JPH0741630U - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide an input device that can be operated by changing the panel surface or the function display plate in a direction in which it is easy to operate. [Structure] The operation panels 2a and 2b are held by a casing 4 so that the panel surfaces 8a and 8b can be rotated in the direction of arrow A, and the operation objects can be operated in any direction of the panel surfaces 8a and 8b. The operation can be performed by pressing a key on which a function for operating the device is printed. Therefore, no matter what direction the input device is installed, the panel surfaces 8a and 8b can be adjusted in a direction that is easy to operate.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to an input device for operating various devices such as a facsimile and a copying machine, and more particularly to an input device in which operability is not impaired regardless of the installation direction of the device body.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 In the input device for operating various devices such as a facsimile machine and a copying machine, the input device may be integrated with the various devices to be operated or may be separated from the various devices. The input device is an instruction input unit, and is close to the operation buttons assigned to the functions for performing operations, the plate displaying the functions assigned to each operation button, the operation buttons and the operation buttons. It is equipped with a function display section on which functions are printed.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 In recent years, the effective use of space has become an important issue in the workplace, and the layout of input devices attached to various devices is often determined in consideration of the effective use of space. Therefore, it is difficult for the operator to visually recognize the function display section, or the input device is installed in a direction in which the operation button is difficult to operate.

An object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can be operated by changing the panel surface or the function display plate in a direction in which it is easy to operate in order to solve the above problems.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above object, the first means of the present invention is an operating device comprising an input panel section having an input section and a casing section having the input panel section. The panel surface of is configured to be rotatable with respect to the casing.

The second means can be installed in four directions at 90 ° intervals with respect to the operation button, the panel surface on which the operation button is arranged, and the panel surface displaying the function assigned to the operation button. Function control plate, a sensor that detects the installation direction of the function display plate, and a function control that changes the function assignment of the operation button according to the detection signal from this sensor so as to match the installation direction of the function display plate. It is characterized by having a section and.

In the third means, the operation buttons of the second means and the panel surface of the second means are constituted by a transparent touch panel, and the function display plate of the second means is provided on the touch panel. It is characterized in that it can be installed so as to face the lower surface.

In the fourth means, the operation button of the second means is used as a push button, and the function display plate of the second means can be installed so as to face the upper surface of the panel surface of the second means. It is characterized by

[0009]

[Action]

 According to the above-mentioned first means, since the panel surface of the input panel section is configured to be rotatable with respect to the casing, the direction of the panel surface can be freely changed.

According to the second means, the function display plate can be installed in four directions at 90 ° intervals with respect to the panel surface, the direction of the function display plate is detected by the sensor, and the sensor position of the sensor is detected. By changing the function assignment of the operation buttons arranged on the panel surface in the function control unit according to the detection signal, the operation direction can be changed by changing the installation direction of the function display plate to four directions.

According to the third means, the operation buttons and the panel surface of the second means are formed by a transparent touch panel, and the function display plate can be installed so as to face the lower surface of the touch panel. , The function display plate can be seen through the transparent touch panel.

According to the fourth means, the operation button of the second means is used as a push button, and the function display plate of the second means can be installed so as to face the upper surface of the panel surface. By simply placing the display plate on the panel surface, you can set the function assignment of the push button.

[0013]

【Example】

 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention used in a facsimile.

The input device is a casing 4 for holding the operation panels 2a, 2b in which operation keys 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d are arranged, and the operation panels 2a and 2b so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow A, respectively. Etc. The operation panel 2a is provided with a numeric keypad 1a for setting the dial number of the recipient, an entry key 1b for inputting a dial number, and a fax key 1c for executing a fax. The operation panel 2b is stored in a memory (not shown). There is an auto-dial key 1d that allows you to set and enter the dial number of the other party you are using in one operation, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 5 that displays the number of the other party's dial number that you have set and information for performing the operation. ing.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the operation panel of the present embodiment and a casing with a part omitted.

The operation panel 2 has a columnar shape, and a recess 3 is formed on a side surface thereof. The casing 4 has a circular through hole for accommodating the operation panel 2, and a convex portion 4a is formed on the inner surface of the through hole. The casing 4 holds the operation panel 2 rotatably by fitting the convex portion 4 a into the concave portion 3.

A printed circuit board (PCB) 6 is arranged inside the operation panel 2, and a harness 7 for outputting a signal generated by pressing the operation key 1 to the outside is connected to the PCB 6 to print a circuit. Key 1 is placed on the raised surface.

The key 1 is printed with functions and numbers, and is a cover 11 that serves as a convex portion for pressing on the panel surface 8 of the operation panel 2, and a PB 12 for turning on and off the contacts of the PCB 6. And a spring 13 that biases the cover 11 in the opposite direction to the pressing direction.

The operator turns the contacts on and off by pressing the PB 12 via the cover 11 of the key 1, and sends a control signal to the control unit (not shown) of the device to be operated, which is connected by the harness 7. It is possible to output and control the device.

In the input device having the above-described configuration, the operation panel 2 can be rotated regardless of the orientation of the input device, so that the panel surface 8 is adjusted in a direction in which the operator can easily operate. be able to.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention.

The input device is composed of a casing 14, a touch panel 22 arranged on the upper surface of the casing 14, an operation card 30 installed opposite to the lower surface of the touch panel 22, and the like.

The touch panel 22 is in the form of a thin and transparent sheet, and when an operator presses a predetermined position with a finger or the like, a signal corresponding to the predetermined position can be generated.

The casing 14 is provided with an insertion opening 14 a on its side surface, and the operation card 30 is inserted from the insertion opening 14 a and is installed opposite to the lower surface of the touch panel 22.

The operation card 30 is in the shape of a quadrilateral card, and has a surface facing the lower surface of the touch panel 22, the surface of which is divided into a plurality of areas, and functions required for operating the device to be operated are provided. It is printed. Further, the operation card 30 has a notch 30a formed at one corner, and a notch 30b formed at one side not including the corner.

Since the operation card 30 is a quadrangle, it can be inserted into the insertion opening 14a from four directions (arrow lines A1, A2, A3, A4 directions), and the insertion direction is arranged inside the insertion opening 14a. It is detected by two sensors (not shown). One sensor is arranged at a position corresponding to the cutout 30a, the other sensor is arranged at a position corresponding to the cutout 30b, and the operation is performed by detecting the presence or absence of the cutout 30a or the cutout 30b, respectively. The insertion direction of the card 30 is detected.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit of this embodiment.

When the operation card 30 is inserted and installed under the touch panel 22, the sensor 51a and the sensor 51b detect the presence or absence of the cutout portion 30a or the cutout portion 30b, and the sensors 51a and 51b respectively. And are turned on or off. The input circuit 52 outputs a direction detection signal to the function allocation control circuit 53 according to on / off signals of the sensors 51a and 51b. The touch panel 22 outputs a signal for turning on / off the contact corresponding to the pressed position, and the input circuit 52 outputs the contact signal corresponding to the pressed position of the touch panel 22 for the function allocation control circuit 53. Output to.

The function allocation control circuit 53 determines the insertion direction of the operation card 30 based on the direction detection signal, changes the function allocation to each contact signal so as to correspond to the display direction of the function of the operation card 30, and touches the touch panel 22. When a predetermined position of is pressed down, a control signal for executing the function printed under the position is output to the device that is the operation target to perform control.

In the input device having the above-described configuration, the operation card 30 that displays functions regardless of the installation direction of the device can be installed under the touch panel 22 in four directions at 90 ° intervals, and in which direction Since the operation can be performed even if it is installed, the operation card 30 can be installed and operated in a direction in which the operator can easily operate. Furthermore, since the operation card 30 is merely a card with the functions printed on it, it can be used to operate various devices simply by changing the contents of the print.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention.

The input device corresponds to the casing 24, a quadrilateral panel surface 18 arranged on the bottom surface of the concave portion of the upper surface of the casing 24, the PB19a and the sensors PB19b and 19c arranged on the panel surface 18, and the panel surface 18. The function display plate 20 and the like are formed in a quadrangle and are detachably mounted on the panel surface 18.

When the PB 19a arranged on the panel surface 18 is pressed, a signal corresponding to the pressed PB 19a is generated. A sensor PB19b is arranged near the corner of the panel surface 18, and a sensor PB19c is arranged near the center of the side not including the corner where the sensor PB19b is arranged.

The function display plate 20 has a cover 20a that is movable in the operation direction of the PB 19a at a position corresponding to the PB 19a, has a groove 20b in one corner, and has a groove 20b. A groove 20c is formed in the center of the side not including the part. The cover 20a is printed with the functions required to operate the target device.

Since the panel surface 18 is a quadrangle, and the function display plate 20 is also a quadrangle having a shape corresponding to the panel surface 18, the function display plate 20 changes its direction in four directions at 90 ° intervals, It can be placed on a surface. The mounting direction of the function display plate 20 is detected by the presence or absence of the grooves 20b, 20c by the sensors PB19a, 19b.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit of the present embodiment. In the constituent members, the members corresponding to the members described with reference to FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals.

When the function display plate 20 is placed on the panel surface 18, depending on the direction of the function display plate 20, the groove portions 20b and 20c are in predetermined positions, and the sensors PB19b and 19c are turned on and off. The input circuit 52 outputs a direction detection signal to the function allocation control circuit 53 according to the ON / OFF signals of the sensors PB19b, 19c. The PB 19a outputs a signal for turning on and off the contact of the input circuit 52 corresponding to the pressed PB 19a when the cover 20a is pressed, and the input circuit 52 outputs the contact signal corresponding to the pressed PB 19a. Is output to the function allocation control circuit 53.

The function allocation control circuit 53 determines the mounting direction of the function display plate 20 based on the direction detection signal, and changes the function allocation to each contact signal so as to correspond to the function display direction of the function display plate 20. Then, when a predetermined PB 19a is pressed through the cover 20a, a control signal for executing the function printed on the cover 20a is output to the device which is the operation target to perform control.

In the input device having the above-described configuration, the function display plate 20 that displays the function regardless of the installation direction of the device can be placed on the panel surface 18 in four directions at 90 ° intervals. Since the operation can be performed even when the function display plate 20 is placed on, the operator can place the function display plate 20 in a direction in which the operator can easily perform the operation.

[0041]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, according to the first means of the present invention, since the panel surface of the input panel is configured to be rotatable, the operating direction is easy for the operator to operate regardless of the installation direction of the device. It is possible to provide an input device that can be easily adjusted.

Further, according to the second means, the function display plate can be installed in four directions at 90 ° intervals with respect to the panel surface, and the function control section is arranged on the panel surface by the function control section according to the detection signal of the sensor. By changing the button function assignment, it is possible to provide an input device in which the function display plate can be installed and operated in four directions that are easy for the operator to operate, regardless of the installation direction of the device.

According to the third means, the operation buttons and the panel surface of the second means are constituted by a transparent touch panel, and the function display plate can be installed so as to face the lower surface of the touch panel. Since the function display plate is viewed and operated via the transparent touch panel, it is possible to provide an input device that can simplify the configuration of the function display plate.

Further, according to the fourth means, the operation button of the second means is used as a push button, and the function display plate of the second means can be installed so as to face the upper surface of the panel surface. If the display plate is placed on the panel surface, the assignment of the push button functions can be changed, and it is possible to provide an input device that can easily change the operation direction.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention used in a facsimile.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an operation panel of the present embodiment and a casing with a part omitted.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit according to the present exemplary embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Key, 2 ... Operation panel, 4, 14, 24 ... Casing, 8, 18 ... Panel surface, 19a ... PB, 19b, 19c ...
Sensor PB, 20 ... Function display plate, 22 ... Touch panel, 30 ... Operation card, 51a, 51b ... Sensor, 52 ... Input circuit, 53 ... Function allocation control circuit.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Masahiro Yonekawa 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An operating device comprising an input panel section having an input section and a casing section having the input panel section, wherein a panel surface of the input panel section is rotatable with respect to the casing. An input device characterized by being configured. 2. An operation button, a panel surface on which the operation button is arranged, a function display plate which can be installed in four directions at 90 ° intervals with respect to the panel surface displaying the function assigned to the operation button, A sensor for detecting the installation direction of the function display plate, and a function control unit for changing the function assignment of the operation button by a detection signal from the sensor so as to match the installation direction of the function display plate are provided. Characteristic input device. 3. The input according to claim 2, wherein the operation buttons and the panel surface are formed by a transparent touch panel, and the function display plate can be installed so as to face a lower surface of the touch panel. apparatus. 4. The input device according to claim 2, wherein the operation button is a push button, and the function display plate can be installed so as to face the upper surface of the panel surface.