the coin insertion processing unit is at the same height as the in-body paper discharge unit, it is possible to easily perform a series of operations until the user inserts coins into the coin insertion processing unit and receives the paper. For this reason, the operability of the user with respect to the image forming apparatus can be improved. Therefore, the physical burden on the user can be reduced and the visibility of the user with respect to the image forming apparatus can be improved.

  In the image forming apparatus, the second image forming unit and the charging processing unit are provided in the coin bender, and the side surface of the in-cylinder paper discharge unit that is positioned in the paper discharge direction of the paper loaded on the in-cylinder paper discharge unit. Is preferably provided with an opening, and the coin bender is preferably disposed adjacent to the in-body discharge section so as to cover the opening.

  According to this configuration, the paper loaded on the in-body paper discharge unit does not fall off from the coin vendor.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention can improve the operability for the user by bringing the charge processing unit and the operation unit closer to each other.

1 is a front view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a front view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a reference example of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image by reading image data, and includes a coin vendor 200 and an MFP 300. The image forming apparatus 100 also includes a coin insertion processing unit 110, an operation panel 120, and an electrophotographic printer 130.

  The coin insertion processing unit 110 is a billing processing unit that performs billing processing for permitting image formation by the image forming apparatus 100 by receiving coins. The billing process refers to a process of permitting image formation by the electrophotographic printer 130 as a price when a user inserts a coin. In addition, in FIG. 1, although the coin insertion process part 110 which receives a coin is described as an example of an accounting process part, you may further provide the banknote insertion port which receives a banknote.

  The operation panel 120 is an operation unit that receives an image formation setting by the image forming apparatus 100 when a charging process is executed in the coin insertion processing unit 110. Operation panel 120 is arranged on the plane portion of MFP 300. Moreover, the arrangement angle of the operation panel 120 may be rotatable about one side. Note that a touch panel is employed as the operation panel 120.

  The electrophotographic printer 130 is a first image forming unit that forms an image of the read image data based on the setting of the operation panel 120. The electrophotographic printer 130 has a configuration in which a charger, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device are arranged from the upstream side of the photoconductor, with the photoconductor as the center, and a fixing device is arranged on the downstream side of the conveyance path. . The electrophotographic printer 130 is mainly used when an image is formed on plain paper.

  Further, the coin insertion processing unit 110 is arranged at the same height as the operation panel 120. In the present embodiment, the coin insertion processing unit 110 is disposed within a range of 20 cm from the vertical center position 122 of the operation panel 120 in the upward and downward directions. Within this range, when a coin is inserted from the coin insertion processing unit 110 and then the operation panel 120 is operated, the user's arm and neck hardly move in the vertical direction.

  That is, in this configuration, the user's operability with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 can be improved by linearizing the operation flow line of the image forming apparatus 100 by the user. Therefore, the physical burden on the user can be reduced and the visibility of the user with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 can be improved.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the image forming apparatus 100 further includes a sublimation printer 140. The sublimation printer 140 is a second image forming unit that is arranged independently of the electrophotographic printer 130 and forms an image of the read image data based on the setting of the operation panel 120. The sublimation printer 140 is a kind of thermal transfer printer, and heat is applied to an ink ribbon coated with solid ink by a print head to sublimate the ink, and the ink is attached to a special paper coated with a resin. The sublimation printer 140 is mainly used when an image is formed on the dedicated paper as described above.

  In this configuration, the user can select whether to use the electrophotographic printer 130 or the sublimation printer 140, so that the user has a wide range of selection when forming an image on a sheet.

  The sublimation printer 140 is preferably disposed outside the vertical range from the plane to the bottom of the electrophotographic printer 130.

  In this configuration, since the sublimation printer 140 is considered to be used less frequently by the user, the internal space of the coin vendor 200 can be effectively utilized by disposing the sublimation printer 140 at a position different from the electrophotographic printer 130. .

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In each of the embodiments after this embodiment, the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a media slot unit 150 into which a medium for storing predetermined image data can be inserted. Examples of media include a USB memory and an SD memory card. The image forming apparatus 100 reads image data stored in the medium, and forms an image on a sheet with the electrophotographic printer 130 or the sublimation printer 140. In order to read the image data stored in the medium, a billing process by the coin insertion processing unit 110 is necessary.

  The media slot 150 is preferably disposed at the same height as the operation panel 120. In the present embodiment, the media slot portion 150 is disposed within a range of 20 cm from the vertical center position 122 of the operation panel 120 in the upward and downward directions. Within this range, when a coin is inserted from the coin insertion processing unit 110 and then the operation panel 120 is operated and then a medium is inserted into the media slot unit 150, the user's arm or neck is in the vertical direction. It hardly moves.

  That is, in this configuration, the user's operability with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 can be improved by linearizing the operation flow line of the image forming apparatus 100 by the user. Therefore, the physical burden on the user can be reduced and the visibility of the user with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 can be improved.

  Also, with this configuration, the visibility of the user to the image forming apparatus 100 can be improved, so that it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to remove the media from the media slot 150 after the image is formed on the paper.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a front view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes an in-body sheet discharge unit 160 for stacking sheets after image formation. The in-body discharge unit 160 stacks sheets 164 on which an image is formed by the electrophotographic printer 130 and is discharged from the discharge port 162.

  The in-body discharge unit 160 is preferably disposed at the same height as the operation panel 120. In the present embodiment, the in-body discharge unit 160 is disposed within a range of 20 cm downward from the vertical center position 122 of the operation panel 120. Within this range, when a coin is inserted from the coin insertion processing unit 110, the operation panel 120 is operated next, and then the paper 164 is taken out from the in-body discharge unit 160, the user's arm or neck is vertical. It hardly moves in the direction.

  That is, in this configuration, the user's operability with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 can be improved by linearizing the operation flow line of the image forming apparatus 100 by the user. Therefore, the physical burden on the user can be reduced and the visibility of the user with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 can be improved.

  Also, with this configuration, the visibility of the user to the image forming apparatus 100 can be improved, so that it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to remove the paper 164 from the in-body paper discharge unit 160 after image formation on the paper.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a scanner unit 170 that reads image data of a document. The scanner unit 170 is arranged on the top surface of the image forming apparatus 100 in consideration of user convenience. The image forming apparatus 100 reads the image data of the document read by the scanner unit 170 and forms an image on a sheet by the electrophotographic printer 130 or the sublimation printer 140. It should be noted that in order for the scanner unit 170 to read the original image data, a billing process by the coin insertion processing unit 110 is required.

  The scanner unit 170 is preferably disposed at the same height as the operation panel 120. In the present embodiment, the scanner unit 170 is disposed in a range of 20 cm upward from the vertical center position 122 of the operation panel 120. Within this range, when a coin is inserted from the coin insertion processing unit 110 and then the operation panel 120 is operated and then the original is read by the scanner unit 170, the user's arm and neck are almost moved in the vertical direction. Absent.

  That is, in this configuration, the user's operability with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 can be improved by linearizing the operation flow line of the image forming apparatus 100 by the user. Therefore, the physical burden on the user can be reduced and the visibility of the user with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 can be improved.

  Also, with this configuration, the visibility of the user to the image forming apparatus 100 can be improved, so that it is possible to prevent the document from being forgotten from the scanner unit 170 after the image is formed on the paper.

  Next, reference examples of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a front view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to a reference example of the present invention.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the image forming apparatus 100 is physically separated into the coin vendor 200 and the MFP 300, but may be an integrated type as in this reference example. .

  Even with this configuration, it is possible to improve the operability of the user with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 by linearizing the operation flow line of the image forming apparatus 100 by the user. Therefore, the physical burden on the user can be reduced and the visibility of the user with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 can be improved.

  Finally, the description of the above-described embodiment is to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above embodiments but by the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100- Image forming apparatus 110- Coin insertion processing part 120- Operation panel 122- Center position 130- Electrophotographic printer 140- Sublimation type printer 150- Media slot part 160- In-cylinder paper discharge part 170- Scanner part

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus that forms an image by reading image data,
A charging processing unit that executes a charging process for permitting image formation by the image forming apparatus by receiving coins from a coin insertion processing unit that receives coins;
An operation unit for receiving settings for image formation by the image forming apparatus;
A first image forming unit that forms an image of the read image data based on the setting of the operation unit;
An in-body sheet discharge unit for stacking sheets after image formation by the first image forming unit;
With
A second image forming unit that is arranged independently of the first image forming unit and forms an image of the read image data based on the setting of the operation unit;
The first image forming unit and the second image forming unit are each independently positioned outside the vertical range,
The coin insertion processing unit is an image forming apparatus disposed above the second image forming unit and at a height equivalent to the in-body paper discharge unit. The first image forming unit is an electrophotographic printer including a photoconductor,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second image forming unit is a sublimation type printer that attaches sublimated ink to paper. The second image forming unit and the billing processing unit are provided in a coin vendor,
In the in-cylinder paper discharge unit, an opening is provided on a side surface located in a paper discharge direction of the paper stacked on the cylinder paper discharge unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coin bender is disposed adjacent to the in-body sheet discharge unit so as to cover the opening.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a media slot part into which a medium for storing image data to be imaged can be inserted.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the coin vendor further includes the media slot unit. A scanner unit for reading image data of the document;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scanner unit is disposed above the first image forming unit and at a height equivalent to the operation unit.

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