BACKGROUND

[0001] An image forming apparatus may refer to an apparatus which prints print data generated from a terminal device such as a computer to a printing paper. Examples of the image forming apparatus may include a copier, a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, or a multi-function peripheral (MFP) which implements in combination functions of the copier, the printer, the facsimile, and the scanner through one device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Various examples will be described below by referring to the following figures.

[0003] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram schematically illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an example;

[0004] FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram schematically illustrating an insertion type user interface (Ul) structure of an image forming apparatus according to an example;

[0005] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an example;

[0006] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation of an image forming apparatus according to an example;

[0007] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an insertion type Ul structure of an image forming apparatus providing information through a second display based on the first display being in an insertion position according to an example;

[0008] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an insertion type Ul structure of an image forming apparatus providing information through a first display based on the first display being in an extraction position according to an example;

[0009] FIG. 7 is an enlarged diagram illustrating an insertion type Ul structure of an image forming apparatus according to an example; [0010] FIG. 8 is a perspective diagram schematically illustrating an insertion type III structure of an image forming apparatus according to an example;

[0011] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a structure to expose a part of an area of a display through a window located at an exterior of a main body based on a display of an image forming apparatus being in an insertion position according to an example;

[0012] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a structure in which a display of an image forming apparatus is rotatable according to an example;

[0013] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an insertion type III structure of an image forming apparatus according to an example; and

[0014] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Various examples will be described below with reference to drawings. The examples described below may be modified in various different forms and implemented.

[0016] A component that is described as being “connected to” another component may be understood as being ‘directly connected’ to the other component and may also be understood as being ‘connected with still another component therebetween.’ In addition, a component that is described as “including” another component refers to a situation in which still other components may be further included rather than excluding the other components unless otherwise specified.

[0017] In the disclosure, an “image forming apparatus” may refer to an apparatus which prints print data generated from a terminal device such as a computer to a recording medium such as paper. Examples of the image forming apparatus may include a copier, a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, or a multifunction peripheral (MFP) which implements in combination functions of the copier, the printer, the scanner, and the facsimile, through one device. [0018] In the disclosure, a “user interface (III)” may refer to a component to provide information through various III screens or to receive an input of a user (e.g., a command) from the user. The user may touch the III screen directly, or may input various selection commands by operating a button provided in the III. The selection command may be a command to set a function provided by the image forming apparatus, to set a mode change, to set a stop and resume operation, or the like. In addition, the III may receive an input of a job command such as a copy command, a fax command, a scan command, or the like. Further, various programs installed in the image forming apparatus may be selected or executed based on a user input using the III. In addition, information associated with a program operated in the image forming apparatus, information associated with a state of the image forming apparatus, and the like may be displayed to the user using the III.

[0019] The disclosure provides various examples of an insertion type III structure capable of moving between a retracted position inside and a projected position outside of a main body of the image forming apparatus, providing information from each position, and receiving an input of a user command.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram schematically illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0021] The image forming apparatus may be implemented by various structures and functions according to a size or performance, a cost, a use purpose, a model type, or the like. FIG. 1 describes an example of such a structure.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1 , an image forming apparatus 1 may include various components such as a paper feeding device, a print engine, a discharge device, or the like to feed paper P, which is stacked in a paper tray, to a feeding path A, perform an image forming job, and discharge the paper on which an image is formed to the outside.

[0023] The image forming apparatus 1 may include an insertion type III structure 100 which is storable inside a main body 10 that forms an exterior of the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0024] The insertion type III structure 100 may be disposed in a space formed between a toner cartridge 20 to supply toner to the print engine and an upper cover of the main body 10. However, a position at which the insertion type III structure 100 is disposed is not limited thereto, and may be disposed at various storable positions in an inner space of the main body 10.

[0025] The insertion type III structure 100 according to various examples will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram schematically illustrating the insertion type III structure 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to an example.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 may include the main body 10 that forms an exterior, a first display 110, a second display 120, and a movable member 130.

[0028] The first display 110 may output information in a visual form, and may include a display of various forms such as, for example, and without limitation, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS), a digital light processor (DLP), and the like. In addition, the first display 110 may include a touch screen coupled with a touch sensing part to display a Ul screen and to receive an input of a user command by receiving a touch input of a user through the Ul screen. In an example, a whole or a part of the first display 110 may be exposed to the outside of the main body 10 through a window formed in the main body 10.

[0029] The second display 120 may output information in a visual form, and may include a display of various forms such as, for example, and without limitation, an LCD panel, an LED, an OLED, an LCoS, a DLP, and the like. The second display 120 may include a touch screen coupled with a touch sensing part to display a Ul screen and to receive a touch input of a user through the Ul screen. As an example, a user command may be received as a touch input. In an example, the second display 120 may transmit a signal in code form by utilizing a lightemitting element located at the outside of the main body 10. Various example methods for displaying messages to the user may be applied thereto.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, the first display 110 may be selectively disposed between an insertion position, which is retracted inside the main body 10, and an extraction position, which is protruded outside the main body 10. To this end, the image forming apparatus 1 may include the movable member 130 to move the first display 110 between the insertion position and the extraction position.

[0031] The movable member 130 may include a case (or, tray) to support the first display 110, and may move the first display 110 between the insertion position and the extraction position in a sliding method according to an external force being applied. The movable member 130 may include a handle part 131 (referring to FIG. 7) which is protruded toward an outer side direction of the main body 10 and may provide support in manually moving the movable member 130 as the user applies an external force. The movable member 130 may be implemented in an example method in which a fixed latch is released based on pressure being applied from the insertion position to the movable member 130 toward an inner direction of the main body 10 by applying a push-latch method and protruded to the outside by a spring restoring force. The image forming apparatus 1 may further include a motor (not shown) which generates a driving force, and may automatically cause the movable member 130 to protrude to the outside.

[0032] The second display 120 may be disposed at a position that is exposed to the outside regardless of the position of the first display 110. For example, the second display 120 may be disposed at the exterior of the main body 10 or at an outer side of the movable member 130. FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the second display 120 is disposed at the outer side of the movable member 130, more specifically, at a side surface at which the movable member 130 is exposed to the outside from the insertion position of the first display 110.

[0033] The image forming apparatus 1 may provide first information through the first display 110 based on the first display 110 being disposed at the extraction position, and provide second information through the second display 120 based on the first display 110 being disposed at the insertion position. In this case, the first display 110 may be a display having a screen that is larger than a screen of the second display 120, and accordingly, there may be a difference in an amount of providable information. The image forming apparatus 1 may provide less information through the second display 120, which is exposed to the outside based on the first display 110 being disposed at the insertion position, and provide more information through the first display 110 based on the first display 110 being protruded to the outside according to a request of the user. Examples of the above will be described below with reference to the drawings hereinbelow.

[0034] In FIG. 2, an example of an insertion type III structure 100 has been illustrated as being disposed to protrude from one side surface of the main body 10. However, the position of the insertion type III structure 100 is not limited thereto, and may be implemented to protrude in various directions such as a front surface, a back surface, an upper surface, and the like of the main body 10. For example, based on the insertion type III structure 100 being disposed to protrude in the front surface direction of the main body 10, the second display 120 which is disposed at the outer side of the movable member 130 may be exposed toward the front surface of the main body 10 and it may be easy for the user to approach the second display 120.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 may include the first display 110, the second display 120, and a processor 140.

[0037] The processor 140 may be electrically connected with the first display 110 and the second display 120, and control an operation of the image forming apparatus 1. To this end, the processor 140 may include a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a System on Chip (SoC), or the like, and is not limited thereto.

[0038] According to an example, the processor 140 may control so that first information is provided through the first display 110 based on the first display 110 being disposed at the extraction position, and second information is provided through the second display 120 based on the first display 110 being disposed at the insertion position.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 4, the processor 140 may identify whether the first display 110 is disposed at the extraction position in operation S410. Based on the first display 110 being identified as disposed at the extraction position (i.e., operation S410, Y), the processor may provide information through the first display 110 in operation S420. While providing information through the first display 110, the processor 140 may identify whether the first display 110 is moved to the insertion position in operation S430. If the first display 110 is identified as having moved to the insertion position (i.e., operation S430, Y), the processor 140 may provide information through the second display 120 in operation S440. While providing information through the second display 120, the processor 140 may identify whether the first display 110 is moved to the extraction position in operation S450. If the first display 110 is identified as having moved to the extraction position (i.e., operation S450, Y), the processor may provide information through the first display 110 in operation S420.

[0041] Accordingly, information suitable according to an intent of the user which corresponds to an extraction or insertion position of the first display 110 may be provided.

[0042] The processor 140 may inactivate the first display 110 based on the first display 110 being disposed at the insertion position, and activate the first display 110 based on the first display 110 being disposed at the extraction position. Accordingly, power consumption may be reduced while the first display 110 is retracted inside the main body 10 and not exposed to the outside.

[0043] Based on the first display 110 moving to the extraction position from a state in which the first display 110 is disposed at the insertion position and second information is provided through the second display 120, the processor 140 may control to provide more detailed information (e.g., additional information) associated with the second information provided from the second display 120 through the first display 110. An example of the above will be described below with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the insertion type III structure of the image forming apparatus providing information through the second display based on the first display being disposed at the insertion position according to an example, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the insertion type III structure of the image forming apparatus providing information through the first display based on the first display being disposed at the extraction position according to an example. [0045] Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, as an example of an operation of providing information through the first display 110 and the second display 120, the processor 140 may provide, based on identifying that an error state has occurred in the image forming apparatus 1 , an error message through the second display 120 while the first display 110 is disposed at the insertion position (referring to FIG. 5). As illustrated in FIG. 5, the processor 140 may make the user aware of an error state by displaying a message, such as a notification of insufficient paper, through the second display 120 based on insufficient paper being sensed from the image forming apparatus 1 . The image forming apparatus 1 may include at least one key 150 which is disposed at the exterior of the main body 10, and may receive an input of a user command through the at least one key 150. In an example, the processor 140 may perform, based on the first display 110 being disposed at the insertion position, a control operation corresponding to a user command based on the user command being input through the at least one key 150.

[0046] Further, the processor 140 may provide information to address the error state through the first display 110 based on the first display 110 being moved to the extraction position (referring to FIG. 6). In this case, the first display 110 may provide additional information associated with the error state notification displayed through the second display 120, for example information to address the error state. Referring to FIG. 6, the second display 120 may provide information corresponding to the insufficient paper which is the error state displayed through the second display 120 in FIG. 5. The first display 110 may provide, through a display having a relatively wider area than a display of the second display 120, additional information corresponding to the information provided through the second display 120. For example, a position of a paper tray having insufficient paper may be displayed as an image as the additional information associated with the insufficient paper state on the first display 110. As an example, a guide message may be provided on the first display 110 to guide a paper filling method. [0047] The error state of the image forming apparatus 1 may refer to a case in which a printing job cannot be performed, a case in which there is a likelihood of a print quality deteriorating, or the like. For example, the error state may include a state such as an insufficient paper, an insufficient developer, a paper jam, a part contamination, or the like.

[0048] The second display 120 may be implemented in various forms. In an example, the second display 120 may include at least one light-emitting element 160 disposed at the exterior of the main body 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 , and the processor 140 may control the light-emitting state of the light-emitting element 160 in a manner similar to that of controlling the second display 120 according to an operating state of the image forming apparatus 1 . For example, the processor 140 may provide, based on identifying that the error state has occurred in the image forming apparatus 1 , information on the error state to the user by controlling a light-emission color, a light-emission period, and the like of the light-emitting element 160. Accordingly, through various examples of the second display 120, which is disposed at a position that is exposed to the outside at all times regardless of the position of the first display 110, notifications may be immediately provided to the user even based on the first display 110 being at the insertion position.

[0049] FIG. 7 is an enlarged diagram illustrating an insertion type III structure of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 7, the movable member 130 may include the handle part 131 that protrudes to the outside while the first display 110 is disposed at the insertion position. The user may apply an external force to the handle part 131 to insert the first display 110, which is mounted to the movable member 130, into the inner space of the main body 10 or to protrude the first display 110 to the outside of the main body 10.

[0051] FIG. 8 is a perspective diagram schematically illustrating an insertion type III structure of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 1 may include the main body 10 forming an exterior, a display 210, a movable member 230, and a window 270.

[0053] Unlike an example described above, an insertion type Ul structure 200 disclosed in FIG. 8 may include one display 210 selectively disposed between the insertion position, which is retracted inside the main body 10, and the extraction position, which is protruded outside of the main body 10. The insertion type III structure 200 may also include the window 270 that is located at the exterior of the main body 10 to expose at least a part of the area of the display 210, which is disposed at the insertion position, to the outside.

[0054] The window 270 may be located to correspond to a display area of the display 210, which is disposed at the insertion position. Accordingly, even based on the display 210 being disposed at the insertion position, which is retracted inside the main body 10, information displayed on the display 210 may be exposed to the outside through the window 270. The window 270 may be formed as an opening at the exterior of the main body 10, and may include a cover plate of a transparent material to prevent a foreign substance from being introduced to the inside of the main body 10.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a structure to expose a part of an area of a display through a window located at an exterior of the main body based on the display of the image forming apparatus being in an insertion position according to an example.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 9, the window 270 may cover the whole or a part of the display area of the display 210. Accordingly, information may be provided to a user based on the display 210 being disposed at the extraction position or at the insertion position.

[0057] That is, the processor 140 may control so that information is provided through the display 210 based on the display 210 being disposed at the extraction position, and that information is provided through at least a part of the area of the display 210 that is exposed to the outside through the window 270 based on the display 210 being disposed at the insertion position.

[0058] The image forming apparatus 1 may include at least one key 250 that is disposed at the exterior of the main body 10, and may receive an input of a user command through the at least one key 250. For example, the processor 140 may perform, based on the display 210 being disposed at the insertion position, a control operation corresponding to a user command based on the user command being input through the at least one key 250. Accordingly, the display 210 may provide information to the outside even in a retracted state inside the main body 10, and receive an input of the user command through the at least one key 250 disposed at the exterior of the main body 10.

[0059] The III screen displayed on the display 210 may be changed according to the position of the display 210.

[0060] For example, based on the display 210 being at the extracted position, the user may directly touch and operate the III screen displayed on the display 210. In this case, the processor 140 may change information displayed on the display 210 according to a touch operation on the display 210, and the III screen displayed on the display 210 may be a layout suitable for a touch operation. [0061] Because the user is unable to touch the III screen that is displayed on the display 210 directly while the display 210 is at the insertion position, information displayed at a part of the area of the display 210 may be changed according to an operation of the at least one key 250 that is disposed at the exterior of the main body 10. In this case, the III screen displayed on the display 210 may be a layout corresponding to a key operation.

[0062] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a structure in which a display of an image forming apparatus is rotatable according to an example of the disclosure.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 10, the movable member 230 may include a tray 231 which supports the display 210, a hinge part 232, and a side wall 233.

[0064] The tray 231 may be a movable structure which accommodates the display 210, and may be retracted to the inner space of the main body 10 or protruded to the outside of the main body 10 through the opening formed at the main body 10. The side wall 233 may be formed in a direction at which the tray 231 is protruded to the outside, and may close the opening which is formed at the main body 10 based on the tray 231 being retracted in the inner space of the main body 10.

[0065] The hinge part 232 may support the display to be rotatable on the tray 231 , and the display 210 may be rotatable based on the hinge part 232 having an axis in the moving direction of the tray 231 .

[0066] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an insertion type III structure of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 11 , an insertion type III structure 300 may include a first display 310, a second display 320, and a movable member 330.

[0068] The movable member 330 may move the first display 310 between an insertion position, which is retracted inside the main body 10, and an extraction position, which is protruded outside of the main body 10 through the structure as described in FIG. 10 above. The movable member 330 may support the first display 310 to be rotatable. In addition, the second display 320 may be disposed at an outer side wall of the movable member 330. Example operations of the first display 110 and the second display 120 which have been described in FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 may be applied to the operation of the first display 310 and the second display 320, and redundant descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0069] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of an image forming apparatus according to an example.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 12, an example control method of an image forming apparatus may include providing second information through a second display while a first display is in a retracted state inside of a main body of the image forming apparatus in operation S1210 and providing first information through the first display based on the first display being protruded to the outside of the main body in operation S1220.

[0071] In this case, inactivating the first display based on the first display being inserted inside the main body from the outside of the main body may be further included.

[0072] The second display may be disposed to the exterior of the main body or to one side of the first display. Accordingly, the second display may be exposed to the outside regardless of the position of the first display.

[0073] The providing of first information through the first display may include providing more detailed information associated with the second information through the first display based on the first display being projected outside of the main body from a state in which the first display is inserted inside the main body and the second information is provided through the second display. [0074] Providing an error message through the second display based on an error occurring in the image forming apparatus while the first display is inserted inside the main body, and providing information to address the error state through the first display based on the first display being projected outside of the main body may be further included.

[0075] While examples of the present disclosure have been described, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and should be construed as having the widest scope within the technical spirit disclosed in the present specification. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form that is not included in the above described examples by combining or replacing the disclosed examples, however, it also does not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, it is apparent that the disclosed examples may be changed or modified based on the present specification, and thus, such changes or modifications fall within the scope of the present disclosure.