JP4563953B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a digital multifunction peripheral, a printer, or a facsimile.

  Recently, multifunctional digital multifunction peripherals having functions such as a facsimile, a copier, a printer, and a scanner are commercially available. The digital multi-function peripheral can receive image data from various external input means such as a facsimile or a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer), and can form an image on a sheet based on each image data. . For example, when a user of a personal computer uses a digital multi-function peripheral as a printer, it is necessary to confirm whether data transmitted from the personal computer by the user has been reliably transmitted.

  FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a conventional digital multi-function peripheral. In FIG. 4, the digital multi-function peripheral includes a reading unit 1 that reads a document, a discharge unit 2 that discharges printed paper such as a printer or a FAX document, an operation unit 3 that is disposed on the front side of the discharge unit 2, and a discharge unit. The printing unit 4 is arranged below the unit 2 and the operation unit 3 and prints an image of a read original on a sheet, and a cassette 5 that stores the sheet.

  In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-219081 (Patent Document 1), the status display unit 6 is provided on the vertical surface from the reading unit 1 to the discharge unit 2 shown in FIG. It is described that a message indicating whether or not the message has been transmitted reliably is displayed.

As another example, a state display unit 7 is provided on the front side of the operation unit 3.
JP 2003-219081 A (summary)

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the example in which the status display unit 6 is provided on the vertical surface from the reading unit 1 to the discharge unit 2, it is easy for a user who is away from the digital multifunction peripheral to visually recognize the display contents. There is a feature. However, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user who directly operates the operation unit 3 to visually recognize the display content.

  In addition, when the status display unit 6 is provided on the vertical plane, wiring from the operation unit 3 to the status display unit 6 must be performed, which causes a problem that a member cost increases for the manufacturer and man-hours increase.

  When the state display unit 7 is provided on the front side of the operation unit 3, a user who directly operates the operation unit 3 must move his / her line of sight toward the front side.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus provided with a display unit so that both a user who directly operates an operation unit and a user at a remote location can easily see.

  According to the present invention, the reading means for reading an image from the original, the original discharging means for discharging the printed paper provided at the lower part of the reading means, and the lower side provided with a step from the original discharging means. The operation unit disposed on the front side of the document discharge unit with the operation surface facing upward, and a step portion between the document discharge unit and the operation unit are disposed with a predetermined inclination, and the operation state is changed. First display means for displaying.

  Preferably, the first display means includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.

  The first display means includes a display panel that is disposed in the stepped portion and to which a light emitting diode is attached.

  Preferably, the operation means includes an operation board on which a plurality of operation keys are arranged, and the first display means includes a display board electrically connected to the operation board.

  The reading means has a first vertical surface that falls on the near side to the discharge means side, and is provided on the first vertical surface, and includes a second display means for displaying an operation state. Alternatively, the operation means includes a third display means that has a second vertical surface that falls on the near side, is provided on the second vertical surface, and displays an operation state.

  The reading unit forms a shadow by covering the first display unit.

  According to the present invention, the display means is provided at the back side of the operation section by being provided with the predetermined inclination at the step portion between the document discharge means and the operation means and displaying the operation state. Since it is located, both the user who directly operates the operation unit and the user who is in a remote place can easily see.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a digital multifunction machine 10 as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is similar to the conventional example shown in FIG. 4 in that a reading unit 1 as a reading unit for reading a document, a discharge unit 2 as a discharge unit for discharging printed paper, An operation unit 3 as an operation means disposed on the front side of the discharge unit 2, a printing unit 4 disposed on the lower side of the discharge unit 2 and the operation unit 3 for printing an image of a read document on a sheet, and a sheet storage The cassette 5 is provided.

  A step portion is formed between the discharge portion 2 and the operation portion 3, and first display means is provided below the step portion. The first display means includes a display panel 11 arranged in a step portion, and the display panel 11 is provided with, for example, a light emitting diode 12 for displaying each state of printing, transmission, reception, memory, and error. ing. The print display indicates that the digital multi-function peripheral 10 functions as a printer, and the transmission display indicates that the digital multi-function peripheral 10 functions as a facsimile transmitter. The reception display indicates that the digital multifunction peripheral 10 functions as a facsimile receiver, and the memory display indicates that the digital multifunction peripheral 10 functions as a facsimile receiver and receives data. The error display indicates that the paper fed from the cassette 5 to the printing unit 4 has a paper jam or the like.

  The reading unit 1 can cover the display panel 11 so that the display panel 11 is behind the reading unit 1, so that the light from the light emitting diode 12 can be more easily seen. For this reason, the depth dimension of the reading unit 1 is formed to be longer than the depth dimension of the discharge unit 2. More preferably, the reading unit 1 has substantially the same size obtained by combining the depth dimension of the reading unit 1 and the depth dimension of the operation unit 3 with the rear surface in the depth direction being the same position as the rear surface in the depth direction of the discharge unit 2. It is formed as follows. Thereby, a shadow can be formed on the display panel 11 by the reading unit 1.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the digital multifunction peripheral 10 shown in FIG. The reading unit 1, the operation unit 3, and the printing unit 4 of the digital multifunction peripheral 10 shown in FIG. 1 are connected to the control unit 20, and the control unit 20 is housed in the printing unit 4 shown in FIG. Has been. Interfaces (I / F) 21 and 22 are connected to the control unit 20. The interface 21 communicates with an external facsimile 23 and the digital multifunction peripheral 10 via a telephone line, and the interface 22 communicates with the external personal computer 24 and the digital multifunction peripheral 10 via a LAN. The light emitting diode 12 shown in FIG. 1 is attached to a display substrate 13, and the display substrate 13 is connected to the control unit 20 via the operation unit 3.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the operation unit 3 and the display panel 11 shown in FIG. The operation unit 3 is formed so as to be slightly inclined toward the front side, and the display panel 11 has a predetermined angle θ of, for example, 60 to 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane of the operation unit 3, and the upper part is a discharge unit. It is inclined to the 2 side. An operation unit substrate 31 is disposed on the back surface of the operation unit 3, and a plurality of operation keys are attached to the operation substrate 31. A display substrate 13 shown in FIG. 2 is arranged on the back surface of the display panel 11. A light emitting diode 12 for displaying each state is attached to the display substrate 13. Holes 15 are formed in the display panel 11 corresponding to the respective light emitting diodes 12 so that the light when the light emitting diodes 12 are turned on can be visually recognized from the outside. The display substrate 13 is connected to the operation substrate 31 by wiring 14. As a result, the length of the wiring does not become long, and the cost does not increase.

  As described above, the light emitting diode 12 for displaying the state of the digital multifunction device 10 is attached to the display panel 11 having the inclined surface on the back side of the operation unit 3, so that the user from a place away from the digital multifunction device 10 can be used. Even from the line of sight A and the line of sight B of the user who operates the operation unit 3, the light when the light emitting diode 12 is turned on can be easily visually recognized.

  In addition, by using the light emitting diode 12, it is possible to increase the brightness of the display unit, and it is easy to visually recognize from a distant place. In addition, both the user who operates by standing in front of the operation unit 3 and the user who operates remotely such as a personal computer should check the operation state of the digital multifunction peripheral 10 without being subjected to a physical load or a decrease in work efficiency. Can do.

  In addition, the light emitting diode 12 has a longer life than a light source such as an incandescent lamp, and can reduce power consumption, so that cost performance can be improved. Furthermore, since the size and thickness can be reduced, the degree of freedom in designing and designing can be increased.

  Further, since the depth dimension of the reading unit 1 is made equal to the total dimension of the depth dimension of the discharge unit 2 and the operation unit 3, the display panel 11 is behind the reading unit 1. It becomes easier to see.

  Note that a display as a second or third display means is arranged in parallel with the display panel 11 on the first vertical surface falling on the front side of the reading unit 1 or on the second vertical surface falling on the front side of the operation unit 3. A part may be provided.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

1 is an external perspective view showing a digital multi-function peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing of the operation part shown in FIG. 1, and an inclination part. It is an external appearance perspective view of the conventional digital multifunctional device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reading part, 2 discharge | emission part, 3 operation part, 4 printing part, 5 cassette, 10 digital compound machine, 11 display panel, 13 display board, 14 wiring, 15 holes, 20 control part, 21,22 interface, 23 facsimile, 24 PC, 31 operation board.

Claims (7)

Reading means for reading an image from a document;
A discharge means provided at a lower portion of the reading means for discharging printed paper;
An operating means that is provided on the lower side with a step from the discharging means, and is disposed on the front side of the discharging means so that the operating surface faces upward,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a first display unit disposed at a step portion between the discharge unit and the operation unit with a predetermined inclination and displaying an operation state.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first display unit includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first display unit includes a display panel that is disposed in the stepped portion and to which the light emitting diode is attached. The operation means includes an operation board on which a plurality of operation keys are arranged,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first display unit includes a display substrate that is electrically connected to the operation substrate. The reading means has a first vertical surface that falls on the near side to the discharge means side,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second display unit that is provided on the first vertical surface and displays the operation state. The operating means has a second vertical surface that falls on the near side,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third display unit that is provided on the second vertical surface and displays the operation state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit forms a shadow by covering the first display unit.

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