Abstract: An apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read an image of a document set on a reading surface, a pressing plate capable of opening and closing relative to the reading surface, and an operation device provided on an upper surface of the pressing plate and including a plurality of capacitance touch switches each having a backlight. A control unit of the apparatus changes states of the backlights according to operation modes.

Abstract: An operation device includes a cover and a substrate on which a plurality of electrodes which detects a capacitance and which is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of touch switches is mounted. The operation device includes a laminated structure in which at least an elastic sheet that is self-tacking and closely contacts a plurality of electrodes is inserted between the cover and the substrate. At least one through hole is formed at a location on the substrate facing the elastic sheet.

Abstract: A touch panel includes a ring-like shaped light-transmissive portion. A ring-shaped diffusion surface is formed on the bottom surface of a light guide element. The ring-like shape includes a second region provided at a location corresponding to two light sources adjacent to a first region corresponding to one light source. A distance from a location of the ring-shaped light-transmissive portion to a periphery of the ring close to the light source is greater in the second region than in the first region. Light emitted from the light source and incident to the light guide element is diffusion-reflected on the diffusion surface and a part of the diffusion-reflected light illuminates the light-transmissive portion.

Abstract: An operation device includes a cover and a substrate on which a plurality of electrodes which detects a capacitance and which is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of touch switches is mounted. The operation device includes a laminated structure in which at least an elastic sheet that is self-tacking and closely contacts a plurality of electrodes is inserted between the cover and the substrate. At least one through hole is formed at a location on the substrate facing the elastic sheet.

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.

Abstract: An operation device includes a cover and a substrate on which a plurality of electrodes which detects a capacitance and which is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of touch switches is mounted. The operation device includes a laminated structure in which at least an elastic sheet that is self-tacking and closely contacts a plurality of electrodes is inserted between the cover and the substrate. At least one through hole is formed at a location on the substrate facing the elastic sheet.

Abstract: On a bottom surface of a light guide element of an operation device including a panel with a light-transmissive portion, a reflection portion is formed in a first region thereof, which is close to a light source, and a first diffusion surface is formed in a second region of the bottom surface of the light guide element, which is a region distant from the light source. A light-incident side of the light guide element is a non-diffusion surface. Sides other than the light-incident side are second diffusion surfaces. Light that has been emitted from the light source and incident to the light guide element via the light-incident side is totally reflected and is then guided to the first and the second diffusion surfaces and a part of diffusion-reflected light illuminates the light-transmissive portion of the panel.

Abstract: A graphic that indicates a switch is formed on a panel at a location corresponding to a first light guide element. A character to be displayed via the panel is formed on a second light guide element. The first light guide element is supported on a substrate, in close contact with an electrode, via a sheet-like shaped attaching member, and the second light guide element is supported by a base material without being supported on the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a printing unit which is disposed in a housing and configured to form an image on a sheet, an lid attached to the housing by a hinge mechanism, and a camera which is attached to the lid and configured to read an image on a document while the lid is open, wherein the sheet having the image formed by the printing unit is discharged on the lid, and when the lid is opened, the camera can read the document which is placed at a reading position below the camera.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printing section, a flatbed scanner section configured to read an original on a reading surface, and a moving mechanism configured to change the angle of the reading surface relative to an installation plane on which the apparatus is installed. The scanner section is capable of performing reading in each of a first mode where the angle of the reading surface is a first angle (vertical) and a second mode where the angle of the reading surface is a second angle (horizontal) different from the first angle.

Abstract: A display unit includes a slide mechanism slidable in a lateral or vertical direction to a housing. A maintenance opening formed in the housing can be covered and uncovered. When the opening is uncovered, a user can access at least apart of a print section in the housing from the opening and perform maintenance.

Abstract: An image reading/recording apparatus which can prevent a reading unit from closing abruptly and reduce the force required to open the reading unit is to be provided. The apparatus is equipped with a damper unit which links the apparatus body and the scanner unit and the working direction of whose force is reversed on the way of the turning of the scanner unit, and a metal-made supporting member which is arranged in the apparatus body and supports the damper unit in a state in which the scanner unit is closed relative to the apparatus body.

Abstract: A touch panel includes a ring-like shaped light-transmissive portion. A ring-shaped diffusion surface is formed on the bottom surface of a light guide element. The ring-like shape includes a second region provided at a location corresponding to two light sources adjacent to a first region corresponding to one light source. A distance from a location of the ring-shaped light-transmissive portion to a periphery of the ring close to the light source is greater in the second region than in the first region. Light emitted from the light source and incident to the light guide element is diffusion-reflected on the diffusion surface and a part of the diffusion-reflected light illuminates the light-transmissive portion.

Abstract: On a bottom surface of a light guide element, a reflection portion is formed in a first region thereof, which is close to a light source, and a first diffusion surface is formed in a second region of the bottom surface of the light guide element, which is a region distant from the light source. A light-incident side of the light guide element is a non-diffusion surface. Sides other than the light-incident side are second diffusion surfaces. Light that has been emitted from the light source and incident to the light guide element via the light-incident side is totally reflected and is then guided to the first and the second diffusion surfaces and a part of diffusion-reflected light illuminates the light-transmissive portion of the panel.

Abstract: A graphic that indicates a switch is formed on a panel at a location corresponding to a first light guide element. A character to be displayed via the panel is formed on a second light guide element. The first light guide element is supported on a substrate, in close contact with an electrode, via a sheet-like shaped attaching member, and the second light guide element is supported by a base material without being supported on the substrate.

Abstract: An operation device includes a cover and a substrate on which a plurality of electrodes which detects a capacitance and which is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of touch switches is mounted. The operation device includes a laminated structure in which at least an elastic sheet that is self-tacking and closely contacts a plurality of electrodes is inserted between the cover and the substrate. At least one through hole is formed at a location on the substrate facing the elastic sheet.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read an image of a document set on a reading surface, a pressing plate capable of opening and closing relative to the reading surface, and an operation device provided on an upper surface of the pressing plate and including a plurality of capacitance touch switches each having a backlight. A control unit of the apparatus changes states of the backlights according to operation modes.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printing section, a flatbed scanner section configured to read an original on a reading surface, and a moving mechanism configured to change the angle of the reading surface relative to an installation plane on which the apparatus is installed. The scanner section is capable of performing reading in each of a first mode where the angle of the reading surface is a first angle (vertical) and a second mode where the angle of the reading surface is a second angle (horizontal) different from the first angle.

Abstract: A display unit includes a slide mechanism slidable in a lateral or vertical direction to a housing. A maintenance opening formed in the housing can be covered and uncovered. When the opening is uncovered, a user can access at least apart of a print section in the housing from the opening and perform maintenance.