Touch input device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a touch input device and an image forming apparatus configured to determine whether some kind of object exists within a predetermined range forward of an operation panel more appropriately than before when calibration is to be executed.SOLUTION: A digital multifunction peripheral includes an operation panel which displays variety of information and receives an operation, a touch input detection unit which detects touch input, a light receiving unit which detects light from a predetermined range forward of the operation panel, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to: blink, when calibration of the touch input detection unit is to be executed, the operation panel with light of predetermined intensity, determine that no object exists in the range when the light receiving unit does not detect reflected light of different intensities from the range when the light is on and off, to execute calibration, and determine, when the light receiving unit detects reflected light of different intensities from the range when the light is on and off, that some kind of object exists in the range based on a detected position of the reflected light, so as not to execute calibration.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a touch input device and an image forming apparatus equipped with the touch input device, and more particularly to a touch input device having a calibration function for correcting a touch position and an image forming apparatus equipped with the touch input device. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, many image forming devices such as printers and scanners use a touch panel as an input interface.

[0003] Touch panels are highly convenient because they do not require pressing like physical keys; input operations are detected simply by touching the panel with a finger. Furthermore, by using a touch panel as the input interface, it is not limited by physical mechanisms such as physical keys, and the input area can be set to match the image displayed on the output screen, allowing for the construction of a highly flexible input interface.

[0004] As a touch panel, for example, a capacitive touch panel is used. When a user brings a finger close to the screen of the touch panel, a change in capacitance occurs in the electrode at the part where the finger is close, and the touch position can be detected by measuring the ratio of the amount of current caused by the change in capacitance.

[0005] Such capacitive touch panels store the received signal (dark noise received signal) when no indicator such as a finger or stylus pen is present, set a threshold value for it, and determine that an indicator is present when the received signal exceeds that threshold.

[0006] Normally, this dark noise reception signal is measured during initial operation of the image forming device when the power is turned on, and a correction (calibration) is performed to set a threshold value. However, if the user touches the screen during calibration, the dark noise value will increase, and if the threshold value is set based on that value, the touch panel may malfunction.

[0007] To solve such problems, an information processing device has been disclosed that has an input detection unit that detects contact or proximity of an indicator with a detection surface, a proximity detection unit that detects proximity of an object to a location different from the detection surface, and a control unit that changes the detection sensitivity of the input detection unit based on the detection result of the proximity detection unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0008] This disclosure states that when a proximity sensor installed on the periphery (more specifically, the upper periphery) of the detection surface of the touch panel detects the proximity of an object, the touch mode is changed from high-sensitivity touch mode to malfunction prevention touch mode, making it possible to more reliably prevent malfunctions when malfunctions are more likely to occur, such as when the user places the information processing device in their pocket. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 121629 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Incidentally, when calibrating touch panels on a production line, workers may accidentally bring their hands close to the touch panel, for example, by touching the power ON / OFF switch. In this case, depending on the position of the worker's hand, the proximity sensor may not be able to detect the worker's hand, and the threshold value may be set based on the value of the background noise caused by the capacitance of the worker's hand.

[0011] This disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a touch input device and an image forming device that can more accurately determine whether or not there is an object within a specified range in front of the operation panel when performing calibration than conventional methods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The touch input device according to this disclosure comprises an operation panel that displays various information to a user and accepts operations from the user, a touch input detection unit that detects touch input to the operation panel, a light receiving unit that detects light from a predetermined range in front of the operation panel, and a control unit that controls the operation panel, the touch input detection unit, and the light receiving unit, wherein when calibrating the touch input detection unit, the control unit causes the operation panel to flash with light of a predetermined intensity, and if the light receiving unit does not detect reflected light of different intensities from the range when the light is on and when it is off, determines that no object is present in the range and performs the calibration, while if the light receiving unit detects reflected light of different intensities from the range when the light is on and when it is off, determines that some object is present in the range based on the detected position of the reflected light and does not perform the calibration.

[0013] In addition, the image forming apparatus according to this disclosure includes the touch input device, an image data acquisition unit that acquires image data, and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data based on an image formation command input from the touch input device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to this disclosure, it is possible to realize a touch input device and an image forming apparatus that can determine more appropriately than ever before whether or not an object is present within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel when performing calibration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1]1 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a digital multifunction peripheral equipped with a touch input device of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for detecting the presence or absence of an object within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel of the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when calibrating the operation panel. [Figure 4] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of timing for switching on / off the backlight of the operation panel of the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an operation panel of the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams showing a method for detecting an object within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel of the digital multifunction peripheral shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6A shows an example of detecting an object in a diagonal direction X passing through openings 1 and 3, and Fig. 6B shows an example of detecting an object in a diagonal direction Y passing through openings 2 and 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an operation panel of a digital multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams showing a method for detecting an object within a predetermined range in front of an operation panel of a digital multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8A shows an example of detecting an object in a horizontal direction X passing through openings 1 and 3, and Fig. 8B shows an example of detecting an object in a vertical direction Y passing through openings 2 and 4. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a switching process of a light receiving unit in a digital multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a process of detecting the presence or absence of an object within a predetermined range in front of an operation panel during calibration of the operation panel of a digital multifunction peripheral according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 11 is an example of a warning message displayed on a display unit when calibration of an operation panel of a digital multifunction peripheral according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is performed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] In this disclosure, a "touch input device" is an input device that has a touch panel and is operated by touching the screen with a pointer such as a fingertip or a pen and specifying a position on the screen. "Calibration" is the correction of the touch position detected on the touch panel. "Making the operation panel blink with light of a predetermined intensity" may mean making the backlight blink, or in the case of a self-luminous display such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), making the element itself blink with its own light emission. An "image forming device" is a device that forms and outputs images, such as a copier or multifunction device with a copying function, such as a printer that uses an electrophotographic method to form an image with toner, or an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) that also has functions other than copying.

[0017] Further, preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described.

[0018] In the touch input device according to this disclosure, when performing the calibration, the control unit causes the operation panel to flash light of the intensity, and if the light receiving unit detects reflected light of different intensities from the range when the light is on and when it is off, calculates the distance of the object from the operation panel based on the detected position of the reflected light, and if the distance exceeds a predetermined threshold, determines that although an object is present in the range, the effect of the object on the calibration is small and performs the calibration, while if the distance is equal to or less than the threshold, determines that the effect of the object on the calibration is large and does not perform the calibration.

[0019] In this way, if there is any object within a specified range in front of the operation panel when calibration is performed, the distance of the object from the operation panel is calculated, and if the distance of the object is less than a specified threshold, the influence is small and calibration is not performed, but if the distance of the object exceeds the threshold, the influence is large and calibration is performed.

[0020] In the touch input device according to this disclosure, the operation panel may have a bezel portion around a screen that displays various information to the user and accepts touch operations from the user, and the light receiving portion may be provided in a position that detects the light from the range through one or more openings provided in the four corners of the bezel portion or in any position.

[0021] In this way, a touch input device can be realized that can more accurately determine whether or not there is an object within a specified range in front of the operation panel than conventional methods, based on reflected light from an object detected by the light receiving unit through one or more openings provided in the four corners of the bezel or at any other position during calibration.

[0022] In the touch input device according to the present disclosure, the control unit may cause the light receiving unit to function as a predetermined switch when the calibration is not performed.

[0023] In this way, it is possible to realize a touch input device in which the light receiving section can be used as a predetermined switch when calibration is not performed.

[0024] In the touch input device according to this disclosure, when performing the calibration, the control unit may cause the operation panel to display a predetermined warning message, then cause the operation panel to flash with light of the intensity, and erase the warning message after the calibration is completed.

[0025] In this way, it is possible to realize a touch input device that displays a predetermined warning message on the operation panel while calibration is being performed.

[0026] In the touch input device according to this disclosure, the control unit may cause the operation panel to flash light of the intensity during the calibration, and if the light receiving unit detects reflected light of different intensities from the range when the light is on and when it is off, determine that an object is present in the range based on the detected position of the reflected light, stop the calibration, and discard the calibration data.

[0027] In this way, if any object is detected within a specified range in front of the operation panel during calibration, the calibration is stopped and the calibration data is discarded, thereby realizing a touch input device that can perform calibration more appropriately than conventional devices.

[0028] This disclosure will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting this disclosure.

[0029] [Embodiment 1] 1 and 2, a digital multifunction peripheral 1 equipped with an operation panel 17 that is an embodiment of the touch input device of this disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a digital multifunction peripheral 1 equipped with an operation panel 17 of the present disclosure.

[0030] The digital multifunction peripheral 1 is a device such as a multifunction peripheral or MFP that digitally processes image data and has a copying function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

[0031] The touch input device disclosed herein is not limited to that installed in the digital multifunction peripheral 1, but can be applied to all devices that use a touch input device, such as mobile terminals such as smartphones and tablets, personal computers, automatic ticket vending machines that sell train tickets and meal tickets, payment machines in hospitals and banks, self-service gas stations, cash registers, etc.

[0032] <Outline of Digital MFP 1> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 includes a control unit 10, a communication unit 11, an image data acquisition unit 12, an image forming unit 13, a memory unit 14, an image processing unit 15, a timing unit 16, an operation panel 17, a touch input detection unit 18, and a light receiving unit 19. The touch input device 2 of this disclosure includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 14, an image processing unit 15, an operation panel 17, a touch input detection unit 18, and a light receiving unit 19.

[0033] Each component of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 will be described below.

[0034] The control unit 10 controls the digital multifunction peripheral 1 in an integrated manner, and is made up of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), various interface circuits, and the like.

[0035] The control unit 10 monitors and controls all loads such as the detection of each sensor, motor, clutch, operation panel 17, etc., in order to control the overall operation of the digital multifunction peripheral 1.

[0036] The communication unit 11 is a part that communicates with external devices via a wired or wireless network and transmits and receives data to and from these external devices.

[0037] The image data acquisition unit 12 is a part that detects and reads an original placed on a platen or an original conveyed from an original tray, and generates image data.

[0038] The image forming unit 13 is a part that prints out the image data acquired by the image data acquiring unit 12 and processed by the image processing unit 15 onto paper.

[0039] The storage unit 14 is an element or storage medium that stores information, control programs, etc., necessary to realize various functions of the digital multifunction peripheral 1. For example, a semiconductor element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk, a flash storage unit, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or other storage medium may be used.

[0040] The program and the data may be stored in different devices, such as by configuring the area for storing data as a hard disk drive and the area for storing the program as a flash memory unit.

[0041] The image processing unit 15 converts the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 12 into an appropriate electrical signal to generate image data, and processes the image data in accordance with instructions from the operation unit 172 to make it suitable for output such as enlargement and reduction.

[0042] The timekeeping unit 16 is a unit that measures time, and obtains the time from, for example, an internal clock or via a network.

[0043] The operation panel 17 is composed of a display panel made up of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and a touch panel such as a capacitive type that is placed on top of the display panel and detects the position touched by a finger, and is equipped with a display unit 171 and an operation unit 172.

[0044] The display unit 171 is a part that displays various information on the screen. The display unit 171 is a display device such as a monitor or line display, which is configured by, for example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or an EL display, and which displays electronic data such as the processing status of the operating system and application software. The control unit 10 displays the operation and status of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 through the display unit 171.

[0045] The operation unit 172 is an interface for operating the digital multifunction peripheral 1, and is a part that receives commands from the user.

[0046] The touch input detection unit 18 is a part that detects a touch input by the user based on an input signal from the operation unit 172 .

[0047] The light receiving unit 19 is equipped with multiple light receiving elements and detects reflected light from objects within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17, and acquires information on the presence or absence of any object within the range and the distance of the object from the operation panel 17.

[0048] The light receiving element is preferably an optical position sensor, an image sensor, or a segmented photodetector that can detect the image position of an object, but other light detecting elements may also be used.

[0049] <Method for detecting the presence or absence of an object within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17 when calibrating the operation panel 17 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1> Next, a method for detecting the presence or absence of an object within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17 during calibration of the operation panel 17 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process for detecting the presence or absence of an object within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17 of the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when calibrating the operation panel.

[0051] In embodiment 1, it is assumed that a worker on the production line calibrates the operation panel 17, but it is also possible that an administrative user or a service technician calibrates the operation panel 17 after the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is shipped.

[0052] In the following flow, it is assumed that the control is performed by the control unit 10 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1, but the operation panel 17 may have a control unit independent of the digital multifunction peripheral 1, and the control may be performed by that control unit.

[0053] When the calibration of operation panel 17 starts, in step S1 of FIG. 3, control unit 10 starts switching the backlight of operation panel 17 between ON and OFF (step S1).

[0054] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the timing of switching ON / OFF the backlight of the operation panel 17 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the backlight of operation panel 17 is switched on / off, and the difference in intensity between the light when the backlight is on and the light when the backlight is off is detected by light receiving elements 1 to 4 (described later in FIG. 6).

[0055] Here, there are no particular regulations regarding the switching frequency of the backlight, but it is generally around several tens of kHz. There are also no particular regulations regarding the duty, but the duty ratio of the ON part of the backlight is set to approximately 50%. The more light there is in the ON part, the more distant objects, and even objects with low reflectivity, can be distinguished. The principle of distance measurement is triangulation based on the ratio of light intensity, so in principle, measurement accuracy will not deteriorate due to low light intensity. However, as the light intensity decreases, the variation in the ratio of light intensity increases, resulting in a deterioration in measurement accuracy. When considering power saving, it is desirable to ensure power saving while ensuring measurement accuracy by lowering the duty ratio of the ON time and increasing the light intensity.

[0056] In addition, instead of switching the backlight on and off, if the operation panel 17 is a self-luminous display such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED), the backlight may be made to blink by the light emitted by the element itself.

[0057] If there is no object within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17, no difference in light intensity is detected, but if there is any object within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17, a difference in light intensity is detected.

[0058] In the following step S2, the control unit 10 determines whether or not there is an output from all of the light receiving elements 1 to 4 of the light receiving unit 19 (step S2).

[0059] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the operation panel 17 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, operation panel 17 has a bezel around the screen of an electrostatic touch panel, and openings 1 to 4 are provided at the four corners of the bezel. Here, the diagonal direction parallel to the screen and passing through openings 1 and 3 is defined as the X direction, the diagonal direction parallel to the screen and passing through openings 2 and 4 is defined as the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to the screen (in front of the screen) is defined as the Z direction.

[0060] Next, in step S2 of FIG. 3, if there is no output from all of the light receiving elements 1 to 4 of the light receiving unit 19 (if the judgment in step S2 is Yes), in step S3, the control unit 10 judges that there are no objects within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17, the room is dark, and the user is not using the operation panel (step S3).

[0061] Thereafter, in step S7, the control unit 10 causes the operation panel 17 to perform calibration (step S7).

[0062] On the other hand, in step S2, if there is an output from at least one of the light receiving elements 1 to 4 of the light receiving unit 19 (if the judgment in step S2 is No), in step S4, the control unit 10 calculates the position and distance of the object from the imaging position of the light receiving element with an output (step S4).

[0063] Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for detecting an object within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6(A) shows an example of detecting an object in the diagonal direction X passing through the openings 1 and 3, and Fig. 6(B) shows an example of detecting an object in the diagonal direction Y passing through the openings 2 and 4.

[0064] In the example of FIG. 6(A), when backlight light is emitted from the center of operation panel 17, this light may be reflected by an object and detected by light receiving elements 1 and / or 3.

[0065] At this time, the light detection positions of the light receiving elements 1 and 3 differ depending on the distance from the operation panel 17. 6(A), as the distance of the object (i.e., the position at which light is focused) becomes farther from operation panel 17, such as short distance, medium distance, and long distance, the light reflected from the object is detected at a position farther from the center of operation panel 17 by light receiving elements 1 and 3. In other words, the position at which the reflected light reaches light receiving elements 1 and 3 differs depending on the distance of the object from operation panel 17. This also applies to FIG. 6(B).

[0066] Therefore, the position of the object and the distance from operation panel 17 can be calculated based on the relationship between the distance of the object from operation panel 17 and the light detection positions of light receiving elements 1 to 4.

[0067] The important point about the arrangement of the light receiving elements 1 to 4 in FIG. 6 is that the light receiving elements 1 to 4 are not positioned directly below the corresponding openings 1 to 4, but are positioned slightly away in the X / Y direction from the position directly below the openings 1 to 4, that is, positioned outward by a predetermined length from the center of the screen of the operation panel 17.

[0068] By arranging the light receiving elements 1 to 4 in this manner, it becomes possible to appropriately detect the presence or absence of an object within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17.

[0069] In the example of FIG. 6, the light receiving elements 1 to 4 are provided at positions spatially separated from the bezel portion, but they may be provided directly below the openings 1 to 4 of the bezel portion.

[0070] Next, in step S5 of FIG. 3, the control unit 10 determines whether the distance to the object exceeds a predetermined threshold value (step S5).

[0071] If the distance of the object does not exceed the predetermined threshold (if the judgment in step S5 is No), the control unit 10 judges that there is some object within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17 and that the object has a large impact on the calibration, and returns the processing to the judgment in step S2.

[0072] On the other hand, if the distance of the object exceeds the predetermined threshold (if the judgment in step S5 is Yes), in step S6, the control unit 10 judges that although there is some object within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17, the distance of the object from the operation panel 17 is far, and therefore the effect of the object on the calibration is small (step S6).

[0073] Thereafter, in step S7, the control unit 10 causes the operation panel 17 to perform calibration (step S7).

[0074] In this way, by determining more appropriately than ever before whether or not there is any object within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17 when performing calibration, a digital multifunction peripheral 1 can be realized that can perform calibration normally.

[0075] [Embodiment 2] Next, the operation panel 17 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0076] The schematic configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2), and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the flowchart of the method for detecting the presence or absence of an object within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the second embodiment when calibrating the operation panel 17 is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 3), and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0077] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the operation panel 17 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The operation panel 17 according to the first embodiment is characterized in that openings 1 to 4 are provided at the four corners of the bezel.

[0078] On the other hand, the operation panel according to the second embodiment is characterized in that openings 1 to 4 are provided in the center of each side of the bezel, as shown in FIG.

[0079] 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams showing a method for detecting an object within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8A shows an example of detecting an object in the horizontal direction X passing through the openings 1 and 3, and Fig. 8B shows an example of detecting an object in the vertical direction Y passing through the openings 2 and 4.

[0080] FIG. 8 is similar to the first embodiment (FIG. 6) except that the length of the operation panel 17 in the Y direction is shorter than the length in the X direction.

[0081] Therefore, the relationship between the distance of the object from operation panel 17 and the light detection positions of light receiving elements 1 and 3 is different from the relationship between the distance of the object from operation panel 17 and the light detection positions of light receiving elements 2 and 4.

[0082] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the switching process of the light receiving unit 19 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0083] In step S11 of FIG. 9, control unit 10 determines whether calibration of operation panel 17 is being performed (step S11).

[0084] In addition, when an instruction to perform calibration is received, even if the calibration has not yet started, a predetermined period of time before the calibration is performed (such as after the backlight has started to be switched on and off) may be considered to be the time when the calibration is being performed.

[0085] If calibration of operation panel 17 is being performed (if the determination in step S11 is Yes), in step S12, control unit 10 uses light receiving unit 19 to determine the object (step S12).

[0086] On the other hand, if calibration of operation panel 17 is not being performed (determination in step S11 is No), in step S13, control unit 10 uses light receiving unit 19 as a predetermined switch (step S13).

[0087] The openings may be arranged at any positions, such as by providing a plurality of openings on both the front and back sides of the bezel.

[0088] In this way, a digital multifunction peripheral 1 can be realized that can more accurately determine than conventional methods whether or not there is an object within a specified range in front of the operation panel based on the reflected light from the object detected by the light receiving unit 19 through an opening provided at a specified position in the bezel when calibration is performed.

[0089] [Embodiment 3] Next, a method for detecting the presence or absence of an object within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17 during calibration of the operation panel 17 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0090] The schematic configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2), and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the schematic configuration of the operation panel 17 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 5), and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0091] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process for detecting the presence or absence of an object within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17 during calibration of the operation panel 17 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0092] Steps S21, S23 to S26, S29, and S30 in FIG. 10 correspond to steps S1 to S7 in FIG. 3 (first embodiment), respectively, and therefore will not be described here. Here, steps S2, S28, S29 and S31 in FIG. 10 that are different from FIG. 3 will be described.

[0093] In step S21 of FIG. 10, after starting to switch the backlight of operation panel 17 on and off (step S21), in step S22, control unit 10 causes display unit 171 to display a warning message (step S22).

[0094] FIG. 11 is an example of a warning message displayed on the display unit 171 when calibration of the operation panel 17 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is performed.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 11, a warning message "Calibration in progress. Do not touch the panel" is displayed on the display unit 171.

[0096] Also, in step S26 of FIG. 10, if the distance to the object does not exceed the predetermined threshold (if the judgment in step S26 is No), in step S28, the control unit 10 stops the calibration if it is being performed and discards the calibration data (step S28). Thereafter, the control unit 10 returns the process to step S22.

[0097] Furthermore, after starting the execution of calibration on the operation panel 17 in step S29 (step S29), the control unit 10 determines in step S30 whether or not the calibration has been completed (step S30).

[0098] If the calibration is not completed (if the determination in step S30 is No), the control unit 10 returns the process to step S22.

[0099] On the other hand, if the calibration is completed (if the determination in step S30 is Yes), in step S31, the control unit 10 erases the warning message (step S31), and then ends the process.

[0100] In this way, if any object is detected within a predetermined range in front of the operation panel 17 during calibration, the calibration is stopped and the calibration data is discarded, thereby realizing a digital multifunction peripheral 1 that can perform calibration more appropriately than before.

[0101] Preferred aspects of the present disclosure also include any combination of the above-described aspects. In addition to the above-described embodiments, various modifications of this disclosure are possible. These modifications should not be interpreted as not belonging to the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure should include all modifications within the scope of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1: Digital multifunction peripheral, 2: Touch input device, 10: Control unit, 11: Communication unit, 12: Image data acquisition unit, 13: Image forming unit, 14: Storage unit, 15: Image processing unit, 16: Timekeeping unit, 17: Operation panel, 18: Touch input detection unit, 19: Light receiving unit, 171: Display unit, 172: Operation unit

Claims

1. an operation panel that displays various information to a user and accepts operations by the user; a touch input detection unit that detects a touch input to the operation panel; a light receiving unit that detects light from a predetermined range in front of the operation panel; a control unit that controls the operation panel, the touch input detection unit, and the light receiving unit; When calibrating the touch input detection unit, the control unit causes the operation panel to flash light of a predetermined intensity, and if the light receiving unit does not detect reflected light of different intensities from the range when the light is on and when it is off, determines that no object is present in the range and performs the calibration; on the other hand, if the light receiving unit detects reflected light of different intensities from the range when the light is on and when it is off, determines that an object is present in the range based on the detected position of the reflected light and does not perform the calibration.

2. 2. The touch input device of claim 1, wherein when performing the calibration, the control unit causes the operation panel to flash with light of the intensity, and when the light receiving unit detects reflected light of different intensities from the range when the light is on and when it is off, calculates the distance of the object from the operation panel based on the detected position of the reflected light, and when the distance exceeds a predetermined threshold, determines that although an object is present in the range, the effect of the object on the calibration is small and performs the calibration, while when the distance is equal to or less than the threshold, determines that the effect of the object on the calibration is large and does not perform the calibration.

3. 2. The touch input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel has a bezel portion around a screen that displays various information to the user and accepts touch operations from the user, and the light receiving portion is provided at a position that detects the light from the range through one or more openings provided at four corners of the bezel portion or at any position of the bezel portion.

4. The touch input device according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit causes the light receiving unit to function as a predetermined switch when the calibration is not performed.

5. 2. The touch input device according to claim 1, wherein, when performing the calibration, the control unit causes the operation panel to display a predetermined warning message, then causes the operation panel to flash with the light of the intensity, and after the calibration is completed, causes the control unit to erase the warning message.

6. 2. The touch input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the operation panel to flash with light of the intensity during the calibration, and if the light receiving unit detects reflected light of different intensities from the range when the light is on and when it is off, determines that an object is present in the range based on the detected position of the reflected light, cancels the calibration, and discards the calibration data.

7. a touch input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; an image data acquisition unit that acquires image data; an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data based on an image formation command input from the touch input device.

Images