US 11,706,356 B2
Input device and image forming apparatus
Kenji Fukushi, Chiba (JP)
Assigned to Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Jul. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/376,370.
Application 17/376,370 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2020/005008, filed on Feb. 4, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 2019-018768 (JP), filed on Feb. 5, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0344806 A1, Nov. 4, 2021
Int. Cl. H04N 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC H04N 1/00384 (2013.01) 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An input device mountable on an image forming apparatus that includes an image reading portion configured to read an image of an original, an image forming portion configured to form the image on a recording medium on the basis of a reading result of the image reading portion, and an operating portion including a display screen configured to display a software execution key, as a software key, to provide an instruction of a start of reading the image to the image reading portion, the input device comprising:
a plurality of numerical keys capable of inputting information on numerical values of at least 0 to 9, the numerical keys being arranged as hardware keys;
a connector provided in a casing of the input device and configured to electrically connect the image forming apparatus and the input device, the connector being configured to output a signal to the image forming apparatus in response to an operation of the numerical keys; and
a USB port provided in the casing and configured to USB-connect external equipment, which is different from the image forming apparatus, to the input device,
wherein, as viewed in an up-down direction that the numerical keys are pressed, the USB port is provided on a front side surface of the casing.