Patent Publication Number: US-2019199867-A1

Title: Image forming apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus that has a functionality to wirelessly communicate with a portable terminal. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Image forming apparatuses that capture image data using a simple wireless communication system have been disclosed. Image forming apparatuses in the related art typically capture image data from an external portable terminal using a memory card. In near field communication (NFC) that is characteristic of a slow data speed, the disclosed image forming apparatus has a mechanism that captures from a portable terminal image data using preset WiFi (registered trademark) as a trigger for the transmission of the image data. 
     Communication is established by placing an NFC portable terminal and an image forming apparatus in a close range. During use, a communication region is arranged in an operation panel having an operation unit that gives a command to the image forming apparatus to centralize operations at a single point. The communication region is thus easily recognized. 
     When the portable terminal is placed close to the communication region located in the operation panel, there is a possibility that a user unintentionally touches the operation unit that gives a command to the image forming apparatus and enters an erratic input to the image forming apparatus. 
     Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-115046 discloses an image forming apparatus that controls an erratic input by detecting the presence of an object close to an NFC detector of a touch panel and thus by invalidating and rejecting an input within an area close to the NFC detector. 
     In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-115046, the touch region of the portable terminal is arranged in the center portion of an operation panel in the direction of depth, and thus at a location deeper than a key group including multiple keys. Portable terminals have recently become larger in scale, and if a portable terminal is held over the touch region, part of it covers the key group. If any of the keys detects the portable terminal before the presence of the portable terminal is detected, an erratic input may be input to the image forming apparatus and causes the image forming apparatus to perform a corresponding process. 
     It is desirable to provide an image forming apparatus that is free from an erratic operation in response to an unintended operation command performed in NFC communication. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus include an operation panel having an operation display that displays information. The operation panel includes a first operation key that receives a first operation command from a user, a second operation key that receives a second operation command from the user, and a near field communication unit that performs wireless communication with a portable terminal in a close range. The first operation key in a selected state thereof receives the first operation command, and the second operation key in a deselected state thereof receives the second operation command. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) of an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the MFP; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of an operation panel of a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the operation panel of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the operation panel of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the operation panel of the first embodiment with a portable terminal held over the operation panel; 
         FIG. 7  is a timing diagram illustrating an input state of the operation panel of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a timing diagram illustrating the state of an operation panel of a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a timing diagram illustrating the state of an operation panel of a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an operation panel of a fifth embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the operation panel of the fifth embodiment with a portable terminal held over the operation panel; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the operation panel of the fifth embodiment with the portable terminal held over the operation panel. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the disclosure are described below in connection with the drawings. For convenience of explanation, image forming apparatuses as multifunction peripherals (MFPs) are described as the embodiments. It will be understood that the embodiments also find applications in an image forming apparatus that includes a near field communication (NFC) unit and an operation panel serving as a touch panel. 
     Structure Common to First Through Fifth Embodiments 
       FIG. 1  is an external view of a multifunction peripheral (MFP)  1  of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     The MFP  1  of  FIG. 1  has functionalities to copy, to fax, to scan, and to store on server, and includes an automatic document feeder  2 , an operation panel  3 , a discharge paper tray  4 , three paper feed trays  5 , a manual feed tray  6 , a front cover  7 , and a right-side cover  8 . 
     The automatic document feeder  2  causes document sheets to be read continuously by automatically feeding the set document sheets. A scanner is disposed in the transportation path of the document sheets, and each document sheet is read when it passes the scanner. Scanners may be vertically arranged such that a document sheet is transported between the scanners and the front and back sides of the document sheet are read at the same time. 
     The operation panel  3  has a functionality of an interface that gives a command to the MFP  1  when an operation command is received from the user. The operation panel  3  will be described in greater detail later. 
     The discharge paper tray  4  receives paper sheets discharged after being printed, and has space that accommodates a stack of printed paper sheets. The printed paper sheets may undergo a post-process (not illustrated) that sorts the printed paper sheets by discharging them to a right-hand side or a left-hand side of the discharge paper tray  4  according to job unit. 
     The three paper feed trays  5  receive paper sheets that are to be fed and printed. In this case, the paper feed trays  5  receive three types of paper sheets. 
     The manual feed tray  6  is used to set a paper sheet therein, and feeds to the MFP  1  the paper sheet other than the paper sheets set in the three paper feed trays  5 . 
     The front cover  7  is pivoted open. The front cover  7  covers a power switch, a toner cartridge for printing, a printing unit, and the like mounted in the MFP  1 . 
     The right-side cover  8  may be opened to remove a paper sheet if the paper sheet is jammed in the middle of printing. 
       FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of the MFP  1 . A controller  201  controls elements of the whole MFP  1  in accordance with a program stored on a memory  202  discussed below. The controller  201  includes a high-speed memory serving as a work area of a central processing unit (CPU) that performs an arithmetic operation and gives commands. 
     The memory  202  includes a semiconductor memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD). The memory  202  pre-stores a program that controls the controller  201 , and further stores in a non-volatile fashion a variety of settings made by a user. 
     An input interface (I/F)  203  receives signals from a variety of input units, including a scanner unit  204 , a universal serial bus (USB)  205 , a power saving key  206  ( 405 ), a home key  207  ( 406 ), and a touch panel  208 , and transfers the signals to the controller  201 . 
     The scanner unit  204  reads a document being transported by the automatic document feeder  2  of  FIG. 1  or reads a document placed on a document platen, and includes an optical sensor, such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor. 
     A universal serial bus (USB)  205  is an interface (I/F) that is connected to an external memory (such as a USB memory). According to the embodiment, the USB  205  reads data from or writes data to the USB memory. 
     A power saving key  206 ( 405 ) is used to give a command to shift the MFP  1  to a power saving mode to save power. The power saving key  206  detects an operation performed by a user by detecting a change in capacitance. In order not to shift to the power saving mode in response to an erratic touch, the power saving key  206  thus allows the MFP  1  to shift to the power saving mode after a time elapse of 1 second, for example. 
     A home key  207 ( 406 ) is used to change an operation screen to a screen on which a variety of functionalities of the MFP  1  is selected. Like the power saving key  206 , the home key  207  detects an operation performed by the user by detecting a change in capacitance. But if the home key  207  is designed to be activated after a time elapse like the power saving key  206 , this inconveniences the user. The home key  207  is designed to immediately change one screen to another when it is operated. 
     The power saving key  206  and the home key  207  are activated when each of these keys is selected by touching. The selection mechanism is not limited to touching. For example, the selection mechanism may be implemented using a hardware key. 
     A touch panel  208  is based on an analog resistive membrane system, and is arranged on a display  210  described below. The touch panel  208  is used to detect an input to a location on the display  210 . 
     The touch panel  208  is not limited to the analog resistive membrane system that uses a divided voltage. Alternatively, the touch panel  208  may be an electrostatic capacity system that detects a change in capacitance present between a finger and a pattern, an infrared ray blocking system that uses an area that blocks a radiated infrared ray, or a camera system that identifies a location in response to a shadow of a finger which is photographed by a camera. 
     An output I/F  209  is used to output to the user a signal output from the controller  201 . The output I/F  209  converts the signal from the controller  201  into information that is to be displayed on a bitmap (not illustrated), and generates a driving signal and supplies to the display  210  the driving signal to drive the display  210 . 
     The display  210  is used to provide the user with information, and is a flat display, such as a liquid-crystal display or an electroluminescent (EL) display. 
     A communication interface (I/F)  211  relays communication between the MFP  1  and an external device. The communication I/F  211  connects to a phone unit  212  that performs a facsimile communication using a telephone network, a local-area network (LAN) communication unit  213  that performs email communication using the Internet, a WiFi communication unit  214  that performs high-speed wireless communication within a coverage of several tens meters, and an NFC communication unit  215 ( 409 ) that performs relatively short-range wireless communication. 
     The NFC communication unit  215  has a near field communication functionality unit that performs wireless communication with a terminal device (portable terminal) within a close range. 
     A printing unit  216  prints an image on a paper sheet placed in one of the three paper feed trays  5  or the manual feed tray  6  illustrated in  FIG. 1  by fixing toner onto the paper sheet using heat and pressure. 
     First Embodiment 
     A first embodiment is described.  FIG. 3  illustrates the operation panel  3 . Elements illustrated in  FIG. 3  and related to the elements illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  are designated with the same reference numerals, and the discussion thereof is omitted as appropriate. 
     A touch screen having the touch panel  208  on the display  210  is arranged in the center portion of the operation panel  3 . In the example of  FIG. 3 , the display  210  displays four icons indicating a copy functionality, a fax functionality, a scan functionality, and FTP/Desktop functionality. When the user touches one of the displayed icons, the touch panel  208  detects a touch location, and the functionality corresponding to the icon displayed at the touch location is performed. 
     Arranged to the right of the touch screen in the order of the deeper side toward the front side of the operation panel  3  are a region that is used to detect the power saving key  206 , a region that is used to detect the home key  207 , and a region that is used to perform communication using the NFC communication unit  215 . 
     The first embodiment is characteristic of the arrangement in which a communication region of the NFC communication unit  215  serving as an NFC interface that performs NFC communication is arranged closer to the user of the operation panel  3 . In other words, the communication region of the NFC communication unit  215  is arranged in the extension line of the power saving key  206  and the home key  207 . 
     If viewed from the user who operates the operation panel  3  (viewed from the lower side of  FIG. 3 ), the communication region of the NFC communication unit  215  is arranged closer to the user than the operation region where operation keys, such as the power saving key  206  and the home key  207 , are arranged. The communication region of the NFC communication unit  215  is desirably arranged near one corner of the operation panel  3 . The communication region of the NFC communication unit  215 , if not arranged near the corner of the operation panel  3 , is desirably arranged below the operation region in  FIG. 3 . 
     The touch panel  208 , the operation region (the power saving key  206  and the home key  207 ), and the communication region of the NFC communication unit  215  are arranged on the same surface plane of the operation panel  3 . A user friendly operation panel thus results by providing these elements on the same surface plane. 
       FIG. 4  is the perspective view of the operation panel  3 . The operation panel  3  includes a combination of an upper frame  401  and a lower frame  402 . The operation panel  3  is pivotally connected to the MFP  1  about a rotary shaft (not illustrated) on the rear side of the lower frame  402 . 
     The upper frame  401  includes a window  403  that is space defined by the upper frame  401  itself. Through the window  403 , the user checks the display  210  in the operation panel  3  concerning the touch panel  208  and the display  210 , and performs a touch operation to the touch panel  208 . 
     A substrate  404  is arranged beside the display  210  and the touch panel  208 . The substrate  404  includes a first static electricity detector  405  serving as the power saving key  206  and a second static electricity detector  406  serving as the home key  207 . The first static electricity detector  405  and the second static electricity detector  406  detect a change in capacitance responsive to an operation performed by the user. 
     Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)  407  are arranged on both sides of each of the patterns of the first static electricity detector  405  and the second static electricity detector  406 . Light guide plates  408  are arranged on the patterns of the first static electricity detector  405  and the second static electricity detector  406  to guide light upward from the LEDs  407  in a manner such that the detection of capacitance is not affected. 
     Light guided by the light guide plate  408  is recognized from above because the corresponding target region of the upper frame  401  is translucent. The key location is thus easily recognized. 
     In accordance with the first embodiment, the power saving key  206  and the home key  207  are electrostatic capacity switches that detect operation inputs by detecting capacitance. Alternatively, each of the power saving key  206  and the home key  207  may be a simple pressure sensitive switch or a simple mechanical switch. Alternatively, the power saving key  206  and the home key  207  may be a combination of these switches. For example, the home key  207  may be an electrostatic capacity switch and the power saving key  206  may be a mechanical switch. 
     The switches arranged in the operation region are the power saving key  206  and the home key  207 . But these switches may be implemented as a single switch. Alternatively, the operation region may have no switch at all. For example, the functionalities of the switches may be additionally performed by another switch, such as a clear key, a mode switching key, or a power key. Such a switch may have the functionalities of the switches as well as its own functionality. 
     The substrate  404  includes a loop antenna  409  in the form of a wiring pattern to perform wireless NFC communication. The loop antenna  409  serves as an input and output unit that works with a terminal device, such as a smart phone performing the NFC communication. 
     A variety of components mounted on the substrate  404  are connected with an input interface (I/F)  203  and the communication I/F  211  via a connector  410  and as a result, the controller  201  performs processes thereof. 
       FIG. 5  is the perspective view of the operation panel  3 . When the user causes the portable terminal to communicate with the MFP  1 , the user places the portable terminal close to communication coverage of the NFC communication unit  215  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     Since the region of the NFC communication unit  215  is the front portion of the upper frame  401 , the user may be able to hold the portable terminal over the MFP  1  in a manner such that the portable terminal does not cover the power saving key  206  and the home key  207 . This is contrasted with the case in which the NFC communication unit  215  is arranged in a central or deeper portion of the upper frame  401 . 
     Operation input and communication control on detection regions of the power saving key  206 , the home key  207 , and the NFC communication unit  215  are described in connection with  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  illustrates the detection of the touch input and operation signals. 
     The horizontal axis of  FIG. 7  represents time.  FIG. 7  illustrates touch inputs entered from time t 1  when a touch input from the user is detected to time t 2  when the touch input is deactivated, a communication enabled state, and timings of operation commands. The power saving key  206  outputs the operation command (operation signal ON) immediately subsequent to the touch input. In contrast, the home key  207  outputs the operation command (operation signal ON) when the touch input is no longer detected (for example, when a finger lifts off) after the touch input has been detected. 
     The NFC communication unit  215  remains in a communication enabled state while the touch input remains on. More specifically, the communication enabled state continues immediately subsequent to the touch input. 
     An erratic operation is thus avoided by changing the timing of the operation command (operation input) between the startup of the detection of the touch input and the end of the detection of the touch input. For example, even if the home key  207  is touched when the portable terminal is held over the region of the NFC communication unit  215 , an operation command responsive to an erratic operation is avoided. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A second embodiment is described in connection with  FIG. 8 . 
     In accordance with the second embodiment, even if the home key  207  is touched with the NFC communication unit  215  communicating, an indication that the operation command has been input is not output (the operation signal is not turned on). 
     The NFC communication unit  215  may now perform the NFC communication from time t 10  to time t 16 . In other words, the portable terminal is being held over the NFC communication unit  215 . 
     The portable terminal or a finger of the user may touch the home key  207  (during a time period from time t 12  to time t 14 ). In this case, the home key  207  could output the operation command (the operation signal of the home key  207  could turn on). However, since the NFC communication unit  215  detects the NFC communication, the operation command from the home key  207  is regarded as not being output. More specifically, the operation signal of the home key  207  remains to be off. 
     In accordance with the second embodiment, the home key  207  does not output the operation command while the NFC communication is performed. In other words, the operation signal of the home key  207  remains to be off, and an erratic operation command is avoided during the NFC communication. 
     Third Embodiment 
     A third embodiment is described in connection with  FIG. 9 . 
     In accordance with the third embodiment, the NFC communication unit  215  does not receive from the operation command from the home key  207  for a predetermined period of time after the communication of the NFC communication unit  215 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the portable terminal performs the NFC communication via the NFC communication unit  215  from time t 20  to time t 22 . 
     Even if the touch input on the home key  207  is detected, and the touch input on the home key  207  is then deactivated after the communication of the NFC communication unit  215 , the operation command is not accepted from the home key  207 . In other words, the ON operation signal is not output. 
     Even if the touch input of the home key  207  is deactivated (time t 24 ) during a predetermined period of time, such as 0.5 seconds, 1 second, or 2 seconds after the completion of the NFC communication, the operation signal of the home key  207  remains to be off. 
     In this way, an erratic operation command is avoided even if the home key  207  is touched when the portable terminal held over the NFC communication unit  215  is removed. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     A fourth embodiment is described in connection with  FIG. 9 . 
     If the touch input to the home key  207  has continued for a predetermined period of time or longer in the fourth embodiment, no operation command is received from the home key  207 . 
     If the home key  207  is erratically touched while communication is performed with the portable terminal held over the communication region of the NFC communication unit  215 , a touch input to the home key  207  is detected. 
     If the touch operation on the home key  207  has continued for the predetermined period of time or longer, the operation command is not received even when the touch operation stops. The operation signal is in the off state. 
     The predetermined period of time is a fixed period of time or longer, for example, 1 second or longer, or 3 seconds or longer. 
     A determination is made as to whether the NFC communication unit  215  is currently in the communication state with the portable terminal (or the NFC communication unit  215  has been in the communication state with the portable terminal). If the NFC communication unit  215  is in the communication state with the portable terminal, no operation command may be received, and the operation signal may be set to be off. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     A fifth embodiment is described below in connection with  FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 . In addition to the features of the embodiments described above, the fifth embodiment has a characteristic shape to avoid an erratic operation. 
     The fifth embodiment is identical to the first embodiment in that the region of the NFC communication unit  215  is arranged on the surface of the operation panel  3 , but is different from the first embodiment that the region is inclined. 
     In accordance with the fifth embodiment, the operation panel  3  has a gradually rising slope extending from the front side of the operation panel  3  toward a deeper portion (the center point), and the communication region of the NFC communication unit  215  is thus arranged on the front portion from the peak of the rising slope toward the front side. The operation regions of the power saving key  206  and the home key  207  other than the NFC communication unit  215  are arranged in the gradually falling slope extending from the peak of the rising slope toward the deeper side of the operation panel  3 . 
     The communication region of the NFC communication unit  215  is mounted on the rising slope from the front side toward the deeper portion of the operation panel  3  while the operation regions are mounted on the slope at an angle different from the angle of the rising slope of the operation panel  3 . 
     The communication region and the operation regions are arranged in this way as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Even if the portable terminal is held at a location that reaches the area of the home key  207 , possibly causing erratic detection in response to a change in capacitance, spacing is assured to the keys, and the erratic detection is thus controlled. 
     In the fifth embodiment, the rising slope is arranged in the direction extending from the front side toward the deeper side of the operation panel  3 . The direction may be a lateral direction. More specifically, a first gradually rising slope may be arranged from the right side toward the center portion of the operation panel  3 . A second gradually falling slope may be arranged from the center portion toward the right side on the operation panel  3 . The communication region may be arranged on the first slope, and the operation regions may be arranged on the second slope. 
     The communication region and the operation regions may be reversed in position. For example, the operation regions may be arranged on the front portion, and the communication region may be arranged on the deeper portion. Because of the presence of the slope, even if the portable terminal is held over the NFC communication unit  215 , the portable terminal may touch the NFC communication unit  215  at an angle different from the angle at which the portable terminal touches the power saving key  206  or the home key  207 . An erratic operation is thus controlled. 
     Modifications 
     The embodiments of the disclosure have been described. The disclosure is not limited to the embodiments. Designs that do not depart from the scope of the disclosure fall within the range defined by the claims. 
     The MFPs have been described as an example of the image forming apparatus in the embodiments. The embodiments may find applications in a facsimile device alone, a printer alone, or a copying machine alone. 
     In accordance with the embodiments, the NFC communication unit is used to communicate with the portable terminal. The embodiments may be used in another type of near field communication. For example, the embodiments may be used in communication where an authentication card is used using radio frequency identifier (RFID). 
     The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2017-251139 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Dec. 27, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.