JP6782133B2 - Image formation system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming system including an image forming unit that operates according to a billing state.

The image forming system installed in the convenience store is composed of a coin vendor and an MFP, and when a coin is inserted into the coin vendor, the MFP forms a predetermined image.

Therefore, since the coin bender and the MFP are operated as one unit, the operability deteriorates when the installation distance between the coin bender and the MFP is large.

Therefore, in convenience stores, a configuration in which a coin vendor and an MFP are arranged close to each other is adopted (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-266359

However, in the image forming system installed in the convenience store, as described in Patent Document 1, the heights of the coin insertion processing unit (billing processing unit) of the coin vendor and the operation unit of the MFP are separated. Therefore, the operability is poor for the user, which is a physical burden.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of improving user operability by optimizing the arrangement of coin vendors, the operation unit, the image forming unit, and the like in view of the above problems. To provide.

The image forming system of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus for forming an image by reading the image data, the coin vendor that accepts the insertion of money, and are arranged independently of the image forming apparatus and a coin vendor. Further, in the image forming system, an operation unit that accepts image formation settings, a first image forming unit that forms an image of the read image data based on the settings of the operation unit, and an image forming unit perform image formation. It is equipped with an in-body paper discharge section for loading the broken paper . Here, the first image forming unit is provided in the image forming apparatus and is arranged below the operation unit. Further, the in-body paper ejection portion is provided in the space inside the image forming apparatus. The in-body paper ejection portion is provided with openings opened on the side surface and the front surface of the image forming apparatus, respectively, and the coin bender is arranged next to the in-body paper ejection portion in the image forming apparatus. It covers the opening that opens on the side of the.

In the image forming system, it is preferable that at least one of the first image forming section and the second image forming section is arranged near the center in the width direction of each of the image forming apparatus and the coin bender.

The image forming apparatus in the present invention can improve the operability of the user by optimizing the arrangement of the coin bender and the arrangement of the operation unit, the image forming unit, and the like.

It is a front view which shows the structure of the image formation system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the structure of the image formation system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the structure of the image formation system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the structure of the image formation system which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the structure of the image formation system which concerns on the reference example of this invention.

Hereinafter, the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming system 100 forms an image by reading image data, and includes a coin bender 200 and an MFP 300. Further, the image forming system 100 includes a coin slot 110, an operation panel 120, and an electrophotographic printer 130. The MFP 300 is the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment.

The coin slot 110 is provided in a billing processing unit that executes a billing process that allows image formation by the image forming system 100 by accepting coins. The billing process is a process of permitting image formation by the electrophotographic printer 130 as a consideration for inserting coins from the user. Although the coin insertion slot 110 is described as a receiving port for inserting coins in FIG. 1, it may further include a bill insertion slot for receiving bills.

The operation panel 120 is an operation unit that receives an image formation setting by the image formation system 100 when a coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 110 and a billing process is executed. The operation panel 120 is arranged on a flat surface portion of the MFP 300. Further, the arrangement angle of the operation panel 120 may be rotatable about one side. A touch panel is used as the operation panel 120.

The electrophotographic printer 130 is a first image forming unit that forms an image of the read image data based on the settings of the operation panel 120. The electrophotographic printer 130 has a configuration in which a charger, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device are arranged from the upstream side of the photoconductor, and a fixing device is arranged on the downstream side of the transport path, centering on the photoconductor. .. The electrophotographic printer 130 is mainly used for forming an image on plain paper.

Further, the coin slot 110 is arranged at the same height as the operation panel 120. In the present embodiment, the coin insertion slot 110 is arranged within a range of 20 cm in each of the upward and downward directions from the vertical center position 122 of the operation panel 120 in the vertical direction. Within this range, when a coin is inserted from the coin slot 110 and then the operation panel 120 is operated, the user's arm or neck hardly moves in the vertical direction.

That is, in this configuration, the user's operability with respect to the image forming system 100 can be improved by substantially straightening the operation flow line of the image forming system 100 by the user. Therefore, the physical burden on the user can be reduced, and the visibility of the user on the image forming system 100 can be improved.

Further, it is preferable that the image forming system 100 further includes a sublimation printer 140. The sublimation printer 140 is a second image forming unit that is arranged independently of the electrophotographic printer 130 and forms an image of the read image data based on the settings of the operation panel 120. The sublimation printer 140 is a kind of thermal transfer printer, in which heat is applied to an ink ribbon coated with solid ink by a print head to sublimate the ink, and the ink is attached to a special paper coated with a resin. The sublimation printer 140 is mainly used when forming an image on the special paper as described above.

In this configuration, the user can select whether to use the electrophotographic printer 130 or the sublimation printer 140, so that the user has a wider range of choices when forming an image on paper.

Further, it is preferable that the sublimation printer 140 is arranged outside the vertical range from the flat surface to the bottom surface of the electrophotographic printer 130.

In this configuration, since the sublimation printer 140 is considered to be used less frequently by the user, the internal space of the coin vendor 200 can be effectively utilized by arranging the sublimation printer 140 at a position different from that of the electrophotographic printer 130. ..

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In each embodiment after this embodiment, the description of the portion overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the image forming system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming system 100 further includes a media slot portion 150 into which a medium for storing predetermined image data can be inserted. Examples of media include USB memory, SD memory card, and the like. The image forming system 100 reads the image data stored in the medium and forms an image on the paper by the electrophotographic printer 130 or the sublimation printer 140. In order to read the image data stored in the media, it is necessary that the coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 110 and the billing process is executed.

The media slot portion 150 is preferably arranged at the same height as the operation panel 120. In the present embodiment, the media slot portion 150 is arranged within a range of 20 cm in each of the upward and downward directions from the vertical center position 122 of the operation panel 120 in the vertical direction. Within this range, when a coin is inserted from the coin slot 110, then the operation panel 120 is operated, and then the media is inserted into the media slot 150, the user's arm or neck is almost in the vertical direction. It doesn't work.

That is, in this configuration, the user's operability with respect to the image forming system 100 can be improved by substantially straightening the operation flow line of the image forming system 100 by the user. Therefore, the physical burden on the user can be reduced, and the visibility of the user on the image forming system 100 can be improved.

Further, in this configuration, since the user's visibility to the image forming system 100 can be improved, it is possible to prevent the media from being forgotten to be removed from the media slot portion 150 after the image is formed on the paper.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the configuration of the image forming system 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming system 100 further includes an in-body paper ejection unit 160 for loading the image-formed paper. The in-body paper ejection unit 160 is loaded with the paper 164 ejected from the ejection port 162 after the image is formed by the electrophotographic printer 130.

It is preferable that the in-body paper ejection unit 160 is arranged at the same height as the operation panel 120. In the present embodiment, the in-body paper ejection unit 160 is arranged within a range of 20 cm downward from the vertical center position 122 of the operation panel 120. Within this range, when coins are inserted from the coin slot 110, then the operation panel 120 is operated, and then the paper 164 is taken out from the in-body paper ejection unit 160, the user's arm or neck is in the vertical direction. It hardly moves.

That is, in this configuration, the user's operability with respect to the image forming system 100 can be improved by substantially straightening the operation flow line of the image forming system 100 by the user. Therefore, the physical burden on the user can be reduced, and the visibility of the user on the image forming system 100 can be improved.

Further, in this configuration, since the user's visibility to the image forming system 100 can be improved, it is possible to prevent forgetting to remove the paper 164 from the in-body paper ejection unit 160 after forming the image on the paper.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of the image forming system 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming system 100 further includes a scanner unit 170 that reads image data of a document. The scanner unit 170 is arranged on the uppermost surface of the image forming system 100 in consideration of user convenience. The image forming system 100 reads the image data of the original document read by the scanner unit 170, and forms an image on the paper by the electrophotographic printer 130 or the sublimation printer 140. In order for the scanner unit 170 to read the image data of the original, it is necessary that coins are inserted into the coin slot 110 and the billing process is executed.

It is preferable that the scanner unit 170 is arranged at the same height as the operation panel 120. In the present embodiment, the scanner unit 170 is arranged within a range of 20 cm upward from the vertical center position 122 of the operation panel 120 in the vertical direction. Within this range, when coins are inserted from the coin slot 110, then the operation panel 120 is operated, and then the scanner unit 170 reads the document, the user's arm or neck hardly moves in the vertical direction. ..

That is, in this configuration, the user's operability with respect to the image forming system 100 can be improved by substantially straightening the operation flow line of the image forming system 100 by the user. Therefore, the physical burden on the user can be reduced, and the visibility of the user on the image forming system 100 can be improved.

Further, in this configuration, since the user's visibility to the image forming system 100 can be improved, it is possible to prevent forgetting to take the original from the scanner unit 170 after forming the image on the paper.

Next, a reference example of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the configuration of the image forming system 100 according to the reference example of the present invention.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the image forming system 100 is physically separated into the coin bender 200 and the MFP 300, but it may be an integrated system as in this reference example. ..

Even with this configuration, the user's operability with respect to the image forming system 100 can be improved by substantially linearizing the operation flow lines of the image forming system 100 by the user. Therefore, the physical burden on the user can be reduced, and the visibility of the user on the image forming system 100 can be improved.

Finally, the description of the embodiments described above should be considered exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims, not by the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

100-Image formation system 110-Coin slot 120-Operation panel 122-Center position 130-Electrophoto printer 140-Sublimation printer 150-Media slot 160-Internal paper ejection 170-Scanner

Claims (9)

An image forming device that forms an image by reading image data,
With coin vendors that accept coins
An image forming system in which the image forming apparatus and the coin bender are arranged independently of the above.
An operation unit that accepts image formation settings and
A media slot portion provided in the coin vendor and capable of inserting media in which the image data is stored,
A first image forming unit provided in the image forming apparatus and forming an image of image data read from the media through the media slot unit based on the setting of the operation unit.
An in-body paper discharge unit provided in the space inside the image forming apparatus and for loading paper on which an image is formed by the first image forming unit is provided.
With
The first image forming unit is arranged below the operation unit.
The in-body paper ejection portion is provided with openings opened on the side surface and the front surface of the image forming apparatus, respectively, and the coin bender is arranged next to the in-body paper ejection portion. It covers the opening opened on the side surface and covers the opening .
In the height direction of the image forming apparatus, the media slot portion is arranged within a range of 20 cm upward from the operation portion, and the in-body paper discharge portion is 20 cm downward from the operation portion. An image forming system arranged within the range . The coin bender is provided with a second image forming unit.
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the first image forming section and the second image forming section are arranged at different positions in the height direction. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit is arranged near the center in the width direction of each of the image forming apparatus and the coin bender. .. The image forming system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second image forming portion is arranged outside the range of the first image forming portion in the height direction. The first image forming unit is an electrophotographic printer including a photoconductor.
The image forming system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second image forming unit is a sublimation type printer that attaches sublimated ink to paper. The coin vendor is further provided with a coin slot for inserting coins.
The image forming system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the coin insertion slot overlaps the second image forming portion in the width direction of the coin bender. The coin vendor is provided with a coin slot for inserting coins.
The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the coin slot is arranged at a position separated from the central portion of the coin bender in the width direction of the coin bender. The image forming apparatus is further provided with an image reading unit for reading image data of a document.
The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the image reading unit is arranged at the same height as the operation unit. The image forming system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the in-body paper ejection portion and the coin insertion slot are arranged at the same height in the height direction.

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