IC Card Reader Layout Above Front Door in Compact Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of image forming apparatuses poses challenges in mounting IC card readers due to reduced installation spaces, making it difficult to provide optional devices without increasing costs or compromising user convenience.
Innovation Solution
The wireless communication unit is arranged above the door, with its front edge projecting forward beyond the exterior surface of the apparatus body, securing installation space for the IC card reader adjacent to the operation unit, enhancing user usability and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the apparatus body is miniaturized to reduce occupied area, then the overall size is reduced, but the installation space for IC card readers is reduced making it difficult to mount existing dimensional readers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the IC card reader from a horizontal installation space to a vertical installation space above the door. By utilizing the vertical dimension and making the reader protrude forward beyond the exterior surface, the design creates adequate installation space without increasing the horizontal footprint of the miniaturized apparatus body.
2Ease of manufacture
If the IC card reader is positioned away from the operation unit to secure installation space, then mounting becomes easier, but user convenience deteriorates due to difficulty in presenting IC cards efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the IC card reader at the same horizontal level as the operation unit by making it protrude forward from the apparatus body. This creates an equipotential arrangement where both the reader and operation unit are easily accessible to the user, maintaining operational convenience while securing adequate installation space.
3Area of stationary object
If smaller IC card readers are installed to align with reduced installation spaces, then space constraints are satisfied, but cost constraints are violated due to the difficulty of providing various sizes of readers
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing the reader size horizontally, the patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the reader above the door and allowing it to protrude forward. This dimensional change enables the use of standard-sized IC card readers in miniaturized apparatus bodies without requiring custom smaller readers, thereby maintaining cost-effectiveness and standardization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for the integration of an IC card reader in a miniaturized apparatus while maintaining user convenience and visibility, facilitating efficient personal verification and secure image formation.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless communication unit configured to receive data from a portable information device via near field wireless communication in response to the portable information device being presented
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, an apparatus body, an operation unit that includes a display unit, a door that includes an exterior surface constituting part of a front side of the apparatus body on a lower side of the operation unit, and a wireless communication unit configured to receive data from a portable information device via near field wireless communication in response to the portable information device being presented. In a case where a lateral direction is a direction perpendicular to the front-back direction of the image forming apparatus and a vertical direction, the wireless communication unit is arranged above the door to align with the operation unit in the lateral direction, and a front edge of the wireless communication unit in the front-back direction projects forward beyond the exterior surface of the door which is in the closed position.