JP6098056B2 - Compound machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to MFPs that have a touch panel for operation.

  In stationary information devices such as MFPs (Multi-functional Peripherals), copiers, and facsimile machines, touch panels are used as operation input means. The touch panel here is a touch-type pointing device that is used by being superimposed on a display such as a liquid crystal panel. The surface of the touch panel serves as both a screen on which an image serving as an operation screen is displayed and a touch surface for operation.

  The touch panel is also used as an operation input unit of a portable information device. In particular, a projected capacitive touch panel is used in a smartphone or a tablet personal computer. As a result, a multi-touch operation in which a plurality of fingers simultaneously touch the touch surface is possible.

  Regardless of the projection type or the surface type for single touch operation, the capacitive touch panel is superior in touch detection sensitivity compared to the most common resistive touch panel among other methods. It is possible to detect a light touch that is not strongly pressed and proximity before the user's finger touches the touch surface as a touch. High sensitivity realizes light operability. On the other hand, a malfunction that easily detects a finger or hand movement not intended by the user as a touch operation and executes a process corresponding to the operation is likely to occur.

  A method for preventing malfunction of a portable device having a touch-type pointing device has been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses that a notebook personal computer in which a touch pad is disposed adjacent to a keyboard allows a user to arbitrarily set an operable area in the touch pad. Touch operations in areas other than the set operable area are invalidated. According to this, the user can customize the touch pad according to his / her own habit and usage style so that no erroneous operation will occur even if the user touches the touch pad unintentionally when operating the keyboard.

  Further, Patent Document 2 proposes that when a touch operation is expected to be an unintended operation, the operation is invalidated to prevent an erroneous operation. The mobile phone device disclosed in the document considers the touch operation when the connection change is determined by regarding the connection with the external charger and the connection release as the situation where the user is not operating. To disable.

JP 2011-204092 A JP 2011-34196 A

  A user of a stationary information device intentionally touches, approaches, or moves a part other than the operation panel during use. For example, when using a copier or a multifunction machine having a copy function, a user opens a cover that covers the platen glass by lifting one end thereof, and sets a document on the platen glass. In some cases, a door provided on the housing is opened and closed in order to replenish paper or replace color materials. When using a facsimile machine or a multifunction machine having a facsimile function, the user sets a facsimile document on the document table. The position of a movable document guide provided on the document table may be adjusted.

  When performing operations other than the operation of the operation panel in this way, a part of the body such as the user's hand, arm, head, and torso may touch or approach the operation panel without being conscious of the user. Conceivable. That is, when a touch panel with excellent sensitivity such as a capacitance type is assembled to the operation panel, the information device may perform an operation not intended by the user. Therefore, if the above prior art is applied to enable the touch only in a part of the touch panel or the touch operation is disabled only in a predetermined case, the touch input is not intended by the user. Malfunctions can be reduced.

  However, if the touch input is disabled, whether it is a part of the touch panel or temporarily, the information device does not accept the operation even if the user intentionally performs the operation. This reduces the usability of information equipment. In other words, for example, a user who is accustomed to copying work preferably has an operability that allows the user to specify the number of copies or other copy conditions using the touch panel while opening a cover to set a document.

  In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to reduce malfunction caused by touch input that is not intended by the user without prohibiting the user's intentional touch operation.

A multifunction device according to the present invention is a multifunction device including an operation panel with a touch panel assembled therein, and an image scanner that reads an image from a sheet placed on the platen glass, and the front end portion that covers the platen glass in a closed state. A platen glass cover attached to the image scanner that can be opened and closed to expose the platen glass in a lifted open state, a cover open / close sensor that outputs a signal according to the open / closed state of the platen glass cover, and the cover open / close Based on the output of the sensor, a detection unit that detects that the platen glass cover has changed from the closed state to the open state, and has changed from the open state to the closed state, and sensitivity of touch detection by the touch panel A sensitivity control unit for controlling the image, and the operation panel includes the image control unit. The sensitivity control unit lowers the sensitivity of touch detection by the touch panel when a change in state from the closed state to the open state is detected by the detection unit. When the state change from the open state to the closed state is detected by the detection unit, the sensitivity is restored.

According to the present invention, when a user lifts the front end of a platen glass cover such as a document feeder to open or closes the front end by pushing down the front end, the user's hand or clothes are not intended to touch the touch panel. It is possible to reduce malfunctions peculiar to the multi-function peripheral due to touching .

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an appearance and a state change of a plurality of portions forming an outer surface of the MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of an operation panel. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a figure which shows the function structure in connection with control of a touch panel. It is a graph which shows typically the operation characteristic of a touch panel. It is a graph for explanation of a threshold concerning an example of a sensitivity control method of touch detection. 12 is a graph for explaining a time threshold according to another example of a sensitivity control method for touch detection. It is a figure which shows the example of the sensitivity setting table for sensitivity control. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the MFP. It is a flowchart of a touch sensitivity control process. It is a flowchart of a sensitivity control A processing routine in the touch sensitivity control processing. It is a flowchart of a sensitivity control B process routine in the touch sensitivity control process. It is a flowchart of a sensitivity control D processing routine in the touch sensitivity control processing.

  An MFP is given as an example of a stationary information device operated using a touch panel. The MFP is a multifunction peripheral (composite office device) that can be used as a copier, printer, network scanner, facsimile machine, document server, and the like.

  The MFP 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 has an external appearance similar to that of an in-body paper discharge type copier, and has an external shape that fits in a substantially prismatic installation space. The height is about 120 cm. A cylinder discharge space 20 for stacking printed sheets is present above the center in the height direction, and an image scanner 14 and an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 13 are disposed above the cylinder discharge space 20. ing. The lower portion of the in-body discharge space 20 is the printer portion 1B.

  Four drawer paper cassettes 45, 46, 47, and 48 that can be pulled out to the front are disposed below the printer portion 1B, and an electrophotographic type is disposed inside the printer portion 1B. The printer engine is installed. The housing of the printer portion 1B is provided with a front door 41 for maintenance of the printer engine, and a side door 42 for jam handling work for removing paper from the transport path when a jam occurs.

  In the MFP 1, the operation panel 12 is attached to the right end side of the front portion of the image scanner 14. The operation panel 12 can be manually adjusted to make the operation surface close to horizontal or vertical within a posture range in which the operation surface faces obliquely upward in the front. The operation panel 12 incorporates a touch panel described later.

  In the MFP 1, in addition to the operation panel 12, there are several places (called “specific parts”) where the user intentionally moves the hand or brings his hand close to the operation panel 12. In the course of work related to these specific parts, a part of the user's body may touch the operation panel 12. Then, for example, a situation occurs in which the copy job is changed to a scan job against the will of the user who designated it.

  One specific site is ADF13. As shown in the blowout B1 in FIG. 1, the ADF 13 can be displaced to an open position where the platen glass 142 of the image scanner 14 is exposed. Specifically, the ADF 13 is supported by the image scanner 14 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the rear edge. The user can lift the front end portion of the ADF 13 to an open state, or push down the front end portion to close the platen glass 142. That is, the ADF 13 has a function of a platen glass cover that covers the platen glass 142.

  The ADF 13 is opened when the user places the original sheet on the platen glass 142 without using the transport function of the ADF 13. Open / close the ADF 13 when reading an image of a document sheet that is not suitable for automatic conveyance by the ADF 13 such as a book or cardboard, or when intentionally shifting the placement position of the document sheet to a position different from the standard position Is done.

  In the example of the blowout B1 in FIG. 1, the user tries to place the document sheet 61 on the platen glass 142 with the right hand 75 while the user opens the ADF 13 with the left hand 76. In such a situation, there is a possibility that at least one of the clothes covering the user's right hand, right arm and right arm may touch the operation panel 75.

  The ADF 13 has a specific part called a document table (sheet setting part) 132 shown in the balloon B2. In the figure, when the user attempts to set a bundle 65 of document sheets on the document table 132 in the closed ADF 13 and the user brings the right hand 75 holding the bundle 65 of document sheets close to the document table 132, clothes that cover the right arm are displayed on the operation panel. A state of touching 12 is depicted.

  The operation panel 12 itself is one of the specific parts. In order to make it easier for the user to see the screen, the angle of the operation panel 12 may be changed like the balloon B3. At this time, the finger of the hand holding the operation panel 12 may possibly touch the touch panel.

  Other specific parts include the front door 41, the side door 42, and the paper cassettes 45, 46, 47, and 48. The blower B3 may open the front door 41 to replace, for example, a toner bottle, or the blower B5 may open the side door 42 to deal with jamming. Often, the paper cassette 45 is pulled out like the blowout B6. When working on these parts, the hair may touch the operation panel 12 or the face may come too close to the operation panel 12 when bending forward. The same applies when working with squatting. Further, a user sitting in a wheelchair may grip the operation panel 12 to support the body during a jam handling operation.

  When working on a specific part, it is necessary to prevent a malfunction from occurring even if the user unintentionally touches or approaches the operation panel 12 unintentionally. Therefore, the MFP 1 is provided with an operation input control function that prevents a touch input unintended by the user from being accepted as a regular operation. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the MFP 1 will be described focusing on this operation input control function.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 12 includes a touch panel unit 12A and a fixed key panel 12B. The touch panel unit 12A is assembled with a display for displaying an operation screen and a touch panel for detecting a touched position in the display surface. A plurality of hardware keys (fixed keys) including a start key 41, a stop key 42, and a reset key 43 are arranged on the hard key panel 12B. The start key 41 is a key for starting an operation according to a job, the stop key 42 is a key for stopping an operation being executed, and the reset key 43 is a key for undoing the operation setting change.

  FIG. 3 shows the hardware configuration of the MFP 1. The main controller 10 responsible for overall control of the MFP 1 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 as a computer for executing control programs and various applications, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22 for storing control programs, and a program execution work area. S-RAM (Static Random Access Memory) 23 and battery-backed NV-RAM (nonvolatile memory) 24 for storing setting data necessary for control. The NV-RAM 24 stores a sensitivity setting table 90 for controlling the sensitivity of touch detection for each specific part.

  A signal indicating the state of the specific part is input to the main controller 10 from a mechanical or optical sensor corresponding to each of the plurality of specific parts described above. Since the specific part is a mechanism or member that forms the outer surface of the MFP 1, it can be said that the state of the specific part is a state of a part of the outer surface of the MFP 1. The states of the plurality of specific parts detected by the plurality of sensors are an arrangement position state that is switched according to opening and closing, and a contact / non-contact state with the outside determined by the presence or absence of a document sheet as a contact object.

  The ADF open / close sensor 31 outputs a signal corresponding to the open / closed state of the ADF 13. The document setting sensor 32 outputs a signal corresponding to the presence or absence of a document sheet on the document table 132 of the ADF 13. The panel angle sensor 33 outputs a signal indicating the presence / absence of an angle change of the operation panel 12. The front door sensor 34 outputs a signal corresponding to the open / closed state of the front door 41. The side door sensor 35 outputs a signal corresponding to the open / closed state of the side door 42. The cassette position sensors 36a, 36b, 36c, and 36d output signals corresponding to the positions of the paper cassettes 45, 46, 47, and 48 in the drawing direction (the front-rear direction of the MFP 1), respectively. Hereinafter, the cassette position sensors 36a, 36b, 36c, and 36d may be collectively referred to as the cassette position sensor 36.

  The touch panel unit 12 </ b> A of the operation panel 12 includes a display 25 and a touch panel 26. The display 25 is a liquid crystal panel. However, organic electroluminescence or other devices may be used. The touch panel 26 is a projected capacitive touch panel that supports multi-touch operations.

  The ADF 13 conveys a document sheet set on the document table 132 to a reading position on the platen glass 142 in the image scanner 14 in copying, image input, or facsimile transmission. The image scanner 14 optically reads image information recorded on a document sheet. The printer engine 15 prints a monochrome or color image by electrophotography on one or both sides of the paper supplied from the multistage paper stacker 16. The modem 17 is used for facsimile communication via a telephone line. The communication interface 18 connects the MFP 1 to a network for communication with an external device. The storage 19 is a mass storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage 19 is provided with a memory area as a medium for storing control data including screen data for displaying a control program and an operation screen by the operation panel 12, and a memory area called a box for storing various documents. It is done.

  FIG. 4 shows a functional configuration related to touch panel control.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the touch panel 26 is touched based on the touch pad 261 on which an electrode matrix for outputting a detection signal corresponding to the amount of change in capacitance within the touch surface is arranged, and the output of the touch pad 261. And a touch detection circuit 263 that performs an operation of specifying a position. The touch detection circuit 263 outputs a scan pulse for periodically detecting a change in capacitance at each intersection of the electrode matrix of the touch pad 261 in order, and an AD that quantizes an analog signal from the touch pad 261 A conversion unit and a processor responsible for computation are provided. Touch position data Dxy obtained by calculation by the touch detection circuit 263 is input to the CPU 21 of the main controller 10.

  The CPU 21 operates as the operation input unit 211, the detection unit 212, and the sensitivity control unit 213. These elements are functional elements realized by the CPU 21 executing a predetermined computer program.

  The operation input unit 211 determines the operation content based on the touch position data Dxy from the touch detection circuit 263, and performs a process according to an instruction from the user. For example, in a state where an operation screen having selection buttons respectively corresponding to a plurality of functions is displayed on the operation panel 12, the selection button touched by the user is analyzed from the position indicated by the touch position data Dxy. Then, it instructs the functional element responsible for the control to switch the display to the operation screen for detailed setting related to the function corresponding to the selection button (for example, duplex copying). When touch position data Dxy indicates a plurality of positions, a function that determines multi-touch operations such as pinch-in and pinch-out based on touch position data Dxy that is sequentially input, and controls the enlargement or reduction of the screen display Instruct the element.

  Based on the output of the sensors arranged in specific parts such as the ADF open / close sensor 31, the detection unit 212 is relatively in the state of the specific part from the first state in which touch input unintended by the user is relatively difficult to occur. A change to the second state that is likely to occur is detected. In addition, some sensors also detect that the second state has changed to the first state. For example, among the states indicated by the output of the ADF open / close sensor 31, the closed state is the first state, and the open state is the second state. The detection result by the detection unit 212 is transmitted to the sensitivity control unit 213.

  The sensitivity control unit 213 reduces the sensitivity of touch detection by the touch panel 26 when the detection unit 212 detects a state change from the first state to the second state. However, the sensitivity is not set to zero so that the user's intentional touch operation is not invalidated. Then, after the sensitivity is lowered, when the state change from the second state to the first state is detected by the detection unit 212 or when the set time has elapsed, the sensitivity is restored. “Decrease sensitivity” means that the touch detection circuit 263 of the touch panel 26 is instructed to change a threshold value that determines validity / invalidity for a signal from the touch pad 261. Further, “returning the sensitivity to the original” means instructing the touch detection circuit 263 to return the changed threshold to the original value (normal threshold). The sensitivity control unit 213 supplies data Dth indicating the changed threshold value to the touch detection circuit 263. When instructing to lower the sensitivity, the sensitivity control unit 213 refers to the sensitivity setting table 90, determines the changed threshold based on sensitivity designation data (increment Δth described later) determined for each specific part, Data Dth indicating the threshold value is supplied to the touch detection circuit 263.

  As indicated by a curve L1 in FIG. 5, a touch detection signal corresponding to the distance d between the touch surface and a finger or other sensitive object approaching the touch surface is output from the touch pad 261. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the touch detection signal value increases as the distance d approaches zero.

  When the user tries to touch and brings his finger close to the position X in the touch surface, the value of the touch detection signal output from the touch pad 261 gradually increases every time the position X is scanned by the touch detection circuit 263. The touch detection circuit 263 validates the touch detection signal value when the touch detection signal value exceeds a predetermined threshold (that is, it is considered that a touch operation has been performed). Then, the touch detection circuit 263 calculates the touch position based on the valid touch detection signal values at the position X and a plurality of positions around the position X. This calculation is performed in order to make the position detection resolution larger than the number of electrodes in the electrode matrix.

  The sensitivity of touch detection by the touch panel 26 is determined by a threshold value that is a criterion for determining whether the touch detection signal is valid or invalid. In a state where the touch input unintended by the user is relatively unlikely to occur (first state), the normal threshold value Sth1 is set. The normal threshold value Sth1 is adjusted during manufacture of the touch panel 26 or in subsequent calibration. The normal threshold value Sth1 in the example of FIG. 5 is “40” when the touch detection signal value is normalized with the maximum value it can take as “100”. By setting the threshold value to a value larger than such a normal threshold value Sth1, the sensitivity of touch detection is lowered.

  A curve L2 in FIG. 6 schematically shows a change in the touch detection signal value at the position X in the touch surface. Although continuous in the figure, the actual touch detection signal is a discrete signal that appears every time determined by the scanning period. If the current threshold value is the normal threshold value Sth1, the touch detection signal value exceeds the normal threshold value Sth1 in the period T from the time t1 to the time t2, and thus the touch detection signal value is valid in the period T. On the other hand, when the threshold value Sth2 larger by the increment Δth than the normal threshold value Sth1 is set as the current threshold value, the touch detection signal value does not exceed the threshold value Sth2. An effective touch detection signal value cannot be obtained, and even if there is a touch input, it is not detected as a touch operation.

  As another method of controlling the sensitivity of touch detection, there is a method of determining the length of a period in which the touch detection signal value exceeds a threshold, in addition to determining the magnitude of the touch detection signal value. That is, a touch input that lasts for a predetermined time can be regarded as a touch operation intended by the user, and a touch input shorter than the predetermined time can not be regarded as a touch operation. In this method, as shown in FIG. 7, the sensitivity of touch detection is reduced by increasing the time threshold value (for example, a value that is usually 0.5 is set to 1 second).

  A curve L3 in FIG. 7 schematically shows a change in the touch detection signal value, similarly to the curve L2 in FIG. Also in FIG. 7, the touch detection signal value exceeds the threshold value Sth (signal level threshold value) in the period T from time t1 to time t2. Here, if the time threshold value that is a criterion for determining the length of the period T is the normal time threshold value Tth1 corresponding to the time from the time t1 to the time t3 before the time t2, the touch detection signal value exceeding the threshold Sth is obtained. Valid. On the other hand, if the time threshold is the time threshold Tth2 corresponding to the time from the time t1 to the time t4 after the time t2, an effective touch detection signal value cannot be obtained, and there is a touch input. Even it is not detected as a touch operation.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the sensitivity setting table 90 referred to by the sensitivity control unit 213. The sensitivity setting table 90 indicates the threshold increase Δth determined for each of the sensors for detecting the state of the specific part. The increase Δth is a difference from the normal threshold value. The reason why the value of the increment Δth differs depending on the sensor is that the probability of occurrence of a touch input unintended by the user varies depending on the state change detected by each sensor. In the sensitivity setting table 90, an increase Δth larger than a state change with a small probability is set for a state change with a large probability that a touch input unintended by the user, which is obtained through experiments, will occur. That is, since it is preferable that the sensitivity is high when the user intentionally performs a touch operation, the increase Δth is set so that the decrease in sensitivity is moderated when the probability of occurrence of an unintended touch input is small.

  When using the method of changing the threshold for the touch detection signal value as described with reference to FIG. 6, when lowering the sensitivity of touch detection, the value obtained by adding the increase Δth to the normal threshold Sth1 is set to the threshold Sth2 for reducing sensitivity. Become. For example, when the angle change of the operation panel 12 is detected by the panel angle sensor 33, if the normal threshold value Sth1 is “40”, the increment Δth is “40”, so the threshold value Sth2 when the sensitivity is reduced is “80”. It is said. When the ADF opening / closing sensor 31 detects that the ADF 13 is opened, the threshold Sth2 at the time of sensitivity reduction is set to “70” obtained by adding “30” of the increment Δth to “40” of the normal threshold Sth1. .

  In the situation where the sensitivity has already been reduced, when a state change of a specific part is newly detected, the increment Δth determined for the newly detected state change has already been performed. When it is larger than the increase Δth related to sensitivity reduction, the threshold value is changed to the larger increase Δth. When the increment Δth determined for the newly detected state change is smaller than the increment Δth related to the already performed sensitivity reduction, no further sensitivity reduction is performed. That is, in the present embodiment, when a plurality of state changes are detected, the sensitivity is controlled by applying only one increment Δth having the largest value among the plurality of increments Δth corresponding to the plurality of state changes. The

  Further, in the example, assuming that the platen glass cover having no conveyance function is attached instead of the ADF 13, an increase corresponding to opening and closing of the platen glass cover is defined. When the platen glass cover is attached, the ADF opening / closing sensor 31 can be used as a cover opening / closing sensor for detecting opening / closing of the platen glass cover.

  The sensitivity setting table 90 can also be applied when using the method of changing the time threshold value as described in FIG. The time threshold Tth2 at the time of sensitivity reduction may be calculated using the increase Δth as an extension of the normal time threshold Tth1.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the MFP 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the MFP. The MFP 1 displays an operation screen and accepts an operation for designating a job by the user (# 10). In this panel operation reception process, if there is an operation for specifying the details of the job, the operation of the job is set accordingly. For example, in a copy job, basic settings such as the number of sheets, magnification, paper size, and various application functions are set according to the operation. The signal from the operation panel 12 includes touch position data Dxy from the touch panel 26.

  When the start key 41 is pressed (YES in # 12), the MFP 1 executes the job designated by the user in the previous operation (# 14). However, the start key 41 may be pressed without performing a setting operation. In that case, the MFP 1 executes a default job. The default job is the same size copy that automatically sets the paper size. When the user sets a manuscript sheet on the ADF 13 and presses the start key 41, the MFP 1 starts the same size copy.

  Before the start key 41 is pressed (NO in # 12), if the detection unit 212 detects a predetermined state change based on the sensor output (YES in S16), a touch sensitivity control process is executed (# 18). If there is no state change (NO in # 16), the flow returns to step # 10, and MFP 1 waits for an operation for designating a job or pressing of start key 41 for instructing the start of the job.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the touch sensitivity control process. In the touch sensitivity control process, it is determined which specific part the state change is detected (# 20). And the process according to the detected state change is performed. When the opening / closing of the ADF 13 is detected, sensitivity control A processing is performed (# 21), and when the setting of the original sheet on the ADF 13 is detected, sensitivity control B processing is performed (# 22). When an angle change of the operation panel 12 is detected, sensitivity control C processing is performed (# 23), and when it is detected that at least one of the paper cassettes 45, 46, 47, 48 has been pulled out, sensitivity control is performed. D processing is performed (# 24). When it is detected that the side door 42 is opened, sensitivity control E processing is performed (# 25), and when it is detected that the front door 41 is opened, sensitivity control F processing is performed (# 26).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the sensitivity control A processing routine. In the sensitivity control A processing routine, whether the state change of the ADF 13 detected by the detection unit 212 is a change from the closed state to the open state (open) or a change from the open state to the closed state (closed). It is determined (# 210).

  If the detected change is open, the sensitivity control unit 213 reads the increase Δth associated with the ADF open / close sensor 31 as sensitivity designation data from the sensitivity setting table 90 (# 211), and the threshold value after the change Sth2 (or Tth2) is determined (# 212). Then, the sensitivity control unit 213 instructs the touch detection circuit 263 to change the threshold value, thereby reducing the sensitivity of touch detection (# 213).

  On the other hand, if the detected change is closed, the sensitivity control unit 213 instructs the touch detection circuit 263 to return the threshold value to the normal threshold value (# 214).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the sensitivity control B processing routine. In the sensitivity control B processing routine, first, a timer for measuring a predetermined time is started (# 220). The sensitivity control unit 213 reads the increment Δth associated with the document setting sensor 32 from the sensitivity setting table 90 (# 221), and determines the changed threshold value Sth2 (or Tth2) (# 222). Then, the sensitivity control unit 213 instructs the touch detection circuit 263 to change the threshold value, thereby reducing the touch detection sensitivity (# 223). Thereafter, the sensitivity control unit 213 waits for the timer to end (224), and instructs the touch detection circuit 263 to return the threshold value to the normal threshold value (# 225).

  The time taken by the timer can be set to 2 seconds, for example. This is based on the assumption that the length of the period in which the user moves the arm to set the original sheet and then presses the start key 41 is about 2 seconds. After moving the arm, it is unlikely that the touch panel 26 will be touched by mistake.

  As the ADF 13 transports the original sheet, the sensitivity may be restored when the absence of the original sheet on the original table 132 is detected at the stage before the timer expires.

  Although not shown, the sensitivity control C process routine basically performs the same process as the sensitivity control B process routine. That is, the timer is started, the increase Δth associated with the panel angle sensor 33 is applied to lower the sensitivity, and the sensitivity is restored after waiting for the timer to end. However, the time counted by the timer may or may not be the same as the sensitivity control B processing routine.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the sensitivity control D processing routine. The sensitivity control unit 213 reads the increment Δth associated with the cassette position sensor 36 from the sensitivity setting table 90 (# 241), and determines the changed threshold value Sth2 (or Tth2) (# 242). Then, the sensitivity control unit 213 instructs the touch detection circuit 263 to change the threshold value, thereby reducing the touch detection sensitivity (# 243).

  Thereafter, the sensitivity control unit 213 waits for the pulled paper cassette to be returned to the paper feed position (244), and instructs the touch detection circuit 263 to return the threshold value to the normal threshold value (# 245). .

  It should be noted that the sensitivity may be returned when a predetermined time has passed before the paper cassette after the sensitivity has been lowered and before the paper cassette is returned to the paper feed position.

  Although not shown, in the sensitivity control E processing routine and the sensitivity control F processing routine, basically the same processing as the sensitivity control D processing routine is performed. That is, in the sensitivity control E processing routine, the increase Δth associated with the side door sensor 35 is applied to lower the sensitivity, and the sensitivity is restored after waiting for the side door 42 to be closed. In the sensitivity control F processing routine, the increase Δth associated with the front door sensor 34 is applied to lower the sensitivity, and the sensitivity is restored after waiting for the front door 41 to be closed.

  According to the above embodiment, since the sensitivity change width is determined for each of a plurality of specific parts, it is possible to realize fine sensitivity control that prevents malfunction that is not intended by the user and that maintains as light operability as possible. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the sensitivity of the entire touch surface of the touch panel 26 is decreased. However, the sensitivity may be decreased or returned only for an arbitrary part of the touch surface. It is preferable that the area subjected to sensitivity control is an area where touch input unintended by the user is likely to occur. For example, in the illustrated MFP 1, the operation panel 12 is disposed below the ADF 13 that is opened and closed. Therefore, when the ADF 13 is opened and closed, touch input that is not intended by the user is likely to occur in the upper half of the lower half of the touch panel 26. . Therefore, in this example, sensitivity control may be performed on the upper half of the touch panel 26. The touch detection circuit 263 may have a dual configuration in which the processing of the upper half and the processing of the lower half are shared, or may be configured to switch the threshold according to the scan position. The target area for sensitivity control can be set to a range that is less than half of the touch surface, and the range in which the normal sensitivity can be maintained can be made wider.

  In the above-described embodiment, the user may be notified that the sensitivity is lowered. For example, the background color of the operation screen can be changed to a color different from the normal time, or the display brightness can be lowered according to the sensitivity. An icon representing the level of sensitivity may be displayed. It is also possible to display a message such as “The sensitivity has been lowered to prevent erroneous operation. Please press harder (longer)”.

  The touch panel 26 is not limited to the projection-type capacitance method, but may be another method such as a surface-type capacitance method, a resistance film method, or an optical method. In addition, the functional configuration, hardware configuration, and operation of the MFP 1 may be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. For example, the operation panel 12 can be disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the MFP 1. The present invention can be applied to devices other than the MFP.

1 MFP (stationary type information device, multifunction device)
26 Touch Panel 12 Operation Panel 31 ADF Open / Close Sensor (Cover Open / Close Sensor)
32 Document setting sensor (sheet setting sensor)
33 Panel angle sensor 34 Front door sensor (door open / close sensor)
35 Side door sensor (door open / close sensor)
36a, 36b, 36c, 36d Cassette position sensor 212 Detection unit 213 Sensitivity control unit 41 Start key 261 Touch pad 263 Touch detection circuit Sth1 Normal threshold value Sth2 Sensitivity reduction threshold value Tth1 Normal time threshold value Tth2 Sensitivity reduction threshold value 142 Platen Glass 61 Document sheet 65 Bundle of document sheets 14 Image scanner 13 ADF (platen glass cover, document feeder)
132 Document table (sheet setting part)
15 Printer engine 45, 46, 47, 48 Paper cassette 41 Front door 42 Side door

Claims (7)

A multi-function machine having an operation panel with a touch panel attached thereto,
An image scanner that reads an image from a sheet placed on a platen glass;
A platen glass cover attached to the image scanner so as to be openable and closable so as to expose the platen glass in an open state in which the platen glass is covered in the closed state and the front end is lifted;
A cover open / close sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the open / closed state of the platen glass cover;
Based on the output of the cover opening / closing sensor, a detection unit that detects that the platen glass cover has changed from the closed state to the open state, and has changed from the open state to the closed state;
A sensitivity control unit that controls the sensitivity of touch detection by the touch panel,
The operation panel is attached to the front part of the image scanner,
The sensitivity controller is
When the state change from the closed state to the open state is detected by the detection unit, the sensitivity of touch detection by the touch panel is lowered, and then the state change from the open state to the closed state is detected by the detection unit. To restore the sensitivity when
A multi-function machine characterized by this. The platen glass cover is a document feeder that conveys at least one sheet placed on a sheet setting site on the upper surface of the platen glass cover onto the platen glass in the closed state;
The document feeder is supported by the image scanner so as to be rotatable about an axis along the rear edge.
The multifunction device according to claim 1 . A sheet setting sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the presence or absence of a sheet in the sheet setting portion;
The detection unit detects a change from a non-setting state without a sheet to a setting state with a sheet based on an output of the sheet setting sensor,
The sensitivity control unit lowers the sensitivity when a state change from the non-setting state to the setting state is detected by the detection unit, and restores the sensitivity when a set time elapses thereafter. Item 3. A multifunction machine according to item 2 . A printer engine that prints images of paper;
A drawer-type paper cassette capable of moving between a paper feeding position for feeding the paper to the printer engine and a paper feeding position outside the paper feeding position;
A cassette position sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the paper cassette;
The detection unit detects that the paper cassette has moved from the paper feed position to the paper supply position based on the output of the cassette position sensor, and the paper cassette has moved from the paper supply position to the paper supply position. Detecting that
The sensitivity control unit lowers the sensitivity when the detection unit detects that the paper cassette has moved from the paper feeding position to the paper replenishment position, and then the detection unit detects the paper in the paper cassette. The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the sensitivity is restored when it is detected that the paper has been moved from a replenishment position to the paper feeding position. The operation panel is attached so that manual angle adjustment is possible,
A panel angle sensor that outputs a signal indicating the presence or absence of an angle change of the operation panel;
The detection unit detects that the angle of the operation panel has changed based on the output of the panel angle sensor,
The sensitivity control unit lowers the sensitivity when it has changed the angle of the operation panel is detected by said detection unit, claims 1 undo the sensitivity when subsequently set time has elapsed 4 A multifunction device according to any one of the above. A door that hides the interior of the copier in a closed state and exposes the interior in an open state;
A door opening / closing sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the opening / closing state of the door;
The detection unit detects a state change from the closed state to the open state of the door, and a state change from the open state to the closed state of the door, based on the output of the door opening / closing sensor,
The sensitivity control unit lowers the sensitivity when the detection unit detects a change in the state of the door from the closed state to the open state, and then the detection unit detects the door from the open state to the closed state. The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the sensitivity is restored when a state change to a state is detected. The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the sensitivity control unit reduces the sensitivity only to a part of the touch surface of the touch panel.

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