Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To improve the visibility of a status display unit for notifying a user of a status of an apparatus.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus (10) comprises a laterally-long status display unit (60). The status display unit (60) comprises: a plurality of light sources (620-624) which are provided with an interval in the longitudinal direction; an emission part which emits light from the light sources to the outside; boundary walls (626, 628) which are provided between the light sources; and a plurality of light guide paths (P1-P3) which are made of at least one or more boundary walls. The emission part integrally covers openings of the plurality of light guide paths (P1-P3).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus provided with a status display unit for notifying a user of the status of the apparatus, for example.

Background Art

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

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional image forming apparatus, a light emitting diode is provided on the upper surface of an operation unit, and it is easy for a person operating the image forming apparatus to visually recognize the light emitting diode. However, it is difficult for a person located at a place away from the image forming apparatus to visually recognize the light emitting diode, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] Therefore, the main object of this invention is to provide a novel image forming apparatus.

[0006] Another object of this invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the visibility of a status display unit for notifying a user of the status of the apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The first exemplary embodiment is an image forming apparatus including a status display unit for notifying a user of the status of the apparatus. The status display unit is formed in a horizontally long shape and includes a plurality of light sources provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction, an emitting member that emits light from the light sources to the outside, and a boundary wall provided between the light sources. In the emitting member, a surface that covers the One party light source disposed on one side in the longitudinal direction and the The other party light source disposed on the other side is integrally formed. is one One of the plurality of light sources is characterized in that it lights up when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on. One party The The other party light source disposed on the other side The other party Light source is one Is integrally formed, Furthermore, the continuous surface between the one light source and the other light source is exposed to the outside of the apparatus, Furthermore, the continuous surface between the one light source and the other light source is exposed to the outside of the apparatus, Among the plurality of light sources, one is an image forming apparatus characterized in that it lights up when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on.

[0008] The second exemplary embodiment is an image forming apparatus dependent on the first exemplary embodiment. The status display unit is characterized in that, when viewed from the front side in the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus, it is located above the placement surface of the paper discharge tray that receives the paper discharged from the paper discharge port.

[0009] The third exemplary embodiment is an image forming apparatus dependent on the first or second exemplary embodiment. The status display unit is characterized in that, when viewed from the front side in the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus, it is located below the original document pressing cover.

[0010] The fourth exemplary embodiment is an image forming apparatus dependent on any one of the first to third exemplary embodiments. The status display unit is characterized in that it is located in front of the original document pressing cover.

[0011] The fifth exemplary embodiment is an image forming apparatus dependent on any one of the first to fourth exemplary embodiments. It has a touch panel display, and at least a part of the emitting member is characterized in that, when viewed from the front side in the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus, it is located within the lateral width of the touch panel display.

[0012] The sixth embodiment is an image forming apparatus that depends on any one of the first to fifth embodiments. When the image forming apparatus is viewed from the front in the front-rear direction, at least a part of the discharge space provided between the image reading unit and the image forming unit and from which the paper is discharged leftward from the image forming unit is visible to the left of the left end of the status display unit in the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus.

[0013] The seventh embodiment is an image forming apparatus that depends on any one of the first to sixth embodiments. A smoke filter is used for the surface visible from the outside of the emitting member.

[0014] The eighth embodiment is an image forming apparatus that depends on any one of the first to seventh embodiments. At least one of the light sources partitioned by the boundary wall has a different emission color.

[0015] The ninth embodiment is an image forming apparatus that depends on any one of the first to eighth embodiments. At least one light source has a plurality of emission patterns. The tenth embodiment is an image forming apparatus dependent on any one of the first to ninth embodiments, and in the emitting member, the surface covering the one light source and the other light source is located at a position recessed with respect to the surroundings.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to this invention, the visibility of the status display unit for notifying the user of the status of the apparatus can be improved.

[0017] The above object, other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] [First Embodiment] Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an in-body paper discharge type image forming apparatus in which an in-body paper discharge unit 16 is formed between an image forming unit 12 and an image reading unit 14, and includes an operation unit 18 provided as a separate unit on the front side of the image reading unit 14. As will be described later, the image forming apparatus 10 forms a multi-color or single-color image on a predetermined sheet (recording medium) based on image data read by the image reading unit 14 and discharges the sheet on which the image is formed to the in-body paper discharge unit 16. In this first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is a multi-functional peripheral (MFP) having functions such as a copying function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

[0020] In the present invention, the front-rear direction (depth direction) of the image forming apparatus 10 and its constituent members is defined with the surface facing the user's standing position, that is, the surface on the side where the operation unit 18 is provided, as the front (front), and the left-right direction (lateral direction) of the image forming apparatus 10 and its constituent members is defined based on the state of viewing the image forming apparatus 10 from the user.

[0021] First, the basic configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming unit 12 and an image reading unit 14 provided above the image forming unit 12.

[0022] The housing of the image forming unit 12 includes a first connecting housing 12a formed at the upper right side and a second connecting housing 12b formed at the upper rear side, and the image reading unit 14 is supported by these first connecting housing 12a and second connecting housing 12b. As a result, an inner discharge paper portion 16, which is an inner space of the body for accommodating the paper on which the image has been formed, is formed on the lower surface side of the image reading unit 14. Further, the front surface 24c of the housing 24 of the image reading unit 14 is located behind the front surface of the housing of the image forming unit 12, and the front surface of the first connecting housing 12a is an upward inclined surface in which the lower end protrudes forward more than the upper end.

[0023] The image forming unit 12 includes an exposure unit, a developing device, a photosensitive drum, a charger, an intermediate transfer belt, a transfer roller, a fixing unit, etc. The image forming unit 12 forms an image on the paper conveyed from a paper feed cassette 20 etc. disposed below it by an electrophotographic method. That is, the image forming unit 12 forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the photosensitive drum by a charger and an exposure unit etc., and develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum with toner by the developing device. Further, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred to the paper by an intermediate transfer belt and a transfer roller etc., and the toner image transferred to the paper is thermally fixed by the fixing unit. Thereafter, the paper on which the image has been formed is discharged from a discharge port (not shown) formed in the first connecting housing 12a to the inner discharge paper portion 16. Note that the image data for forming an image on the paper is the image data read by the image reading unit 14 or the image data transmitted from an external computer etc.

[0024] Although detailed description is omitted, the image forming unit 12 has a color printing function, and for each of the colors Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), it includes four photoreceptor drums, four chargers, four developing units, four intermediate transfer belts, four transfer rollers, four cleaning devices, etc. Also, for each color, an image forming station including a photoreceptor drum, a charger, a developing unit, an intermediate transfer belt, a transfer roller, and a cleaning device is configured. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 is a tandem type image forming apparatus, and in the image forming unit 12, the image forming stations for each color are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction.

[0025] The image reading unit 14 includes a housing 24 having a document placement table formed of a transparent material on its upper surface. Inside this housing 24, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an imaging lens, a line sensor, etc. are provided. The image reading unit 14 exposes the document surface with a light source, and guides the reflected light reflected from the document surface to the imaging lens by a plurality of mirrors. Then, the imaging lens forms the reflected light on the light receiving elements of the line sensor. In the line sensor, the luminance and chromaticity of the reflected light formed on the light receiving elements are detected, and image data based on the image on the document surface is generated. As the line sensor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CIS (Contact Image Sensor), etc. is used.

[0026] The in-body paper discharge unit 16 is partitioned by the housing of the image forming unit 12 and the housing 24 of the image reading unit 14 on its bottom surface and top surface, and is partitioned by the first connecting housing 12a and the second connecting housing 12b on its right side surface and back surface. That is, the front side and the left side surface of the in-body paper discharge unit 16 are open. Also, the in-body paper discharge unit 16 is provided with a paper discharge tray 26 for receiving the printed paper that has been image-formed and discharged from the paper discharge port.

[0027] Also, on the upper surface of the image reading unit 14, a document pressing cover 30 is attached so as to be openable and closable via hinges or the like arranged on the back side. An ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) 34 for automatically feeding the documents placed on the document placement tray 32 one by one to the image reading position of the image reading unit 14 is provided on the document pressing cover 30.

[0028] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the housing 24 of the image reading unit 14 has a housing protruding portion 24a that protrudes forward of the front surface of the document pressing cover 30. That is, the front end portion of the housing 24 protrudes forward of the front surface of the document pressing cover 30. And an operation unit 18 is provided on the front surface side of the housing 24 of the image reading unit 14. The specific configurations of the operation unit 18 and the housing protruding portion 24a will be described later.

[0029] Also, although not shown, a control unit for controlling the operations of the respective parts of the image forming apparatus 10 is provided at a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit includes a CPU, a memory, etc., and in response to an input operation by the user to the operation unit 18 or the like, transmits a control signal to each part of the image forming apparatus 10 to cause the image forming apparatus 10 to execute various operations.

[0030] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 may be provided with a mounting portion (for example, a drive and a memory slot) for mounting various recording media. The various recording media are optical disks (for example, CD-R, DVD-R, and BD-R, etc.) and flash memories (for example, USB memories, SD memory cards, and memory sticks, etc.). However, the optical disk is mounted on the drive. Also, the flash memory is mounted on the memory slot.

[0031] Subsequently, the specific configurations of the operation unit 18 and the front end portion (housing protruding portion 24a) of the housing 24 of the image reading unit 14 to which the operation unit 18 is attached will be described.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the operation unit 18 is formed in a horizontally long substantially rectangular plate shape. The horizontal width (length in the left - right direction) of the operation unit 18 is set to be about half the horizontal width of the housing 24 of the image reading unit 14, for example, and the operation unit 18 is arranged on the right - hand side of the front surface of the housing 24. However, the size of the operation unit 18 can be appropriately changed according to the size of the touch panel display 50 to be mounted, etc., and is not particularly limited. Also, the operation unit 18 is provided with a slight forward - downward inclination so that the user can easily visually check its upper surface. On the upper surface of this operation unit 18, a touch panel display 50 and a home key 52 are provided.

[0033] Also, the touch panel display 50 incorporates a short - range communication unit 56. This short - range communication unit 56 is, for example, an NFC reader / writer, and is composed of a control unit, a storage unit, and an antenna, and can transmit and receive data according to communication standards such as ISO / IEC 18092 (so - called NFC (Near Field Communication)). Also, the short - range communication unit 56 performs transmission and reception of communication data by short - range wireless communication with an external terminal such as an IC card, a smartphone, or a feature phone.

[0034] The touch panel display 50 is a touch - panel integrated liquid - crystal display device configured by laminating an analog resistive film or the like on a liquid - crystal display panel, and is provided in a region excluding the peripheral edge and the right - hand side region of the upper surface of the operation unit 18. In this first embodiment, the capacitance method is used as the detection method for the touch position of the touch panel display 50. However, other known methods such as the infrared interruption detection method, the surface acoustic wave method, and the resistive film method can also be appropriately used. On this touch panel display 50, software keys and messages for receiving various settings and print instructions from the user are displayed. As an example, on the touch panel display 50, a home screen for selecting a desired operation mode from various operation modes executable by the image forming apparatus 10 is displayed.

[0035] The home key 52 is a capacitive hardware key that detects a user's operation based on a change in capacitance, and is provided in a region on the right side of the touch panel display 50. The home key 52 is a key for instructing a transition to the home screen. When the home key 52 is pressed by the user, the home screen is displayed on the touch panel display 50.

[0036] Note that a software key refers to a key that is reproduced software-wise on the screen. In contrast, a hardware key refers to a key (button) provided as a physical device.

[0037] Also, the operation unit 18 can have its tilt angle with respect to the image reading unit 14 changed. The operation unit 18 is basically arranged at a basic position that is slightly tilted downward to the front (for example, tilted by 10 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction). However, when a user with a low line of sight, such as a wheelchair user, uses the image forming apparatus 10, the tilt angle is appropriately changed so that the upper surface of the operation unit 18 faces more toward the front side to match the user's line of sight. In this first embodiment, the operation unit 18 can be rotated manually by the user about a shaft portion 44 (see FIG. 5) extending in the left-right direction from the basic position shown in each figure to a position substantially parallel to the front surface of the first connecting housing 12a.

[0038] On the other hand, the housing protrusion 24a at the front end of the housing 24 of the image reading unit 14 has its upper surface 24b as a surface parallel to the document placement table, that is, a horizontal surface. And a step is formed between the upper surface 24b of the housing protrusion 24a and the upper surface of the operation unit 18, and the upper surface of the operation unit 18 is arranged at a position lower than the upper surface 24b of the housing protrusion 24a.

[0039] Further, the front surface (i.e., the front surface of the housing 24) 24c of the housing protrusion 24a is a downward inclined surface that recesses deeper toward the back as it goes downward. Further, a recessed portion extending in the lateral direction is formed in the front surface 24c of the housing protrusion 24a. And the rear end of the upper surface of the operation unit 18 is located deeper than the upper end of the inclined surface formed in the front surface 24c of the housing protrusion 24a, and the rear end portion of the operation unit 18 is configured to dive under the inclined surface of the housing protrusion 24a. Further, the rear end of the upper surface of the operation unit 18 is located deeper than the upper end of the recessed portion formed in the front surface 24c of the housing protrusion 24a, and the rear end portion of the operation unit 18 is configured to dive under (or enter into) the recessed portion of the housing protrusion 24a.

[0040] And in this first embodiment, a power key 54 is provided on the upper surface 24b of this housing protrusion 24a. The power key 54 is a mechanical hardware key that detects a user's operation based on switching of a mechanical contact state, and is an operation key for turning on and off the power of the image forming apparatus 10. The power key 54 is provided deeper than the touch panel display 50 and within the lateral width range of the operation unit 18. More specifically, the power key 54 is provided at the right end portion of the upper surface 24b of the housing protrusion 24a, and the power key 54 and the home key 52, which is a hardware key provided on the operation unit 18, are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction.

[0041] Further, a status display unit 60 is provided on the front surface 24c of the housing protrusion 24a. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 and the like, the configuration of the status display unit 60 and its peripheral portions will be described. In FIGS. 2 to 6, for simplicity, the image reading unit 14 is omitted.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the situation display unit 60 is formed in a horizontally long shape so as to extend in the left-right direction, is provided on the back side of the touch panel display 50, and within a range including the lateral width of the operation unit 18. That is, the situation display unit 60 is provided so as to face the operation unit 18 (touch panel display 50). This means that it can be said that the situation display unit 60 is provided directly behind the operation unit 18. Further, the situation display unit 60 is provided above the recessed portion of the housing protrusion 24a.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the situation display unit 60 includes a substrate 62, a light guide path forming member 64, a light diffusing member 66, and a filter 68.

[0044] The substrate 62 is a substantially rectangular plate member that is long in the left-right direction. On the front surface of this substrate 62, LEDs 620, 622, 624, which are the light sources of the situation display unit 60, are provided. That is, the LEDs 620, 622, 624 are supported by the image forming apparatus 10 via the substrate 62.

[0045] The LEDs 620, 622, 624 may be single-color emitting LEDs or LEDs capable of switching the emission color. The LED 620 is arranged at the left end of the substrate 62, the LED 622 is arranged approximately at the center in the left-right direction of the substrate 62, and the LED 624 is arranged at the right end of the substrate 62. However, a plurality of LEDs 622 are provided. In this first embodiment, five LEDs 622 are provided. The five LEDs 622 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction at a predetermined interval.

[0046] The light guide path forming member 64 constitutes a part of the housing protrusion 24a and is a member that forms a light guide path P for guiding the light from the LEDs 620, 622, 624 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 10. More specifically, the light guide path P is formed between the LEDs 620, 622, 624 and the light diffusing member 66. However, the light guide path P extends in the front-rear direction and is a horizontally long, substantially cylindrical space having a large dimension (width) in the left-right direction and a small dimension (height) in the up-down direction when viewed from the front side.

[0047] Further, the light guide path forming member 64 has boundary walls 626 and 628 that extend in the vertical and front-rear directions and partition the light guide path P into left and right. However, the boundary wall 626 is provided between the LED 620 and the LED 622, and the boundary wall 628 is provided between the LED 622 and the LED 624.

[0048] Therefore, the light guide path P is partitioned by the boundary walls 626 and 628 into a space (first light guide path P1) between the boundary wall 626 and the boundary wall 628, a space (second light guide path P2) to the left of the boundary wall 626, and a space (third light guide path P3) to the right of the boundary wall 628.

[0049] Each of the first light guide path P1, the second light guide path P2, and the third light guide path P3 is a substantially horizontally elongated cylindrical space when viewed from the front side. Also, the first light guide path P1 is a space for guiding light from the five LEDs 622 to the light diffusing member 66, the second light guide path P2 is a space for guiding light from the LED 620 to the light diffusing member 66, and the third light guide path P3 is a space for guiding light from the LED 624 to the light diffusing member 66.

[0050] However, as shown in FIG. 6, the boundary wall 626 has an inclined surface 626a that inclines to the right as it goes from the front side to the back side, and the boundary wall 628 has an inclined surface 628a that inclines to the left as it goes from the front side to the back side. Also, the left side surface of the first light guide path P1 is partitioned by the inclined surface 626a, and the right side surface of the first light guide path P1 is partitioned by the inclined surface 628a. Therefore, the first light guide path P1 is configured such that the width (lateral width) in the left-right direction continuously expands as it goes from the back side (the LED 622 side, i.e., the light source side) to the front side (the filter 68 side or the light diffusing member 66 side).

[0051] The light diffusing member 66 is a plate-shaped member and is provided so as to cover the openings on the front side of the first light guide path P1, the second light guide path P2, and the third light guide path P3. Further, the light diffusing member 66 is disposed closer to the filter 68 side than the midpoint between the LEDs 620, 622, 624 and the filter 68 in the front-rear direction (depth direction). That is, the light diffusing member 66 is disposed closer to the filter 68 side than the midpoint in the light guide path P from the LEDs 620, 622, 624 to the light diffusing member 66.

[0052] This light diffusing member 66 is, for example, a light diffusing sheet. When light from the LEDs 620, 622, 624 is incident thereon, the portion where the light is incident and its periphery emit light. That is, when light from the LEDs 620, 622, 624 is incident on the light diffusing member 66, it functions as a planar light emitter. The light diffusing sheet is, for example, a resin sheet with a thickness of 0.5 mm. As this light diffusing sheet, one having an uneven treatment on the sheet surface, or one containing light diffusing fine particles inside the sheet, etc. can be used.

[0053] The filter 68 is formed of a light transmissive material that can transmit light, and transmits the light from the light diffusing member 66, that is, the light from the LEDs 620, 622, 624, and emits it to the outside of the status display unit 60. In order to prevent the shape of the LEDs 620, 622, 624 from being directly visible from the outside, it is preferable to use a smoked filter colored black or gray, etc.

[0054] Further, the filter 68 has a first surface 68a and a second surface 68b. The first surface 68a and the second surface 68b are formed such that the angles in the vertical direction are different from each other. That is, the first surface 68a and the second surface 68b are formed so as to emit the light from the light diffusing member 66 in different visible directions in the vertical direction.

[0055] Specifically, the first surface 68a slopes toward the back side as it goes downward, and the second surface 68b slopes toward the back side as it goes upward. That is, among the front surface sides of the filter 68, the lower surface facing diagonally downward is the first surface 68a, and the upper surface facing diagonally upward is the second surface 68b. In this first embodiment, the second surface 68b is provided above the first surface 68a, and the upper end portion of the first surface 68a and the lower end portion of the second surface 68b are connected. That is, when viewed from the left - right direction, the filter 68 is formed in a substantially V - shaped cross - section that is open to the back side (rear). Also, the area of the first surface 68a is larger than the area of the second surface 68b. Further, the front - projected area of the first surface 68a is larger than the front - projected area of the second surface 68b. Note that the front - projected area refers to the area when viewed from the front.

[0056] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4(B), the central portion of the second surface 68b in the left - right direction is formed to be recessed with respect to both end portions of the second surface 68b in the left - right direction. Thereby, the width of the flat portion in the up - down direction or the front - rear direction on the second surface 68b can be increased. That is, a flat portion can be enlarged at the center of the second surface 68b in the left - right direction.

[0057] Next, an operation example of the status display unit 60 of the first embodiment will be described. First, when the LED 622 is lit, the five LEDs 622 may be lit simultaneously, or a part of the five LEDs 622 may be lit. When a part of the plurality of LEDs 622 is lit, not only can a part of the LEDs 622 be simply lit, but the plurality of LEDs 622 may be lit sequentially from the left or right, or may be lit sequentially from both ends toward the center, or may be lit sequentially from the center toward both ends. Since a plurality of LEDs 622 are provided, various light - emitting expressions can be realized.

[0058] For example, when some of the five LEDs 622 are lit, the light diffusing member 66 emits light from the front portion of the lit LED 622 and its periphery. Also, when all of the five LEDs 622 are lit, the light diffusing member 66 emits light from the front portion of the five LEDs 622, that is, the front portion of the first light guide path P1 and its periphery. That is, when the LED 622 is lit, the central portion of the light diffusing member 66 emits light. As described above, since the light of the light diffusing member 66 passes through the filter 68 and is emitted to the outside, when the LED 622 is lit, from the outside (front side) of the image forming apparatus 10, it appears that the central portion of the status display unit 60 is emitting light.

[0059] When the LED 620 is lit, the front portion of the LED 620, that is, the front portion of the second light guide path P2 and its periphery emit light. That is, when the LED 620 is lit, the left end portion of the light diffusing member 66 emits light. Therefore, when the LED 620 is lit, from the outside of the image forming apparatus 10, it appears that the left end portion of the status display unit 60 is emitting light.

[0060] When the LED 624 is lit, the front portion of the LED 620, that is, the front portion of the third light guide path P3 and its periphery emit light. That is, when the LED 624 is lit, the right end portion of the light diffusing member 66 emits light. Therefore, when the LED 624 is lit, from the outside of the image forming apparatus 10, it appears that the right end portion of the status display unit 60 is emitting light.

[0061] However, the lighting / extinguishing of the LEDs 620, 622, 624 is switched according to a control signal transmitted from the control unit. The control unit controls the lighting / extinguishing of the LEDs 620, 622, 624 according to the operation status of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0062] The LED 620 is lit, for example, in the image forming apparatus 10 when receiving FAX data or when receiving image data transmitted from an external computer, and is lit or blinks until a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) elapses after the reception of the data is completed.

[0063] LED 624 lights up or blinks when a predetermined error occurs. The case where a predetermined error occurs includes, for example, the case where the paper in the paper feed cassette 20 runs out (i.e., out of paper), or the case where paper jams in the image forming unit 12. Also, when paper is replenished (refilled) in the paper feed cassette 20 or the jammed paper is removed and the error is resolved, LED 624 turns off.

[0064] LED 622 lights up or blinks according to the status of the image forming apparatus 10 or according to a user operation on the image forming apparatus 10. However, it lights up or blinks for reasons other than the reasons for which LED 620 or LED 624 described above lights up or blinks. Note that the user operation on the image forming apparatus 10 includes, for example, a touch operation on a software key displayed on the touch panel display 50, an operation of pressing a hardware key such as the home key 52 and the power key 54, and an operation of holding an external terminal to be a communication target near the short-range communication unit 56.

[0065] For example, the case where LED 622 lights up according to a user operation on the image forming apparatus 10 is the case where the power of the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on / off, the case where a recording medium is loaded in the loading unit for loading the recording medium, the case where short-range wireless communication is performed between the short-range communication unit 56 and an external terminal, etc., i.e., when there is a predetermined user operation on the operation unit 18. The case where LED 622 lights up according to the status of the image forming apparatus 10 is the case where an image quality adjustment process is executed, the case where toner replenishment is executed, etc.

[0066] Note that the case where the power supply of the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on / off means the case where the power key 54 is operated by the user. The case where a recording medium is loaded in the loading unit means the case where it is loaded in the USB memory memory slot. The case where short-range wireless communication is performed means the case where an IC card, a mobile terminal, or the like is held (contacted) over the short-range communication unit 56. The case where there is a predetermined user operation means the case where a key (for example, a copy key) for selecting functions such as copy, FAX, scanner, etc. displayed on the home screen is operated. The image quality adjustment process is a process of transferring a toner image to the photosensitive drum or the intermediate transfer belt of the image forming unit 12 and adjusting the development bias according to the density of the toner image. That the toner replenishment is executed means that when the toner runs out and a service technician or administrator replaces the toner cartridge with a new one, the toner is replenished from the toner cartridge to the developing unit.

[0067] FIG. 8 is an illustrative diagram showing the light emission pattern of the status display unit 60. Note that in FIG. 8, the portions corresponding to each of the five LEDs 622 in the status display unit 60 are schematically represented.

[0068] As described above, since five LED622s are provided, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of light emission patterns with shifted lighting / extinguishing timings for each of the five LED622s can be expressed. For example, in light emission pattern 1, after the five LED622s light up randomly, they light up simultaneously and then extinguish simultaneously. In light emission pattern 2, the five LED622s light up simultaneously and extinguish randomly. However, in light emission pattern 2, when the five LED622s light up, the light emission amount (brightness) of each LED622 is adjusted (set) so that the central LED622 is the brightest and the LED622s at both ends are the dimmest. In light emission pattern 3, first the central LED622 lights up. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the central LED622 extinguishes, and the LED622s adjacent to both sides of the central LED622 light up. Although illustration is omitted, after another predetermined time has elapsed, the LED622s adjacent to both sides of the central LED622 extinguish, the LED622s at both ends light up, and then all the LED622s extinguish. That is, in the example shown in light emission pattern 3, it appears that the light moves from the center to the outside in the left - right direction. In light emission pattern 4, the five LED622s light up simultaneously, and then the five LED622s extinguish slowly at the same timing. In light emission pattern 5, first the left - end LED622 lights up. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the left - end LED622 extinguishes, and the LED622 adjacent to its right lights up. This is repeated until the right - end LED622 lights up. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the right - end LED622 lights up, all the LED622s extinguish. That is, in the example shown in light emission pattern 5, it appears that the light moves from the left end to the right end. Note that light emission patterns 1 to 5 are just examples, and other modified light emission patterns can be adopted.

[0069] In this way, since the status display unit 60 can express a plurality of light emission patterns, when the LED622 lights up, the light emission pattern may be changed according to the user operation on the image forming apparatus 10, the status of the image forming apparatus 10, that is, the reason why the LED622 lights up.

[0070] Note that since the purposes of lighting the LEDs 620, 622, and 624 are different, it is preferable that their emission colors are different. For example, the emission color of the LED 620 is green, the emission color of the LED 622 is blue, and the emission color of the LED 624 is red.

[0071] Also, in the situation where the LED 622 is lit according to the situation where the LED 620 or the LED 624 is lit and the situation of the image forming apparatus 10 (when the image quality adjustment process is executed and when toner replenishment is being executed), it is considered that the user (operator) is often away from the image forming apparatus 10. In this case, the user can easily visually recognize that the LED 620 or the LED 624 is lit by the light emitted from the first surface 68a.

[0072] Furthermore, in the situation where the LED 622 is lit according to a user operation on the image forming apparatus 10, it is considered that the user is in front of the touch panel display 50. In this case, the user can easily visually recognize that the LED 622 is lit by the light emitted from the second surface 68b.

[0073] According to the first embodiment, since the filter 68 of the status display unit 60 has the first surface 68a and the second surface 68b formed so as to emit the light from the light diffusing member 66 in different visible directions in the vertical direction, it is possible to confirm that the status display unit 60 is lit from either the first surface 68a or the second surface 68b. Therefore, the visibility of the status display unit 60 for notifying the user of the status of the apparatus can be improved.

[0074] Also, according to the first embodiment, since the status display unit 60 is provided so as to face the operation unit 18 (touch panel display 50), it is positioned on the front side in the line-of-sight direction of the person operating the image forming apparatus, and it becomes easier to enter the effective visual field of the person operating the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the person operating the image forming apparatus can easily recognize that the status display unit 60 is lit when operating the operation unit 18.

[0075] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, since the light diffusion member 66 is provided between the LEDs 620, 622, 624 and the filter 68, the light emitting range can be increased without significantly reducing the luminance, and the visibility of the status display unit 60 can be improved.

[0076] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, since the light diffusion member 66 is disposed closer to the filter 68 than the midpoint between the LEDs 620, 622, 624 and the filter 68, the luminance of the portion that emits light in the light diffusion member 66 can be increased, and the visibility of the status display unit 60 can be improved.

[0077] Also, according to the first embodiment, since the first light guide path P1 is configured such that the width in the left - right direction continuously increases as it goes from the light source side toward the front side, the light emitting range when the LED 622 is lit can be increased, and the visibility of the status display unit 60 can be improved.

[0078] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the first surface 68a is formed to be inclined toward the back side as it goes downward and faces obliquely downward. For this reason, the first surface 68a can emit light in the line - of - sight direction (substantially horizontal direction) of a person located at a position away from the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, a person located at a position away from the image forming apparatus 10 can easily confirm that the status display unit 60 is lit through the first surface 68a.

[0079] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the second surface 68b is formed to be inclined toward the back side as it goes upward and faces obliquely upward. For this reason, the second surface 68b can emit light in the line - of - sight direction (direction from top to bottom) of a person operating the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, a person operating the image forming apparatus 10 can easily confirm that the status display unit 60 is lit through the second surface 68b.

[0080] Also, according to the first embodiment, since the area of the first surface 68a is larger than the area of the second surface 68b and the front projected area of the first surface 68a is larger than the front projected area of the second surface 68b, the visibility of the status display unit 60 from a person located at a position far from the image forming apparatus 10 can be further improved. [Second Embodiment] The image forming apparatus 10 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the configuration of the status display unit 60 is partially changed, and thus duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0081] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the periphery of the status display unit 60 in the second embodiment as viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 7, in the second embodiment, the light guide path forming member 64 has a plurality of boundary walls 630 that extend in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction and partition the light guide path P into left and right.

[0082] However, one boundary wall 630 is provided between each of the plurality of LEDs 622. That is, in this second embodiment, four boundary walls 630 are provided between five LEDs 622.

[0083] Therefore, the first light guide path P1 is partitioned into five spaces corresponding to each of the five LEDs 622 by the plurality of boundary walls 630. That is, light guide paths corresponding to each of the five LEDs 622 are formed.

[0084] According to this second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the visibility of the status display unit 60 for notifying the user of the status of the apparatus can be improved.

[0085] Note that the specific shapes and the like described in the above embodiments are merely examples, and can be appropriately changed according to the actual product.

[0086] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, in order to enlarge the flat portion at the center in the left-right direction of the second surface 68b, the central portion in the left-right direction of the second surface 68b is recessed with respect to both end portions in the left-right direction of the second surface 68b. However, it is not necessary to be limited to this. For example, the central portion in the left-right direction of the second surface 68b may protrude with respect to both end portions in the left-right direction of the second surface 68b.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the second surface 68b is provided above the first surface 68a. However, it is not necessary to be limited to this. For example, the second surface 68b may be provided below the first surface 68a. In this case, the lower end portion of the first surface 68a and the upper end portion of the second surface 68b are connected. That is, when viewed from the left-right direction, the filter 68 is formed in a substantially V-shaped cross-section that is open on the front surface side (front).

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0088] 10 … Image forming apparatus 12 … Image forming unit 14 … Image reading unit 18 … Operation unit 24 … Housing of the image reading unit 24a … Housing protrusion 24b … Upper surface of the housing protrusion 24c … Front surface of the housing protrusion 30 … Original document pressing cover 50 … Touch panel display 52 … Home key 54 … Power key 60 … Status display unit 620, 622, 624… LED 64 … Light guide path forming member 66 … Light diffusion member 68 … Filter P … Light guide path

Claims

1. 1. An image forming apparatus having a status display unit for notifying a user of the status of the apparatus, The status display unit is formed horizontally, the status display unit includes a plurality of light sources spaced apart in a longitudinal direction, an emission member that emits light from the light sources to the outside, and a boundary wall that is provided between the light sources; In the emission member, a surface covering the one light source arranged on one side in the longitudinal direction and the other light source arranged on the other side is integrally formed, and further, a surface continuing between the one light source and the other light source is exposed to the outside of the device, An image forming apparatus, wherein one of the plurality of light sources is turned on when the power supply of the image forming apparatus is turned on.

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

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

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

5. It has a touch panel display, 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the emission member is located within a left-right width of the touch panel display when viewed from the front side of the image forming apparatus in the front-rear direction.

6. An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, when the image forming apparatus is viewed from the front in the front-to-rear direction, at least a portion of an ejection space provided between an image reading unit and an image forming unit, through which paper is ejected to the left from the image forming unit, is visible to the left of the left end of the status display unit in the left-to-right direction of the image forming apparatus.

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

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

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the light sources has a plurality of light emission patterns.

10. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the light output member that covers the one light source and the other light source is positioned in a recessed position relative to the surrounding area.

Images