Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus capable of detecting a user even when another operation terminal is attached.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 20 includes an operation panel 21 in which an operation terminal 30 is attached to and detached from a side surface of a housing and which is operated by a user, a human detection sensor 40 that detects a user in a preset detection range KH, and an interlocking mechanism 41 that changes a direction of the human detection sensor 40 in conjunction with attachment and detachment of the operation terminal 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus to which an operation terminal is detachably attached. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, image forming devices have been provided with a motion sensor that detects a user operating the device, and operations are controlled using the detection results of the motion sensor. Furthermore, image forming devices are equipped with an operation panel to receive operations from the user. However, depending on the relative positions of the operation panel and the motion sensor, there are cases where the user operating the operation panel cannot be detected. Therefore, an image forming device has been proposed that can detect a user even if the operation unit is located at a position eccentric to the center of the device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-30343 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A conventional image forming device is equipped with an operating unit located at a position offset left and right from the center of the device, a human presence sensor that detects users using the device, and a control unit that controls the operation of the device using the detection results of the human presence sensor, and the detection range of the human presence sensor is set so that it can detect users even if at least part of their body is not within the width of the device.

[0005] Incidentally, image forming devices installed in stores such as convenience stores may be equipped with an operating terminal that accepts user operations and displays various information, and if the detection range is set based on the image forming device itself, there is a risk that the user may not be detected.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an image forming apparatus that can detect a user even when another operation terminal is attached. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The image forming device according to the present disclosure is an image forming device in which an operation terminal is attached and detached to the side of a housing, and is characterized by comprising an operation panel operated by a user, a human presence sensor that detects a user within a predetermined detection range, and a linkage mechanism that changes the orientation of the human presence sensor in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the operation terminal.

[0008] In the image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure, the human presence sensor may be configured such that when the operation terminal is detached, the detection range is set to include the front of the operation panel, and when the operation terminal is attached, the detection range is set to include the front of the operation terminal.

[0009] In the image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure, the human presence sensor may be configured to be located closer to the side to which the operation terminal is attached or detached than the operation panel in the width direction along the front surface of the housing.

[0010] In the image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure, the human presence sensor may be located behind the operation panel in a depth direction of the housing.

[0011] In the image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure, the human presence sensor may be rotatably attached to the housing, and the interlocking mechanism may be configured to rotate the human presence sensor when pressed by the attached operating terminal.

[0012] The image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure may be configured to include a biasing member that biases the human presence sensor in a direction in which the operation terminal is detached.

[0013] The image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure may be configured to include an interference member that interferes with the human presence sensor in conjunction with attachment or detachment of the operation terminal, thereby changing the detection range.

[0014] In the image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure, a connection portion to which the operation terminal is connected may be provided on a side of the housing, and the interlocking mechanism may be configured to operate according to the connection status at the connection portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present disclosure, by changing the orientation of the human presence sensor depending on whether or not an operation terminal is present, it is possible to appropriately detect a user operating an image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the image processing device. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the image forming apparatus with the operation terminal detached. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the image forming apparatus with the operation terminal attached thereto. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a human presence sensor and an interference member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a front view of the appearance of the image processing device.

[0019] The image processing device 100 is a multifunction device having a scanner function, a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, etc., and is equipped with two housings, and is composed of an image forming device 20 and an operation terminal 30 arranged side by side. The image forming device 20 and the operation terminal 30 are connected to each other, and perform linked operations by performing data communication between them.

[0020] The image forming apparatus 20 includes a document reading device 22 that reads an image of a document and a document transport device 23 that automatically transports a placed document onto the document reading device 22, and forms the acquired image on paper in the main body. The document reading device 22 is attached to the top of the image forming apparatus 20. An operation panel 21 that is operated by a user is attached to the front of the housing of the image forming apparatus 20. In this embodiment, the operation panel 21 is a touch panel. A human presence sensor 40 that detects a user within a detection range is provided on the side of the operation panel 21. A main body side connection unit 24 (an example of a connection unit) that is connected to the operation terminal 30 is provided on the side of the housing of the image forming apparatus 20 that faces the operation terminal 30. The image forming apparatus 20 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2.

[0021] The operation terminal 30 is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus 20, prints acquired images on recording paper or glossy paper, and discharges the printed images from a paper outlet 32 ​​provided at the bottom of the housing. A terminal panel 31 is attached above the operation terminal 30. The terminal panel 31 is a touch panel display. However, this is not limiting, and the terminal panel 31 may simply be a display, with buttons for accepting inputs and the like provided separately. When the operation terminal 30 is attached to the image forming apparatus 20, the terminal panel 31 may accept user operations to operate the image forming apparatus 20 and the operation terminal 30. A terminal-side connector 33, which is connected to the image forming apparatus 20, is provided on the side of the housing of the operation terminal 30 that faces the image forming apparatus 20, so as to match with the main body-side connector 24 of the image forming apparatus 20.

[0022] 1, the operation panel 21, the terminal panel 31, and the human presence sensor 40 are all at about the same height and are located about 1 m above the floor. The terminal panel 31 is larger than the operation panel 21.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus.

[0024] The image forming device 20 is a multifunction device having a scanner function, a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, etc., and transmits an image of an original document read by the original reading device 22 to the outside (corresponding to the scanner function), and forms an image of the read original document or an image received from the outside on paper in color or monochrome (corresponding to the copy function, printer function, and facsimile function).

[0025] Above the document reading device 22, there is provided a document transport device 23 (ADF) that is supported so as to be able to be opened and closed freely relative to the document reading device 22. When the document transport device 23 is opened, the top of the document reading device 22 is opened, and a document (paper) can be placed thereon manually. The document transport device 23 also automatically transports a placed document onto the document reading device 22. The document reading device 22 reads the placed document or the document transported from the document transport device 23 to generate image data.

[0026] The image forming device 20 is configured to include an exposure device 1, a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a cleaner device 4, a charger 5, an intermediate transfer belt device 6, a fixing device 7, a paper feed tray 81, a manual feed tray 82, a paper output tray 91, and a paper transport path S, and forms multi-color and monochrome images on a specified paper sheet according to image data transmitted from outside.

[0027] The image data handled in the image forming apparatus 20 corresponds to a color image using the colors black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Therefore, four developing devices 2, four photosensitive drums 3, four chargers 5, and four cleaner devices 4 are provided to form four types of latent images corresponding to each color, and are set to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively, and these constitute four image stations.

[0028] The photosensitive drum 3 is disposed approximately in the center of the image forming device 20. The charger 5 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. The exposure device 1 exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to light to form an electrostatic latent image. The development device 2 develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to form a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3. Through the series of operations described above, a toner image of each color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 3. The cleaner device 4 removes and collects residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after development and image transfer.

[0029] The intermediate transfer belt device 6 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 3 and includes an intermediate transfer belt 61, an intermediate transfer belt drive roller 62, an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, an intermediate transfer roller 64, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 65. Four intermediate transfer rollers 64 are provided, one for each of the image stations for YMCK colors.

[0030] The intermediate transfer belt drive roller 62, the intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, and the intermediate transfer roller 64 are configured to stretch the intermediate transfer belt 61 and move the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 61 in a predetermined direction (the direction of the arrow E in the figure).

[0031] The intermediate transfer belt 61 rotates in the direction of arrow E, and residual toner is removed and collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 65. The toner images of each color formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 3 are sequentially transferred and superimposed to form a color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 61.

[0032] The image forming apparatus 20 further includes a secondary transfer device 10 including a transfer roller 10a. A nip area is formed between the transfer roller 10a and the intermediate transfer belt 61, and the paper conveyed through the paper conveyance path S is sandwiched in the nip area and conveyed. As the paper passes through the nip area, the toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 61 is transferred to the paper.

[0033] The paper feed tray 81 is a tray for storing paper sheets used for image formation, and is provided below the exposure device 1. The manual feed tray 82 is provided on the side of the image forming device 20 (the right side in FIG. 2) and is a tray on which paper sheets used for image formation can be placed. The paper discharge tray 91 is provided above the image forming device 20 and is a tray on which paper sheets on which images have been formed can be placed.

[0034] The paper transport path S includes a main path S1 formed in an S-shape and a reverse path S2 that branches off from the main path S1 and then rejoins the two paths, and along the main path S1, there are arranged a pickup roller 11a, a manual pickup roller 11b, a pre-registration roller 12a, a registration roller 13, a secondary transfer device 10, a fixing device 7, and a paper discharge roller 12b. The reverse path S2 branches off between the fixing device 7 and the paper discharge roller 12b, passes through reverse transport rollers 12c and 12d, and rejoins the path between the pre-registration roller 12a and the registration roller 13.

[0035] Pickup roller 11a is provided near the end of paper feed tray 81 and is a pickup roller that feeds paper one sheet at a time from paper feed tray 81 to paper transport path S. Registration roller 13 temporarily holds paper being transported from paper feed tray 81 and transports the paper to transfer roller 10a at a timing that aligns the leading edge of the toner image on photosensitive drum 3 with the leading edge of the paper. Pre-registration roller 12a is a small roller that assists in facilitating paper transport.

[0036] In the fixing device 7, a pressure roller 72 is pressed against a fixing roller 71, and a heating section 73 is provided to heat the fixing roller 71. The fixing device 7 receives a sheet of paper on which an unfixed toner image has been formed, and conveys the sheet by sandwiching it between the fixing roller 71 and the pressure roller 72. After fixing, the sheet is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 91 by a paper discharge roller 12b.

[0037] Furthermore, when forming an image on the back side of the paper as well as the front side, the paper is transported in the reverse direction from the paper discharge roller 12b to the inversion path S2, the paper is turned over, the paper is guided again to the registration roller 13, an image is formed on the back side in the same manner as on the front side, and the paper is then transported to the paper discharge tray 91.

[0038] As described above, the image forming apparatus 20 is configured so that the operation terminal 30 can be attached or detached to the side of the housing, and the detection range of the human presence sensor 40 changes in conjunction with the attachment or detachment of the operation terminal 30. Next, the detection range of the human presence sensor 40 when the operation terminal 30 is attached or detached will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0039] Fig. 3 is a schematic top view of the image forming apparatus with the operation terminal detached, and Fig. 4 is a schematic top view of the image forming apparatus with the operation terminal attached. In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the human sensor 40 and the interlocking mechanism 41 housed inside the housing of the image forming apparatus 20 are shown in perspective for ease of viewing.

[0040] In this embodiment, the left side surface (connection side surface 20a) of the housing of image forming device 20 faces operation terminal 30, and the right side surface of the housing of operation terminal 30 faces image forming device 20. Furthermore, operation panel 21 is disposed to the right of the center in the width direction along the front surface of the housing of image forming device 20.

[0041] The main body side connection part 24 and the terminal side connection part 33 are, for example, connectors for connecting wiring, etc., and whether the two are connected or not may be used to detect that the operation terminal 30 has been attached or detached to the image forming device 20.

[0042] The human presence sensor 40 is, for example, an infrared sensor that detects the movement of a user or the like using infrared rays, and has a detection range KH that spreads out in a fan shape from the human presence sensor 40. The human presence sensor 40 is provided at a position closer to the connection side surface 20a than the operation panel 21 in the width direction. That is, the human presence sensor 40 is disposed between the operation panel 21 and the terminal panel 31. The human presence sensor 40 is also located behind the operation panel 21 in the depth direction. In this way, by disposing the human presence sensor 40 at a position corresponding to both the operation panel 21 and the operation terminal 30, it is possible to efficiently detect users with a single human presence sensor 40. Furthermore, by disposing the human presence sensor 40 behind the operation panel 21, it is possible to widen the detection range KH on the forward side.

[0043] 3, when the operation terminal 30 is detached, the human presence sensor 40 faces the operation panel 21, and the detection range KH is set to include the area in front of the operation panel 21. In the image forming apparatus 20 detached from the operation terminal 30, it is assumed that a user will operate the operation panel 21, and it is preferable to detect a user in front of the operation panel 21.

[0044] The human presence sensor 40 is rotatably attached to the housing, and an interlocking mechanism 41 is connected near the pivot axis. The interlocking mechanism 41 changes the orientation of the human presence sensor 40 in response to the attachment or detachment of the operation terminal 30. In this embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 41 has a shaft extending toward the connection side surface 20a. A protrusion 34 is provided on the right side of the operation terminal 30 at a position corresponding to the shaft of the interlocking mechanism 41. When the operation terminal 30 is attached to the image forming apparatus 20, as shown in FIG. 4, the protrusion 34 presses the tip of the shaft (interlocking mechanism 41). When the interlocking mechanism 41 is pressed, the human presence sensor 40 is rotated to change its orientation. In this way, by configuring the interlocking mechanism 41 to physically interfere with the human presence sensor 40, the orientation of the human presence sensor 40 can be changed without using power when the operation terminal 30 is attached.

[0045] 4, when the operation terminal 30 is attached, the human presence sensor 40 faces the terminal panel 31, and the detection range KH is set to include the front of the terminal panel 31 (operation terminal 30). In the image forming device 20 to which the operation terminal 30 is attached, it is assumed that a user will operate the terminal panel 31, and it is preferable to detect a user in front of the terminal panel 31.

[0046] As described above, by changing the orientation of the human presence sensor 40 depending on whether or not the operation terminal 30 is present, it is possible to appropriately detect the user operating the image forming apparatus 20. Furthermore, since the location operated by the user differs depending on whether or not the operation terminal 30 is present, it is possible to efficiently detect the user by setting the detection range KH to include the expected location.

[0047] Although not shown, a biasing member such as a spring may be attached to the human presence sensor 40. The biasing member biases the human presence sensor 40 in the orientation in which the operation terminal 30 is detached. In other words, when the operation terminal 30 is detached, the human presence sensor 40 is biased by the biasing member to change its orientation toward the operation panel 21. In this way, by providing a biasing member, the orientation of the human presence sensor 40 can be changed without requiring the user's manual intervention.

[0048] (Second embodiment) Next, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, the detection range KH is different from that of the first embodiment. Note that the second embodiment has a configuration substantially similar to that of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted, and only the differences will be described.

[0049] Fig. 5 is a schematic top view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. In Fig. 5, the human sensor 40 and the interlocking mechanism 41 housed inside the housing of the image forming apparatus 20 are shown in perspective for ease of viewing.

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a state in which the operation terminal 30 is attached to the image forming apparatus 20. The operation terminal 30 does not have a protrusion 34, and the operation terminal 30 is detected as being attached to the image forming apparatus 20 by connecting the main body-side connector 24 and the terminal-side connector 33. The human presence sensor 40 has a wide detection range KH that includes the area in front of the operation panel 21 and the terminal panel 31 (operation terminal 30). The human presence sensor 40 is connected to an interlocking mechanism 41, such as a motor or solenoid, which changes the orientation of the human presence sensor 40 depending on the connection status of the main body-side connector 24 and the terminal-side connector 33. In this way, by detecting the attachment or detachment of the operation terminal 30 using the connector, it is possible to reliably determine the timing to operate the interlocking mechanism 41.

[0051] An interference member 42 that changes the detection range KH is provided in front of the human presence sensor 40. Next, the relationship between the human presence sensor 40 and the interference member 42 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a schematic front view showing the human sensor and the interference member.

[0053] FIG. 6 shows a configuration in which a wide-angle lens is used as the interference member 42. The human presence sensor 40 emits infrared light from the irradiation unit 40a, and the center line CL shown in FIG. 6 is a horizontal line passing through the center of the irradiation unit 40a. The interference member 42 is disposed in front of the irradiation unit 40a so as to overlap with the irradiation unit 40a above the center line CL. Due to the influence of the interference member 42, the detection angle of the detection range KH is expanded above the center line CL, but remains the same below the center line CL. In this way, by changing the detection range KH using the interference member 42, it is possible to set the detection range KH to include an appropriate location.

[0054] The interference member 42 may be configured to move in position in conjunction with the attachment or detachment of the operation terminal 30, and may be connected to the interlocking mechanism 41, for example. When the operation terminal 30 is detached, the interference member 42 may move to a position that does not affect the detection range KH. In the present embodiment, a configuration using a wide-angle lens as the interference member 42 has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a reflector, for example, may be used.

[0055] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments, but should be defined based on the claims. Furthermore, all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims are included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 20 Image forming device 21 Operation panel 24 Main unit side connection part (example of connection part) 30 Operation terminal 31 Terminal Panel 33 Terminal side connection part 34 Protrusion 40 Human Sensor 41 Interlocking mechanism 42 Interference member 100 Image processing device KH detection range

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus in which an operation terminal is detachably attached to a side surface of a housing, an operation panel operated by a user; a human presence sensor that detects a user within a preset detection range; a linkage mechanism that changes the orientation of the human presence sensor in conjunction with the attachment or detachment of the operation terminal. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, When the operation terminal is detached, the detection range of the human presence sensor is set to include the front of the operation panel, and when the operation terminal is attached, the detection range is set to include the front of the operation terminal. An image forming apparatus comprising:

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The human presence sensor is located closer to the side surface to which the operation terminal is attached or detached than the operation panel in the width direction along the front surface of the housing. An image forming apparatus comprising:

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The human presence sensor is located behind the operation panel in the depth direction of the housing. An image forming apparatus comprising:

5. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the human presence sensor is rotatably attached to the housing, The interlocking mechanism is pressed by the attached operation terminal to rotate the human sensor. An image forming apparatus comprising:

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, The operation terminal has a biasing member that biases the human presence sensor in the direction in which the operation terminal is detached. An image forming apparatus comprising:

7. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The operation terminal has an interference member that interferes with the human presence sensor in conjunction with attachment / detachment of the operation terminal, thereby changing the detection range. An image forming apparatus comprising:

8. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, a connection portion to which the operation terminal is connected is provided on a side surface of the housing; The interlocking mechanism operates in accordance with the connection state at the connection portion. An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images