JP2021115758A - Printing device and electronic instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printing device in which a possibility that the device may not be used due to duration of a life of a push button-type switch can be reduced more than before, and an electronic instrument.SOLUTION: A printing device 1 comprises an enclosure 11, a cover 12, switches 7-9, a support member 30, a panel member 40 and a control part. The switches 7-9 are push button-type switches provided in the cover 12. The panel member 40 is mounted on the support member 30 so that a position thereof with respect to the switches 7-9 can be changed. The panel member 40 comprises a permitting part 41 and a covering part 42. The permitting part 41 permits an operation of one switch of the switches 7-9 corresponding to a mounting position with respect to the switches 7-9. The panel member 40 covers the other switches of the switches 7-9 so that the switches cannot be operated. The control part allocates same processing to each of the switches 7-9 and executes the processing in response to an operation of any of the switches 7-9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to printing devices and electronic devices.

An electronic device such as a printing device is provided with a plurality of push button type switches, detects a switch operated by a user, and executes processing according to the detected switch. The device of Patent Document 1 includes a set of movable buttons and a button body for a plurality of switches. The movable button is provided so as to be movable with respect to the button body. When the button body is operated by the user, one of the plurality of switches is operated according to the position of the movable button with respect to the button body.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-325667

Normally, a push button type switch does not operate normally due to wear of contacts, deterioration of mechanical members, etc. depending on the number of operations. Electronic devices such as printing devices have a problem that they cannot input desired instructions due to the life of the push button type switch and cannot be used.

An object of the present invention is to provide a printing device and an electronic device in which the possibility that the device cannot be used due to the life of a push button type switch is reduced as compared with the conventional case.

The printing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a housing having an opening, a cover covering the opening, a plurality of push button type switches provided on the cover, and a support member mounted on the cover. An allowable portion that is attached to the support member so that its position with respect to the plurality of switches can be changed and allows operation to one of the plurality of switches according to the attachment position to the plurality of switches. A panel member having a covering portion that inoperably covers another switch among the plurality of switches and the same processing are assigned to each of the plurality of switches, and one of the plurality of switches is operated. It is provided with a control unit that executes the processing according to the above.

The electronic device according to the second aspect of the present invention has a housing, a plurality of push button type switches provided in the housing, a support member mounted on the housing, and positions with respect to the plurality of switches. A permissible portion that is mutably attached to the support member and allows operation of one of the plurality of switches according to the mounting position with respect to the plurality of switches, and another of the plurality of switches. The same process is assigned to each of the panel member having the covering portion that covers the switch inoperably and the plurality of switches, and the process is executed according to the operation of any one of the plurality of switches. It is equipped with a control unit.

The printing device of the first aspect and the electronic device of the second aspect can change the operable switch by changing the position of the panel member with respect to the plurality of switches. The printing device of the first aspect and the electronic device of the second aspect each determine the position of the panel member with respect to the plurality of switches even if the life of one of the plurality of switches has expired depending on the number of operations to the switches. By changing it, the switch that can be operated can be changed, and the same processing as that of the switch whose life has expired can be executed. Therefore, in each of the printing device of the first aspect and the electronic device of the second aspect, the possibility that the device cannot be used due to the life of the push button type switch can be reduced as compared with the conventional case.

It is an exploded perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 in a state where a cover 12 is closed with respect to a housing 11. It is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 in a state where the cover 12 is closed with respect to the housing 11 and the support member 30 is attached to the cover 12. It is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 in the state where the cover 12 is opened with respect to the housing 11. It is a bottom view of the support member 30. It is a bottom view of the panel member 40. (A) is a bottom view of the support member 30 and the panel member 40 in a state where the panel member 40 is arranged at the left side position with respect to the support member 30, and (B) the panel member 40 is at the center position with respect to the support member 30. It is a bottom view of the support member 30 and the panel member 40 in the state of being arranged in the above, and (C) the support member 30 and the panel member 40 in the state of being arranged in the right position with respect to the support member 30. It is a bottom view. (A) is a plan view of the printing apparatus 1 in a state where the panel member 40 is arranged at the left side position with respect to the support member 30, and (B) the panel member 40 is arranged at the center position with respect to the support member 30. It is a plan view of the printing apparatus 1 in the state, and (C) is the plan view of the printing apparatus 1 in the state where the panel member 40 is arranged at the right side position with respect to the support member 30. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the printing apparatus 1. It is a flowchart of a print process. It is a top view of the panel member 130. It is a bottom view of the panel member 130.

Hereinafter, the structure of the printing device 1 according to the embodiment of the printing device and the electronic device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the left and right, front and back, and top and bottom indicated by arrows in the figure are used.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the printing device 1 includes switches 7 to 9, and prints a predetermined character on the printing medium P when any one operation of the switches 7 to 9 is detected. It is a printing device configured to do so. The print medium P is, for example, a thermal paper wound in a roll shape. The printing device 1 is used, for example, to issue a paper on which a reception number is printed at a store such as a bank, and a predetermined character represents, for example, a reception number. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the printing apparatus 1 includes a housing 11, a cover 12, switches 7 to 9, four switches 10, and a display unit 13.

As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 11 has a box shape having an opening 17 at the upper end. The housing 11 forms the lower portion of the printing apparatus 1, and includes a main body cover 20, an accommodating portion 21, a platen roller 22, and a roll support mechanism 23. The main body cover 20 is a box-shaped member with an open upper part. The rear portion of the bottom surface of the main body cover 20 is curved downward in an arc shape. The main body cover 20 has a lower discharge portion 26. The lower discharge portion 26 is a portion provided at the front end portion of the main body cover 20 and forms a lower portion of the discharge portion 15 described later.

The accommodating portion 21 is an internal space of the printing apparatus 1 partitioned by the main body cover 20, and can accommodate the roll M in a state where the core of the roll M extends in the left-right direction. The roll M is configured by, for example, winding the printing medium P around a tubular core. The platen roller 22 is a columnar roller for conveying the print medium P, and is provided along the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the discharge portion 15. The roll support mechanism 23 includes support plate portions 24 and 25, and the roll M can be detachably supported between the support plate portions 24 and 25. Although not shown, the housing 11 accommodates an electronic circuit board or the like below the main body cover 20. The electronic circuit board controls the printing device 1.

The cover 12 is a lid that is supported on the rear upper portion of the housing 11 so as to be swingable between the closed position and the open position about an axis extending in the left-right direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the closed position is the position where the cover 12 is closed with respect to the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the open position is the position where the cover 12 is open with respect to the housing 11. When the cover 12 is in the closed position with respect to the housing 11, the cover 12 covers the opening 17. Hereinafter, the arrangement of each member will be described with reference to the case where the cover 12 is in the closed position with respect to the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 1, when the cover 12 is in the closed position, the upper surface of the cover 12 is inclined downward toward the front. The cover 12 includes an upper discharge portion 27 and a thermal head 29. The upper discharge portion 27 is a portion forming the upper portion of the discharge portion 15, and is provided in the front lower portion of the cover 12. The discharge unit 15 is an opening provided on the front surface of the printing device 1 and extending in the left-right direction. The ejection unit 15 ejects the printed print medium P to the outside of the printing apparatus 1. The thermal head 29 extends in the left-right direction behind the upper discharge portion 27. The thermal head 29 has a plurality of heating elements arranged along the left-right direction. The thermal head 29 is controlled by an electronic circuit board, and can print characters on thermal paper, which is a printing medium P, by heating.

The switches 7 to 9 and the four switches 10 are push-button type switches provided on the cover 12, respectively. The switches 7 to 9 and the four switches 10 are provided on the upper surface of the cover 12. The upper surfaces of the switches 7 to 9 and the four switches 10 are flush with the upper surface of the cover 12, respectively. The switches 7 to 9 and the four switches 10 are arranged linearly at equal intervals in the left-right direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the panel member 40 described later. The switches 7 to 9 and the four switches 10 have the same structure as each other. The switches 7 to 9 and the four switches 10 each have a rectangular shape in a plan view, and when operated, move downward to input an ON signal to the CPU 2 described later. After each of the switches 7 to 9 and the four switches 10 is operated, when the operation is released, the switches 7 to 9 and the four switches 10 move upward to end the input of the ON signal to the CPU 2. That is, the switches 7 to 9 and the four switches 10 are each turned off in the normal state. The switches 7 to 9 and the four switches 10 are used to input a predetermined instruction to the printing apparatus 1, respectively. The switch 8 is arranged substantially at the center of the cover 12 in the left-right direction. The switch 7 is located to the left of the switch 8 and the switch 9 is located to the right of the switch 8. Two of the four switches 10 are located to the left of the switch 7, and the remaining two switches 10 are located to the right of the switch 9. The display unit 13 is a liquid crystal display long in the left-right direction capable of displaying various information. The display unit 13 is provided behind the switches 7 to 9 and the four switches 10 and substantially at the center of the upper surface of the cover 12.

The printing device 1 further includes a support member 30 and a panel member 40. Hereinafter, the support member 30 and the panel member 40 will be described with reference to the case where the cover 12 is in the closed position with respect to the housing 11. The support member 30 and the panel member 40 are made of resin. The support member 30 is mounted on the upper surface of the cover 12. The panel member 40 is attached to the support member 30 and is movably supported. The panel member 40 operably exposes one of the switches 7 to 9, depending on the arrangement with respect to the support member 30. The other switches 7 to 9 and the four switches 10 are covered with a part of the panel member 40 or the support member 30. In the panel member 40 of the present embodiment, one of the switches 7 to 9 is exposed to the panel member 40 on the side opposite to the switch 7 to 9 side.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the support member 30 is a plate member having a rectangular shape in a plan view. The support member 30 is attached to the upper surface of the cover 12 with a double-sided adhesive tape (not shown). The support member 30 includes a recess 34 and an opening 33. The recess 34 is recessed upward from the bottom surface 38 side of the support member 30. The recess 34 has a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction, and the predetermined direction is the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the recess 34. The panel member 40 is fitted into the recess 34 (see FIG. 6). The recess 34 supports the panel member 40 so as to be movable in a predetermined direction. The recess 34 includes three sets of engaging portions 35-37. Each of the three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37 is provided at a position corresponding to the left and right positions of the switches 7 to 9 in the recess 34. Specifically, when the support member 30 is mounted on the cover 12, the center positions of the switches 7 to 9 in the left-right direction and the center positions of the engaging portions 35 to 37 in the left-right direction substantially coincide with each other. Each of the three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37 includes a pair of engaging portions 35, a pair of engaging portions 36, and a pair of engaging portions 37. Each of the pair of engaging portions 35 to 37 of this example is a substantially small arc-shaped recess portion provided on each of the front side surface 61 of the recess 34 and the rear side surface 62 of the recess 34. The engaging portions 35 to 37 provided on the front side surface 61 and the engaging portions 35 to 37 provided on the rear side surface 62 have the same positions in the left-right direction. The pair of engaging portions 36 are provided at the center of the recess 34 in the left-right direction. The opening 33 is a rectangular opening provided at the center of the recess 34 in the front-rear direction and in the left-right direction, and penetrates in the vertical direction. The opening 33 exposes a part of the panel member 40 supported by the recess 34. A plurality of small square holes 39 are formed side by side in a rectangular shape on the bottom surfaces 38 on both the left and right sides of the recess 34. The small square hole 39 is a lightening hole for making the wall thickness of the support member 30 made of resin substantially uniform. One side of the double-sided adhesive tape is attached to the back side of the recess 34 and the bottom surface 38 on both the left and right sides. The support member 30 to which the double-sided adhesive tape is attached is attached by attaching the other surface of the double-sided adhesive tape to the upper surface of the cover 12 with the panel member 40 fitted in the recess 34. At this time, in the plan view, the switches 7 to 9 are located inside the opening 33.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 to 8, the panel member 40 is a rectangular member in a plan view that is movably supported by the support member 30 with respect to the switches 7 to 9. The panel member 40 includes an allowable portion 41, a pair of covering portions 42, and a pair of engaged portions 43. The permissible unit 41 allows the operation of one of the switches 7 to 9 according to the mounting position with respect to the switches 7 to 9. The permissible portion 41 of the present embodiment is a rectangular opening in a plan view provided at the center in the front-rear and left-right directions of the panel member 40, and corresponds to the mounting position of the switches 7 to 9 with respect to the switches 7 to 9. Expose only one switch. Specifically, the permissible portion 41 is an opening that penetrates in the vertical direction and is surrounded by a pair of covering portions 42 and a pair of beam portions 54. The pair of beam portions 54 extend in the left-right direction on the front side and the rear side of the allowable portion 41, respectively. The pair of covering portions 42 inoperably covers the other switches among the switches 7 to 9. The pair of covering portions 42 are plate-shaped portions provided on both the left and right sides of the allowable portion 41. The length of each covering portion 42 in the left-right direction is longer than the length of the allowable portion 41 in the left-right direction. Each covering portion 42 has irregularities on the upper surface 45, which is a surface opposite to the side facing the switches 7 to 9. Specifically, the upper surface 45 has a plurality of convex portions 46 that are convex upward. Each of the plurality of convex portions 46 extends linearly in the front-rear direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the panel member 40, and is arranged at substantially equal intervals in the left-right direction on the upper surface 45. Each covering portion 42 has three convex portions 53 that are convex downward on the lower surface 52. Each of the three convex portions 53 extends in the left-right direction, which is the moving direction of the panel member 40 with respect to the support member 30, and is arranged on the lower surface 52 in the front-rear direction at substantially equal intervals. The foremost convex portion 53 of the three convex portions 53 is behind the front end of the allowable portion 41, and the rearmost convex portion 53 is in front of the rear end of the allowable portion 41.

The pair of engaged portions 43 selectively engages with one of the three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37 in a disengageable manner. One of the pair of engaged portions 43 is a convex portion that protrudes forward from the beam portion 54 on the front side with respect to the allowable portion 41, and the other is a convex portion that protrudes rearward from the beam portion 54 on the rear side with respect to the allowable portion 41. It is a convex part. The convex portions of the pair of engaged portions 43 have a shape that fits into the concave portions of the three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37, and the positions in the left-right direction are the same as each other. The panel member 40 is movably supported along the longitudinal direction of the panel member 40 when the pair of engaged portions 43 is not engaged with any of the three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37. When the pair of engaged portions 43 is engaged with any one of the three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37, the panel member 40 moves along the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the panel member 40. Be regulated. More specifically, when the pair of engaged portions 43 is not engaged with any one of the three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37, the pair of beam portions 54 are elastically deformed toward the allowable portion 41. Each of the pair of engaged portions 43 abuts on the front side surface 61 and the rear side surface 62 of the recess 34 of the support member 30. On the other hand, when the panel member 40 moves to a position where any one of the pair of engaged portions 43 and the three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37 can be engaged, the pair of beam portions 54 becomes a pair. When each of the engaged portions 43 of the above is fitted into any of the three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37 which are a pair of recesses, the elastic deformation is restored, and the allowable portion 41 is one of the switches 7 to 9. The panel member 40 is locked at a position where the switch is exposed.

The panel member 40 further includes a pair of edge portions 48, two sets of convex portions 49, 50, and convex portions 55, 56. The pair of edge portions 48 extend in the left-right direction at the front end portion and the rear end portion of the upper surface 45 of the panel member 40. The pair of edge portions 48 project upward from the plurality of convex portions 46. The pair of convex portions 49 are provided near the left end of the panel member 40, and the pair of convex portions 50 are provided near the right end of the panel member 40. One of the pair of convex portions 49 and one of the pair of convex portions 50 are convex portions projecting rearward from the rear surface of the panel member 40, respectively. The other of the pair of convex portions 49 and the other of the pair of convex portions 50 are convex portions that project forward from the front surface of the panel member 40, respectively. The amount of protrusion of each of the two sets of protrusions 49 and 50 is slightly smaller than the amount of protrusion of each of the pair of engaged portions 43. The front-rear dimension from the front surface of the front convex portion 49 to the rear surface of the rear convex portion 49 and the front-rear dimension from the front surface of the front convex portion 50 to the rear surface of the rear convex portion 50 are the same dimensions. It is slightly smaller than the front-rear dimension of the recess 34 of the support member 30. The convex portion 55 is a convex portion that protrudes to the left from the left end of the panel member 40, and the convex portion 56 is a convex portion that protrudes to the right from the right end of the panel member 40. The protrusions 55 and 56 will be described later. When the panel member 40 is supported by the support member 30, the pair of edge portions 48, the two sets of convex portions 49, 50, and the pair of engaged portions 43 of the panel member 40 come into contact with the support member 30. The three convex portions 53 come into contact with the upper surface of the cover 12. Of the three convex portions 53, the central convex portion 53 in the front-rear direction also contacts the upper surface of the switch covered by the covering portion 42 of the switches 7 to 9. When the user presses the covering portion 42 downward, the covering portion 42 does not move downward and the switch covered by the covering portion 42 is not operated.

The printing device 1 of the present embodiment is used by arranging the position of the panel member 40 with respect to the support member 30 at any of the left side position, the center position, and the right side position. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A, the leftmost position is the leftmost set of the three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37 in which the pair of engaged portions 43 of the panel member 40 are engaged. It is a position where it is engaged with the engaging portion 35. When the panel member 40 is in the left side position with respect to the support member 30, the allowable portion 41 exposes the switch 7, the right covering portion 42 inoperably covers the switches 8 and 9, and the left covering portion 42 covers the switches 8 and 9. It is arranged below the support member 30. At this time, the switch 7 is arranged inside the permissible portion 41 in a plan view. When the panel member 40 is in the left side position with respect to the support member 30, the left end of the allowable portion 41 of the panel member 40 substantially coincides with the left end of the opening 33 of the support member 30.

Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 6 (B) and 7 (B), the central position is such that the pair of engaged portions 43 engages with each other in the center of the left and right of the three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37. It is a position engaged with the portion 36. When the panel member 40 is in the center position with respect to the support member 30, the allowable portion 41 exposes the switch 8, the covering portion 42 on the left side inoperably covers the switch 7, and the covering portion 42 on the right side covers the switch 9. Cover inoperable. At this time, the switch 8 is arranged inside the permissible portion 41 in a plan view. As shown in FIGS. 6 (C) and 7 (C), the right position is the rightmost set of the three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37 in which the pair of engaged portions 43 of the panel member 40 are engaged. It is a position where it is engaged with the engaging portion 37. When the panel member 40 is in the right position with respect to the support member 30, the allowable portion 41 exposes the switch 9, the left covering portion 42 inoperably covers the switches 7 and 8, and the right covering portion 42 covers the switches 7 and 8. It is arranged below the support member 30. At this time, the switch 9 is arranged inside the permissible portion 41 in a plan view. When the panel member 40 is in the right position with respect to the support member 30, the right end of the allowable portion 41 of the panel member 40 substantially coincides with the right end of the opening 33 of the support member 30.

When changing the position of the panel member 40 in the left-right direction with respect to the support member 30, the user puts an operating body such as a finger on the convex portion 46 of the upper surface 45 of the pair of covering portions 42 of the panel member 40, and the panel member 40 is left. Apply force in the direction of movement to the right or to the right. When a force is applied to the panel member 40, the engagement between the pair of engaged portions 43 and any one of the three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37 is released, and the panel member 40 with respect to the support member 30. It becomes possible to move along the left-right direction. The user puts the operating body on the convex portion 46 of the upper surface 45 of the panel member 40, and the center of the allowable portion 41 of the panel member 40 in the left-right direction coincides with the center of one of the desired switches 7 to 9 in the left-right direction. The panel member 40 is moved so as to do so. As a result, the pair of engaged portions 43 engages with any of the three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37, and the panel member 40 is locked at a position where the switch is exposed by the allowable portion 41. When the panel member 40 is in the left position position, the convex portion 55 abuts on the left side surface of the concave portion 34, and the movement of the panel member 40 to the left is restricted (see FIG. 6A). When the panel member 40 is in the right position, the convex portion 56 abuts on the right side surface of the concave portion 34, and the movement of the panel member 40 to the right is restricted (see FIG. 6C).

The electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the printing device 1 includes a CPU 2 that controls the printing device 1 in an integrated manner. The printing device 1 includes a ROM 3, a CGROM 4, a RAM 5, a flash memory 6, switches 7 to 9, and drive circuits 86 to 88, which are connected to the CPU 2.

The ROM 3 stores various programs and various parameters required when the CPU 2 executes various programs. The CGROM 4 stores print dot pattern data for printing a character. The RAM 5 includes a plurality of storage areas such as a text memory and a print buffer. The flash memory 6 stores various parameters and the like for the CPU 2 to control the printing device 1. The flash memory 6 stores the number of operations for each of the switches 7 to 9, which is referred to in the printing process described later. The number of operations is a value obtained by setting 0 at the start of use of the printing device 1 and adding 1 each time the switch is operated while the power of the printing device 1 is ON. The drive circuit 86 is an electronic circuit for driving the thermal head 29. The drive circuit 87 is an electronic circuit for driving the transfer motor 89. The transfer motor 89 rotates the platen roller 22. The drive circuit 88 is an electronic circuit for driving the display unit 13.

The printing process executed by the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the print process, the CPU 2 assigns a print process to each of the switches 7 to 9 as the same process, and executes a process of printing on the print medium P according to the operation of any of the switches 7 to 9 by the operating body. do. The CPU 2 reads the program stored in the ROM 3 into the RAM 5 and executes the printing process in response to the activation of the printing device 1. Hereinafter, the step number is simply abbreviated as S.

As shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 2 determines whether any operation of the switches 7 to 9 has been detected (S1). The user operates a switch among the switches 7 to 9 exposed by the permissible portion 41. When the panel member 40 is on the left side of the support member 30, the user operates the switch 7, and the switch 7 inputs an ON signal to the CPU 2. When the panel member 40 is in the center position with respect to the support member 30, the user operates the switch 8, and the switch 8 inputs an ON signal to the CPU 2. When the panel member 40 is in the right position with respect to the support member 30, the user operates the switch 9, and the switch 9 inputs an ON signal to the CPU 2. When each of the switches 7 to 9 is operated, it moves downward to start inputting an ON signal to the CPU 2, and when the operation is canceled, it moves upward to input an ON signal to the CPU 2. finish.

When any operation of switches 7 to 9 is detected (S1: YES), the CPU 2 identifies the operated switch among switches 7 to 9 based on the detected ON signal (S2). The CPU 2 adds 1 to the number of operations corresponding to the switch specified in S2 among the number of operations for each of the switches 7 to 9 stored in the flash memory 6, and calculates the number of operations stored in the flash memory 6. Update (S3). The CPU 2 determines whether the number of operations updated in S3 is larger than the threshold value (S4). The threshold value is preferably a preset value in consideration of the average life of the switches 7 to 9. The threshold value is set to, for example, a predetermined number (for example, 1000 to 5000 times) less than the average life of the switches 7 to 9.

When the number of operations is not larger than the threshold value (S4: NO), the CPU 2 prints on the print medium P (S6). Specifically, the CPU 2 controls the drive circuit 87 to rotate the platen roller 22 to convey the print medium P toward the discharge unit 15. The CPU 2 controls the drive circuit 88 to selectively heat the heating element of the thermal head 29 according to the print data, and prints the character on the heat-sensitive layer of the print medium P in line units. The ejection unit 15 ejects the print medium P printed inside the printing apparatus 1 to the outside of the printing apparatus 1.

When the number of operations is larger than the threshold value (S4: YES), the CPU 2 does not execute printing, and the number of operations of one of the switches 7 to 9 specified in S2 reaches the threshold value of S4. Notify (S5). The notification method in S5 may be appropriately set according to the configuration of the printing device 1. For example, the CPU 2 controls the drive circuit 88 and displays a message on the display unit 13 indicating that the number of operations of one switch specified by S2 among the switches 7 to 9 has reached the threshold value of S4. May be good. The message may include, for example, information indicating candidates for placement of the panel member 40 with respect to the modified support member 30. The process of S5 may be executed for a predetermined period, or may be terminated when the user inputs an instruction indicating that the notification content has been confirmed to the printing device 1.

When no operation is detected in any of the switches 7 to 9 (S1: NO), or next to S5 or S6, the CPU 2 determines whether or not an instruction to end the printing process has been acquired (S7). When the printing process is terminated, the user inputs an termination instruction, for example, by operating a power button (not shown). If the end instruction is not acquired (S7: NO), the CPU 2 returns the process to S1. When the end instruction is acquired (S7: YES), the CPU 2 ends the printing process.

In the above embodiment, the printing device 1 is an example of the printing device and the electronic device of the present invention. The opening 17, the housing 11, and the cover 12 are examples of the opening, the housing, and the cover of the present invention, respectively. Switches 7 to 9 are examples of a plurality of switches of the present invention. The support member 30, the panel member 40, the allowable portion 41, and the covering portion 42 are examples of the supporting member, the panel member, the allowable portion, and the covering portion of the present invention, respectively. The three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37 are examples of the plurality of engaging portions of the present invention. The pair of engaged portions 43 is an example of the engaged portions of the present invention. The three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37 and the pair of engaged portions 43 are examples of the positioning portions of the present invention. The plurality of convex portions 46 on the upper surface 45 are an example of the unevenness of the present invention. The CPU 2 that executes the process of S3 functions as a counting unit of the present invention. The CPU 2 that executes the process of S5 functions as a notification unit of the present invention. The CPU 2 that executes the process of S6 functions as a control unit of the present invention.

The printing device 1 as the electronic device includes a housing 11, a cover 12, switches 7 to 9, a support member 30, a panel member 40, and a CPU 2. The housing 11 has an opening 17, and the cover 12 covers the opening 17. Each of the switches 7 to 9 is a push button type switch provided on the cover 12. The support member 30 is attached to the cover 12. The panel member 40 is attached to the support member 30 so that its position with respect to the switches 7 to 9 can be changed. The panel member 40 includes an allowable portion 41 and a covering portion 42. The permissible unit 41 allows the operation of one of the switches 7 to 9 according to the mounting position with respect to the switches 7 to 9. The panel member 40 inoperably covers the other switches among the switches 7 to 9. The CPU 2 assigns the same process to each of the switches 7 to 9, and executes the process in response to the operation of any of the switches 7 to 9. Therefore, the printing device 1 can change the switch that can be operated by the user by changing the position of the panel member 40 with respect to the switches 7 to 9. Even if the life of one of the switches 7 to 9 has expired according to the number of operations to each of the switches 7 to 9, the printing device 1 can change the position of the panel member 40 with respect to the switches 7 to 9. The switch that can be operated by the user can be changed, and the same processing as that of the switch whose life has expired can be executed according to the operation on the switch. Therefore, the printing device 1 can reduce the possibility that the device cannot be used due to the life of the push button type switch as compared with the conventional case.

The permissible portion 41 is an opening that exposes one of the switches 7 to 9 according to the mounting position with respect to the switches 7 to 9. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 has a relatively simple configuration, and can allow the operation of one switch according to the mounting position of the panel member 40 with respect to the switches 7 to 9.

The switches 7 to 9 are arranged side by side in a predetermined direction, and the panel member 40 is supported by the support member 30 so as to be movable in the predetermined direction. The printing device 1 can change the mounting position of the panel member 40 with respect to the switches 7 to 9 by a simple operation of moving the panel member 40 in a predetermined direction. The printing device 1 can simplify the work of changing the mounting position of the panel member 40 as compared with the configuration in which the panel member 40 is removed from the support member 30 when the mounting position of the panel member 40 is changed.

The printing apparatus 1 includes three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37 for locking the panel member 40 at a position where the opening exposes one switch in the switches 7 to 9, and a pair of engaged portions 43. The printing device 1 can easily determine the mounting position of the panel member 40 with respect to the switches 7 to 9 as compared with a device having no configuration in which the panel member 40 is locked at a position where one switch is exposed. The printing device 1 is less likely to carelessly change the mounting position of the panel member 40 with respect to the switches 7 to 9, as compared with a device that does not have a configuration in which the panel member 40 is locked at a position where one switch is exposed.

The printing device 1 is provided on the support member 30, three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37 provided at positions corresponding to switches 7 to 9, and three sets of engaging portions 35 provided on the panel member 40. It has a pair of engaged portions 43 that engage with any set of ~ 37 in a disengageable manner. The printing device 1 has a relatively simple configuration of three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37 and a pair of engaged portions 43, and locks the panel member 40 at positions corresponding to each of the switches 7 to 9. The panel member 40 can be positioned with respect to the support member 30.

The CPU 2 of the printing device 1 counts the number of operations for each switch 7 to 9 (S3), and when the number of operations reaches a predetermined threshold value (S4: YES), one of the switches 7 to 9 is switched. Notifies that the number of operations of (S5) has reached a predetermined threshold value (S5). The printing device 1 can notify the user that the number of operations of one of the switches 7 to 9 has reached a predetermined threshold value. If the printing device 1 sets a predetermined threshold value a predetermined number of times less than the average life of the switch, the user can switch to another switch before the life of one switch reaches the end of its life. ..

A housing unit 21 provided in the housing 11 and capable of accommodating the print medium P is provided, and the CPU 2 receives the operation of one of the switches 7 to 9 (S1: YES), and the accommodating unit 21 Printing is performed on the print medium P housed in (S6). The printing device 1 can reduce the possibility that a printing instruction can be obtained due to the life of the push button type switch as compared with the conventional case.

The covering portion 42 has a plurality of convex portions 46 forming irregularities on the upper surface 45 on the side opposite to the side facing the switches 7 to 9. In the printing device 1, the user can hang an operating body such as a finger on the unevenness of the covering portion 42 to move the panel member 40 in the left-right direction with respect to the support member 30. Therefore, the printing device 1 can be easily operated by the user to move the panel member 40 with respect to the support member 30 as compared with a device having no unevenness on the covering portion 42. Since the plurality of convex portions 46 extend in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the panel member 40, the user can use the operating body on the convex portion 46 as compared with a configuration in which the convex portions 46 extend in parallel with the moving direction of the panel member 40. It is easy to operate the panel member 40 by hanging.

The panel member 40 is made of a flexible resin. In the printing device 1, since the pair of engaged portions 43 are provided on the beam portion 54 corresponding to the allowable portion 41, the printing device 1 is compared with the device in which the pair of engaged portions 43 are provided at the positions corresponding to the covering portions 42. Even when any one of the three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37 and the pair of engaged portions 43 are engaged, the beam portion 54 is applied by applying a force to the panel member 40 in the left-right direction. Is easy to bend, and the engagement between any one of the three sets of engaging portions 35 to 37 and the pair of engaged portions 43 can be easily released.

The printing apparatus and electronic device of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the following modifications may be added as appropriate.

The electronic device of the present invention is not limited to the printing device 1, and may be, for example, a peripheral device used by connecting to a computer such as a facsimile machine. The electronic device may attach the support member 30 to the housing 11 instead of the cover 12. The support member 30 may be attached to a surface other than the upper surface of the electronic device. Even if the printing device 1 does not include the display unit 13 and notifies that the number of operations of one of the switches 7 to 9 has reached a predetermined threshold value by voice from the speaker and lighting or blinking of the LED. good.

The number, shape, arrangement with respect to the cover 12 and the like of the switches 7 to 9 provided in the printing apparatus 1 may be appropriately changed. The printing apparatus 1 does not have to include at least a part or all of the four switches 10. The switches 7 to 9 may be arranged in the lateral direction of the panel member 40, respectively. The number, shape, arrangement, etc. of the plurality of engaging portions 35 to 37 and the engaged portions 43 may be appropriately changed.

The support member 30 may be attached to the cover 12 by a known fixing means such as a screw. The configurations of the support member 30 and the panel member 40 may be changed as appropriate. At least one of the plurality of switches 10 does not have to be covered by the support member 30. When the size of one switch is sufficiently large with respect to an operating body such as a finger, the permissible unit 41 may allow the operation of one switch by exposing a part of the one switch. The permissible portion 41 may be formed so as to cover one of the switches 7 to 9 by a flexible member such as a transparent resin film instead of the opening penetrating in the vertical direction. In this case, the permissible portion 41 can be deformed in the direction away from and the direction closer to one of the switches 7 to 9. The user can operate the switch by bringing the permissible unit 41 into contact with the switch by deforming the permissible unit 41 in a direction approaching one of the switches 7 to 9. Further, in this case, the permissible portion 41 may be formed of a material, color, etc. different from that of the covering portion 42 and may be distinguished from the covering portion 42, and the permissible portion 41 may have a mark or the like for distinguishing from the covering portion 42. You may prepare.

The covering portion 42 of the panel member 40 may not have unevenness on the upper surface 45 on the side opposite to the side facing the plurality of switches 7 to 9, and the shape of the unevenness may be changed. For example, the printing apparatus 1 may include the panel member 130 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 instead of the panel member 40. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the panel member 40 of the above embodiment. The panel member 130 includes an allowable portion 41, a pair of engaged portions 43, and a pair of covering portions 142 as in the above embodiment. Each of the pair of coverings 142 has a recess 146 recessed downward on the top surface 145. The covering portion 142 on the left side with respect to the allowable portion 41 has an arrow-shaped recess 146 pointing to the right. The covering portion 142 on the right side with respect to the allowable portion 41 has an arrow-shaped recess 146 pointing to the left. That is, the planar shape of the recess 146 is an arrow shape pointing to the allowable portion 41 side in the left-right direction. The lower surface 152 of the covering portion 142 is recessed according to the shape of the recess 146. On the lower surface 152, the recess corresponding to the shape of the recess 146 is above the lower end of the convex portion 53. Therefore, the convex portion 53 of the panel member 130 comes into contact with the upper surface of the cover 12, and the recess corresponding to the shape of the concave portion 146 does not come into contact with the upper surface of the cover 12. When the panel member 130 of the modified example is provided, the printing device 1 can easily move the panel member 130 in the left-right direction by hanging an operating body such as a finger on the recess 146. The user can easily see the switch that can be operated by the arrow-shaped recess 146.

The program including the command for executing the printing process of FIG. 9 may be stored in the storage device of the printing device 1 by the time the CPU 2 executes the program. Therefore, each of the program acquisition method, acquisition route, and device for storing the program may be appropriately changed. The program executed by the CPU 2 may be received from another device via a cable or wireless communication and stored in a storage device such as a flash memory. Other devices include, for example, PCs and servers connected via a network.

A part or all of the processing executed by the printing apparatus 1 may be executed by an electronic device (for example, ASIC) different from the CPU 2. The processing executed by the printing apparatus 1 may be distributed processing by a plurality of electronic devices (for example, a plurality of CPUs). The order of each step of the process executed by the printing apparatus 1 can be changed, the step can be omitted, and the step can be added as needed. The scope of the present invention also includes a mode in which an operating system (OS) or the like running on the printing apparatus 1 performs a part or all of the printing process by a command of the CPU 2. For example, the following changes may be made to the above embodiment as appropriate.

The same processing assigned to each of the switches 7 to 9 may be appropriately changed depending on the type of the electronic device. For example, when the printing device 1 includes a cutting device that cuts the print medium P, the printing device 1 assigns each of the switches 7 to 9 to a process for driving the cutting device, and the panel member 40 is operated according to the operation. , The cutting device may be driven. The same process assigned to switches 7 to 9 may be preset or may be set by the user. In the printing process, when the number of operations of the printing device 1 is larger than the threshold value (S4: YES), the CPU 2 executes printing, and the number of operations of one switch specified in S2 among the switches 7 to 9 is the number of operations. It may be notified that the threshold value of S4 has been reached (S5). It is preferable that printing is not executed during the work of changing the arrangement of the panel member 40 with respect to the support member 30. Therefore, for example, when the number of operations is larger than the threshold value (S4: YES), the printing apparatus 1 indicates that the number of operations of one of the switches 7 to 9 specified in S2 has reached the threshold value of S4. After the notification (S5), the printing process may be completed, and a message prompting the work of changing the arrangement of the panel member 40 with respect to the support member 30 may be displayed on the display unit 13.

1: Printing device, 2: CPU, 3: ROM, 5: RAM, 6: Flash memory, 7-9: Switch, 11: Housing, 12: Cover, 13: Display, 17: Opening, 21: Storage , 30: Support member, 35-37: Engagement part, 40, 130: Panel member, 41: Allowable part, 42, 142: Cover part, 43: Engagement part, 45: Top surface, 46: Convex part, 54 : Beam part, 45, 145: Top surface, 46: Convex part, 54: Beam part, 146: Concave part

Claims (10)

A housing with an opening and
A cover that covers the opening, a plurality of push button type switches provided on the cover, and
The support member attached to the cover and
A permissible portion that is attached to the support member so that its position with respect to the plurality of switches can be changed and allows operation to one of the plurality of switches according to the attachment position to the plurality of switches, and the plurality of switches. A panel member having a coating that inoperably covers the other switches in the switch.
A printing apparatus including a control unit that assigns the same process to each of the plurality of switches and executes the process in response to an operation of any of the plurality of switches. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the permissible portion is an opening among the plurality of switches that exposes the one switch according to the mounting position with respect to the plurality of switches. Each of the plurality of switches is arranged side by side in a predetermined direction.
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the panel member is supported by the support member so as to be movable in a predetermined direction. The printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a positioning portion for locking the panel member at a position where the opening exposes the one switch in the plurality of switches. The positioning unit is
A plurality of engaging portions provided on the support member and provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of switches, and a plurality of engaging portions provided on the panel member, which can be engaged with and disengaged from any one of the plurality of engaging portions. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an engaged portion that engages with. A counting unit that counts the number of operations for each of the plurality of switches,
When the number of operations reaches a predetermined threshold value, a notification unit for notifying that the number of operations of the one switch among the plurality of switches has reached the predetermined threshold value is further provided. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A housing unit provided in the housing and capable of storing a print medium is further provided.
The control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit executes printing on the print medium housed in the storage unit in response to the operation of the one switch. Printing equipment. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the covering portion has irregularities on a surface opposite to the side facing the plurality of switches. The panel member is made of a flexible resin and is made of a flexible resin.
The opening is a positioning portion for locking the panel member at a position in the plurality of switches that exposes the one switch.
A plurality of engaging portions provided on the support member and provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of switches, and a plurality of engaging portions provided at positions corresponding to the openings in the panel member. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a positioning portion having an engaged portion that engages with any one of them in a disengageable manner. With the housing
A plurality of push button type switches provided in the housing and
The support member mounted on the housing and
A permissible portion that is attached to the support member so that its position with respect to the plurality of switches can be changed and allows operation to one of the plurality of switches according to the attachment position to the plurality of switches, and the plurality of switches. A panel member having a coating that inoperably covers the other switches in the switch.
An electronic device including a control unit that assigns the same process to each of the plurality of switches and executes the process in response to an operation of any of the plurality of switches.

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