JP2008107386A - Printing device having scanner function - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a printing apparatus for enabling a user to easily use an operation panel even when a scanner unit is opened.
[Solution]
A printing apparatus 100 according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that includes a scanner unit for reading a document, a support member that supports the scanner unit, and an operation panel installed on the scanner unit. The scanner unit can be opened and closed with a connecting portion with a support member as a support shaft. When the scanner unit is opened, when the rotation of the scanner unit in the opening direction is the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction, the printing apparatus 100 moves the operation panel counterclockwise or counterclockwise opposite to the scanner unit. Rotate in the direction. Thus, the user can easily use the operation panel regardless of the open / closed state of the scanner unit.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having a scanner function, and more particularly to a mechanism of an operation panel provided in the printing apparatus.

  In general, in a printing apparatus having a scanner function, as shown in FIG. 1A, the scanner unit 101 is provided with a scanner cover 105 for accurately reading a document. Since the scanner cover 105 is often an open / close type, it is generally installed at the top of the printing apparatus 100 as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, the printing result printed by the printing function of the printing apparatus 100 is often discharged under the scanner unit 101. For this reason, the user must bend over in order to take out the print result discharged under the scanner unit 101.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes that a print result is discharged under a scanner unit. Patent Document 2 describes a printing apparatus including an openable scanner unit.

JP 2005-062326 A JP 2002-154705 A

  In order to solve such a problem, it is desirable that the scanner unit 101 can be opened and closed as shown in FIG. In this case, the user can take out the print result without bending down.

  However, as shown in FIG. 1A, the operation panel 102 originally installed in the scanner unit 101 is installed so that it can be easily used by the user when the scanner unit 101 is closed. For this reason, when the scanner unit 101 is opened, the display surface and the operation surface of the operation panel 102 face upward in the drawing, and the user cannot easily use the operation panel 102.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for allowing a user to easily use an operation panel even in a state where a scanner unit is opened in a printing apparatus having a scanner function.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, when the scanner unit is opened, the display surface and the operation surface of the operation panel are directed in a direction suitable for the use of the user.

  Specifically, the printing apparatus includes a scanner unit for reading a document, a support member that supports the scanner unit, and an operation panel that is installed on the scanner unit and has a display surface. In the printing apparatus, the scanner unit can be opened and closed with a connecting portion with the support member as a support shaft. When the scanner unit is opened, the operation panel is set with the support shaft as the back side from the user's viewpoint. And a mechanism for directing the display surface to the front.

  In the following, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described. However, the configurations given therein have as many combinations as possible, and any of the combinations constitutes the invention. . That is, a form in which a part of the configuration is appropriately deleted from the embodiment described below can also be another embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the configuration specifically shown below is only one subordinate concept among the superordinate concepts that are the same in function.

  According to the printing apparatus of the present invention, it is a printing apparatus having a scanner function, and the user can easily use the operation panel even when the scanner unit is opened.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 2A, the printing apparatus 100 applied to the first embodiment of the present invention supports a scanner unit 101 for reading a document as image data, a scanner cover 105, and the scanner unit 101. A base 104 supported via the member 103 and an operation panel 102 for receiving an error notification display and a user instruction are provided.

  The support member 103 includes a paper discharge mechanism that discharges the printed matter generated by the printing apparatus 100 using the printing function from the discharge port 120 on the upper surface of the base 104. Here, the printing function includes a function of printing print data based on image data read by the scanner, a function of printing print data supplied from an external information processing apparatus (not shown), and the like.

  The scanner unit 101 can be opened and closed with a connecting portion with the support member 103 as a support shaft. In the following description, the state shown in FIG. 2A is described as a state where the scanner unit 101 is closed, and the state shown in FIG. 2B is described as a state where the scanner unit 101 is opened.

  By opening the scanner unit 101, the user can easily take the printed matter discharged on the upper surface of the base 104.

  The scanner unit 101 is provided with the above-described operation panel 102 as shown in FIG.

  The operation panel 102 includes buttons for setting a print mode and a scanner mode, instructing to start printing, and the like. In addition, the operation panel 102 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, and can perform error display, instruction to the user, and the like.

  The surface provided with the display unit and buttons of the operation panel 102 is installed so that the user can easily use it with the scanner unit 101 closed. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the scanner unit 101 may be installed with an inclination with respect to the side surface, or may be installed in parallel with the upper surface of the scanner unit 101.

  When the scanner unit 101 is opened, the surface of the operation panel 102 that includes the display unit and the button is directed to the front when the connection unit between the scanner unit 101 and the support member 103 is viewed from the user side. Accordingly, the user can easily use the operation panel 101 even when the scanner unit 101 is opened.

  For example, a parallel four link is used as a mechanism for directing the surface of the operation panel 102 including the display unit and the button toward the front when the scanner unit 101 is opened. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 102 is one link of four parallel links. Inside the scanner unit 101, a fixed link 105 that is immovable relative to the support member 103 is attached at a position facing the operation panel 102. At this time, a mechanism for immobilizing the fixed link 105 with respect to the support member 103 is provided between the instruction member 103 and the fixed link 105. One end of the first movable link 106a and one end of the second movable link 106b having the same link length are pin-coupled to both ends of the fixed link 105. The other ends of the first movable link 106a and the second movable link 106b are pin-coupled to the operation panel 102, respectively.

With the above mechanism, the operation panel 102 is parallel to the fixed link 105 even when the scanner unit 101 is opened, as shown in FIG. For this reason, when the scanner unit 101 is opened, the angle Z of the operation panel 102 with respect to the scanner unit 101 increases. Accordingly, even when the scanner unit 101 is opened, the surface of the operation panel 102 that includes the display unit and the buttons can be directed toward the front with the connecting portion between the scanner unit 101 and the support member 103 as viewed from the user. it can.
(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment of the present invention, the switching of the printing function and the scanner function in the printing apparatus 100 has not been described. However, it may be inconvenient for the user if the function switching is not appropriate. For example, when the user forgets to change the operation mode to the print mode after using the scanner function, printing may not be possible.

  In order to solve such a problem, the printing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention can perform a printing mode when the scanner unit 101 is changed from the open state to the closed state and from the closed state to the open state. And change the operation mode such as the scanner mode.

  Here, when the printing apparatus 100a is set to the printing mode, the printing apparatus 100a is ready to print image data. Specifically, for example, items necessary for the user to print are displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 101a. At this time, items for designating the printing paper, printing method (single side, double side, black and white, color, etc.) are displayed. Also, other functions such as the scanner function are stopped.

  When the printing apparatus 100a is set to the scan mode, the printing apparatus 100a can scan a document placed on the scanner unit 101a. Specifically, for example, items necessary for the user to operate the scanner are displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 101. At this time, items for designating the storage format, printing paper, printing method (monochrome, color, etc.) of the read document are displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the printing apparatus 100a according to the second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the printing apparatus 100a applied to the first embodiment, and includes a scanner unit 101a, an operation panel 102a, a support member 103a, and a base. 104a and a scanner cover 105a. The mechanical connection relationship between the scanner unit 101a, the operation panel 102a, and the support member 103a is also the same.

  Also, the printing apparatus 100a according to the second embodiment of the present invention has an angle of the operation panel 102a with respect to the scanner unit 101a according to the opening / closing of the scanner unit 101a, as in the printing apparatus applied to the first embodiment. Change Z. The mechanism for changing the angle Z is also the same as the panel angle changing mechanism of the first embodiment.

  Next, the internal configuration of the printing apparatus 100a applied to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The printing apparatus 100a includes a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, an open / close state detection unit 204, a print control unit 205, and a scanner control unit 207. The CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203, print control unit 205, and scanner control unit 207 are provided in the base 104a. In addition, the open / close state detection unit 204 is provided in the support member 103a. Further, the printing mechanism 206 is provided across the support member 103a and the base 104a. However, the CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203, print control unit 205, and scanner control unit 207 may be provided in the scanner unit 101a or the support member 103a. The printing mechanism 206 may be provided in the base 104a.

  The CPU 201 performs overall control of the printing apparatus 100a. The CPU 201 reads various programs from the ROM 203 and executes predetermined processing based on the programs. For example, the CPU 201 performs processing for printing the generated image data, processing for setting a mode according to the open / closed state of the scanner unit 101a (hereinafter referred to as mode setting processing), and the like. The mode setting process executed by the CPU 201 will be described later.

  The RAM 202 is a volatile memory that stores various programs read for the CPU 201 to execute predetermined processing and data necessary for the CPU 201 to execute the various programs.

  Various programs executed by the CPU 201 are stored in the ROM 203. These various programs include programs for executing print processing and mode setting processing.

  The open / close state detection unit 204 detects whether the scanner unit 101a is in an open state or a closed state. Specifically, the open / close state detection unit 204 includes a switch that is turned on when the scanner unit 101a is closed and turned off when the scanner unit 101a is opened, for example. Then, the open / close state detection unit 204 generates a signal corresponding to whether the switch is on or off. Further, the open / close state determination unit 204 may be a displacement sensor or the like.

  The open / close state detection unit 204 supplies an interrupt signal to the CPU 201 when the scanner unit 101a changes from the open state to the closed state, or from the closed state to the open state. Thereafter, the open / close state detection unit 204 supplies a signal corresponding to the open / close state to the CPU 201 in response to a request from the CPU 201.

  The operation panel 102a has the same configuration as the operation panel 102 of the first embodiment and has the same function. The operation panel 102a supplies a signal based on an instruction input by the user to the CPU 201. Further, the operation panel 102a displays a character string or the like corresponding to a display unit provided based on a signal supplied from the CPU 201.

  The print control unit 205 controls the printing mechanism 206. Specifically, the print control unit 205 generates print data and supplies the print data to the printing mechanism 206.

  Here, the print data to be generated is described in, for example, a page description language and includes a command group that controls the print engine 206. The print data includes data generated based on image data read by the scanner unit 101 and data generated based on image data generated by other functions (for example, FAX reception, etc.).

  The printing mechanism 206 includes a plurality of cartridges filled with toner, and performs printing by transferring the toner to a printing medium such as printing paper based on the printing data supplied from the printing control unit 205. The printing mechanism 206 includes a paper discharge mechanism. The paper discharge mechanism discharges the generated printed matter onto the upper surface of the base 104. Note that the paper discharge mechanism may be provided in the base 104a.

  The scanner control unit 207 controls the scanner unit 101a. Specifically, the scanner control unit 207 sets the resolution and dimensions of the image data read by the scanner unit 101a. Further, the scanner control unit 207 corrects the gradation and color of the image data. The scanner control unit 207 supplies the corrected image data to the CPU 201.

  The scanner unit 101a acquires a voltage signal corresponding to the magnitude of light hitting the band-shaped light receiving unit. The scanner unit 101a converts this voltage signal into a digital value (luminance information) by an A / D converter and supplies it as image data to the scanner control unit 207.

  Next, the mode setting process in the printing apparatus 100a will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The mode setting process is performed to set the print mode or the scanner mode according to the open / close state of the scanner unit 101a.

  The CPU 201 in the printing apparatus 100 a starts the mode setting process when an interrupt signal is supplied from the open / close state detection unit 204.

  Next, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the scanner unit 101a is open (step S101). Specifically, the CPU 201 acquires a signal corresponding to the open / closed state of the scanner unit 101a from the open / closed state detection unit 204, and determines whether the scanner unit 101a is open based on the acquired signal.

  If the CPU 201 determines that the scanner unit 101a is open (step S101; Yes), it sets the operation mode to the print mode (step S102). Specifically, the CPU 201 causes the print engine 206 to execute an initial operation via the print control unit 205 and waits for a print job.

  At this time, the scanner unit 101a is in an open state, but the angle of the operation panel 102a with respect to the scanner unit 101a is changed to an angle that can be easily used by the user as described in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the user can change the operation mode from the print mode to another mode such as the FAX mode by operating the operation panel 102a.

  Further, when the instructed printing cannot be executed for some reason, the CPU 201 can display that the printing cannot be executed on the display unit of the operation panel 102a.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S101 that the scanner unit 101 is closed (step S101; No), the CPU 201 sets the operation mode to the scanner mode (step S103). Specifically, the CPU 201 causes the scanner unit 101a to execute an initial operation via the scanner control unit 207.

  At this time, the user can also change the operation mode from the scanner mode to the print mode by operating the operation panel 102a.

  Further, when the designated scan cannot be executed for some reason, the CPU 201 can display on the display unit of the operation panel 102a that the scan cannot be executed.

  After executing the processes of step S102 and step S103, the CPU 201 ends the mode setting process.

  When the CPU 201 executes the above mode setting process, the operation mode can be set according to the open / closed state of the scanner unit 102.

  Even when the scanner unit 101a is opened, the angle of the operation panel 102a with respect to the scanner unit 101a is changed to an angle that is easy for the user to operate, so that the user can keep the scanner unit 101a open. The operation panel 102a can be operated. As a result, the user can view the error notification and change the operation mode with the scanner unit 101a opened.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and application are possible.

  For example, the present invention does not limit the method of changing the angle Z of the operation panel 102 with respect to the scanner unit 101 to the methods described in the above embodiments. Specifically, the scanner unit 101 may be provided with an actuator or the like, and the angle Z with respect to the scanner unit 101 of the operation panel 102 may be changed by driving the actuator according to the open / close state of the scanner unit 101.

  In the present invention, the specific value of the angle Z when the scanner unit 101 is opened may be any value as long as the user can easily use the operation panel 102. For example, the value of the angle Z is determined by the opening angle of the scanner unit 101, the height of the operation panel 102 from the floor when the scanner unit 101 is opened, and the like.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 is set to the print mode when the scanner unit 101 is open, and is set to the scanner mode when the scanner unit 101 is closed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the fax mode or the copy mode may be set according to the open / close state.

  In the second embodiment, the program executed by the CPU 201 is stored in the ROM 203 in advance. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a method for providing a program for executing the above-described processing is arbitrary. For example, the program can be provided via a communication medium such as the Internet, or a recording on a memory card or the like. It may be distributed on a medium.

(A) (B) is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance of the conventional printing apparatus. (A) (B) is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance of the printing apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the mechanism inside a scanner unit when a scanner unit is a closed state. It is a figure which shows the mechanism inside a scanner unit when a scanner unit is an open state. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the printing apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart for demonstrating a mode setting process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Printing apparatus in 1st Embodiment, 100a ... Printing apparatus in 2nd Embodiment, 101 ... Scanner unit, 102 ... Operation panel, 103 ... Support member, 104 ... Base, 105 ... Fixed link, 106a ... 1st The second movable link, 201 ... CPU, 202 ... RAM, 203 ... ROM, 204 ... opening / closing state detection unit, 205 ... print control unit, 206 ... printing mechanism, 207 ... scanner control unit.

Claims (4)

In a printing apparatus comprising a scanner unit for reading a document, a support member that supports the scanner unit, and an operation panel that is installed on the scanner unit and has a display surface.
The scanner unit can be opened and closed with a connecting portion with the support member as a support shaft,
A mechanism that, when the scanner unit is opened, turns the display surface of the operation panel toward the front with the support shaft as the back side;
A printing apparatus characterized by that. The mechanism consists of a parallel four-link mechanism,
The parallel four-link mechanism includes the operation panel as one link, and a fixed link that is disposed at a position facing the operation panel and immovable with respect to the support member.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. An open state determining means for determining that the scanner unit has been changed from a closed state to an open state;
A printing mode setting unit that sets the operation mode of the printing apparatus to a printing mode that sets the printing apparatus in a printable state when it is determined that the closed state is changed to the open state;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Closed state determining means for determining that the scanner unit has been changed from an open state to a closed state;
A scanner mode setting unit that sets the operation mode of the printing apparatus to a scanner mode that sets the printing apparatus in a readable state when it is determined that the open state is changed to the closed state;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer.

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