JP2018018057A - Image formation device and image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a preview image of an image on a large-size recording material to be confirmed in an adequate direction and in a real size.SOLUTION: An image formation device 1 includes: a display unit 10 for displaying a preview image before an image is formed on a recording material, on a display surface 11; and an image formation unit 20 for forming an image associated with the preview image displayed on the display surface, on the recording material, the horizontal and vertical sizes of the display surface being each not smaller than the length of the longest side of a recording material with a size allowing image formation on the material by the image formation unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image forming apparatus that includes a display unit that displays a preview image before image formation on a recording material on a display surface, and that forms an image corresponding to the preview image displayed on the display surface on the recording material. .

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus in which a liquid crystal display on which a touch panel is stacked is arranged at a position that is easily noticeable by a user in front of the apparatus. The image forming apparatus displays an image such as an advertisement or a flyer on a display, and prints the image displayed on the display on a recording sheet according to a print instruction from the user, and the recording sheet is disposed immediately below the display. Paper is discharged from the paper slot.

  In an image forming apparatus provided with a display unit, it is possible to confirm how an image is formed on a recording material by looking at a preview image on the display unit before forming the image on the recording material. However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, there is a case where the display surface of the display unit is small and the preview image of the image formed on the large size recording material cannot be confirmed in an appropriate direction and in an actual size. there were.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a display unit that displays a preview image before forming an image on a recording material on a display surface and an image corresponding to the preview image displayed on the display surface are formed on the recording material. In the image forming apparatus including the image forming unit, both the vertical dimension and the horizontal dimension of the display surface are equal to or longer than the maximum long side of the recording material size on which the image can be formed by the image forming unit. And

  According to the present invention, there is an excellent effect that a preview image of an image formed on a large-sized recording material can be confirmed in an appropriate direction and in an actual size.

1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment as viewed from the front side. FIG. 4 is a view when seen from obliquely above the front in a state in which a paper supplement opening / closing cover provided on the front of the image forming apparatus is opened. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where an opening / closing cover provided on the front surface of the image forming apparatus is opened. It is the perspective view seen from the back side of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a sheet conveyance unit of the image forming apparatus rotates. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example in which an optional top plate is mounted on the back surface of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration related to main control of the image forming apparatus. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing using the image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the home screen displayed on the display surface of the touchscreen of the image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the screen before imaging when the "copy" button of the home screen displayed on the same display surface is touched and a copy function is selected. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the screen displayed on the same display surface when A4 size portrait original is imaged at the time of copy function selection. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the screen displayed on the same display surface when A4 size landscape original is imaged at the time of copy function selection. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the screen displayed when the "add" button is touched at the time of copy function selection. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an enlarged display when the "Add to image" button is touched at the time of copy function selection. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the enlarged display of the image which added the handwritten image in the original image at the time of copy function selection. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the actual size display of the image which added the handwritten image in the original image at the time of copy function selection. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen when the "Add to margin" button is touched at the time of copy function selection. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an enlarged display of an image of an entire sheet in which a margin area is displayed around a document image when a “Add to margin” button is touched when a copy function is selected. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an enlarged display of an image in which a handwritten image is added to a blank area around a document image when a copy function is selected. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an actual size display of an image in which a handwritten image is added to a blank area around a document image when a copy function is selected. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of use of the image forming apparatus as viewed from the front side of the apparatus. It is the perspective view seen from the apparatus back side in the example of use It is a perspective view which shows the other usage example of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing still another usage example of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing still another usage example of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing still another usage example of the image forming apparatus. It is a back perspective view explaining an example of a connection mechanism for connecting two image forming devices. (A) is the expansion perspective view which expanded the upper connection location of the two image forming apparatuses before connection, (b) is the expansion perspective view which expanded the upper connection location after connection. (A) is the expansion perspective view which expanded the lower connection part of the two image forming apparatuses before connection, (b) is the expansion perspective view which expanded the lower connection part after connection. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example of use of an image forming apparatus according to Modification 1 as viewed from the front side of the apparatus. It is the perspective view seen from the apparatus back side in the example of use. It is a back perspective view explaining an example of a connection mechanism for connecting an image forming device, a cabinet, and a partition. (A) is the expansion perspective view which expanded the connection location of the image forming apparatus and partition before connection, (b) is the expansion perspective view which expanded the connection location after connection. (A) is the expansion perspective view which expanded the connection location of the image forming apparatus and cabinet before a connection, (b) is the expansion perspective view which expanded the connection location after a connection. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to Modification 2. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a front opening / closing cover of an image forming apparatus according to Modification 2 is opened. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which an image forming unit is removed from a storage unit of an image forming apparatus according to Modification 2. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the example whose display surface of the touchscreen of the image forming apparatus is horizontally long. 2 is a front view illustrating an example of a specific shape of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a rear view which shows the example. It is a left view which shows the example. It is a right view which shows the example. It is a top view which shows the example. It is a bottom view which shows the example. It is the perspective view which looked at the example from the front side. It is the perspective view which looked at the example from the back side.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view seen from the front side of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a view of the sheet supplement opening / closing cover provided on the front of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment as viewed obliquely from above and in a state in which the cover is opened.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which an opening / closing cover provided on the front surface of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is opened.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view seen from the back side of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a display unit 10 having a substantially rectangular shape and a short depth is provided in the upper part of the apparatus, and an image forming part 20 is provided in the lower part of the apparatus. The display unit 10 includes a touch panel 11 on the front side of the apparatus on which a preview image before an image is formed on a sheet 4 as a recording material is displayed. The touch panel 11 also functions as an operation panel for operating the image forming apparatus 1. Here, the preview image is an image representing a state in which an image to be printed is printed on the paper 4, for example, an image representing an image to be printed inside the outline of the paper.

  The display surface of the touch panel 11 is configured such that both the vertical dimension and the horizontal dimension are equal to or longer than the maximum long side of the paper size on which the image forming unit 20 can form an image. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can form an image on a sheet 4 of Japanese Industrial Standard A row No. 4 (hereinafter referred to as “A4 size”) at maximum, so that the image forming unit 20 can form an image. The maximum length of the paper size is 297 mm. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the maximum paper size that can be printed is Japanese Industrial Standard A row No. 3 (hereinafter referred to as “A3 size”), the paper size that can be formed by the image forming unit 20 The maximum long side length is 420 mm, and in the case of Japanese Industrial Standard B row No. 3 (hereinafter referred to as “B3 size”), the maximum long side of the paper size on which the image forming unit 20 can form an image. The length is 515 mm.

  The vertical dimension of the display surface of the touch panel 11 in the present embodiment is set to, for example, about 1.5 times the length of the maximum long side (long side of A4 size) that is the paper size on which the image forming unit 20 can form an image. The horizontal dimension is set to about twice, but is not limited to this. By setting the vertical dimension and the horizontal dimension of the display surface of the touch panel 11 to be larger than the length of the longest long side of the paper size that can be imaged by the image forming unit 20, as will be described later, the image printed on the paper An image that is larger than the actual size (actual size) can be displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11.

  The image forming unit 20 of the present embodiment includes a paper feeding unit 21, a paper transport unit 22, an image forming unit 23, a fixing unit 24, a toner replenishing unit 25 in which a toner container 26 is mounted, and a printed paper stack. And a paper discharge port 27 for discharging the printed paper 4 'to the outside of the apparatus. The sheets are conveyed one by one from the bundle of sheets 4 stacked on the sheet feeding unit 21 by the sheet conveying unit 22, and the image forming unit 23 forms an image on the sheet being conveyed.

  The image forming unit 23 of the present embodiment employs a tandem image forming method employing an electrophotographic method, and each color toner of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk). Can be used to create a full-color image. Specifically, after the surfaces of the four photoconductors that are latent image carriers are uniformly charged, the surface of the photoconductor after the charging is exposed based on the original image data to form an electrostatic latent image, These electrostatic latent images are developed with toners of respective colors, and finally transferred onto the paper 4 conveyed by the paper conveyance unit 22 to form an image on the paper 4. Note that the image forming method in the image forming unit 23 employs an electrophotographic method, but may be another image forming method such as an ink jet method.

  The sheet 4 ′ on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 23 is subjected to a fixing process by the fixing unit 24, the image is fixed, and is stored in the printed sheet stacking unit 28, a part of which is shown in FIG. Then, it protrudes from a paper discharge port 27 provided on the side surface of the image forming apparatus 1. The printed paper 4 ′ discharged from the paper discharge outlet 27 is held with only its front end exposed from the paper discharge outlet 27, and the printed paper 4 ′ is pulled out by the user holding the front end and pulling it out. 'Is taken out from the paper discharge outlet 27.

  The image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is provided with two opening / closing covers 2 and 5 on the front side of the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper replenishment opening / closing cover 2 located on the lower side is configured to be slidable in the horizontal direction toward the front of the apparatus. By pulling out the paper replenishing opening / closing cover 2 to the front of the apparatus, The paper feed unit 21 can be exposed outside the apparatus, and the paper 4 can be set in the paper feed unit 21.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the toner replenishment opening / closing cover 5 located on the upper side is a lower opening door, and the toner replenishing opening / closing cover 5 is opened, so that the toner replenishing section 25 can be accessed from the outside of the apparatus. It becomes like this. Therefore, the user can replace the toner container 26 by opening the toner supply opening / closing cover 5. Further, by opening the toner replenishment opening / closing cover 5, it is possible to access each part of the image forming unit 20 from the outside of the apparatus, so that the user can perform maintenance such as a paper jam in the paper transport unit 22. it can. At this time, the paper transport unit 22 is configured to open approximately 30 ° as shown in FIG. 5 so that the user can easily perform maintenance work such as paper jam.

  Further, the back side of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is covered with a rear lower cover right slope 6, a rear lower cover left slope 7, and a rear lower cover upper surface 8 that constitute the rear lower cover. Due to these cover surfaces 6, 7, and 8, the lower back side of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment forms a triangular prism shape as shown in FIG. All or part of it is housed.

  In the present embodiment, the depth of the image forming apparatus 1 is configured to be less than twice the length of the maximum short side of the paper size on which the image forming unit 20 can form an image. That is, as described above, the maximum sheet size that can be printed is A4 size in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, and thus the maximum short side length of the sheet size that can be formed by the image forming unit 20 is 210 mm. It is. The dimension of the image forming unit 20 in the axial direction of the photosensitive member is usually determined according to the maximum short side of the paper size on which the image forming unit 20 can form an image, and the depth of the image forming apparatus 1 is 2 which is the length of the maximum short side. In order to make it less than double, it is difficult to arrange the image forming unit 20 so that the photoconductor axis direction coincides with the depth direction (front-rear direction) of the image forming apparatus 1.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the image forming unit 20 is arranged so that the photosensitive body axis direction is inclined by about 60 ° with respect to the depth direction of the image forming apparatus 1. Then, by extending so as to twist the paper conveyance path from the fixing unit 24 to the paper discharge port 27, it is covered by the rear lower cover right slope 6, the rear lower cover left slope 7, and the rear lower cover upper face 8. The image forming unit 20 is accommodated inside the triangular prism shape.

  Note that an optional top plate 9 can be mounted on the rear lower cover upper surface 8 of the present embodiment as shown in FIG. As a result, the optional top plate 9 creates a table on the back surface of the image forming apparatus 1, and the space on the back side of the image forming apparatus 1 can be used for various purposes using the table.

  The image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is also provided with a camera unit 12, a microphone unit 13, a speaker unit 14, and the like. The camera unit 12 is disposed on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 1 in front of the apparatus, and can image an image pickup region on the apparatus front side of the image forming apparatus 1. A user can read a document image by holding the document over the imaging area of the camera unit 12 in the same manner as an image reading unit such as a flatbed scanner or a sheet-through scanner. Of course, these image reading means may be employed instead of the camera unit 12.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration related to main control of the image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the touch panel 11, the camera unit 12, the microphone unit 13, the speaker unit 14, and the image forming unit 20 that constitute the display unit 10 as described above. CPU (Central Processing Unit) 701, ROM (Read Only Memory) 702, RAM (Random Access Memory) 703, HDD (Hard Disc)
Drive) 704, HDC (Hard Disk Controller) 705, external interface (I / F) 708, and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 712 are provided with a control unit connected by an expansion bus line 720.

  The CPU 701 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The ROM 702 stores a program used for the processing operation of the CPU 701. The RAM 703 is used as a work area for the CPU 701. The HDD 704 stores programs and various data. The HDC 705 controls reading or writing of various data with respect to the HDD 704 according to the control of the CPU 701. The I / F 708 transmits / receives data to / from an external device via a wired or wireless communication network. The GPU 712 is connected to a ROM 713 storing a program used for driving the GPU 712 and a RAM 714 used as a work area of the GPU 712, and executes various image processing. The extended bus line 720 includes an address bus, a data bus, and the like for electrically connecting the above components.

  The touch panel 11 allows the user to detect a position where an object to be detected such as a finger or a stylus is in contact with or close to the display surface. There are no particular limitations on the detection method, and known methods can be widely used. The CPU 701 executes display control of an image displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 in accordance with the position (touch position) of the detection target detected by the touch panel 11 and the time change (movement) of the touch position. For example, display control is performed in which an image is displayed at a touch position on the display surface of the touch panel 11 and characters or figures drawn by the locus are displayed on the display surface. Further, for example, display control such as movement, rotation, switching, enlargement or reduction of an image displayed on the display surface is performed according to the touch position or movement on the display surface of the touch panel 11.

  For example, the GPU 712 executes image processing such as removing image portions other than the document (background, user's finger, etc.) or correcting distortion from the document image data captured and read by the camera unit 12. . Further, based on the coordinate data of the touch position detected by the touch panel 11, image processing for generating an additionally written image (handwritten image) is performed, and the handwritten image is superimposed on the image already displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11. Display control to be displayed.

  The camera unit 12 can capture still images and moving images such as the user's face and scenery as well as the above-described document reading. Further, the user's conversation can be recorded by the microphone unit 13. In addition, original image data is read from an external device (such as a mobile terminal) connected through the I / F 708 or a portable recording medium, and displayed on the touch panel 11. Can be printed. Further, the display surface of the touch panel 11 is preferably made of a material that can easily erase ink such as glass so that an image can be written with ink using a whiteboard ink pen or the like. When the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a whiteboard, it is preferable to increase the visibility of the ink image with an ink pen or the like by displaying a white plain image on the display surface of the touch panel 11.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing using the image forming apparatus 1.
9 to 20 are explanatory diagrams illustrating examples of various screens displayed on the touch panel 11.
When the image forming apparatus 1 is activated, a home screen as shown in FIG. 9 is first displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11. Here, when the button image for selecting the copy function is touched (S1), the display on the touch panel 11 changes to a copy screen as shown in FIG. 10, and the camera unit 12 is activated. A captured image captured by the camera unit 12 is displayed on the copy screen. When the user holds the document over the imaging area of the camera unit 12, the document image captured by the camera unit 12 is displayed in the preview area of the copy screen as shown in FIG. When the user touches the “read” button on the copy screen, the camera unit 12 executes an imaging operation after a predetermined set time (for example, 2 seconds) has elapsed (S2).

  The captured image data captured in this way is subjected to image processing by the GPU 712 to remove image portions other than the document (background, user's finger, etc.) and correct distortion (S3). Data after such image processing is read as document image data. Thereafter, the read document image data is displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 by the GPU 712 (S4). At this time, the display surface of the touch panel 11 has the same size (actual size size) as the size of the image on the paper on which the user holds the document over the camera unit 12 (image size corresponding to the paper size on which image formation is possible). Display control may be performed such that the original image of () is displayed. Alternatively, the original image may be displayed in an enlarged size up to the maximum size that can be displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11.

  The paper size on which the document is printed may be the same as the paper size of the document. For example, after touching the button image for selecting the copy function (S1), the user is allowed to set the paper size to be printed. It may be.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the “read again” button on the copy screen is touched, the original can be read again (imaged by the camera unit 12).
Further, the example shown in FIG. 11 is an example in which a vertically long document of A4 size is read and the document image is displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 in an appropriate orientation and in an actual size. In addition to this, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, even when an A4 size landscape document is read, the document image is displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 in an appropriate orientation and in an actual size. be able to.

  When printing the document image displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11, the user touches the “single print” button on the copy screen (No in S5, Yes in S9). As a result, the original image (print target image) displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 is preview-displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 in the same size (actual size size) as the image size after printing on the paper 4 ( S10). Since the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the display surface are equal to or greater than the maximum long side of the paper size that can be imaged, the actual size preview image is not partially enlarged and displayed on the display surface. The entire preview image can be displayed on the display surface. In this preview display, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the print target image formed on the A4 size vertically long paper 4 is displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 in an appropriate orientation and in an actual size. . Further, in this embodiment, as shown in the example shown in FIG. 12, the print target image formed on the A4 landscape paper 4 is also previewed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 in an appropriate orientation and in an actual size. Can be displayed.

  Then, after confirming the preview image of the actual size displayed on the touch panel 11 (assumed image after being printed on the paper 4), the user performs an instruction operation to execute printing (S11). As a result, the image data of the image to be printed is sent to the image forming unit 20, and the image forming unit 20 prints an image based on the image data on the A4 size paper 4 (S12), and the paper 4 ′ is discharged. The paper is discharged from the port 27 and the copying is completed. It should be noted that by touching the “print setting” button on the copy screen, it is possible to appropriately change the print settings such as the print paper size, the magnification of the print target image, and the number of prints. If the actual paper size is changed by changing the print paper size or the magnification of the image to be printed with this print setting, a preview is displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 with the actual size after the change. .

  In this embodiment, the user can also print a document image displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 with a handwritten image added thereto. In this case, the user touches the “Append” button on the copy screen (Yes in S5). As a result, a pull-down menu for selecting the type of additional writing is displayed, as shown in FIG. 13, and the user adds the “Add to image” button to add to the inside of the document image or the margin in the document image. Touch one of the “Append to margin” buttons.

  Here, when the user touches the “Append to image” button, as shown in FIG. 14, the original image displayed at the actual size is enlarged and displayed so that it can be easily added to the inside of the image. At this time, as shown in FIG. 14, the notation of the “append” button is replaced with the notation “append to image”, and a “display at actual size” button is displayed below the image. When the user touches the “display at actual size” button, the currently displayed document image is displayed at the actual size, and the “display at actual size” button is switched to the “enlarged display” button. This button toggles between “display at actual size” and “enlarged display” alternately.

  When the user touches the enlarged original image displayed on the touch panel 11 with a finger or the like, the touch position detected by the touch panel 11 is detected, and the coordinate data is recorded (S6). Then, an added image (handwritten image) is generated based on the coordinate data, and the handwritten image is superimposed on the image already displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 as shown in FIG. Display control is executed (S7). In the present embodiment, since an original image can be enlarged and displayed at the time of additional writing, it is easy to add thin lines or small characters that are difficult to add to the actual size in the original image.

  If necessary, the user touches the “display at actual size” button on the screen to display the original image with the added handwritten image superimposed on the actual size as shown in FIG. The image after the additional recording can be confirmed in actual size. As a result, it can be confirmed whether the added handwritten image is too small to be visually recognized. If the handwritten image is difficult to visually recognize, touch the “enlarged display” button on the screen and the original image with the handwritten image superimposed again. Can be enlarged and displayed, and after the operation of deleting the handwritten image is performed, a new addition can be made again.

  When the user prints the image after adding the handwritten image to the document image in this way, the user touches the “single print” button on the screen (Yes in S8, Yes in S9). As a result, the post-recording image (print target image) displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 is previewed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 with the same size (actual size) as the image size after printing on the paper 4. (S10). Then, after confirming the actual size preview image displayed on the touch panel 11, the user performs an instruction operation to execute printing (S <b> 11), and the image data of the print target image is sent to the image forming unit 20. As a result, the image forming unit 20 prints an image based on the image data on the A4 size paper 4 (S12), and the paper 4 'on which the post-recorded image is printed is discharged from the paper discharge port 27.

  On the other hand, when the user touches the “append to margin” button as shown in FIG. 17, the image of the entire sheet in which the margin area is displayed around the original image is enlarged and displayed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 18, the notation of the “append” button is replaced with the notation “add to margin”, and a “display at actual size” button is displayed below the image. When the user touches the “display at actual size” button, the image of the entire sheet currently displayed is displayed at the actual size, and the “display at actual size” button is switched to the “enlarged display” button. This button toggles between “display at actual size” and “enlarged display” alternately.

  When the user touches the margin area in the entire paper image displayed on the touch panel 11 with a finger or the like, the touch position detected by the touch panel 11 is detected, and the coordinate data is recorded (S6). Then, an additionally written image (handwritten image) is generated based on the coordinate data, and the handwritten image is displayed in the blank area of the entire image already displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11, as shown in FIG. Display control is performed to superimpose and display (S7).

  Further, if necessary, the user touches the “display at actual size” button on the screen, and as shown in FIG. 20, the image of the entire paper with the added handwritten image superimposed thereon is displayed at the actual size. The image can be displayed and the image of the entire sheet after the additional recording can be confirmed in actual size. This allows you to check whether the added handwritten image is too small and difficult to view. If it is difficult to view, touch the “Enlarge” button on the screen to display it again, and erase the handwritten image. After performing the operation, you can add new information.

  When the user prints the image after adding the handwritten image to the document image in this way, the user touches the “single print” button on the screen (Yes in S8, Yes in S9). As a result, the post-recording image (print target image) displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 is previewed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 with the same size (actual size) as the image size after printing on the paper 4. (S10). Then, after confirming the actual size preview image displayed on the touch panel 11, the user performs an instruction operation to execute printing (S <b> 11), and the image data of the print target image is sent to the image forming unit 20. As a result, the image forming unit 20 prints an image based on the image data on the A4 size paper 4 (S12), and the paper 4 'on which the post-recorded image is printed is discharged from the paper discharge port 27.

Note that the post-recording image can be stored in a portable recording medium without being printed, or transmitted to an external device via a communication network.
In addition, when the user performs an instruction operation to select the ink pen whiteboard function, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment displays the display surface of the touch panel 11 uniformly in white, which can be used as a whiteboard. It is. What is handwritten with an ink pen on the display surface of the touch panel 11, for example, images the display surface of the touch panel 11 with a camera device such as a user's digital camera or a smartphone, and transmits the captured image data to the image forming apparatus 1. 11 display screens can be previewed and printed in actual size.
Further, when the user performs an instruction operation for selecting the remote conference function, the remote conference can be realized with another base via the communication network using the camera unit 12, the microphone unit 13, and the speaker unit 14. In this case, a document image displayed on the touch panel 11 or an image obtained by adding a handwritten image thereto can be shared via a communication network.

  In the present embodiment, the touch panel 11 is enlarged, but the vertical projection of the lower part of the image forming apparatus in which the image forming unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 1 is accommodated so that the installation space of the image forming apparatus 1 is not excessive. The display unit 10 including the touch panel 11 is configured to fit in the area. At this time, if the front portion of the lower part of the image forming apparatus protrudes to the front side of the display surface of the touch panel 11, the user's workability and operability with respect to the display surface of the touch panel 11 are deteriorated. It is preferable that the surface be configured to substantially coincide with the front surface of the lower part of the image forming apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, an image forming unit 20 heavier than the display unit 10 is disposed below the display unit 10. With such an arrangement, the position of the center of gravity of the entire image forming apparatus 1 is lowered, and the fall of the image forming apparatus 1 can be suppressed.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an example of use of the image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment as viewed from the front side of the apparatus, and FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 as viewed from the back side of the apparatus.
As described above, the optional top plate 9 can be mounted on the rear lower cover upper surface 8 of the rear surface of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The upper surface of the optional top plate 9 has substantially the same dimensions as the upper surface of a cabinet for general office use, and the height thereof is set to be substantially the same. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is arranged side by side in the row of cabinets 31, the upper surface of the row of cabinets 31 can be a flat surface, and convenience can be improved.

  21 and FIG. 22, in the order from the left side of FIG. 21, the flip chart device 103 in the same housing as the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, and the image forming unit. 20 is a unit in which the image display apparatus 101 as a peripheral device from which the numeral 20 is removed and the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment are connected to each other. By connecting in this way, the image forming apparatus 1 can be prevented from falling.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing another example of use of the image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment.
As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a triangular prism shape on the back surface thereof. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 23, the three image forming apparatuses 1 are arranged so that the back surfaces face each other. be able to. Use in such a layout is also possible. Further, this use example is also effective for suppressing the overturn of the image forming apparatus 1. In particular, if the three image forming apparatuses 1 are connected to each other, a higher fall-suppressing effect is expected.

  According to this usage example, the display surface of the touch panel 11 can be visually recognized from all directions, which is suitable for signage / advertisement display in a store or the like. It is also possible to arrange the four or more image forming apparatuses 1 so that their back surfaces face each other. For example, it is possible to arrange five or more image forming apparatuses 1 so that the back surfaces thereof face each other to form a pentagonal prism. In addition, the usage example is not limited to the configuration in which the back surface of the apparatus is a triangular prism shape, and any shape can be used as long as the side corners of the back surface are chamfered.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing still another example of use of the image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment.
In this usage example, an image display apparatus 101 as a peripheral device in which the image forming unit 20 is removed from the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is arranged on the left side of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 and the image display apparatus 101 are connected to each other, and are connected to be communicable with each other. In this usage example, the touch panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the touch panel 11 of the image display apparatus 101 can be used as a single screen to display one image on the two touch panels 11. Therefore, it is possible to display a preview of a larger print target image. In addition, separate images are individually displayed on the touch panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the image display apparatus 101, and these images are individually printed by the image forming apparatus 1, or these images are collectively put on one sheet. It is also possible to print on.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing still another example of use of the image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment.
In this usage example, the whiteboard device 102 having the same housing as that of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is disposed on the left side of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 and the whiteboard apparatus 102 are connected to each other. In the whiteboard device 102, a portion corresponding to the display surface of the touch panel 11 in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is a whiteboard 112.

  In this usage example, for example, a handwritten handwritten with an ink pen on the whiteboard 112 of the whiteboard device 102 is captured by a camera device such as a user's digital camera or a smartphone, and the captured image data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1. Thus, a preview display and printing of an image handwritten on the whiteboard 112 is possible. At this time, the image handwritten on the whiteboard 112 and the image displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 are collected on a single sheet and previewed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1. It can be displayed or printed. In addition, an image handwritten on the whiteboard 112 or an image obtained by combining the image handwritten on the whiteboard 112 and the image displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 is displayed on the touch panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1. It is also possible to display the preview on the screen and print it after performing the above-mentioned additional writing.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing still another usage example of the image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment.
In this usage example, a flip chart device 103 having the same housing as that of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is arranged on the left side of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 and the flip chart apparatus 103 are connected to each other. In the flip chart device 103, a portion corresponding to the display surface of the touch panel 11 in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is a flip chart 113.

  Also in this usage example, for example, what is handwritten on the flip chart 113 of the flip chart device 103 with an ink pen is imaged by a camera device such as a user's digital camera or a smartphone, and the captured image data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1. Thus, a preview display and printing of an image handwritten on the flip chart 113 is possible. At this time, the image handwritten on the flip chart 113 and the image displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 are collected on a single sheet and previewed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1. It can be displayed or printed. In addition, an image handwritten on the flip chart 113 or an image obtained by combining the image handwritten on the flip chart 113 and the image displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 is displayed on the touch panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1. It is also possible to display the preview on the screen and print it after performing the above-mentioned additional writing.

  Peripheral devices such as the image display device 101, the whiteboard device 102, and the flip chart device 103 used in the usage examples shown in FIGS. 24 to 26 are all connected to the image forming unit 20 from the image forming device 1 in this embodiment. It can be prepared at low cost. Since images displayed or handwritten on these peripheral devices can be printed by the image forming apparatus 1, it is not necessary to provide the image forming unit 20 in these peripheral devices.

FIG. 27 is a rear perspective view illustrating an example of a connection mechanism for connecting two image forming apparatuses 1 to each other.
FIG. 28A is an enlarged perspective view in which the upper connection locations of the two image forming apparatuses 1 before connection are enlarged, and FIG. 28B is an enlarged perspective view in which the upper connection locations after connection are enlarged. .
FIG. 29A is an enlarged perspective view in which lower connection portions of two image forming apparatuses 1 before connection are enlarged, and FIG. 29B is an enlarged perspective view in which lower connection portions after connection are enlarged. .

  On the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 28A, an upper surface hole 42 for connection is provided. With the two image forming apparatuses 1 arranged side by side, the protrusions 41 a of the upper connecting member 41 are inserted into the upper surface holes 42 of the image forming apparatuses 1, respectively. As a result, the two image forming apparatuses 1 are connected by the upper connecting member 41 as shown in FIG.

  Similarly, a lower hole 44 for connection is provided in the lower back of the image forming apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. By inserting the protrusions 43a of the lower connecting member 43 into the lower holes 44 of the image forming apparatuses 1, the two image forming apparatuses 1 are connected by the lower connecting member 43 as shown in FIG. .

  Here, the connection mechanism that connects the two image forming apparatuses 1 is described. However, the connection mechanism that connects the image forming apparatus 1 and peripheral devices such as the image display apparatus 101, the whiteboard apparatus 102, and the flip chart apparatus 103. The same mechanism can be used.

[Modification 1]
Next, a description will be given of a modified example of the back surface shape of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “modified example 1”).
FIG. 30 is a perspective view of one use example of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first modification viewed from the front side of the apparatus, and FIG. 31 is a perspective view viewed from the rear side of the apparatus.
In the image forming apparatus 1 of the first modification, the back surface shape that accommodates the image forming unit 20 is not a triangular prism shape but a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In this case, there are few restrictions on the layout of the image forming unit 20 accommodated therein. For example, the image forming unit 20 is arranged so that the photosensitive member axial direction coincides with the depth direction (front-rear direction) of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the paper discharge port 27 is not limited to the side of the apparatus, and may be disposed on the front or rear of the apparatus. As a result, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the first modification, the maximum printable paper size is A3 size.

  Also in the first modification, when the optional top plate 9 is mounted on the rear lower cover upper surface 8 of the rear surface of the apparatus, the upper surface of the cabinet 31 row can be made flat when arranged side by side in the cabinet 31 row. , The convenience can be improved.

FIG. 32 is a rear perspective view illustrating an example of a connection mechanism for connecting the image forming apparatus 1 to the cabinet 31 and the partition 32.
FIG. 33A is an enlarged perspective view in which the connection portion between the image forming apparatus 1 and the partition 32 before connection is enlarged, and FIG. 33B is an enlarged perspective view in which the connection portion after connection is enlarged. .
FIG. 34 (a) is an enlarged perspective view in which the connection portion between the image forming apparatus 1 and the cabinet 31 before connection is enlarged, and FIG. 34 (b) is an enlarged perspective view in which the connection portion after connection is enlarged. .

  As described above, the upper surface hole 42 for connection is provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 1. On the other hand, the upper surface hole 46 for connection is also formed on the upper surface of the partition 32 as shown in FIG. Is provided. In a state where the image forming apparatus 1 and the partition 32 are arranged next to each other, the protrusions 45a of the connecting member 45 are inserted into the upper surface holes 42 and 46 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the partition 32, respectively. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 and the partition 32 are connected by the connecting member 45 as shown in FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 34A, a side screw hole 48 for connection is provided on the side surfaces of the image forming apparatus 1 and the cabinet 31. In a state where the image forming apparatus 1 and the cabinet 31 are arranged side by side, the connecting screw 47 is fitted into the side screw holes 48 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the cabinet 31 and fastened. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 and the cabinet 31 are connected by the connecting screw 47 as shown in FIG.

[Modification 2]
Next, another modified example in which the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is configured by an image forming unit that is detachably housed in a housing unit provided in the image forming apparatus 1 (hereinafter, this book). A modified example will be described as “modified example 2”).
FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second modification. FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing a state where the front opening / closing cover 51 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second modification is opened. FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing a state in which the image forming unit 50 is removed from the housing portion 52 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second modification.

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the second modification includes an image forming unit that is detachably housed in a housing unit 52 provided in the image forming apparatus 1 instead of the image forming unit 20 in the image forming apparatus according to the above-described embodiment. The point which employ | adopts the unit 50 differs from embodiment mentioned above. The image forming unit 50 according to the second modification is an inkjet printer, but may be an electrophotographic printer or other printers.

  Various cables 53 such as power supply wiring and control signal wiring of the image forming unit 50 are connected to the main body connector of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming unit 50 is supplied with power from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 through power supply wiring, and also receives control commands from the control unit of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 through the control signal wiring, image data of an image to be printed, and the like. Receive. Accordingly, also in the second modification, the touch panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 functions as an operation panel, and after confirming a preview image of an actual size displayed on the touch panel 11 as a preview, for example, as in the above-described embodiment. The image based on the image data can be printed on the A4 size paper 4 in response to the print instruction operation by the user.

  In the second modification, the storage unit 52 that stores the image forming unit 50 is disposed below the display unit 10, but there is no particular limitation on the layout thereof. The accommodating portion 52 has an opening for inserting and removing the image forming unit 50 on the front side of the apparatus, and a front opening / closing cover 51 for opening and closing the opening is provided. Thereby, the image forming unit 50 accommodated in the accommodating portion 52 can be prevented from being visually recognized from the outside as shown in FIG. 35 by closing the front opening / closing cover 51.

  The front opening / closing cover 51 of the second modification has a paper discharge port 51 a for discharging printed paper 4 ′ on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 50 in the housing portion 52 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1. Is formed. The printed paper 4 'is discharged from the paper discharge port 51a to the front side of the apparatus with the front opening / closing cover 51 closed. The front opening / closing cover 51 may not be provided with the sheet discharge port 51a, and the front opening / closing cover 51 may be opened to discharge the printed sheet 4 'to the front side of the apparatus. Further, the printed paper 4 ′ may be discharged to the apparatus side surface or the apparatus back side instead of being discharged to the apparatus front side. In the case of a configuration for discharging to the side surface of the apparatus, as in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a part of the printed sheet 4 ′ is discharged from a discharge port provided on the side surface of the image forming apparatus 1. When protruding, the user grasps the protruding portion and pulls out the printed sheet 4 ′ from the discharge port.

  In the above-described embodiment and Modifications 1 and 2, the display surface of the touch panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 has a vertically long shape, but may have a horizontally long shape as shown in FIG.

  Finally, an example of a specific shape of the printer as the image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is shown in a hexahedral view in FIGS. 39 to 44, and a perspective view of the front side of the apparatus in the example shown in the hexahedral view is shown. FIG. 45 is a diagram, and FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the rear side of the apparatus. As described above, the camera unit is disposed at the upper part of the upper surface of the printer, and an image of a document can be captured by the camera unit and the document image can be printed out.

What was demonstrated above is an example, and there exists an effect peculiar for every following aspect.
(Aspect A)
A display unit 10 that displays a preview image before image formation on a recording material such as paper 4 on a display surface, and an image forming unit 20 that forms an image corresponding to the preview image displayed on the display surface on the recording material. In the image forming apparatus 1 having the above, both the vertical dimension and the horizontal dimension of the display surface are equal to or greater than the length of the maximum long side of the recording material size (A4 size or the like) that can form an image by the image forming unit. It is characterized by that.
According to this aspect, when an image formed on a horizontally long recording material or an image formed on a vertically long recording material is formed to the maximum recording material size capable of image formation by the image forming unit, The preview image can be displayed on the display surface of the display unit. Therefore, even if the image is formed in the maximum recording material size, a preview image in an appropriate direction can be confirmed in the actual size.

(Aspect B)
In the aspect A, the maximum long side of the recording material size is not less than the long side of the Japanese Industrial Standard A row No. 3.
According to this aspect, even if the image is formed on a recording material size of Japanese Industrial Standard A row No. 3 or more, a preview image in an appropriate direction can be confirmed at the actual size.

(Aspect C)
In the aspect A or B, as viewed from the front of the apparatus facing the display surface, the recording material has an apparatus width that is at least twice the length of the maximum long side, and the apparatus depth can form an image by the image forming unit. It is less than twice the length of the maximum short side of the size.
According to this, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus with a short apparatus depth while ensuring a large display surface size.

(Aspect D)
In any one of the aspects A to C, display control of an imaging unit such as the camera unit 12 that images the outside of the apparatus and a control unit that displays a preview image of the captured image captured by the imaging unit on the display surface Means.
Image reading means include image reading means such as a flatbed scanner and a sheet-through scanner. However, such image reading means requires a space for conveying a document or placing a document. It becomes difficult to ensure a large display surface size of the display unit provided on the surface. If the document is imaged and read by the imaging unit as in this aspect, the installation space for the imaging unit is very small, so it is easy to ensure a large display surface size of the display unit provided on the surface of the apparatus. It is.

(Aspect E)
In any one of the aspects A to D, the image forming unit includes a recording material discharge port such as a paper discharge port 27 that discharges a recording material such as a sheet 4 ′ on which an image is formed by the image forming unit to the outside of the apparatus. The recording material discharge port is disposed on a surface different from the front of the apparatus facing the display surface, or is disposed below the display surface on the front of the apparatus.
According to this, the recording material discharged from the recording material discharge port does not reach the display surface, and it is possible to prevent the display surface from being blocked by the image-formed recording material. In addition, when another user prints on the image forming apparatus from an external device such as a personal computer that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus, the user who is working in front of the display surface of the image forming apparatus is not disturbed. Therefore, it is possible to take an image-formed recording material.

(Aspect F)
In any one of the aspects A to E, an operation position detection unit such as a touch panel 11 that detects a user's operation position on the display surface is provided.
According to this, it is not necessary to provide an operation unit at a place different from the display surface, or the operation unit provided at a place different from the display surface can be reduced in size. A larger display surface size can be secured.

(Aspect G)
In the aspect F, based on the detection result of the operation position detection unit when the preview image is displayed on the display surface, a superimposed preview image obtained by superimposing the additional image added by the user on the preview image, It has display control means, such as a control part displayed on the display surface.
According to this, it is possible to form on the recording material a superimposed preview image in which the additional image added by the user is superimposed on the preview image displayed on the display surface of the display unit.

(Aspect H)
In any one of the above aspects A to G, the display surface is disposed in an upper part of the front of the apparatus, and a table such as an optional top plate 9 is disposed on the back of the apparatus.
In the configuration in which the display surface is arranged in the upper part of the front of the apparatus, the depth of the upper part of the apparatus can be shortened. On the other hand, the image forming unit 20 is arranged in the lower part of the apparatus. As described above, there is a step between the lower part and the upper part of the apparatus. However, by arranging the table here, the back side space of the image forming apparatus can be used for various purposes using the table.

(Aspect I)
In any one of the aspects A to H, the image forming unit is an image forming unit that is detachably housed in a housing part provided in the image forming apparatus.
According to this, handling of the image forming unit is facilitated, and operations such as maintenance of the image forming unit can be simplified.

(Aspect J)
The image forming apparatus according to any one of the aspects A to I and the image display apparatus 101 not having an image forming function are connected to each other, and the image displayed on the display unit of the image display apparatus is formed as the image. An image forming system configured to be formed on a recording material by an image forming unit of the apparatus.
According to this, it is possible to display an image using not only the display unit of the image forming apparatus but also the display unit of the image display apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Paper replenishment open / close cover 4, 4 'Paper 5 Toner replenishment open / close cover 6 Rear lower cover right slope 7 Rear lower cover left slope 8 Rear lower cover upper surface 9 Optional top plate 10 Display unit 11 Touch panel 12 Camera unit 13 Microphone unit 14 Speaker unit 20 Image forming unit 21 Paper feeding unit 22 Paper transport unit 23 Image forming unit 24 Fixing unit 25 Toner replenishing unit 26 Toner container 27 Paper discharge port 28 Paper stacking unit 31 Cabinet 101 Image display device 102 Whiteboard device 103 Flip chart device 112 White board 113 Flip chart

JP 2015-36315 A

Claims (10)

A display unit for displaying a preview image on the display surface before image formation on the recording material;
In an image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image corresponding to a preview image displayed on the display surface on a recording material;
2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both the vertical dimension and the horizontal dimension of the display surface are equal to or longer than a maximum long side of a recording material size capable of forming an image by the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a maximum long side of the recording material size is equal to or longer than a long side of Japanese Industrial Standards A row 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
When viewed from the front of the apparatus facing the display surface, the apparatus width is at least twice the length of the maximum long side, and the apparatus depth is the length of the maximum short side of the recording material size capable of image formation by the image forming unit. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is less than twice as long. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An imaging unit for imaging the outside of the device;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a display control unit configured to display a preview image of a captured image captured by the imaging unit on the display surface. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
A recording material discharge port for discharging the recording material on which an image is formed by the image forming unit to the outside of the apparatus;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the recording material discharge port is disposed on a surface different from the front surface of the apparatus facing the display surface, or disposed below the display surface on the front surface of the apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an operation position detection unit that detects an operation position of a user on the display surface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.
Based on the detection result of the operation position detecting means when the preview image is displayed on the display surface, a superimposed preview image obtained by superimposing the additional image added by the user on the preview image is displayed on the display surface. An image forming apparatus comprising: a display control unit for controlling the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The display surface is disposed in the upper part of the front of the device,
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that a table is disposed on the back of the apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming unit is an image forming unit that is detachably accommodated in a housing unit provided in the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
An image display device that does not have an image forming function is connected to each other,
An image forming system configured to form an image displayed on a display unit of the image display device on a recording material by an image forming unit of the image forming device.

Images