Image formation device

Abstract

To provide an image formation device which enables a user to view a position where an external device which conducts short-range radio communication is placed and a USB port.SOLUTION: An image formation device 1 includes: a first housing 2 in which a discharge tray 6 is provided on an upper surface and which houses an image formation part; a second housing 3 which is provided on the first housing 2 and houses an image reading part; a leg part 4 which is provided on the upper surface of the first housing 2 so as to lift and support the second housing 3 and forms a part of an opening 44 for taking out sheets discharged to the discharge tray 6; an NFC mark 71 which is provided at the upper surface of the first housing 2 or the leg part 4, arranged at the outside of a width of the discharge tray 6 in a width direction, and indicates a position where an external device which conducts short-range radio communication is placed; and a USB port 81 which is provided at the second housing 3 or the leg part 4 and disposed at the same side as the NFC mark 71 in the width direction and above or below the NFC mark 71.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image forming apparatuses capable of communicating with external devices such as IC cards and smartphones via near field communication (NFC) have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that is installed in a position where the placement location of the external device can be seen from above. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-68278 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Recently, some image forming devices have been equipped with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port for communication with USB devices such as USB memory. Typically, the USB port is located on the front or side of the image forming device for user convenience. Therefore, some image forming devices are equipped with both an NFC board and a USB port, but there is room for improvement in terms of visibility of both.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which both the position where an external device that performs short-range wireless communication is placed and the USB port are easily visible. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming device (1) of the present invention includes: a first housing (2) having an upper surface on which an ejection tray (6) for supporting sheets ejected by an ejection roller (28) is provided, and accommodating an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet; a second housing (3) provided above the first housing (2) and accommodating an image reading unit that reads an image of a document; legs (4) provided on the upper surface of the first housing (2) to lift and support the second housing (3) and forming part of an opening (44) for removing sheets ejected to the ejection tray (6); an NFC mark (71) provided on the upper surface of the first housing (2) or the legs (4), located outside the width of the ejection tray (6) in a width direction perpendicular to the sheet ejection direction of the ejection roller (28), and indicating a position for placing an external device that performs near-field wireless communication; and a USB port (81) provided on the second housing (3) or the legs (4), located on the same side as the NFC mark (71) in the width direction and above or below the NFC mark (71). [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the near-field wireless communication mark and the USB port are not covered by the ejected sheet, so the visibility of the mark and the USB port is always ensured. Furthermore, by arranging the mark and the USB port on the same side in the width direction, the user can easily see both the mark and the USB port by simply looking in the same direction. Furthermore, by arranging the near-field wireless communication mark and the USB port at a distance from each other in the vertical direction, interference between a USB device inserted in the USB port and an external device held over the mark can be reduced, resulting in excellent operability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a front view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 5]4 is an enlarged view of the cross section AA of FIG. 3, showing a state in which the discharge stopper is in a use position. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view of an image forming apparatus according to a first modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a second modification. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a third modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1, the left and right directions are defined as the side from which the sheet tray 27 is pulled out being the front and the opposite side being the rear, and the second housing 3 side of the image forming apparatus 1 is defined as the top and the first housing 2 side being the bottom. In this embodiment, the left and right direction is an example of a width direction perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction of the discharge rollers 28.

[0010] [Overall configuration of image forming device] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view thereof, FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof, FIG. 4 is a right side view thereof, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the AA cross section of FIG. 3 showing a state in which a discharge stopper 62 is in a use position. Image forming apparatus 1 has a configuration known as an internal discharge type. Image forming apparatus 1 includes a first housing 2, a second housing 3, legs 4, and an operation panel 5.

[0011] The first housing 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped cover 20 that forms the exterior. The cover 20 has a front surface 21, a back surface 22, a left surface 23, a right surface 24, a top surface 25, and a bottom surface 26. An opening 211 for inserting and removing a sheet tray 27 is formed in the lower part of the front surface 21.

[0012] The first housing 2 accommodates a sheet tray 27 that supports sheets before image formation, a transport mechanism that transports sheets from the sheet tray 27, an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet transported by the transport mechanism, and a discharge mechanism that transports the sheet from the image forming unit to the outside of the first housing 2. Discharge rollers 28 that discharge the sheet are provided at the most downstream portion in the transport direction of the discharge mechanism.

[0013] The sheet tray 27 is slidable between a storage position (the position shown in FIG. 1) where it is stored in the first housing 2 through the opening 211 and a pulled-out position where it is pulled out forward from the first housing 2 through the opening 211. There are no particular limitations on the configuration of the image forming unit, and configurations such as an electrophotographic system, an inkjet system, or a thermal head system can be used.

[0014] Furthermore, a discharge tray 6 that supports sheets discharged by the discharge mechanism is provided on the top surface 25 of the first housing 2. The discharge tray 6 is formed in a shape that is convexly curved and inclined upward from the rear side to the front side on the top surface 25 of the first housing 2. As a result, the sheet on which an image has been formed is discharged from the rear side to the front side onto the discharge tray 6 by the discharge mechanism.

[0015] The discharge tray 6 has a protrusion 61 provided in the center of the discharge tray 6 in the width direction, and a discharge stopper 62 provided on the protrusion 61. The protrusion 61 is a platform-like member that protrudes above other surfaces of the discharge tray 6 and is inclined downward toward the rear. The discharge stopper 62 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member whose rear end is rotatably supported by the protrusion 61. The discharge stopper 62 swings between a storage position (position shown in FIG. 4) in which it is positioned horizontally along the upper end of the protrusion 61, and a use position (position shown in FIG. 5) in which its front end is raised. When the discharge stopper 62 is in the use position, a sheet discharged onto the discharge tray 6 abuts against the discharge stopper 62 and is restricted on the discharge tray 6.

[0016] Even if the discharged sheet has curled ends in the width direction thereof raised, the protrusions 61 lift and support the center of the sheet in the width direction, thereby reducing the curl. Furthermore, when the sheet is supported on the discharge tray 6, a space for gripping the sheet can be formed around the protrusions 61 below the sheet. Note that the protrusions 61 are not an essential component and can be omitted.

[0017] Furthermore, a power switch 29 of the image forming apparatus 1 is provided on the top surface 25 of the first housing 2. To make the power switch 29 easy to see and operate, it is preferable to place the power switch 29 on the top surface 25 of the first housing 2 forward of the discharge stopper 62 and outside the width of the discharge tray 6 in the width direction. In this embodiment, the power switch 29 is provided on the top surface 25 of the first housing 2 in the front right portion.

[0018] The second housing 3 is provided above the first housing 2 and includes a document reading device 31. The document reading device 31 has a document table 321 on its upper surface that supports a document, and a housing 32 that houses an image reading unit that reads an image of the document supported on the document table 321. The document reading device 31 also has a document presser 33 that is provided above the housing 32 and can swing around a rotation axis located at the rear end between a closed position where its front end covers the document table 321 and an open position where it opens the document table 321. The document presser 33 has an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as an ADF (auto document feeder)) 34 at its top that automatically transports a document to the document table 321.

[0019] The legs 4 have a left leg 41, a right leg 42, and a rear leg 43. The left leg 41, the right leg 42, and the rear leg 43 are respectively located at the left end, the right end, and the rear end on the top surface of the first housing 2, and lift up and support the second housing 3. As a result, the second housing 3 is placed above the discharge tray 6 via a discharge space 63 into which sheets are discharged. In addition, an opening 44 is formed on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 by the left leg 41, the right leg 42, the top surface of the first housing 2, and the bottom surface of the second housing 3, and the discharge space 63 is open to the front through the opening 44. Therefore, a user can remove sheets discharged to the discharge tray 6 through the opening 44.

[0020] In this embodiment, the front end surface 42A of the right leg 42 is located rearward of the front end surface 3A of the second housing 3. This leaves the right side of the discharge space 63 largely open, making it easier to remove sheets discharged onto the discharge tray 6 from the right side.

[0021] The operation panel 5 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped panel, and its width is less than half the width of the second housing 3. The operation panel 5 protrudes forward from the front end surface 3A of the second housing 3 so that its left end is flush with the left end of the second housing 3. The operation panel 5 is provided on its top surface 51 with a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and operating devices such as a touch panel and operating buttons for operating the image forming unit and image reading unit.

[0022] [NFC] As shown in Fig. 3, an NFC mark 71 is printed on the top surface 25 of the first housing 2, indicating the position where an external device, such as an IC card or smartphone, having an NFC function should be placed. There are no particular limitations on the size or shape of the NFC mark 71. The NFC mark 71 may be formed in a manner other than printing. For example, the NFC mark 71 may be formed of a translucent member, and a light source, such as a light-emitting diode, may be disposed directly below the translucent member so that the mark is illuminated. By placing the external device using the NFC mark 71 as a guide, the user can establish wireless communication between the external device and the image forming apparatus 1.

[0023] The NFC mark 71 can be placed in area B or area C shown in Fig. 3. Area B is an area on the right side of the discharge tray 6, within the area outside the width of the discharge tray 6 on the top surface 25 of the first housing 2. On the other hand, area C is an area on the left side of the discharge tray 6, within the area outside the width of the discharge tray 6 on the top surface 25 of the first housing 2. In this embodiment, the NFC mark 71 is placed in area B, away from the front end surface 42A of the right leg 42 and toward the front.

[0024] According to this configuration, the NFC mark 71 is not covered by the ejected sheet, thereby ensuring constant visibility of the NFC mark 71. Furthermore, since the NFC mark 71 is positioned on the front side as seen from the user, the user can easily place an external device on the NFC mark 71.

[0025] The NFC board 70 is provided at a position facing the NFC mark 71 inside the first housing 2 to achieve good wireless communication with an external device. In this embodiment, the NFC board 70 is arranged along the inside of the top surface 25 of the cover 20, directly below the NFC mark 71. The NFC board 70 is a substantially rectangular, plate-shaped circuit board, and is equipped with a loop antenna 72 as well as a communication circuit, a detection circuit, and the like.

[0026] The loop antenna 72 is disposed on the upper surface of the NFC board 70 so as to be positioned directly below the NFC mark 71. The loop antenna 72 has a function of transmitting and receiving radio waves for communicating with external devices. The communication circuit has a function of processing the transmitted and received radio waves. The detection circuit has a function of detecting the intensity of the radio waves transmitted and received by the loop antenna 72 by detecting the current flowing through the loop antenna 72.

[0027] [USB] 2, a USB port 81 for connecting a terminal of a USB device such as a USB memory or a digital camera is provided on the leg 4 on the same side as the NFC mark 71 in the width direction of the image forming apparatus 1. In this embodiment, since the NFC mark 71 is provided on the right side in the width direction, the USB port 81 is provided on the front end surface 42A of the right leg 42. The position of the USB port 81 on the front end surface 42A of the right leg 42 is not particularly limited, and may be any position that allows a USB device to be connected from the front.

[0028] A USB mark 82 is printed near the USB port 81 on the front end surface 42A of the right leg 42. The USB mark 82 may be placed anywhere near the USB port 81, and may be placed, for example, on the top surface 25 of the cover 20, located in front of and below the USB port 81. The user can recognize the position of the USB port 81 by visually checking the USB mark 82 or the USB port 81.

[0029] By providing the USB port 81 on the front end surface 42A of the right leg 42 in this way, the USB port 81 is not covered by a discharged sheet, ensuring that the USB port 81 is always visible. Furthermore, by arranging the NFC mark 71 and the USB port 81 on the same side in the width direction, the user can easily see both the NFC mark 71 and the USB port 81 by simply looking in the same direction. Furthermore, by arranging the NFC mark 71 and the USB port 81 at a distance from each other in the vertical direction, interference between a USB device inserted in the USB port 81 and an external device held over the NFC mark 71 can be reduced, resulting in excellent operability.

[0030] Furthermore, providing the USB port 81 on the front end surface 42A of the right leg 42 makes effective use of the available space in the right leg 42. Furthermore, by locating the front end surface 42A of the right leg 42 rearward of the front end surface 3A of the second housing 3, a USB device inserted into the USB port 81 is less likely to protrude from the second housing 3 in a plan view, thereby reducing the risk of the user bumping into the USB device and damaging it.

[0031] The USB port 81 is preferably disposed at a position overlapping with the first housing 2 in a plan view. This makes it difficult for a USB device inserted into the USB port 81 to protrude from the first housing 2 in a plan view, thereby reducing the risk of a user bumping into and damaging the USB device. In this embodiment, no matter where the USB port 81 is disposed on the front end surface 42A of the right leg 42, it will be at a position overlapping with the first housing 2 in a plan view. Furthermore, no matter where the USB port 81 is disposed on the front end surface of the left leg 41, it will be at a position overlapping with the first housing 2 in a plan view.

[0032] The USB port 81 and the NFC mark 71 are preferably provided on the opposite side of the operation panel 5 in the width direction. This prevents the operation panel 5 from covering the USB port 81 and the NFC mark 71, ensuring the visibility of the USB port 81 and the NFC mark 71. In this embodiment, no matter where the USB port 81 is located on the front end surface 42A of the right leg 42, it will be on the opposite side of the operation panel 5 in the width direction. Furthermore, no matter where the NFC mark 71 is located in area B, it will be on the opposite side of the operation panel 5 in the width direction.

[0033] The USB board 80 is provided inside the right leg 42. The USB board 80 is a substantially rectangular, plate-shaped circuit board, and is equipped with a USB port 81 and a conversion circuit. The USB port 81 is disposed so as to protrude forward from the upper surface of the USB board 80. The conversion circuit is a circuit that converts the signal lines of the USB port 81 to a predetermined pitch.

[0034] Furthermore, the power switch 29 is located on the right side, which is the same widthwise side as the NFC mark 71 and the USB port 81. By arranging the NFC mark 71, the USB port 81, and the power switch 29 on the same widthwise side, the user can easily see the NFC mark 71, the USB port 81, and the power switch 29 by simply looking in the same direction.

[0035] [Variation 1] 6 is a front view of image forming apparatus 9 of modified example 1. Image forming apparatus 9 of modified example 1 differs from image forming apparatus 1 described above in the positions of USB port 91, USB mark 92, and USB board 93, but other configurations are the same as those of image forming apparatus 1 described above. In the following explanation of modified examples 1 to 3, differences from image forming apparatus 1 described above will be mainly explained, and configurations similar to those of image forming apparatus 1 described above will be assigned the same reference numerals and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0036] The USB port 91 is provided on the second housing 3 on the same side as the NFC mark 71 in the width direction of the image forming device 9. In the first modification, the NFC mark 71 is provided on the right side in the width direction, and therefore the USB port 91 is provided on the right end of the front end face 3A of the second housing 3. The position of the USB port 91 on the front end face 3A of the second housing 3 is not particularly limited as long as it is in the area D in the right half of the front end face 3A, and may be any position that allows connection of a USB device from the front.

[0037] A USB mark 92 is provided near the USB port 91 on the front end surface 3A of the second housing 3. The USB board 93 has the same configuration as the USB board 80 described above, and is provided inside the first housing 2.

[0038] In this way, by providing the USB port 91 on the front end surface 3A of the second housing 3, the USB port 91 is not covered by a discharged sheet, thereby ensuring constant visibility of the USB port 91. Furthermore, by arranging the NFC mark 71 and the USB port 91 on the same side in the width direction, the user can see both the NFC mark 71 and the USB port 91 simply by looking in the same direction, making them easy to see.

[0039] Furthermore, by arranging the NFC mark 71 and the USB port 91 at a distance from each other in the vertical direction, it is possible to reduce interference between a USB device inserted into the USB port 91 and an external device held over the NFC mark 71, resulting in excellent operability. Furthermore, by providing the USB port 91 on the front end surface 3A of the second housing 3, the available space in the second housing 3 can be used effectively.

[0040] The USB port 91 is preferably disposed in a position that overlaps with the first housing 2 in a plan view. This makes it less likely that a USB device inserted into the USB port 91 will protrude from the first housing 2 in a plan view, thereby reducing the risk of a user bumping into and damaging the USB device. In the first modification, the front end surface 3A of the second housing 3 is disposed behind the front surface 21 of the first housing 2, so that no matter where the USB port 91 is disposed in area C on the front end surface 3A of the second housing 3, it will be in a position that overlaps with the first housing 2 in a plan view.

[0041] It is preferable that the USB port 91 and the NFC mark 71 are provided on opposite sides of the operation panel 5 in the width direction. This ensures that a USB device inserted into the USB port 91 does not protrude above the operation panel 5, thereby ensuring the operability of the operation panel 5. Furthermore, because the NFC mark 71 is not covered by the operation panel 5, the visibility of the NFC mark 71 can be ensured.

[0042] [Variation 2] 7 is a perspective view of image forming apparatus 10 of modified example 2. Image forming apparatus 10 of modified example 2 differs from image forming apparatus 1 described above in that leg 4 has third housing 101 and in the positions of NFC mark 102, NFC board 103, USB port 104, USB mark 105, and USB board 106; the rest of the configuration is the same as that of image forming apparatus 1 described above.

[0043] The third housing 101 is a detachable rectangular parallelepiped housing formed as part of the leg 4 with the same width as the right leg 42. The third housing 101 is attached in a position where its rear surface contacts the front end surface 42A of the right leg 42, its bottom surface contacts the top surface 25 of the first housing 2, and its left surface is flush with the left surface of the right leg 42.

[0044] The NFC mark 102 and the USB port 104 are provided on different surfaces of the third housing 101, offset from each other in the vertical direction. In Fig. 7, the NFC mark 102 is provided on the top surface 101A of the third housing 101, and the USB port 104 is provided on the front surface 101B of the third housing 101. In addition, a USB mark 105 is provided near the USB port 104 on the front surface 101B of the third housing 101.

[0045] The user can establish wireless communication between the external device and image forming apparatus 10 by placing the external device on top surface 101A of third housing 101 using NFC mark 102 as a guide. Furthermore, the user can recognize the location of the USB port 104 by visually checking the USB mark 105 or the USB port 104 .

[0046] The NFC board 103 has the same configuration as the NFC board 70 described above, and is provided in a position facing the NFC mark 102 inside the third housing 101. The USB board 106 has the same configuration as the USB board 80 described above, and is provided inside the third housing 101.

[0047] According to the configuration of Modification 2, the NFC mark 102 is not covered by the ejected sheet, and therefore visibility of the NFC mark 102 is always ensured. In addition, the NFC mark 102 is positioned on the front side as seen from the user, making it easy for the user to place an external device on the NFC mark 102.

[0048] Furthermore, by providing the USB port 104 on the front surface 101B of the third housing 101, the USB port 104 is not covered by a discharged sheet, and therefore visibility of the USB port 104 is always ensured. Furthermore, by arranging the NFC mark 102 and the USB port 104 on the same side in the width direction, the user can check both the NFC mark 102 and the USB port 104 simply by looking in the same direction, making them easy to see. Furthermore, by arranging the NFC mark 102 and the USB port 104 at a distance from each other in the vertical direction, interference between a USB device inserted in the USB port 104 and an external device held over the NFC mark 102 can be reduced, resulting in excellent operability.

[0049] It is preferable that the USB port 104 be arranged at a position that overlaps with the first housing 2 in a plan view. This makes it difficult for a USB device inserted into the USB port 104 to protrude from the first housing 2 in a plan view, thereby reducing the risk of a user bumping into the USB device and damaging it. In the second modification, the front surface 101B of the third housing 101 is arranged behind the front surface 21 of the first housing 2, so that no matter where the USB port 104 is arranged on the front surface 101B of the third housing 101, it will be at a position that overlaps with the first housing 2 in a plan view.

[0050] It is preferable that the USB port 104 and the NFC mark 102 are provided on the opposite side in the width direction from the operation panel 5. This ensures that the USB port 104 and the NFC mark 102 are not covered by the operation panel 5, thereby ensuring the visibility of the USB port 104 and the NFC mark 102. In the second modification, the third housing 101 is provided on the opposite side in the width direction from the operation panel 5, and therefore the USB port 104 and the NFC mark 102 provided on the third housing 101 are located on the opposite side in the width direction from the operation panel 5.

[0051] Since the third housing 101 is detachable from the image forming device 10, products with different specifications can be easily manufactured by not attaching the third housing 101 if the specifications do not include NFC and USB functions, and by attaching the third housing 101 if the specifications include NFC and USB functions.

[0052] [Variation 3] 8 is a perspective view of image forming apparatus 11 of Modification 3. Image forming apparatus 11 of Modification 3 differs from image forming apparatus 10 of Modification 2 in the shape of third housing 111 and the positions of NFC mark 112 and NFC board 113, but the other configurations are the same as those of image forming apparatus 10 of Modification 2.

[0053] The third housing 111 is a detachable housing formed as part of the leg 4 with the same width as the right leg 42. The third housing 111 is attached in a position where its rear surface contacts the front end surface 42A of the right leg 42, its bottom surface contacts the top surface 25 of the first housing 2, and its left surface is flush with the left surface of the right leg 42. The third housing 111 has an inclined surface 111A that slopes downward and forward from the lower front end of the second housing 3, an upper surface 111B that extends forward from the front end of the inclined surface 111A, and a front surface 111C that extends downward from the front end of the upper surface 111B.

[0054] NFC mark 112 and USB port 104 are provided on different surfaces of third housing 111, offset from each other in the vertical direction. In Fig. 8, NFC mark 112 is provided on inclined surface 111A of third housing 111. Also, as in Modification 2, USB port 104 is provided on front surface 111C of third housing 111, and USB mark 105 is provided near USB port 104 on front surface 111C of third housing 111.

[0055] The user can place an external device on inclined surface 111A of third housing 111 using NFC mark 112 as a guide, thereby enabling wireless communication between the external device and image forming apparatus 11. The user can also recognize the position of USB port 104 by visually checking USB mark 105 or USB port 104. NFC board 113 has the same configuration as NFC board 70 described above, and is provided inside third housing 111 at a position facing NFC mark 112.

[0056] The configuration of Modification 3 provides the same effects as Modification 2. In addition, since inclined surface 111A of third housing 111 faces the user, the user can easily see NFC mark 112 and place an external device on NFC mark 112.

[0057] [Effects of the embodiment] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a first housing 2 having an upper surface on which an ejection tray 6 supporting sheets ejected by ejection rollers 28 is provided, and which houses an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet. The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a second housing 3 disposed above the first housing 2 and housing an image reading unit that reads an image of a document. The image forming apparatus 1 also includes legs 4 disposed on the upper surface of the first housing 2 to lift and support the second housing 3, and which form part of an opening 44 for removing sheets ejected to the ejection tray 6. The image forming apparatus 1 also includes an NFC mark 71 disposed on the upper surface of the first housing 2 or on the legs 4, located outside the width of the ejection tray 6 in a width direction perpendicular to the sheet ejection direction of the ejection rollers 28, and indicating a position for placing an external device that performs near-field wireless communication. The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a USB port 81 disposed on the second housing 3 or on the legs 4, and located on the same side as the NFC mark 71 in the width direction, above or below the NFC mark 71.

[0058] With this configuration, the NFC mark 71 and the USB port 81 are not covered by the ejected sheet, ensuring that the NFC mark 71 and the USB port 81 are always visible. Furthermore, because the NFC mark 71 and the USB port 81 are arranged on the same side in the width direction, the user can easily see both the NFC mark 71 and the USB port 81 by simply looking in the same direction. Furthermore, because the NFC mark 71 and the USB port 81 are arranged spaced apart in the vertical direction, interference between a USB device inserted in the USB port 81 and an external device held over the NFC mark 71 can be reduced, resulting in excellent operability.

[0059] According to the image forming device 1 described above, the downstream end face of the leg portion 4 in the sheet discharge direction is positioned upstream in the sheet discharge direction from the downstream end of the second housing 3 in the sheet discharge direction, and the USB port 81 is provided on the downstream end face of the leg portion 4 in the sheet discharge direction.

[0060] According to this configuration, the USB device inserted into the USB port 81 is less likely to protrude from the second housing 3 in a plan view, which reduces the risk of the user bumping into the USB device and damaging it.

[0061] According to the image forming apparatus 10 of the second modification, the leg 4 has a detachable third housing 101, and the NFC mark 102 and the USB port 104 are provided on different surfaces of the third housing 101.

[0062] According to this configuration, if the specifications do not include NFC and USB functions, third housing 101 is not attached, and if the specifications include NFC and USB functions, third housing 101 is attached, thereby making it easy to manufacture products with different specifications.

[0063] According to the image forming apparatus 11 of the third modification, the third housing 111 has an inclined surface 111A that is inclined downward in the sheet discharge direction, and the NFC mark 112 is provided on the inclined surface 111A.

[0064] According to this configuration, since the inclined surface 111A faces the user, the user can easily see the NFC mark 112 and place the external device on the NFC mark 112.

[0065] According to the image forming apparatus 9 of the first modification, the USB port 91 is provided in the second housing 3.

[0066] With this configuration, the NFC mark 71 and the USB port 91 are spaced apart in the vertical direction, which reduces interference between a USB device inserted into the USB port 91 and an external device held over the NFC mark 71, resulting in excellent operability.

[0067] According to the image forming apparatus 1 described above, the USB port 81 is disposed at a position overlapping with the first housing 2 in a plan view.

[0068] According to this configuration, the USB device inserted into the USB port 81 is less likely to protrude from the first housing 2 in a plan view, which reduces the risk of the user bumping into the USB device and damaging it.

[0069] According to the image forming apparatus 1 described above, the power switch 29 of the image forming apparatus 1 is provided on the same side as the NFC mark 71 in the width direction.

[0070] According to this configuration, the NFC mark 71, the USB port 81, and the power switch 29 are arranged on the same side in the width direction, so that the user can easily see the NFC mark 71, the USB port 81, and the power switch 29 by simply looking in the same direction.

[0071] The image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation panel 5 for operating the image forming apparatus 1, which is provided on the opposite side of the NFC mark 71 in the width direction.

[0072] According to this configuration, the NFC mark 71 and the USB port 81 are not covered by the operation panel 5, so that the visibility of the NFC mark 71 and the USB port 81 can be ensured.

[0073] According to the image forming apparatus 1, the NFC board 70 is provided at a position facing the NFC mark 71.

[0074] According to this configuration, by placing the NFC board 70 near the NFC mark 71, good wireless communication can be achieved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1, 9, 10, 11 Image forming device 2. First enclosure 3 Second enclosure 4 legs 5 Operation panel 6 Output tray 28 Discharge roller 29 Power switch 44 Opening 70 NFC board 71, 102, 112 NFC mark (mark) 81, 91, 104 USB ports 101, 111 3rd cabinet 111A Slope

Claims

1. a first housing having an upper surface provided with a discharge tray for supporting sheets discharged by a discharge roller, and accommodating an image forming unit for forming an image on the sheets; a second housing provided above the first housing and accommodating an image reading unit that reads an image of a document; a leg portion provided on an upper surface of the first housing to lift and support the second housing, the leg portion forming a part of an opening for taking out the sheet discharged onto the discharge tray; a mark provided on an upper surface or a leg of the first housing, the mark being arranged outside the width of the discharge tray in a width direction perpendicular to the sheet discharge direction of the discharge roller, and indicating a position on which an external device that performs short-range wireless communication is placed; an USB port provided on the second housing or the leg portion, and positioned on the same side as the mark in the width direction and above or below the mark;

2. a downstream end surface of the leg portion in the sheet discharge direction is disposed upstream in the sheet discharge direction of a downstream end portion of the second housing in the sheet discharge direction; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the USB port is provided on a downstream end surface of the leg portion in the sheet discharge direction.

3. the leg portion has a detachable third housing, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mark and the USB port are provided on different surfaces of the third housing.

4. the third housing has an inclined surface inclined downward in a sheet discharge direction, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the mark is provided on the inclined surface.

5. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the USB port is provided in the second housing.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the USB port is disposed at a position overlapping the first housing in a plan view.

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a power switch of the image forming apparatus is provided on the same side as the mark in the width direction.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation panel for operating the image forming apparatus, the operation panel being provided on the opposite side of the mark in the width direction.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the substrate for the near field communication is provided at a position opposite the mark.

Images