Abstract:
Provided is an image forming apparatus including a charge processing section and an operation section that are brought closer in height to each other, thus improving the operability of a user. 
     An image forming apparatus ( 100 ) includes a coin insertion processing section ( 110 ), an operation panel ( 120 ) and an electrophotography printer ( 130 ). The coin insertion processing section ( 110 ) is configured to accept money and then execute charge processing so as to permit image formation by the image forming apparatus ( 100 ). The operation panel ( 120 ) is configured to, when the coin insertion processing section ( 110 ) executes the charge processing, accept setting of image formation by the image forming apparatus ( 100 ). The electrophotography printer ( 130 ) is configured to form an image of the read image data based on setting at the operation panel ( 120 ). The coin insertion processing section ( 110 ) is disposed at a height equal to a height of the operation panel ( 120 ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to image forming apparatuses provided with an image forming section that operates in accordance with the charge state. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Image forming apparatuses provided in convenience stores include a coin vendor and a multifunction peripheral (MFP), and are configured so that, in response to inserting a coin into the coin vendor, a predetermined image is formed with the MFP. 
         [0003]    In this way, since the coin vender and the MFP are operated as a unit, a coin vendor and the MFP provided at distant places means deterioration in their operability. 
         [0004]    Then, a coin vendor and a MFP in a convenience store are disposed close to each other (e.g., see Patent Literature 1). 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0005]    Patent Document 1 Patent Application Publication No. 2005-266359 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0006]    In an image forming apparatus provided in a convenience store, however, a coin insertion processing section (charge processing section) of the coin vendor and an operation section of the MFP are different in height as described in Patent Literature 1, and so the operability of the apparatus for users is bad, meaning physical burden for the user. 
         [0007]    In view of the aforementioned problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus configured to bring a charge processing section and an operation section closer in height to each other, thus improving the operability of a user. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0008]    An image forming apparatus of the present invention reads image data to form an image. The image forming apparatus of one present invention includes: a charge processing section; an operation section; and a first image formation section. 
         [0009]    The charge processing section is configured to accept money and then to execute charge processing so as to permit image formation by the image forming apparatus. The operation section is configured to, when the charge processing section executes the charge processing, accept setting of image formation by the image forming apparatus. The first image formation section is configured to form an image of the read image data based on setting at the operation section. 
         [0010]    The charge processing section is disposed at a height equal to a height of the operation section. 
         [0011]    This configuration makes the user&#39;s flow line for the operation of the image forming apparatus substantially linear, whereby the operability of the image forming apparatus of users can be improved. This can reduce the physical burden on users and can improve the visibility of users for the image forming apparatus. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0012]    The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a charge processing section and an operation section that are brought closer in height to each other, thus improving the operability of a user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front view illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a front view illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a front view illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a front view illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a front view illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    The following describes image forming apparatuses according to embodiments of the present invention in detail, with reference to the drawings. 
         [0019]    Firstly, Embodiment 1 of the present invention is described below. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a front view illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus  100  according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         [0021]    The image forming apparatus  100  reads image data to form an image, and includes a coin vender  200  and a MFP  300 . The image forming apparatus  100  includes a coin insertion processing section  110 , an operation panel  120 , and an electrophotography printer  130 . 
         [0022]    The coin insertion processing section  110  is a charge processing section configured to accept a coin and then permit image formation by the image forming apparatus  100 . The charge processing is to, in response to a coin inserted by a user, permit image formation with the electrophotography printer  130  in exchange for the coin.  FIG. 1  describes the coin insertion processing section  110  accepting a coin as one example of the charge processing section, and the charge processing section may be further provided with a bill insertion slot to accept a bill. 
         [0023]    The operation panel  120  is an operation section configured to, when charge processing is executed at the coin insertion processing section  110 , accept setting for image formation by the image forming apparatus  100 . The operation panel  120  is disposed at a flat part of the MFP  300 . The angle to displace the operation panel  120  may be rotatable about one side as an axis. The operation panel  120  used is a touch panel. 
         [0024]    The electrophotography printer  130  is a first image formation section configured to form an image of read image data based on the setting at the operation panel  120 . The electrophotography printer  130  is configured to include a photoreceptor, around which a charger, an exposure device, a developing device and a transfer device are disposed in this order from the upstream of the photoreceptor, and include a fixing device disposed downstream of the sheet-conveyance path. The electrophotography printer  130  is mainly used to form an image on ordinary paper. 
         [0025]    The coin insertion processing section  110  is disposed at a height equal to that of the operation panel  120 . The coin insertion processing section  110  of the present embodiment is disposed within a range of 20 cm both upward and downward from a center position  122  of the operation panel  120  in the vertical direction. In this range, a user hardly moves their arms or neck in the vertical direction when they insert a coin through the coin insertion processing section  110  and next manipulate the operation panel  120 . 
         [0026]    That is, this configuration makes the user&#39;s flow line for the operation of the image forming apparatus  100  substantially linear, whereby the operability of the image forming apparatus  100  by users can be improved. This can reduce the physical burden on users and can improve the visibility of users for the image forming apparatus  100 . 
         [0027]    Preferably the image forming apparatus  100  is further provided with a sublimation printer  140 . The sublimation printer  140  is a second image formation section, which is disposed independently of the electrophotography printer  130 , and is configured to form an image of read image data based on the setting at the operation panel  120 . The sublimation printer  140  is one type of thermal-transfer printers, and applies heat to an ink ribbon with solid ink applied thereon via a print head to let the ink sublime, and attach the ink to paper exclusively used for this purpose that is coated with resin. The sublimation printer  140  is mainly used to form an image on such exclusive paper. 
         [0028]    This configuration allows a user to select the electrophotography printer  130  or the sublimation printer  140  for use, which can give users more options for the image formation on sheets. 
         [0029]    The sublimation printer  140  is preferably disposed beyond the range of the flat face to the bottom face of the electrophotography printer  130  in the vertical direction. 
         [0030]    Since the sublimation printer  140  can be considered to be less frequently used by users, this configuration including the sublimation printer  140  at a place different from the electrophotography printer  130  can effectively use the internal space of the coin vendor  200 . 
         [0031]    Next, the following describes Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the following description of embodiments, the descriptions of the parts common to Embodiment 1 are omitted appropriately. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a front view illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus  100  according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
         [0033]    The image forming apparatus  100  is further provided with a media slot section  150 , onto which a medium to store predetermined image data can be inserted. Exemplary media includes a USB memory and a SD memory card. The image forming apparatus  100  is configured to read image data stored in the medium, and form an image on a sheet with an electrophotography printer  130  or a sublimation printer  140 . Reading of image data stored in the medium requires charge processing by a coin insertion processing section  110 . 
         [0034]    The media slot section  150  is preferably disposed at a height equal to that of an operation panel  120 . The media slot section  150  of the present embodiment is disposed within a range of 20 cm both upward and downward from a center position  122  of the operation panel  120  in the vertical direction. In this range, a user hardly moves their arms or neck in the vertical direction when they insert a coin through the coin insertion processing section  110 , then manipulate the operation panel  120 , and next insert a medium into the media slot section  150 . 
         [0035]    That is, this configuration makes the user&#39;s flow line for the operation of the image forming apparatus  100  substantially linear, whereby the operability of the image forming apparatus  100  by users can be improved. This can reduce the physical burden on users and can improve the visibility of users for the image forming apparatus  100 . 
         [0036]    This configuration further can improve the visibility of users for the image forming apparatus  100 , and so after the image formation on a sheet, this configuration can prevent the user from leaving the medium at the media slot section  150 . 
         [0037]    Next, the following describes Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  is a front view illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus  100  according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
         [0039]    The image forming apparatus  100  is further provided with an in-body copy receiving section  160  to load sheets subjected to image formation. The in-body copy receiving section  160  loads a sheet  164  that is subjected to image formation at an electrophotography printer  130  and is discharged from a sheet outlet  162 . 
         [0040]    The in-body copy receiving section  160  is preferably disposed at a height equal to that of an operation panel  120 . The in-body copy receiving section  160  of the present embodiment is disposed within a range of 20 cm both upward and downward from a center position  122  of the operation panel  120  in the vertical direction. In this range, a user hardly moves their arms or neck in the vertical direction when they insert a coin through the coin insertion processing section  110 , then manipulate the operation panel  120 , and next take the sheet  164  from the in-body copy receiving section  160 . 
         [0041]    That is, this configuration makes the user&#39;s flow line for the operation of the image forming apparatus  100  substantially linear, whereby the operability of the image forming apparatus  100  by users can be improved. This can reduce the physical burden on users and can improve the visibility of users for the image forming apparatus  100 . 
         [0042]    This configuration further can improve the visibility of users for the image forming apparatus  100 , and so after the image formation on a sheet, this configuration can prevent the user from leaving the sheet  164  at the in-body copy receiving section  160 . 
         [0043]    Next, the following describes Embodiment 4 of the present invention. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a front view illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus  100  according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. 
         [0045]    The image forming apparatus  100  is further provided with a scanner section  170  to read image data of a document. The scanner section  170  is disposed at the uppermost face of the image forming apparatus  100  with consideration given to the convenience of a user. The image forming apparatus  100  reads image data on a document that is read by the scanner section  170 , and forms an image on a sheet with an electrophotography printer  130  or a sublimation printer  140 . Reading of image data on a document with the scanner section  170  requires charge processing by a coin insertion processing section  110 . 
         [0046]    The scanner section  170  is preferably disposed at a height equal to that of an operation panel  120 . The scanner section  170  of the present embodiment is disposed within a range of 20 cm both upward and downward from a center position  122  of the operation panel  120  in the vertical direction. In this range, a user hardly moves their arms or neck in the vertical direction when they insert a coin through the coin insertion processing section  110 , then manipulate the operation panel  120 , and next read a document with the scanner section  170 . 
         [0047]    That is, this configuration makes the user&#39;s flow line for the operation of the image forming apparatus  100  substantially linear, whereby the operability of the image forming apparatus  100  by users can be improved. This can reduce the physical burden on users and can improve the visibility of users for the image forming apparatus  100 . 
         [0048]    This configuration further can improve the visibility of users for the image forming apparatus  100 , and so after the image formation on a sheet, this configuration can prevent the user from leaving the document at the scanner section  170 . 
         [0049]    Next, the following describes Embodiment 5 of the present invention. 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  is a front view illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus  100  according to Embed intent 5 of the present invention. 
         [0051]    The image forming apparatuses  100  in Embodiments 1 to 4 include the coin vendor  200  and the MFP  300  that are physically separated, which may be of an integrated type as in the present embodiment. 
         [0052]    This configuration also makes the user&#39;s flow line for the operation of the image forming apparatus  100  substantially linear, whereby the operability of the image forming apparatus  100  by users can be improved. This can reduce the physical burden on users and can improve the visibility of users for the image forming apparatus  100 . 
         [0053]    Finally, the above described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning said range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           100  image forming apparatus 
           110  coin insertion processing section 
           120  operation panel 
           122  center position 
           130  electrophotography printer 
           140  sublimation printer 
           150  media slot section 
           160  in-body copy receiving section 
           170  scanner section