JP3485058B2 - control panel - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure of an operation panel provided in a facsimile machine or the like and provided with various operation keys.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a device such as a facsimile machine is provided with an operation panel equipped with various operation keys for operating the device. As various operation keys provided on the operation panel, there are, for example, a mode switching key for switching between a copy mode and a facsimile mode, a one-touch key for previously registering a destination number for facsimile communication, and the like. Further, the mode switching key and the one-touch key are arranged at different places.

[0003]

As described above, various operation keys such as a mode switching key and a one-touch key are provided on the operation panel, but with the recent multi-functionalization,
The number of operation keys arranged increases, and the operation panel tends to increase in size. In addition, a large number of one-touch keys are often provided, and if the one-touch keys are arranged on the operation panel surface as they are, the operation panel surface becomes cluttered. Therefore, it is desirable to arrange the one-touch keys so that they cannot be seen from the outside in terms of design. There is.

[0004]

The present invention uses the following means in order to solve the above problems. That is, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with a plurality of first keys, a cover member that covers the plurality of first keys so as to be openable and closable, and a second key provided on the cover member .
A plurality of pressing members project downward from the rear surface of the two keys, and when the second key is pressed while the cover member is closed, the first key that comes into contact with or comes close to each pressing member
Depressed by the pressure member .

Further, in the invention according to claim 2,
The cover member that covers the one-touch key has a second key
Mode switch key, and the mode is switched off when the cover member is closed.
By pressing the exchange key, multiple primary keys
One-touch key is pressed to switch modes,
The function of the operation keys provided on the work panel switches .

[0006]

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing a facsimile apparatus to which an operation panel of the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the operation panel, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a portion of the operation panel where one-touch keys and mode switching keys are arranged. 4 is a side sectional view of the same, FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a one-touch cover provided with a mode switching key, and FIG. 6 is a rear view of the same.

First, a schematic structure of a facsimile apparatus as an example to which the operation panel of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. The facsimile device F is configured by disposing a reading unit 2 above the recording unit 1.
In the above, the recording device 3 and the paper feed cassette 4 are respectively installed in the upper and lower parts, and the paper accumulated in the paper feed cassette 4 is fed to the recording device 3 for recording and then discharged to the recording paper discharge tray 5. Is configured as follows.

On the other hand, in the reading unit 2, the reading case 1
A reading device for reading the contents of a document or the like is housed in the document 3, and the document placed on the upper surface of the reading case 13 is scanned by the reading device to read the document. A document pressing cover 7 configured to be openable and closable around one side thereof is arranged above the reading case 13, and the document pressing cover 7 presses the document placed on the upper surface of the reading case 13 from above. I am trying.

Further, an automatic paper feeder (ADF device) 8 for automatically feeding the original is attached to one end of the original pressing cover 7, and the original placed on the original supply tray 9 is automatically fed. The sheet is picked up one by one by means of a sheet feeding device, and is conveyed to an ADF reading portion (not shown) provided at one end of the upper surface of the reading case 13 by a conveying device (not shown) in the automatic paper feeding device 8, and the reading device in a stationary state. After the content is read by (not shown), it is discharged to the document discharge tray 10 formed on the upper surface of the document pressing cover 7.

That is, the reading section 2 is used as a flatbed type scanner for scanning a reading device to read a static original, and a sheet feed type scanner for reading while feeding the original while fixing the position of the reading device. It is configured so that it can be used as.

Further, an operation panel 15 is attached to one side of the reading case 13, and by operating various operation keys of the operation panel 15, the contents of the document are read or the read contents are transmitted by facsimile. In this case, the destination is set, and the received contents and the read contents are recorded by the recording device 3.

Next, the operation panel 15 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, various operation keys and the like are provided on the operation panel 15. For example, the start key 2 that is operated when starting the facsimile transmission or copying of the contents of the document.
1. Stop key 22 that is operated when these operations are stopped halfway, numeric keypad 23 that is operated when dialing a facsimile destination or setting the number of copies, and mode switching such as facsimile mode and copy mode A mode switching key 25 to be operated at the time, a cursor key 26 for selecting and deciding various settings and operation contents of the facsimile apparatus F, a display device 27 for displaying the operating state and setting state of the facsimile apparatus F, etc. are provided. ing. The mode switching key 25 is provided on a one-touch cover 28 that is openably and closably mounted on the operation panel 15.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of one-touch keys 29, ... Are provided on the surface of the operation panel 15 below the one-touch cover 28. The one-touch keys 29, 29 ...
When 8 is closed, it is covered by the one-touch cover 28,
When the one-touch cover 28 is opened, it is exposed to the outside and can be operated.

Further, the one-touch cover 28 accommodates a first switching plate 31 and a second switching plate 32 which are vertically rotatable about a rotation fulcrum 33. The first and second switching plates 31 and 32 have a plurality of openings 31 according to the number and positions of the one-touch keys 29.
a. 32a is formed, and the first and second switching plates 31 and 32 are turned downward to rotate the one-touch key 29.2.
When it is put on 9 ..., the one-touch keys 29, 29 ...
Is projected above the first and second switching plates 31 and 32 through the openings 31a and 32a.

The one-touch keys 29, 29, ...
・ Is for pre-registering the destination of facsimile transmission, pre-registering a plurality of operating procedures, and performing one-touch facsimile transmission, and performing various other operations. The key 29 covers both the first switching plate 31 and the second switching plate 32, covers only the second switching plate 32, and covers both the first and second switching plates 31 and 32. It is configured so that the function and the content that can be registered can be switched depending on whether the function is registered or not.

That is, on the surface of the operation panel 15 on which the one-touch keys 29, 29 ...
There are provided a first sensor switching lever 37 and a second sensor switching lever 38 for operating the switching sensors such as the functions of 9 ... 29. Then, the second switching plate 32
When the one-touch keys 29, 29 ... Are covered, the second sensor switching lever 38 is pressed, the switching sensor is turned on, and the functions of the one-touch keys 29, 29 ... Are switched. When the switching plate 31 is covered, the first sensor switching lever 37 is pushed down, another switching sensor is turned on, and the functions of the one-touch keys 29, 29 ... Are switched again.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a cover plate 34 is attached to the one-touch cover 28 provided with the mode switching key 25, and the cover plate 34 is arranged below the mode switching key 25. The one-touch cover 28 and the cover plate 34 sandwich and hold the mode switching key 25. On the back surface of the mode switching key 25, one or more pressing members 25a projecting downward are formed to project downward from the cover plate 34, and on the back surface of the cover plate 34, a plurality of spacers projecting downward. The pin 34a is formed.

The pressing member 25a is a one-touch cover 2
When one is closed, it is arranged so as to be aligned with any one-touch key 29. Further, when the one-touch cover 28 is closed, the spacer pin 3 of the cover plate 34 is
4a is in contact with the upper surface of the first switching plate 31 to keep the distance between the first switching plate 31 and the lower surface of the cover plate 34 constant.

Further, when the one-touch cover 28 is closed, the length of the pressing member 25a is set so that the lower end of the pressing member 25a of the mode switching key 25 abuts or approaches the upper end of any one-touch key 29. Is set.
When the mode switching key 25 is pressed while the one-touch cover 28 is closed, the one-touch key 29 that comes into contact with or comes close to the pressing member 25a is pressed by the pressing member 25a and turned on. There is. That is, the one-touch key 29 as the first key is provided on the operation panel 15, and the one-touch cover 28 that covers the one-touch key 29 is provided.
Mode switching key 25 as a second key provided on
It is possible to press any one or more one-touch keys 29 by pressing.

In the operation panel 15, the mode switching key 25 is provided with four pressing members 25a so that any one of the plurality of one-touch keys 29 can be pressed. The number of the one-touch keys 29 that can be pressed is not limited, and the mode switching key 25 may be provided with one or more pressing members 25a so that the one or more one-touch keys 29 can be pressed.

When the one-touch cover 28 is closed,
The sensor arm 28a protruding downward from the one-touch cover 28 presses a switching sensor 36 (shown in FIG. 4) provided in the operation panel 15 so that the function of each one-touch key 29 can be switched. That is, when the switching sensor 36 is pressed and turned on, all the one-touch keys 29 or the pressing members 25 of the mode switching keys 25 are pressed.
The one-touch key 29 pressed to a has a function of switching between the facsimile mode and the copy mode.

As described above, when the one-touch cover 28 is closed, the one-touch key 29 which is pressed by pressing the mode switching key 25 acts as a switching key for switching between the facsimile mode and the copy mode. With one open, each one-touch key 29 is connected to the first / second switching plate 31.
The one-touch key 29 depends on the open / closed state of the one-touch cover 28 such that the one-touch cover 28 acts as a function key having various functions and registerable contents depending on the rotating state of 32.
The function of has been switched.

As described above, the mode switching key 25 is provided on the one-touch cover 28 that covers the plurality of one-touch keys 29, the mode switching key 25 and the one-touch key 29 are vertically arranged, and the mode switching key 25 is depressed. By doing so, it is possible to press any one or more one-touch keys 29, so that the space for arranging the mode switching keys 25 and the one-touch keys 29 can be reduced, and the operation panel 15 can be downsized. . Further, since the one-touch keys 29 having a large number of keys are covered with the one-touch cover 28 and cannot be seen from the outside, the surface of the operation panel 15 is neat, and the operation panel 15 having an excellent design can be configured.

When a plurality of pressing members 25a are formed on the mode switching key 25, the mode switching is performed by pressing the one-touch key 29 even if any one of the pressing members 25a is pressed. Even if the user does not pay attention to the position and strength to be operated, the mode can be switched surely without causing an erroneous operation.

In this example, the facsimile machine F
Although the operation panel 15 applied to the above has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to an operation panel of various devices having a plurality of types of operation keys.

[0027]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention has the following effects when the operation panel is configured as described above. First, as in claim 1, a plurality of first keys, a cover member that opens and closes the plurality of first keys, and a second key provided on the cover member are provided, and from the back surface of the second key, Is compound
Pressing the second key with the number of pressing members protruding downward and the cover member closed closes the pressing members.
The first key that is in contact with or close to is pressed by the pressing member.
Since that can reduce the arrangement space of the first key and the second key, it is possible to reduce the size of the operation panel. Further, since the first key composed of a plurality of keys is covered with the cover member and cannot be seen from the outside, the operation panel surface is neat and an operation panel having an excellent design can be configured.

Furthermore , since the function of the second key is exerted by pressing the first key even if any one of the pressing members is pressed,
Even if the operation condition such as the position and strength of pressing the second key is not taken into consideration, it is possible to surely perform the mode switching without causing an erroneous operation.

Further, as described in claim 2 , the cover member covering the one-touch key is provided with a mode switching key which is a second key, and when the cover member is closed, the mode switching key is depressed to operate a plurality of first switching keys . The one-touch key, which is a key, is pressed to switch the mode, and the function of the operation key provided on the operation panel is switched, so that the one-touch key composed of a relatively large number of keys can be covered with the cover member. The operation panel space can be efficiently saved, and the number of visible keys can be significantly reduced, so that the operation panel design can be greatly improved. Further, even if the position and strength of pressing the mode switching key is not taken into consideration, it is possible to perform the mode switching reliably without causing an erroneous operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a facsimile apparatus to which an operation panel of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an operation panel.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a portion of the operation panel on which a one-touch key and a mode switching key are arranged.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the same.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a one-touch cover provided with a mode switching key.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

F facsimile machine 15 Operation panel 25 Mode switching key (second key) 25a pressing member 28 One-touch cover 29 One-touch key (first key)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of first keys, a cover member that covers the plurality of first keys so as to be openable and closable, and a second key provided on the cover member . Push
By pressing the second key while the pressure member projects downward and the cover member is closed, the first key that comes into contact with or comes close to each pressing member is
Operation panel characterized by being pressed by . 2. A second cover member for covering the one-touch key.
A mode switching key, which is a key, is provided and the cover member is closed.
By pressing the mode switching key in the state
Mode is pressed when the one-touch key
Functions of the operation keys that have been replaced and are provided on the operation panel
The operation panel according to claim 1 , wherein the operation panel is switched .