JP2004077735A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Image forming apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
JP2004077735A
JP2004077735A JP2002237099A JP2002237099A JP2004077735A JP 2004077735 A JP2004077735 A JP 2004077735A JP 2002237099 A JP2002237099 A JP 2002237099A JP 2002237099 A JP2002237099 A JP 2002237099A JP 2004077735 A JP2004077735 A JP 2004077735A
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Prior art keywords
led
image forming
forming apparatus
brightness
detection sensor
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Pending
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JP2002237099A
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Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Homare Ebara
江原　誉
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Priority to JP2002237099A priority Critical patent/JP2004077735A/en
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Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus saving energy by preventing the needless consumption of power in a control panel. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus provided with the control panel 1 with LED5, a surrounding darkness detection sensor 6 is provided nearby the LED5, the darkness of the surrounding is detected by the surrounding darkness detection sensor 6 and the brightness adjustment of LED5 is carried out according to the darkness. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、ＬＥＤ及び文字表示盤を有する操作パネルを備えた画像形成装置に関し、特に操作パネルの省エネルギ技術に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
複写機、プリンタ、ファクシミリ装置、印刷装置等の画像形成装置は、各種キー群と文字表示盤を有する操作パネルを備えており、各種キー群を操作することにより装置を特定のモードで動作させる入力を行い、かつ文字表示盤に装置の状態を表示する。また操作パネルは、その隅部に操作パネルの位置（存在）、及び電源が入力されていることを報知するためのＬＥＤを有している。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
従来の画像形成装置では、文字表示盤、ＬＥＤの明度は周囲の明るさに関わらず常に一定であるために、時には不必要に文字表示盤、ＬＥＤを明るくしていて、無駄な電力を消費していることがある。
本発明は、操作パネルにおいて、無駄な電力の消費を防ぎ、省エネ化を図ることが可能な画像形成装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、請求項１記載の発明は、ＬＥＤを有する操作パネルと、該ＬＥＤの明度を調整する制御部と、を備えた画像形成装置において、前記ＬＥＤ近傍に周囲暗度検知センサを備え、前記制御部は、前記周囲暗度検知センサが検知した周囲の暗度に応じてＬＥＤの明度調節を行なうことを特徴とする。
請求項２記載の発明は、文字表示盤を有した操作パネルと、該文字表示盤の明度を調整する制御部と、を備えた画像形成装置において、前記文字表示盤近傍に周囲暗度検知センサを備え、前記制御部は、前記周囲暗度検知センサが検知した周囲の暗度に応じて文字表示盤の明度調節を行なうことを特徴とする。
請求項３の発明は、ＬＥＤを有する操作パネルと、該ＬＥＤの明度を調整する制御部と、を備えた画像形成装置において、前記装置本体前面に位置する操作者の存在を検知する人体検知センサを備え、前記制御部は、前記人体検知センサが検知した装置本体から人体までの距離に応じてＬＥＤの明度調節を行うことを特徴とする。
【０００５】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図面により本発明の実施の形態を詳細に説明する。
図１は本発明の画像形成装置における操作パネルのレイアウト図である。本操作パネル１は、スタートキー２、テンキー３等の各種キー群及び文字表示盤４を有しており、またその隅部には、操作パネル１の位置（存在）、及び電源が入力されていることを報知するためのＬＥＤ５を有している。
ＬＥＤ５は、図示しない制御部（ＣＰＵ）からの制御により、通電量等を調整することによって、その明度を調整することができる。文字表示盤４は、例えばＬＣＤ表示部であり、バックライトの光量を制御部からの制御によって調整することができる。
そして、本発明では、文字表示盤４の近傍かつＬＥＤ５の近傍に周囲暗度検知センサ６を備え、周囲暗度検知センサ６により周囲の暗度を検知し、制御部が検知情報に基づいてその暗さに応じて文字表示盤４の明度調節を行なうと共に、ＬＥＤ５の明度調節を行なうものである。
図２は本発明の画像形成装置の正面図である。装置本体１０の上部前面には操作パネル１があり、その下部には、装置本体１０の前面に立つ操作者の存在を検知する人体検知センサ１１を備え、制御部が人体検知センサ１１により装置本体１０から人体への距離を検知し、検知した距離についての情報に応じてＬＥＤ５の明度調節を行うようになっている。
【０００６】
図３は本発明の第１の制御例を示すフローチャートである。周囲暗度検知センサ６で装置本体１０の周囲（操作パネル１の周囲）の暗さ度合いを検知することにより、制御部は暗さの度合いに応じて、ＬＥＤ５の明度を視覚で認識できる適度な値に調節することによって、不必要な電力の消費を防ぐことができる。
具体的には、周囲の暗さ度合いが高い時には（Ｓ１でＹ）ＬＥＤ５が目立つため、認識しやすくなる。よって、ＬＥＤ５の光量を下げて消費電力を減少させる（Ｓ２）。周囲の暗さ度合いが低い時には（Ｓ１でＮ）ＬＥＤ５の光量はそのままとする。
図４は本発明の第２の制御例を示すフローチャートである。周囲暗度検知センサ６で装置本体１０の周囲（操作パネル１の周囲）の暗さ度合いを検知することにより、その度合いに応じて、文字表示盤４の明度を文字が認識できる適度な値に調節することによって、不必要な電力の消費を防ぐことができる。
具体的には、周囲の暗さ度合いが低い時には（Ｓ１１でＮ）、文字を認識しやすいため、認識できるレベルは保ちつつも文字表示盤４の明度を低目に設定して消費電力を減少させる（Ｓ１２）。周囲の暗さ度合いが高い時には（Ｓ１１でＹ）　文字表示盤４の明度はそのままとする（Ｓ１３）。
図５は本発明の第３の制御例を示すフローチャートである。人体検知センサ１１で装置本体１０から人体への距離を確認することで、その距離に応じて、ＬＥＤ５の明度を視覚で認識できる適度な値に調節することによって、不必要な電力の消費を防ぐことができる。尚、文字表示盤４の明度を調節してもよい。
具体的には、装置本体１０と人体の距離が近い時には（Ｓ２１でＹ）、ＬＥＤ５の点灯状態を認識しやすくなるため、認識できるレベルは保ちつつもＬＥＤ５の光量を下げて消費電力を減少させる（Ｓ２２）。装置本体１０と人体の距離が近くない時には（Ｓ２１でＮ）、ＬＥＤ５の光量はそのままとする（Ｓ２３）。
【０００７】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、請求項１記載の発明によれば、周囲暗度検知センサで周囲の暗さを検知し、その度合いに応じてＬＥＤの明度を調節することによって、必要以上に電力を消費しないようにすることができる効果がある。
請求項２記載の発明によれば、周囲暗度検知センサで周囲の暗さを検知し、その度合いに応じて文字表示盤の明度を調節することによって、必要以上に電力を消費しないようにすることができる効果がある。
請求項３記載の発明によれば、人体検知センサで装置本体から人体への距離を検知し、その距離に応じてＬＥＤの明度を調節することによって、必要以上に電力を消費しないようにすることができる効果がある。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の画像形成装置における操作パネルのレイアウト図である。
【図２】本発明の画像形成装置の正面図である。
【図３】本発明の第１の制御例を示すフローチャートである。
【図４】本発明の第２の制御例を示すフローチャートである。
【図５】本発明の第３の制御例を示すフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１　操作パネル
４　文字表示盤
５　ＬＥＤ
６　周囲暗度検知センサ[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with an operation panel having an LED and a character display panel, and more particularly, to an energy saving technology of the operation panel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile apparatus, and a printing apparatus includes an operation panel having various keys and a character display panel, and an input for operating the apparatus in a specific mode by operating the various keys. And displays the status of the device on the character display panel. The operation panel has an LED at a corner thereof for notifying the position (existence) of the operation panel and that power is being input.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional image forming apparatus, since the brightness of the character display panel and the LED is always constant regardless of the surrounding brightness, the character display panel and the LED are sometimes unnecessarily brightened, and wasteful power is consumed. May be.
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing unnecessary power consumption and saving energy in an operation panel.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus including an operation panel having an LED and a control unit for adjusting the brightness of the LED. A sensor, wherein the control unit adjusts the brightness of the LED according to the surrounding darkness detected by the surrounding darkness detection sensor.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: an operation panel having a character display panel; and a control unit for adjusting the brightness of the character display panel. Wherein the control unit adjusts the brightness of the character display board in accordance with the surrounding darkness detected by the surrounding darkness detection sensor.
4. An image forming apparatus comprising: an operation panel having an LED; and a control unit for adjusting the brightness of the LED, wherein a human body detection sensor detects the presence of an operator located on a front surface of the apparatus main body. Wherein the control unit adjusts the brightness of the LED according to the distance from the apparatus main body to the human body detected by the human body detection sensor.
[0005]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a layout diagram of an operation panel in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The operation panel 1 has various key groups such as a start key 2 and a numeric keypad 3 and a character display panel 4, and a position (existence) of the operation panel 1 and a power supply are input to the corners thereof. LED5 for notifying that the user is present.
The brightness of the LED 5 can be adjusted by controlling the amount of current or the like under the control of a control unit (CPU) (not shown). The character display panel 4 is, for example, an LCD display unit, and can adjust the amount of light of the backlight under the control of the control unit.
In the present invention, the surrounding darkness detection sensor 6 is provided near the character display panel 4 and near the LED 5, and the surrounding darkness detection sensor 6 detects the surrounding darkness. The brightness of the character display panel 4 is adjusted according to the darkness, and the brightness of the LED 5 is adjusted.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. An operation panel 1 is provided on the upper front surface of the apparatus main body 10, and a human body detection sensor 11 for detecting the presence of an operator standing on the front surface of the apparatus main body 10 is provided below the operation panel 1. The distance from 10 to the human body is detected, and the brightness of the LED 5 is adjusted in accordance with the information on the detected distance.
[0006]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first control example of the present invention. By detecting the degree of darkness around the apparatus body 10 (around the operation panel 1) with the surrounding darkness detection sensor 6, the control unit can appropriately recognize the brightness of the LED 5 visually according to the degree of darkness. By adjusting the value, unnecessary power consumption can be prevented.
Specifically, when the surrounding darkness level is high (Y in S1), the LED 5 is conspicuous, so that the LED 5 is easily recognized. Therefore, the power consumption is reduced by reducing the light amount of the LED 5 (S2). When the surrounding darkness is low (N in S1), the light amount of the LED 5 is kept as it is.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second control example of the present invention. By detecting the degree of darkness around the apparatus body 10 (around the operation panel 1) with the surrounding darkness detection sensor 6, the brightness of the character display panel 4 is set to an appropriate value that allows characters to be recognized according to the degree of darkness. By adjusting, unnecessary power consumption can be prevented.
Specifically, when the degree of darkness of the surroundings is low (N in S11), the characters can be easily recognized. Therefore, the lightness of the character display panel 4 is set to a low value while maintaining the recognizable level, thereby reducing the power consumption. (S12). When the surrounding darkness is high (Y in S11), the brightness of the character display panel 4 is kept as it is (S13).
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a third control example of the present invention. By confirming the distance from the apparatus main body 10 to the human body by the human body detection sensor 11, the brightness of the LED 5 is adjusted to an appropriate value that can be visually recognized according to the distance, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption. be able to. The brightness of the character display panel 4 may be adjusted.
Specifically, when the distance between the apparatus main body 10 and the human body is short (Y in S21), the lighting state of the LED 5 is easily recognized, so that the light amount of the LED 5 is reduced while maintaining a recognizable level, thereby reducing power consumption. (S22). When the distance between the apparatus body 10 and the human body is not short (N in S21), the light amount of the LED 5 is kept as it is (S23).
[0007]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the surrounding darkness detection sensor detects the surrounding darkness and adjusts the brightness of the LED according to the degree, thereby consuming more power than necessary. There is an effect that can be prevented.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the surrounding darkness detection sensor detects the surrounding darkness, and adjusts the brightness of the character display panel according to the degree, so that power is not consumed more than necessary. There are effects that can be.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the distance from the apparatus main body to the human body is detected by the human body detection sensor, and the brightness of the LED is adjusted according to the distance so that power is not consumed more than necessary. There is an effect that can be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a layout diagram of an operation panel in an image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first control example of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a second control example of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a third control example of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 operation panel 4 character display panel 5 LED
6 Ambient darkness detection sensor

Claims (3)

ＬＥＤを有する操作パネルと、該ＬＥＤの明度を調整する制御部と、を備えた画像形成装置において、
前記ＬＥＤ近傍に周囲暗度検知センサを備え、
前記制御部は、前記周囲暗度検知センサが検知した周囲の暗度に応じてＬＥＤの明度調節を行なうことを特徴とする画像形成装置。In an image forming apparatus including an operation panel having an LED and a control unit that adjusts the brightness of the LED,
A surrounding darkness detection sensor is provided near the LED,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit adjusts the brightness of an LED according to the surrounding darkness detected by the surrounding darkness detection sensor. 文字表示盤を有した操作パネルと、該文字表示盤の明度を調整する制御部と、を備えた画像形成装置において、
前記文字表示盤近傍に周囲暗度検知センサを備え、
前記制御部は、前記周囲暗度検知センサが検知した周囲の暗度に応じて文字表示盤の明度調節を行なうことを特徴とする画像形成装置。An image forming apparatus comprising: an operation panel having a character display panel; and a control unit for adjusting the brightness of the character display panel,
A surrounding darkness detection sensor is provided near the character display board,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit adjusts the brightness of the character display panel in accordance with the surrounding darkness detected by the surrounding darkness detection sensor. ＬＥＤを有する操作パネルと、該ＬＥＤの明度を調整する制御部と、を備えた画像形成装置において、
前記装置本体前面に位置する操作者の存在を検知する人体検知センサを備え、前記制御部は、前記人体検知センサが検知した装置本体から人体までの距離に応じてＬＥＤの明度調節を行うことを特徴とする画像形成装置。In an image forming apparatus including an operation panel having an LED and a control unit that adjusts the brightness of the LED,
A human body detection sensor for detecting the presence of an operator located on the front surface of the apparatus main body, wherein the control unit performs brightness adjustment of an LED according to a distance from the apparatus main body to the human body detected by the human body detection sensor. Characteristic image forming apparatus.
JP2002237099A 2002-08-15 2002-08-15 Image forming apparatus Pending JP2004077735A (en)

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006133279A (en) * 2004-11-02 2006-05-25 Kyocera Mita Corp Image forming apparatus
JP2006163262A (en) * 2004-12-10 2006-06-22 Kyocera Mita Corp Image forming device
CN103223789A (en) * 2012-01-25 2013-07-31 株式会社理光 Operating device, operating control method and image forming device
JP2013175159A (en) * 2012-01-25 2013-09-05 Ricoh Co Ltd Operation device, image formation device, operation control method, and operation control program

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006133279A (en) * 2004-11-02 2006-05-25 Kyocera Mita Corp Image forming apparatus
JP4642433B2 (en) * 2004-11-02 2011-03-02 京セラミタ株式会社 Image forming apparatus
JP2006163262A (en) * 2004-12-10 2006-06-22 Kyocera Mita Corp Image forming device
CN103223789A (en) * 2012-01-25 2013-07-31 株式会社理光 Operating device, operating control method and image forming device
JP2013175159A (en) * 2012-01-25 2013-09-05 Ricoh Co Ltd Operation device, image formation device, operation control method, and operation control program
CN103223789B (en) * 2012-01-25 2016-06-15 株式会社理光 Operation device, method of controlling operation thereof and image processing system

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