JP6624138B2 - Input device and image forming device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device and an image forming device.

  2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus represented by a multifunction peripheral, a photoconductor is irradiated with light based on image data to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor. After that, a charged toner is supplied on the formed electrostatic latent image to form a visible image, which is then transferred to a sheet and fixed, and output outside the apparatus.

  Here, techniques relating to information input in an electronic device such as an image forming apparatus are disclosed in JP-A-2006-191548 (Patent Document 1), JP-A-2009-75946 (Patent Document 2), and JP-A-2009-187798. (Patent Document 3).

  The portable information terminal device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes an operation button for displaying operation contents by electronic paper, a function selection unit for selecting a function to be used in the device, and a function selected by the function selection unit. And a display switching unit for switching the display of the operation content displayed on the electronic paper in response thereto.

  The portable terminal device disclosed in Patent Literature 2 has a display unit and an input unit for displaying characters and symbols on key tops, and is usually used when the main body is used vertically and the main body is used horizontally. A portable terminal device for rotating an image displayed on the display unit by 90 degrees. A portable terminal device, an electronic paper that variably displays characters and symbols on the key top, an acceleration sensor that is installed in the main body of the portable terminal device and detects gravity toward the ground as acceleration, and the acceleration sensor Is used to detect the gravity in the direction of the ground as acceleration, and determine whether the main body is vertical or horizontal from the direction of gravity with respect to the main body of the portable terminal device. If the main body is vertical, the key is used. Characters and symbols to be displayed on the top are generated in the vertical direction of the main body and upright, and are displayed on the key top.If the main body is in the horizontal direction, the characters and symbols displayed on the key top are displayed. And a control means for rotating the main body by 90 degrees with respect to the vertical direction, generating the main body so as to be erected, and displaying the generated main body on a key top.

  An operation device disclosed in Patent Document 3 is an operation device that changes an operation state of a predetermined electronic device based on a pressing operation, and includes a pressing operation unit for performing a pressing operation by a user, and a pressing operation unit. Integrally, a display medium disposed so that a display surface can be visually recognized by a user, and a display control unit that changes display content of the display medium according to transition of an operation state of the electronic device. I have.

JP 2006-191548 A JP 2009-75946 A JP 2009-187798 A

  When displaying information, a touch panel may be used. The touch panel electronically displays information on a screen and detects input of the content of the touched area. Since the display content of the touch panel can be changed, the display of so-called soft keys can be changed for each user.

  However, it is not desired to perform all input operations on the touch panel, and input by pressing a hard key using a hard key may be required. In some cases, it is desired to change the content of information input by pressing a hard key for each user. In such a case, it is difficult to cope with the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 described above.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an input device that meets a user's request.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus according to a user's request.

In one aspect of the present invention, the input device is an input device for inputting information. The input device includes a hard key, electronic paper, an identification unit, a display control unit, and an input control unit. The hard key causes information to be input by pressing it. The electronic paper is provided on a hard key, so that display contents can be electrically rewritten. The identification unit identifies a user who uses the input device. The display control unit controls so that the display content displayed by the electronic paper is changed and displayed for each user identified by the identification unit. The input control unit causes the information corresponding to the display content changed by the display control unit to be input by detecting the press of the hard key. Electronic paper can read a user's fingerprint.

In another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an input device for inputting information, and an image forming unit for forming an image based on the information input by the input device. The input device is an input device for inputting information. The input device includes a hard key, electronic paper, an identification unit, a display control unit, and an input control unit. The hard key causes information to be input by pressing it. The electronic paper is provided on a hard key, so that display contents can be electrically rewritten. The identification unit identifies a user who uses the input device. The display control unit controls so that the display content displayed by the electronic paper is changed and displayed for each user identified by the identification unit. The input control unit causes the information corresponding to the display content changed by the display control unit to be input by detecting the press of the hard key. The image forming apparatus has a first mode that consumes predetermined power and a second mode that consumes less power than the predetermined power. The display control unit controls to display the display content even when the image forming apparatus is in the second mode. Electronic paper can read a user's fingerprint.

  According to such an input device and the image forming apparatus, for each user identified by the identification unit, control is performed such that display content displayed by the electronic paper is changed and displayed, and information corresponding to the changed display content is displayed. Since the input is performed by detecting the press of the hard key, information can be input by changing the display for each user while using the hard key. Therefore, it is possible to meet a user's request.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus including an operation unit as an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 2 is an external view illustrating a schematic configuration of an operation unit. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a numeric keypad provided with electronic paper. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing when an image forming request is made using a multifunction peripheral. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit displayed with display contents changed for each user. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit included in a multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the drawings below, the same or corresponding portions have the same reference characters allotted, and description thereof will not be repeated. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus including an operation unit as an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral.

  With reference to FIG. 1, a multifunction peripheral 11 forms an image based on a control unit 12, an operation unit 13 as an input device for inputting information, a reading unit 14, and information input by the operation unit 13. It includes an image forming unit 15, a paper feed cassette 16, a hard disk 17 as a storage unit, a network interface unit 18 for connecting to a network, a wireless communication unit 19, and a facsimile communication unit 20. The control unit 12 controls the entire MFP 11. The control unit 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and includes a main storage memory 23 that temporarily stores data. The operation unit 13 includes a touch panel 21 that displays information transmitted from the multifunction peripheral 11 and input contents of the user. The operation unit 13 receives an input from a user regarding image formation such as image formation conditions such as the number of print copies and gradation. The reading unit 14 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 22 as a document transport device that transports the document set at the set position to the reading position. The reading unit 14 reads an image of a document set on the ADF 22 or the mounting table. A plurality of paper feed cassettes 16 are provided, each of which can store a plurality of paper sheets therein. The image forming unit 15 forms an image on a sheet conveyed from the sheet cassette 16 based on image data of a document read by the reading unit 14 and image data transmitted via a network. The hard disk 17 stores data related to image formation, such as transmitted image data and input image formation conditions. The hard disk 17 stores data of display contents displayed by electronic paper described later for each user. That is, the hard disk 17 stores information of each user and display contents of each user in association with each other. The wireless communication unit 19 performs wireless communication between the MFP 11 and an external device. The facsimile communication unit 20 is connected to the public line 24 and performs facsimile transmission and facsimile reception.

Next, the configuration of the operation unit 13 will be described. FIG. 2 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of the operation unit 13. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the operation unit 13. In FIG. 2, a fingerprint authentication mechanism 42 described later is shown by a broken line. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, operation unit 13 includes touch panel 21 described above and a plurality of hard keys 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36. The hard key 31 is composed of twelve buttons, and when pressed, can input information on the contents of numerical values and symbols displayed on each button. The hard key 32 is a button for instructing the start of printing or the start of facsimile transmission. That is, the hard key 32 is a button for inputting information of a start of printing or information of a start of facsimile transmission by detecting press. The hard key 33 can be used to turn on or off the power of the MFP 11. That is, the hard key 33 is a button for inputting information of turning on or off the power of the multifunction peripheral 11 by detecting the press. The hard key 34 is a button for instructing selection of a printer function, a copy function, and the like of the multifunction peripheral 11. That is, the hard key 34 is a button for inputting selection information such as a printer function and a copy function of the multifunction peripheral 11 by detecting a press. The hard key 35 is a button for canceling the content of the instruction input by the user. That is, the hard key 35 is a button for inputting information for canceling the content of the instruction input by the user by detecting the press. The hard key 36 is a button for instructing various image forming conditions and registration of a user. That is, the hard key 36 is a button for inputting various image forming conditions and registration information of a user by detecting the press. The operation unit 13 has a configuration in which information can be input using the touch panel 21. The direction of pressing the hard key 31 to 36 is a direction indicated by an arrow _{D 1} of the in Figure 3. In FIG. 1, illustration of the hard keys 32 to 36 is omitted.

  On the hard key 31, an electronic paper 25 whose display contents can be electrically rewritten is provided (see FIG. 3). The electronic paper 25 is provided so as to be stuck on the surface 37 of the hard key 31. The electronic paper 25 and the control unit 12 are electrically connected. The electronic paper 25 provided on the hard key 31 displays numbers from 0 to 9 and symbols “*” and “#”. The electronic paper 25 can change these displays. The electronic paper 25 is similarly provided on the other hard keys 32 to 35. That is, the character “start key” is displayed on the electronic paper 25 provided on the hard key 32. In addition, the characters “power” are displayed on the electronic paper 25 provided on the hard keys 33. In addition, the characters “Menu” are displayed on the electronic paper 25 provided on the hard keys 34. In addition, the character “Register” is displayed on the electronic paper 25 provided on the hard key 35. The character “Reset” is displayed on the electronic paper 25 provided on the hard key 36. The user presses the hard keys 31 to 36 by pressing the surface 38 of the electronic paper 25 provided on the hard keys 31 to 36 with a finger.

  Next, a configuration of the control unit 12 provided in the multifunction peripheral 11 will be described. The control unit 12 includes an identification unit 26, a display control unit 27, and an input control unit 28. The identification unit 26 identifies a user who uses the MFP 11. The display control unit 27 controls the display content displayed by the electronic paper 25 to be changed and displayed for each user identified by the identification unit 26. The input control unit 28 inputs information corresponding to the display content changed by the display control unit 27 by detecting pressing of the hard keys 31 to 36. These configurations will be described later in detail.

  The multifunction peripheral 11 has a first mode in which predetermined power is consumed during standby and a second mode in which less power is consumed during standby. The first mode is a so-called standby mode in which an image can be formed immediately if an image formation is requested. In the first mode, it is necessary to constantly maintain a fixing roller included in the image forming unit 15 for fixing a so-called toner image on a sheet by heat and pressure at a high temperature at which fixing is possible. In addition, it is necessary to display the touch panel 21 so that input of information on the touch panel 21 or the like is immediately received. That is, information is displayed on the touch panel 21 in the first mode. This mode consumes a relatively large amount of power because other components need to be ready for image formation immediately.

  On the other hand, the second mode is a so-called sleep mode. If there is a request for image formation, image formation cannot be performed immediately, and after a certain period of time, a transition to the standby mode is performed, and This is a mode in which formation is possible. The certain amount of time is mainly the time required to heat the fixing roller to a temperature at which fixing can be performed. The second mode is a mode in which the fixing roller is maintained at a relatively low temperature and the touch panel 21 is not displayed, so that it consumes less power than the first mode. By the control of the control unit 12, the temperature of the fixing roller in the second mode is maintained lower than the temperature of the fixing roller in the first mode. That is, the electric power supplied to the fixing roller is smaller in the second mode than in the first mode.

  Next, a description will be given of a flow of processing in the case where an image forming request is made in the multifunction peripheral 11. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when a request for image formation is made using the multifunction peripheral 11.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the user goes to a place where multi-function device 11 is installed with a document to be subjected to image formation, for example, facsimile transmission. Then, a document to be transmitted by facsimile is set on the ADF 22, and the user is first authenticated via the operation unit 13. Specifically, the identification unit 26 included in the operation unit 13 accepts the input of the password when authenticating the user (step S11 in FIG. 4; hereinafter, “step” is omitted). In this case, the process is performed based on an input on the touch panel 21 or the like.

  After that, when the authentication of the password is successful (YES in S12), the identification unit 26 identifies the user and extracts display content data corresponding to the user (S13). Thereafter, in accordance with the extracted content, the display control unit 27 controls the display content displayed by the electronic paper 25 to be changed for each user identified by the identification unit 26 (S14). In this case, the data is displayed along with the data of the display content stored in the hard disk 17 and corresponding to the identified user.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation unit 13 in which display content is changed for each user and displayed. Referring to FIG. 5, characters on the “A” stage from “A” to “W” and symbols “” and “” are displayed on electronic device 25 on hard key 31 of operation unit 13. ing. In addition, the electronic paper 25 on the hard key 32 displays “Power”, the electronic paper 25 on the hard key 33 displays “Start”, and the electronic paper 25 on the hard key 34 displays “Menu”. Is displayed on the electronic paper 25 on the hard key 35. The display on the electronic paper 25 on the hard keys 32 to 35 is the same as before the password authentication. Here, the electronic paper 25 on the hard key 36 is displayed as "power saving". This is a display changed according to the user. The display of the hard keys 31 and 36 is displayed based on the data of the display content stored in the hard disk 17 for each user. When the depression of the hard key 36 is detected together with the display of “power saving”, the input control unit 28 controls the input to perform power saving, that is, control to shift from the first mode to the second mode. .

  The user presses any of the hard keys 31 to 36 as necessary to set facsimile. Then, the input control unit 28 inputs information corresponding to the display content changed by the display control unit 27 by detecting pressing of the hard key 31 or the like. Then, the user presses the hard key 33 displayed as "Start" on the electronic paper 25 to perform facsimile transmission. On the other hand, if the authentication of the password is not successful in S12 (NO in S12), a message indicating that authentication is not performed is displayed on touch panel 21 and the process is terminated (S15).

  According to such a configuration, for each identified user, control is performed so that the display content displayed by the electronic paper 25 is changed and displayed, and information corresponding to the changed display content is pressed by pressing the hard keys 31 to 36. Since the input is made by detection, the information can be input by changing the display for each user while using the hard keys 31 to 36. Therefore, such a multifunction peripheral 11 can respond to a user's request.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the display control unit 27 controls the display in accordance with the data of the display content stored in the hard disk 17, so that the display content can be changed more appropriately for each user. it can.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the identification unit 26 identifies the user according to the input password, it is possible to ensure high security in authentication with a simple configuration.

  In the above embodiment, the identification unit 26 may identify a user by using wireless communication with an electronic device owned by the user. In this case, the user is identified using the wireless communication unit 19. By doing so, the convenience in identifying the user can be improved. Here, as the electronic device owned by the user, for example, there is identification by NFC (Near Field Communication) communication (near field communication) using an RFID (Radio-Frequency Identifier) tag or the like. That is, the data of the RFID tag owned by the user is read by NFC communication and authentication is performed.

  Further, the display control unit 27 may control to display the display content by changing at least one of the color and the character size for each user. By doing so, the display for each user can be further clarified. Furthermore, the user's nationality or the like may be identified, and the displayed language may be changed to a language according to the nationality or the like.

  Note that the display control unit 27 may control to display the same display content as the display content until another user is identified by the identification unit 26. By doing so, it is possible to improve the efficiency when the same user continues to use the multifunction peripheral 11.

  In the above embodiment, the identification unit 26 may identify the user by reading and collating the fingerprint of the user.

  Referring again to FIG. 2, when an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied to a multifunction peripheral, operation unit 13 included in the multifunction peripheral includes hard keys 31 to 36 provided with electronic paper 25. , A touch panel 21, and a fingerprint authentication mechanism 42 indicated by a broken line in FIG. The multifunction peripheral 11 reads the user's fingerprint from the user's finger applied to the fingerprint authentication mechanism 42. Then, authentication of the read fingerprint and the fingerprint of each user stored in the hard disk 17 is performed. If the fingerprints match, it is determined that the authentication was successful. Then, the display content is displayed on the electronic paper 25 with the display content stored corresponding to the user. With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably and easily identify a user without entering a password.

  In the above embodiment, the electronic paper 25 may be configured to be able to read the fingerprint of the user. By doing so, the user can be authenticated based on the read fingerprint. Here, efficient display and authentication of a user can be performed by using both display on the electronic paper 25 and reading of a fingerprint.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the display control unit may control the display content to be changed according to the time zone and displayed. By doing so, it is possible to further meet the needs of the user. For example, the display of the transmission destination and the like is changed between the time zone from 9:00 to 17:00 and other time zones according to the user.

  Note that a plurality of hard keys 31 may be provided, and the electronic paper 25 may be provided so as to cover the plurality of hard keys 31. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit included in a multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 6, electronic paper 47 is provided on operation unit 46 so as to cover a plurality of hard keys 31 including 12 buttons. In this case, the electronic paper 47 is provided so as to cover the entire area of the hard key 31. In FIG. 6, the electronic paper 47 is shown by a dashed line. By doing so, for example, by using an area where the hard key 31 is not provided on the lower side or the like, it is possible to display more various information, specifically, the display of the authenticated user name and the current display state. Yes, and can respond to user requests.

  Further, the power consumption at the time of display by the electronic papers 25 and 47 is very small. Therefore, the display control unit 27 may control to display the display content even when the multifunction peripheral 11 is in the second mode, that is, the sleep mode. Thus, even in the second mode, the user can easily visually recognize the display contents of the hard keys 31 to 36.

  In the above embodiment, the hard key may include a tactile switch. The above-described configuration can also be applied to a tactile switch in which the pressure to be pressed suddenly drops at a certain stage.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation unit 13 is provided in the multifunction peripheral 11, but is not limited thereto. That is, the input device according to the present invention is an input device for inputting information, and is provided on a hard key for inputting information when pressed and on the hard key, so that display contents can be electrically rewritten. An electronic paper, an identification unit that identifies a user who uses the input device, a display control unit that controls the display content displayed by the electronic paper to be changed and displayed for each user identified by the identification unit, and a display control unit And an input control unit for inputting information corresponding to the display content changed by detecting the press of the hard key. Such a configuration may be employed.

  It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all aspects and are not restrictive in any aspect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The input device and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention are particularly effectively used when it is required to provide an input according to a user's request.

  11 MFP, 12 control unit, 13, 46 operation unit, 14 reading unit, 15 image forming unit, 16 paper cassette, 17 hard disk, 18 network interface unit, 19 wireless communication unit, 20 facsimile communication unit, 21 touch panel, 22 ADF, 23 main storage memory, 24 public line, 25, 47 electronic paper, 26 identification unit, 27 display control unit, 28 input control unit, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 hard keys, 37, 38 surface, 42 Fingerprint authentication mechanism.

Claims (10)

An input device for inputting information,
A hard key for inputting information by pressing,
An electronic paper provided on the hard key and capable of electrically rewriting display contents;
An identification unit that identifies a user who uses the input device;
For each of the users identified by the identification unit, a display control unit that controls the display content displayed by the electronic paper to be changed and displayed,
An input control unit for inputting information corresponding to the display content changed by the display control unit by detecting press of the hard key ,
The input device , wherein the electronic paper can read a fingerprint of the user . An input device for inputting information,
A hard key for inputting information by pressing,
An electronic paper provided on the hard key and capable of electrically rewriting display contents;
An identification unit that identifies a user who uses the input device;
For each of the users identified by the identification unit, a display control unit that controls the display content displayed by the electronic paper to be changed and displayed,
An input control unit for inputting information corresponding to the display content changed by the display control unit by detecting press of the hard key,
The input device, wherein the display control unit controls the display content to be changed and displayed according to a time zone. A storage unit that stores data of display contents displayed by the electronic paper for each user,
3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit controls the display in accordance with the data of the display content stored in the storage unit. 4.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit identifies the user according to an input password.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit identifies the user by using wireless communication with an electronic device owned by the user.   6. The display control unit according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit controls to display the display content by changing at least one of a color and a character size for each user. 7. Input device.   The input according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the display control unit controls to display the same display content as the display content until the other user is identified by the identification unit. apparatus. The hard key is provided in plurality,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic paper is provided to cover the plurality of hard keys. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit controls the display content to be changed and displayed according to a time zone. An input device for inputting information, and an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image based on the information input by the input device,
The input device,
A hard key for inputting information by pressing,
An electronic paper provided on the hard key and capable of electrically rewriting display contents;
An identification unit that identifies a user who uses the input device;
For each of the users identified by the identification unit, a display control unit that controls the display content displayed by the electronic paper to be changed and displayed,
An input control unit for inputting information corresponding to the display content changed by the display control unit by detecting press of the hard key,
The image forming apparatus has a first mode that consumes predetermined power, and a second mode that consumes less power than the predetermined power,
The display control unit, even if the image forming apparatus is in the second mode, controls to display the display content ,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the electronic paper can read a fingerprint of the user .

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