OPERATION PANEL, IMAGE FORMING DEVICE PROVIDED WITH SAME, AND IMAGE READING DEVICE

• US 20170031456A1
• Filed: 10/22/2015
• Published: 02/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions, Inc. (Kyocera Corporation)
• Original Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions, Inc. (Kyocera Corporation)
• Inventors: ICHIGUCHI, Tetsuya, TANAKA, Hiroyuki, FUKUDA, Motoyuki
• Application Number:
  US15/304,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20170031456A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/00 Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/46 Printing mechanisms combined with apparatus providing a visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04809 Textured surface identifying touch areas, e.g. overlay structure for a virtual keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/85 characterised by tactile feedback features
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/024 Profile on actuator
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/016 Control panel; Graphic display; Programme control
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/12 Push-buttons
• 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 1/00496 Constructional details of the interface or console not otherwise provided for, e.g. rotating or tilting means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

Provided are an operation panel capable of reliably pressing down a target operation key while saving arrangement space of operation keys, an image forming device provided with the same, and an image reading device. An operation panel (3) is provided with a main body unit (10) having a panel surface (10a) tilted with respect to a horizontal direction and operation keys (12 to 16) protruded from the panel surface. The operation keys have operation surfaces (12a to 16a) pressed down by a user and protrusion portions (12b to 16b) formed so as to be protruded from the operation surfaces along lower end portions of the operation surfaces.

Claims

1. An operation panel incorporated in an image forming apparatus or in an image reading device, the operation panel comprising:

a body having a panel surface which is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction; and

a plurality of operation keys protruding from the panel surface, wherein the operation keys have an operation surface which is depressed by a user, and have a protruding portion which is formed along a lower end part of the operation surface so as to protrude from the operation surface.

2. The operation panel of claim 1, wherein

the protruding portion is formed also in a side end part of the operation surface.

3. The operation panel of claim 1, wherein

a concavity is formed in a lower end part-side portion of the operation surface.

4. The operation panel of claim 1, wherein

the panel surface is inclined at 45 degrees or more with respect to the horizontal direction.

5. The operation panel of claim 1, wherein

in a predetermined operation key of the plurality of operation keys, the protruding portion has a different shape than in another operation key.

7. The operation panel of claim 1, wherein

the plurality of operation keys are formed such that a lower operation key has a larger protrusion amount of the protruding portion with respect to the operation surface than an upper operation key.

8. The operation panel of claim 1, wherein

the plurality of operation keys are formed such that a lower operation key has a larger protrusion amount of the operation surface with respect to the panel surface than an upper operation key.

9. The operation panel of claim 1, wherein

the protruding portion protrudes from the operation surface in the horizontal direction.

10. The operation panel of claim 1, wherein

an upper end part of the operation surface is chamfered.

11. The operation panel of claim 1, wherein

the plurality of operation keys are arranged in a staggered array.

12. The operation panel of claim 11, wherein

the plurality of operation keys are formed in a rhombic shape.

13. The operation panel of claim 1, wherein

the protruding portion is labeled with a character, a number, or a symbol.

14. The operation panel of claim 1, wherein

a light emitting element is provided in the body, and

the protruding portion is formed as a light guiding portion through which light from the light emitting element is transmitted.

15. An image forming apparatus comprising the operation panel of claim 1.

16. The image forming apparatus of claim 15, further comprising

a pen-shaped stick for depressing the operation key.

17. An image reading device comprising the operation panel of claim 1.

6. (canceled)