Printing device

Abstract

A printing device is provided. The printing device includes a housing that surrounds a printing mechanism, and an electrostatic touch panel that is provided on the housing, in which the touch panel is provided in a manner in which a tilt angle is imparted from the horizontal, and a wall that receives a stylus that rolls off a surface of the touch panel is provided at a lower side of the touch panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a printing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Printing apparatuses that include a touch panel as an input unit are known. Patent Document 1 discloses a composite machine that includes a touch panel and a light-shielding panel with buttons arranged in a row.

[0003] In printing devices equipped with capacitive touch panels, the response can be sluggish when operating, for example, while wearing gloves, thus sometimes requiring the use of a stylus. In recent years, the use of styluses in this manner has increased, with the aim of improving the convenience of printing devices that employ styluses.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-120329 Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above issues, the printing apparatus includes: a housing that surrounds the printing mechanism; an electrostatic touch panel disposed on the housing, wherein the touch panel is disposed at an angle from the horizontal, and a wall is provided on the lower side of the touch panel that is higher from the touch panel surface than at least one of the left, right and upper sides. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the printing apparatus.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a view showing the exterior of a portion of the housing.

[0008] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view showing a portion of the touch panel and pen housing.

[0009] Figure 4 A diagram showing the curved surface of the pen housing.

[0010] Figure 5 A diagram showing the recess in the pen holder.

[0011] Figure 6 A diagram illustrating a touch panel unit.

[0012] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the right edge.

[0013] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the cut at the right edge.

[0014] Figure 9This diagram illustrates the state in which the stylus is placed in the cutout on the right edge.

[0015] Figure 10 This diagram illustrates an example where a mechanical switch and a light-emitting part are positioned at the right edge.

[0016] Figure 11 This diagram illustrates an example of a mechanical switch and a light-emitting part configured near the front edge.

[0017] Figure 12 This diagram illustrates an example of a mechanical switch and a light-emitting part configured at the edge of the depth side.

[0018] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the cut near the anterior edge.

[0019] Figure 14 A diagram showing a touch panel positioned near the front. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus 1 includes a user interface (UI) unit 10, a printing mechanism 11, a processor 12, a communication unit 13, and a non-volatile memory 14. The UI unit 10 includes a touch panel display (hereinafter referred to as the touch panel) 101. The UI unit 10 also includes various buttons and switches. The touch panel 101 has a display panel that displays various information, such as the current status of the printing apparatus 1 and the remaining ink level, and a touch detection panel superimposed on the display panel, which detects touch operations performed by a human finger or stylus. The touch panel 101 is a capacitive LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). User operations on the UI unit 10 are sent to the processor 12.

[0021] The printing mechanism 11 performs printing. The printing method performed by the printing mechanism 11 is not particularly limited; for example, inkjet printing or electrophotographic printing can be used. In addition to the paper feeding unit 111, the printing mechanism 11 also includes actuators for performing printing on various media, as well as various devices, sensors, drive circuits, mechanical parts, etc.

[0022] The processor 12 includes a CPU (not shown) and ROM, RAM, etc., and controls various parts of the printing apparatus 1 by executing various programs recorded in the non-volatile memory 14. The communication unit 13 includes a communication interface for communicating with external devices according to various wired or wireless communication protocols. The printing apparatus 1 communicates with other devices via this communication unit 13. The communication unit 13 includes an interface for communicating with various removable memories installed in the printing apparatus 1.

[0023] Figure 2 This is an external view showing a portion of the housing 20 of the printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. The printing mechanism 11 and the processor 12, etc., are covered by the housing 20. Figure 2 In the three-dimensional coordinate system shown, the X-axis is defined as the horizontal direction of the printing device 1, the Y-axis (the vertical direction of the paper) is defined as the height direction of the printing device 1, and the Z-axis is defined as the depth direction of the printing device 1. Furthermore, the positive direction of the X-axis is called right, the negative direction of the X-axis is called left, the positive direction of the Z-axis is called depth, and the negative direction of the Z-axis is called forward.

[0024] The top surface 21 of the housing 20 is the upper side of the printing device 1. The front surface 22 is the side facing the user of the printing device 1 when the printing device 1 is installed. The right side surface 23 is the right side when facing the printing device 1. A touch panel 101 is provided on the top surface 21. The touch panel 101 is a rectangular panel, and its lower edge 1011 and upper edge 1012 are arranged parallel to the front surface 22.

[0025] In this embodiment, the touch panel 101 is inclined vertically downwards (in the negative Y-axis direction) relative to the top surface 21 from the depth to the foreground of the printing apparatus 1. Furthermore, a pen receiving portion 201 is continuously formed from the surface of the touch panel 101 on the lower edge 1011 side. The pen receiving portion 201 is a space for placing the stylus 2. The pen receiving portion 201 is a plane in the top surface 21 extending to the foreground edge portion 211 connected to the foreground surface 22; it is an example of a lower side surface. The foreground edge portion 211 is an example of a wall. A non-contact charging mechanism 202 is provided in the pen receiving portion 201. Thus, the stylus 2 can be charged in the pen receiving portion 201. Furthermore, the stylus 2 can be an accessory to the printing apparatus 1 or a commercially available product purchased by the user.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the touch panel 101 and the pen housing 201. Figure 3As shown, the surface of the touch panel 101 and the pen receiving portion 201 are continuously arranged in a manner forming the same plane. That is, the pen receiving portion 201 is provided on a plane including the surface of the touch panel 101, and it is formed in a manner that is vertically inclined downwards relative to the top surface 21. In this way, by arranging the touch panel 101 in an inclined manner, the visual visibility of the touch panel 101 can be improved. Hereinafter, the surface of the touch panel 101, the pen receiving portion 201, and their extended surfaces will be referred to as the touch panel surface.

[0027] Furthermore, as described above, a pen receiving portion 201 is provided on the lower edge 1011 side of the touch panel 101, and a front edge portion 211 is provided. The front edge portion 211 and the top surface 21 are provided on the same plane. That is, the height of the touch panel surface in the vertical direction (Y' axis direction) is maximized among the edges around the touch panel 101. Thus, since the front edge portion 211 protrudes from the pen receiving portion 201, the stylus 2 used for operating the touch panel 101 can be placed in the pen receiving portion 201. In addition, when the user places the stylus 2 on the touch panel 101, the stylus 2 will roll down and stop at the front edge portion 211, thereby being stored in the pen receiving portion 201.

[0028] The tilt angle of the touch panel 101 and the pen receiving portion 201 relative to the top surface 21 is preferably about 2°. If the tilt angle of the touch panel 101 and the pen receiving portion 201 from the top surface 21 is increased, the stylus 2 will roll too fast and may fall over the near-front edge 211, which is not preferable.

[0029] From the viewpoint of placing the stylus 2, the width W in the depth direction (Z' axis direction) of the touch panel surface of the stylus receiving section 201 is preferably 15mm or more. This prevents accidental operation caused by the user accidentally touching the touch panel 101 when picking up the stylus 2 placed on the stylus receiving section 201.

[0030] Furthermore, when the stylus 2 attached to the printing device 1 is provided together with the printing device 1, the pen receiving portion 201 can also be formed such that its depth D is deeper than half the thickness of the stylus 2. Moreover, the depth D of the pen receiving portion 201 is preferably deeper than 2 mm. Here, the depth D of the pen receiving portion 201 is the distance in the Y-axis direction from the lowest position in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) of the pen receiving portion 201 to the highest position in the vertical direction near the front edge 211. Thus, by making the depth D of the pen receiving portion 201 deeper than 2 mm, it is possible to prevent the stylus 2 placed in the pen receiving portion 201 from falling over the front edge 211. Additionally, the depth D corresponds to the height of the wall from the pen receiving portion 201, which serves as the lower side surface.

[0031] Furthermore, as another example, the front edge portion 211 can also be formed such that it extends to a higher position in the vertical direction compared to the top surface 21. That is, the front edge portion 211 can also be set to be higher than the height of the top surface 21. This example has the advantage that the higher the front edge portion 211 is, the easier it is to catch the stylus 2 when it rolls down violently.

[0032] Furthermore, a left edge portion 213 and a right edge portion 214 are respectively provided on the left and right sides of the touch panel 101. In addition, a depth edge portion 212 is provided on the upper side 1012 of the touch panel 101. The left edge portion 213, the right edge portion 214, and the depth edge portion 212 are all provided on the same plane as the top surface 21.

[0033] At the left edge 213, there are a first switch 221 and a second switch 222, which are mechanical switches. The first switch 221 is a power switch, and the second switch is a home screen switch. The home screen switch is an operating part used to receive instructions to return the display of the touch panel 101 to the basic screen.

[0034] The second switch 222, located deeper (in the positive Z-axis direction) than the first switch 221, is positioned lower in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) than the first switch 221 by being located at the bottom of the recess. In other words, the first switch 221 is positioned deeper than the second switch 222. This deeper positioning of the second switch 222 compared to the first switch 221 prevents accidental operation. Furthermore, when comparing either the first switch 221 or the second switch 222 with a touch panel surface at the same position in the Z-axis direction, both switches are positioned higher in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) compared to the touch panel surface. This further reduces the likelihood of user error.

[0035] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 1 only needs to have multiple mechanical switches, and the number and type of mechanical switches are not limited to the specific implementation. The multiple mechanical switches only need to include at least one of a power switch, a power-saving switch, a printing stop switch, and a main page switch.

[0036] Furthermore, a light-emitting portion 223 is provided, extending from the left edge 213 to near the front 22. The light-emitting portion 223 is implemented using LEDs or the like to indicate the current status of the printing apparatus 1. Since the light-emitting portion 223 spans two surfaces, it allows for visual confirmation over a wider area. The first switch 221, the second switch 222, and the light-emitting portion 223 are arranged along a straight line extending in the Z-axis direction. That is, the light-emitting portion 223 is arranged along the direction in which the mechanical switches are arranged. This improves both visual clarity and aesthetics.

[0037] Next, in reference Figure 2 The positional relationship between the touch panel 101 and other structures will also be explained. The printing mechanism 11 and the like are covered by the housing 20. The paper feeding unit 111 of the printing mechanism 11 is configured such that the depth direction (Z direction) of the printing apparatus 1 is set as the insertion direction. Furthermore, the sub-scanning direction in the printing mechanism 11 corresponds to the depth direction (Z direction). That is, the insertion direction of the paper feeding unit 111 and the sub-scanning direction of the printing mechanism 11 are directions perpendicular to the horizontal edge and vertical direction of the touch panel 101.

[0038] Alternatively, as another example, the printing mechanism 11 may also be configured such that its main scanning direction is perpendicular to both the horizontal and vertical sides of the touch panel 101.

[0039] Furthermore, a connector 131 for connecting to a removable memory is provided near the front end 22. The connector 131 is positioned near the front end 22 within the area where the touch panel 101 is arranged laterally (X direction). Thus, since the structures for user operation, such as the touch panel 101 and the connector 131, are arranged in a centralized manner, operability is improved.

[0040] As described above, in the printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the touch panel 101 is arranged in a vertically downward tilted manner, and a pen receiving portion 201 is provided on the lower side of the touch panel 101, and a near-front edge portion 211 is provided. Thus, a stylus 2 used for operating the touch panel 101 can be placed in the pen receiving portion 201.

[0041] The above-described embodiments are examples for implementing the present invention, and various other embodiments may also be adopted. Within the scope of the spirit of the invention as described in the claims, various modifications and alterations, such as applying one modification to other modifications, are possible.

[0042] As such a first variation, this embodiment describes a printing apparatus for printing on paper media, but the medium being printed is not limited to paper, and may also be a medium such as cloth.

[0043] As a second variation, such as Figure 4 As shown, the pen receiving portion 201 may also have a curved surface 2011 at least a portion thereof, such that its cross-section is curved. Therefore, since the stylus 2 can move along the curved surface when the user grasps the stylus 2 placed in the pen receiving portion 201, it can be grasped smoothly. Alternatively, as another example, the pen receiving portion 201 may be formed in a curved manner, extending from the lower edge 1011 of the touch panel 101 to the near-front edge 211. Furthermore, as another example, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the pen receiving portion 201 can also be formed with a curved surface such that its cross-section forms a recess 2012 from the lower edge 1011 toward the near-front edge 211. This prevents the stylus 2 from moving toward the touch panel 101.

[0044] As a third variation, such as Figure 6 As shown, the touch panel 101, pen receiving portion 201, front edge portion 211, depth edge portion 212, left edge portion 213, and right edge portion 214 can also be formed as a single unit as the touch panel unit 30. The touch panel unit 30 can also be tilted vertically upwards as indicated by arrow A, with the front edge 22 side (front edge portion 211 side) as the axis.

[0045] As a fourth variation, such as Figure 7 As shown, the right edge portion 214 can also be provided on a plane including the surface of the touch panel 101. That is, the right edge portion 214 can also be provided in a manner that slopes vertically downward from the depth of the printing device 1 to the foreground. Alternatively, the right edge portion 214 itself can be absent. In this case, since there is no edge at the right end of the pen receiving portion 201, the stylus 2 can be placed in the pen receiving portion 201 even if the length of the stylus 2 is greater than the lateral length of the pen receiving portion 201. Furthermore, dust and other particles accumulated in the touch panel 101 or the pen receiving portion 201 can be discharged from the right edge portion 214.

[0046] In this embodiment, the touch panel 101 is positioned at the right end of the top surface 21, but it could also be positioned at the left end. In this case, the left edge portion 213 could be provided on a plane including the surface of the touch panel 101. Preferably, the edge portion connected to the side surface (right side surface 23, left side surface not shown) is provided on a plane including the surface of the touch panel 101. Furthermore, not only the edge portion connected to the side surface, but also the depth edge portion 212, the left edge portion 213, and the right edge portion 214 can be provided on a plane including the surface of the touch panel 101. The depth edge portion 212, the left edge portion 213, and the right edge portion 214 may also be absent.

[0047] With the left edge portion 213 and the touch panel 101 on the same surface, the first switch 221, the second switch 222, and the light-emitting part 223 are preferably located at the right edge portion 214. Thus, it is preferable that the edges of the left edge portion 213 and the right edge portion 214 that are connected to the side are located on the same surface as the touch panel 101, and that the mechanical switch and the light-emitting part are located at the other edge.

[0048] As a fifth variation example, such as Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 As shown, a cutout 2141 may also be formed in the right edge portion 214 at a position corresponding to the pen receiving portion 201. Additionally, Figure 8 The cutout 2141 is shown with the stylus 2 not in place. Figure 9 The cutout 2141 is shown with the stylus 2 placed inside. By forming the cutout 2141, the stylus 2 can be placed in the pen storage compartment 201 even when the length of the stylus 2 is greater than the lateral length of the pen storage compartment 201. The cutout 2141 is preferably cut into the same plane as the pen storage compartment 201. Furthermore, the cutout 2141 is preferably formed with a width larger than the thickness of the stylus 2.

[0049] Additionally, as described above, when the touch panel 101 is positioned at the left end of the top surface 21, a cutout may be formed in the left edge portion 213 at a position corresponding to the pen receiving portion 201. Thus, the cutout is preferably provided at the edge portion connected to the side, at a position corresponding to the pen receiving portion 201.

[0050] Furthermore, with the cutout formed at the left edge portion 213, the first switch 221, the second switch 222, and the light-emitting part 223 are preferably disposed at the right edge portion 214. Thus, it is preferable that the cutout is formed at the edge portion connected to the side in both the left edge portion 213 and the right edge portion 214, and the mechanical switch and the light-emitting part are disposed at the other edge portion. This prevents dust or the like from falling onto the mechanical switch or the like when it is discharged from the cutout.

[0051] As a sixth variation, the first switch 221, the second switch 222, and the light-emitting part 223 only need to be arranged around the touch panel 101; their arrangement is not limited to the specific implementation. For example, as... Figure 10 As shown, the first switch 221, the second switch 222, and the light-emitting part 223 are disposed at the right edge portion 214. Furthermore, as other examples, such as... Figure 11 As shown, the first switch 221, the second switch 222, and the light-emitting part 223 can also be disposed near the front edge portion 211. Furthermore, as other examples, such as... Figure 12 As shown, the first switch 221, the second switch 222, and the light-emitting part 223 can also be disposed at the depth-side edge 212.

[0052] As a seventh variation example, such as Figure 13 As shown, a cutout 2111 may be formed at least a portion of the near-front edge 211. The cutout 2111 is configured to be sized for a finger to enter. This allows the stylus 2, placed in the pen housing 201, to be grasped by touching the cutout 2111 with a finger. Specifically, the stylus 2 can be grasped by placing the thumb in the cutout 2111 and the index finger in the side of the touch panel 101 of the stylus 2. Therefore, the distance in the short-side direction of the pen housing 201 required to grasp the stylus 2 can be reduced. Thus, accidental contact with the touch panel 101 can be prevented.

[0053] As an eighth variation, such as Figure 14 As shown, the touch panel 101 can also be disposed on the near front 22. In this case, the touch panel 101 is disposed with its near front side vertically downward, and a pen receiving portion 201 is provided on the lower edge 1011 side of the touch panel 101, and a near front edge portion 211 is provided. Alternatively, the touch panel 101 can be disposed as a touch panel unit 30, and when not in use, the touch panel 101 is stored parallel to the near front 22. In this case, the touch panel unit 30 is a member that is tilted about the upper edge 1012 side of the touch panel 101.

[0054] As a ninth variation, a protrusion may be present at the left edge 213 of the touch panel, which is higher than the front edge 211. Even in this case, the stylus 2 can be stopped simply by making the front edge 211 particularly high, specifically, by making it higher than either the depth edge 212 or the right edge 214 of the touch panel. The same applies in other directions; it can be said that the height of the front edge 211 from the touch panel surface is higher than at least one of the depth edge 212, the left edge 213, and the right edge 214.

[0055] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are not intended to limit the invention. Since multiple inventions are included in the embodiments, resulting in different effects, a problem or effect understood from the embodiments is not a problem or effect applicable to all inventions included in the embodiments. For example, it is evident that the first switch 221 and the second switch 222 may also be at the same position in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). At least one of the first switch 221 and the second switch 222 may also be at the same height as the touch panel surface.

[0056] Symbol Explanation

[0057] 1… Printing device; 2… Stylus; 10… UI unit; 11… Printing mechanism; 12… Processor; 13… Communication unit; 14… Non-volatile memory; 20… Housing; 101… Touch panel; 111… Paper supply unit; 131… Connector; 201… Pen housing; 202… Non-contact charging mechanism; 211… Near-front edge;

[0058] 212…Deep edge; 213…Left edge; 214…Right edge; 221…First switch;

[0059] 222…Second switch; 223…Light-emitting part; 1011…Bottom; 1012…Top.

Claims

1. A printing apparatus comprising: The housing surrounds the printing mechanism; An electrostatic touch panel is mounted on the housing; The paper feeding unit is configured with the insertion direction from the front side toward the depth side; A stylus is used to input data onto the touch panel. In the printing apparatus, The touch panel is positioned such that it is tilted at an angle relative to the top surface of the housing, extending from the depth of the printing device to near the front and vertically downward from the horizontal. On the lower side of the touch panel, there is a wall that is higher from the touch panel surface than at least one of the left, right, and top sides. The touch panel is inclined relative to the vertical direction such that the distance to the upper surface of the wall in the vertical direction orthogonal to the insertion direction increases as it moves closer to the wall. On the lower side of the touch panel, a space for placing the stylus, i.e., a stylus receiving portion, is continuously formed from the surface of the touch panel. A left edge portion and a right edge portion are respectively provided on the left and right sides of the touch panel. A cutout for placing the stylus is formed at a position corresponding to the pen receiving portion in either the left or right edge portion.

2. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, A lower side surface is also provided between the lower edge of the touch panel and the wall.

3. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The lower side surface is a surface that extends from the lower side to the wall, and at least a portion of the lower side surface is a curved surface.

4. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein, Regarding the width of the lower side, the width in the vertical direction of the touch panel is 15mm or more.

5. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The lower side is a curved surface that is concave towards the wall from the lower side.

6. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The height of the wall from the lower side is greater than 2 mm.

7. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The height of the wall from the lower side is greater than half the thickness of the stylus.

8. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, At least one of the left and right edges of the touch panel is disposed on a plane including the surface of the touch panel.

9. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein, At least a portion of the left and right sides of the lower side is connected to the outside at the same height as the lower side.

10. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The touch panel does not have an edge portion that is higher than the surface of the touch panel on the top, left, and right sides.

11. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The height of the wall is greater than the height of the top surface of the shell.

12. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The touch panel, the lower side surface, and the wall are formed as a single unit for the touch panel. The touch panel unit is tilted via a tilting mechanism.

13. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, A mechanical switch is provided at any position among the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the touch panel.

14. The printing apparatus of claim 13, wherein, The mechanical switch includes at least one of a power switch, a power-saving switch, a printing stop switch, and a home screen switch that returns the display of the touch panel to the basic screen.

15. The printing apparatus of claim 13, wherein, Equipped with multiple of the aforementioned mechanical switches, The second switch in the mechanical switch, which is located deeper than the first switch, is positioned lower in the vertical direction compared to the first switch.

16. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein, It has a light-emitting part that extends forward from the right edge or the left edge.

17. The printing apparatus of claim 14, wherein, It includes a light-emitting portion that extends forward from either the right edge or the left edge. Equipped with multiple of the aforementioned mechanical switches, The light-emitting part is configured along the direction in which the plurality of mechanical switches are arranged.

18. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The main scanning direction or the secondary scanning direction of the printing mechanism corresponds to the horizontal direction of the touch panel.

19. The printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, A connector is also provided on the front side of the housing, in the lateral direction at a position within the area where the touch panel is disposed.

20. The printing apparatus of claim 2, wherein, A contactless charging mechanism is provided on the lower side.

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