JP3640292B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile, and more particularly to an improved operation and position adjustment function of an operation display device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Many image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles are provided with an operation display device having a display panel including a liquid crystal touch panel as well as operation buttons and switches. Such an operation display device includes a type in which a display panel is embedded in the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body and a type in which the operation display device is provided so as to protrude from the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body.
[0003]
FIG. 1 shows an example of a copying machine in which a display panel is embedded in the upper part of an image forming apparatus main body, and a large-size original, for example, an A0 size or A1 size original, is an image recording target. In this copier, the image reading apparatus is fixed, the original is moved to read the image, and the read image is transferred to the recording paper so as to reduce the size of the apparatus. An original document feed stand 2 is provided so as to project from the upper front side. An image reading device and an original conveying means are provided on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 1 in connection with the original document feed base 2. Is provided with a paper discharge port 3 for image recording paper. In the figure, reference numeral 4 denotes a table that can store the discharged document.
[0004]
In the figure, reference numeral 5 denotes an operation display unit, which is not shown in detail, but is capable of a predetermined operation when the operator touches it with a fingertip or the like. It is buried in a part that avoids the paper width range. Of course, the position and the angle of the display surface are fixed.
[0005]
FIG. 2 is a type of copying machine in which an operation display device projects from the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body, and a relatively large original is to be read. A paper feed tray 7 having a paper feed tray is provided, the upper surface is an image reading unit, and an operation display device 8 is attached to a portion of the copying machine main body 6 away from the image reading unit. In this example as well, the position of the operation display device 8 and the angle of the display surface are fixed.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the configuration in which the position of the operation display device and the angle of the display surface of the operation panel are fixed as described above, the operability is very poor. In particular, when processing a large-size document, the operator often moves his body to hold down the document. However, when the position of the operation display device is fixed, the body is used to confirm the displayed contents. It becomes necessary to incline and look into it, and it becomes considerably unusable. Of course, the operation of buttons and keys is also cumbersome. Also, depending on the height of the operator and the length of the arm, it may be difficult to use unless the angle of the hand or finger with respect to the touch panel, keys, etc., or the direction of the operator's line of sight is changed. Incorrect operation may occur.
[0007]
In addition, for example, a passerby may hit the body or hit a load against the operation display device, but if the position of the operation display device is fixed, the shock cannot be buffered and the operation display device is damaged. It can be considered.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and does not simply change the position of the operation display device or the angle of the display surface of the operation panel, but in a form that is easy for the operator to use. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having an image forming apparatus that can be changed.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, an operation display device capable of performing a predetermined operation by touching an operator with a fingertip or the like is provided on the image forming apparatus main body. In the image forming apparatus provided so as to protrude to the side, the operation display device is provided via a support device in a portion that avoids the maximum range of the document passing area or the placement area of the document to be read. body but a holding member for holding the operation display device horizontal pivoting and vertical pivotally, Ri Do from an arm member for supporting the holding member horizontally rotatably, providing the operating portion of the operation display device parts are each vertical and horizontal directions is curved in a spherical shape or a substantially spherical shape, and wherein the Rukoto such with the concave side to face the display surface of the operation portion.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, common parts are denoted by common reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
[0014]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view partially showing an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus in the illustrated example is a copier that records an image of a large size as in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and the original is placed on the original feed stand 2 that projects to the front side of the copier body 1. The operation display panel 10 is provided in a portion that avoids the maximum sheet passing width range (indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 3A).
[0015]
The operation display panel 10 is provided so as to protrude onto the document feeding table 2 via the support device 11. The support device 11 includes a short tubular holding base 12 erected on the document feeding table 2, an arm portion 13 pivotally supported on the top portion thereof, and a universal joint portion 14 that connects the arm portion 13 and the back surface of the operation display panel 10. It is composed of. The holding base 12 is fixed on the document feeding table 2, but the arm 13 is horizontally rotatable around a pivot point to the holding base 12. As for the rotation of the arm portion 13, the state shown in FIG. 3B is the maximum rotation range in the direction away from the document feeding table 2, and further onto the document feeding table 2, that is, toward the sheet passing area. Is rotatable as shown in FIG.
[0016]
Further, the universal joint portion 14 supports the operation display panel 10 so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. The rotation in the horizontal direction is indicated by an arrow H in FIG. 3A, and the rotation in the vertical direction is indicated by an arrow V in FIG.
[0017]
The mechanism and device of the support device 11 are not limited to those shown in the drawing as long as the entire operation display panel 10 can be rotated horizontally and only the operation display panel 10 can be rotated horizontally and vertically. Mechanisms and devices can be adopted.
[0018]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view seen from the front side of the operation display panel 10. The operation display panel 10 includes a touch panel unit 16 formed of a liquid crystal display panel or the like and a plurality of keys 17 in a case 15. The case 15 is curved with appropriate curvatures in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction as shown in the drawing. The touch panel portion 16 and the key 17 are provided on the concave side of the case 15 which is curved as if a part of the spherical surface was cut off. A lamp 18 is provided at the upper right corner of the case 15 to indicate the operating state of the copying machine body 1 by blinking.
[0019]
An operation mode of the operator for such an operation display panel 10 is shown in FIG. The operation includes a case where the operator displays a key displayed by touching a finger or the like on the screen of the touch panel unit 16 and a case where the key 17 is operated. On the concave surface side, all the positions are located at substantially the same distance from the operator, so that the operator can perform almost without changing the angles of the hands and fingers. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to operate the keys on the screen of the touch panel unit 16, the index finger 19 is set at an angle that allows easy operation with respect to the screen, and the lower key 17 is to be operated from that state. In this case, the position of the entire arm hardly needs to be changed, and the position of the index finger 19 in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction (FIG. 5 shows only the vertical direction but the same applies to the horizontal direction) with the elbow or wrist as the center. It is only necessary to move the arm or hand to change, and the movement of the line of sight is small, and a smooth operation is possible. Of course, the same applies even if the angle and orientation of the operation display panel 10 are changed according to the preference of the operator using the arm portion 13 and the universal joint portion 14 of the support device 11.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 6, when the copying machine main body 1 is moved and hits a wall 20 or a cabinet, the operation display panel 10 escapes onto the document feeding table 2 by the horizontal rotation of the arm portion 13. Buffer shocks. The state in which the operation display panel 10 has escaped is the state shown in FIG. 3C, and the operation display panel 10 itself and the support device 11 are not damaged. The same applies when an object collides from the side of the copying machine main body 1. Even when the operation display panel 10 has escaped, as shown in FIG. 3C, it does not collide with a structure part such as a document reading unit positioned above the document feeding table 2 of the copying machine main body 1.
In the above-described image forming apparatus, the operation display device provided so as to protrude from the image forming apparatus main body is provided with a support device at a portion that avoids the maximum range of the document passing area or the loading area of the document to be read by the image forming apparatus. Since the support device includes a holding member that holds the operation display device in a horizontally rotatable and vertically rotatable manner and an arm body that supports the holding member in a horizontally rotatable manner, the operation display device The position and angle of the display surface can be changed in an easy-to-use form for the operator, and smooth operation becomes possible. In addition, the arm body does not rotate outward from the outer edge of the image forming apparatus main body or the document feed base, and the arm body does not move toward the document passing area or the placement area side of the image forming apparatus main body or the document feed base. In addition to the above-mentioned common effects, the operation display device can be operated by the image forming apparatus main body or the document feeder even if something hits from the outside or hits a wall during movement. Since it rotates so as to escape to the paper passing area or the placing area side of the original on the paper base, and the shock is buffered by this, the operation display device and the support device are not damaged. Further, since the attachment position of the main body of the operation display device is in the vicinity of the document setting unit for setting the document to be read, in addition to the above common effects, the operator does not move the body or line of sight much. In addition, it is possible to set a document on the document setting unit and to operate the touch panel unit, and not only the operability is improved but also the possibility of erroneous operation is extremely reduced. Furthermore, since the attachment position of the main body of the operation display device is in the vicinity of the paper discharge section provided on the side of the image forming apparatus, in addition to the above common effects, the operation display section can be operated to the paper discharge section. The operator can check the image forming contents of the discharged paper without moving the body or line of sight much, and the operability is greatly improved.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention, as has been described above, can change the position and angle of the display surface of the operation display unit in an easy-to-use form of the operator, both the smooth operation is enabled, the display unit effect of all locations that will be located approximately equidistant when viewed from the operator on the display plane, smooth can manipulate the arms and hands without moving too large, also referred to as the less also eye movement is there.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional image forming apparatus of a type in which a display panel is embedded in an upper part of an image forming apparatus main body.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a copying machine of a type in which an operation display device is provided so as to protrude from an upper portion of an image forming apparatus main body.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view partially showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
4 is a perspective view of an operation display panel of the embodiment apparatus of FIG. 4 as viewed from the front side.
5 is a side view showing an operation state of the operation display panel of the embodiment apparatus of FIG.
6 is a perspective view of a state where the apparatus of FIG. 4 is hitting a wall as viewed from the front side. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier body 2 Document feed stand 10 Operation display panel 11 Support device 12 Holding base 13 Arm 14 Universal joint 15 Case of operation display panel 16 Touch panel 17 Key 18 Lamp 19 Index finger 20 of operator Wall X Maximum paper feed width range of paper area

Claims (1)

In an image forming apparatus in which an operation display device capable of performing a predetermined operation when the operator touches with a fingertip or the like is provided on the image forming apparatus main body, the operation display device is placed on a document to be read. A support member is provided via a support device in a portion that avoids the maximum range of the paper passing area or the placement area, and the support device holds the operation display device so that the operation display device can be rotated horizontally and vertically. Ri Do a member from an arm member for supporting horizontally angularly movable, the main body providing the operating portion of the operation display device is curved in a spherical shape or substantially spherical shape, respectively vertical and horizontal directions, the concave side an image forming apparatus comprising Rukoto such to face the display surface of the operation portion.

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