Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.

Shinya Kogoh

William Theodore Clark, Iii

Ko Takeuchi

Toshihiko Matsuo

Hideji Kobashi

Mark S Penke

Jacob W Patla

Makoto Kenmochi

Toshimitsu Kobayashi

Toshhimitsu Kobayashi

A display section of an operation panel is raised relative to a horizontal plane. If the display section consists of a liquid crystal having an angle of visibility of 80 degrees (i.e., with an angle formed between the line normal to the display surface of the display section and the visibility range limit being 40 degrees), the display section is raised at about 50 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, so that visibility can be ensured both at the wheelchair seated position and at the standing position at which the non-handicapped person stands up. Further, by arranging visual recognition keys (a menu key etc.) which require an operator to view the display section during operation thereof outside of a projection region of the display section, the operator's hand on the operation panel never hides the display section during operation.

Operation panel and image formation apparatus or electronic equipment using the operation panel

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a sheet output part that outputs the sheet having the image formed thereon by the image forming unit, and an operation panel for controlling the image forming unit disposed in a vicinity of the sheet output part. The operation panel has an operation part for setting an operation mode and a display part that displays the operation mode. At least a part of the operation part is disposed inside a sheet output area of the sheet output part, and the display part is disposed outside the sheet output area.

Image forming apparatus

Auto document reader for printer

Printer

Growing community of inventors

Yokohama, Japan

Shinya Kogoh