JP2002071833A - Human body detecting sensor device, image forming device, human body sensor driving method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save power consumption of a human body detecting sensor during an energy saving mode. SOLUTION: The human body detecting sensor is operated by an electric power drive and outputs different signals in accordance with presence of an adjacent human body. When an apparatus using the output signal (an ARS signal) of the human body detecting sensor is in the energy saving mode, the human body detecting sensor is driven by time sharing. By this, electric power (Vcc of ARS) necessary to drive the human body detecting sensor during the energy saving mode is reduced and power consumption of the human body detecting sensor can be saved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a human body detection sensor device for detecting the presence or absence of a human body by a human body detection sensor, and an image forming apparatus utilizing an output signal of the human body detection sensor device for switching between a normal mode and an energy saving mode. The present invention relates to a method for driving a human body detection sensor, and a storage medium for storing a program that uses an output signal of a human body detection sensor device for switching between a normal mode and an energy saving mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, demands for energy saving in devices such as image forming apparatuses have been increasingly strengthened.

In recent years, as in the ZESM standard, the power consumption in the energy saving mode (standby mode) is 10 W or less, and the return time from the energy saving mode to the normal mode and the transition time from the normal mode to the energy saving mode are 10 hours. Standards such as sub-seconds have also appeared. According to the ZESM standard, the return condition of the device can be specified by the manufacturer. Examples of such a return condition include, for example,
For example, setting of a document, pressing of a dedicated key for shifting from the energy saving mode to the normal mode, and the like are employed. However, such a return condition is not only a case where the compliant with the ZESM standard, but also a method that can be more generally adopted.

On the other hand, if the device returns from the energy saving mode to the normal mode just by standing in front of the device, the convenience for the user is improved. In order to achieve this, an image forming apparatus is provided that includes a human body detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of an adjacent human body, and returns the device from the energy saving mode to the normal mode in accordance with the human body detection signal of the human body detection sensor. There are devices such as devices.

[0005]

However, when the human body detection sensor is driven at all times, a driving power for the driving is required. For example, in consideration of the above-mentioned ZESM standard, there is a restriction that the power consumption in the energy saving mode is 10 W or less. Therefore, there is a problem that the power consumption of the human body detection sensor in the energy saving mode becomes too large to be ignored.

When the device is returned from the energy saving mode to the normal mode in response to the human body detection signal of the human body detection sensor, for example, the device returns to the normal mode just by passing a person in front of the device. However, there is also a problem that a return to the normal mode, which is not intended originally, is often made.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the power consumption of the human body detection sensor in the energy saving mode.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the power consumption of the human body detection sensor in the normal mode.

An object of the present invention is to prevent an unintended and unnecessary return to the normal mode when the device is returned from the energy saving mode to the normal mode in response to the human body detection signal of the human body detection sensor.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the time from detection of a human body by a human body detection sensor to determination of presence of a human body.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a human body detecting sensor which operates by electric power and outputs different signals depending on the presence or absence of a nearby human body, and the human body detecting sensor. And a driving unit that drives the human body detection sensor in a time-sharing manner when the device that uses the output signal of (1) is in the energy saving mode. Here, “energy saving mode” is an abbreviation for energy saving mode,
Specifically, it means an operation mode in which power supply to each unit is stopped or suppressed. Such an energy saving mode is also called a preheating mode or a standby mode.

Therefore, the human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven by the driving means, and the power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor in the energy saving mode is reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the human body detection sensor device according to the first aspect, the determination means for determining that there is a human body when the human body detection sensor outputs a human body detection signal indicating the detection of a human body. Have.

Therefore, the presence / absence of a human body approaching the human body detection sensor is determined by the determining means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the human body detection sensor device according to the second aspect, the determination means determines that a human body is present when the human body detection signal is continuously output from the human body detection sensor at a specified interval. The specified interval is defined by the number of time-divided output signals of the human body detection sensor.

Therefore, it is determined that a human body is present when the human body has approached the human body detection sensor for a certain period of time, and in this case, the determination means determines that the number of output signals of the human body detection sensor has been maintained for a predetermined number of times. Is output, it is determined that there is a human body.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the human body detecting sensor device according to the second aspect, the driving means is configured to detect the position of the human body detecting sensor while performing time-division driving of the human body detecting sensor in a first cycle. When the human body detection signal is output, the human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven in a second cycle shorter than the first cycle, and the determination unit is configured to perform the time-division driving in the second cycle. When a human body detection signal is continuously output from the sensor at a specified interval, it is determined that a human body is present.

Therefore, the presence or absence of a human body in proximity to the human body detection sensor is determined based on the output signal of the human body detection sensor that is time-divisionally driven in a long cycle. The determination is made based on the output signals of the dividedly driven human body detection sensors.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the human body detection sensor device according to the fourth aspect, the driving means detects the human body after the time-division driving of the human body detection sensor in a second cycle is continued for a predetermined interval. Set the time-sharing drive cycle of the sensor to the first
The cycle is returned.

Therefore, regardless of whether or not the determination means determines that there is a human body, the human body detection sensor is driven in a time-sharing manner in a longer cycle after the time-sharing drive in the second cycle. Become.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the human body detection sensor device according to the second aspect, the driving means stops driving the human body detection sensor when the determination means determines that there is a human body. When it is determined that there is a human body, the device is generally returned to the normal mode.

In such a normal mode, the signal output of the human body detection sensor is not always required. Therefore, in such a case, in such a case, the driving of the human body detection sensor is stopped, and the power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor is reduced.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the human body detection sensor device according to the first aspect, the driving means stops driving of the human body detection sensor during an operation in which operation of the device is inevitable.

During operation in which operation is inevitable in the device, the signal output of the human body detection sensor is not necessarily required. Therefore, in such a case, in such a case, the driving of the human body detection sensor is stopped, and the power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor is reduced.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the human body detection sensor device according to the first aspect, the driving means stops driving the human body detection sensor when the device is in a normal mode.

In the normal mode, the signal output of the human body detection sensor is not always required. Therefore, in such a case, in such a case, the driving of the human body detection sensor is stopped, and the power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor is reduced.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the human body detection sensor device according to the sixth, seventh or eighth aspect, the driving means is configured to perform time division of the human body detection sensor in response to the device shifting to an energy saving mode. Restart driving.

In the invention according to the sixth or seventh aspect, when the prescribed condition is satisfied, the operation of the human body detection sensor is required as the apparatus shifts to the energy saving mode. In this case, the time division driving of the human body detection sensor is restarted.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising:
An image forming unit that controls an image forming unit that writes an image on the image forming medium based on the image data to form an image corresponding to the image data on the image forming medium; A human body detection sensor that operates by driving and outputs a different signal depending on the presence or absence of an adjacent human body, and a determination unit that determines that there is a human body when a human body detection signal indicating detection of a human body is output from the human body detection sensor Device mode setting means for shifting the device to the energy saving mode when the prescribed condition is satisfied, and for returning the device to the normal mode when the determination means determines that there is a human body, and when the device is in the energy saving mode And driving means for driving the human body detection sensor in a time-division manner.

Therefore, the image forming apparatus, which is a device,
The normal mode and the energy saving mode are set by the device mode setting unit, and the power consumption of the image forming apparatus is reduced. At this time, the output signal of the human body detection sensor is used when the device mode setting means sets the normal mode. Then, the human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven by the driving unit, and power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor in the energy saving mode is reduced.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the determining means determines that there is a human body when a human body detection signal is continuously output from the human body detection sensor at a specified interval. The specified interval is specified by the number of time-divided output signals of the human body detection sensor.

Therefore, it is determined that the human body is present when the human body has approached the human body detection sensor for a certain period of time, and in this case, the determination means determines that the number of output signals of the human body detection sensor is a predetermined number. Is output, it is determined that there is a human body.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the driving means is configured to detect a human body from the human body detection sensor while driving the human body detection sensor in a time-division manner at a first cycle. When the detection signal is output, the human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven in a second cycle shorter than the first cycle, and the determination unit is the time-divisionally driven human body detection sensor in a second cycle. It is determined that there is a human body when the human body detection signal is output continuously from the specified interval.

Therefore, the presence / absence of a human body in proximity to the human body detection sensor is determined based on the output signal of the human body detection sensor driven in a time-sharing manner in a long cycle. The determination is made based on the output signals of the dividedly driven human body detection sensors.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, the driving unit is configured to perform the time-division driving of the human body detection sensor in a second cycle at a prescribed interval, and then to perform the human body detection sensor. Is returned to the first cycle.

Therefore, regardless of whether or not the determination means determines that there is a human body, the human body detection sensor is driven in a time-sharing manner in a longer cycle after the time-sharing drive in the second cycle. Become.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the driving unit stops driving the human body detection sensor when the determination unit determines that there is a human body. When it is determined that there is a human body, the device is generally returned to the normal mode.

In the normal mode, the signal output of the human body detection sensor is not always required. Therefore, in such a case, in such a case, the driving of the human body detection sensor is stopped, and the power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor is reduced.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the driving unit stops driving the human body detection sensor during an operation in which operation of the device is inevitable.

During operation in which operation is unavoidable in the device, the signal output of the human body detection sensor is not necessarily required. Therefore, in such a case, in such a case, the driving of the human body detection sensor is stopped, and the power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor is reduced.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the driving unit stops driving the human body detection sensor when the device is in a normal mode.

In the normal mode, the signal output of the human body detection sensor is not always required. Therefore, in such a case, in such a case, the driving of the human body detection sensor is stopped, and the power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor is reduced.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention,
17. The image forming apparatus according to 5 or 16, wherein the driving unit restarts the time-division driving of the human body detection sensor in response to the device shifting to the energy saving mode.

In the invention according to claim 14, 15 or 16, when the prescribed condition is satisfied, the operation of the human body detection sensor is required as the device shifts to the energy saving mode. In this case, the time division driving of the human body detection sensor is restarted.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the device mode setting means includes:
When the operation signal is not input even after the lapse of the specified time in the normal mode, the device is shifted to the energy saving mode, and the output of the human body detection sensor is treated as the operation signal, as long as the human body detection sensor outputs the human body detection signal. Does not put the device into energy saving mode.

Therefore, the device mode setting means switches the device to the energy saving mode when no operation signal is input even after the lapse of the specified time, and when the human body detection sensor does not output the human body detection signal when making such a determination. The device is also shifted to the energy saving mode. Therefore, the device mode setting means does not operate the device but does not shift the device to the energy saving mode as long as the human body detection sensor outputs the human body detection signal.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighteenth aspect, the driving means is configured to detect the human body from the human body detection sensor while driving the human body detection sensor in a time-division manner at a first cycle. When the detection signal is output, the human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven in a second cycle shorter than the first cycle, and the determination unit is the time-divisionally driven human body detection sensor in a second cycle. It is determined that there is a human body when the human body detection signal is output continuously from the specified interval.

Accordingly, the presence or absence of a human body in proximity to the human body detection sensor is determined based on the output signal of the human body detection sensor driven in a long cycle in a time-division manner. The determination is made based on the output signals of the dividedly driven human body detection sensors.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the nineteenth aspect, the driving means includes: after the device mode setting means returns the device to the normal mode,
The human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven in a first cycle.

Therefore, in the normal mode, the human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven at the first cycle longer than the second cycle.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the nineteenth aspect, the driving means includes: after the device mode setting means returns the device to a normal mode.
The human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven in a second cycle.

Therefore, even in the normal mode, the human body detection sensor is driven in a time-division manner in the second cycle shorter than the first cycle.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for driving a human body detection sensor which operates by electric power and uses an output signal of the human body detection sensor which outputs a different signal depending on the presence or absence of a nearby human body, in an energy saving mode. In some cases, the human body detection sensor is driven in a time division manner.

Therefore, the human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven by the driving means, and the power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor in the energy saving mode is reduced.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, the image forming unit for writing an image on the image forming medium is driven and controlled based on the image data, so that the image forming unit writes the image corresponding to the image data. An image forming unit to be formed on the image forming medium, and installed on a computer provided in an image forming apparatus including a human body detection sensor that operates by power driving and outputs a different signal depending on the presence or absence of a nearby human body, A determination function for determining that there is a human body when a human body detection signal indicating detection of a human body is output from the human body detection sensor to the computer, and shifting a device to an energy saving mode when a prescribed condition is satisfied; A device mode setting function for outputting a signal for returning the device to the normal mode when the means determines that there is a human body; and The driving function for outputting a signal for time division driving the human body sensor, stores a program for execution if that.

Therefore, the image forming apparatus, which is a device,
The normal mode and the energy saving mode are set by the device mode setting unit, and the power consumption of the image forming apparatus is reduced. At this time, the output signal of the human body detection sensor is used when the device mode setting means sets the normal mode. Then, the human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven by the driving unit, and power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor in the energy saving mode is reduced.

[0057]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

In the present embodiment, an image forming apparatus, more specifically, FIG.
This is an example applied to a digital copying machine as shown in FIG. This digital copier is a multifunction peripheral having a function as a facsimile and a printer in addition to a function as a copier.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a digital copying machine. The basic configuration and operation of the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This digital copying machine has a reading unit 1 functioning as image input means and an image forming unit 2 functioning as image forming means.
And the subject.

First, the reading unit 1 optically reads an image of a document placed on the contact glass 3 by the scanning optical system 4. The scanning optical system 4 includes an exposure lamp 5, a first mirror 6, second and third mirrors 7, 8, an imaging lens 9, and an image sensor such as a line type CCD 10.
It consists of. The exposure lamp 5 and the first mirror 6 are mounted on a first carriage (not shown).
The mirrors 7 and 8 are mounted on a second carriage (not shown).
The carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned in the same direction at a speed ratio of 2: 1. The first and second carriages are driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown). Here, the original image on the contact glass 3 is scanned by the scanning optical system 4 so as to be read by the CCD.
The image is reduced and formed on the image 10, and is read so as to become an electric signal through a photoelectric conversion process.

An automatic document feeder (ADF) 11 is mounted on the contact glass 3 of the reading unit 1. The ADF 11 includes a document table 12, a paper feed roller 13, a paper feed conveyance belt 14, a paper discharge roller 15,
A document discharge tray 16 is provided. Platen 1
A document set detection sensor 17 is provided in the vicinity of the entrance 2. As a result, when a print key on an operation unit described later is pressed, the document bundle stacked on the document table 12 with the image surface facing upward is moved from the lowest document to the sheet feeding roller 1.
3. The paper is conveyed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 3 by the paper conveyance belt 14 and stopped. At this time, a count function is provided for counting the number of originals each time the original is conveyed. The document fed and conveyed onto the contact glass 3 is subjected to reading by the reading unit 1, and when the reading is completed, the document is discharged onto a document discharge tray 16 by the paper feed and conveyance belt 14 and the discharge rollers 15. You. At this time, if the original set detection sensor 17 detects the succeeding original, the original on the original table 12 is fed and conveyed onto the contact glass 3 as in the case of the preceding original. Here, ADF1
The paper feed roller 13, paper feed transport belt 14, and paper discharge roller 15 in 1 are driven by a transport motor described later.

Next, the image forming unit 2 will be described. The image forming unit 2 has a mechanical hardware centered on a drum-shaped photoconductor 21, and a charging charger (not shown), a writing unit 22, Developing device 23, transfer charger (not shown)
And the like are arranged in order. The writing unit 22 includes a laser output unit (including a laser diode and a polygon mirror).
24, an imaging lens 25, a mirror 26, and the like are configured as a laser writing optical system.

On the lower side in the image forming section 2, first to third trays 28 to 30 each containing transfer paper 27 as an image forming medium are detachably mounted. Each tray 28
The first to third sheet feeding devices 31 to 33 are provided on the sheet feeding side of the sheet No. to No. 30 so that the transfer sheet 27 can be fed and conveyed to the transfer position side of the photoconductor 21 via the common vertical conveying unit 34. Have been. Further, a transport belt 35, a fixing device 36, a paper discharge unit 38 including a paper discharge roller 37, and a finisher device 39 as a post-processing device are sequentially provided downstream of the transfer position of the photoconductor 21 in the transport direction. A double-sided paper feeding unit 41 including a double-sided tray 40 is disposed above the first tray 28, and a transfer path of the transfer paper 27 is provided in the sheet discharging unit 38 by the finisher device 39 and the double-sided tray 40. A switching claw 42 for switching between the side and the side is provided. The refeeding side of the double-sided feeding unit 41 communicates with the vertical transport unit 34.

As a result, the transfer sheets 27 stored in the first to third trays 28 to 30 are transferred to the first to third sheet feeding devices 31 to 33.
, And is transported by the vertical transport unit 34 to the transfer position of the photoconductor 21. On the other hand, photoconductor 2
On the first side, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoreceptor 21 by optical writing by the writing unit 22, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 23 to be formed as a toner image. The transfer paper 27 transported by the vertical transport unit 34 is transported by a transport belt 35 driven at the same speed as the photoconductor 21 while being synchronized with the leading end of the toner image, and receives the transfer of the toner image. The transfer paper 27 after the transfer is fixed by the fixing device 36 and then discharged by the discharge roller 37 to the finisher device 39 side.

The finisher device 39 is provided with a discharge roller 37
The transfer paper 27 transported by the switching plate 4 is switched between the direction of the normal stacker transport roller 43 and the staple processing section.
4 can be derived. Specifically, by switching the switching plate 44 upward, the sheet can be discharged to the normal stacker tray 46 via the normal stacker discharge roller 45. On the other hand, by switching the switching plate 44 downward, the sheet can be conveyed onto the staple table 49 via the staple conveying roller 47 and the staple discharging roller 48. The transfer paper 27 stacked on the staple table 49 is aligned by the paper alignment jogger 50 every time one sheet is discharged, and is bound by the stapler 51 when a part of the copy (image formation) is completed. Can be The transfer paper group bound by the stapler 51 is stored in the staple completion tray 52 by its own weight.

On the other hand, the normal stacker tray 46 is a paper discharge tray movable in the front-rear direction of the paper surface, and is discharged by moving it back and forth for each document or for each copy unit electronically sorted by the image memory. It has a function of easily sorting the incoming copy-transfer paper 27.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation panel. FIG.
The configuration of the operation panel 101 will be described based on FIG.
The operation panel 101 has an LC with a touch panel function.
Display device 1 such as D (Liquid Crystal Display)
02, a power key 103 for causing the user to make a transition to the energy saving mode and a return to the normal mode, and a start key 104 for declaring the start of the image forming operation.
A stop key 105 for declaring a forced stop of the image forming operation, and a numeric keypad group 106 for inputting the number of values
Are provided. The operation panel 101 also includes an interrupt key 107, a preheat key 108, a program key 109, an application switching key group 110, an LED display area 111 for displaying an error and the like. Further, the operation panel 101 includes a human body detection sensor 201 that detects a human body HB when a person stands in front of the digital copying machine.
(A human body detection sensor is abbreviated as ARS in the drawing). About this human body detection sensor 201,
Details will be described later.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electrical connection of each part. Next, the electrical hardware configuration of each unit in the digital copying machine will be described with reference to FIG. In the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, there is provided a system controller 301 for performing management between applications and main image processing. The system controller 301 includes an engine controller 30 that controls the timing of an image forming engine that drives and controls the image forming unit 2.
2. A FAX controller 303 that controls a FAX application, an operation unit controller 304 that controls the operation of the operation panel 101, and the like are interconnected by a system bus, a serial communication line, or the like.

The engine controller 302 is also connected to an I / O controller 305 for performing I / O control of the image forming engine. The I / O controller 305 includes various I / Os such as clutches, motors, and sensors of the image forming engine. O 30
6 are connected. Such an engine controller 302 constitutes an image forming unit together with the system controller 301 and the image forming unit 2.

The FAX controller 303 is connected to a public line (not shown).

Since the digital copying machine of the present embodiment is a multifunction machine having a printer function, the system controller 301 has a built-in printer control function.
An image forming process is executed based on image data transmitted from a computer connected via / F.

Here, the system controller 301, the engine controller 302, and the FAX controller 30
3. Various controllers such as the operation unit controller 304 and the I / O controller 305 each include a microcomputer including a processor and a memory as main components, and perform processing unique to each according to a program stored in the memory of the microcomputer. Execute In this case, the microcomputer may be provided in each of the controllers 301, 302, 303, 304, and 305.
One, two or more microcomputers may be provided for all or some of 02, 303, 304, and 305. The type of the storage medium for storing the program is not limited, such as a ROM, a RAM, and a hard disk.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the human body detection sensor 201, and FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a time division driving circuit for driving the human body detection sensor 201 in a time division manner. The structure of the human body detection sensor 201 and its driving will be described with reference to FIGS. The human body detection sensor 201 of the present embodiment has L
This is an optical reflection sensor using an ED. That is, the human body detection sensor 201 has a structure in which light is received by the phototransistor 203 from the LED 202 that emits light by the driving power supplied from the power supply terminal Vcc, and is provided in the optical path between the LED 202 and the phototransistor 203. Depending on the presence or absence of the intervening human body HB, the output terminal OUT
The configuration is such that the output signal of the phototransistor 203 output from is changed. Actually, the human body detection sensor 201 of the present embodiment is a reflection type optical sensor, and when the human body HB is interposed in the optical path between the LED 202 and the phototransistor 203, that is, before the digital copier. When a person stands, the light emitted from the LED 202 reflects the human body HB and
3, the amount of light received by the phototransistor 203 increases. Therefore, the output of the phototransistor 203 output from the output terminal OUT becomes H level. On the other hand, when the human body HB does not intervene in the optical path between the LED 202 and the phototransistor 203, that is, when no person stands in front of the digital copying machine, the LED 2
02 emitted from phototransistor 2
Since the light does not enter the light-receiving element 03, the amount of light received by the phototransistor 203 is small. Therefore, the output of the phototransistor 203 output from the output terminal OUT becomes L level.

Therefore, the system controller 301
The output terminal OUT of such a phototransistor 203
The microcomputer provided in the system controller 301 receives the output signal output from the digital copying machine according to the program stored in the storage medium and determines whether or not there is a human body HB standing in front of the digital copying machine in accordance with the level of the received output signal. judge. Here, the function of the determination means (determination function) is executed.

The human body detecting sensor 201 is not limited to the reflection type optical sensor as in the present embodiment, but may be another type of sensor such as a pyroelectric infrared sensor.

Then, such a human body detecting sensor 201
A time-division driving circuit that drives the power supply terminal Vcc of the human body detection sensor 201, as shown in FIG.
And a switching transistor 251 interposed between the power supply terminal Vcc of the time-division driving circuit to which power supplied from a power supply unit 401 described later is supplied based on the power supply unit Vcc. Then, the system controller 301 shown in FIG. 3 intermittently inputs a drive signal to the base of the switching transistor 251 as necessary according to a program stored in the storage medium by the microcomputer. Thereby, the human body detection sensor 201
The power supply to the power supply terminal Vcc is intermittently performed, and the human body detection sensor 201 is time-divisionally driven. Here, the function of the drive means (drive function) is executed. The driving function in this case is determined by the system controller 30
1 is a function of intermittently outputting a drive signal to the base of the switching transistor 251 according to a program stored in a storage medium by the microcomputer.

Here, the switching transistor 251
If an FET having a low on-resistance is used, the power loss can be reduced. However, as another embodiment, another type of transistor such as an NPN transistor can be used as the switching transistor 251. When an NPN transistor is used as the switching transistor 251, the logic of the drive signal supplied from the system controller 301 to the base of the switching transistor 251 is opposite to that when the FET is used.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a mode setting circuit for switching between the normal mode and the energy saving mode. Switching between the normal mode and the energy saving mode will be described with reference to FIG. The system controller 301, the engine controller 302, and the
FAX controller 303, operation unit controller 304
And various controllers such as an I / O controller 305 are connected to a power supply unit 401 that receives power supply from a commercial power supply. Various controllers 301, 302, 30 for the power supply unit 401
3, 304, and 305 are connected in two systems, a power supply terminal Vcc1 and a power supply terminal Vcc2, and the power supply terminal Vcc1 is connected to the engine controller 302 and most of the operation unit controller 304 (for example, the display device 102). Drive control unit) and I / O controller 30
5 are connected to the power supply terminal Vcc2, and the system controller 301 and the remaining part of the operation unit controller 304 (for example, a drive control unit of the power key 103).
And a FAX controller 303 are connected to each other. Then, a power supply terminal Vcc1 and each controller 302 receiving power supply from the power supply terminal Vcc1,
A switching element 402 such as a switching transistor is interposed between the switching elements 304 and 305, and the switching element 402 performs an on-off operation according to a drive signal from the system controller 301. Therefore, when the system controller 301 turns on the switching element 402, power is supplied to the engine controller 302, the operation unit controller 304, and the I / O controller 305, whereby the device is set to the normal mode. On the other hand, when the system controller 301 turns off the switching element 402, the power supply to the engine controller 302, the operation unit controller 304, and the I / O controller 305 is cut off, whereby the device is set to the energy saving mode. Here, the function of the device mode setting means (device mode setting function) is executed. The device mode setting function in this case is a function in which the system controller 301 outputs a necessary drive signal to the switching element 402 in accordance with a program stored in a storage medium by the microcomputer.

Here, when the system controller 301 sets the device to the energy saving mode by turning off the switching element 402, for example, in the normal mode, a valid operation input from the operation panel 101 even after a lapse of a specified time has elapsed. The case where there is not is mentioned as a typical example. When the system controller 301 turns on the switching element 402 and sets the device to return to the normal mode, when the human body detection sensor 201 detects the human body HB and the system controller 301 determines that there is a human body, Representative examples include a case where the document set detection sensor 17 detects the setting of a document, a case where the power key 103 is turned on, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the energy saving mode complies with the ZESM standard. Therefore, the standby power is 1
0 W or less (primary side), in this case,
The power that can be used in the device is usually about 5 to 7 W. Therefore, at the time of energy saving mode, with this amount of power,
System controller 301, FAX controller 30
3 and a part of a control circuit typified by a microcomputer (CPU or the like) included in the operation unit controller 304 and the human body detection sensor 201 must be driven.
Extremely efficient power usage is required. In this case, if the input from the original set detection sensor 17 or the input from the power key 103 among the inputs serving as the return conditions, a mechanical switch can be used as the hardware, so that the contact opening It is easy to configure so that power is not consumed sometimes. However, the human body detection sensor 201 uses an LED to obtain an output signal.
Since driving of the photodetector 202 and generation of a signal by receiving the reflected light from the detection target such as the human body HB by the phototransistor 203 are required, power of about several hundred mW is consumed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the energy saving mode,
The human body detection sensor 201 is driven in a time-sharing manner to reduce the power consumption.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart of signals generated in the time division driving circuit shown in FIG. In the energy saving mode, the system controller 301 time-divides the drive signal input to the base of the switching transistor 251 provided in the time-division drive circuit as shown in FIG. Thus, the switching transistor 251 shown in FIG.
The power supplied from the power supply unit 401 to the human body detection sensor 201 shown in FIG.
c) and the output of the phototransistor 203 in the human body detection sensor 201 output from the output terminal OUT (ARS output in FIG. 7) is also time-divided as shown in FIG. In this case, when the ratio of the period of the drive signal input to the base of the switching transistor 251 in the period T is t, and t / T is set to, for example, about 20%, the power consumption of the human body detection sensor 201 is compared with the case of the constant drive. It can be reduced to about 1/5.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the human body detection process in the energy saving mode. This flowchart is for executing a judging means (judgment function) for judging the presence or absence of a human body HB standing in front of the digital copying machine based on the output of the human body detection sensor 201 which is one of the conditions for returning to the normal mode. This is the process. This processing is executed by the microcomputer of the system controller 301.

First, n = 0 is set in the resist area provided in the microcomputer (step S101).
Thereafter, the output signal of the human body detection sensor 201 is referred to, and whether the level of the output signal is at the H level, that is,
It is determined whether the human body HB has been detected (step S102). If the human body HB is not detected, step S1
Returning to the process of 01, if the human body HB is detected, n = 0 set in the resist area is set to n = n + 1 (step S103). Then, it is determined whether or not n in the resist area has reached the specified number of times (step S104).
It returns to the process of 102. In other words, here, it is determined whether a predetermined interval has elapsed after the detection of the human body HB by the human body detection sensor 201, in other words, whether a person standing in front of the digital copying machine has stayed there for a certain length of time. That is. Therefore, the system controller 30
1 is n in the resist region in step S104.
Is determined to have reached the specified number of times, it is determined that there is a human body HB, and the device is returned to the normal mode. At the time of such processing, by setting the specified number of times stored in the memory area of the system controller 301, it is determined that the human body HB is present if a person standing in front of the digital copier stays there for a long time. Is determined.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description is omitted. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the human body detection process in the energy saving mode.

In the first embodiment, after the detection of the human body HB by the human body detection sensor 201, it is determined that a specified interval has elapsed by determining that n in the resist area has reached the specified number of times. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, after the detection of the human body HB by the human body detection sensor 201, the system controller 30 detects that a predetermined interval has elapsed.
Using the timekeeping function of the microcomputer provided in 1,
Judge based on the passage of time.

First, on the premise that a timer value is registered in a registration area provided in the microcomputer, a process for clearing the timer value is executed (step S).
201). Thereafter, the output signal of the human body detection sensor 201 is referred to, and it is determined whether the level of the output signal is at the H level, that is, whether the human body HB has been detected (step S202). If the human body HB is not detected, the process returns to step S201. If the human body HB is detected, the timer value registered in the registration area is referred to (step S203), and it is determined whether the timer value has reached a specified time. A determination is made (step S20)
4). If the specified time has not been reached, step S
It returns to the process of 202. In other words, here, it is determined whether a predetermined interval has elapsed after the detection of the human body HB by the human body detection sensor 201, in other words, whether a person standing in front of the digital copying machine has stayed there for a certain length of time. That is. Therefore, the system controller 30
In step S204, if it is determined in step S204 that the timer value registered in the registration area has reached the specified time, it is determined that a human body HB is present, and the device is returned to the normal mode. In such a process, it is determined that the human body HB exists if the person standing in front of the digital copier stays there for a long period of time by setting the specified time stored in the memory area of the system controller 301. Is determined.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 10 is a timing chart of signals generated in the time-division driving circuit.
9 is a flowchart showing a flow of a human body detection process in the energy saving mode.

When the result of the determination made by the system controller 301 that there is a human body HB based on the output of the human body detection sensor 201 is a condition for returning to the normal mode,
If the response is slow, the comfort for the user will be poor. On the other hand, if the responsiveness is too high, it is expected that the system will return to the normal mode just by passing a person in front of the digital copying machine, and the energy saving effect will be reduced. The specified number of times and the second number in the first embodiment.
It is desirable that the specified time in the embodiment is specified from the viewpoint of balancing the comfort for the user and the certainty of the determination. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, such a balance between comfort and certainty can be harmonized to a higher degree.

That is, in the present embodiment, the time division cycle of the drive signal input from the system controller 301 to the base of the switching transistor 251 provided in the time division drive circuit is set to two times of the first cycle and the second cycle. The type is set. The second cycle is set to 1/2 of the first cycle. Until the human body detection sensor 201 outputs the output signal of the H level, that is, until the human body HB is detected, the human body detection sensor 201 operates in the first cycle of one pulse during the cycle T shown in FIG. Time-division driving is performed, thereby reducing power consumption. Then, the human body H
After the detection of B, the human body detection sensor 201 is time-divisionally driven in the second cycle of two pulses during the cycle T shown in FIG. 10, thereby improving the responsiveness. The flow when such a process is executed by the microcomputer of the system controller 301 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, n = 0 is set in the resist area provided in the microcomputer (step S301).
Thereafter, the human body detection sensor 201 is time-divisionally driven in the first cycle,
That is, driving is performed in the first time-division mode (step S
302). Then, the output signal of the human body detection sensor 201 is referred to, and it is determined whether the level of the output signal is at the H level, that is, whether the human body HB has been detected (step S303). If the human body HB is not detected, the process returns to step S301 (step S301).
303 N). On the other hand, when the human body HB is detected (Y in step S303), the driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is switched to time division driving in the second cycle, that is, driving in the second time division mode. (Step S304),
Thereafter, n = 0 set in the resist area is changed to n = n + 1.
Is set (step S305). Then, it is determined whether or not n in the resist area has reached the specified number of times (step S306). If the number of times has not reached the specified number, the process returns to step S303 (step S303).
306 N). That is, here, the human body detection sensor 20
1 after the detection of the human body HB by the specified interval,
In other words, the person standing in front of the digital copier sees whether it has stayed there for some length of time. Therefore, when it is determined in step S306 that n in the resist area has reached the specified number of times (Y in step S306), the system controller 301 determines that there is a human body HB, and returns the device to the normal mode.

Here, in step S306, if the output of the human body detection sensor 201 becomes L level before it is determined that n in the registration area has reached the specified number of times, that is, if the output of the human Has left (N in step S303), the driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is returned to the time-division driving in the first cycle (step S303).
302).

In such processing, after the detection of the human body HB, in determining how long the person is standing in front of the digital copying machine, the second period shorter than the first period is determined.
Since the output signal of the human body detection sensor 201 driven in a time-sharing manner is referred to in the period, it can be determined in a shorter time that the person is standing continuously. This is because the second cycle is の of the first cycle, and the number of output signals of the human body detection sensor 201 when time-divisionally driven in the second cycle is equal to the first cycle. This is because the number of output signals of the human body detection sensor 201 in the case of time-division driving is doubled within the same time. That is, when the second cycle is selected, more output signals can be output from the human body detection sensor 201 in a short time, so that a person can continue in front of the digital copying machine in a shorter time. It is possible to determine that the user is standing. Moreover, when compared at the same detection time, the number of output signals of the human body detection sensor 201 in the second cycle is larger than the number of output signals of the human body detection sensor 201 in the first cycle. Is more reliable when detecting that a person standing in front of a person is standing still. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent an erroneous detection that one person is standing while a plurality of people pass in front of the digital copying machine. This allows
The balance between the comfort for the user and the certainty of the judgment is harmonized to a higher degree.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the human body detection process in the energy saving mode.

In the third embodiment, after the human body HB is detected by the human body detection sensor 201, it is determined that a specified interval has elapsed by determining that n in the resist area has reached the specified number of times. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, after the detection of the human body HB by the human body detection sensor 201, the system controller 30 detects that a predetermined interval has elapsed.
Using the timekeeping function of the microcomputer provided in 1,
Judge based on the passage of time. The flow when such a process is executed by the microcomputer of the system controller 301 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, on the premise that a timer value is registered in a registration area provided in the microcomputer, a process of clearing the timer value is executed (step S).
401). Thereafter, the human body detection sensor 201 is driven in a time-division driving manner in the first cycle, that is, in the first time-division mode (step S402). And the human body detection sensor 20
1 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the level of the output signal is at the H level, that is, whether or not the human body HB has been detected (step S403). If the human body HB is not detected, the process returns to step S401 (N in step S403). On the other hand, if the human body HB is detected (Y in step S403), the driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is time-division driven in the second cycle, that is,
The driving is switched to the second time-division mode (step S304). Thereafter, the timer value registered in the registration area is referred to (step S405), and it is determined whether the timer value has reached a specified time. (Step S406). If the specified time has not been reached, the process returns to step S403 (step S40).
6 N). In other words, here, it is determined whether a predetermined interval has elapsed after the detection of the human body HB by the human body detection sensor 201, in other words, whether a person standing in front of the digital copying machine has stayed there for a certain length of time. That is.
Therefore, the system controller 301 determines in step S4
If it is determined in step 06 that the timer value registered in the registration area has reached the specified time (step S4).
06) Y), it is determined that there is a human body HB, and the device is returned to the normal mode.

Here, in step S406, if the output of the human body detection sensor 201 becomes L level before it is determined that the timer value registered in the registration area has reached the prescribed time, If a person has left the front of the copying machine (N in step S403), the driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is returned to the time-division driving in the first cycle (step S402).

In such processing, after the detection of the human body HB, in determining how long the person is standing in front of the digital copying machine, the second period shorter than the first period is determined.
Since the output signal of the human body detection sensor 201 driven in a time-sharing manner is referred to in the period, it can be determined in a shorter time that the person is standing continuously. As a result, the balance between the comfort for the user and the certainty of the determination is harmonized to a higher degree.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 13 is a timing chart of signals generated in the time-division driving circuit.
9 is a flowchart showing a flow of a human body detection process in the energy saving mode.

In this embodiment, basically, processing similar to that of the third embodiment is executed. The difference is that the second
After the time-division driving of the human body detection sensor 201 in the period (the portion where two pulses are generated in the period T in FIG. 13) is performed at a specified interval (the specified number of pulses), the driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is switched to the second. 13 is returned to the time-division driving in the first cycle longer than the cycle of FIG. 13 (the portion where only one pulse is generated in the cycle T in FIG. 13). The flow when such a process is executed by the microcomputer of the system controller 301 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, n = 0 is set in a resist area provided in the microcomputer (step S501).
Thereafter, the human body detection sensor 201 is time-divisionally driven in the first cycle,
That is, driving is performed in the first time-division mode (step S
502). Then, the output signal of the human body detection sensor 201 is referred to, and it is determined whether the level of the output signal is at the H level, that is, whether the human body HB has been detected (step S503). If the human body HB is not detected, the process returns to step S501 (step S501).
503 N). On the other hand, when the human body HB is detected (Y in step S503), the driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is switched to the time division driving in the second cycle, that is, the driving in the second time division mode. (Step S504),
Thereafter, n = 0 set in the resist area is changed to n = n + 1.
Is set (step S505). Then, it is determined whether or not n in the resist area has reached the specified number of times (step S506), and if not, the process returns to step S503 (step S503).
506 N). That is, here, the human body detection sensor 20
1 after the detection of the human body HB by the specified interval,
In other words, the person standing in front of the digital copier sees whether it has stayed there for some length of time. Therefore, when it is determined in step S506 that n in the registration area has reached the specified number of times (Y in step S506), the system controller 301 determines that there is a human body HB, and drives the human body detection sensor 201 for the first time. Switching to time-division driving in one cycle, that is, driving in the first time-division mode (step S507), returns the device to the normal mode.

As described above, in the present embodiment, after the time-division driving of the human body detection sensor 201 in the second cycle is performed at a specified interval (specified number of pulses), the driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is performed in the second cycle. The operation is returned to the time-division driving in the longer first cycle (step S507). Accordingly, in the normal mode, the driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is time-division driving in the first cycle, and power consumption is reduced.

A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 15 is a timing chart of signals generated in the time-division driving circuit.
9 is a flowchart showing a flow of a human body detection process in the energy saving mode.

In this embodiment, basically, processing similar to that of the third embodiment is executed. The difference is the first
Of the human body detection sensor 201 in the second cycle (the part where two pulses are generated in the cycle T in FIG. 15) following the cycle of FIG. 15 (the part where only one pulse is generated in the cycle T in FIG. 15). The point is that after the time-division driving is performed at a specified interval (specified pulse number), the return condition is satisfied, and the driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is stopped. The flow when such a process is executed by the microcomputer of the system controller 301 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, after shifting to the energy saving mode, the driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is restarted (step S601), and n = 0 is set in the registration area of the microcomputer (step S602).
1 is time-division driven in the first cycle, that is, driven in the first time-division mode (step S603). Then, the output signal of the human body detection sensor 201 is referred to, and whether the level of the output signal is the H level, that is, the human body HB
Is detected (step S60).
4). If the human body HB is not detected, the process returns to step S602 (N in step S604). On the other hand, if the human body HB is detected (Y in step S604), the driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is switched to time division driving in the second cycle, that is, driving in the second time division mode. (Step S605) Then, n = 0 set in the resist area is set to n = n + 1 (Step S606). Then, it is determined whether or not n in the resist area has reached the specified number of times (step S60).
7) If the specified number of times has not been reached, the process returns to step S604 (N in step S607). In other words, here, it is determined whether a predetermined interval has elapsed after the detection of the human body HB by the human body detection sensor 201, in other words, whether a person standing in front of the digital copying machine has stayed there for a certain length of time. That is. Therefore, the system controller 301 determines in step S607
When it is determined that n in the registration area has reached the specified number of times (Y in step S607), it is determined that there is a human body HB, and the driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is stopped (step S607).
608) Return the device to the normal mode.

As described above, in the present embodiment, after the time-division driving of the human body detection sensor 201 in the second cycle is performed at a specified interval (a specified number of pulses), the driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is stopped ( Step S608). This allows
In the normal mode, the driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is stopped, and its power consumption is saved. This is because the output signal from the human body detection sensor 201 is not necessarily required in the normal mode. On the other hand, after the shift to the energy saving mode requiring the output signal from the human body detection sensor 201, the driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is restarted (step S601).

A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in each of the first to fifth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a human body detection process in a normal mode.

In the present embodiment, the human body detection sensor 2 is operated during an operation that is inevitable in a digital copying machine as a device, or during a copying operation in the present embodiment.
01 is stopped. That is, in the normal mode, when the microcomputer included in the system controller 301 determines that the copy operation is started (Y in step S701), the microcomputer stops driving the human body detection sensor 201 (step S702), and a specified time elapses after the copy operation ends. (Y in step S703)
The driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is restarted (Step S7)
04). Here, the start of the copy operation means a point in time when the start key 104 is pressed, and the end of the copy operation means a point in time when the set number of copies for the set original are discharged or Each process means (photoconductor, fixing roller, cleaning unit, etc.)
Means the end of the driving.

Thus, in the normal mode, the power consumption required for driving the human body detecting sensor 201 can be reduced.

An eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in each of the first to fifth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of the human body detection processing in the normal mode, and FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of the human body detection processing in the energy saving mode.

In the present embodiment, the driving of the human body detection sensor 201 is stopped in the normal mode, and the human body detection sensor 201 is driven only in the energy saving mode.
That is, as shown in FIG.
When determining that the normal mode is to be returned (Y in step S801), the microcomputer included in the microcomputer 01 stops driving the human body detection sensor 201 (step S802). Thereby, in the normal mode, the human body detection sensor 20
1 can reduce power consumption required for driving.
Then, as shown in FIG.
When the microcomputer included in 01 has determined the shift to the energy-saving mode (Y in step S851), the microcomputer restarts driving the human body detection sensor 201 (step S852).

A ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the above-described third to fifth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 20 is a timing chart of signals generated in the time division driving circuit, and FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a flow of the human body detection processing in the energy saving mode.

In the ZESM standard, there is a provision that if there is no valid operation input, it is necessary to shift to the energy saving mode again within 10 seconds. That is, the computer is 1
If the operation signal is not recognized for 0 seconds or more, the mode is shifted to the energy saving mode. However, considering the actual usage situation, a blank time of 10 seconds elapses during the operation,
In reality, the inconvenience of shifting to the energy-saving mode while it is in use is expected. Thus, in the present embodiment, the output of the human body detection sensor 201 is also treated as an operation signal, and a process of not shifting the digital copying machine, which is a device, to the energy saving mode as long as the human body detection sensor 201 outputs the human body detection signal. Do.

As shown in FIG. 20, when it is determined that there is a human body HB and the condition for returning to the normal mode is satisfied,
The device returns to the normal mode. At this time, if the human body detection sensor 201 outputs a human body detection signal,
The energy saving transition time timer that counts 0 seconds is cleared, and 10 seconds are no longer counted. Such processing will be described below based on the flowchart of FIG.

First, in the normal mode, the microcomputer provided in the system controller 301 executes a process of clearing the energy saving transition time timer (step S90).
1) The human body detection sensor 201 is time-divisionally driven (step S902). The time division driving cycle in this case may be the first cycle or the second cycle, but the second cycle is more preferable. This is because, in the first cycle longer than the second cycle, if the cycle is too long, it may be erroneously detected that one person has stayed past a plurality of persons. Next, the microcomputer refers to the output signal of the human body detection sensor 201 and determines whether or not the human body HB is detected (step S903). In this process, if it is determined that the human body HB has been detected (Y in step S903), the process returns to step S901, and the energy saving transition time timer is cleared again. Next, the microcomputer refers to the presence or absence of an operation input from the operation unit controller 304, and determines whether or not there is an operation input (step S904). In this process, even when it is determined that an operation input has been made (Y in step S904), step S901 is performed.
Then, the clearing process of the energy saving transition time timer is executed again. On the other hand, when it is not determined that the human body HB is detected (N in step S903), and when it is not determined that the operation input is performed (N in step S904),
An addition process of the energy saving transition time timer, that is, a count-up process is executed (step S905). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a specified time has elapsed by using a clocking function executed by the computer of the system controller 301 in the background (step S90).
6) If the specified time has not elapsed (step S906)
N), the process returns to the step S903. On the other hand, if the specified time has elapsed (Y in step S906), the mode shifts to the energy saving mode.

[0115]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a human body detection sensor device which is driven by electric power and outputs different signals depending on the presence or absence of a nearby human body, and an output signal of the human body detection sensor. And a driving unit that drives the human body detection sensor in a time-division manner when the device to be used is in the energy-saving mode, so that the human body detection sensor is driven in a time-division manner by the driving unit. Power consumption required for driving can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the human body detection sensor device according to the first aspect, the determination means for determining that there is a human body when the human body detection sensor outputs a human body detection signal indicating the detection of a human body. Since it is provided, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of a human body approaching the human body detection sensor.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the human body detection sensor device according to the second aspect, the determination means determines the human body detection signal from the human body detection sensor by the number of time-divided output signals of the human body detection sensor. Since it is determined that there is a human body when output is continued only for the specified interval, it is determined that the human body is present when the human body is close to the human body detection sensor for a certain period of time,
The reliability of the determination can be improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the human body detection sensor device according to the second aspect, the driving means is configured to detect the position of the human body detection sensor while performing time-division driving of the human body detection sensor in a first cycle. When the human body detection signal is output, the human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven in a second cycle shorter than the first cycle, and the determination unit is configured to perform the time-division driving in the second cycle. If the human body detection signal is continuously output from the sensor at the specified interval, it is determined that there is a human body. Since the determination is made based on the output signal of the human body detection sensor driven in a time-sharing manner, the reliability of the determination is improved, and the time from the detection of the human body by the human body detection sensor to the determination of the presence of the human body is shortened. It can be.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the human body detecting sensor device according to the fourth aspect, the driving means detects the human body after the time-division driving of the human body detecting sensor in a second cycle is continued for a predetermined interval. Set the time-sharing drive cycle of the sensor to the first
, The power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor in the normal mode can be reduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the human body detecting sensor device according to the second aspect, the driving means stops driving the human body detecting sensor when the determining means determines that there is a human body. In the normal mode where the signal output of the sensor is not necessarily required, the power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor can be reduced.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the human body detection sensor device according to the first aspect, the driving means stops driving the human body detection sensor during an operation in which the operation is inevitable in the device. In the normal mode in which the signal output of the detection sensor is not necessarily required, the power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor can be reduced.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the human body detection sensor device according to the first aspect, the drive unit stops driving the human body detection sensor when the device is in a normal mode. In the normal mode in which the signal output is not necessarily required, the power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor can be reduced.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the human body detection sensor device according to the sixth, seventh or eighth aspect, the driving means is configured to perform time division of the human body detection sensor in response to the device shifting to the energy saving mode. Since the driving is resumed, the human body detection sensor needs to be activated as the device shifts to the energy saving mode. In this case, the human body detection sensor can be restarted by restarting the time-division driving of the human body detection sensor. .

The invention of the image forming apparatus according to claim 10 is
An image forming unit that controls an image forming unit that writes an image on the image forming medium based on the image data to form an image corresponding to the image data on the image forming medium; A human body detection sensor that operates by driving and outputs a different signal depending on the presence or absence of an adjacent human body, and a determination unit that determines that there is a human body when a human body detection signal indicating detection of a human body is output from the human body detection sensor Device mode setting means for shifting the device to the energy saving mode when the prescribed condition is satisfied, and for returning the device to the normal mode when the determination means determines that there is a human body, and when the device is in the energy saving mode And a driving means for driving the human body detection sensor in a time-division manner, so that the human body detection sensor is driven in a time-division manner by the driving means. It can be the power consumption required to drive the detecting sensor is reduced.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the determining means determines that the human body detection signal from the human body detection sensor is determined by the number of time-divided output signals of the human body detection sensor. Since the presence of a human body is determined when output is continuously performed for a specified interval, the presence of the human body is determined when the human body has approached the human body detection sensor for a certain period of time. Reliability can be improved.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the driving means is configured to detect a human body from the human body detection sensor during time-division driving of the human body detection sensor in a first cycle. When the detection signal is output, the human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven in a second cycle shorter than the first cycle, and the determination unit is the time-divisionally driven human body detection sensor in a second cycle. Since the presence of a human body is determined when the human body detection signal is output continuously for a specified interval, the presence or absence of a human body in the vicinity of the human body detection sensor is determined. Since the determination is made based on the output signals of the dividedly driven human body detection sensors, the reliability of the determination can be improved, and the time from the human body detection by the human body detection sensor to the determination of the presence of a human body can be shortened. Kill.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, the driving unit is configured to perform the time-division driving of the human body detection sensor in a second cycle at a predetermined interval, and then to perform the human body detection Is returned to the first period, so that the power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor in the normal mode can be reduced.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the driving means stops driving the human body detection sensor when the determination means determines that there is a human body. In the normal mode in which the signal output is not necessarily required, the power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor can be reduced.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the driving means stops driving the human body detection sensor during an operation in which operation of the device is inevitable. In the normal mode in which the signal output of the sensor is not necessarily required, the power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor can be reduced.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the driving unit stops driving the human body detection sensor when the device is in a normal mode. In a normal mode in which signal output is not necessarily required, power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor can be reduced.

The invention according to claim 17 is the invention according to claims 14 and 1
17. The image forming apparatus according to 5 or 16, wherein the driving unit restarts the time-division driving of the human body detection sensor in response to the device transitioning to the energy saving mode. Since the operation of the sensor is required, in this case, the time-division driving of the human body detection sensor can be restarted and the human body detection sensor can be operated again.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the device mode setting means includes:
When the operation signal is not input even after the lapse of the specified time in the normal mode, the device is shifted to the energy saving mode, and the output of the human body detection sensor is treated as the operation signal, as long as the human body detection sensor outputs the human body detection signal. Does not shift the device to the energy saving mode, so long as the human body detection sensor outputs the human body detection signal, the transition to the energy saving mode is not unnecessarily prompted just because no operation is performed on the device, The convenience for the user can be improved.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighteenth aspect, the driving means performs a time-divisional driving of the human body detection sensor in a first cycle from the human body detection sensor. When the detection signal is output, the human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven in a second cycle shorter than the first cycle, and the determination unit is the time-divisionally driven human body detection sensor in a second cycle. Since the presence of a human body is determined when the human body detection signal is output continuously for a specified interval from Since the determination is made based on the output signals of the dividedly driven human body detection sensors, the reliability of the determination can be improved, and the time from the human body detection by the human body detection sensor to the determination of the presence of a human body can be shortened. Kill.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the nineteenth aspect, the driving means includes: after the device mode setting means returns the device to a normal mode.
Since the human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven in the first cycle, power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor in the normal mode can be reduced.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the nineteenth aspect, the driving means includes: after the equipment mode setting means returns the equipment to a normal mode.
Since the human body detection sensor is driven in a time-division manner in the second cycle, the reliability of the human body presence / absence determination can be improved when the first cycle is long.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for driving a human body detection sensor, which operates by electric power and uses an output signal of a human body detection sensor that outputs a different signal depending on the presence or absence of a nearby human body. In some cases, the human body detection sensor is driven in a time-division manner, so that the human body detection sensor is driven in a time-division manner by the driving means, so that power consumption required for driving the human body detection sensor in the energy saving mode can be reduced. it can.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, an image forming unit for writing an image on an image forming medium is drive-controlled based on image data, so that the image forming unit can store an image corresponding to the image data. An image forming unit to be formed on the image forming medium, and installed on a computer provided in an image forming apparatus including a human body detection sensor that operates by power driving and outputs a different signal depending on the presence or absence of a nearby human body, A determination function for determining that there is a human body when a human body detection signal indicating detection of a human body is output from the human body detection sensor to the computer, and shifting a device to an energy saving mode when a prescribed condition is satisfied; A device mode setting function for outputting a signal for returning the device to the normal mode when the means determines that there is a human body; and In this case, a driving function for outputting a signal for time-divisionally driving the human body detection sensor is stored, so that the human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven by the driving means. Power consumption required for driving the detection sensor can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional front view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of electrical connection of each unit.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a human body detection sensor.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a time division driving circuit for driving the human body detection sensor in a time division manner.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a mode setting circuit for switching between a normal mode and an energy saving mode.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart of signals generated by the time division driving circuit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a human body detection process in the energy saving mode.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a human body detection process in an energy saving mode according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart of signals generated in a time-division driving circuit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a human body detection process in the energy saving mode.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a human body detection process in an energy saving mode according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart of signals generated in a time-division driving circuit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a human body detection process in the energy saving mode.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart of signals generated in a time-division driving circuit according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a human body detection process in the energy saving mode.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a human body detection process in a normal mode according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a human body detection process in a normal mode according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a human body detection process in the energy saving mode.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart of signals generated in a time-division driving circuit according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a human body detection process in the energy saving mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 imaging unit 2,301,302 imaging unit 201 human body detection sensor

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. A human body detection sensor that operates by electric power and outputs a different signal depending on the presence or absence of a nearby human body, and said human body detection when a device using an output signal of the human body detection sensor is in an energy saving mode. A human body detection sensor device comprising: a driving unit for driving the sensor in a time-division manner. 2. The human body detection sensor device according to claim 1, further comprising: determination means for determining that there is a human body when a human body detection signal indicating detection of a human body is output from the human body detection sensor. 3. The determination means determines that a human body is present when a human body detection signal is continuously output from the human body detection sensor at a specified interval, and the specified interval is determined by a time-divided output of the human body detection sensor. Claim 2 defined by the number of signals
The human body detection sensor device as described in the above. 4. When the human body detection sensor outputs a human body detection signal while the human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven in a first cycle, the driving means causes the human body detection sensor to perform a first operation. The time-division driving is performed in a second cycle shorter than the cycle, and the determination unit is configured to output a human body when a human body detection signal is continuously output from the human body detection sensor that is time-divisionally driven in the second cycle at a specified interval. The human body detection sensor device according to claim 2, wherein the presence is determined. 5. The driving unit returns the cycle of the time-division driving of the human body detection sensor to the first cycle after continuing the time-division driving of the human body detection sensor in a second cycle for a predetermined interval. 5. The human body detection sensor device according to 4. 6. The human body detection sensor device according to claim 2, wherein the drive unit stops driving the human body detection sensor when the determination unit determines that there is a human body. 7. The human body detection sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a copying machine, and the driving unit stops driving the human body detection sensor while the copying machine is performing a copying operation. 8. The human body detection sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit stops driving the human body detection sensor when the device is in a normal mode. 9. The human body detection sensor device according to claim 6, wherein the driving unit restarts time-division driving of the human body detection sensor in response to the device shifting to an energy saving mode. 10. An image forming unit that writes an image on an image forming medium is driven and controlled based on image data, so that the image forming unit forms an image corresponding to the image data on the image forming medium. An image unit, a human-body detection sensor that operates by power driving, and outputs a different signal depending on the presence or absence of an adjacent human body, and a human body when a human-body detection signal indicating detection of a human body is output from the human body detection sensor. A determination unit for determining that the condition is satisfied; a device mode setting unit configured to shift the device to an energy saving mode when a predetermined condition is satisfied; and to return the device to a normal mode when the determination unit determines that a human body is present; A driving unit that drives the human body detection sensor in a time-sharing manner in the energy saving mode. 11. The human body detection sensor determines that there is a human body when a human body detection signal is continuously output from the human body detection sensor for a predetermined interval, and the predetermined interval is a time-divided output of the human body detection sensor. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image forming apparatus is defined by the number of signals. 12. The driving unit according to claim 1, wherein the human body detection sensor outputs the first human body detection sensor when the human body detection sensor outputs a human body detection signal while the human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven in a first cycle. The time-division driving is performed in a second cycle shorter than the cycle, and the determination unit is configured to output a human body when a human body detection signal is continuously output from the human body detection sensor that is time-divisionally driven in the second cycle at a specified interval. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image forming apparatus determines the presence. 13. The driving unit returns the cycle of the time-division driving of the human body detection sensor to the first cycle after continuing the time-division driving of the human body detection sensor in a second cycle for a predetermined interval. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the drive unit stops driving the human body detection sensor when the determination unit determines that there is a human body. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the device is a copying machine, and the driving unit stops driving the human body detection sensor while the copying machine is performing a copying operation. 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the driving unit stops driving the human body detection sensor when the device is in a normal mode. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the driving unit restarts the time-division driving of the human body detection sensor in response to the device shifting to the energy saving mode. 18. The apparatus mode setting means, when an operation signal is not input even after a lapse of a prescribed time in a normal mode, causes the apparatus to shift to an energy saving mode, and treats the output of the human body detection sensor as an operation signal and operates the human body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the device does not shift to the energy saving mode as long as the detection sensor outputs the human body detection signal. 19. The driving unit, when a human body detection signal is output from the human body detection sensor while the human body detection sensor is time-divisionally driven in a first cycle, causes the human body detection sensor to perform a first operation. The time-division driving is performed in a second cycle shorter than the cycle, and the determination unit is configured to output a human body when a human body detection signal is continuously output from the human body detection sensor that is time-divisionally driven in the second cycle at a specified interval. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the image forming apparatus determines that there is an image. 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the driving unit drives the human body detection sensor in a time-division manner at a first cycle after the device mode setting unit returns the device to a normal mode. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the drive unit drives the human body detection sensor in a time-division manner in a second cycle after the device mode setting unit returns the device to a normal mode. 22. An apparatus which operates by power drive and uses an output signal of a human body detection sensor that outputs a different signal depending on the presence or absence of a nearby human body is in an energy saving mode.
A human body detection sensor driving method wherein the human body detection sensor is driven in a time-division manner. 23. An image forming unit that writes an image on an image forming medium is driven and controlled based on the image data, so that the image forming unit forms an image corresponding to the image data on the image forming medium. An image unit, installed on a computer provided in an image forming apparatus including a human body detection sensor that operates by power driving and outputs a different signal depending on the presence or absence of a human body in proximity to the computer. A determination function for determining that a human body is present when a human body detection signal indicating detection of a human body is output; and, when a prescribed condition is satisfied, the device is shifted to an energy saving mode, and when the determination unit determines that a human body is present, A device mode setting function for outputting a signal for returning the device to the normal mode, and the human body detection sensor when the device is in the energy saving mode. A storage medium for storing a driving function for outputting a signal for time-division driving, and a program for executing the driving function.