JPH08320636A - Operation part for composite copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide the operation part of a composite copying machine which is constituted so that the external size of the copying machine is prevented from being enlarged because the number of the keys of the operation part is increased, the function thereof is made multiple and the operability thereof is enhanced. CONSTITUTION: This operation part is provided with a first surface normally appearing to the front surface and a second surface normally hidden on the lower surface side of the first surface. The first surface is a key unit 20 constituted of a key top 15, a case 20a holding the key top 15 and a switching cover 21 equipped with change-over switches 21a and 53 and coupled to a body case 1 by a shaft 1a so that it can be opened and closed up and down. The second surface is constituted of key tops 22a and 22b, an electric switch 51 actuated by being pressed by the key tops 22a and 22b, a printed substrate 50 loading electric parts such as a switch, a light emitting element 23 and a sheet 40 constituted so that a character is printed on the surface. Besides, the unnecessary key part is blindfolded by the sheet and the function of the key is switched by the combination of the depressing of an opening and closing detection switch and the specified key.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation section of a compound copying machine having a facsimile function, a printer function and the like in addition to a copying function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a digital copying machine has been compounded to add not only copy functions but also fax and printer functions, the number of operation keys for those functions has increased, and the operation section has become complicated, making it difficult for the user to operate. Is coming. As an operation unit compatible with the multi-function peripheral, for example, an operation unit using a switch input device or a touch panel has been proposed (JP-A-3-88012, JP-A-1-283).
No. 617)

[0003]

By the way, if all the operation keys for satisfying the above-mentioned composite functions are arranged on the entire surface of the operation panel, the operation panel becomes large and the machine body becomes large. There is a problem that the feature that it requires less can not be obtained. Another issue is the operability and erroneous operation of the MFP.
For example, in each designated mode (copy mode, FAX mode, etc.), the user may press another dedicated key without noticing it, and may perform an operation different from the function desired by the user. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to easily notify the user of an error when another dedicated key is pressed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an operation unit of a compound copying machine which can suppress an increase in the outer shape due to an increase in the number of keys of the operation unit and can improve the operability. And It is another object of the present invention to provide an operation unit of a compound copying machine which can easily inform the user of an error even if another dedicated key is pressed in each designated mode.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is generally used in an operation section of a compound copying machine having a function such as a fax (FAX) and a printer in addition to a copying function. , A first surface exposed on the front surface and a second surface hidden on the lower surface side, and the first surface is composed of a key top, a case for holding the component, and a switching lid provided with a switching switch. It is a key unit that is connected to the body case by a shaft and can be opened and closed vertically.
The surface is composed of a key top, an electric switch that is pressed by the component to operate, a printed circuit board on which the switch and an electrical component such as a light emitting element are mounted, and a sheet with characters printed on the surface, and the sheet The feature is that the unnecessary key part is blindfolded and the function of the key is switched by the combination of the open / close detection switch and the designated key press.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the operation section of the compound copying machine according to claim 1, a warning message is displayed on the screen when the key unit is opened in the FAX mode.

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the operation unit of the compound copying machine according to claim 1, a warning message is displayed on the screen when the FAX key is pressed in the copy mode.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the operation section of the compound copying machine according to the first aspect, when a specified number of hidden keys not used on the second surface are simultaneously pressed, the special mode is entered. I am trying.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the operation section of the compound copying machine according to claims 2 and 3, after a warning message is displayed, the mode is automatically switched after a designated time.

[0010]

The present invention will be described in more detail below. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention separates (1) general common operation keys and dedicated keys for each function, and puts out the dedicated keys, which are mainly used by the user, on the first surface. The key with a small number of keys is hidden on the second surface, and in order not to increase the number of keys, the key unit that has a changeover switch on the first surface and can be opened and closed, and the key unit,
Prepare a switching lid to switch the key function of the key unit,
By providing a key top that operates in conjunction with the key unit and a printed circuit board on which a switch is installed as the second surface under the key unit, it is possible to prevent the external shape from increasing due to an increase in the number of keys on the operation unit, and to improve operability. Can also be up. As for the function switching method of the key, the switching operation is performed by switching by the switching lid and pressing the upper key when opening and closing the key unit.

As a further problem, when another dedicated key is pressed in each designated mode, it is necessary to easily inform the user of the error. In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides (2) FAX. When the key unit is opened in the mode, a warning can be issued to inform the user of the abnormality. Further, (3) when the FAX exclusive key is pressed in the copy mode, a warning can be issued to inform the user of the abnormality.

On the other hand, in order to make the operating portion more compact, (4) the present invention can shift to the special mode by pressing a designated key by using an unused key on the second surface.

On the other hand, in the above (2) and (3), the warning is only issued to the user. However, in order to improve the operability for the user thereafter, in the present invention, (5) the above (2), After the warning of (3) is generated, the mode can be shifted to the mode designated by the user after the designated time has elapsed.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, for comparison, an example of an operation unit of a conventional compound copying machine will be shown. FIG. 11 is a plan view of an operation unit of a general compound copying machine. This operation unit is composed of input-related hard keys and an output-related centralized display unit (liquid crystal screen (LCD), etc.) 14. As for the hard keys, the start key 2 for copying start, the clear / stop key 3 for clearing the number, the mode clear key 5 for returning to the initial state, the program key 6, the interrupt key 7 for operation interruption, and the numeric keypad 4 for entering the number , A density-related automatic density key 8, a photo / density key 9, a paper-related automatic paper key 11, a paper key 10, a scaling-related same-size key 12, an enlargement / reduction key 13, and the like. On the other hand, the output relationship is LE in the numerical display.
The centralized display unit 14 accommodates D, jam position display, alarm display and the like. In recent multifunction machines, a fax-related key 15 is arranged on the left side, and an editing-related key 16 peculiar to a digital copying machine is arranged on the right side.

As described above, in the operation unit for the composite type copying machine, since the operation keys for the added functions are arranged on the plane, the operation unit becomes large and the keys are arranged on the entire surface. Problems such as difficulty in operation occur. The present invention solves these problems.

FIG. 1A is a plan view of an operation unit of a compound copying machine showing an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the same components as those in FIG. FIG. 1 (a)
The left side portion of the operating portion shown in (1) is a portion to which the present invention is applied, and is usually composed of a first surface exposed on the surface and a second surface hidden on the lower surface side. First, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), 20 key keys are arranged in the key unit 20 on the first surface for faxing in the illustrated example, and a switching lid 21 for switching the speed key is mounted on the upper surface side. Has been done. Further, the key unit 20 on the first surface is pivotally supported by the operation unit main body case 1 by the shaft 1a, and the second surface is hidden on the lower surface side thereof. Editing-related keys 22 are arranged on the surface as shown in FIG. The second surface is invisible from the outside when the key unit 20 on the first surface is closed.

2A and 2B show the switching lid 21 on the first surface.
2 shows the switching state of the shortening keys when the switch is opened and closed up and down. When the switching lid 21 is in the state of FIG. 2 (a), the shortening keys are keys with shortened numbers 1 to 20, and the switching lid 21 is shown in FIG. In the state of b), the abbreviated keys are keys with abbreviated numbers 21-40. Further, FIG. 3 shows a case where the key unit 20 is opened, and shows a situation in which the edit key 22 and the like on the second surface are exposed. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of the main part of the operation portion corresponding to the cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a state in which the key unit 20 on the first surface is closed, and FIG.
0 indicates the opened state.

The detailed structure of the operating portion according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Key unit 20 on the first side
Is a key top 1 used as a shortcut key for FAX
5, switching lid 21, key unit case 20a, back lid 20
The key top 15 is held by a case 20a and a back cover 20b. On the other hand, the second surface is the operation unit body case 1, the key top 22 (22a, 22b), the display sheet 40, the switch 51, the changeover switch 53, the LED.
23 and a printed circuit board 50 provided with an electric circuit.

To explain the operation in such a configuration, first, when the key top 15 on the first surface is depressed, the switch is made via the key top 22a on the second surface or the key top 22b blinded over the display sheet 40. 51 is pressed. On the other hand, when the key unit 20 is open, the second surface appears, and the switch 51 is pressed by directly pressing the key top 22a on the second surface. Also, key top 2
Since 2b is normally blindfolded on the display sheet 40, it is not pressed. Naturally, even if it is pressed, it is ignored in the software. The changeover switch 53 is turned on / off by an arm 21a that moves in conjunction with the changeover lid 21. On the other hand, the open / close detection of the key unit 20 is detected as an open state when a plurality of keys 55 on the upper side of the key unit 20 among the shortening key tops on the first surface are turned on by the keys 15 on the key unit 20 side. . For example, the operation will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 6. When both "1" and "5" of the upper side key 55 are turned on by the key 15 on the key unit 20 side, it is determined to be open, and the edit key function is provided. It is processed. The switching operation will be described below with reference to Table 1.

[0020]

[Table 1]

First, in S61 of FIG. 6, the key unit 20
Is closed, that is, the key unit 20 on the first surface
When "1" and "5" of the upper keys 55 are not ON at the same time, the key unit 20 is closed (S64),
It becomes a FAX key function (S65). In this case, when the switching lid 21 is on the front side (state of FIG. 2A), that is, when the changeover switch 53 is pushed down by the arm 21a and is in the ON state, 20 pieces on the first surface The key is the fax short key "1.
.About.20 ". In addition, the switching lid 21 is at the rear side (see FIG. 2).
(State of (b)), that is, the changeover switch 53 is the arm 2
When it is off from 1a and is in the OFF state, the abbreviated fax keys "21-40" are shown. Next, the key unit 2
When 0 is opened and the key 55 on the upper side is pressed by the key top 15, that is, when the keys “1” and “5” are both ON, the second surface appears because the key unit 20 is open (S62). , And switches to editing-related keys (S63). Therefore, as shown in Table 1, the “*” mark key at the upper left of FIG. 2 is the shortening key “1” at first, and when the switching lid 21 is raised, it becomes the shortening key “21”, and further the key unit 20.
When is opened, the function changes to a switch key to edit mode.
In this way, by using the same switch by switching the function with each changeover switch, the space of the operation unit is secured, and the key that is rarely used is hidden on the second surface side to facilitate the operation. You can expect an effect.

Next, FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of the present invention. In the above embodiment, when it is determined that the key unit 20 is open (S71) in the FAX mode (S70), an alarm display (S72) is displayed on the liquid crystal screen (LCD) of the display unit 14 to call the user's attention ( Claim 2). As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from performing useless operations without noticing, and the operability is further improved.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of the present invention. In the above embodiment, when the FAX key is turned on in the copy mode (S80) (S8)
1), an alarm is displayed on the LCD of the display unit 14 (S82) to call the user's attention (claim 3). As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from performing useless operations without noticing, and the operability is further improved.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of the present invention. When the key unit 20 is opened (S7
1) When a plurality of keys blindfolded by the display sheet 40 are simultaneously pressed (S90), the special mode is entered (S9).
1) (claim 4). The state of the special mode is maintained until the mode is cleared (S92). With such a configuration, other functions can be used without increasing the number of keys and the structure is simplified.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment (flow chart of FIG. 7 or flow chart of FIG. 8) (S100), L of the display unit 14 is displayed.
After the alarm is displayed on the CD, when a certain time has elapsed (S101), the mode is automatically switched (S102) (claim 5). In this way, by automatically switching to the mode that the user wants to use, the operability for the user is further improved.

[0026]

As described above, according to the operation section of the compound copying machine of the present invention, even if the number of keys is apparently small,
The function can be switched by the switching lid and the first by the key unit
It is possible to switch between the surface and the second surface, and this switching function can realize multiple functions, and there is the effect of reducing the shape of the operating portion and improving the operability. In addition, since the number of parts used is small, it is possible to expect the effects of improved reliability and cost reduction.

According to the configuration of claim 2, it is possible to expect an effect that the user can easily judge even if the user makes a mistake in the usage method, and the operability can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to expect an effect that the user can easily judge even if the user makes a mistake in the method of use, and the operability can be improved.

According to the structure of claim 4, since the multi-functionalization is performed with a small number of keys, the operating portion can be made compact and the operability can be further improved.

According to the configuration of claim 5, to the user,
Effects such as further improvement of operability can be expected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a plan view showing an example of an operation unit of a compound copying machine according to the present invention;
(B) is a principal part plan view showing an example of the second surface of the operation part.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a main part of the operation unit shown in FIG.
(A), (b) is a figure which respectively shows the switching condition of the shortening key at the time of opening / closing the switching lid of the 1st surface up and down.

3 is a main part explanatory view of the operation part shown in FIG. 1, and is a main part perspective view showing a state in which a key unit is opened and an edit key appears on a second surface. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part corresponding to a portion taken along the line AA of the operation unit shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which a key unit is closed.

5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part corresponding to a portion taken along the line AA of the operation unit shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which a key unit is opened.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation and an operation of the operation unit of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the operation and operation of the operation unit of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing yet another embodiment of the operation and operation of the operation unit of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing yet another embodiment of the operation and operation of the operation unit of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing still another embodiment of the operation and operation of the operation unit of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a configuration example of an operation unit of a general composite copying machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Operation unit main body case 1a: Axis 2: Start key 3: Clear / Stop key 4: Numeric keypad 5: Mode clear key 6: Program key 7: Interrupt key 8: Automatic density key 9: Photo / density key 10: Paper key 11: Automatic paper key 12: Same size key 13: Enlargement / reduction key 14: Concentrated display section 15: Key top (FAX related key on the first side) 20: Key unit 20a: Key unit case 20b: Back cover 21: Switch Lid 22: Edit key 22a: Key top (Edit key on the second side) 22b: Key top (blind key) 23: LED 40: Display sheet 50: Printed circuit board 51: Switch 53: Changeover switch 55: Key on the first side Keys above the unit

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Jun Doi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inori Tomonori Fukui 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo・ Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Fax (FAX) in addition to copying function
In an operation unit of a compound copying machine having a function of a printer or the like, usually, a first surface that appears on the front surface and a second surface hidden on the lower surface side are provided, and the first surface is a key top and the parts concerned. A key unit composed of a case for holding the switch and a changeover lid provided with a changeover switch, which is connected to the main body by a shaft and can be opened and closed up and down. The second surface is a keytop and the relevant part. Consists of an electric switch that is pressed and operated, a printed circuit board on which the switch and electric components such as light-emitting elements are mounted, and a sheet with characters printed on the surface. An operation unit of a compound copying machine characterized in that the function of a key is switched by a combination of a detection switch and a designated key being pressed. 2. The operation unit of the compound copying machine according to claim 1, wherein a warning message is displayed on the screen when the key unit is opened in the FAX mode. 3. The operation unit of the compound copying machine according to claim 1, wherein a warning message is displayed on the screen when the FAX key is pressed in the copy mode. 4. An operation unit of the compound copying machine according to claim 1, wherein when a specified number of hidden keys not used on the second surface are simultaneously pressed, a special mode is entered. Operation part. 5. The operation section of the compound copying machine according to claim 2, wherein after a warning message is displayed, the mode is automatically switched after a specified time.