JP6518306B2 - Image forming apparatus provided with operating device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation device of an image forming apparatus, and in particular, the user can easily understand the role (function) of the operation key, and characters, figures, etc. displayed on the operation key are used as light sources such as LED elements. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with an operation device capable of producing a sense of luxury by illuminating from the back side.

  As one type of image processing apparatus which is an electronic apparatus, a multifunction peripheral (MFP (Multi Function Peripheral)) having a plurality of functions such as a copy function (copy function), a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function is known. . In such an image forming apparatus, since there are many items to be instructed and set and the setting contents are complicated, a touch panel display is often adopted as the operation device.

  The touch panel display is a device that detects a user's touch, and includes a display panel configured of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and a touch panel disposed on the display panel and detecting a touched position. A software key is displayed on the touch panel display, and the user can give an instruction to the image forming apparatus by touching the displayed key. Even in such an image forming apparatus, individual hardware keys are assigned to some functions (power on / off, power saving mode on / off, etc.) and arranged in the operation device.

  The operating device only needs to have a function of merely instructing the image forming apparatus, and since the user always looks at the operating device during operation, it can be said that it is the face of the image forming apparatus. The impression of the operation device determines the impression of the entire image forming apparatus. Therefore, in order for the image forming apparatus to be a sophisticated and sophisticated apparatus, it is important for the operating apparatus to have a high-class feel.

  As an operating device that employs a touch panel, for example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a capacitance detection type touch panel that can form an uneven region on the operation surface and prevent mistouching. In this touch panel, a concave portion is formed at a position corresponding to each key on the operation surface to improve the detection accuracy of key touch.

  In the operation device, as the individual operation keys, touch keys such as a capacitance type switch that can be operated with a slight touch similarly to the touch panel may be used. Such an operation key is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. In the operation key 900, a key sheet 902 is disposed in a housing (not shown) of the operation unit, and a circuit board 904 provided with LED elements 906 and 908 as light sources is disposed therebelow. Between the key sheet 902 and the circuit board 904, a transparent light guide 910 for transmitting light emitted from the LED elements 906 and 908 is disposed.

  The key sheet 902 is formed of, for example, a polycarbonate having a colorant dispersed therein and having low transparency to visible light, and the surface of the key sheet 902 is printed with a figure indicating each key at a position corresponding to each key. That is, the graphic showing the key includes the portion to which the ink is applied and the portion to which the ink is not applied. Light emitted from the LED elements 906 and 908 passes through the light guide 910, enters the key sheet 902 from the upper surface of the light guide 910 in contact with the key sheet 902, and is emitted from the upper surface of the key sheet 902 Be done. As a result, the graphic printed on the key sheet 902 is illuminated from the back. Although the key sheet 902 has low light transmittance in the portion where the graphic ink is not applied, it transmits light to some extent when irradiated with light of a predetermined intensity or more, so the graphic is easily visible on the key sheet 902 Is displayed on.

JP, 2010-86236, A

  However, even if the touch panel display is adopted as the operation device, since some keys are configured by hardware keys, there is a problem that the user erroneously operates without recognizing the importance of each key. For example, there is a problem of easily pressing an important hardware key (power on / off key etc.).

  Further, the touch panel disclosed in Patent Document 1 is not suitable for giving a feeling of luxury to the operation device and enhancing appeal as a product.

  Further, in the operation key 900 illustrated in FIG. 1, the light emitted from the LED elements 906 and 908 is guided to the upper surface of the light guide 910, but the light also leaks from the side surface of the light guide 910. Therefore, not only the figure displayed on the key sheet 902 is illuminated, but the light leaked in the oblique direction with respect to the surface of the key sheet 902 makes the circumference of the figure a little brighter. As described above, when light leaks from a portion other than the portion where light is intended to be emitted, there is a problem that the high-class feeling of the operation key is impaired, and the high-class feeling as the operating device is impaired.

  Therefore, the present invention includes a touch operation device such as a touch panel display, and in an operation device provided with a plurality of operation keys, the user reflects the operation feeling on the key arrangement, thereby providing the user with the role (function) of the key. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus provided with an operating device that can be easily understood.

  Further, according to the present invention, in an operating device adopting a method of illuminating a figure indicating an operation key from the back side, the user can easily recognize the operation key, and light leaks from around the figure indicating the operation key SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus provided with an operating device capable of preventing the

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus provided with an operating device. The operation device includes a display unit, a first touch key displayed on the display unit, the first touch key for setting the function of the image forming apparatus, and an instruction key for instructing the display unit to display at least the copy function. It consists of a touch key and a third touch key. The first touch key and the second touch key are capacitive keys, and the third touch key is a mechanical key. The second touch key and the third touch key are disposed across the first touch key. The third touch key is arranged in a direction away from the display area of the display unit in the depth direction when the controller is viewed from the controller side where the controller device is operated.

  As described above, by arranging the second touch key and the third touch key with the first touch key in between, the first and second touch keys that are keys having the same feeling of operation (electrostatic capacitance type keys) are adjacent to each other. And the third touch key, which is a key (mechanical key) having a different feeling of operation, is provided in a separate area, allowing the user to easily understand the role of each key, and the operability of the user Can be improved. In addition, by arranging the third touch key (mechanical key) in a direction away from the operation side than the display area of the display unit, the third touch key is farther from the user, so the user erroneously operates the third touch key. Can be suppressed, and important functions can be assigned to the third touch key.

  Preferably, the third touch key is a key for causing the image forming apparatus to transition to the power saving state.

  The mechanical key is characterized by the fact that the keytop sinks gradually when force is applied, and the contact physically contacts and turns on when the keytop sinks by a predetermined distance, making it difficult for the user to turn it on . Therefore, by using the mechanical key for the power saving key (key for shifting the image forming apparatus to the power saving state) which is a relatively important key, it is possible to prevent the erroneous operation of the power saving key.

  More preferably, the second touch key is provided within the width of the display area in the depth direction.

  Accordingly, the user can easily understand that the role of the third touch key is different from the roles of the first touch key and the second touch key, and the operability of the user can be improved.

  More preferably, the operating device further includes a separating member that separates the second touch key from the first touch key.

  Thereby, the user can easily understand that there is a difference between the role of the first touch key and the role of the second touch key, and the operability of the user can be improved.

  Preferably, the third touch key includes a mechanical type execution key that causes the image forming apparatus to perform copying, and the operation key is operated in the depth direction of the operation device rather than the display area of the display unit. It is arranged on the operation side.

  Thereby, with regard to the execution key, it is possible to achieve both improvement in operability and prevention of erroneous operation.

  More preferably, the instruction key is arranged in the direction away from the operation side than the center of the display unit in the depth direction of the operation device.

  This makes it possible to prevent an erroneous operation of the instruction key for instructing display of the basic screen.

  More preferably, the second touch key further includes a job status confirmation key instructing display of a job status by the image forming apparatus, and the job status confirmation key is closer to the operation side than the center of the display unit in the depth direction. Be placed.

  As a result, it is possible to improve the operability of the user with respect to the job status confirmation key, which is merely a key of a function for displaying information, and which does not cause any problem even if the operation is erroneous.

  Preferably, in the controller device, at least a part of the outer periphery of the display area is provided with a color different from the color of the area adjacent to the third touch key.

  Thus, the user can easily distinguish between the role of the first touch key displayed on the display unit and the role of the third touch key, and the operability of the user can be improved.

  More preferably, the area adjacent to the first touch key, the area adjacent to the second touch key, and the area adjacent to the third touch key have different colors.

  Thereby, the user can easily distinguish the roles of the first to third touch keys.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily understand the role (function) of a key without having a sense of incongruity when the user operates a key having a different touch feeling, and to prevent an erroneous key operation. be able to.

  Further, light emitted from the light source can be efficiently emitted from the upper surface of the light transmitting portion without leaking from the side surface or the like. Therefore, unlike the prior art, the leaked light does not make the surroundings of the operation key thin and bright, and it is possible to produce a high-class feeling of the operation device.

It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the hardware key which has the conventional LED element. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of an image forming apparatus provided with an operating device according to a first embodiment of the related invention. It is a perspective view showing the operating device concerning a 1st embodiment of related invention. It is a top view which shows a part of operating device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view along the line AA of FIG. 4; It is a perspective view which shows the partial cross section which followed the AA line of FIG. It is a perspective view showing a circuit board. It is a perspective view which shows the surface of the front side of a light guide part. It is a perspective view which shows the surface of the back side of a light guide part. It is a perspective view which shows a light guide part in isolation | separation to a light transmission part and a light-shielding part. It is a perspective view which shows the back surface of the operating device in the state with which the light transmission part and the light-shielding part were mounted | worn. It is a perspective view which shows the back surface of the operating device in the state with which the circuit board was mounted | worn. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the operation key in the operating device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of related invention. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the operation key in the operating device different from FIG. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the operation key in the operating device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the operating device in which the separation part was formed. It is a top view which shows the operating device in which the separation part different from FIG. 16 was formed. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the operation key in the operating device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the light guide part which comprises the selection key of FIG. It is a top view which shows the circuit board which comprises the selection key of FIG. It is a top view which shows the operating device in which the separation part was formed. It is a top view which shows the operating device in which the separation part different from FIG. 21 was formed.

  In the following embodiments, the same parts are given the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also identical. Therefore, detailed description about them will not be repeated.

First Embodiment of Related Invention
An image forming apparatus provided with an operating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention related to the present invention has a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and the like. Referring to FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation device 110 for instructing the image forming apparatus 100, an image reading unit 112, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 114 disposed above the image reading unit 112. The image processing unit 116, the paper feeding unit 118, and the paper discharge tray 120 disposed below the image reading unit 112 are provided.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a modem for connecting to a telephone line and an NIC (Network Interface Card) for connecting to a communication line. The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a CPU that controls each unit, a ROM that stores a program executed by the CPU to realize a predetermined function, and a RAM.

  Various operation keys and a touch panel display are arranged in operation device 110 according to the present embodiment. An instruction to the image forming apparatus 100 is given by the user operating the operation device 110. For example, when copying a document, the user sets the document on the automatic document feeder 114, sets the copy conditions, and then touches the start key (software key) displayed on the touch panel display, the image forming apparatus 100 Start copying the manuscript. The automatic document feeder 114 conveys the document to a reading position on a platen glass (not shown), and the image reading unit 112 reads the surface of the document to generate image data. The image processing unit 116 performs predetermined image processing on the generated image data, and then forms an image with toner on the recording paper conveyed from the paper supply unit 118. Thereafter, the recording sheet on which the image is formed is discharged to the discharge tray 120.

  Referring to FIG. 3, operating device 110 is formed of a first operating unit 200 and a second operating unit 220. The first operation unit 200 includes a touch panel display 202 and a home key 204. Touch panel display 202 includes a display panel configured of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and a touch panel disposed on the display panel and detecting a touched position. In FIG. 3, the basic screen of the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed on the touch panel display 202 (display panel). On the basic screen, keys (software keys) for displaying setting screens related to functions such as copying, printing, and faxing are displayed.

  Home key 204 is a hardware key. The screen displayed on the touch panel display 202 changes variously (screen transition) in accordance with the state of the image forming apparatus 100. The home key 204 is a key for returning the screen displayed on the touch panel display 202 to the basic screen. That is, when the home key 204 is pressed, the basic screen is displayed on the touch panel display 202.

  The second operation unit 220 includes a power key 222 and an energy saving key 224, which are hardware keys, and an LED lamp 226. The power key 222 is a key for turning on / off the power of the image forming apparatus 100. The energy saving key 224 is a key for causing the image forming apparatus 100 to transition to the power saving state or returning from the power saving state to the normal state. The LED lamp 226 lights up when the image forming apparatus 100 is in the power on state.

  The feature of the present embodiment is the structure of the home key 204. FIG. 4 shows an AA line passing near the center of the home key 204 along the longitudinal direction of the first operation unit 200. Hereinafter, the structure of the home key 204 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 showing a cross-sectional view along the line AA.

  Referring to the cross-sectional view shown in the lower part of FIG. 5, home key 204 guides circuit board 310 on which LED elements 312 and 314 are mounted and light emitted from LED elements 312 and 314 in a predetermined direction. A light guide 320 is provided. These are disposed under an operation panel (hereinafter simply referred to as a panel) 300 forming the surface of the first operation unit 200, and supported and fixed by a frame 400 (see FIG. 6). The portion of the panel 300 located on the light guide 320 is also an element of the home key 204.

  The panel 300 is formed of a member such as a translucent resin having low transparency to visible light. The panel 300 is formed of a dark-colored (for example, black or brown or the like) smoke-like polycarbonate in which a coloring agent is dispersed, for example, to give a high-class feeling. The panel 300 has a certain degree of transparency only to light of a predetermined brightness or more. Therefore, when the panel 300 is assembled as the operating device 110, the user can not view the inside of the operating device 110 through the panel 300.

  Referring to FIG. 7, circuit board 310 includes LED elements 312 and 314. Further, the circuit board 310 is provided with an electrical wiring for supplying the power supplied from the power supply to the LED elements 312 and 314, and a capacitance type switch. The capacitance type switch is a known switch and includes an electrode and a detection circuit for detecting a change in capacitance of the electrode. The LED elements 312 and 314 emit, for example, white visible light. The electrodes of the capacitive switch are disposed in the electrode placement area 316. The circuit board 310 is formed of an opaque member (for example, an epoxy resin containing glass fiber) which does not transmit the emitted light of the LED elements 312 and 314. The electrode placement area 316 is applied in white.

  The light guiding unit 320 includes a light transmitting unit 322 and a light shielding unit 324. The light transmitting portion 322 is formed of a transparent member so as to transmit visible light emitted from the LED elements 312 and 314. The light transmitting portion 322 is formed of, for example, polycarbonate. The light shielding portion 324 is an opaque member which does not transmit visible light emitted from the LED elements 312 and 314, and the peripheral portion excluding the central portion of the upper surface (surface on the panel 300 side) of the light transmitting portion 322 It is formed in close contact with the light transmitting portion 322 so as to cover it. The light shielding portion 324 is formed of, for example, a polycarbonate in which a black coloring agent is dispersed.

  An example of the light transmission part 322 and the light shielding part 324 is shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. In FIG. 8, on the upper surface (portion in contact with the back surface of the panel 300) of the light transmitting portion 322 not covered by the light shielding portion 324, a figure of a house is printed to indicate that it is a home key. The meshed portion is printed in black, and the non-meshed portion is not printed and remains transparent. As shown in FIG. 9, recesses (LED element housing portions 326 and 328) for housing the LED elements 312 and 314 are formed on the back surface of the light transmitting portion 322. The light transmitting portion 322 and the light shielding portion 324 are shown separately as shown in FIG. FIGS. 8 and 9 show a state in which the convex portion 330 of the light transmitting portion 322 and the opening portion 332 of the light shielding portion 324 are fitted (adhered).

  The light transmitting portion 322 and the light shielding portion 324 are preferably formed by a known two-color molding method (double molding method) using a molding die (mold or the like) for molding a resin. It is also possible to form the light transmitting part 322 and the light shielding part 324 separately and then fit them together to form them integrally. However, in order to closely contact without gaps so that light does not leak, extremely high precision manufacturing technology is required, and it is not easy to fit and form integrally. It is also conceivable to form the light shielding portion 324 on the surface of the light transmitting portion 322 by printing (silk printing or the like). However, since it is necessary to print not only on the upper surface of the light transmitting portion 322 but also on the side surface, the operation is complicated, the efficiency is low, and the cost is high. If the light transmitting part 322 and the light shielding part 324 are formed by the two-color molding method, the light transmitting part 322 and the light shielding part 324 are in close contact with each other, so that light is prevented from leaking from the junction of the light transmitting part 322 and the light shielding part 324 can do.

  The light guide 320 is formed in this manner, so that the light emitted from the LED elements 312 and 314 accommodated in the LED element accommodation parts 326 and 328 of the light transmitting part 322 is the LED element accommodation part 326 and The light enters the light transmitting portion 322 from the curved surface 328. The circuit board 310 is mounted on the back surface (surface on the circuit board 310 side) of the light transmitting part 322 in close contact with the circuit board 310 as described later, and is completely covered by the circuit board 310. The electrode arrangement region 316 of the circuit board 310 is in contact with the light transmitting portion 322. As described above, since the light transmitting portion 322 is covered with the light shielding portion 324 at the side surface and the peripheral edge of the upper surface and the back surface is in close contact with the opaque circuit board 310, the incident light is transmitted Release only from the center of the top surface.

  Since the LED elements 312 and 314 are disposed at the peripheral edge portion of the light transmitting portion 322 which is covered by the light shielding portion 324, the emitted light of the LED elements 312 and 314 directly transmits light. It is not emitted from the upper surface of the portion 322 (the portion not covered by the light shielding portion 324). The light emitted from the LED elements 312 and 314 passes through the light transmitting portion 322 while being repeatedly reflected by the surfaces of the light shielding portion 324 and the circuit board 310, so that the light is dispersed. Therefore, the emitted light of the LED elements 312 and 314 can be uniformly emitted from the upper surface of the light transmitting portion 322 so that the light intensity does not have a strong distribution locally. It is also effective that the electrode arrangement region 316 of the circuit board 310 is formed white as described above, so that the emitted light of the LED elements 312 and 314 is uniformly emitted from the upper surface of the light transmitting portion 322. . Furthermore, it is also preferable to form the back surface of the light transmission part 322 in a frosted glass surface.

  A concave portion 302 is formed in a portion of the surface of the panel 300 corresponding to the upper surface (a portion not covered by the light shielding portion 324) of the light transmitting portion 322. This is because, as described above, the panel 300 is formed of dark-colored smoked polycarbonate and has low light transmittance, so the thickness of the panel 300 is reduced and the light from the LED elements 312 and 314 This is for the user to be released and viewed as the home key 204.

  Specifically, the concave portion 302 of the panel 300 is formed on a curved surface (partially spherical surface) having a predetermined radius of curvature R1 at its central portion, and its peripheral portion is a curved surface having a radius of curvature R2 smaller than the radius of curvature R1. (Partially spherical) is formed. That is, the central portion of the concave portion 302 is formed flatter than the peripheral portion (region of the radius of curvature R2). It is preferable that the central point of the curved surface of the central portion and the central point of the curved surface of the peripheral portion be, for example, on a normal at the center of the recess 302. Thereby, two concentric edges are formed on the panel 300. The top view of FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the light guide 320, and the boundary between the area of the radius of curvature R1 and the area of the radius of curvature R2 is indicated by a circle 304. A circle 306 represents the outer periphery of the area of the curvature radius R2 (the edge between the area of the curvature radius R2 and the flat portion). In FIG. 5, corresponding points of the plan view of the upper stage and the sectional view of the lower stage are connected by dotted lines.

  Accordingly, light emitted from the upper surface of the light transmitting portion 322 and incident from the back surface of the panel 300 is output from the surface of the panel 300. That is, the user can visually recognize the figure (including characters and symbols) formed (printed) on the upper surface of the light transmitting portion 322 at the position of the concave portion 302 of the panel 300. At this time, the light is emitted only from the upper surface of the light transmitting portion 322 by the light shielding portion 324 and leaks in the lateral direction of the light guiding portion 320 as in the conventional case (see FIG. 1). There is no such thing. Therefore, it is possible to give the user a sense of quality.

  In addition, since the recessed part 302 is formed by two surfaces of a different curvature, as mentioned above, two visible circular edges are formed in the boundary of those area | regions. Therefore, the user can easily understand that the home key 204 is a switch that can be touched, the inside of the circle 306 is the operation area, and the inside of the inside circle 304 is the area with high touch detection sensitivity.

  The attachment of the light guide 320 and the circuit board 310 to the first operation unit 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. The light guiding unit 320 is inserted into an opening formed in the frame 400 disposed at a position slightly lower than the back surface 402 of the first operation unit 200 (a position close to the front surface of the operating device 110) (see FIG. 6) . The back surface of the light guide 320, that is, the back surface of the light transmitting portion 322 and the light shielding portion 324 is shown in FIG. The thickness of the light guide 320 and the frame 400 is designed such that the back surface of the light guide 320 and the surface of the frame 400 are located at substantially the same height, and no step is formed at the mutual boundary.

  In the state shown in FIG. 11, the circuit board 310 is mounted. The frame 400 is provided with support portions 410 and 412 having an L-shaped cross section, and a fixing portion 414 having a hook portion. The support portions 410 and 412 can accommodate the two corners of the circuit board 310 between the frame 400 and almost no gap. Referring to FIGS. 13 and 7, corner 420 of circuit board 310 is inserted into support 410, and corner 422 is inserted into support 412 so as to face two corners of circuit board 310. By applying an external force to the side 424 in the direction of the frame 400, the side 424 of the circuit board 310 is fixed by the ridge of the fixing portion 414. Thereby, the surfaces of the circuit board 310 on which the LED elements 312 and 314 are formed are in close contact with the back of the frame 400 and the light transmitting part 322 (the electrode arrangement region 316 on the circuit board 310 is in close contact with the back of the light transmitting part 322) It can be done. Therefore, as described above, the emitted light from the LED elements 312 and 314 does not leak from the back surface of the light transmitting portion 322 to the outside.

  Since the operation device 110 is configured as described above, the figure representing the home key 204 can be illuminated uniformly from the back efficiently, and the light from the light source leaks in the lateral direction, and the circumference of the figure is It can be prevented from being illuminated. Therefore, the high-class feeling of the operation device 110 can be produced.

  Although FIG. 8 shows the case where the graphic is printed only on the upper surface of the light transmitting portion 322, the graphic may be printed on the entire upper surface of the light guiding portion 320 including the upper surface of the light shielding portion 324. The figure to be printed is not limited to the figure of the house. It may be any figure, character or symbol depending on the function of the key.

  The number of LED elements is not limited to two. One or more LED elements may be disposed on the circuit board. Also in that case, it is preferable that the recessed part in which the LED element is formed, which is formed in the light transmitting part 322, be formed in the peripheral part of the light transmitting part 322.

  The light source is not limited to the LED elements 312 and 314. It may be a light source capable of emitting visible light and illuminating the figure representing the home key 204 from the back. The shapes and emission colors of the LED elements 312 and 314 are not limited to the above. For example, it may be a dome-shaped LED element. It may be an LED element that emits visible light such as red and blue.

  The shape of the recess formed in the light transmitting portion 322 in order to accommodate the LED element is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. A plurality of curved surfaces and planes can be formed into any combination of shapes.

  Although the case where a capacitance type switch is employed as the home key has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. The switch may be any type of switch as long as it is a switch that can hardly detect the on / off state with a slight touch without substantially changing the shape of the switch when pressed.

  Further, the shape of the light guide 320 is not limited to a hexagonal shape in plan view in which the corner portion is notched as shown in FIG. 8 and the like, but may be any shape. The notch in the corner shown in FIG. 8 is for uniquely determining the mounting direction of the light guide 320 on the frame 400.

  When the graphic printed on the upper surface of the light transmitting portion 322 is large and printed on the entire upper surface of the light transmitting portion 322, the light shielding portion 324 is not formed in an L-shaped cross section as shown in FIG. It is also good. That is, it may be formed so as to cover only the side surface of the light transmitting portion 322 without covering the upper surface of the light transmitting portion 322. In that case, the light transmitting portion does not have a shape having a convex portion 330 as shown in FIG. 10, but is a flat plate having a uniform thickness, and the light shielding portion has a shape covering only the side surface of the light transmitting portion.

Second Embodiment of Related Invention
A controller according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The operating device according to the present embodiment is configured in the same manner as the operating device according to the first embodiment of the related invention, and is provided in the image forming apparatus 100 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The point of difference of the present embodiment from the first embodiment of the related invention is the key arrangement in the operating device.

  The controller device according to the present embodiment includes a first operating unit 200 and a second operating unit 220. As described above with reference to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment of the related invention, the touch panel display 202 and the home key 204 are disposed in the first operation unit 200, and the power key 222 is disposed in the second operation unit 220. And the energy saving key 224 is arrange | positioned.

  The touch panel display 202 is a device for detecting a touched position. As a touch position detection method, for example, a capacitance method, an infrared blocking detection method, a surface acoustic wave method, a resistive film method, and the like are known. With these methods, the user can operate the touch panel display 202 simply by touching the surface lightly with a finger or the like, or by bringing the surface close to the surface.

  The home key 204 is, for example, the above-described capacitance type switch, and can detect that a finger or the like has touched (a user's operation) by detecting a change in capacitance. Similar to the touch panel display 202, the user only needs to lightly touch the home key 204 with a finger or the like. Therefore, the operation feeling of the touch panel display 202 and the home key 204 is similar.

  On the other hand, the power key 222 and the energy saving key 224 are keys whose contacts are in physical contact (hereinafter referred to as mechanical keys). For example, a switch such as a tactile switch known as Tact Switch (registered trademark) is used. These keys are reliable switches because of the importance of their functions, and it is necessary to make the user clearly aware of the operation. Usually, mechanical keys are used, and touch keys that can be operated with only a light touch such as a capacitive type are not used. When pressed, such a mechanical key changes its shape to such an extent that it can be clearly recognized. That is, the user can recognize the pressing operation. Therefore, the operation feeling of the power key 222 and the energy saving key 224 is largely different from the operation feeling of the touch panel display 202 and the home key 204.

  Referring to FIG. 13, operation device 110 tilts at a boundary portion between first operation unit 200 and second operation unit 220 (under first operation unit 200 and second operation unit 220, or inside thereof). It has 510. The tilt mechanism 510 is a mechanism for rotating the first operation unit 200 about a rotation shaft 512 by a predetermined angle. That is, the upper surface of the first operation unit 200 may be arranged (tilted) to form a predetermined angle with respect to the upper surface of the second operation unit 220. Since any known mechanism can be used for the tilt mechanism 510, it is schematically shown by a dotted line in FIG. The position at which the tilt mechanism 510 is provided is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 13 either, and may be disposed at an appropriate position according to the tilt mechanism.

  The tilt function of the first operation unit 200 is useful when operating the touch panel display 202. The user operates touch panel display 202 for a relatively long time to make settings for image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, it is preferable if the touch panel display 202 can be inclined according to the height of the user. From this viewpoint, the first operation unit 200 in which the touch panel display 202 is disposed is provided with a tilt function.

  The three operation keys (i.e., the home key 204, the power key 222, and the energy saving key 224) disposed in the operation device 110 are disposed in the central portion of the entire operation device 110, and are portions to be subjected to the tilt function. The keys with the same sense of operation are arranged close to each other, with the boundary between the part not to be used and the other part.

  Specifically, home key 204 is arranged in tiltable first operation unit 200 in which touch panel display 202 is arranged. A power key 222 and an energy saving key 224 which are mechanical keys having a different feeling of operation from these are disposed in the second operation unit 220 which can not be tilted. The home key 204 is disposed near the boundary between the first operation unit 200 and the second operation unit 220 (see FIG. 3).

  These three keys are arranged in order of the home key 204, the energy saving key 224, and the power key 222 from left to right along the longitudinal direction of the operating device 110. Further, in these three keys, the home key 204 is disposed on the side closest to the operating user along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the operating device 110, and the power key 222 and the energy saving key 224 It is arranged. The power key 222 and the energy saving key 224 are spaced apart from the home key 204 by a distance d1. Specifically, in the plan view of FIG. 13, the line 502 along the longitudinal direction of the operating device 110 which passes through the centers of the power key 222 and the energy saving key 224 passes through the center of the home key 204. A distance d1 is spaced from the line 500 along the direction. That is, both the power key 222 and the energy saving key 224 are disposed at positions farther from the user who operates the home key 204 than the user.

  Thus, by arranging the operation keys according to the similarity of the operation feeling, the user does not feel uncomfortable when operating the keys. In particular, the home key 204 consisting of touch keys is arranged on the first tiltable operation unit 200 where the touch panel display is arranged, and the second key fixed not to be tilted using mechanical keys as relatively important keys By arranging the mechanical keys (the power key 222 and the energy saving key 224) on the operation unit 220, the user can easily understand the role of each key and it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of an important key.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the power key 222 may be disposed further to the back than the energy saving key 224. In FIG. 14, the home key 204, the energy saving key 224, and the power key 222 are arranged in the order from the side closest to the operating user along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the operating device 110. That is, the line 504 along the longitudinal direction of the operating device 110 which passes through the center of the power key 222 is separated from the line 500 by a distance d2. Here, although d1 <d2, d2-d1 is smaller than d1. That is, both the energy saving key 224 and the power key 222 are disposed at a position farther from the user who operates than the home key 204, and the power key 222 is slightly spaced from the user who operates than the energy saving key 224. It is arranged.

  Although the case where a mechanical key is used for the power key 222 and the energy saving key 224 has been described above, the mechanical key may be used for the keys other than these, and the keys may be disposed in the controller device 110. In that case, those mechanical keys are arranged in the vicinity of the boundary between the second operation unit 220 and the first operation unit 200 according to the importance of the key including the power key 222 and the energy saving key 224. Is preferred.

  Although the case where the operating device 110 includes the tilt mechanism has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. If the first operation unit 200 and the second operation unit 220 are separately formed so that the mutual boundaries can be seen, the first operation unit 200 may not be able to tilt.

First Embodiment
The operating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the keys having the same feeling of operation are arranged in each area, and the operation device is provided with something to clarify the division of those areas.

  The operating device according to the first embodiment is equipped in the image forming apparatus as in the first and second embodiments of the related invention. The feature lies in the key arrangement different from that of the operation device according to the first and second embodiments of the related invention.

  Referring to FIG. 15, in operation apparatus 600 according to the present embodiment, touch panel display 610 is disposed at the center, and various keys are disposed on the left and right sides thereof. Similar to the first and second embodiments of the related invention, the touch panel display 610 includes a display panel configured of a liquid crystal panel or the like and a touch panel. Similar to the first and second embodiments of the related invention, a touch panel of an electrostatic capacitance type, an infrared blocking detection type, a surface acoustic wave type, or a resistive film type can be adopted as the touch panel.

  In the electrostatic capacitance method, an electric field is formed on the entire surface of the touch panel, a change in surface charge due to touch with a finger (dielectric) is detected, and a touched position is specified. The capacitance method has the advantages of high response speed and high resolution. On the other hand, it is possible to detect that the finger is lightly touched or that the finger is close, and there is almost no displacement (deformation) due to the operation, so an operation error or an erroneous detection is likely to occur.

  In the resistance film method, crossing parallel wires are disposed on two glass surfaces or film surfaces, and a voltage is applied to the wires, and a change in resistance value caused by conduction of a touched portion is detected. , Identify the touch position. The resistive film method has the advantage of being able to operate while wearing a pen or glove and being relatively inexpensive. The resistance film method needs to be operated with a stronger force than the capacitance method, and the resistance film method is displaced (deformed) to some extent by the operation, so that an operation error or an erroneous detection hardly occurs.

  It should be noted that any method adopted for the touch panel can be operated with a weaker force than mechanical keys described later, and the displacement (deformation) due to the operation is small, so an operation error or an erroneous detection It is easy to occur.

  In FIG. 15, the home screen is displayed on the touch panel display 610. At the top of the home screen, the character "home" indicating that it is a home screen is displayed, and software keys (copy, print, fax, filing, and scan keys for displaying a setting screen regarding each function of the image forming apparatus) ) Is displayed.

  A capacitive key (hereinafter referred to as a capacitive key) is disposed in a region 620 (hereinafter referred to as a left region) on the left side of the touch panel display 610. As described above, the capacitive key can detect that the finger is lightly touched or that the finger is close, and is hardly displaced (deformed) by the operation, so it is likely to cause an operation error or an erroneous detection. .

  Similar to the home key 204 in the first embodiment of the related invention, the capacitive key disposed in the left side area 620 is configured as shown in FIGS. However, figures, characters, and the like different from those of the home key 204 may be formed on the upper surface (see the convex portion 330 of the light transmitting portion 322 in FIG. 10) of the convex portion of the light transmitting portion constituting the key.

  In FIG. 15, in the left area 620, a home key 622 and a job status confirmation key 624 are arranged. The home key 622 is a key for returning the screen (screen shifted from the basic screen) displayed on the touch panel display 610 to the basic screen. A job status confirmation key 624 is a key for confirming the progress of a job such as printing, and when touched, information indicating the progress of the job (for example, characters such as printing or waiting) is displayed on the touch panel Displayed at 610.

  In a region 630 (hereinafter referred to as a right region) on the right side of the touch panel display 610, a mechanical key is disposed such that the contact is physically brought into contact by pressing. Each mechanical key is characterized in that when force is applied, the key top gradually sinks, and when it sinks by a predetermined distance, the contact physically contacts and turns on. That is, when the mechanical key is pressed, the shape changes to such a degree that the shape can be clearly recognized, so that the user can recognize the pressing operation as compared with the touch panel and the capacitive key. Therefore, the mechanical key is less likely to cause an erroneous operation as compared to the touch panel and the capacitive key.

  In FIG. 15, the energy saving key 632, the ten keys arranged in the ten key area 634, the clear key 636, the color copy start key 638, the monochrome copy start key 640, and the stop key 642 are arranged. The energy saving key 632 is a key for causing the image forming apparatus to transition to the power saving state or returning from the power saving state to the normal state. The clear key 636 is a key for deleting all the numbers and symbols input by the numeric keypad and displayed on the touch panel display 610. The stop key 642 is a key for stopping the execution of the job.

  In this manner, the user can arrange the touch panel type key (software key displayed on the touch panel display), the capacitive type key, and the mechanical key in each of the separated areas according to the operation feeling of the key. Makes it easy to understand the role (function) of the key, and can realize a sophisticated and unified operating device.

  In order to make the respective regions more clearly distinguishable, it is preferable to provide a break as shown in FIG. In the operation device 650 shown in FIG. 16, a first dividing line 652 and a second dividing line 654 are arranged as dividing parts between the touch panel display and the left side area and the right side area. In addition, a clear first frame line 660 is formed around the touch panel display as a dividing portion. A second frame line 662 and a third frame line 664 are formed as dividing portions in the left side area and the right side area, respectively.

  The first to second dividing lines 652 to 654 and the first to third frame lines 660 to 664 are formed on the surface of the operating device by printing in a predetermined color, for example. These divisions may be formed as a recess or a protrusion using a mold.

  Although the case where the first to third frame lines 660 to 664 are formed has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, different colors may be given to each area. That is, each area may be printed in a different color. In the operation device 670, not only the frame lines of the respective regions are formed, but also the inside of the first to third regions 672 to 676 inside these frames are painted in different colors. This makes the regions more clearly distinguishable. Also, instead of printing in different colors, each area may be formed by members of different colors.

  In addition, the formation of the dividing lines, the formation of the frame lines, and the application of different colors in the areas may be arbitrarily combined to distinguish the areas of the controller device. For example, the first dividing line 652 and the first frame line 660 are formed (see FIG. 16), and the inside of the third region 676 (see FIG. 17) is printed in a color different from the first dividing line 652 and the first frame line 660. You may

  Further, the operating device according to the present embodiment may be configured to be able to change the arrangement angle, as with the first operating unit 200 according to the second embodiment of the related invention.

Second Embodiment
A controller according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The operating device according to the second embodiment is equipped in the image forming apparatus as in the first and second embodiments of the related invention. The feature lies in the key arrangement different from that of the operation device according to the first and second embodiments of the related invention and the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 18, in operation device 700 according to the present embodiment, various keys are arranged above, below, and to the right of touch panel display 710.

  Similar to the first and second embodiments of the related invention and the first embodiment of the present invention, the touch panel display 710 includes a display panel configured of a liquid crystal panel or the like and a touch panel. In the touch panel, as in the first and second embodiments of the related invention and the first embodiment of the present invention, a capacitive type, an infrared blocking detection type, a surface acoustic wave type, or a resistance film is used. A touch panel such as a method can be adopted.

  The touch panel display 710 displays software keys as in the first and second embodiments of the related invention and the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the upper area (hereinafter referred to as upper area) 720 and the lower area (hereinafter referred to as lower area) 730 of the touch panel display 710, capacitive keys are arranged. The capacitive key is configured as shown in FIGS. 5 to 12 similarly to the home key 204 in the first embodiment of the related invention. However, figures, characters, etc., which are different from the home key 204, are formed on the upper surface (see the convex portion 330 of the light transmitting portion 322 in FIG. 10) of the convex portion of the light transmitting portion constituting the key.

  In FIG. 18, in the upper area 720, a copy key 722, a scan key 724, and a fax key 726 are arranged. When these keys are touched, the touch panel display 710 displays a setting screen of the corresponding function. In this case, a total of six LED elements are disposed, for example, above and below each of the copy key 722, the scan key 724, and the fax key 726. As in the first embodiment of the related invention, a light shielding portion (see FIG. 5) is arranged between adjacent keys so that light does not leak. In addition, a total of two LED elements may be disposed on the left side of the copy key 722 and on the right side of the fax key 726. In this case, the light shielding portion (see FIG. 5) is disposed so as to cover the copy key 722, the scan key 724, and the fax key 726 entirely, and is not disposed between the adjacent keys.

  In the lower area 730, a selection key 732 is disposed. The selection key 732 can instruct the image forming apparatus to instruct in four directions, up, down, left, and right, and to determine the selection. The indication of the four directions of top, bottom, left, and right is made by touching the area where four triangles are displayed. The determination is made by a touch on the portion where "OK" is displayed. For example, the user can use the selection key 732 to perform a selection operation on a plurality of options displayed on the touch panel display 710.

  Similar to the home key 204 in the first embodiment of the related invention, the selection key 732 includes a light guide portion (light transmitting portion and light shielding portion) and a circuit board as shown in FIGS. Configured As shown in FIG. 19, the upper surface 702 (see FIG. 10) of the convex portion of the light transmitting portion constituting the selection key 732 has a graphic (a graphic representing the selection key 732) different from the home key 204 (see FIG. ) Is formed. The reticulated portion of the top surface 702 of the convex portion of the light transmitting portion is printed in black, and the non-reticulated portion is not printed and remains transparent. Referring to FIG. 20, circuit board 734 constituting selection key 732 has two LED elements 736 and 738 and five electrode arrangement areas 740 to 748 as in the first embodiment of the related invention. It is arranged. In FIG. 20, the figure showing the selection key 732 is shown by a broken line. Electrodes for detecting a touch on the part where "OK" is displayed are arranged in the electrode arrangement area 740, and four electrode arrangement areas 742 to 748 are a touch to an area where four triangles are displayed. A switch for detecting the The arrangement of the LED elements is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG. 20, and one or three or more LED elements may be arranged. For example, instead of or in addition to the two LED elements 736 and 738, two LED elements may be arranged in the vicinity of the outside of the electrode arrangement areas 742 and 746.

  In the right side area 750 of the touch panel display 710, mechanical keys are arranged. In FIG. 18, the energy saving key 752, the ten keys arranged in the ten key area 754, the clear key 756, the color copy start key 758, the monochrome copy start key 760, and the stop key 762 are arranged. An energy saving key 752 is a key for causing the image forming apparatus to transition to the power saving state or returning from the power saving state to the normal state. The clear key 756 is a key for deleting all the numbers and symbols input by the ten keys and displayed on the touch panel display 710. The stop key 762 is a key for stopping the execution of the job.

  In this manner, the user can arrange the touch panel type key (software key displayed on the touch panel display), the capacitive type key, and the mechanical key in each of the separated areas according to the operation feeling of the key. Makes it easy to understand the role (function) of the key, and can realize a sophisticated and unified operating device.

  In order to make the respective regions more clearly distinguishable, it is preferable to provide a break as shown in FIG. In the operation device 770 shown in FIG. 21, a first dividing line 772, a second dividing line 774 and a third dividing line 776 are arranged as dividing parts between the touch panel display and the upper side area, the lower side area and the right side area. It is done. In addition, a clear first frame line 780 is formed around the touch panel display as a dividing portion. A second frame line 782, a third frame line 784 and a fourth frame line 786 are formed as dividing parts in the upper area, the lower area and the right area, respectively.

  The first to third dividing lines 772 to 776 and the first to fourth frame lines 780 to 786 are formed on the surface of the operating device by printing in a predetermined color, for example. These divisions may be formed as a recess or a protrusion using a mold.

  Although the case where the first to fourth frame lines 780 to 786 are formed has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, each area may be printed in a different color. In the operation device 790, not only the frame lines of the respective regions are formed, but also the inside of the first to fourth regions 792 to 798 inside these frames are painted in different colors. This makes the regions more clearly distinguishable. Also, instead of printing in different colors, each area may be formed by members of different colors.

  In addition, the formation of the dividing lines, the formation of the frame lines, and the application of different colors in the areas may be arbitrarily combined to distinguish the areas of the controller device. For example, the first dividing line 772, the second dividing line 774, and the first frame line 780 are formed (see FIG. 21), and the inside of the fourth region 798 (see FIG. 22) is It may be printed in a color different from the line 774 and the first frame 780.

  Further, the operating device according to the present embodiment may be configured to be able to change the arrangement angle, as with the first operating unit 200 according to the second embodiment of the related invention.

  The present invention has been described above by describing the embodiment, but the above-described embodiment is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be made. be able to.

Reference Signs List 100 image forming apparatus 110 operation device 112 image reading unit 114 automatic document feeder 116 image processing unit 118 sheet feeding unit 120 discharge tray 200 first operation unit 202 touch panel display 204 home key 220 second operation unit 222 power key 224 energy saving key 226 LED lamp 300 panel 302 concave portion 310 circuit board 312, 314 LED element 316 electrode arrangement region 320 light guide portion 322 light transmitting portion 324 light shielding portion 326, 328 LED element housing portion 330 convex portion

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus provided with an operating device,
The operating device is
A display unit,
A first touch key which is displayed on the display unit and which sets a function of the image forming apparatus;
A second touch key including an instruction key for instructing the display unit to display at least a basic screen for setting a copying function;
It consists of the 3rd touch key,
The first touch key and the second touch key are capacitive keys,
The third touch key is a mechanical key,
The second touch key and the third touch key are disposed across the first touch key,
The third touch key is a predetermined key arranged in a direction away from the display area of the display unit in the depth direction when the controller is viewed from the operation side on which the controller is operated an image forming apparatus comprising a. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined key is a key for causing the image forming apparatus to transition to a power saving state.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second touch key is provided within the width of the display area in the depth direction.   The image forming arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller device further includes a dividing unit that divides the second touch key and the first touch key. The third touch key includes a mechanical execution key which causes the image forming apparatus to execute copying, which is different from the predetermined key .
The said execution key is arrange | positioned rather than the said display area of the said display part in the said depth direction of the said operating device, The operation side by which the said operating device is operated is characterized by the above-mentioned. An imaging arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims.   The said instruction | indication key is arrange | positioned in the direction away from the said operation side rather than the center of the said display part in the said depth direction of the said operating device, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. Image forming device. The second touch key further includes a job status confirmation key for instructing display of a job status by the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the job status confirmation key is disposed closer to the operation side than the center of the display unit in the depth direction.   8. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein a color different from the color of the area adjacent to the third touch key is provided in at least a part of the outer periphery of the display area. Image forming apparatus as described.   The area according to claim 1, wherein the area adjacent to the first touch key, the area adjacent to the second touch key, and the area adjacent to the third touch key have different colors. An image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.   In the depth direction when the operating device is viewed from the operating side where the operating device is operated, a part of the predetermined key is in the direction away from the operating side from the display area of the display unit The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a part other than the part is arranged in the display area.

Images