Image formation apparatus

Abstract

To improve the visibility of a status display unit for notifying a user of the status of an apparatus.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus includes a horizontally elongated status display unit. The status display unit comprises: a plurality of light sources (620-624) arranged at intervals in a longitudinal direction; an emission part that emits light from the light sources to the outside; boundary walls (626, 628) provided between the light sources; and a plurality of light guide paths (P1-P3) formed by at least one or more boundary walls. The emission part integrally covers openings of the plurality of light guide paths (P1-P3).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a status display unit for notifying a user of the status of the apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of an image forming apparatus according to the background art is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, an energy saving shift key is provided on an operation unit, and a light emitting diode is provided adjacent to the energy saving shift key, and the light emitting diode lights up or flashes depending on the state of the image forming apparatus. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-374380 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional image forming devices, light-emitting diodes are provided on the top surface of the operation unit, and although the light-emitting diodes are easily visible to the person operating the image forming device, the light-emitting diodes are difficult to see for people located far away from the image forming device, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel image forming apparatus.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the visibility of a status display unit that notifies a user of the status of the apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first embodiment is an image forming device that includes a status display unit for informing a user of the status of the device and a touch panel display, wherein the status display unit is formed horizontally, and includes a plurality of light sources arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction, an emission member that emits light from the light sources to the outside, and a boundary wall arranged between the light sources, wherein the emission member has a surface that covers one light source arranged on one side in the longitudinal direction and the other light source arranged on the other side, and further, the surface connecting the one light source and the other light source is exposed to the outside of the device, and wherein a portion of the emission member is located outward from at least one end of the touch panel display in the left-right direction when the image forming device is viewed from the front in the front-to-back direction.

[0008] A second embodiment is an image forming device that includes a status display unit and a touch panel display for informing a user of the status of the device, wherein the status display unit is formed horizontally, and includes a plurality of light sources arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction, an emission member that emits light from the light sources to the outside, and a boundary wall arranged between the light sources, wherein the emission member has a surface that covers one light source arranged on one side in the longitudinal direction and the other light source arranged on the other side, and further, the surface connecting the one light source and the other light source is exposed to the outside of the device, and wherein a portion of the emission member is located in a position that overlaps with an imaginary line extending in the vertical direction of the image forming device from at least one end of the touch panel display in the left-right direction when viewed from the front side of the image forming device in the front-to-back direction.

[0009] A third embodiment is an image forming apparatus dependent on the first embodiment, characterized in that the emission member is positioned at a position shifted in the front-rear direction with respect to the touch panel display.

[0010] A fourth embodiment is an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third embodiments, characterized in that the plurality of light sources are provided on a single substrate, the light emitting member has a first surface that emits light from the light sources and a second surface that emits light from the light sources in a direction intersecting the first surface, and the surface of the substrate on which the plurality of light sources are provided is inclined with respect to the first surface and the second surface.

[0011] The fifth embodiment is an image forming apparatus that is subordinate to any of the first to fourth embodiments, and is characterized in that, when the image forming apparatus is viewed from the front in the front-to-back direction, at least a portion of the discharge space that is provided between the image reading unit and the image forming unit and through which paper is discharged to the left from the image forming unit is visible to the left of the left end of the status display unit in the left-to-right direction of the image forming apparatus.

[0012] The sixth embodiment is an image forming apparatus that is subordinate to any of the first to fifth embodiments, and is characterized in that the status display unit is located above the loading surface of the paper output tray that receives paper discharged from the paper output port when viewed from the front side of the image forming apparatus in the front-to-back direction.

[0013] The seventh embodiment is an image forming apparatus that is subordinate to any of the first to sixty-fifth embodiments, and is characterized in that the status display unit is located below the document pressing cover when viewing the image forming apparatus from the front in the front-to-back direction.

[0014] An eighth embodiment is an image forming apparatus dependent on any one of the first to seventh embodiments, characterized in that the status display unit is located forward of the document retaining cover.

[0015] A ninth embodiment is an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth embodiments, in which a smoke filter is used on the surface of the emission member that is visible from the outside.

[0016] A tenth embodiment is an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth embodiments, wherein at least one of the light sources separated by the boundary wall has a different emission color. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to this invention, it is possible to improve the visibility of the status display section for notifying the user of the status of the device.

[0018] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the peripheral part of the status display unit as viewed obliquely from above in front. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state of the surrounding area of ​​the status display unit as viewed from above the front. [Figure 4] Fig. 4(A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the surrounding area of ​​the status display unit, and Fig. 4(B) is an exploded view of the status display unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the peripheral portion of the status display unit as viewed from the side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the surrounding area of ​​the status display unit as viewed from above. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the surrounding area of ​​the status display unit in the second embodiment, as viewed from above. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing an example of a light emission pattern of the status display section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] [First Example] 1, an image forming apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is an internal paper discharge type image forming apparatus in which an internal paper discharge section 16 is formed between an image forming section 12 and an image reading section 14, and includes an operation unit 18 provided as a separate unit in front of the image reading section 14. As will be described later, the image forming apparatus 10 forms a multicolor or monochrome image on a predetermined sheet of paper (recording medium) based on image data read by the image reading section 14, and discharges the image-formed sheet of paper to the internal paper discharge section 16. In this first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

[0021] In this invention, the front side (front) is defined as the surface facing the user's standing position, i.e., the surface on which the operation unit 18 is provided, and the front-to-back direction (depth direction) of the image forming device 10 and its components is defined based on the state in which the user views the image forming device 10.

[0022] First, a description will be given of the basic configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming section 12 and an image reading section 14 provided above the image forming section 12.

[0023] The housing of the image forming unit 12 includes a first connecting housing 12a formed on the upper right side and a second connecting housing 12b formed on the upper back side, and the image reading unit 14 is supported by these first connecting housing 12a and second connecting housing 12b. As a result, an internal paper discharge section 16, which is an internal space in which paper sheets with images formed thereon, is formed below the image reading unit 14. In addition, the front surface 24c of the housing 24 of the image reading unit 14 is located behind the front surface of the housing of the image forming unit 12, and the front surface of the first connecting housing 12a is an upwardly inclined surface with the lower end protruding further forward than the upper end.

[0024] The image forming unit 12 includes an exposure unit, a developing unit, a photosensitive drum, a charger, an intermediate transfer belt, a transfer roller, and a fixing unit. The image forming unit 12 forms an image on paper conveyed from a paper feed cassette 20 or the like located below it using an electrophotographic method. Specifically, the image forming unit 12 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum according to image data using the charger and exposure unit, and then visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum with toner using the developing unit. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is then transferred to paper using the intermediate transfer belt and transfer roller, and the toner image transferred to the paper is thermally fixed by the fixing unit. The paper on which the image has been formed is then discharged to the internal paper discharge unit 16 through a paper discharge port (not shown) formed in the first connecting housing 12a. The image data used to form the image on the paper is image data read by the image reading unit 14 or image data transmitted from an external computer.

[0025] Although detailed description is omitted, image forming unit 12 has a color printing function and includes four photosensitive drums, four chargers, four developers, four intermediate transfer belts, four transfer rollers, and four cleaning devices for each of the colors Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). Each color is configured as an image forming station including a photosensitive drum, charger, developer, intermediate transfer belt, transfer roller, and cleaning device. For example, image forming apparatus 10 is a tandem image forming apparatus, and in image forming unit 12, image forming stations for each color are arranged horizontally in a row.

[0026] The image reading unit 14 includes a housing 24 having a document placement table made of a transparent material on its top surface. A light source, multiple mirrors, an imaging lens, a line sensor, and other components are provided within the housing 24. The image reading unit 14 exposes the document surface to light from the light source, and directs the light reflected from the document surface to the imaging lens via multiple mirrors. The imaging lens then focuses the reflected light onto the light-receiving elements of the line sensor. The line sensor detects the luminance and chromaticity of the reflected light focused on the light-receiving elements, and generates image data based on the image of the document surface. A CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) is used as the line sensor.

[0027] The internal paper discharge section 16 is defined at the bottom and top by the housing of the image forming section 12 and the housing 24 of the image reading section 14, and at the right side and back by the first connecting housing 12a and the second connecting housing 12b. In other words, the front and left side of the internal paper discharge section 16 are open. The internal paper discharge section 16 is also provided with a paper discharge tray 26 that receives paper on which an image has been formed that is discharged from the paper discharge port.

[0028] Additionally, a document retaining cover 30 is attached to the top surface of the image reading unit 14 via a hinge or the like located at the rear side so as to be able to be opened and closed freely. This document retaining cover 30 is provided with an ADF (automatic document feeder) 34 that automatically feeds documents placed on a document placement tray 32 one by one to the image reading position of the image reading unit 14.

[0029] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the housing 24 of the image reading unit 14 has a housing protrusion 24a that protrudes forward beyond the front surface of the document retaining cover 30. In other words, the front end of the housing 24 protrudes forward beyond the front surface of the document retaining cover 30. An operation unit 18 is provided on the front side of the housing 24 of the image reading unit 14. The specific configurations of the operation unit 18 and the housing protrusion 24a will be described later.

[0030] Although not shown, a control unit that controls the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 10 is provided at a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit includes a CPU, memory, etc., and transmits control signals to each part of the image forming apparatus 10 in response to input operations by a user to the operation unit 18, causing the image forming apparatus 10 to perform various operations.

[0031] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 may be provided with mounting units (for example, a drive and a memory slot) for mounting various recording media. The various recording media include optical discs (for example, CD-R, DVD-R, and BD-R) and flash memories (for example, USB memory, SD memory cards, and memory sticks). Optical discs are mounted in the drive, and flash memories are mounted in the memory slot.

[0032] Next, the specific configuration of the operation unit 18 and the front end portion (casing protrusion 24a) of the casing 24 of the image reading unit 14 to which the operation unit 18 is attached will be described.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the operation unit 18 is formed in the shape of a horizontally long, generally rectangular plate. The width (length in the left-right direction) of the operation unit 18 is set to, for example, about half the width of the housing 24 of the image reading unit 14, and the operation unit 18 is disposed on the right side of the front of the housing 24. However, the size of the operation unit 18 can be changed appropriately depending on the size of the touch panel display 50 to be mounted, and is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the operation unit 18 is provided with a slight downward tilt toward the front so that the user can easily view its upper surface. The touch panel display 50 and a home key 52 are provided on the upper surface of the operation unit 18.

[0034] The touch panel display 50 also has a built-in short-range communication unit 56. The short-range communication unit 56 is, for example, an NFC reader / writer, and is composed of a control unit, a storage unit, and an antenna, and is capable of transmitting and receiving data in accordance with communication standards such as ISO / IEC 18092 (so-called NFC (Near Field Communication)). The short-range communication unit 56 also transmits and receives communication data to and from an external terminal such as an IC card, a smartphone, or a feature phone via short-range wireless communication.

[0035] The touch panel display 50 is a touch panel-integrated liquid crystal display device configured by laminating an analog resistive film or the like on a liquid crystal display panel, and is provided on the top surface of the operation unit 18 in an area excluding the periphery and right side area. In this first embodiment, a capacitance method is used to detect the touch position of the touch panel display 50. However, other known methods such as an infrared blocking detection method, a surface acoustic wave method, and a resistive film method can also be used as appropriate. The touch panel display 50 displays software keys and messages for accepting various settings, printing instructions, and the like from the user. As an example, the touch panel display 50 displays a home screen for selecting a desired operating mode from the various operating modes available to the image forming apparatus 10.

[0036] The home key 52 is a capacitive hardware key that detects user operations based on changes in capacitance, and is provided in the area to the right of the touch panel display 50. The home key 52 is a key for issuing an instruction to transition to the home screen, and when the home key 52 is pressed by the user, the home screen is displayed on the touch panel display 50.

[0037] A software key is a key that is reproduced on the screen by software, while a hardware key is a key (button) that is provided as a physical device.

[0038] Furthermore, the inclination angle of the operation unit 18 relative to the image reading unit 14 is changeable. The operation unit 18 is basically placed in a basic position in which it is slightly inclined downward toward the front (for example, at an angle of 10 degrees relative to the horizontal), but when a user with a low eye level, such as a wheelchair user, uses the image forming apparatus 10, the inclination angle is appropriately changed so that the upper surface of the operation unit 18 faces more toward the front to match the user's eye level. In this first embodiment, the operation unit 18 can be manually rotated by the user about a shaft 44 (see FIG. 5) extending in the left-right direction from the basic position shown in each drawing to a position substantially parallel to the front surface of the first connecting housing 12a.

[0039] On the other hand, the upper surface 24b of the housing protrusion 24a, which is the front end of the housing 24 of the image reading unit 14, is a plane parallel to the document table, i.e., a horizontal plane. A step is formed between the upper surface 24b of the housing protrusion 24a and the upper surface of the operation unit 18, and the upper surface of the operation unit 18 is positioned lower than the upper surface 24b of the housing protrusion 24a.

[0040] Furthermore, the front surface 24c of the housing protrusion 24a (i.e., the front surface of the housing 24) is formed as a downwardly inclined surface that inclines toward the back as it extends downward. Furthermore, a recess extending in the horizontal direction is formed on the front surface 24c of the housing protrusion 24a. The rear end of the upper surface of the operation unit 18 is located further back than the upper end of the inclined surface formed on the front surface 24c of the housing protrusion 24a, and the rear end of the operation unit 18 is configured to slip below the inclined surface of the housing protrusion 24a. Furthermore, the rear end of the upper surface of the operation unit 18 is located further back than the upper end of the recess formed on the front surface 24c of the housing protrusion 24a, and the rear end of the operation unit 18 is configured to slip below (or enter into) the recess of the housing protrusion 24a.

[0041] In the first embodiment, a power key 54 is provided on the top surface 24b of the housing protrusion 24a. The power key 54 is a mechanical hardware key that detects a user's operation based on switching of a mechanical contact state, and is an operation key for turning the power of the image forming apparatus 10 on and off. The power key 54 is provided on the back side of the touch panel display 50 and within the width of the operation unit 18. More specifically, the power key 54 is provided on the right end of the top surface 24b of the housing protrusion 24a, and the power key 54 and the home key 52, which is a hardware key provided on the operation unit 18, are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction.

[0042] Furthermore, a status display unit 60 is provided on the front surface 24c of the housing protrusion 24a. The configuration of the status display unit 60 and its surrounding area will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 6. For simplicity, the image reading unit 14 is omitted from Figures 2 to 6.

[0043] 2 to 6, the status display unit 60 is formed horizontally so as to extend in the left-right direction, and is provided on the rear side of the touch panel display 50 in a range that includes the width of the operation unit 18. In other words, the status display unit 60 is provided so as to face the operation unit 18 (touch panel display 50). This also means that the status display unit 60 is provided directly behind the operation unit 18. The status display unit 60 is also provided above the recessed portion of the housing protrusion 24a.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the status display unit 60 includes a substrate 62, a light guide path forming member 64, a light diffusing member 66, and a filter 68.

[0045] The substrate 62 is a generally rectangular plate member that is long in the left-right direction. LEDs 620, 622, and 624 that are light sources for the status display unit 60 are provided on the front surface of the substrate 62. That is, the LEDs 620, 622, and 624 are supported by the image forming apparatus 10 via the substrate 62.

[0046] The LEDs 620, 622, and 624 may be LEDs that emit a single color or LEDs that can switch the emitted color. The LED 620 is disposed at the left end of the substrate 62, the LED 622 is disposed approximately in the center of the substrate 62 in the left-right direction, and the LED 624 is disposed at the right end of the substrate 62. However, a plurality of LEDs 622 may be provided. In this first embodiment, five LEDs 622 are provided. The five LEDs 622 are disposed side by side in the horizontal direction at a predetermined interval.

[0047] The light guide path forming member 64 constitutes a part of the housing protrusion 24a and is a member that forms the light guide path P for guiding light from the LEDs 620, 622, and 624 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 10. More specifically, the light guide path P is formed between the LEDs 620, 622, and 624 and the light diffusing member 66. However, the light guide path P extends in the front-rear direction and is a horizontally elongated, approximately cylindrical space that is large in the left-right dimension (width) and small in the up-down dimension (height) when viewed from the front side.

[0048] The light guide path forming member 64 also has boundary walls 626 and 628 that extend in the up-down and front-rear directions and divide the light guide path P into left and right. The boundary wall 626 is provided between the LEDs 620 and 622, and the boundary wall 628 is provided between the LEDs 622 and 624.

[0049] Therefore, the light guide path P is divided by the boundary walls 626, 628 into a space between the boundary walls 626 and 628 (first light guide path P1), a space to the left of the boundary wall 626 (second light guide path P2), and a space to the right of the boundary wall 628 (third light guide path P3).

[0050] Each of the first light guide path P1, the second light guide path P2, and the third light guide path P3 is a horizontally long, approximately cylindrical space when viewed from the front side. The first light guide path P1 is a space for guiding light from the five LEDs 622 to the light diffusing member 66. The second light guide path P2 is a space for guiding light from the LED 620 to the light diffusing member 66. The third light guide path P3 is a space for guiding light from the LED 624 to the light diffusing member 66.

[0051] 6, the boundary wall 626 has an inclined surface 626a that slopes rightward from the front side to the rear side, and the boundary wall 628 has an inclined surface 628a that slopes leftward from the front side to the rear side. The left side of the first light guide path P1 is defined by the inclined surface 626a, and the right side of the first light guide path P1 is defined by the inclined surface 628a. Therefore, the first light guide path P1 is configured such that its width in the left-right direction (horizontal width) continuously increases from the rear side (the LED 622 side, i.e., the light source side) to the front side (the filter 68 side or the light diffusing member 66 side).

[0052] The light diffusing member 66 is a plate-shaped member and is provided so as to cover the front-side openings of the first light guide path P1, the second light guide path P2, and the third light guide path P3. The light diffusing member 66 is disposed closer to the filter 68 in the front-rear direction (depth direction) than the midpoint between the LEDs 620, 622, 624 and the filter 68. In other words, the light diffusing member 66 is disposed closer to the filter 68 than the midpoint in the light guide path P between the LEDs 620, 622, 624 and the light diffusing member 66.

[0053] This light diffusion member 66 is, for example, a light diffusion sheet, and when light from the LEDs 620, 622, and 624 is incident on it, the area where the light is incident and its surroundings emit light. That is, when light from the LEDs 620, 622, and 624 is incident on the light diffusion member 66, the light diffusion member 66 functions as a planar light emitter. The light diffusion sheet is, for example, a resin sheet with a thickness of 0.5 mm, and the light diffusion sheet may have an uneven surface or may contain light-diffusing fine particles inside.

[0054] The filter 68 is made of a light-transmitting material that allows light to pass through, and transmits light from the light diffusion member 66, i.e., light from the LEDs 620, 622, and 624, and emits the light to the outside of the status display unit 60. This filter 68 is preferably a smoke filter that is colored black, gray, or the like, so that the shapes of the LEDs 620, 622, and 624 cannot be seen directly from the outside.

[0055] The filter 68 also has a first surface 68a and a second surface 68b. The first surface 68a and the second surface 68b are formed so that their angles in the vertical direction are different from each other. That is, the first surface 68a and the second surface 68b are formed so that the light from the light diffusing member 66 is emitted in different visible directions in the vertical direction.

[0056] Specifically, the first surface 68a slopes downward, and the second surface 68b slopes upward. That is, of the front surface of the filter 68, the lower surface facing diagonally downward is the first surface 68a, and the upper surface facing diagonally upward is the second surface 68b. In this first embodiment, the second surface 68b is provided above the first surface 68a, and the upper end of the first surface 68a is connected to the lower end of the second surface 68b. That is, when viewed from the left and right, the filter 68 has a substantially V-shaped cross section that opens toward the rear (rear). The area of ​​the first surface 68a is larger than the area of ​​the second surface 68b. The frontal projected area of ​​the first surface 68a is larger than the frontal projected area of ​​the second surface 68b. The frontal projected area refers to the area when viewed from directly in front.

[0057] 2, 3, and 4B, the center portion of the second surface 68b in the left-right direction is recessed relative to both left-right ends of the second surface 68b. This increases the width of the flat portion of the second surface 68b in the up-down or front-back direction. In other words, the flat portion can be increased in the center portion of the second surface 68b in the left-right direction.

[0058] Next, an example of the operation of the status display unit 60 of the first embodiment will be described. First, when the LEDs 622 are turned on, five LEDs 622 may be turned on simultaneously, or some of the five LEDs 622 may be turned on. When some of the multiple LEDs 622 are turned on, it is not enough to simply turn on some of the LEDs 622; the multiple LEDs 622 may be turned on sequentially from the left or right, or from both ends toward the center, or from the center toward both ends. Since multiple LEDs 622 are provided, various light-emitting expressions can be realized.

[0059] For example, when some of the five LEDs 622 are lit, the light diffusing member 66 emits light from the portions in front of the lit LEDs 622 and their surroundings. When all five LEDs 622 are lit, the light diffusing member 66 emits light from the portions in front of the five LEDs 622, i.e., the portion in front of the first light guide path P1 and its surroundings. In other words, when an LED 622 is lit, the center of the light diffusing member 66 emits light. As described above, the light from the light diffusing member 66 is transmitted through the filter 68 and emitted to the outside. Therefore, when an LED 622 is lit, it appears from the outside (front side) of the image forming apparatus 10 that the center of the status display unit 60 is emitting light.

[0060] When the LED 620 is turned on, the portion in front of the LED 620, i.e., the portion in front of the second light guide path P2 and its surroundings, emits light. In other words, when the LED 620 is turned on, the left end of the light diffusing member 66 emits light. Therefore, when the LED 620 is turned on, it appears from outside the image forming apparatus 10 that the left end of the status display unit 60 is emitting light.

[0061] When the LED 624 is turned on, the portion in front of the LED 620, i.e., the portion in front of the third light guide path P3 and its surroundings, emits light. In other words, when the LED 624 is turned on, the right end of the light diffusing member 66 emits light. Therefore, when the LED 624 is turned on, it appears from outside the image forming apparatus 10 that the right end of the status display unit 60 is emitting light.

[0062] However, the LEDs 620, 622, and 624 are turned on and off in response to a control signal sent from the control unit 10. The control unit controls the turning on and off of the LEDs 620, 622, and 624 in response to the operating status of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0063] For example, when image forming device 10 receives fax data or image data sent from an external computer, LED 620 lights up, and remains lit or flashing until a predetermined time (e.g., two minutes) has elapsed after data reception is complete.

[0064] LED 624 lights up or blinks when a predetermined error occurs. The occurrence of a predetermined error occurs, for example, when paper feed cassette 20 runs out of paper (i.e., when paper runs out), or when paper is jammed in image forming unit 12. LED 624 goes out when the error is resolved by replenishing (replenishing) paper in paper feed cassette 20 or removing the jammed paper.

[0065] LED 622 lights up or blinks depending on the status of image forming apparatus 10 or depending on a user operation on image forming apparatus 10. However, LED 622 lights up or blinks for reasons other than the reasons for lighting up or blinking LED 620 or LED 624 described above. Note that user operations on image forming apparatus 10 include, for example, touching software keys displayed on touch panel display 50, pressing hardware keys such as home key 52 and power key 54, and holding an external terminal to be communicated with over near-field communication unit 56.

[0066] For example, LED 622 lights up in response to a user operation on image forming device 10 when a specific user operation is performed on operation unit 18, such as when the power of image forming device 10 is turned on / off, when a recording medium is attached to the attachment section for attaching the recording medium, or when short-range wireless communication is performed with an external terminal via short-range communication section 56. LED 622 lights up in response to the status of image forming device 10 when image quality adjustment processing is performed, when toner replenishment is performed, etc.

[0067] The image forming apparatus 10 is turned on / off when the user operates the power key 54. A recording medium is installed in the installation unit when it is installed in the USB memory slot. Near-field wireless communication is performed when an IC card, a mobile terminal, or the like is held over (contacted with) the near-field communication unit 56. A predetermined user operation is performed when a key (e.g., the copy key) for selecting a function such as copy, fax, or scanner displayed on the home screen is operated. The image quality adjustment process is a process of transferring a toner image to the photosensitive drum or intermediate transfer belt of the image forming unit 12 and adjusting the development bias according to the density of the toner image. Toner replenishment is performed when toner runs out and a service technician or manager replaces the toner cartridge with a new one, and toner is replenished from the toner cartridge to the developer.

[0068] Fig. 8 is an illustrative view showing the light emission pattern of the status display section 60. Note that Fig. 8 shows a schematic representation of the portions of the status display section 60 corresponding to the five LEDs 622, respectively.

[0069] As described above, five LEDs 622 are provided, and therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of light emission patterns can be expressed by staggering the timing at which each of the five LEDs 622 turns on and off. For example, in light emission pattern 1, the five LEDs 622 are turned on randomly, then all turned on at once, and then all turned off at once. In light emission pattern 2, the five LEDs 622 are turned on all at once and then turned off randomly. However, in light emission pattern 2, the light emission amount (brightness) of each LED 622 is adjusted (set) so that the central LED 622 is the brightest and the LEDs 622 on both sides are the dimmest when the five LEDs 622 are turned on. In light emission pattern 3, the central LED 622 is turned on first, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the central LED 622 is turned off, and the LEDs 622 on both sides of the central LED 622 are turned on. Although not shown in the figures, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the LEDs 622 on either side of the central LED 622 are turned off, the LEDs 622 on both ends are turned on, and then all LEDs 622 are turned off. That is, in the example shown in Light Emission Pattern 3, the light appears to move outward from the center in the left-right direction. In Light Emission Pattern 4, five LEDs 622 are turned on all at once, and then the five LEDs 622 are slowly turned off at the same timing. In Light Emission Pattern 5, the leftmost LED 622 is turned on first, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the leftmost LED 622 is turned off, and the LED 622 to the right of it is turned on. This is repeated until the rightmost LED 622 is turned on, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the rightmost LED 622 was turned on, all LEDs 622 are turned off. That is, in the example shown in Light Emission Pattern 5, the light appears to move from the left end to the right end. Note that Light Emission Patterns 1 to 5 are merely examples, and other modified light emission patterns may be employed.

[0070] In this way, since the status display unit 60 can display multiple light emission patterns, when the LED 622 is lit, the light emission pattern may be changed depending on the user operation on the image forming device 10 or the status of the image forming device 10, i.e., the reason why the LED 622 is lit.

[0071] Since the LEDs 620, 622, and 624 are lit for different purposes, it is preferable that they emit different colors. For example, the LED 620 emits green light, the LED 622 emits blue light, and the LED 624 emits red light.

[0072] Furthermore, in situations where LED 620 or LED 624 is turned on and where LED 622 is turned on depending on the status of image forming apparatus 10 (when image quality adjustment processing is being executed and when toner replenishment is being executed), it is considered that the user is often away from image forming apparatus 10. In this case, the user can easily see that LED 620 or LED 624 is turned on by the light emitted from first surface 68a.

[0073] Furthermore, in a situation where LED 622 is turned on in response to a user operation on image forming apparatus 10, it is considered that the user is in front of touch panel display 50. In this case, the user can easily see that LED 622 is turned on due to the light emitted from second surface 68b.

[0074] According to the first embodiment, the filter 68 of the status display unit 60 has a first surface 68a and a second surface 68b that are formed to emit light from the light diffusing member 66 in different visible directions in the vertical direction, so that it is possible to confirm that the status display unit 60 is lit from both the first surface 68a and the second surface 68b. Therefore, it is possible to improve the visibility of the status display unit 60 that notifies the user of the status of the device.

[0075] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the status display unit 60 is provided facing the operation unit 18 (touch panel display 50), and is therefore positioned directly in front of the line of sight of the person operating the image forming apparatus, making it easier for the person operating the image forming apparatus to be within the effective field of view of the person operating the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the person operating the image forming apparatus can easily recognize that the status display unit 60 is lit while operating the operation unit 18.

[0076] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, a light diffusing member 66 is provided between the LEDs 620, 622, 624 and the filter 68, so that the range of light emission can be increased without significantly reducing the brightness, thereby improving the visibility of the status display unit 60.

[0077] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the light diffusing member 66 is positioned closer to the filter 68 than the midpoint between the LEDs 620, 622, 624 and the filter 68, so that the brightness of the light-emitting portion of the light diffusing member 66 can be increased, thereby improving the visibility of the status display unit 60.

[0078] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the first light guide path P1 is configured so that its width in the left-right direction increases continuously from the light source side toward the front side, so that the light emission range when the LED 622 is lit can be increased, thereby improving the visibility of the status display unit 60.

[0079] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the first surface 68a is formed so as to slope inward as it goes downward and to face diagonally downward. Therefore, the first surface 68a can emit light in the line of sight (approximately horizontal direction) of a person located at a distance from the image forming device 10. Therefore, a person located at a distance from the image forming device 10 can easily confirm through the first surface 68a that the status display unit 60 is lit.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the second surface 68b is formed so as to slope backward as it goes upward and to face diagonally upward. Therefore, the second surface 68b can emit light in the line of sight (from top to bottom) of the person operating the image forming device 10. Therefore, the person operating the image forming device 10 can easily confirm through the second surface 68b that the status display unit 60 is lit.

[0081] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the area of ​​the first surface 68a is larger than the area of ​​the second surface 68b, and the frontal projection area of ​​the first surface 68a is larger than the frontal projection area of ​​the second surface 68b, so that the visibility of the status display unit 60 for people located far away from the image forming device 10 can be further improved.

[0082] [Second Example] The image forming apparatus 10 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the configuration of the status display unit 60 is partially changed, so a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0083] 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the peripheral portion of the status display unit 60 in the second embodiment as viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 7, in the second embodiment, the light guide path forming member 64 has a plurality of boundary walls 630 that extend in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction and divide the light guide path P into left and right.

[0084] However, one boundary wall 630 is provided between each of the plurality of LEDs 622. That is, in this second embodiment, four boundary walls 630 are provided between five LEDs 622.

[0085] Therefore, the first light guide path P1 is divided into five spaces corresponding to the five LEDs 622, respectively, by the plurality of boundary walls 630. That is, a light guide path corresponding to each of the five LEDs 622 is formed.

[0086] According to the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to improve the visibility of the status display section 60 for notifying the user of the status of the device.

[0087] The specific shapes and the like given in the above embodiments are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate depending on the actual product.

[0088] In the above-described embodiment, in order to increase the flat portion at the center of the second surface 68b in the left-right direction, the center portion of the second surface 68b in the left-right direction is recessed relative to both ends of the second surface 68b in the left-right direction, but this is not limitative. For example, the center portion of the second surface 68b in the left-right direction may be protruded relative to both ends of the second surface 68b in the left-right direction.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the second surface 68b is provided above the first surface 68a, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the second surface 68b may be provided below the first surface 68a. In this case, the lower end of the first surface 68a and the upper end of the second surface 68b are connected. That is, when viewed from the left and right, the filter 68 has a generally V-shaped cross section that opens toward the front (forward). [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 10...Image forming device 12...Image forming unit 14...Image reading unit 18...Operation unit 24...Image reader housing 24a … Housing protrusion 24b ...Top surface of housing protrusion 24c …Front of the housing protrusion 30...Document holder cover 50...Touch panel display 52...Home key 54...Power key 60...Status display section 620,622,624...LED 64 ...Light guide path forming member 66...Light diffusion material 68...Filter P...Light guide path

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus having a status display unit and a touch panel display for notifying a user of the status of the apparatus, The status display unit is formed horizontally, the status display unit includes a plurality of light sources spaced apart in a longitudinal direction, an emission member that emits light from the light sources to the outside, and a boundary wall that is provided between the light sources; In the light output member, a surface covering the one light source arranged on one side in the longitudinal direction and the other light source arranged on the other side in the longitudinal direction is integrally formed, and further, a surface connecting the one light source and the other light source is exposed to the outside of the device, An image forming apparatus, characterized in that a portion of the emission member is located outward from at least one end of the touch panel display in the left-right direction when viewed from the front side of the image forming apparatus in the front-to-rear direction.

2. An image forming apparatus having a status display unit and a touch panel display for notifying a user of the status of the apparatus, The status display unit is formed horizontally, the status display unit includes a plurality of light sources spaced apart in a longitudinal direction, an emission member that emits light from the light sources to the outside, and a boundary wall that is provided between the light sources; In the light output member, a surface covering the one light source arranged on one side in the longitudinal direction and the other light source arranged on the other side in the longitudinal direction is integrally formed, and further, a surface connecting the one light source and the other light source is exposed to the outside of the device, An image forming apparatus characterized in that a portion of the emission member is located in a position that overlaps with an imaginary line extending in the vertical direction of the image forming apparatus from at least one end of the touch panel display in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus in the front-to-back direction.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the light emitting member is positioned at a position offset in the front-rear direction with respect to the touch panel display.

4. the plurality of light sources are provided on one substrate, The light output member has a first surface that outputs light from the light source and a second surface that outputs light from the light source in a direction intersecting with the first surface.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the substrate on which the plurality of light sources are provided is inclined with respect to the first surface and the second surface.

5. 5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the image forming apparatus is viewed from the front in the front-to-back direction, at least a portion of an ejection space provided between the image reading unit and the image forming unit, through which paper is ejected to the left from the image forming unit, is visible to the left of the left end of the status display unit in the left-to-right direction of the image forming apparatus.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the status display unit is located above the loading surface of a paper output tray that receives paper discharged from the paper output port when viewed from the front side of the image forming apparatus in the front-to-rear direction.

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the status display unit is located below a document retaining cover when viewed from the front side of the image forming apparatus in the front-rear direction.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the status display unit is located forward of a document retaining cover.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a smoke filter is used on a surface of said light emitting member that is visible from the outside.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the light sources separated by the boundary wall has a different emission color.

Images