Image forming apparatus

Abstract

This disclosure aims to provide an image forming apparatus that makes it easier for users to understand the status of the apparatus when performing input operations. [Solution] The image forming apparatus 1 comprises an image forming unit 4, a paper output tray 7, an operation panel 20, a power button 23, and a housing 8. The operation panel 20 has a touch panel 21 and an indicator lamp 22. The indicator lamp 22 has a horizontally elongated shape and is positioned on the lower part of the operation panel 20 along the lower edge 21a of the touch panel 21. The power button 23 is positioned below the paper output tray 7 Z2, on the upper part 9a of the housing front 9, which is the front side of the housing 8, above the midpoint in the vertical direction Z, and is located in a position that overlaps with the range of the indicator lamp 22 in the left-right direction X in the vertical direction Z.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to image forming apparatuses such as copiers, multifunction peripherals, printers, and facsimile apparatuses.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in relatively compact small-sized image forming apparatuses, operation panels for receiving user input, interfaces such as power switches and USB ports, are often arranged at various positions due to reasons such as their relationship with the internal structure and space limitations. Also, when various interfaces are arranged at various positions, it is difficult for the user to visually recognize them at a glance, and there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to grasp the state of the apparatus. Further, when a power button or a USB port is located at a position away from the operation panel, it is difficult for the user to judge the ON / OFF state of the power or the state of USB memory insertion at a glance when performing an input operation on the operation panel.

[0003] <​​​​​​​​​​

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-142393 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the power switch and the control panel are separated, and when the user views both the power switch and the control panel when the power is turned on, a large shift in eye movement is required. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to view both the power switch and the control panel simultaneously when the power switch is turned on, and there is a problem in that it is difficult to determine the state of the device when it is powered on, such as whether the device has started up normally.

[0007] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an image forming apparatus that makes it easier to understand the status of the apparatus when the power is turned on. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the aforementioned problems, the image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises an image forming unit for forming an image, a paper output tray for placing paper to be ejected forward, an operation panel provided above the paper output tray, a power button for receiving input operations for turning the power of the apparatus ON / OFF, and a housing for housing the image forming unit, wherein the operation panel has a touch panel for receiving operations on the apparatus and an indicator lamp for indicating the status of the apparatus, the indicator lamp is horizontally elongated and positioned below the touch panel on the operation panel, the power button is positioned below the paper output tray and in the upper part of the front surface of the housing, above the midpoint in the vertical direction of the front surface, and is positioned in a location that overlaps vertically with the horizontal range of the indicator lamp. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the image forming apparatus of this disclosure, by positioning the power button below the location where the operation panel, including the touch panel and the indicator lamp, is located, the indicator lamp and the power button are easily within the user's field of vision when operating the operation panel, making it easier to understand the status of the device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the inside of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a front view of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] This is a front view of the control panel of the image forming apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated.

[0012] [Image forming apparatus] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing the inside of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0013] Image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device having copying, scanning, facsimile, and printing functions. As shown in Figure 1, image forming apparatus 1 includes a document feeder 2 and a main unit 3.

[0014] In this specification, the left-right direction (width direction of the image forming apparatus 1) when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed will be referred to as the "left-right direction X". Furthermore, the left side in the left-right direction X will be referred to as the "left X1", and the right side as the "right X2". In this specification, the front-back direction when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed will be referred to as the "front-back direction Y". Furthermore, the front of the front-back direction Y will be referred to as the "front Y1", and the rear will be referred to as the "rear Y2". In this specification, the up-down direction when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed will be referred to as the "up-down direction Z". Furthermore, the upper part of the up-down direction Z will be referred to as the "up Z1", and the lower part as the "down Z2".

[0015] The image forming apparatus 1 transmits the image of the original document read by the image reading unit (not shown) to an external source. The image forming apparatus 1 also forms an image on paper P, such as recording paper, in color or monochrome, based on the image of the original document read by the image reading unit or the image received from an external source. The image forming apparatus 1 may be a monochrome image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 1 may also be a color image forming apparatus of another form.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the main body of the apparatus 3 comprises an image forming unit 4, a paper feed cassette 5, and a housing 8. The image forming apparatus 1 also comprises an image reading unit, an optical scanning device, an intermediate transfer belt device, a secondary transfer device, a fixing device, etc., which are not shown in the figure. The image forming apparatus 1 is configured to house the image forming unit 4, the paper feed cassette 5, etc. inside the housing 8.

[0017] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, a paper transport path C is formed inside the housing 8 of the image forming apparatus 1. Paper P supplied from the paper feed cassette 5 has an image formed in the image forming unit 4, is transported along the paper transport path C via a fixing device and the like, and is discharged from the discharge port 6 into the paper output tray 7.

[0018] [Embodiment] Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. Figure 3 is a front view of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, and Figure 4 is a front view showing the operation panel 20 provided in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0019] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 4 and a housing 8. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper discharge tray 7, an operation panel 20, a power button 23, a power lamp 24, an external memory connection unit 25, and a control device 26.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the front side (front Y1) of the housing 8 covers the image forming unit 4. In this specification, a portion (front portion) of the housing 8 that constitutes the front side will be described as the "front housing portion 9". Further, in the front housing portion 9, a portion above Z1 from the middle in the vertical direction Z (front part vertical middle M1) will be referred to as the "upper front housing portion 9a", and a portion below Z2 from the front part vertical middle M1 in the vertical direction Z will be referred to as the "lower front housing portion 9b" (see FIG. 3).

[0021] [[ID=*8]] As shown in FIG. 2, in the image forming apparatus *1, the paper P is discharged from the discharge port 6 toward the front Y1. That is, in the image forming apparatus 1, it is a front paper discharge that discharges the paper P in the direction (discharge direction B) from the rear Y2 toward the front Y1. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the housing 8, a paper discharge space S where the paper P is discharged is formed in front of the discharge port 6 in the front Y1. As shown in FIG. 1, in the housing 8 of the apparatus main body 3, a paper outlet *11 is formed as an opening for taking out the paper P in front of the paper discharge space S in the front Y1.

[0022] The paper discharge tray 7 supports the discharged paper P. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper discharge tray *7 is provided above Z1 of the image forming unit 4. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a paper discharge space S is formed above Z1 of the image forming unit 4, and the paper discharge tray 7 is formed below Z2 of the paper discharge space S.

[0023] The operation panel 20 is separate from the apparatus main body 3 and is arranged at the paper outlet 11 of the apparatus main body 3. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 20 is arranged above the paper outlet 11 and is arranged to project forward Y1 from the paper outlet 11.

[0024] It seems there is a potential error in the original text where "image forming apparatus *1" and "paper discharge tray *7" are marked with asterisks. I've translated them as they are but they might need to be corrected in the original source.As shown in Figure 3, the control panel 20 is equipped with a touch panel 21 and an alarm lamp 22. The control panel 20 is a component in which the touch panel 21 and the alarm lamp 22 are integrally formed. As shown in Figure 4, the control panel 20 has a roughly rectangular appearance with a notch formed in the lower right corner when viewed from the front.

[0025] The touch panel 21 receives instructions for the device. The touch panel 21 is a liquid crystal display that accepts operations when the user touches and selects various display buttons shown on the display. The touch panel 21 accepts various operations related to the functions of the image forming apparatus 1, such as printing, sending faxes, and copying.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the touch panel 21 occupies most of the area of ​​the front view of the operation panel 20. Specifically, the size of the touch panel 21 in the left-right direction X (total length D2 of the touch panel) occupies more than half (more than 1 / 2) of the size of the operation panel 20 in the left-right direction X (total length D1 of the operation panel), and is less than or equal to 9 / 10.

[0027] In this embodiment of the image forming apparatus 1, the touch panel 21 is 4 inches in size. The total length D2 of the touch panel 21 should be at least 2 / 3 of the total length D1 of the control panel. Furthermore, the touch panel 21 should be 4 inches or larger. This allows for maximizing the size of the touch panel 21 while minimizing the size of the control panel 20.

[0028] The notification lamp 22 indicates the status of the device. Specifically, the notification lamp 22 indicates the status of the device, such as whether or not the device has started up normally. The notification lamp 22 is equipped with an LED as its light source. The notification lamp 22 indicates the status of various devices through a combination of light color and lighting mode (on, flashing, and off). In other words, the notification lamp 22 is a lamp that indicates various information through lighting modes such as on, flashing, and light color. The light emission modes of the notification lamp 22 and the information it indicates will be described in detail later.

[0029] In this specification, the state in which the lamps (indicator lamp 22 and power lamp 24) continuously emit light is referred to as "on," the state in which the lamps intermittently emit light is referred to as "flashing," and the state in which the lamps continuously stop emitting light is referred to as "off." Furthermore, the modes including on, flashing, and off of the lamps are referred to as "on mode." In addition, in this specification, modes resulting from combinations of the lamp's emission color and / or on mode are referred to as "emission mode."

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the alarm lamp 22 has a shape in which the length in the left-right direction X is greater than the length in the vertical direction Z. In other words, the alarm lamp 22 has a horizontally elongated shape. As will be explained later, the alarm lamp 22 can emit light in two colors (blue light and orange light).

[0031] The power button 23 accepts the ON / OFF switch for the device. In this embodiment, the power button 23 is a rocker switch that switches ON / OFF by pressing one side of the switch, which causes the opposite side to lift. This improves the user experience. Note that the power button 23 is not limited to a rocker switch; various types such as a slide switch or push switch can be selected.

[0032] The power lamp 24 indicates whether or not the ON operation of the power button 23 is accepted. The power lamp 24 is equipped with an LED as a light source. In this embodiment, the power lamp 24 emits monochromatic light (blue light in this embodiment).

[0033] The image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with a main power supply, which is powered via a power plug (not shown in the figure), and a power supply for the device, which is powered by the main power supply. Power is supplied to the main power supply when the power plug is inserted into an outlet. On the other hand, the power supply for the device, which is powered by the main power supply, is supplied by the main power supply when the power button 23 is turned ON. In the following description, the power supply for the device, which is powered by the main power supply, will be simply referred to as "power supply".

[0034] [Power indicator light patterns and notification content] The lighting patterns of the power lamp 24 and the corresponding notification content will be explained in detail. The power lamp 24 changes its lighting pattern depending on the state after the main power is turned ON. More specifically, the power lamp 24 blinks at low brightness from the time power is supplied to the main power (for example, from the time the power plug is inserted into the outlet) until power can be supplied to the device (until the ON operation of the power button 23 can be accepted). When power can be supplied to the device (when the ON operation of the power button 23 can be accepted), the power lamp 24 stops blinking and lights up (lights up at low brightness). In other words, the power lamp 24 blinks immediately after the main power is turned ON, lights up at low brightness when the ON operation of the power button 23 can be accepted, and maintains low brightness until the power button 23 is turned ON. Furthermore, the power lamp 24 lights up at high brightness after the power is turned ON.

[0035] The power lamp 24 may illuminate in different ways, such as by lowering its brightness (reducing its intensity) or blinking, after it becomes possible to accept the ON operation of the power button 23. For example, when the power is OFF but power is still being supplied to the main power supply, the power lamp 24 will illuminate at a reduced brightness. Also, when print data is received, the power lamp 24 will blink rapidly with a high-brightness blue light. Furthermore, in power saving mode, the power lamp 24 will blink slowly with a high-brightness blue light. If print data is received and power saving mode is activated simultaneously, the power lamp 24 will prioritize the rapid blinking of the blue light.

[0036] Thus, the power lamp 24 blinks when the device is not receiving sufficient power while the main power supply is active, and lights up when the device is receiving sufficient power and is ready to accept the ON operation of the power button 23. In contrast, the notification lamp 22 indicates the status of the device, such as whether it is ready to print or if an error has occurred. In other words, the notification lamp 22 indicates the status of the device after the ON operation of the power button 23 and while the device is receiving power. Thus, the power lamp 24 and the notification lamp 22 differ in that they indicate the state before the power button 23 is turned ON, or the state after it is turned ON.

[0037] The external memory connection section 25 is a connection port to which the connector of an external memory is connected. In this embodiment, the external memory connection section 25 is a USB port to which a USB connector is connected.

[0038] The control device 26 controls the operation of each component of the image forming apparatus 1 and the power supply. As shown by the dashed line in Figure 3, the control device 26 is located on the left side X1 inside the housing 8.

[0039] [Regarding the layout of each configuration] Next, with reference to Figure 3, the arrangement (layout) of each component in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

[0040] [First Embodiment] The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment comprises an image forming unit 4 for forming images, a paper output tray 7 for placing paper P that is discharged forward Y1, an operation panel 20 provided above the paper output tray 7 Z1, a power button 23 for receiving ON / OFF input operations for the device's power, and a housing 8 for housing the image forming unit 4. In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment has an operation panel 21 for receiving operations on the device and an indicator lamp 22 for indicating the status of the device. Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the indicator lamp 22 has a horizontally elongated shape and is positioned below the operation panel 20 so as to be aligned with the lower edge 21a of the touch panel 21 (see Figure 4). Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the power button 23 is located in the upper part 9a of the front surface of the housing 8, which is the front side of the housing 8, above Z1 above the midpoint in the vertical direction Z (upper-lower midpoint M1 of the front surface), and is positioned so as to overlap in the vertical direction Z with the range of the notification lamp 22 in the left-right direction X (lamp left-right range R).

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, in the image forming apparatus 1, the power button 23 is positioned so that, in a front view, it fits within the range (lamp left-right range R) occupied by the notification lamp 22 in the left-right direction X. In other words, in the image forming apparatus 1, the power button 23 is located directly below the notification lamp 22 when it is visible. Conversely, in the image forming apparatus 1, the notification lamp 22 is located directly above the power button 23 when it is operated.

[0042] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1, the power button 23 is located in the upper front part 9a of the housing (the upper front part of the housing 8) in a position close to the notification lamp 22 in the vertical direction Z (near the upper end). In other words, the power button 23 is located below the operation panel 20 Z2, with the paper output tray 7 in between. It is preferable to place the power button 23 in the upper 1 / 3 of the front part 9 of the housing. This brings the power button 23 closer to the notification lamp 22, making the notification lamp 22 easier to see when operating the power button 23.

[0043] As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the power button 23 is located below the operation panel 20 Z2 and close to the operation panel 20 (upper front part 9a of the housing). Therefore, when operating the power button 23, the operation panel 20 is also within the line of sight directed towards the power button 23. According to the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, when operating the power button 23, the touch panel 21 and the indicator lamp 22 located on the operation panel 20 are also easily within the line of sight in addition to the power button 23. Consequently, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, when the power button 23 is operated (ON / OFF operation), the indicator lamp 22 comes into the user's line of sight, making it easy to confirm that the operation has been accepted and to understand the status of the device.

[0044] [Second Embodiment] In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the length of the exposed surface of the alarm lamp 22 in the left-right direction X (total length D3 of the alarm lamp) is at least half the length of the left-right direction X of the touch panel 21 (total length D2 of the touch panel). As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, the total length D3 of the alarm lamp 22 is at least half and at least 3 / 4 of the total length D1 of the operation panel.

[0045] The exposed surface of the alarm lamp 22 refers to the portion of the alarm lamp 22 that is exposed from the housing of the control panel 20. In other words, the length of the exposed surface of the alarm lamp 22 in the left-right direction X refers to the apparent length of the alarm lamp 22 in the left-right direction X.

[0046] Thus, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the notification lamp 22 is a relatively large lamp in appearance. That is, unlike the small lamps installed within the operation panel 20, the notification lamp 22 of the image forming apparatus 1 is sized to easily catch the user's eye. Therefore, with the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the notification lamp 22 is more likely to catch the user's eye when the power button 23 is operated, making it easier to notice the notification.

[0047] [Third Embodiment] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with a power lamp 24 that indicates whether or not the ON operation of the power button 23 has been accepted. The power lamp 24 is located above Z1 or below Z2 (above Z1 in this embodiment) the power button 23 in the upper front portion 9a of the housing. For example, the power lamp 24 can be located adjacent to the power button 23 and directly above the power button 23.

[0048] According to the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the power lamp 24 is more easily visible to the user when the power button 23 is operated. Therefore, when the power button 23 is operated, the image forming apparatus 1 can see the power lamp 24 at the same time and easily determine whether or not the power button 23 is ready to be operated.

[0049] [Fourth Embodiment] In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the power lamp 24 lights up or blinks depending on whether or not the ON operation of the power button 23 is accepted. Specifically, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the power lamp 24 lights up when the ON operation of the power button 23 is accepted, and blinks when the ON operation of the power button 23 is not accepted (when there is insufficient power supply).

[0050] According to the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, when the power button 23 is operated, it becomes easier to determine whether or not the device is ready to accept operation based on whether the power lamp 24 is lit or blinking.

[0051] [Fifth Embodiment] The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is equipped with an external memory connection section 25 to which an external memory is connected. The external memory connection section 25 is provided in the lower part 9b of the front surface of the housing 9, which is below Z2 below the upper-lower midpoint M1 of the front surface.

[0052] The external memory connection port 25 may cause connection problems or device malfunctions if the user's hands or body come into contact with it while an external memory device is inserted. Therefore, it is desirable that the external memory connection port 25 be located as far away as possible from the control panel 20 and the paper output tray 7.

[0053] In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the external memory connection section 25 is located near the lower end Z2 of the front of the housing 9, where it is further away from the operation panel 20 in the height direction (up and down direction Z). In other words, the external memory connection section 25 is located close to the installation surface of the image forming apparatus 1 (such as the floor or desk surface), in a position where it is difficult for the user's hands or body to come into contact with it when operating the device or taking out paper P. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment can prevent the user from inadvertently coming into contact with the external memory, such as a USB memory, when it is inserted into the external memory connection section 25.

[0054] [Sixth Embodiment] The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a touch panel 21, an alert lamp 22, a power button 23, a power lamp 24, and an external memory connection unit 25. In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the touch panel 21, alert lamp 22, power button 23, and external memory connection unit 25 are arranged in that order from the top Z1. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the touch panel 21, alert lamp 22, power button 23, and external memory connection unit 25 are positioned to overlap with a single virtual line L extending in the vertical direction Z when viewed from the front.

[0055] In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the touch panel 21, notification lamp 22, power lamp 24, and external memory connection unit 25 are arranged so as to be aligned on a single straight line (on a virtual line L) in the vertical Z direction. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1, when the touch panel 21 is operated, the notification lamp 22, power lamp 24, etc. are easily visible to the user at the same time, making it easier to understand the status of the apparatus.

[0056] Here, we will explain the user's eye movement during the power-on operation. First, the user checks the power lamp 24 located directly above the power button 23 to determine whether or not the power button 23 is ready to be pressed. The user can then see that the power lamp 24 is lit, indicating that the power button 23 is ready to be pressed. After the user presses the power button 23, the user checks the notification lamp 22 located Z1 above the power lamp 24 to determine whether or not the device has started up correctly. In this way, the user can understand the state before and after the power button 23 is pressed by moving their gaze along the vertical direction Z.

[0057] Thus, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the operation panel 20, power button 23, power lamp 24, and external memory connection unit 25 are arranged in a straight line so that the user can naturally see them by moving their gaze in a straight line when operating the power from the OFF state to the ON state. Therefore, it becomes easier to grasp the status such as the power supply status and the printable state when pressing the power button 23 or before pressing it, improving operability.

[0058] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the external memory connection unit 25, along with various interfaces such as the operation panel 20, power button 23, and external memory connection unit 25, are located on the left or right side (left side in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment) of the main body 3. In other words, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the interfaces are arranged so as to be aligned on the same side (left or right) in the left-right direction X of the apparatus and in the up-down direction Z. As a result, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the external memory connection unit 25 can be seen when operating the operation panel 20 or when the power button 23 is turned ON, allowing the insertion or removal status of the external memory to be confirmed. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, it is easier to visually confirm that the external memory is inserted, and the risk of forgetting to remove the external memory can be suppressed.

[0059] [Seventh Embodiment] In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the operation panel 20 is positioned to the left X1 of the midpoint (M2) in the left-right direction X of the apparatus body 3 when viewed from the front.

[0060] More specifically, the control panel 20 is located to the left X1 (left side) of the midpoint of the left-right direction X of the device body 3 (the midpoint M2 of the device), and is positioned near the left end of the device body 3. The position of the control panel 20 should not obstruct the removal of paper P. Therefore, it is desirable that the control panel 20 be located near the left end X1 when viewed from the front.

[0061] In compact image forming machines, the space available for arranging each component is limited. Also, the vast majority of users are right-handed, and the ejected paper P is mostly taken with the right hand. In the image forming machine 1 of this embodiment, the operation panel 20 is positioned to the left X1, avoiding the center in the left-right direction X, so that the user can easily see the paper output tray 7 when operating the operation panel 20. According to the image forming machine 1 of this embodiment, by positioning the operation panel 20 to the left X1, even in an image forming machine 1 with a small width, the frequently used paper output slot is easily visible, and the operation panel 20 does not get in the way when taking paper P from the paper output tray 7 with the dominant hand, making it easier to remove the paper P.

[0062] [Illumination patterns and content of notification lamps] Next, the illumination patterns of the notification lamp 22 and the notification content corresponding to each illumination pattern will be described. As described above, the notification lamp 22 indicates the status of the device, including the printable state, in a predetermined illumination pattern.

[0063] [Eighth Embodiment] In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the notification lamp 22 notifies the status of the apparatus by multiple lighting modes, including continuous illumination and flashing, and / or multiple types of light emission colors. Furthermore, the notification lamp 22 emits light in different modes when notifying an error and when notifying other states.

[0064] In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the notification lamp 22 emits light in different ways (light color and / or lighting pattern) when normal and when an error occurs. This makes it easier for the user to recognize that some kind of error has occurred in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0065] [Ninth Embodiment] In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the notification lamp 22 emits light in a first color (blue in this embodiment) when the device transitions to a printable state after the ON operation of the power button 23 is received, and emits light in a second color (orange in this embodiment) that is different from the first color when the device fails to transition to a printable state.

[0066] In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the notification lamp 22 illuminates in a different color depending on whether or not the device has entered a printable state. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 makes it easier for the user to understand whether or not the device is in a printable state.

[0067] The notification modes of the notification lamp 22 will be described in more detail below. In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the notification lamp 22 is capable of emitting light in blue and orange. That is, the notification lamp 22 can perform a light emission mode in which it emits light in blue and a light emission mode in which it emits light in orange. In addition, the notification lamp 22 can perform multiple lighting modes, including on, flashing, and off. That is, the notification lamp 22 can perform multiple types of light emission modes by combining the light emission color and lighting mode. The light emission modes that the notification lamp 22 can perform and the notification content of each light emission mode will be described below.

[0068] [1. When illuminated with blue light] The notification lamp 22 lights up blue when the device is operating normally and is ready to print (printable state). More specifically, the notification lamp 22 lights up blue when it is ready to print (except in power-saving mode), printing is in progress, and a document is loaded in the document feeder 2. In other words, the notification lamp 22 lights up blue to indicate when it is ready to print (except in power-saving mode), printing is in progress, and a document is loaded in the document feeder 2.

[0069] [2. When the light flashes blue] The notification lamp 22 flashes blue light while a fax is being received. In other words, the notification lamp 22 indicates that a fax is being received by flashing blue light.

[0070] [3. When the light turns orange] The notification lamp 22 flashes orange when an error occurs that allows the device to operate. An error that allows the device to operate includes, for example, when the remaining amount of toner falls below a predetermined amount (toner near end). The notification lamp 22 indicates toner near end by illuminating with orange light.

[0071] [4. When the light flashes orange] The notification lamp 22 flashes orange when an error occurs that prevents the operation from being performed. Errors that prevent the operation from being performed include, for example, a printout failure, insufficient toner (toner runout), a paper jam, and a full paper output tray. The notification lamp 22 flashes orange to indicate a printout failure, toner runout, paper jam, and a full paper output tray.

[0072] [5. If you want to turn off the lights] The notification lamp 22 will turn off in all other cases. For example, the notification lamp 22 will turn off when the power is off during power saving mode.

[0073] Thus, the notification lamp 22 emits a blue light when no error has occurred (normal operation). On the other hand, when an error occurs, the notification lamp 22 emits an orange light.

[0074] [Tenth Embodiment] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has an operation panel 20 that does not have hardware keys.

[0075] According to the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to secure the size of the touch panel 21 located on the operation panel 20, while reducing the size of the operation panel 20, resulting in a simple configuration that is easy to operate and can be made smaller (miniaturized).

[0076] Although embodiments of the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure have been described above, the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0077] For example, in the image forming apparatus described above, the notification lamps were shown to emit blue and orange light, but the notification lamps may emit other colors. Also, the power lamp is not limited to emitting blue light and may emit other colors.

[0078] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various other ways. Therefore, these embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be constrained. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the claims and is not restricted by the text of the specification. Furthermore, any variations or modifications within the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1. Image forming apparatus 4 Image forming unit 7. Paper output tray 8 cabinets 9. Front view of the enclosure 9a Upper front section of the enclosure 9b Lower front part of the enclosure 20 Control Panel 21 Touch panel 22. Alarm lamp 23 Power button 24 Power indicator light 25 External memory connection section D1 Control Panel Left and Right Overall Length D2 Touch Panel Left and Right Overall Length D3 Warning Lamp Left and Right Overall Length L virtual line M1 Front section, upper and lower middle M2 Device left and right middle P Paper R lamp left and right range

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit for forming an image; an output tray for placing paper that is ejected forward; an operation panel provided above the output tray; a power button for receiving input operations for turning the device's power ON / OFF; and a housing for housing the image forming unit, The aforementioned control panel is A touch panel that accepts input for the device, It has an indicator lamp that notifies the status of the device, The aforementioned indicator lamp is It has a horizontal shape. The control panel is positioned below the touch panel so as to be aligned with the lower edge of the touch panel. The aforementioned power button is An image forming apparatus characterized in that it is positioned in the upper part of the front surface of the housing, above the midpoint in the vertical direction, and is located in a position that overlaps in the vertical direction with the horizontal range of the notification lamp.

2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the length of the exposed surface of the notification lamp in the left-right direction is at least half the length of the left-right direction of the touch panel.

3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The system further includes a power indicator lamp that indicates whether or not the ON operation of the aforementioned power button has been accepted. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the power lamp is provided above or below the power button on the upper front portion of the housing.

4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the power lamp lights up or blinks depending on whether or not the ON operation of the power button is accepted.

5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, It further includes an external memory connection section to which external memory is connected, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the external memory connection section is provided in the lower part of the front surface of the housing, below the midpoint between the upper and lower parts of the front surface.

6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, A power lamp that indicates whether or not the ON operation of the aforementioned power button is accepted, It further includes an external memory connection section to which external memory is connected, From top to bottom, the touch panel, the notification lamp, the power button, and the external memory connection section are arranged in that order. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the touch panel, the notification lamp, the power button, and the external memory connection section are located in positions that overlap with a single virtual line extending in the vertical direction when viewed from the front.

7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the control panel is positioned to the left of the midpoint in the left-right direction of the main body of the apparatus when viewed from the front.

8. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The aforementioned indicator lamp is The status of the device is indicated by multiple lighting patterns, including steady illumination and flashing, and / or multiple types of light colors. An image forming apparatus characterized by emitting light in different ways when an error is reported and when other conditions are reported.

9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 8, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the notification lamp emits light in a first color when the device transitions to a printable state after the ON operation of the power button is received, and emits light in a second color different from the first color when the device fails to transition to the printable state.

10. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the control panel does not have hardware keys.

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