JPH08146688A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve operability by attaching a controller unit freely detachably on a position easy to operate for an operator, in a copying machine or an image forming device such as printer. CONSTITUTION: The image forming device is provided with the controller unit 2 attached freely attachably and detachably in plural directions of a controller attaching surface formed on a device main body, plural operating index groups 2f and 2g which are formed on the control base plate 2d of the unit 2 in correspondence with the attaching position in plural directions of the unit 2 and a panel cover 2e for displaying one of plural operating index groups 2f and 2g arranged freely movably in the unit 2 outside, and only the operating index group 2f or 2g corresponding to the attaching direction of the unit 2 out of plural operating index groups 2f and 2g is displayed outside.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which an operation unit is detachably attached to an apparatus body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Several techniques have been conventionally proposed as a technique for removably attaching an operation unit unit of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine to a main body of the apparatus. For example,
The operation unit unit is provided separately from the main body of the copying machine, and the operation unit unit and the main body of the copying machine are connected by a flexible cord, or by a wireless means such as infrared rays or ultrasonic waves. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-63747 discloses a technique that enables the operation of a copying machine without any restrictions.

Further, an operation unit unit for copying operation and an operation unit unit for performing operations other than the copying operation are detachably attached to the copying machine respectively, and the copying machine is used for purposes other than the copying machine. There has been disclosed a technique which enables the use or the operation input only for confirming the copying operation (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-127943).
No.).

Further, by preparing a plurality of operation unit units each of which is made into a cartridge for each purpose, and each operation unit unit having a one-touch attachment / detachment mechanism using the same mechanical attachment and the same electric connector, the main body of the copying machine can be used according to the use. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-1075 discloses a technique in which it can be removably attached.
78).

The operation unit is detachably attached to the main body of the copying machine, and a department management function, a reservation function, a wireless communication function, and the like are added to operate the unit when copying a document larger than the platen. Disclosed is a technique in which a copy unit can be detached so that copying can be performed, and when the copy machine becomes operable, a copy start can be started by mounting the operation section unit reserved for copy conditions on the copy machine main body. (See JP-A-5-19551).

[0006]

By the way, the operation section unit of the image forming apparatus in the conventional copying machine is laid out on the assumption that the operator is right-handed, and it is difficult for a left-handed operator to operate. It was a layout. For example, the print switch having the highest operation frequency is arranged on the rightmost side of the operation unit, and the density adjusting operator, which has a relatively low operation frequency, is arranged on the left side of the print switch. However, since there are a considerable number of left-handed operators, when the left-handed operators exclusively use the layout, it is desirable to use a layout exclusively for left-handed operators.

Further, when it is installed in the center or corner of a large desk like a small copying machine, or it is installed on a bookshelf on the desk side, it is difficult to operate depending on the installation situation. Specifically, the most frequently used print switch is usually laid out at the right end toward the copying machine, so it is relatively easy to operate from the position near the print switch of the copying machine. It was difficult to operate from a position far away from.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus having an operation section unit that can be easily operated by a right-handed operator or a left-handed operator, and an operation section unit that can be easily operated from a plurality of directions with the apparatus body sandwiched. An image forming apparatus having the above is provided.

[0009]

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation section unit detachably mounted in a plurality of directions on an operation section mounting surface formed on an apparatus main body, and an operation section unit having a plurality of directions. A plurality of operation index groups formed on the operation base plate of the operation unit unit corresponding to the mounting position and one of the operation index groups movably arranged in the operation unit unit are externally connected. And a panel cover for displaying the operation index group, and only the operation index group corresponding to the mounting direction of the operation unit unit is displayed on the outside from the plurality of operation index groups by the panel cover.

In this case, the operation portion mounting surface may be configured so that the panel cover has a slope so that the panel cover slides from one side to the other side by its own weight when the operation portion unit is mounted.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation section unit detachably mounted in a plurality of directions on an operation section attachment surface formed on the apparatus body, and an operation section unit formed on the operation section attachment surface. And a control terminal mounted on the back surface of the operation unit unit and engaged with the connection unit, the operation unit unit being attached to the operation unit mounting surface regardless of the mounting direction of the operation unit unit. The control terminals are configured to have a common terminal arrangement connected to the position corresponding to the inversion of the operation unit.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention corresponds to the operation section unit detachably mounted in a plurality of directions on the operation section mounting surface formed on the apparatus main body and the mounting positions of the operation section unit in the plurality of directions. And a plurality of operation indicator groups that can be lit and displayed, formed on the operation unit or the operation unit mounting surface,
A mounting direction detection unit that detects the direction in which the operation unit unit is mounted on the operation unit mounting surface, and a mounting direction of the operation unit unit that corresponds to the mounting direction of the operation unit unit from a plurality of operation index groups according to the detection result of the mounting direction detection unit. And a control means for selecting and displaying one operation index group by lighting.

In this case, the mounting direction detecting means has a first engaging means installed on the operating section unit and a second engaging means installed on the operating section mounting surface. The mounting direction of the operation unit unit may be detected based on the engagement relationship of the engagement means.

Further, in this case, the operation section unit is provided with a numeral display section having a daily character structure composed of seven elements, and the upside and downside of the numeral display section are reversed and displayed according to the mounting direction of the operation section unit. You may comprise.

Further, the operation portion mounting surface may be arranged at a plurality of locations on the apparatus body.

[0016]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation section unit configured to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body can be mounted on the operation section mounting surface in any direction, and at the same time, the panel cover can be slid. The operation index group corresponding to the mounting direction of the operation unit is selected from the plurality of operation index groups displayed on the operation unit unit, and is displayed outside.

In this case, as in the invention described in claim 2,
If the operation section mounting surface is provided with an inclination, the panel cover slides by its own weight, and a predetermined operation index group is automatically selected and displayed without the operator manually operating. This makes it possible to automatically change the direction of the index.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, even if the operation unit is connected to the first connector at the right operation exclusive position or the second connector at the left operation exclusive position,
Since the terminals of the second connector are connected so as to control the same portion of the operation unit while the terminals are inverted, the left and right of the operation unit can be freely installed.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the operating section unit is mounted in any direction on the operating section mounting surface, the mounting direction is detected by the mounting direction detecting means, and the device is detected based on the detection result. An operation index group corresponding to the mounting direction of the operation unit is selected from a plurality of operation index groups formed on the main body and displayed outside.

As the mounting direction detecting means, as in the invention described in claim 5, the engaging relationship between the engaging means installed on the operation unit and the engaging means installed on the operation unit mounting surface of the apparatus body, for example, There is a means for detecting the connection relationship between the connector and the socket.

Further, the operation unit is provided with a numeral display portion for displaying the number of copies and the like. However, as in the invention according to claim 6, the numeral display portion having a 7-character day character configuration is point-symmetrical. By performing the reversing control, the characters on the display unit are displayed in the normal view even when the operation unit unit is reversed upside down.

Further, as in the invention described in claim 7, by installing the operation portion mounting surfaces at a plurality of locations on the apparatus main body,
The operation unit can be attached to a position where the operator can easily operate it.

[0023]

1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in which an operation section unit 2 is detachably attached to a copying machine main body 1. An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is configured to feed copy paper from a paper feed cassette 3, perform processes such as exposure, development, transfer, and fixing, and eject the copy paper to a paper ejection tray 4. .

The document pressing plate 5 is for pressing a copy document placed on a document table installed on the upper surface of the copying machine body 1. One end of the document pressing plate 5 is hinged to the body 1 and is hinged to the body. It has a structure that can be opened and closed with respect to 1.

The operation portion mounting surface 6 formed on the front end surface of the main body 1 with a predetermined inclination angle (α degree) is an angle that is easy to see even if it is operated obliquely from above or from the front. Holding In addition, on the operation portion mounting surface 6,
The directional connector 7 is installed, and the operation unit 2
The operation unit unit 2 is also fixed so as not to move due to an operator's operation, while also preventing the positional deviation. Further, an image quality adjusting volume 8 and the like, which are not used in normal operation, are embedded and installed on the operation section mounting surface 6 so as not to hit the operation section unit 2.

A second operating portion mounting surface 6a is formed at a position different from the operating portion mounting surface 6 so that the operating portion unit 2 can be easily operated from different directions, or as shown in FIG. , 2nd-4th operation part attachment surface 6a, 6b, 6c may be formed. Further, the main body 1 and the operation unit 2 may be configured to be remotely controllable by wireless communication.

FIG. 3 is a front view (FIG. A) and a sectional view (FIG. B) showing the first embodiment of the operation unit 2. The operation unit 2 has a number display unit 2a for displaying the number of copies in the center, various operation switches 2b arranged in the longitudinal direction on the left and right sides thereof, and a start of a copying operation is instructed at the right end. A copy switch 2c is arranged. The size of the operation unit 2 in the left-right direction is equal to or larger than the size of the palm of the operator.

On the surface of the operation section unit 2, an operation base plate 2d having a flat plate two-layer structure is installed like a lid. This operation base plate 2
The panel cover 2e is housed inside d so as to be slidable in the vertical direction in the figure. And the operation base plate 2 having a two-layer structure
On the inner surface of d, operation indexes indicating the function of each switch and the display content of each display element are described as a first operation index group 2f and a second operation index group 2g. The outer surface of the operation base plate 2d is transparent.

The first operation index group 2f is shown below each switch and each display element, and the second operation index group 2g.
Is inverted 180 ° above each switch and each display element. The panel cover 2e is provided with opening windows 2h at positions corresponding to the operation switches and the display elements.
Is provided.

In this configuration, when the operation unit unit 2 is set for a right-handed operator, the operation unit unit 2 is placed on the operation unit mounting surface 6 with the copy switch 2c on the right side as shown in FIG. 4 (a). Installing. As a result, the panel cover 2e slides downward in the drawing and the first operation index group 2
f is displayed outside from the opening window 2h, and the second operation index group 2g is shielded by the panel cover 2e.

When the operation unit 2 is set for a left-handed operator, the operation unit 2 is inverted by 180 °,
As shown in FIG. 4B, the copy switch 2c is mounted on the operation portion mounting surface 6 with the left side. As a result, the panel cover 2e slides downward in the figure, the inverted second operation index group 2g is displayed at a position where the operator can directly look through the opening window 2h, and the first operation index group 2f is turned in the opposite direction. Is shielded by the panel cover 2e.

The panel cover 2e may be manually slid by a click mechanism provided by the operator, but the operation part mounting surface 6 is provided with an inclination so that the panel cover 2 can be slid.
Alternatively, e may slide downward due to its own weight.

Next, the display state of the numeral display portion 2a having a day character structure consisting of 7 elements will be described by taking the numeral "3" as an example. In FIG. 5, FIG. 5A shows a case where the image is displayed for a right-handed operator, and FIG. 5B shows a case where the image is inverted by 180 ° and displayed for a left-handed operator. Further, Table 1 shows that when the number “3” is displayed, the display elements a to g are controlled so that the display control of the seven display elements a to g is reversed depending on the mounting direction of the operation unit unit 2. Is shown. In Table 1, the number 1 indicates the lighting state of each display element, and the number 0 indicates the off state.

[0034]

[Table 1]

As is apparent from this table, when the operation section unit 2 is mounted at the position for the right-handed operator, the display elements a, c, d, f, g are turned on and the numeral "3" is displayed.
When the operation unit unit 2 is mounted in the position for a left-handed operator, the display elements a, b, d, e, g are turned on to display the number "3". In this way, the display element a
The lighting of ~ g is in a point-symmetrical position, so that the display is reversed. As a result, even if the operation unit 2 is inverted by 180 degrees, the numeral display portion 2a can display the same numeral facing in the same direction when viewed straight.

Next, a second embodiment of the operation unit 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a second embodiment of the operation unit 2, and FIG. 7 is a side view seen from below. The operating section unit 2 according to the present embodiment has a longitudinal width dimension that is about 1/2 of the longitudinal width dimension of the operating section mounting surface 6, and is detachably attached to the right half or the left half of the operating section mounting surface 6. It is installed. A copy switch 2c, a copy number setting key 2m, and a copy number display element 2n are arranged on the front surface, and a connector 9 as a first engaging means is provided on the back surface.

The operation unit 2 is not provided with a display for displaying the contents of operation or an index, and those displays are provided for the first operation index group 1 installed on the copying machine main body 1 side.
a, displayed by the second operation index group 1b. The lighting of the first and second operation index groups 1a and 1b is controlled according to the mounting direction of the operation unit 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the operation unit mounting surface 6 has an operation unit unit 2
The first and second sockets 10a and 10b as the second engaging means for engaging with the connector 9 are vertically installed in series.

In this structure, when the operation unit 2 is mounted for a right-handed operator, as shown in FIG.
With the copy switch 2c on the right side, the operation unit unit 2 is mounted on the right side of the operation unit attachment surface 6. This allows the connector 9
Engages with the first socket 10a, and the first operation index group 1
a is lit and displayed.

When the operation unit unit 2 is mounted for a left-handed operator, as shown in FIG. 9, the operation unit unit 2 is flipped 180 ° so that the copy switch 2c is on the left side of the operation unit mounting surface 6. Attach to. As a result, the connector 9 engages with the second socket 10b, and the second operation index group 1b is lit and displayed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the operator can switch between the mounted state shown in FIG. 6 and the mounted state shown in FIG. 9, which is the opposite direction, depending on whether the operator is right-handed or left-handed. In addition, since the operation index groups 1a and 1b are provided on the copying machine main body 1 side, even if the operation unit unit 2 is rearranged left and right, it is not necessary to reverse the display contents and the indexes as in the first embodiment. It was

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the sockets 10a and 10b of the operation unit unit 2 shown in FIG. As is clear from the figure, the connection terminals of the first socket 10a and the connection terminals of the second socket 10b are connected in reverse connection. Further, the first pin of the first socket 10a is a right attachment detection terminal, and when the terminal of the connector 9 is connected to this pin, the operation unit unit 2 is attached on the body 1 side in a direction for a right-handed operator. It can detect that.

Further, when the terminal of the connector 9 is connected to the 14th pin of the second socket 10b, it becomes possible to detect that the operation section unit 2 is mounted on the main body 1 side in the direction for a left-handed operator. There is. The other pins are terminals for controlling the power supply and each switch and the display unit, and may be increased or decreased as necessary.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining that the operation index groups 1a and 1b are switched in display according to the mounting direction of the operation unit unit 2 with respect to the operation unit mounting surface 6. First, it is determined whether or not the pin of the connector 9 is connected to the first pin of the first socket 10a (step S1). If it is connected, it is determined as "Yes", and if it is not connected, it is determined as "No".

If "Yes" is determined in step S1,
It is determined that the operation unit unit 2 is mounted to the right (step S2), the first operation index group 1a corresponding to when the operation unit mounting surface 6 is mounted to the right is displayed with high brightness on the backlight, and The backlight of the operation index group 1b of No. 2 is turned off so as not to be displayed (step S3). At the same time, when the number display section, the operation index, and the operation section unit are dot matrix display such as liquid crystal display, the display according to the mounting direction is performed.

If "No" is determined in step S1,
Next, it is determined whether or not the terminal of the connector 9 is connected to the 14th pin of the second socket 10b (step S4). If it is connected, it is judged as "Yes", and if it is not connected, "N"
It is determined to be "o".

If "Yes" is determined in step S4,
It is determined that the operation unit unit 2 is mounted to the left (step S5), and the first operation index group 1b corresponding to when the operation unit mounting surface 6 is mounted to the left is displayed with high brightness on the backlight, The backlight of the operation index group 1a of No. 1 is turned off so as not to be displayed (step S6). At the same time, when the number display section, the operation index, and the operation section unit are dot matrix display such as liquid crystal display, the display according to the mounting direction is performed.

If "No" is determined in step S4,
It is determined that the connector 9 is not connected to the sockets 10a and 10b, input of operation information from the operation switch is prohibited (step S7), and the process ends.

Next, a third embodiment of the operation unit 2 will be described. 12 and 13 are front views showing a third embodiment of the operation unit 2, wherein FIG. 12 shows a case in which the operation unit unit 2 is mounted in a position for a right-handed operator, and FIG. 13 shows a case in which it is mounted in a position for a left-handed operator. Is. Also, FIG.
Reference numeral 4 denotes the operation portion mounting surface 6, and shows a state in which the socket 12 that engages with the connector 11 provided on the back surface of the operation portion unit 2 is installed at the center. The operation unit 2 according to this embodiment differs from the above-described second embodiment in the following two points.

The first is that the operation index group is not installed in the copying machine main body 1 but the operation contents and indexes are symbolically displayed on the operation unit unit 2. This enables index recognition whether the operation unit 2 is right-handed or left-handed.

The second difference is that the connector 11 installed on the rear surface of the operation unit unit 2 and the socket 12 installed in the center of the operation unit mounting surface 6 are connected in different manners. That is,
In the second embodiment, the operation unit unit 2 depends on which of the two sockets the connector is connected to.
However, in the present embodiment, one socket 12 is installed in the center of the operation portion mounting surface 6, and if the connection mode is different between the connection for the right-handed operator and the connection for the left-handed person. I am making it.

That is, in FIG. 15, FIG. 15A shows the structure of the socket 12, and FIG.
Shows the pin arrangement of the connector 11 when it is attached to the right side, and FIG. 7C shows the pin arrangement of the connector 11 when the operation unit 2 is attached to the left side. When such a connection is made, the main body 1 determines which of the right mounting detection terminal 12a and the left mounting detection terminal 12b is connected.
After that, the connection contents of the central pin are determined and the operation contents of the operation unit 2 are communicated with the main body 1 side.

The above is the embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In the above description, the mounting direction of the operation unit is mainly changed by the operator's dominant hand, but the operation is performed regardless of the operator's dominant hand depending on the installation location of the image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. Of course, it can be mounted in a direction that is easy to do.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the operation unit unit in which the mounting direction can be changed by 180 ° to the left and right and up and down and rearranged has been described. However, even if the direction is changed by 90 °, an acute angle can be obtained by adjusting the directions of the indexes. Of course, the present invention can be applied and implemented even when the direction is changed.

The connectors and sockets may be arranged at any of the center, end and intermediate position of the operation unit. Further, the connector and the socket can be eliminated by configuring the wireless communication between the operation unit and the main body.

[0055]

According to the present invention, the operation section unit is detachably attached to the apparatus main body in a plurality of directions, and the operation index group is provided at a position where the operator can look straight in the mounting direction of the operation section unit. Since it is configured to display, it can be installed so that the main operator is placed 180 degrees upside down according to the dominant hand of the operator, or the operator operates according to the installation location of the device body. The image forming apparatus can be mounted at a position where it can be easily operated, and the operability of the image forming apparatus can be significantly improved.

In particular, according to the second aspect of the invention, since the predetermined operation index group is automatically selected by the weight of the panel cover, it is not necessary to manually change the position of the cover and it is complicated. It is not necessary to perform control for changing the direction of the index by a simple control circuit.

Further, in particular, claim 3 or claims 4 to 5
According to the above-described invention, whether the operation unit is attached to the right operation-dedicated position or the left operation-dedicated position, the operation unit unit is rotated in the state in which the first and second engaging means are reversed in direction. Since the same part is connected so as to be controlled, the left and right of the operation unit can be freely installed upside down.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the numeral display section using the date characters has the "day" in point symmetry, and even if the left and right are reversed, the figures are normally controlled by reversing. It is possible to display various numbers and is suitable for an operation unit unit that can be reversed right and left.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus in which the operation unit unit can be attached to a plurality of places of the main body.

3 (a) and 3 (b) are a front view and a sectional view showing a first embodiment of the operation unit.

4A and 4B are diagrams showing a mounting state of an operation unit.

5 (a) and 5 (b) are explanatory views showing a display state of a number display section shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a second embodiment of the operation unit.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the operation unit shown in FIG. 6 when viewed from below.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the operation portion mounting surface shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the operation unit unit shown in FIG. 6 mounted 180 degrees upside down.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the socket on the operation unit mounting surface shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for detecting the mounting direction of the operation unit.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a third embodiment of the operation unit.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the operation unit unit shown in FIG. 12 mounted 180 degrees upside down.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the operating portion mounting surface shown in FIG.

15 (a) to 15 (c) are explanatory views for explaining the engagement relationship between the connector and the socket shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Copier main body 1a, 1b Operation index group 2 Operation unit unit 2a Numerical display section 2b Operation switch 2c Copy switch 2d Operation base plate 2e Panel cover 2f, 2g Operation index group 2h Open window 3 Paper feed cassette 4 Paper ejection tray 5 Originals Pressing plate 6 Operating surface mounting surface 9,11 Connector 10a First socket 10b Second socket 12 Socket

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An operating section unit detachably mounted in a plurality of directions on an operating section mounting surface formed on an apparatus main body, and the operating section unit corresponding to the mounting positions of the operating section unit in the plurality of directions. A plurality of operation index groups formed on the operation base plate, and a panel cover that is movably arranged in the operation unit unit and externally displays any one of the operation index groups. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that only the operation index group corresponding to the mounting direction of the operation unit unit is displayed on the outside from the plurality of operation index groups by the panel cover. 2. The operation section mounting surface is configured to have an inclination that allows the panel cover to slide from one side to the other side by its own weight when the operation section unit is mounted. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. An operating section unit detachably mounted in a plurality of directions on an operating section mounting surface formed on the main body of the apparatus, and a connecting section formed on the operating section mounting surface and engaging with the operating section unit. And a control terminal that is attached to the back surface of the operation section unit and engages with the connection section, regardless of the attachment direction of the operation section unit when the operation section unit is attached on the operation section attachment surface. The image forming apparatus, wherein the control terminal has a common terminal array connected to a position corresponding to the reversal of the operation unit. 4. An operating section unit detachably mounted in a plurality of directions on an operating section mounting surface formed on an apparatus main body, and the operating section unit corresponding to mounting positions of the operating section unit in the plurality of directions. Alternatively, a plurality of operation indicator groups that are formed on the operation portion mounting surface and can be lit and displayed, a mounting direction detection unit that detects a direction in which the operation unit unit is mounted on the operation portion mounting surface, and the mounting direction detection unit A control unit that selects one operation index group corresponding to the mounting direction of the operation unit unit from among the plurality of operation index groups according to the detection result of the control unit and displays it in an illuminated manner. apparatus. 5. The mounting direction detection means includes a first engagement means installed on the operation section unit and a second engagement means installed on the operation section mounting surface, and the first and second engagement sections are provided.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the mounting direction of the operation unit unit is detected based on the engagement relationship of the engaging means. 6. The operation section unit includes a numeral display section having a daily character configuration composed of seven elements, and the left and right sides of the numeral display section are reversed and displayed according to the mounting direction of the operation section unit. 2. The configuration according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus according to 3 or 4. 7. The operation section mounting surface is installed at a plurality of locations on the apparatus body.
Alternatively, the image forming apparatus according to item 4.