JP5061381B2 - Device operation unit, device equipped with the same, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation unit of a device provided with a liquid crystal display unit for displaying operation contents and the like and keys for performing various operations facing an upper surface of an operation panel, and in particular, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and the like The present invention relates to an apparatus suitable for use in the image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, in many cases, an operation unit is arranged near the front center of the apparatus, and a liquid crystal display unit for displaying operation contents and keys for performing various operations are provided to the operator. Is easy to operate. In this specification, the image forming apparatus includes not only a single-function device such as a copying machine but also a so-called system including a paper feeding device and a post-processing device. The same applies to such a system. is there.

  Keys include not only button keys but also those that exhibit similar functions such as switches, dials, etc., used for operating the device, and these are also being pursued for ease of operation. In recent years, it has been required to make it easier for people with physical disabilities, particularly those with disabilities in the upper limbs, to make various efforts.

  In addition, since the operation unit provided near the center of the front of the device is conspicuous in appearance, not only the functional aspect of ease of use but also the design has been demanded. Various ideas have been devised.

  However, the inventor of the present application knows that there is room for improvement in terms of usability and design. An object of the present invention is to improve this point and to provide an operation unit for a new device that is easy to use for people with disabilities and the like, is functionally excellent, and is excellent in design.

The operation unit of the device according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises:
An operation unit of a device provided with a liquid crystal display unit for displaying operation contents and the like and keys for performing various operations facing the upper surface of the operation panel,
A transparent cover panel covering the upper surface of the operation panel;
The cover panel, have a opening for facing the upper surface of at least a top surface of said key such,
The top surface of at least a part of the keys is recessed, and the cover panel has a shape in which a portion in the vicinity of the opening expands outward and upward and is continuous with the recessed top surface of the keys. It is characterized by

Similarly, according to claim 2, in the operation section of the device of claim 1,
The top surface of one of the at least a portion of the pre-crisis over such is characterized in that recessed in a bowl shape.

Also according to claim 3,
An operation unit of a device provided with a liquid crystal display unit for displaying operation contents and the like and keys for performing various operations facing the upper surface of the operation panel ,
A transparent cover panel covering the upper surface of the operation panel ;
The cover panel has an opening for facing the upper surface of at least the top surface of the front handed over such,
The top surface of at least a part of the keys is recessed in a mortar shape, and the cover panel has a shape in which a portion in the vicinity of the opening expands outward and upward and is continuous with the recessed top surface of the keys. It is characterized by the above.

A device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes the operation unit according to any one of the first to third aspects.

A device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes the operation unit according to any one of the first to third aspects.

  The present invention is easy to use even for persons with disabilities, exhibits excellent functions, and is excellent in design.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. In the following, only an example implemented in the operation unit of the image forming apparatus will be described, but the target device in the present invention is not limited to this, and a liquid crystal display unit such as a liquid crystal panel or a liquid crystal touch panel, and an operation key This also includes devices that perform screen operations using and. It should be noted that the image forming apparatus shown and described below is merely one object of the present invention, and the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this example.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view conceptually showing a color image forming apparatus as an example of an apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the same. The color image forming apparatus shown in the figure is a so-called multi-function machine having multi-functions such as a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, and a document box as will be described later. The image forming apparatus main body 1 mainly includes a reading unit 11 that reads a document, an image forming unit 12 that forms an image, an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 13, and a document on which documents sent from the ADF 13 are stacked. A paper discharge tray 14, a paper supply unit 19 including paper supply cassettes 15 to 18, and a paper discharge unit (discharge tray 20) for stacking recording paper are configured.

  When a document (not shown) is set on the document table 21 of the ADF 13 and the operation unit 10 is operated, for example, the start key 30 is pressed, the uppermost document is placed on the pickup roller 22 from the document table 21. The sheet is fed by rotation, and is fed onto the contact glass 2 fixed on the image reading unit 11 by the rotation of the document conveying belt 23, and stops there. The image of the document placed on the contact glass 2 is read by the reading device 24 in the reading unit 11 located between the image forming unit 12 and the contact glass 2. The reading unit 11 includes a light source that illuminates the document on the contact glass 2, an optical system that forms an image of the document, a photoelectric conversion element that includes a CCD that forms an image of the document, and the like. After the image reading is completed, the document is conveyed and discharged onto the discharge tray 20.

  In the image forming unit 12, a plurality of image forming units 26 are arranged in parallel on a belt-shaped intermediate transfer belt 25, and each image forming unit 26 has a drum-shaped photoconductor 27 around it. A charging device that performs charging processing on the surface of the photoconductor 27, an exposure device that irradiates the surface of the photoconductor 27 with laser light with image information, and an electrostatic latent image formed by exposure on the surface of the photoconductor 27. A developing device, a cleaning device for removing and collecting toner remaining on the photoreceptor 27, and the like are arranged.

  The image forming unit 26 is, for example, an image forming unit of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK) in order from the left in the drawing. In the image forming process in the image forming unit 12, the yellow (Y) toner is first developed and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 25 while rotating the intermediate transfer belt 25, and then the magenta (M) toner is developed. Then, the toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 25, and then the cyan (C) toner is developed and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 25. Finally, the black (BK) toner is developed and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 25. Then, the four color toner images developed on the intermediate transfer belt 25 are transferred to a sheet by the transfer unit 28, and the toner on the sheet is fixed by the fixing unit 29, and then discharged and stored on the discharge tray 20. . Although not described in detail, the illustrated apparatus also includes an apparatus portion for duplex printing.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation unit 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view. The operation unit 10 of the present example is configured in three sections with an operation display panel 40 provided with a liquid crystal touch panel 31 for displaying various information such as operation contents and operation contents with an operation with a finger or the like. . On the right side of the operation display panel 40 in the figure, there are several hard keys, specifically numeric keys (0-9) and symbols (*, #) formed on the top surface of the numeric keypad 32 and the start key described above. 30, a ten key operation panel 50 having various setting keys 33 such as a program key, a clear key 34, etc. is arranged, and on the left side of the operation display panel 40, there are also some hard keys, specifically Indicates which one of the setting key 36 related to color image formation, the selection key 37 for performing various selections of color image formation and monochrome image formation, and composite functions such as copy, facsimile, scanner, and document box. A function key operation panel 60 having function selection keys 38 and the like for selection is arranged. In the figure, numeral 41 is a power key, numeral 42 is a dial key, and numeral 43 is a recess for placing a small stationery such as a gem clip. The dial key 42 is used for adjusting the contrast of the screen of the liquid crystal touch panel 31.

  The operation display panel 40, the numeric keypad operation panel 50, and the function key operation panel 60 are provided in triplicate as shown in FIG. 4 in the operation unit 10 provided in the image forming apparatus body 1, that is, the casing of the image forming apparatus. However, the upper surfaces thereof are covered with transparent cover panels 40a, 50a and 60a, respectively. The cover panel covers the entire surface of the operation display panel 40, which is a liquid crystal display unit, and covers at least a part of the keys. In the illustrated example, various keys are displayed as described above. Since they are separately arranged on both sides of the panel 40, a cover panel 40a covering the entire surface of the operation display panel 40, a cover panel 50a covering the numeric keypad operation panel 50, and a cover panel 60a covering the function key operation panel 60 are provided. Divided into sections.

  Therefore, the division of the cover panels 40a, 50a, 60a corresponds to a circuit board (not shown) provided on the lower surfaces of the operation display panel 40, the numeric keypad operation panel 50, and the function key operation panel 60. In other words, one combination of the operation panel, circuit board, and cover panel can be considered as one unit, and various configurations can be realized by changing various combinations of circuit boards, panels, and cover panels. Therefore, it is possible to deal with image forming apparatuses having different models and different operation unit configurations.

  Although not specifically shown, the cover panels 40a, 50a, and 60a are detachable from the operation display panel 40 and the like by pins 44 provided at the four corners. The contents of the various keys are printed on the cover panels 40a, 50a, 60a, not on the operation display panel 40, the numeric keypad operation panel 50, and the function key operation panel 60 side, except for those displayed directly on the top of the keys. Etc. can be described. Of course, it can be described not only on the front surface of the cover panel 40a and the like, but also on the back surface.

  Further, the cover panels 40a, 50a, and 60a are colored so as not to impair the transparency. Specifically, for example, a bluish tint is applied to the back side by pearl printing to create a high-class feeling or to make it visually easy to visually recognize that the control unit is an operation unit. Of course, the color may be set from the viewpoint of design design and the viewpoint of ensuring transparency, and various colors can be adopted by using the current printing technology. Of course, since many plastics are used for the cover panel, the panel material itself may be visually recognizable and have an excellent design, and it is limited to using printing for coloring. Not.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion where the key of the operation unit 10 is provided. 5 specifically shows the numeric keypad 32 part of the numeric keypad operation panel 50 in a cutaway manner, but the other key parts have the same structure, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in the figure, an opening 51 is formed in the cover panel 50a covering the numeric keypad operation panel 50 in accordance with the numeric keypad 32, and the top surface of the numeric keypad 32, that is, the surface operated by the operator with a finger or the like is exposed to the outside. It is exposed.

  Further, the top surface of the numeric keypad 32 is a mortar-shaped concave surface as shown in FIG. 5, and the opening 51 of the cover panel 50a is expanded correspondingly to the vicinity of the opening edge 52 outward and upward. The structure has a shape that is continuous with the concave top surface of the numeric keypad 32. For this reason, when the operator operates with a finger or the like, the engagement of the finger is improved, and so-called “sumi push” can be prevented. That is, in the state where the top of the numeric keypad 32 simply protrudes from the numeric keypad operation panel 50, there is a slight gap in the portion where the outer peripheral side surface of the numeric keypad 32 protrudes from the numeric keypad operation panel 50. If the key is pressed, the numeric keypad 32 will be wobbled and the key operation may not be performed properly. However, in this example, such a state is less likely to occur.

  Of course, the opening edge 52 of the opening 51 of the cover panel 50a does not have to be expanded, but it is preferable that the opening edge 52 is expanded and connected to the concave top surface of the key 32. For example, if a person with a disability in the upper limb is an operator, it may be difficult to move his / her finger, so the range of finger pressing operations is expanded as much as possible, and the top surface of the key to be operated by the dent This is because it is desirable to be able to guide the fingertip, that is, to improve accessibility. Of course, the same applies to healthy people.

1 is a perspective view conceptually showing a color image forming apparatus as an example of an apparatus according to the present invention. It is sectional drawing similarly. It is a top view of the operation part shown in FIG. 1, 2 as one Example of the apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing similarly. It is an expanded sectional view of the site | part which provided the key of the operation part shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1: Image forming apparatus body 2: Contact glass 10: Operation unit 11: Reading unit 12: Image forming unit 13: Automatic document feeder (ADF)
14: Document discharge tray 15 to 18: Paper feed cassette 19: Paper feed unit 20: Paper discharge tray 21: Document table 24: Reading device 25: Intermediate transfer belt 26: Image forming unit 27: Photoconductor 30: Start key 31 : LCD touch panel 32: Numeric keypad 33: Setting key 34: Clear key 36: Setting key 37: Selection key 38: Function selection key 41: Power key 42: Dial key 43: Recess for placing small stationery 40: Operation display panel 40a: Cover Panel 50: Ten-key operation panel 50a: Cover panel 51: Opening 52: Opening edge 60: Function key operation panel 60a: Cover panel

Claims (5)

An operation unit of a device provided with a liquid crystal display unit for displaying operation contents and the like and keys for performing various operations facing the upper surface of the operation panel,
A transparent cover panel covering the upper surface of the operation panel;
The cover panel, have a opening for facing the upper surface of at least a top surface of said key such,
The top surface of at least a part of the keys is recessed, and the cover panel has a shape in which a portion in the vicinity of the opening expands outward and upward and is continuous with the recessed top surface of the keys. The operation part of the apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In the operation unit of the device of claim 1,
Operation unit of equipment, characterized in that recessed in a bowl-shaped top surface of at least a portion of the previous one handed over such. An operation unit of a device provided with a liquid crystal display unit for displaying operation contents and the like and keys for performing various operations facing the upper surface of the operation panel ,
A transparent cover panel covering the upper surface of the operation panel ;
The cover panel has an opening for facing the upper surface of at least the top surface of the front handed over such,
The top surface of at least a part of the keys is recessed in a mortar shape, and the cover panel has a shape in which a portion in the vicinity of the opening expands outward and upward and is continuous with the recessed top surface of the keys. An operation unit of a device characterized by the above. Equipment with any of operation parts of claims 1 to 3. An image forming apparatus having any one of the operation portions of claims 1 to 3.