Image forming device and image input device

In an image forming device which acquires image information of a document and forms an image on a recording sheet, an image forming device body has a first reading unit and a processing unit, wherein the first reading unit acquires image information of a document and the processing unit forms an image on a recording sheet based on the image information. An image input device has a second reading unit which acquires image information of a document. The image input device is arranged in the image forming device body at a position lower than a position of the first reading unit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention generally relates to an image forming device and an image input device, and more particularly to an image forming device which acquires image information of a document and forms an image on a recording sheet, and an image input device which inputs information relating to a job performed by the image forming device.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, with the advance of medical technology and the yearly increase of average life time, it is a matter of course that disabled persons who are unable to use a part of their body properly would maintain the social life if they use auxiliary tool, such as a wheelchair, etc. The opportunity for the handicapped, elderly people, etc. to take part in the society is being increased.

In view of such a background, barrier-free environment for eliminating the inconveniences that the handicapped, elderly people, etc. feel in the social life is promoted. As for office automation (OA) equipment, such as image forming devices used in companies, public institutions, etc., there have been made various proposals for meeting the demand for barrier-free environment.

For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications No. 2000-214731 and No. 2005-010394 disclose an image forming device which is adapted for lifting or lowering an image forming device body so that the position of an image reading part provided in the image forming device can be moved up and down. In the image forming device of this type, the lower limit of the image reading part in the movable range depends on the height of the image forming device body, and it is difficult to allow a person who sits on a wheelchair to fully gain access to the image reading part from that condition. Moreover, the lifting or lowering mechanism will be made large with larger size of image forming device, and it will cause the cost of the entire image forming device to be increased.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications No. 2005-300872 and No. 2005-099567 disclose an image forming device in which the image reading part can be lifted or lowered to the image forming device body. Since the moving mechanism in the image forming device of this type is lightweight and small in size, the lifting or lowering mechanism will not be made large. However, the lower limit of the image reading part in the movable range depends on the height of the image forming device body as in the type mentioned above, and it is difficult to allow a person who sits on a wheelchair to fully gain access to the image reading part from that condition.

Furthermore, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 11-194566 discloses an image forming device in which an image reading part of drawer type is arranged at an arbitrary position of the image forming device body, in order to gain access to the image reading part. However, when installing an image forming device in any of various installing locations, such as companies or public institutions, where the image forming device may be used by unspecified users, it is desirable that all people not only the handicapped or elderly people who use the auxiliary tool but also healthy person are able to use the image forming device without stress or inconvenience. Therefore, it is not appropriate that the height of the image reading part is fixed to one specific location depending on the installed location of the image forming device.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an improved image forming device in which the above-mentioned problems are eliminated.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an image forming device which is adapted for improving the ease of operation.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an image input device which is adapted for improving the ease of operation, without causing enlargement and high cost of the image forming device.

In an embodiment of the invention which solves or reduces one or more of the above-mentioned problems, there is provided an image forming device which acquires image information of a document and forms an image on a recording sheet, the image forming device comprising: an image forming device body having a first reading unit and a processing unit, wherein the first reading unit acquires image information of a document and the processing unit forms an image on a recording sheet based on the image information acquired by the first reading unit; and an image input device having a second reading unit, the second reading unit acquiring image information of a document, and the image input device being arranged in the image forming device body at a position lower than a position of the first reading unit.

The above-mentioned image forming device may be configured so that the image input device comprises an interface which inputs a command to the image forming device body.

The above-mentioned image forming device may be configured so that the image input device is provided so that the image input device is capable of being pushed in the image forming device body or pulled out from the image forming device body.

The above-mentioned image forming device may be configured so that the image forming device body is provided with a plurality of mounting mechanisms to which a plurality of sheet feeding trays, each containing a plurality of recording sheets, are detachably mounted respectively, and the image input device is detachably mounted to one of the plurality of mounting mechanisms.

The above-mentioned image forming device may be configured so that the processing unit is provided with a printer which prints an image on a recording sheet, and the image input device is arranged at a position lower than a position of the printer.

The above-mentioned image forming device may be configured so that the image input device is provided so that the image input device is rotatable, when the image input device is pulled out from the image forming device body, around an axis perpendicular to both a pull-out direction of the image input device and a vertical direction.

The above-mentioned image forming device may be configured so that the image input device is provided to be rotatable around an axis which is perpendicular to both a pull-out direction of the image input device and a vertical direction, and the image input device is provided with a document holding plate which holds a document placed on the second reading unit.

The above-mentioned image forming device may be configured so that the mounting mechanism comprises a locking mechanism which regulates pushing and pulling of the image input device to and from the image forming device body.

The above-mentioned image forming device may be configured so that the image forming device body is provided with a control device which controls the processing unit, and the image input device is electrically connected to the control device when the image input device is attached to the image forming device body.

The above-mentioned image forming device may be configured so that the control device is provided so that, when the image input device is pulled out from the image forming device body, the control device performs only processing based on a command inputted to the interface.

The above-mentioned image forming device may be configured so that the control device is provided to acquire, when the image input device is attached to the image forming device, information relating to the image input device.

The above-mentioned image forming device may be configured so that the interface comprises a touch panel which is provided so that a displaying direction is capable of being changed.

The above-mentioned image forming device may be configured so that the displaying direction is changed by rotating the displaying direction 90 degrees.

The above-mentioned image forming device may be configured so that the displaying direction is changed by a single pressing action.

In an embodiment of the invention which solves or reduces one or more of the above-mentioned problems, there is provided an image input device for use in an image forming device, the image input device inputting information relating to an image forming job which is executed by the image forming device, the image input device comprising: a holding member which is detachably mounted to a sheet-feeding-tray mounting part provided in the image forming device; and an image input device body provided in the holding member so that the image input device body is capable of entering or leaving the holding member.

The above-mentioned image input device may be configured so that the image input device body is provided with a scanner which reads image information of a document.

The above-mentioned image input device may be configured so that the image input device body is provided with an interface which inputs a command relating to the image forming job.

The above-mentioned image forming device may be configured so that the holding member is provided with a locking mechanism which regulates pushing and pulling of the image input device body to and from the holding member.

According to the embodiment of the image forming device of the invention, the image forming device is provided with the image input device which comprises the second reading unit and is arranged in the image forming device body at a position lower than a position of the first reading unit. Therefore, it is possible to input image information of a document from the lower position which is different from the position of the first reading part in the image forming device, and it is possible to improve the ease of operation of the image forming device.

According to the embodiment of the image input device of the invention, the image input device comprises a holding member which is detachably mounted to a sheet-feeding-tray mounting part of the image forming device, and an image input device body provided in the holding member. The information relating to an image forming job can be inputted from the position corresponding to the position of the sheet-feeding-tray mounting part if the image input device is attached to the image forming device in advance.

Since the holding member of the image input device is detachably mounted to the sheet-feeding-tray mounting part, there is no need for making design changes in the case of attaching the image input device to the existing image forming device. It is possible to avoid causing enlargement and high cost of the image forming device. In addition, when there is no need to input an image using the second reading unit, the image input device body may be accommodated in the holding member or the image input device may be detached from the image forming device. Therefore, it is possible to secure the work space in the vicinity of the image forming device effectively.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A description will now be given of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1shows the composition of an image forming device (copier)10in an embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the image forming device10of this embodiment includes an image forming device body12having a generally rectangular shape, a sheet feeder20provided on the top surface of the image forming device body12, an operation panel21fixed to the top end of the front surface (on the −X side surface inFIG. 1) of the image forming device body12, an image input device30provided in the lower front-surface part of the image forming device body12, and a set of sheet feeding trays22A,22B, and22C provided under the image input device30.

FIG. 2shows the layout of the inside of the body of the image forming device12inFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 2, the image forming device body12includes a chamber13, a scanner26, a printer25, and a main controller100(seeFIG. 11). The chamber13includes a hollow component having a generally rectangular shape and having the longitudinal direction parallel to the Z axis direction, and a paper output tray13ais provided above the center part of the chamber13. The scanner26is arranged above the chamber13. The printer25is arranged under the paper output tray13a. The main controller100(seeFIG. 11) is provided to control the respective components of the image forming device10.

In the scanner26, the reading part which scans a document is arranged so that it is exposed from the top surface of the chamber13. The reading part scans the document sent from the sheet feeder20, acquires image information of the document, and supplies the image information to the main controller100.

The printer25prints an image on a recording sheet23supplied through a sheet feeding mechanism (not shown), based on the image information acquired by the scanner26, and delivers the recording sheet23on which the image is printed to the paper output tray13a.

For example, the chamber13is made of an integral resin material which is formed by injection molding. A set of rectangular openings in which the sheet feeding trays22A-22C and the image input device30are inserted are provided under the front-surface side of the chamber13.

FIG. 3is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of guide members provided in the inside of the chamber13. As shown inFIG. 3, four guide members141-144having the longitudinal direction parallel to the X axis direction are provided on the +Y side internal wall of the chamber13, and the guide members141-144are arranged so that they are separated at equal intervals in the Z-axis direction. And four guide members145-148which are opposed to the guide members141-144are provided on the −Y side internal wall of the chamber13, and the guide members145-148are arranged so that they are separated at equal intervals in the Z-axis direction. Each of the guide members141-148is a component having a U-shaped cross-section and including a fixed portion having a rectangular shape and fixed to the chamber13, and a pair of parallel guide parts which are connected to the upper end and the lower end of the fixed portion. Eight guide idlers151-158which are rotatable around an axis parallel to the Y-axis direction are respectively provided near the −X side edges of the guide members141-148.

Referring back toFIG. 1, the sheet feeding tray22A is constituted by, for example, a tray which has a rectangular bottom plate part and a frame part provided along the periphery of the top surface of the bottom plate part. And the slide parts (not illustrated) which are slidable on the guide members141-148fixed to the chamber13are formed on the outside surfaces on the +Y and −Y sides of the frame shape part, respectively. The slide parts of the sheet feeding tray22A are mounted to the guide member144and the guide member148through the guide idler154and the guide idler158of the chamber13, and the sheet feeding tray22A is detachably accommodated in the chamber13such that it may be pulled out in the −X direction.

The sheet feeding tray22B and the sheet feeding tray22C also have the same structure as that of the sheet feeding tray22A. The slide parts provided in the frame shape part of each sheet feeding tray are mounted to the guide members143,147and the guide members142,146, and the sheet feeding trays22B and22C are detachably accommodated in the chamber13such that they may be pulled out in the −X direction.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 1, the sheet feeding trays22A,22B, and22C are arranged in this order from the bottom part to the upper part, but each of the sheet feeding trays22A-22C can be mounted to any of the guide members141-148. In the following, for the sake of convenience of description, the accommodated position determined by the guide member141and the guide member145will be called the first accommodated position, the accommodated position determined by the guide member142and the guide member146will be called the second accommodated position, the accommodated position determined by the guide member143and the guide member147will be called the third accommodated position, and the accommodated position determined by the guide member144and the guide member148will be called the fourth accommodated position.

FIG. 4is an exploded perspective view of an image input device in an embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 4, the image input device30of this embodiment includes a base40and an image input device body50. The base40is made of an integral resin material which is formed by injection molding. The base40includes a bottom plate part40bhaving a rectangular cross-section and having the longitudinal direction parallel to the Y axis direction, a frame part40ahaving a U-shaped cross-section and extending along the +Y and −Y side edges and the +X side edge of the bottom plate part40bin the X- and Y-axis directions, a flange part40calong the −X side edge part of the bottom plate part40band the −Z side edge part of the frame part40a, and a connecting portion40dformed on the top surface of the bottom plate part40bnear the middle of the −X side edge part of the bottom plate part40b.

A pair of sliding member42A and sliding member42B having the longitudinal direction parallel to the X axis direction are attached to the +Y and −Y side outside surfaces of the frame part40aof the base40, and a connector46is attached to the +X side outside surface of the frame part40a.

A pair of guides43A and43B having the longitudinal direction parallel to the X axis direction are attached to the +Y and −Y side inside surfaces of the frame part40a. Each of the guides43A and43B includes a guide rail having a U-shaped cross-section which includes a rectangular fixed portion fixed to the frame part40a, and a pair of mutually-parallel upper and lower guide parts connected to the upper end and the lower end of the fixed portion. And a rectangular notch43ais formed near the +X side edge part of the lower guide part.

Moreover, a pair of guide idlers44A and44B which are rotatable around the axis parallel to the Y-axis are secured to the +Y and −Y side inside surfaces of the frame part40anear the −X side edge parts of the guides43A and43B, respectively.

FIG. 5AandFIG. 5Bare perspective views of the image input device body50. As shown inFIG. 5AandFIG. 5B, the image input device body50has a housing51which is made of a hollow component having a rectangular shape and having the longitudinal direction parallel to the Y axis direction, a scanner52provided in the housing51so that the reading part is exposed to the top surface of the housing51, and a cover54rotatably connected to the +X side edge part of the scanner52on the top surface of the housing51by a pair of hinges55such that the cover54is rotatable around the axis parallel to the Y-axis direction.

The housing51is made of a resin material formed by injection molding. An interface53is provided on the −X side of the top surface of the housing51. In the interface53, a plurality of push button switches for inputting a command relating to an image forming job which is performed by the image forming device body12, and for inputting a command to control the scanner52, and a touch panel53aetc. are provided.

A handle51afor pulling out the image input device body50from the base40in the X axis direction is formed in the −X side surface of the housing51, and a pair of sliders56A and56B, each of which is made of a rectangular hollow component having the longitudinal direction parallel to the X axis direction, are attached to the +Y and −Y side outside surfaces of the housing51, respectively.

Moreover, as shown inFIG. 5B, a guide groove51bwhich has the longitudinal direction parallel to the X axis direction is formed on the bottom surface (the −Z side surface) of the housing51, the guide groove51bextending from the center of the +X side edge part to the center of the −X side edge part.FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view of the slider56A. The slider56B is essentially the same as the slider56A, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As shown inFIG. 6, near the +X side edge part of the slider56A (or the slider56B), an elastic member57is provided inside the slider56A (or the slider56B), and this elastic member57has the longitudinal direction parallel to the X axis direction. The elastic member57is a sheet-like component in which the curved portion is formed near the +X side edge part of the elastic member57, and the −X side edge part of the elastic member57is fixed to the top surface of the bottom wall of the slider56A (or the slider56B) so that the curved portion projects from a rectangular opening56awhich is formed in the bottom wall of the slider56A (or the slider56B).

Referring back toFIG. 5A, the scanner52includes a LED (light emitting diode) as a light source for scanning and reading a document. The scanner52is, for example, a small-thickness scanner having a thickness of 4 cm and being in conformity with the power-saving specifications. And the scanner52acquires image information of a document based on the input command received from the interface53on the top surface of the housing51.

The cover54includes a set of sheet-like members54aand54bwhich have the longitudinal direction parallel to the Y axis direction. One of the longitudinal sides of the sheet-like member54aand one of the longitudinal sides of the sheet-like member54bare rotatably connected together, and the other of the longitudinal sides of the sheet-like member54bis rotatably connected to the +Y side edge part of the top surface of the housing51via a pair of hinges55.

The sliders56A and56B secured to the housing51of the image input device body50are respectively attached to the pair of guides43A and43B secured to the frame part40aof the base40via the guide idlers44A and44B as shown inFIG. 4. Thus, the image input device body50is provided so that the image input device body50is capable of being pushed into and pulled out from the base40in the X-axis direction.

When the image input device body50is attached to the base40, the connecting portion40dprovided in the base40is fitted to the guide groove51bprovided in the underside of the housing51. The connection of the connecting portion40dand the guide groove51brestricts the stroke of the image input device body50when it is pulled out from the base40, which prevents falling down of the image input device body50from the base40.

On the other hand, when the image input device body50is fully accommodated in the base40, the curved portions of the elastic members57provided in the sliders56A and56B are respectively inserted in the cut-out grooves43aformed in the guides43A and43B, as shown inFIG. 7A. When the image input device body50is pulled out from the base40, the curved portions of the elastic members57are lifted by the guide parts on the lower side of the guides43A and43B and they are pushed into the inside of the guides43A and43B, as shown inFIG. 7B.

Accordingly, when the image input device body50is accommodated in the base40; it is possible to prevent the image input device body50from being carelessly pulled out from the base40, even if a small actuation force is operated in the X axis direction. And, once it is pulled out, the image input device body50can slide on the base40without stress.

In the image input device30including the base40and the image input device body50described above, the pair of sliding members42A and42B fixed to the base40are fitted to the guide members141and145fixed to the chamber13via the guide idlers151and155, and the image input device30is detachably mounted in the first accommodated position inside the chamber13.

FIG. 8shows the condition of the base40in which the base40is in the first accommodated position of the chamber13. As shown inFIG. 8, when the base40is accommodated in the first accommodated position of the chamber13as shown inFIG. 8, the connector46fixed to the −X side outside surface of the frame part40ais connected to the connector16arranged inside the chamber13, and the image input device body50accommodated in the base40is electrically connected to the main controller100.

FIG. 9is a diagram for explaining the operation of the lock pin47and the clamper17. As shown inFIG. 9, the lock pin47is fixed to each of the +Y side edge part and the −Y side edge part of the +X side surface of the flange part40cof the base40. This lock pin47is locked by the clamper17provided in the chamber13at this time and the base40is fixed to the chamber13. Thus, as indicated by the arrows inFIG. 10, the image input device body50accommodated in the base40is capable of being pushed in or pulled out from the image forming device body12.

Referring back toFIG. 1, the operation panel21is constituted to include a housing having the longitudinal direction parallel to the Y axis direction, two or more push button switches provided on the top surface of the housing, and a touch panel.

FIG. 11is a block diagram of the image forming device10. As shown, the main controller100is a microcomputer including a CPU, a memory, etc. and controlling the image forming device10. The main controller100drives the scanner26based on the command inputted from the operation panel21, so that the scanner26reads image information of a document. And the printer25is driven by the main controller100based on the read image information, so that the printer25prints an image on a recording sheet23.

As in the embodiment ofFIG. 8, the main controller100detects whether the base40is mounted to the image forming device body12, based on the output signal of the sensor101arranged near the +X side edge part of the guide member141attached to the chamber13. Moreover, the main controller100detects whether the image input device body50is pulled out from the base40, based on the output signal of the sensor102arranged near the −X side edge part of the guide43A of the base40.

For example, a limit switch may be used as the sensor101. When the base40is mounted to the image forming device body12, the limit switch is set to ON state, and when the base40is removed from the image forming device body12, the limit switch is set to OFF state. For example, a limit switch may be used as the sensor102. When the image input device body50is pulled out from the base40, the limit switch is set to ON state, and when the image input device body50is pushed into the base40, the limit switch is set to OFF state.

The main controller100carries out switching of the operating states (valid/invalid) of the components21,26and30of the image forming device in accordance with the following Table 1. Namely, when the sensors101and102are in ON state, the main control unit100sets the information inputted from the operation panel21and the scanner26in the invalid state, and controls the printer25to print an image on a recording sheet23based on the information inputted from the image input device30.

When the sensor101is in ON state and the sensor102is in OFF state, the main controller100sets the information inputted from the image input device30in the invalid state, and controls the printer25to print an image on a recording sheet23based on the information inputted from the operation panel21and the scanner26.

When the sensor101is in OFF state, it is determined that the image input device30is not located in the first accommodated position or the usual sheet feeding tray is attached. In this case, the main controller100controls the printer25to print an image on a recording sheet23based on the information inputted from the operation panel21and the scanner26.

FIG. 12shows the manner of using the image forming device10by a user120who uses a wheelchair122. As shown inFIG. 12, when the user120uses the image forming device10, the image input device body50is pulled out, and then the cover54is opened as shown inFIG. 5Aand a document is set to the scanner51. And the user120inputs a command from the interface53of the image input device body50, so that printing of an image on a recording sheet23is performed by the printer25provided in the image forming device body12, and the recording sheet23on which the image is printed is ejected to the paper output tray13a.

In the image forming device10of this embodiment, the image input device30is mounted in the first accommodated position where a sheet feeding tray may be mounted. In order to shorten the transporting passage of a recording sheet as much as possible in an image forming device, such as a copier, it is desirable that the sheet feeding tray and the printer are arranged in close proximity to each other. Moreover, in order to shorten wiring distance for transmitting image information of a document and a command relating to an image forming job, it is desirable that the printer, the scanner and the operation panel are arranged in close proximity to each other. And it is desirable for healthy persons that the operation panel for inputting a command to the image forming device, the scanner for reading image information of a document, and the paper output tray are arranged in the upper portion of the image forming device body.

In order to satisfy the above-mentioned requirements, the image forming device10of this embodiment is provided so that the scanner26, the operation panel21, the printer25, and the sheet feeding trays22A,22B, and22C are arranged in this order from the upper part to the lower part, as shown inFIG. 2. For this reason, the image input device30which is mounted in the first accommodated position is located in the position lower than the position of the printer25and higher than the lower end of the image forming device body12by a distance ranging from 37 cm to 50 cm. Thus, it is possible to input image information of a document from the position lower than that of the scanner26and input a command from the position lower than that of the operation panel21.

Especially when the user120who uses the auxiliary tool, such as the wheelchair122, uses the image forming device10, as shown inFIG. 12, the image input device body50of the image input device30is pulled out from the image forming device body12. This allows the visibility to a document to be secured for the user120. And inputting image information of a document and inputting a command to the image forming device body12can be performed from the position lower than the position of the operation panel20or the scanner26, without using the scanner26and the operation panel21. Therefore, it is possible to improve the ease of operation of the image forming device10.

Since the image input device30can be mounted in the first accommodated position of the image forming device body12, it is not necessary to provide the image forming device body12with an additional mounting device or mounting part for mounting the image input device30. The existing design for the layout of the components provided in the image forming device10can be used with no need for design changes, and it is possible to avoid enlargement and high cost of the image forming device.

The image input device body50of the image input device30can be pushed in or pulled out from the base40mounted in the first accommodated position. When performing reading of image information of a document, inputting of a command, etc. using the operation panel21and the scanner26, it is possible to secure the work space around the image forming device body12by mounting the image input device body50in the base40.

The image input device30is detachably mounted to the image forming device body12. It is possible for the user to selectively determine one of the image input device30and the sheet feeding tray which should be mounted in the first accommodated position, according to the use condition of the image forming device10.

In the image forming device10of the above embodiment, the case where the image input device body50is capable of being pushed into or pulled out from the base40has been explained. Alternatively, the image forming device may be provided so that the image input device body50is capable of being pushed into or pulled out from the image forming device body12, without using the base40.

In the image forming device10of the above embodiment, the case where the image input device30is mounted in the first accommodated position. Alternatively, the image input device30may be mounted in any of the second accommodated position, the third accommodated position, and the fourth accommodated position. In this case, for example, as shown inFIG. 13, the image input device30may be mounted in the second accommodated position and the built-in type automatic sheet feeder unit70may be mounted in the first accommodated position.

The image forming device may be provided so that the display indication of the touch panel53aof the interface53provided in the image input device body50is rotated by 90 degrees so that the Y axis direction is turned into a vertical direction to the user. This allows the user120to easily operate the image input device30not only when the user faces the interface53but also when the image input device30is located in the right-hand side of the user as shown inFIG. 14, or located in the left-hand side of the user.

In this case, a push-button switch for rotating the direction of a display screen of the touch panel53a90 degrees to make the Y axis direction of the display screen match the vertical direction may be provided in the interface53, and the direction of the display screen may be rotated 90 degrees by a single pressing action of the push button switch in the interface53.

In the image forming device10of this embodiment, when the image input device30is mounted to the image forming device body12, the image input device body50is electrically connected with the main controller100. The main controller100communicates with the image input device body50, and the main controller100acquires the information relating to the image input device30as a result of the communication.

Alternatively, the main controller100may be configured to acquire the information relating to the image input device30, based on the configuration of a connector, without performing the communication between the main controller100and the image input device body50.

In the image forming device10of the above embodiment, the case where the sheet feeding trays22A-22C having the same configuration are mounted to the image forming device body12has been explained. Alternatively, the image forming device may be configured so that a mass sheet feeding tray is mounted to the image forming device body12, instead of one of the sheet feeding trays. In this case, it is possible to easily mount the mass sheet feeding tray by changing the spacing of the guide members141-148shown inFIG. 3.

Next, a modification of the above-mentioned embodiment of the image input device30will be explained.

In the following, the elements which are the same as corresponding elements of the image input device30in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 15AandFIG. 15Bare perspective views of a body of an image input device30A in a modification of the embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 15A, the image input device30A includes a joint60having a rectangular shape and having the longitudinal direction parallel to the Y axis direction. The sliders61A and61B which are slidable on the guides43A and43B provided in the base40are attached to the +Y and −Y side surfaces of the joint60.

The image input device body50is connected to the lower end of the −X side surface of the joint60through the torque hinge62so that the image input device body50is rotatable around the axis parallel to the Y-axis. As shown inFIG. 15B, the guide groove60bwhich is continuous to the guide groove51bformed in the housing51is formed in the −X side edge part of the underside (or the −Z side surface) of the joint60.

In the image input device body50and the joint60which are connected as shown inFIG. 16, when the +X side surface of the housing51is in contact with the −X side surface of the joint60, the pair of the sliders56A and56B provided in the image input device body50and the pair of the sliders61A and61B provided in the joint60are mounted to the pair of the guides43A and43B provided in the base40through the guide idlers44A and44B. The image input device body50is capable of being pushed into or pulled out from the base40. And the connecting portion40dof the base40is moved from the guide groove51bof the housing51to the guide groove60bof the joint60when the image input device body50is pulled out, and the connecting portion40dcontacts the +X side wall of the guide groove60b. It is possible to prevent falling down of the image input device body50from the base40.

In the image input device30A, the horizontal position of the image input device body50is maintained by the holding force of the torque hinge62when the image input device body50is pulled out from the base40. However, when the force exceeding the necessary level is exerted on the top surface, the image input device body50is rotatable to the image forming device body12as shown inFIG. 17. Thus, when the excessively large force is exerted on the image input device body50pulled out from the base40, the image input device body50is rotated to the image forming device body12, thereby preventing the image input device30A from being damaged.

In the above modification, the case where the image input device body50is connected to the joint60via the torque hinge62has been explained. Alternatively, the image input device body50may be connected to the joint60via a ratchet mechanism.

The cover54of the image input device body50is rotatable around the axis parallel to the Y-axis, as shown inFIG. 5A. Thereby, the cover54is rotated integrally with the image input device body50when rotating the image input device body50is rotated to the image forming device body12. It is possible to avoid opening or closing the cover54carelessly, and damaging of the cover54can be prevented.

The work space around the image forming device body12can be secured by the rotation of the image input device body50to the image forming device body12. Since the inclination angle of the image input device body50can be arbitrarily changed when a serviceman performs maintenance service, it is possible to raise the effectiveness of maintenance service.

Any of various image input devices may be connected to the image forming device body12. For example, any of corresponding image input devices in the cases of image forming devices using the interface including only the touch panel, using A4-size recording sheets or A3-size recording sheets for being scanned and using monochrome images or color images for being formed may be connected. As the scanner52, either the scanner using the scanning method or the scanner using the image pick-up method may be used.

Furthermore, the present application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese patent application No. 2006-070121, filed on Mar. 15, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.