Angular position adjusting apparatus, angular position adjusting method, and computer-readable recording medium for angular position adjustment

An angular position adjusting apparatus for adjusting the angular position of a control panel of an image processing apparatus is disclosed that includes a rotary member attached to the control panel, an input part for generating an input signal indicative of changing the angular position of the control panel, a motor part connected to the rotary member for changing the angular position of the control panel by driving the rotary member, and a setting part for setting the angular position of the control panel in correspondence with the power status of the image processing apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an angular position adjusting apparatus, an angular position adjusting method, and a computer-readable recording medium for angular position adjustment, and more particularly, to an angular position adjusting apparatus, an angular position adjusting method, and a computer-readable recording medium for angular position adjustment for adjusting the angular position of a control panel of, for example, an image forming apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years and continuing, the use of image forming apparatuses such as copiers (e.g. electrophotographic type copy machines), facsimiles, printers, plotters, and printing machines is rapidly increasing. In controlling image forming apparatuses, a control part of an image forming apparatus includes various input and output apparatuses such as a control panel including, for example, a control button(s) for inputting data (e.g. hard key such as a switch, soft key such as a touch panel), and a display for displaying status information and instructions from the image forming apparatus (e.g. LED, LCD). In some cases of using the control part, there may be difficulty in operating the control part due to physical characteristics of the user (operator), such as height or difficulty in viewing the display due to lighting or external light.

In order to solve such difficulties, various mechanisms for changing the angular position of the control part or the display are proposed (For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Nos. 2003-345087, 2003-337506, and 2004-287453). Such mechanisms include, for example, a control panel protruding from a main body of an apparatus for allowing the angular position of the control panel to be adjusted. Another mechanism includes a component that applies load (e.g. friction) to a member such as a rotary axle or a joint part provided by a ratchet mechanism.

However, with an image forming apparatus having the protruding control panel, the position of the control panel does not change and remains in the protruding state once the electric power of the image forming apparatus is turned off. From the aspect of safety or efficient utilization of space, it is preferable to change the position of the control panel when the image forming apparatus is not in use. With the image forming apparatus having the rotary axle or the joint part, the rotary axle or the joint part of the control part may undesirably rotate in a case where too much force applied upon operating the control part or where the joint part is weakly affixed to the control part. Accordingly, a large operating force or complicated operation (e.g. adjusting the rotary angle of the control part by removing the ratchet mechanism) may be required for the user (particularly, in a case where the user is a child, an elderly person, or a physically impaired person).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may provide an angular position adjusting apparatus, an angular position adjusting method, and a computer-readable recording medium for angular position adjustment that substantially obviate one or more of the problems caused by the limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides an angular position adjusting apparatus for adjusting the angular position of a control panel of an image processing apparatus, the angular position adjusting apparatus including: a rotary member attached to the control panel; an input part for generating an input signal indicative of changing the angular position of the control panel; a motor part connected to the rotary member for changing the angular position of the control panel by driving the rotary member; and a setting part for setting the angular position of the control panel in correspondence with a power status of the image processing apparatus.

In the angular position adjusting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the setting part may set the angular position of the control panel to a maximum tilt angle in a case of turning off the power of the image processing apparatus.

In the angular position adjusting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the setting part may set the angular position of the control panel to a reference position angle in a case of turning on the power of the image processing apparatus.

In the angular position adjusting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the setting part may set the angular position of the control panel to a predetermined angular position in a case of turning on the power of the image processing apparatus.

In the angular position adjusting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the angular position adjusting apparatus may further include a memory part for storing data of the angular position of the control panel before the power of the image processing apparatus is turned off, wherein the data includes data of the predetermined angular position.

In the angular position adjusting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the input part may be situated on at least one of an upper surface of the control panel and a lower surface of the control panel, wherein the input part generates the input signal in accordance with a pressing force applied from an operator of the image processing apparatus.

In the angular position adjusting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the angular position adjusting apparatus may further include: an angle position detecting part including a position sensor for detecting at least one angular position of the control panel; a stop position detecting part for determining whether the angular position of the control panel has reached a predetermined angular position; an input signal detecting part for detecting the input signal generated from the input part; and a motor driving part for driving the motor in accordance with the input signal detected by the input signal detecting part.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for adjusting the angular position of a control panel of an image processing apparatus, the method including the steps of: a) generating an input signal indicative of changing the angular position of the control panel; b) changing the angular position of the control panel by driving a rotary member attached to the control panel; and c) setting the angular position of the control panel in correspondence with a power status of the image processing apparatus.

In the angular position adjusting method according to an embodiment of the present invention, step c) may set the angular position of the control panel to a maximum tilt angle in a case of turning off the power of the image processing apparatus.

In the angular position adjusting method according to an embodiment of the present invention, step c) may set the angular position of the control panel to a reference position angle in a case of turning on the power of the image processing apparatus.

In the angular position adjusting method according town embodiment of the present invention, step c) may set the angular position of the control panel to a predetermined angular position in a case of turning on the power of the image processing apparatus.

In the angular position adjusting method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the angular position adjusting method may further include a step of: storing data of the angular position of the control panel before the power of the image processing apparatus is turned off; wherein the data includes data of the predetermined angular position.

In the angular position adjusting method according to an embodiment of the present invention, step a) may generate the input signal in accordance with a pressing force applied from an operator of the image processing apparatus.

In the angular position adjusting method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the angular position adjusting method may further include the steps of: detecting at least one angular position of the control panel; determining whether the angular position of the control panel has reached a predetermined angular position; detecting the input signal generated from the input part; and driving the motor in accordance with the input signal detected in the step of detecting the input signal.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded for causing a computer to execute an angular position adjusting method for adjusting the angular position of a control panel of an image processing apparatus, the angular position adjusting method including the steps of: a) generating an input signal indicative of changing the angular position of the control panel; b) changing the angular position of the control panel by driving a rotary member attached to the control panel; and c) setting the angular position of the control panel in correspondence with a power status of the image processing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram showing an image processing apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the main body of the image processing apparatus100includes, for example, an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)1for delivering an original document (target document) placed thereon to a scanning portion, a scanner5(not shown since it is mounted inside the main body of the image processing apparatus100) for reading data (e.g. image data, text data) from the original document, a printer6(not shown since it is mounted inside the main body of the image processing apparatus100) for printing out the data read by the scanner5, a paper tray7, a control part (control panel)4, a paper discharge tray2, and a sorter3for sorting the printed paper.

FIG. 2is a diagram showing basic control blocks of the image processing apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present invention. The upper part ofFIG. 2shows control blocks included in the control part400, and the lower part ofFIG. 2shows the control blocks included in the main body of the image processing apparatus1. The control part400, which is configured to input and display various controls and operations, includes hard keys (e.g. switch, button), soft keys (e.g. touch panel), and display devices (e.g. LED, LCD). More specifically, the control part400includes, for example, an LCD8, a display control part9, a touch panel10, an input control part11, a hard key12, a key matrix13, an LED14, an LED matrix15, an operation control part16, and a memory part17. The operation control part16performs overall control of the above-described control blocks such as the display control part9and the input control part11. The operation control part16also communicates with the memory part17and a main body control part19in the main body for exchanging input information and display data. The main body of the image processing apparatus100includes, for example, an image processing part18, the main body control part19, a memory part20, a communication control part21, an ADF driving part22, the ADF1, a scanner driving part24, the scanner5, a printer driving part26, the printer6, a sorter driving part28, and the sorter3. The memory part20stores, for example, a program for sequence control executed by the main body control part19and a file for construing input signals from the control part400. The image processing part18is for performing, for example, image processing (e.g. UCR (Under Color Removal), contour enhancement, expansion/reduction) on image data read by the scanner5. The communication control part21is for performing, for example, communications of image data via LAN or facsimile.

FIGS. 3A and 3Bare schematic diagrams showing the control part400according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3Ais a front view of the control part400, andFIG. 3Bis a side view of the control part400.FIG. 4is a side view of a deceleration mechanism31according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control part400includes, for example, an input part such as a switch (in this embodiment, tilt switch (SW)35, tilt switch (SW)36) for rotating the control part400in accordance with a pressing force applied thereto, a rotary axle41(SeeFIG. 4), a motor30, the deceleration mechanism31, a latch mechanism32, a position detecting plate33, a photo-interpreter34, and a control panel4.

In a case where the operator desires to tilt the control part400downward, a switch (tilt SW35) provided at the upper surface of the control part400is pressed downward to generate an input signal indicating downward oscillation. The control part400determines that such downward pressing maneuver (downward oscillation) is a downward tilt instruction and generates a detection signal in response to the downward pressing maneuver. In a case where the operator desires to tilt the control part400upward, a switch (tilt SW36) provided at the lower surface of the control part400is pressed upward to generate an input signal indicating upward oscillation. The control part400determines that such upward pressing maneuver (upward oscillation) is an upward tilt instruction and generates a detection signal in response to the upward pressing maneuver. The motor30is rotated in accordance with the detection signals and rotates in the direction desired by the operator.

Thereby, the operator according to this embodiment of the present invention can perform both the downward oscillation and the upward oscillation of the control part400in a similar manner. Furthermore, the control part400can be stopped at a position desired by the operator. Accordingly, the accuracy of position control of the control part400can be improved.

Since the rotary axle41of the control part400is connected to the motor30via the deceleration mechanism31, the deceleration mechanism31enables the control part400maintain its angular position. Accordingly, even if the operator attempts to rotate the control part400by pressing the control part400, the control part400cannot be easily rotated unless the motor30is driven. The latch mechanism32is provided between the deceleration mechanism31and the rotary axle41of the control part400. The latch mechanism32is configured to open (release) when the motor30is driven and latch (close) when the motor30is stopped for ensuring a latched state of the control part400. By employing the latch mechanism32, the gear40of the deceleration mechanism31can be prevented from shaking the control panel4.

An example of the latch mechanism32is a torque hinge as shown inFIG. 6. The latch mechanism32shown inFIG. 6includes a bearing46fixed to the rotary axle41and a housing48fixed to the main body. A flat spring47of the latch mechanism32is configured to provide holding strength by generating frictional force between the rotary axle41and the housing48.

FIG. 8is a diagram showing control blocks of the control part400according to an embodiment of the present invention. The LCD8, the display control part9, the touch panel10, the input control part11, the hard key12, the key matrix13, the LED14, and the LED matrix15, the operation control part16, and the memory part17shown inFIG. 8are the same as those shown inFIG. 2, and the motor30shown inFIG. 8is the same as that shown inFIG. 3. As for other control blocks, the control part400according to an embodiment of the present invention also includes, for example, input parts60,61(which include the switches SW35, SW36), a position sensor62, a reference position detection sensor63, a motor driving part64, and a overload detecting part65. In a case where input from one of the input parts60,61is detected, the operation control part16determines whether the input is from the input part60or the input part61. Then, the operation control part16outputs a motor driving signal and an instruction signal indicative of the rotation direction of the motor to the motor driving part64in accordance with the determination. The waveform of the output signal is shown inFIG. 9.

Furthermore, since the rotary axle41of the control panel4is connected to the motor30via the deceleration mechanism31, an increase of inertia of the motor30and the deceleration mechanism31may cause the control panel4to continue rotating even after the pressing force applied to the control panel4is lifted. Thereby, in some cases, the control panel4may be rotated in excess. Accordingly, the control panel4may be provided with a stopping apparatus (e.g. brake) for immediately stopping the rotation of control panel4after the applying of pressing force is stopped. The brake (method of applying a braking force) may include, for example, an electromagnetic brake or a counter-rotation brake that applies negative phase voltage to the motor30.FIG. 10shows a control waveform in a case where a counter-rotation force applied to the motor30according to an embodiment of the present invention. As for other methods of applying a braking force, a braking force may be creating by causing a short circuit with respect to a terminal of the motor30. For example, the terminal of the motor30may short-circuited at the timing of the counter-rotation brake shown inFIG. 10.

FIG. 7is a schematic diagram showing an electromagnetic brake600according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electromagnetic brake600includes, for example, a yoke51, an armature52, a coil53, a pin spring54, a pole55, a hub56, a disk57, and a plate58. The yoke51and the armature52form a magnetic circuit. The yoke51has the coil53provided therein. In the magnetic circuit, the yoke51attracts the armature52with magnetic force when electric power is provided to the coil53, to thereby applying braking force by the frictional force in a prescribed direction. In this example, the yoke51is mounted on the main body, and the armature52is mounted on the rotary axle41. Accordingly, a frictional braking force can be provided when electric power is applied to the coil53. In a case of no dielectric, the armature52can freely rotate together with the rotary axle41.

FIG. 11is a diagram showing control blocks of the control part400in a case where an electromagnetic brake71according to an embodiment of the present invention is used.FIG. 12shows a waveform of the braking force of the electromagnetic brake71applied in a case of stopping the motor. The LCD8, the display control part9, the touch panel10, the input control part11, the hard key12, the key matrix13, the LED14, and the LED matrix15, the operation control part16, the memory part17, the motor30, the input parts60,61, the position sensor62, the motor driving part64, and the overload detecting part65shown inFIG. 11are the same as those shown inFIG. 8. As for other control blocks, the control part400shown inFIG. 11also includes, for example, the electromagnetic brake71and a brake driving part70for driving the electromagnetic brake71. The brake driving part70is controlled by the operation control part16.

In activating (driving) the electromagnetic brake71, the electromagnetic brake71is supplied with power (energized) immediately after the motor30is stopped and is opened immediately before the motor30is driven. In this process, the electromagnetic brake71is energized with a rated power for a predetermined period immediately after the motor30is stopped (power greater than the rated power may be supplied if the predetermined period is short). After the predetermined period has elapsed, the energizing of the electromagnetic brake71is controlled in a manner that the power applied to the electromagnetic brake decreases. This control is conducted since a sufficient frictional force can be attained without the supply of rated power given that the magnetic reluctance decreases as the air gap between the armature52and the yoke51becomes smaller when the armature52is attracted to the yoke51. Accordingly, consumption of electric power can be reduced and heating of the electromagnetic brake71can be controlled.

In another example of the present invention, the angular stop position of the control part400may be set so that the control part400can be stopped at plural positions (steps) instead of stopping at a single predetermined position. In this example, a position sensor(s)62is employed for detecting a stop position mark(s) provided to the rotary axle41of the control part400, to thereby stop the control part400upon detection of the stop position.

With reference toFIGS. 3A,3B, and4, the position detecting plate33(in this example, the position detecting plate33is shaped as a circular arc) is mounted to the rotary axle41that supports the control panel4. As shown inFIG. 5, substantially rectangular shaped slits (opening parts)45are formed at predetermined intervals along the periphery of the position detecting plate33. The intervals may be spaced evenly or differently according to necessity. The position detecting plate33, being fixed to the rotary axle41, rotates (oscillates) in correspondence with the rotation of the rotary axle41. As shown inFIG. 3A, the photo-interrupter34(in this example, shaped as a square bracket) is provided in a manner clamping the position detecting plate33. The photo-interrupter34is provided with a light emitting part (not shown) and a light receiving part (not shown) for detecting the slits45of the position detecting plate33. Accordingly, the rotation angle (oscillation angle) of the control panel4can be determined by detecting and counting the slits45of the position detecting plate33with use of the photo-interrupter34.

FIG. 13shows the positional relationship between the position detecting plate33and the position sensor62and the reference position detecting sensor63included in the photo-interrupter34. The slits45of the position detecting plate33are arranged to match detecting positions72of the photo-interrupter34. Accordingly, the slits45are detected along with the rotation of the position detecting plate33, to thereby determine the tilt angle of the control panel4.

FIG. 13shows the position detecting plate33in a case where the control panel4is positioned in a horizontal state, that is, a state where the control panel4is rotated upward to the highest position (initial position). The position detecting plate33is rotated in the arrow direction shown inFIG. 13in correspondence with the tilting movement (rotating movement) of the control panel4. The angular position (rotation angle) of the control panel4can be determined by counting the number of slits45from the initial position. Furthermore, the angular position (rotation angle) of the control panel4can be determined more reliably by employing the reference position sensor63for detecting the position of a predetermined reference position.

FIG. 14is a diagram showing an image of the rotation of the control panel4where plural angles (angular positions) of the control panel4are set beforehand. By setting the angular positions beforehand, the control panel4can be arranged at a desired angular position when the image processing apparatus100is turned on/off before or after performing a predetermined operation. Furthermore, the control panel4can be adjusted to a desired angular position repeatedly (repetition of angle adjustment).

FIG. 15is a schematic diagram showing control blocks of the image processing apparatus100for controlling the applying/interrupting of power to an apparatus PSU (Power Supply Unit) in a case where an external power supply and a relay is used in the image processing apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary configuration of the image processing apparatus100shown inFIG. 15includes an AC power supply80, a relay part81, a main body PSU82, an exclusion part83, a main SW (switch)84, and a relay control PSU (e.g. DC power supply)85. Next, with reference toFIGS. 16-19, an operation of the control panel4(control part400) is described in a situation where a POWER ON signal or a POWER OFF signal detected.

FIG. 16is a flowchart for describing the operation of the control part400in a case of switching on the power of the image processing apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 17is a timing chart for describing the operation of the control part400in a case of switching on the power of the image processing apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the operation shown inFIG. 16, a signal indicative of the electric power of the image processing apparatus100is detected. In a case where a Power On signal is detected (Step S100), it is determined whether a previous position data of the control panel4is recorded, for example, in the memory part17(Step S101). In a case where previous position data is recorded (Yes in Step S101), the control panel4is rotated upward by controlling the motor30(Step S102). Then, the position of the control panel4is detected (Step S103). In a case where the reference position of the control panel4is detected (Yes in Step S103), the motor30is stopped (Step S106). As shown inFIG. 17, the motor30is stopped at timing “a” when the position sensor62detects the reference position. In a case where the reference position of the control panel4cannot be detected (No in Step S103), the operation returns to Step S102to continue controlling the motor and finding the reference position. Meanwhile, in a case where previous position data is not recorded (No in Step S101), the control panel4is rotated upward by controlling the motor30(Step S104). Then, the position of the control panel4is detected (Step S105). In a case where the position sensor62detects the previous position of the control panel4(Yes in Step S105), the motor30is stopped (Step S106). In a case where the previous position of the control panel4cannot be detected (No in Step S105), the operation returns to Step S104to continue controlling the motor and finding the previous position.

With the above-described operation, the control panel4can be set to a predetermined position when the power of the image processing apparatus100is turned on. Accordingly, operation of the control panel4can be performed in the same manner as the previous time.

FIG. 18is a flowchart for describing the operation of the control part400in a case of switching off the power of the image processing apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 19is a timing chart for describing the operation of the control part400in a case of switching off the power of the image processing apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the operation shown inFIG. 18, a signal indicative of the electric power of the image processing apparatus100is detected. In a case where a Power OFF signal is detected (Step S200), the motor30is stopped (Step S201). Then, the control panel4is rotated downward by controlling the motor30. In a case where a predetermined position (an unobstructed position where the control panel4is not an obstruction when not used) is detected by a predetermined position sensor66(Yes in Step S203), the motor30is stopped (Step S204). Then, the power of the image processing apparatus100is turned off (Step S205). InFIG. 19, the motor30is driven when a Power SW/Power Off signal is detected and is stopped when the predetermined position sensor66detects the predetermined position (see timing “a” ofFIG. 19). The relay off/AC off signal stops when the motor33stops (see timing “b” ofFIG. 19).

With the above-described operation, the control panel4can be set to the unobstructed position in a case of turning off the power of the image processing apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, the control panel4can be set at a desired position (e.g. unobstructed position, space-saving position, easy operating position, visible position) when the image processing apparatus100is turned on/off before or after performing a predetermined operation. As a result, the image processing apparatus100including the control panel4can be handled in safe and space-saving manner.

By setting the angular positions beforehand, the control panel4can be arranged at a desired angular position when the image processing apparatus100is turned on/off before or after performing a predetermined operation.

Furthermore, with the above-described control part400according to an embodiment of the present invention, the operator can easily set the position of the control part400(control panel4) since both the downward oscillation and the upward oscillation of the control part400are performed in a similar manner.

The above-described control part400according to an embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a rotary angle adjusting mechanism of various office automation equipments (e.g. copier, printer, etc.) and electronic devices.

It is to be noted that the processes (steps) of the flowcharts shown inFIGS. 16 and 18may be performed with a program for causing a computer or a CPU of other systems to execute the above-described angular position adjusting operation of the control part400(control panel4). The program may be recorded, for example, in the memory part17or a computer-readable recording medium800(as shown inFIG. 2).

For example, the program according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the processes of a) detecting an instruction (request) for turning off the power of the image processing apparatus, b) determining the angular position of the control panel4, c) determining whether the angular position of the control panel4is set to a maximum tilt angle, d) immediately turning off the power when it is determined that the angular position is set to the maximum tilt angle and generating a tilt operation instructing signal for changing the angular position when it is determined that the angular position is not set to the maximum tilt angle, and e) stopping the tilt operation and generating a power off instructing signal when the angular position reaches the maximum tilt angle. The program may also include the processes of f) storing the angular positions of the control panel4in the memory part and g) generating a power off signal when the angular position reaches a predetermined angular position stored in the memory part.

The program according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the processes of a) detecting the turning on of the power of the image processing apparatus100, b) detecting the angular position of the control panel, c) adjusting the angular position of the control panel to a minimum tilt angle and stopping the adjustment when the angular position reaches the minimum tilt angle when the turning on of power is detected (detection of power on signal).

The program according to yet another embodiment of the present invention includes the processes of a) reading out data containing reference position of the control panel4from the memory part, b) comparing the angular position of the control panel4with the angular position of the reference position data, c) reading out the reference position data from the memory part when turning on the power of the image processing apparatus100, d) comparing the read out reference position data and the angular position of the control panel4and adjusting the angular position of the control panel4to the angular position in the reference position data, and e) stopping the adjustment when the angular position reaches the angular position in the reference position data.

In addition, the program according to one of the above-described embodiments of the present invention may also include the processes of: storing the angular position of the control panel4in the memory part before turning off the power of the image processing apparatus100; reading out the stored angular position as the reference position data from the memory part; comparing the angular position of the control panel4and the angular position in the reference position data; reading out the reference position data from the memory part when the turning on of power is detected; comparing the read out angular position in the reference position data with the angular position of the control panel4; adjusting the angular position until the angular position of the control panel4reaches the angular position in the reference position data; and stopping the adjustment when the angular position of the control panel4reaches the angular position in the reference position data.

The present application is based on Japanese Priority Application No. 2005-269215 filed on Sep. 15, 2005, with the Japanese Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.