IMAGE READING APPARATUS AND OPERATION DEVICE

• US 20110242613A1
• Filed: 03/29/2011
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Ishida, Yasushi, Shimoyama, Noboru, Tsubakimoto, Yasuhito, Ogushi, Hiroshi
• Granted Patent: US 8,634,111 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/442
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00352 Input means H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00384 Key input means, e.g. buttons or keypads electromechanical details of key input means in general H01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00408 Display of information to the user, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00435 arranged in a predetermined sequence, e.g. using next and previous buttons
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00458 Sequential viewing of a plurality of images, e.g. browsing or scrolling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00474 outputting a plurality of functional options, e.g. scan, copy or print
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00477 Indicating status, e.g. of a job for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N2201/3219
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00482 outputting a plurality of job set-up options, e.g. number of copies, paper size or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00493 Particular location of the interface or console
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00496 Constructional details of the interface or console not otherwise provided for, e.g. rotating or tilting means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00535 using rotatably mounted or foldable components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

A plurality of touch switches includes a first switch and a second switch provided adjacent to each other. A distance between an electrode and a surface of a cover at the location of the first switch is smaller than a distance between an electrode and the surface of the cover at the location of the second switch.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a reading unit configured to read an image of a document set on a reading surface;

a pressing plate capable of opening relative to the reading surface; and

an operation panel provided on an upper surface of the pressing plate,

wherein the operation panel includes;

a cover; and

a plurality of touch switches provided at different locations of the cover, each touch switch including an electrode configured to detect a capacitance, and

wherein the plurality of touch switches includes;

a first switch and a second switch provided adjacent to each other,

wherein a dent is formed on a surface of the cover at a location of the first switch, and

wherein a distance between the electrode and the surface of the cover at the location of the first switch is smaller than a distance between the electrode and the surface of the cover at the location of the second switch.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein no dent is formed on the surface of the cover at the location of the second switch.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a backlight is provided for each of the plurality of touch switches, and

wherein control is executed for turning on the backlight corresponding to the touch switch via which an input can be validly input and for turning off the backlight corresponding to the touch switch via which an input cannot be validly input.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first switch includes a plurality of switches arranged in a ring-like shape, and

wherein the second switch is adjacent to the first switch inside the ring-like shape of the first switch.

5. An operation device comprising:

a cover; and

a plurality of touch switches provided at different locations of the cover, each touch switch including an electrode configured to detect a capacitance,

wherein the plurality of touch switches includes;

a first switch and a second switch provided adjacent to each other,

wherein a dent is formed on a surface of the cover at a location of the first switch, and

wherein a distance between the electrode and the surface of the cover at the location of the first switch is smaller than a distance between the electrode and the surface of the cover at the location of the second switch.