JP3441910B2 - Composite device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composite device integrally provided with an image input / output means, a video information input means, a display means, a voice input / output means, an operating means, etc., and is connected to, for example, a communication line. The present invention relates to a technique applicable to a compound device having a multimedia function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A variety of information processing devices have been developed with the recent development of information systems and their peripheral technologies, and multimedia communication represented by the Internet is expected to be enhanced. As a hardware embodiment of this multimedia communication, connecting to a communication line using a personal computer with a display is the most feasible in terms of cost, is generally implemented, and will be a great development in the future. Is expected.

By the way, in the multimedia communication using a personal computer as described above, the keyboard, mouse, etc. of the personal computer are operated to transfer a still image, a moving image, character information, voice information, etc. desired by the user through the communication line. In addition to the basic PC functions and communication functions, in order to search and obtain or send via
A function that performs three different processes is required. That is, the first process of displaying and outputting a still image or a moving image on a display connected to a personal computer and outputting the sound to a speaker,
A second process for storing information such as still images, moving images, character information and voice information in an external storage means such as a hard disk of a personal computer, a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, and desired character information / image information on recording paper. A third process for obtaining a hard copy by a printer or a digital copying machine for recording, and a fourth process for inputting a still image, a moving image, audio information, etc. for transmitting to a destination. .

By making these first to fourth processes feasible, it can be used as a database search device, a facsimile device, a color moving picture transmission / reception device, a video telephone device, a video conference system, a factory management system, etc. Therefore, it is possible to realize multimedia in the original sense.

Therefore, when the above-mentioned first to fourth processes are carried out by using a personal computer with a display, a desired image and sound are received by connecting to a communication line and operating a keyboard or a mouse. With regard to the first processing for displaying and outputting the sound and the second processing for inputting the acquired predetermined image and sound into the external storage means, a large capacity normally provided in a personal computer is used. This can be done by allocating the image storage unit to the external storage means of. For this purpose, for example, one personal computer installed on the desk can be used.

However, the above third method for obtaining the hard copy by recording the remaining desired image information on the recording paper.
A printer or a digital copying machine is separately required to perform the above processing, and it is necessary to secure the installation area. Further, in order to perform the above-mentioned fourth processing for inputting a still image, a moving image, audio information, etc. desired by the user, an image of a video camera or a digital still camera and an image of a scanner capable of reading an original document or the like is used. An additional reader and microphone are required.

As a result of the above, when the necessary equipment is connected to the conventional personal computer as described above, the above third
A printer or a digital copying machine for performing the processing of
Since a video camera or a digital still camera, a scanner and a microphone for performing the above-mentioned fourth process are further required, a considerable installation area is required.
In addition, the device may be placed on a desk and must be seated to operate a keyboard or mouse, which may require additional seating space for the chair.

Further, when a personal computer with a display placed on a desk is used, all the operations are performed by operating a keyboard or a mouse, which makes the operation complicated for a beginner.

Therefore, as seen in the application of Japanese Patent Application No. 7-241358, a printer and a scanner or a digital copying machine are arranged and incorporated in the apparatus main body, and the scanner (or the image of the digital copying machine) of the apparatus main body is installed. By installing a flat panel display that can be input by directly touching the display surface as a display device on the top of the (reading part), installation of a keyboard and mouse is omitted, and a video camera or still camera is installed on the top of this display. By arranging it, the whole device can be made compact.

As shown in FIG. 3, the flat panel display is designed so that the tilt angle can be varied along the front-back direction of the apparatus main body so that the use of the scanner is not hindered when the flat tilt angle position is set to the steep tilt angle position. The operability of the touch input can be improved when it is set to the gentle inclination angle position, and a compact and convenient operability can be configured.

[0011]

However, when the display is arranged above the scanner as described above,
The following defects are observed.

When the scanner is used, the display disposed on the upper side must be always set to the steep tilt angle position each time, and even when the use of the scanner is finished, the operability of touch input is improved. If so, the display must be returned to the gentle tilt angle position each time.

Further, in order to continue shooting the operator with the video camera or the still camera arranged above the display, the angle of the camera must be changed according to the angle of the display.

[0014]

According to claim 1 of the present invention.
For example, if you have a flatbed scanner
It is placed on top of the flatbed scanner and
A display device that can input instructions by touching
Position and the angular position of the display device to the flat
By covering the upper surface of the bed scanner, the flatbed
The first angular position that renders the scanner inoperable, or
By exposing the upper surface of the rat bed scanner,
Second angular position to enable operation of rat bed scanner
Display angle position changing means to change the
Mode that selects the desired operation mode from the operation modes
Selection means and operation selected by the mode selection means
If the mode was the operating mode using the scanner,
If the display angle position changing means,
Moving the display device to the first angular position,
The operation mode selected by the mode selection means is
If the operation mode is not using the canner,
The display by the display angle position changing means
Control the device to move to the second angular position
And a control unit.
According to claim 2, the mode selecting means is configured to
Multiple operating modes displayed on the display surface of the display device
The operator touches the desired item among the items that indicate
2. The operation mode is selected according to.
According to claim 3, a camera device according to claim 3.
And a camera angle variable that changes the orientation of the camera device.
Means for controlling the operation mode according to the operation mode.
The camera angle changing means changes the orientation of the camera device.
It controls so that it may be made to be 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned.
2 is a composite device.

According to each of the above constructions, when the control means recognizes the operating state of the composite apparatus and the scanner is used, the tilt angle position of the display is properly maintained, and the operator uses the video camera or the still camera. In order to continue shooting, it is possible to change the angle of the camera according to the angle of the display.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) The form of a multimedia composite apparatus according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the main body of the composite device in a broken manner, FIG. 2 is a block diagram in which only a hardware block relating to a tilt angle is extracted, and FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of a display tilt angle varying means 2. In the left side view, a state in which the display tilt angle varying means 2 is moving to the steepest tilt angle position is shown by a solid line.

In FIG. 1, the composite apparatus main body 1 is a so-called floor-mounted type equipped with casters for movement, and is basically based on the fact that the user can use it in a standing state.
Inside the apparatus main body 1, a flatbed scanner (flatbed scanner;
The following scanner 9 is provided, and after the original is set by opening the pressure plate 11 which is opened in the direction of arrow D1 by a hinge (not shown ), the contact type shown in the broken line shown in FIG. Line sensor array 10 with arrow D
It is configured to read the document while moving to 2.

Next, inside the apparatus main body 1, below the scanner 9 which is the document reading means, desired image information is color-printed and recorded on a sheet of a recording medium, and an arrow D3 is fed from the discharge roller 14 in the front. A color image forming apparatus 13 that outputs in the direction is arranged. (For example, an apparatus including an electrophotographic recording system (laser beam printer) that uses three primary color toners). Here, this image forming apparatus 13
May be constituted by an inkjet recording method such as a recording means, or a thermal transfer recording method using an ink sheet and a thermal head, and is appropriately selected.
It may be a monochrome printer.

Below the image forming apparatus 13, a communication control means for communicating with the outside and a main control section 15 for controlling the entire composite apparatus are arranged, and the respective components are vertically stacked. The design is made so that the occupied installation area can be minimized by arranging them.

Next, as a flat panel display device 3 having a flat display surface on the base 6 of the tilt angle varying means 2 for varying the tilt angle with respect to the upper surface of the device body 1 along the front-back direction of the device body. For example, an FLCD device (ferroelectric liquid crystal device) proposed by the applicant is provided.

Guide grooves 12 are provided along the left and right wall surfaces of the scanner 9 to form guide portions for guiding the movement of the tilt angle varying means 2 including the flat panel display device 3. .

At the edge of the flat panel display device 3, a non-contact type touch position detecting device for detecting the touch position on the display surface is arranged. This non-contact type touch position detection device detects the finger position in a non-contact type by infrared sensors 4 and 5 which are respectively arranged at left and right / upper and lower positions at a pitch of about 3 mm. Further, it may be a touch panel which is usually arranged on the touch surface so as to directly detect the pressing operation.

On the other hand, a CCD camera 7 is provided so as to be exposed from an opening hole formed in a substantially central portion of the upper portion of the base portion 6 of the tilt angle changing means 2, and the CCD camera 7 is changed by the camera angle changing means 8. The angle can be adjusted vertically. Then, when the base 6 is in the standing position shown by the solid line in FIG.
Is adjusted substantially horizontally, and when the base 6 is in the position shown by the broken line in FIG. 3, the CCD camera is adjusted downward.

In the configuration described above, when the operator touches the flat panel display device 3 with his / her fingertip, the infrared sensors 4, 5 detect the edges of the flat panel display device 3 and the main controller 15 is operated.
To the main device 2 in response to the operation.
Control the overall behavior.

In this way, the multimedia multifunction device 1 embodying the present invention can perform various operations as shown in FIG. 7 by the operation of the operator, and the scanner 9 is used corresponding to each operation. It will be decided whether it becomes or will become. Further, it becomes necessary to change the angles of the flat panel display device 3 and the CCD camera 7 depending on whether the scanner 9 is used or is on standby. The control of this angle will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

The main control unit 15 is an operation that does not use the scanner 9 as judged from the operation of the operator, that is, from FIG. 7, "information retrieval", "still image output", "FAX reception",
If it is determined to be either "other" (S40
2) The current angle of the flat panel display device 3 is determined (S403), and if the current angle of the flat panel display device 3 is a steep angle, the display becomes a gentle angle with respect to the display tilt angle varying means 2. (S404) so that the scanner 9 cannot be operated, but the scanner 9 is moved to a position where the touch operation is easier to perform.
The mechanism of the display tilt angle varying means 2 at this time will be described with reference to FIG. C. W. (Counterclockwise)
It is controlled so that the base 6 rotates.
Moves in the M direction, and the flat panel display device 3
Becomes a gentle angle. Further, the camera is controlled so that the camera angle changing means 8 faces downward (S405), and the operator is continuously photographed.

Further, the main control section 15 is an operation of using the scanner 9 as judged from the operation of the operator, that is, any one of "still image input", "copy" and "fax transmission" from FIG. If it is determined that there is (S402), the current angle of the flat panel display device 3 is determined (S40).
6) If the current angle of the flat panel display device 3 is a gentle angle, the display tilt angle varying means 2 is controlled so that the display has a steep angle (S4).
07). Display tilt angle varying means 2 at this time
Motor 301 is a C.I. W. It is controlled to rotate in the (clockwise direction), this movement is transmitted, the base portion 6 moves in the U direction, and the flat panel display device 3 becomes a steep angle. Further, the camera is controlled to be horizontal with respect to the camera angle varying means 8 (S408).

Here, the operation of the operator is "still image input".
If it is either "copy" or "fax transmission",
The main controller 15 can make the determination by the method described below.

When the multi-function device is in the standby state,
On the flat panel display device 3, as shown in FIG. 5, a document creation 501, an information search 502, and a fax transmission 50.
3. Each button of the copy screen 504 is displayed. The operator selects any of the four buttons from this screen. At this time, when the operator selects the FAX transmission 503 or the copy 504 button, it can be determined that the operation is the “FAX transmission” or the “copy”.

When the operator selects the button for document creation 501, the flat panel display device 3
The screen of 601 displays a page with a document as shown in FIG. 6, and buttons such as a character input 602, an image input 603, a graphic input 604, and a print 605 are displayed. At this time, when the operator selects the button of the image input 603, it can be determined that the operation is “still image input”.

It should be noted that the present invention provides a "host computer,
The invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices such as an interface and a printer, or to an apparatus including one device such as a copying machine. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading the program from the storage medium storing the program represented by the software for achieving the present invention into the system or device,
The system or device can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The selected operation mode is the mode to use the scanner.
To change the angular position of the display depending on whether or not
Operate whether or not the operation mode using the scanner
It is possible to make a person intuitively judge. Also the scanner
If the operating mode is not using
It is possible to improve the operability of touch operations on the device display surface.
Wear.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a main body of a compound device according to an embodiment of the present application in a cutaway manner.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram in which only blocks related to a tilt angle of the compound device are extracted.

FIG. 3 is a left side view showing a schematic configuration of tilt angle varying means.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the tilt angle varying means.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a display device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a display device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing classification of operation modes of the multifunction device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Complex device body 2 Display tilt angle changing means 3 Flat panel display device 4 infrared sensor 5 infrared sensor 6 base 7 CCD camera 8 Camera angle changing means 9 scanner 10 line sensor array 13 Image forming apparatus 15 Main control unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-2-254490 (JP, A) JP-A-7-143261 (JP, A) JP-A-63-231366 (JP, A) JP-A-8- 263214 (JP, A) JP 5-276301 (JP, A) JP 6-276342 (JP, A) JP 62-153966 (JP, A) JP 62-153870 (JP, A) JP 63-271360 (JP, A) JP 5-66855 (JP, A) Fukui 2-75649 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 G03G 15/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A flatbed scan for reading an original image.
And a display surface disposed on the flatbed scanner and above the flatbed scanner.
Display that can input instructions by touching
Device and the angular position of the display device to the flatbed
The flatbed scan is covered by covering the top of the scanner.
The first angular position that renders the knob inoperable, or the flat
The flat surface is exposed by exposing the upper surface of the bed scanner.
Change to the second angular position to enable operation of the bed scanner
Display angular position changing means for selecting and a desired operation mode from a plurality of operation modes
The mode selection means and the operation mode selected by the mode selection means are
If the operation mode using the scanner,
The display by the display angle position changing means
Move the device to the first angular position and select the mode
The operating mode selected by the means uses the scanner
If the operation mode is not
The display device is controlled by the angular position changing means.
And a control means for controlling the movement to the second angular position . 2. The mode selection means includes the display.
Item indicating multiple operation modes displayed on the display surface of the device
When the operator touches the desired item in the eye,
The operation mode according to claim 1, wherein the operation mode is selected.
Combination device. 3. A camera device and an orientation of the camera device
And a control means for changing the camera angle.
Means that the camera angle varying means is in accordance with the operation mode.
Controlling to change the orientation of the camera device
The composite device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.