JP2018205450A - Image formation apparatus, power supply mode control method and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable recovery to the normal state from the power saving state at the more suitable timing than that of the conventional art for power saving in an image formation apparatus which is turned into the power saving state.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus 1 having the power saving mode of saving the power consumption includes: an area entry detection unit 101 which detects entry of a user to an installation area being a location where the image formation apparatus 1 is installed or a prescribed location in the vicinity of it; and a normal mode switching unit 109 which maintains the power saving mode when it is estimated that the user whose entry is detected by the area entry detection unit 101 in the power saving mode is the same as the user whose entry is detected by the area entry detection unit 101 before the power saving mode, and releases the power saving mode when it is estimated that the users are not the same.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a power saving technique in an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus called a multifunction peripheral or MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) has been widely used.

  Some image forming apparatuses enter a power saving mode if they are not operated for a certain period of time. The power saving mode is a mode for saving power by saving power supply to some hardware modules of the image forming apparatus. In order to stop the power saving mode and return to the normal mode (hereinafter referred to as “normal mode”), it takes a certain amount of time, for example, the time for the hardware module to warm up. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus that the user wants to use is in the power saving mode, the user may have to wait for a certain amount of time to cause the image forming apparatus to execute processing.

  The following patent documents disclose an image forming apparatus that does not make a user wait much when returning from a power saving state.

  The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 detects an object located in the vicinity, detects a distance between the image forming apparatus and the detected object, and measures a change amount of the distance for every predetermined time. Based on the amount, it is determined whether or not the detected object is a person. If it is determined that the person is a person, it is determined whether or not the person is a user of the image forming apparatus, and based on the determination result Perform power saving control. Here, when a person continuously moves to a short distance to the image forming apparatus, it is determined that the person is a user and power is supplied.

  The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2 includes a pyroelectric sensor, and the first detection unit that detects the upper body and the output level of the pyroelectric sensor of the first detection unit differ depending on whether the output value exceeds a threshold value. A first signal generation unit that generates one signal, a pyroelectric sensor, a second detection unit that detects an area below the first detection unit and detects the lower body, and an output of the pyroelectric sensor of the second detection unit Depending on whether or not the value exceeds a predetermined threshold, a person is approaching the image forming apparatus with respect to the second signal generation unit that generates the second signal of different levels and the waveforms of the first signal and the second signal. Or a storage unit that stores data for determination including data indicating whether a person crosses the detection area of the pyroelectric sensor, waveforms of the first signal and the second signal, Based on the data for discrimination, the movement direction of the person relative to the image forming device To identify. Here, when it is recognized that a person is approaching the image forming apparatus, the power saving mode is canceled.

JP-A-2006-55550 JP 2014-10346 A

  The image forming apparatus disclosed in the above-described patent document returns from the power saving state to the normal state only by detecting that the user is approaching the image forming apparatus to some extent. Therefore, even when it should not return to the normal state, it may return.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that an image forming apparatus having a power saving mode returns from a power saving state to a normal state at a more preferable timing than before in order to save power. .

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a power saving mode that saves power consumption, and a user's access to a predetermined area that is a predetermined place within a predetermined range from the image forming apparatus. Detection means for detecting entry, a first user whose entry is detected by the detection means when the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode, and before the image forming apparatus enters the power saving mode. When it is estimated that the second user whose entry has been detected by the detection means is the same, the power saving mode is maintained, and when it is estimated that the second user is not the same, the power saving mode is canceled. Mode control means.

  Preferably, a second detection unit that detects a user's exit from the predetermined area, and a timer that counts an elapsed time since the second detection unit detected the exit of the second user. And the mode control means saves the saving when the first user and the second user are estimated to be the same and the elapsed time has not passed a predetermined time. When the power mode is maintained and the elapsed time has passed the predetermined time, the power saving mode is canceled even if the first user and the second user are estimated to be the same.

  Alternatively, when a second detection unit that detects the user's exit from the predetermined area and the second user's exit from the second detection unit are detected, the second detection unit detects a user's exit from the predetermined area. A third detecting means for detecting the presence of a specific object, wherein the mode control means is configured to estimate that the first user and the second user are the same, and the specific user When the third detection means detects that the specific object is at a position, the third detection means maintains the power saving mode and indicates that the specific object is at the specific position. If not detected, the power saving mode is canceled even if it is estimated that the first user and the second user are the same.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to return from a power saving state to a normal state at a more preferable timing than before for power saving.

It is a figure which shows the example of the whole structure of VPN (Virtual Private Network). 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of an installation area. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of the whole process regarding control of an electric power mode. It is a figure which shows the modification of a functional structure of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a time setting screen. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of each course of a 1st user and a 2nd user. It is a figure which shows the example of a suitability setting screen.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a VPN (Virtual Private Network) 3. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the VPN 3 includes a plurality of segments 2 and communication lines 4.

  The VPN 3 is used by an organization having a plurality of floors or bases. A segment 2 is provided for each of a plurality of floors or bases. Each segment 2 is connected by a communication line 4. As the communication line 4, the Internet, a public line, a dedicated line, or the like is used.

  The segment 2 includes one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1, a router 26, one or a plurality of personal computers 27, one or a plurality of mobile computers 28, and a communication line 29.

  The communication line 29 includes a hub, a twisted pair cable, a radio base station, and the like. The image forming apparatus 1, the router 26, the personal computer 27, and the mobile computer 28 can communicate via a communication line 29. The router 26 connects the segment 2 provided with the other segment 2.

  The mobile computer 28 is a computer that can be carried by a user. As the mobile computer 28, a computer having a wireless local area network (LAN) interface and a short-range wireless interface, for example, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or a wearable computer is used. The short-range wireless interface periodically (for example, every 100 milliseconds) generates a beacon signal indicating an identifier 5A (see FIG. 3) for identifying the mobile computer 28 itself with a predetermined strength (hereinafter referred to as “transmitted radio wave intensity”). P1 ”)).

  The wireless LAN interface is a device that performs communication based on a wireless LAN standard, that is, an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard. The short-range wireless interface is a device that communicates with other devices based on a wireless communication standard having a communication distance of about 1 to several meters. Examples of such a standard include Bluetooth (registered trademark) or IrDA (Infrared Data Association).

  Devices provided in two different segments 2 can communicate with each other via the communication line 4.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus in which functions such as copying, PC printing, fax, scanner, and box are integrated. Generally, it is sometimes called “multifunction machine” or “MFP (Multi Function Peripherals)”.

  The PC print function is a function for printing an image on a sheet based on image data received from the personal computer 27 or the mobile computer 28. It may also be called “network printing” or “network printing”. The image data is described in a page description language corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1. Alternatively, image data of a predetermined format (for example, Portable Document Format (PDF), Tagged Image File Format (TIFF), Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), or XML Paper Specification (XPS)) corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 There may be.

  The box function is a function for giving a storage area called “box” or “personal box” for each user, and for each user to store and manage image data and the like in his / her storage area. A box can be provided for each group and shared by the members of the group. A box corresponds to a “folder” or “directory” in a personal computer.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an overall control unit 100, an auxiliary storage device 10f, a touch panel display 10g, an operation key panel 10h, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 10i, a modem 10j, a wireless LAN interface 10k, a short distance. The wireless interface 10n, the peripheral device interface 10p, the scan unit 10r, the print unit 10s, and the power supply unit 10t are configured.

  The overall control unit 100 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1. The overall control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 10b, an S-RAM (Static Random Access Memory) 10c, an NV-RAM (Non Volatile Random Access Memory) 10d, and a clock IC (integrated). circuit) 10e.

  The S-RAM 10c is a working storage device, and is used to temporarily store the result of processing by the CPU 10a or data transmitted from another device.

  The NV-RAM 10d is used to back up data relating to various settings of the image forming apparatus 1 itself (for example, IP (Internet Protocol) address, fax number, address book, screen character size or language, etc.). The clock IC 10e is a circuit for measuring time.

  The ROM 10b or the auxiliary storage device 10f stores programs such as an operating system and applications for realizing the above-described functions. A power mode control program 11 is stored as a part of the operating system program.

  The power mode control program 11 is a program for controlling the power supplied to each hardware module of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a normal mode and a power saving mode as power supply modes (hereinafter referred to as “power modes”).

  The normal mode is a mode in which power is supplied so that the performance of the image forming apparatus 1 can be exhibited as much as possible.

  The power saving mode is a mode in which power supply to some hardware modules is stopped or the supply amount is reduced in order to save power. According to the power saving mode, the performance of the image forming apparatus 1 is lower than that in the normal mode, but power saving can be achieved.

  For example, the amount of power supplied to the print unit 10 s is reduced by lowering the temperature of the fixing roller of the print unit 10 s than in the normal mode. Alternatively, when a hard disk is used as the auxiliary storage device 10f, the amount of power supplied to the auxiliary storage device 10f is reduced by stopping the rotation of the magnetic disk or reducing the rotation speed as compared with the normal mode. Alternatively, the amount of power supplied to the touch panel display 10g is reduced by stopping the display on the touch panel display 10g.

  These programs are loaded into the ROM 10b and executed by the CPU 10a. A hard disk or SSD (Solid State Drive) is used as the auxiliary storage device 10f.

  The touch panel display 10g displays a screen showing a message for the user, a screen for the user to input a command or information, a screen showing a result of processing executed by the CPU 10a, and the like. The touch panel display 10g sends a signal indicating the touched position to the CPU 10a.

  The operation key panel 10h is a so-called hardware keyboard, and includes a numeric keypad, a start key, a stop key, a function key, and the like.

  The NIC 10i communicates with other devices using a protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

  The modem 10j exchanges image data with a fax terminal using a protocol such as G3.

  The wireless LAN interface 10k is a device that performs communication based on a wireless LAN standard.

  The short-range wireless interface 10n is a device that communicates with the mobile computer 28 based on the same standard as the short-range wireless interface of the mobile computer 28.

  The peripheral device interface 10p is a device for connecting peripheral devices such as a digital video camera, a portable recording device, or an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader to the image forming apparatus 1. Hereinafter, a case where a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard interface is used as the peripheral device interface 10p will be described as an example.

  The scan unit 10r reads an image written on a sheet set on the platen glass and generates image data.

  In addition to the image read by the scan unit 10r, the print unit 10s is shown in image data received or read from another device by the NIC 10i, the modem 10j, the wireless LAN interface 10k, the short-range wireless interface 10n, or the peripheral device interface 10p. Print the image on the paper.

  The power supply unit 10t is connected to a commercial power supply and supplies power to each hardware module of the image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with a command from the CPU 10a.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation area 60.

  Next, control of power supply to each hardware module by the power mode control program 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  According to the power mode control program 11, the area approach detection unit 101, the first user information acquisition unit 102, the user information storage unit 103, the no-operation time measurement unit 104, the power saving mode switching unit 105, and the second A user information acquisition unit 106, an identity determination unit 107, a condition satisfaction determination unit 108, a normal mode switching unit 109, and the like are realized in the image forming apparatus 1.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when the power is turned on, the power supply unit 10t starts supplying power to the hardware modules, and the hardware modules start to operate sequentially. The mode immediately after starting is the normal mode. Furthermore, an operating system and a predetermined application are started.

  The short-range wireless interface 10n starts monitoring a beacon signal that reaches the short-range wireless interface 10n when power starts to be supplied. Specifically, every time a beacon signal arrives, the radio wave intensity of the beacon signal (hereinafter referred to as “received radio wave intensity P2”) is measured, and the identifier 5A indicated in the beacon signal is extracted.

  The user carries the mobile computer 28 and approaches the installation area 60. The installation area 60 is a position where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed and an area in the vicinity thereof as shown in FIG.

  Then, the beacon signal transmitted from the mobile computer 28 starts to be continuously received by the short-range wireless interface 10n. Then, the received radio wave intensity P2 is measured and the identifier 5A starts to be extracted. Although the identifiers 5A of these beacon signals are the same, the received radio wave intensity P2 of these beacon signals is larger as it is later, and eventually exceeds a predetermined intensity P0. The predetermined intensity P0 is an intensity when a signal (radio wave) transmitted at the transmission radio field intensity P1 from the boundary 601 separating the outside and the inside of the installation area 60 reaches (receives) the short-range wireless interface 10n. . Radio waves attenuate as they travel. Therefore, the transmission radio wave intensity P1> the reception radio wave intensity P2.

  The area approach detection unit 101 detects the user's approach to the installation area 60 based on the change in the received radio wave intensity P2 continuously measured as described above by the short-range wireless interface 10n and the identity of the extracted identifier 5A. And detect as follows.

  When the same identifier 5A is continuously extracted by the short-range wireless interface 10n, the area approach detection unit 101 has one of the received radio wave strengths P2 of the beacon signal from which each identifier 5A is extracted has a predetermined strength P0. Until it exceeds, entry into the installation area 60 is not detected. Then, when the predetermined strength P0 is exceeded, entry into the installation area 60 is detected.

  When entry into the installation area 60 is detected by the area entry detection unit 101, if the current power mode is the normal mode, processing is performed by the first user information acquisition unit 102. On the other hand, in the power saving mode, processing is performed by the second user information acquisition unit 106, the identity determination unit 107, the condition satisfaction determination unit 108, and the normal mode switching unit 109.

  The first user information acquisition unit 102 identifies the user who has entered the installation area 60 using the identifier 5A extracted from the beacon signal when the area entry detection unit 101 detects entry into the installation area 60 in the normal mode. Obtained as the first identifier 5 </ b> B and stored in the user information storage unit 103.

  Further, the first user information acquisition unit 102 associates with the first identifier 5B and uses performance data indicating the contents of processing executed by the image forming apparatus 1 when the user is in the installation area 60. 5C is generated and stored in the user information storage unit 103.

  For example, when the user executes a job, the usage record data 5C indicates “job” as the type. Alternatively, when the user performs a setting process (for example, a process for changing the font size used on the screen), “setting” is displayed. Or, when the user does not execute the process, “not used” is indicated.

  Furthermore, when the process executed by the user is a job, the usage record data 5C indicates an input source and an output destination. As an input source, a medium on which an image to be processed in the job is stored or written is shown. As an output destination, a medium on which an image is output in the job is indicated.

  For example, when a copy (copy) job is executed, an image is read from a paper sheet of an original and an image is printed on a blank paper. Therefore, “paper” is indicated as an input source in the usage record data 5C and output. “Paper” is shown as the destination.

  Alternatively, when a box_To_E-Mail job (a job for sending data stored in a box attached to an e-mail) is executed, the usage record data 5C indicates “box” as an input source, “Electronic mail server” is shown as the output destination.

  Alternatively, when a USB_To_box job (a job for saving data stored in a USB-compatible portable storage device such as a USB memory in a box) is executed, the usage record data 5C includes “USB” ”And“ box ”as the output destination.

  When the power mode is the normal mode, the no-operation time measuring unit 104 is the time that has elapsed since the last operation on either the touch panel display 10g or the operation key panel 10h (hereinafter, “no-operation time T1”). Is measured as follows, for example.

  When the operation on either the touch panel display 10g or the operation key panel 10h is completed, for example, when the user releases the touch panel display 10g or presses any key on the operation key panel 10h, the no-operation time measuring unit 104 Starts measuring the no-operation time T1 from zero seconds. If touch panel display 10g is touched or any key on operation key panel 10h is pressed, measurement is stopped. When the user releases the touch panel display 10g or presses any key on the operation key panel 10h, the no-operation time T1 starts to be measured again from zero seconds.

The power saving mode switching unit 105 instructs the power supply unit 10t to switch the power mode to the power saving mode when the non-operation time T1 exceeds the predetermined time T0. Then, the power supply unit 10t switches the power mode to the power saving mode. However, if there is a job that is being executed or is waiting to be executed, the power saving mode switching unit 105 does not operate even if the no-operation time T1 exceeds the predetermined time T0. Do not immediately switch to the power saving mode. Switch to power saving mode after all jobs have been executed. If the touch panel display 10g is touched or any key on the operation key panel 10h is pressed before all the jobs have been executed, switching to the power saving mode is stopped. Then, the no-operation time measuring unit 104 starts measuring the no-operation time T1 again from zero seconds.

  Before the power saving mode switching unit 105 switches to the power saving mode, the area approach detection unit 101 may detect the entry to the installation area 60 a plurality of times. In this case, only the first identifier 5B acquired by the first user information acquisition unit 102 and the generated usage record data 5C after the last entry is detected are stored in the first user information acquisition unit 102. The first identifier 5 </ b> B detected before that and the generated usage record data 5 </ b> C may be deleted from the first user information acquisition unit 102.

  The second user information acquisition unit 106 identifies the user who has entered the installation area 60 with the identifier 5A extracted from the beacon signal when the area entry detection unit 101 detects entry into the installation area 60 in the power saving mode. To obtain the second identifier 5D.

  The identity determination unit 107 includes a user (first user) who came to the image forming apparatus 1 after switching to the power saving mode and a user who has used the image forming apparatus 1 immediately before switching to the power saving mode. Whether or not (second user) is the same user is determined (estimated) as follows.

  When the identifier indicated by the second identifier 5D acquired by the second user information acquisition unit 106 matches the identifier indicated by the first identifier 5B stored in the first user information acquisition unit 102 The identity determination unit 107 determines that the first user and the second user are the same user. If they do not match, it is determined that they are not the same user.

  In addition, when it corresponds, it is estimated that the 1st user entered the installation area 60 again after leaving the installation area 60. One possible reason for entering again is to use the image forming apparatus 1. Another reason may be that the user has forgotten to remove the printed matter, the original paper, or the USB memory, and has returned it.

The condition satisfaction determination unit 108 determines whether or not a specific condition is satisfied based on the usage record data 5C stored in the user information storage unit 103 or the like. For example, it is determined whether or not the following specific condition_1 or specific condition_2 is satisfied.
(Specific condition_1): When the input source or the output destination is indicated in the usage record data 5C, neither the input source nor the output destination is an object set in the image forming apparatus 1. Examples of such objects include paper and USB memory. That is, other than predetermined values such as “paper” and “USB” are indicated in the usage record data 5C.
(Specific condition — 2): The usage record data 5C indicates a type other than “job” (for example, “setting”).

  The normal mode switching unit 109 instructs the power supply unit 10t to switch the power mode to the normal mode when the identity determining unit 107 determines that the first user and the second user are not the same user. Then, the power supply unit 10t switches the power mode to the normal mode. Thereby, the power saving mode is canceled and the normal mode is restored.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the first user and the second user are the same user, if the normal mode switching unit 109 determines that the condition satisfying determination unit 108 satisfies the specific condition_1, That is, if both the input source and the output destination are other than the object set in the image forming apparatus 1, the power supply unit 10t is instructed to switch the power mode to the normal mode. Even when it is determined that the specific condition_2 is satisfied, a command is issued to switch to the normal mode. When neither the specific condition_1 nor the specific condition_2 is satisfied, no command is issued. Therefore, the power saving mode is maintained.

  When the touch panel display 10g or the operation key panel 10h is operated or when a job command is received from the mobile computer 28 or the like, the power mode is switched to the normal mode as usual.

  When the power saving mode is canceled and the normal mode is restored, the first identifier 5B and the usage record data 5C stored in the user information storage unit 103 are deleted. That is, the user information storage unit 103 is reset.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow related to the control of the power mode.

  Next, the overall processing flow regarding the power mode in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 1 executes processing according to the procedure shown in FIG. 5 based on the power mode control program 11.

  At the time when the power mode control program 11 is started, the power mode is the normal mode.

  The image forming apparatus 1 starts measuring the no-operation time T1 from zero seconds after the power mode control program 11 is started (# 701 in FIG. 5).

  When the image forming apparatus 1 detects the entry into the installation area 60 (Yes in # 703) when the power mode is the normal mode (Yes in # 702), the identifier shown in the beacon signal when the entry is detected 5A is acquired as the first identifier 5B and stored (# 704).

  When an operation is performed on the touch panel display 10g or the operation key panel 10h (Yes in # 705), the image forming apparatus 1 measures the non-operation time T1 again from zero seconds (# 706, # 707).

  Until the no-operation time T1 exceeds the predetermined time T0 (No in # 708), the image forming apparatus 1 executes the process of step # 704 each time an entry into the installation area 60 is detected. The first identifier 5B stored previously is deleted. Further, the processing of steps # 706 to # 707 is executed every time an operation is performed. Further, depending on the contents of the operation, a job or setting process is executed as appropriate.

  When the no-operation time T1 exceeds the predetermined time T0 (Yes in # 708), the image forming apparatus 1 switches the power mode from the normal mode to the power saving mode (# 709). Then, data indicating the contents of the processing executed according to the operation before switching is generated and stored as usage record data 5C (# 710). However, when the entry to the installation area 60 is detected a plurality of times before the predetermined time T0 is exceeded, data indicating the content of the process executed according to the operation after the detection of the last entry is generated.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 detects the entry into the installation area 60 (No in # 711) when the power mode is the power saving mode (No in # 702), the image forming apparatus 1 is indicated in the beacon signal when the entry is detected. The identifier 5A is acquired as the second identifier 5D (# 712). The second identifier 5D is compared with the latest first identifier 5B (# 713).

  If the two do not match (No in # 714), the image forming apparatus 1 switches the power mode from the power saving mode to the normal mode (# 717).

  If they match (Yes in # 714), the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not each of the specific condition_1 and the specific condition_2 is satisfied (# 715). If at least one of them is satisfied (Yes in # 716), the power mode is switched from the power saving mode to the normal mode (# 717). If neither is satisfied (No in # 716), the power saving mode is maintained (# 718).

  The image forming apparatus 1 appropriately executes each of the above steps while continuing the service (Yes in # 719).

  According to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 can return from the power saving mode to the normal mode at a more preferable timing than before in order to save power.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the time setting screen 7A. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining examples of routes of the first user and the second user. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the suitability setting screen 7B.

  In the present embodiment, when the first user and the second user are the same, the power saving mode is canceled or maintained according to the determination result by the condition satisfaction determination unit 108. However, the determination by the condition satisfaction determination unit 108 is not performed, and if both are the same, the power saving mode may be maintained unconditionally.

In the present embodiment, the condition satisfaction determination unit 108 determines whether or not the specific condition_1 and the specific condition_2 are satisfied as specific conditions, but whether or not the following specific condition_3 or specific condition_4 is satisfied May be determined.
(Specific condition — 3): The image forming apparatus performs a predetermined number of times (for example, three times) or more by the first user within a predetermined time (for example, within 15 minutes) before the power mode is switched to the power saving mode. 1 to execute the job.
(Specific condition — 4): The time elapsed after the first user leaves the installation area 60 (hereinafter referred to as “elapsed time T2 after exit”) has passed a predetermined time T3.

  In order to determine whether or not the specific condition_3 is satisfactory, the first user information acquisition unit 102 may record the date and time when the job was executed in the usage record data 5C of each job.

  Further, in order to determine whether or not the specific condition_4 is satisfied, the exit detection unit 121 and the elapsed time measurement unit 122 after exit are provided in the image forming apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. The area exit detection unit 121 and the elapsed time measurement unit 122 after exit may be realized by the power mode control program 11.

  The area exit detection unit 121 detects the exit of the second user from the installation area 60 as follows, for example.

  After the area entry detector 101 detects the entry of the second user into the installation area 60, the second user identifier 5A is continuously extracted from the beacon signal by the short-range wireless interface 10n. At the same time, the received radio wave intensity P2 is continuously measured from these beacon signals.

  Then, the area exit detection unit 121 detects that the second user has exited the installation area 60 when the received radio wave intensity P2 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined intensity P0.

  The post-exit elapsed time measurement unit 122 starts measuring the post-exit elapsed time T2 from zero seconds when the area exit detection unit 121 detects the exit.

  The normal mode switching unit 109 instructs the power supply unit 10t to switch the power mode to the normal mode when the specific condition_3 or the specific condition_4 is satisfied.

  The predetermined time T3 may be set in advance by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1 on the time setting screen 7A as shown in FIG. The time setting screen 7A is displayed on the touch panel display 10g.

  In the present embodiment, the area entry detection unit 101 unconditionally detects entry into the installation area 60 when the received radio wave intensity P2 exceeds a predetermined intensity P0. However, the following processing may be performed so that no entry is detected when the user simply crosses the edge of the installation area 60.

  For example, the area entry detection unit 101 may detect entry when the received radio wave intensity P2 continues to exceed a predetermined intensity P0 for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) or more. Alternatively, the entry may not be detected if the source of the beacon signal continues to move at a certain speed or more for a certain time after exceeding a predetermined strength P0.

  In this embodiment, whether or not the first user and the second user are the same user is determined by comparing identifiers extracted from the beacon signal. However, instead of this method, for example, the following method may be used.

  A digital video camera is provided in the image forming apparatus 1 so that the user's face can be photographed when the user operates the touch panel display 10g or the operation key panel 10h. The area approach detection unit 101 attempts to detect a face image from an image taken by a digital video camera. If the face image can be detected, the feature amount of the face is calculated. When the power mode is the normal mode, the calculated feature amount is stored as the first identifier 5B. If it is in the power saving mode, it is acquired as the second identifier 5D.

  Then, the identity discriminating unit 107 determines that the first identifier 5B and the second identifier 5D are the same, or the ratio (matching rate) of the matching parts is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. It is determined that one user and the second user are the same user.

  Further, a human sensor is provided in the image forming apparatus 1 in order to detect the entry into the installation area 60, and from when the human sensor detects the entry until the area entry detection unit 101 detects the face image. You may make it image | photograph with a digital video camera only for the period.

  Alternatively, the first user information acquisition unit 102 acquires the traveling direction D1 when the user leaves the installation area 60 in the normal mode, and stores it in the first user information acquisition unit 102 instead of the first identifier 5B. Let The second user information acquisition unit 106 acquires the traveling direction D2 when the user enters the installation area 60 in the power saving mode.

  The first user information acquisition unit 102 and the second user information acquisition unit 106 may acquire the traveling directions D1 and D2 based on the direction in which the beacon signal is transmitted. Or what is necessary is just to acquire based on the present location of the mobile computer 28 shown by a beacon signal. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 1 may be provided with an infrared sensor or a digital video camera, and may be acquired by monitoring a user's movement.

  And the identity discrimination | determination part 107 is 1st, when the angle R of the advancing direction D1 and D2 is settled in the range from (180-R1) degree to (180 + R2) degree as shown to FIG. 8 (A). It is determined that the user and the second user are the same user. R1 and R2 are desirably values of about 30 degrees or less.

  The first user information acquisition unit 102 and the second user information acquisition unit 106, instead of acquiring the traveling directions D1 and D2, respectively, allow the user to enter the installation area 60 in the normal mode as shown in FIG. You may acquire the intersection E1 of the course and boundary 601 when approaching, and the intersection E2 of the course and boundary 601 when a user approachs the installation area 60 in a power saving mode. It can be said that the intersections E1 and E2 are both user entry positions into the installation area 60. And the identity discrimination | determination part 107 will discriminate | determine that it is the same user, if the intersection E1 and E2 correspond, or the intersection E1 and E2 are less than predetermined distance (for example, 50 centimeters). .

  Alternatively, instead of acquiring the traveling directions D1 and D2, the first user information acquisition unit 102 and the second user information acquisition unit 106 are set in the normal mode as shown in FIG. The intersection E3 between the route when exiting 60 and the boundary 601 and the intersection E4 between the route when the user enters the installation area 60 in the power saving mode and the boundary 601 may be acquired. It can be said that the intersection point E <b> 4 is a user entry position into the installation area 60. It can be said that the intersection point E <b> 3 is the exit position of the user from the installation area 60. And the identity discrimination | determination part 107 will discriminate | determine that it is the same user, if the intersection E3 and E4 correspond, or the distance between the intersection E3 and E4 is less than predetermined distance (for example, 50 centimeters). .

The condition satisfaction determination unit 108 determines whether or not any of the following specific condition_5, specific condition_6, and specific condition_7 is satisfied, and the normal mode switching unit 109 saves power when either of the conditions is satisfied. The mode may be maintained, and if none of them is satisfied, the power supply unit 10t may be instructed to switch to the normal mode.
(Specific condition — 5): A USB-compatible portable storage device remains set (attached) to the peripheral device interface 10p after the user last exited in the normal mode (or immediately before switching to the power saving mode). It has become.
(Specific condition — 6): The sheet has been set on the platen glass of the scan unit 10r since the user last exited in the normal mode (or immediately before switching to the power saving mode), or the discharge of the scan unit 10r Paper remains in the paper position.
(Specific condition — 7): Printed material remains in the bin or the discharge tray of the print unit 10s after the user has left the last time in the normal mode (or immediately before switching to the power saving mode).

  Whether or not the specific condition_5 is satisfied can be determined by checking whether or not a storage device is mounted on the peripheral device interface 10p. Whether or not the specific condition_6 is satisfied can be determined by detecting the presence or absence of paper by the sensor of the scan unit 10r. Whether or not the specific condition_7 is satisfied can be determined by detecting the presence or absence of paper by the sensor of the print unit 10s.

Alternatively, the condition satisfaction determination unit 108 may determine whether or not the following specific condition_8 is satisfied instead of the specific condition_7.
(Specific condition — 8): When the user finally exits in the normal mode, a job accompanied by printing (such as a copy job or a PC print job) is being executed or is waiting to be executed.

  In this embodiment, when the identity determination unit 107 determines that the first user and the second user are the same user, the condition satisfaction determination unit 108 performs determination. However, the normal mode switching unit 109 saves based on the determination result by the condition satisfaction determination unit 108 regardless of the determination result by the identity determination unit 107 or even when it is determined that the user is not the same user. The power mode may be maintained or canceled. That is, when the image forming apparatus 1 detects entry into the installation area 60 in the power saving mode (Yes in # 711 in FIG. 5), the process of steps # 713 to # 714 may be skipped and the process may proceed to step # 715. .

  Further, the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1 may arbitrarily set whether or not it is based on the result of determination by the identity determination unit 107, for example, using the suitability setting screen 7B shown in FIG. The suitability setting screen 7B is displayed on the touch panel display 10g.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 uses the first identifier 5B and usage record data 5C of the user who was in the installation area 60 immediately before switching from the normal mode to the power saving mode. However, the first identifier 5B and usage record data 5C of each of a plurality of users who have been in the installation area 60 by a predetermined time before the time of switching may be used.

  In addition, the configuration of the entire image forming apparatus 1 or each unit, the contents of processing, the order of processing, the configuration of data, the configuration of screens, and the like can be appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.

1 Image forming device 10p Peripheral device interface
10r scan unit (scanner)
10s print unit 101 area entry detection unit (detection means)
107 Identity determining unit (estimating means)
109 Normal mode switching unit (mode control means)
121 area exit detection unit (second detection means)
122 Elapsed time measuring unit after leaving (time measuring means)
60 Installation area (predetermined area)

Claims (15)

An image forming apparatus having a power saving mode for saving power consumption,
Detecting means for detecting a user's entry to a predetermined area within a predetermined range from the image forming apparatus;
The first user whose entry is detected by the detection unit when the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode, and the entry is detected by the detection unit before the image forming apparatus enters the power saving mode. A mode control unit that maintains the power saving mode when the second user is estimated to be the same and cancels the power saving mode when the second user is estimated not to be the same;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Second detection means for detecting a user exit from the predetermined area;
Time counting means for measuring an elapsed time since the second user's exit from the second detection means is detected,
The mode control means maintains the power saving mode when the first user is estimated to be the same as the second user, and the elapsed time has not passed a predetermined time, If the elapsed time has passed the predetermined time, the power saving mode is canceled even if the first user and the second user are estimated to be the same.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Second detection means for detecting a user exit from the predetermined area;
And third detecting means for detecting that a specific object is present at a specific position of the image forming apparatus when the exit of the second user is detected by the second detecting means. ,
The mode control unit is configured to detect that the first user and the second user are the same and the third detection unit detects that the specific object exists at the specific position. If the third detection means does not detect that the specific object is present at the specific position while maintaining the power saving mode, the first user and the second user Cancel the power saving mode even if it is estimated to be the same.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Have a scanner,
The specific object is a sheet on which an image is read by the scanner,
The specific position is a position of the scanner where the paper is set or discharged.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. Has an interface to exchange data with a portable storage medium,
The specific object is the storage medium;
The specific position is a position of the interface where the storage medium is mounted.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. It has a tray for placing printed paper on which images are printed,
The specific position is the tray;
The specific object is the printed paper;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. Having second detection means for detecting a user exit from the predetermined area;
The mode control means continues from before the first user is estimated to be the same as the second user and before the second detection means detects the exit of the second user. When the job being executed is completed after the exit is detected, the power saving mode is maintained, and when the job is completed before the exit is detected, the first user and the exit are detected. Even if it is estimated that the second user is the same, the power saving mode is canceled.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Having second detection means for detecting a user exit from the predetermined area;
The position at which the second user whose exit has been detected by the second detection means has exited from the predetermined area, and the first user after the second user has exited from the predetermined area When the position that entered the area matches, the second user and the first user are estimated to be the same, and has an estimation means.
The mode control means maintains or cancels the power saving mode based on a result of estimation by the estimation means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. When the information obtained from the face of the first user matches the information obtained from the face of the second user, it is estimated that the first user and the second user are the same. Having an estimation means,
The mode control means maintains or cancels the power saving mode based on a result of estimation by the estimation means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. When the unique information of the terminal device possessed by the first user and the unique information of the terminal device possessed by the second user are the same, the first user and the second user are the same An estimation means for estimating that
The mode control means maintains or cancels the power saving mode based on a result of estimation by the estimation means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The position at which the second user whose exit has been detected by the second detection means has exited from the predetermined area, and the first user after the second user has exited from the predetermined area When the position that entered the area matches, the second user and the first user are estimated to be the same, and has an estimation means.
The mode control means maintains or cancels the power saving mode based on a result of estimation by the estimation means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The mode control means maintains the power saving mode even if it is estimated that the first user and the second user are not the same when a predetermined condition is satisfied,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The detection means detects the approach based on the strength of radio waves received from a terminal device possessed by the user, or detects by a human sensor.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A power supply mode control method for controlling a power supply mode in an image forming apparatus having a power saving mode for saving power consumption,
In the image forming apparatus,
Detecting the user's entry to a predetermined area within a predetermined range from the image forming apparatus,
A first user in which the entry is detected when the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode; a second user in which the entry is detected before the image forming apparatus enters the power saving mode; When the power saving mode is estimated to be the same, the power saving mode is maintained, and when the power saving mode is estimated not to be the same, the power saving mode is canceled.
A power supply mode control method. A computer program for controlling an image forming apparatus having a power saving mode for saving power consumption,
In the image forming apparatus,
A process for detecting a user's entry to a predetermined area within a predetermined range from the image forming apparatus;
A first user in which the entry is detected when the image forming apparatus is in the power saving mode; a second user in which the entry is detected before the image forming apparatus enters the power saving mode; When it is estimated that the power saving mode is the same, the power saving mode is maintained, and when it is estimated that the power saving mode is not the same, the processing to cancel the power saving mode is executed.
A computer program characterized by the above.

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