Image forming apparatus

• US 6,259,866 B1
• Filed: 10/20/1999
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Yamada, Kazuyoshi, Kabumoto, Masaaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Braun, Fred L.
• Application Number:
  US09/421,220
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 399/1, 399/81, 345/173, 345/175, D14/371, D14/389, D14/390, D18/41
• US Class Current: 399/1
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5016 User-machine interface; Display panels; Control console
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes an operation and display device having an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel or similar touch panel and a key portion including various keys mounted on its body. The body is curved with a suitable curvature in the up-and-down direction and right-and-left direction. The display surface of the touch panel and the key portion are positioned on the concave side of the curved body; the key portion is arranged below the display surface. The distance between the concave surface and the operator is the same at all positions on the concave surface. The operator can therefore smoothly operate both of the touch panel and key portion with by moving the operator'"'"'s arm, hand and eyes little.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

an apparatus body; and

an operation and display device protruding upwardly from said apparatus body and including a touch panel which an operator can operate by touching;

said operation and display device including a body curved in a substantially spherical configuration in an up-and-down direction and a right-and-left direction, said touch panel having a display surface positioned on a concave side of said body.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body of said operation and display device includes a key portion arranged below said touch panel.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said operation and display device is positioned at a right portion of said apparatus body, as seen from a front of said apparatus body.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a document stacking section provided on a top of said apparatus for stacking documents to be read, said body of said operation and display device adjoining said document stacking section.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said operation and display device is positioned at a right portion of said apparatus body, as seen from a front of said apparatus body.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a sheet discharging section positioned at one side of said apparatus, said operation and display device adjoining said sheet discharging section.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said operation and display device is positioned on a left portion of said apparatus body, as seen from a front of said apparatus body.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a document stacking section provided on a stop of said apparatus for stacking documents to be read, said body of said operation and display device adjoining said document stacking section.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said operation and display device is positioned on a right portion of said apparatus body, as seen from a front of said apparatus body.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a sheet discharging section positioned at one side of said apparatus, said operation and display device adjoining said sheet discharging section.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said operation and display device is positioned at a left portion of said apparatus body, as seen from a front of said apparatus body.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said operation and display device is positioned at a right portion of said apparatus body, as seen from a front of said apparatus body.