JP2019087488A - User detection apparatus, user determination method, and electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a user detection apparatus that can change the sensitivity of a heat ray sensor, that is, the detection distance of a user and distinguish between a user approaching the user detection device and a non-user just crossing device equipment, a user determination method, and an electronic device.SOLUTION: There is provided a user detection apparatus for detecting the presence or absence of a person on the basis of a heat ray detected by a heat sensor, which including a blind portion that is arranged at a detection end of the heat sensor and can change a heat ray passing between blinders and reaching the detection end of the heat sensor by change in g a direction of a transmission port formed between the plurality of juxtaposed blinders and a sensitivity adjustment unit that makes it possible to adjust the sensitivity of the heat sensor by changing the direction of the transmission port of the blind portion, and there is also provided a user determination method and electronic equipment using the user detection apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a user detection device using a heat sensor and a mechanism capable of changing the sensitivity of the heat sensor, an electronic device on which the movement of a person moving in front of the user detection device is monitored and the user detection device is mounted for the detected person. The present invention relates to a user determination method for detecting whether or not a user is to be used, and an electronic device equipped with the user detection device.

  In recent years, in order to improve the convenience of the user and to reduce power consumption, transition to the ECO mode (power saving mode) takes place after a certain period of time when the device has not been operated, Processing to reduce power consumption is performed. In addition, when the user who operates the device approaches the device, the process of returning from the ECO mode to the normal mode is performed to balance the convenience of the user with the power consumption.

  Although various means are disclosed as means for shifting and returning the device to the ECO mode as described above, generally, a method is generally used that returns to the normal mode simultaneously with operating the operation unit of the device. Although this method was intended, in this method, the process of returning to the normal mode starts from the time when the user operates, so the time for the user to return to the normal mode is long, and the convenience of the user is degraded.

  Therefore, recently, an example of configuring a user detection device using a human sensor (such as a current collecting type infrared sensor) that senses heat (infrared) emitted by a person is disclosed (for example, JP-A-11-202690) Gazette: Patent Document 1).

Moreover, in patent document 2 (Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2017-63410), the amount of heat rays (far-infrared rays) radiated from a person to be detected is adjusted by the opening of a shutter part, and a human detection sensor detected by a thermal sensor is detected by a user In the device, by setting the directivity of the heat sensor to be obliquely upward from the horizontal direction and further sliding the shutter portion of the heat sensor up and down, the amount of heat rays (far infrared rays) of the detected person incident on the heat sensor from the opening Discloses a user detection device that adjusts the distance of the detection user and makes the distance of the detection user variable.
In this patent document 2, a technique is disclosed that enables the detection range to be changed (adjusted) by the shutter unit.

  FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of a user detection device in which the shutter portion is provided on the detection side of the heat sensor.

  In the user detection device shown in FIG. 10, the heat sensor a and the shutter portion b are provided on the detection surface a1 side of the heat sensor a. The heat ray (far infrared ray) c from the outside passes through the opening (shutter window) b1 opened in the shutter portion b, and the heat ray passed through can be irradiated to the detection surface a1, and the user is determined based on the heat ray emitted from the user. It is possible to detect it.

  The heat sensor a is inclined so that the directivity in the detection direction is upward from the horizontal direction, and the opening b1 of the shutter portion b is detected by sliding up and down (+ or-Z direction in FIG. 10) Adjust the heat from the person. Then, by setting the directivity of the heat sensor a upward from the horizontal direction, it is possible to detect heat rays from the head of the person to be detected, and even if the head is normally masked, the skin is exposed. By targeting the head as a large area and directivity, highly accurate detection becomes possible.

  However, since the heat sensor a is directed upward, there is a problem that the detection distance is influenced by the height of the person.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 11-202690 JP 2017-63410 A

  The method of Patent Document 2 only describes changing the lower limit position of the detection range of the human sensor by moving the shutter up and down in the image forming apparatus provided with the human sensor. And it was only considered to detect the face and head direction. Furthermore, since the directivity of the heat sensor is directed upward, there is a problem that the sensitivity differs depending on the height of a person. In addition, there is a problem that even if the user crosses in front of the human sensor, the user also responds to a non-user who does not actually operate the device.

  The present invention provides a user detection device capable of varying the sensitivity of the heat ray sensor, that is, the detection distance of the user, and can distinguish between a user approaching the user detection device and a non-user just crossing the device. And an electronic device equipped with the user detection device.

The present invention relates to a user detection apparatus for detecting the presence or absence of a person based on a heat ray detected by a heat sensor,
The heat wire disposed at the detection end of the heat sensor and passing between the blinders to the detection end of the heat sensor due to a change in the directional direction of a transmission port formed between a plurality of juxtaposed blinders The blind part that can change
It is a user detection device characterized by including a sensitivity adjustment unit which makes it possible to adjust the sensitivity of the heat sensor by changing the pointing direction of the transmission port of the blind portion.

The present invention provides a user determination method using the user detection device described above,
A sensitivity change step of temporally operating the blind portion to temporally change detection sensitivity of the heat sensor;
It is a user determination method characterized by including a determination step of making a user / non-user determination based on the detection / non-detection at each temporally changed sensitivity.

Further, in the present invention, in the user determination method using the user detection device,
Measuring the distance of the user / non-user by activating the blind part at a time faster than the moving speed of the user / non-user;
Estimating the movement of the user / non-user based on the result of multiple measurements of the distance, and determining whether the user / non-user is the user or not from the estimated movement. It is a determination method.

  The present invention is an electronic apparatus characterized in that a user detection device is mounted.

  In the present invention, the sensitivity of the heat ray sensor is adjusted by changing the directionality of the heat ray passing downward, in the middle, and upward in this part, which has a blind portion shielding heat rays (far infrared rays) from people. While providing the user detection device capable of changing the sensitivity of the heat ray sensor, that is, the detection distance of the user by selecting the desired sensitivity in the device equipment, actively utilizing means for changing the sensitivity of the heat ray sensor, A method can be provided to distinguish between users approaching the equipment and non-users just crossing the equipment.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a simple, inexpensive, user discriminating method and an apparatus including the same, while configuring a means capable of adjusting the sensitivity of the heat ray sensor with a simple and inexpensive configuration.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example in which a user detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on an image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in the case where the sensitivity of the user detection device according to the first embodiment is high. It is a figure which shows the structure in case the sensitivity of the said user detection apparatus is medium. It is a figure which shows the structure in case the sensitivity of the said user detection apparatus is low. It is a block diagram explaining the composition of the user detection device. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a user determination method (user determination, non-user determination) according to the second embodiment and the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a user determination method (non-user determination) according to the second embodiment and the third embodiment. It is a figure explaining the pattern of the user judging method (non-user judging) concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining patterns of a user determination method (non-user determination) according to the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional user detection apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus equipped with a user detection apparatus (user determination apparatus) according to the embodiment. FIGS. 2 to 4 are explanatory views of the configuration of the user detection apparatus in each case of high to low sensitivity, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the user detection apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment includes an apparatus main body 101 that performs printing processing on a sheet. In the apparatus main body 101, an image reading unit 102, an image forming unit 103, and a sheet feeding unit 104 are disposed in order from top to bottom. The image reading unit 102 performs an image reading process of reading an image of a document to generate image data.

  The image forming unit 103 performs an image forming process (for example, using an electrophotographic method) of forming an image on a sheet based on image data. The sheet feeding unit 104 supplies the sheet accommodated in the sheet to the image forming unit 103. The sheets stored in the sheet feeding unit 104 include not only plain sheets but also various sheets that can be printed, such as thick sheets and OHP films.

  A document table is formed on the upper surface of the image reading unit 102 in the apparatus main body 101. In the present embodiment, the apparatus main body 101 further includes a cover unit 102A that covers the document table, and an automatic conveyance unit 102B provided to the cover unit 102A. The cover unit 102 </ b> A is supported by the upper surface of the image reading unit 102 so as to be openable and closable.

  In addition, a hollow portion 106 which is expanded in the horizontal direction is provided between the image reading unit 102 and the image forming unit 103 with the columnar portion 105 partially left. In the present embodiment, the columnar section 105 is disposed at the right end of the apparatus main body 101 when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front. Further, the front surface 105a of the columnar portion 105 is configured by an inclined surface that faces obliquely upward. The columnar section 105 is not limited to the right end of the apparatus main body 101, and may be disposed at the left end or rear end of the apparatus main body 101.

  A sheet discharge tray 107 is provided in the cavity portion 106, and the sheet after printing to be discharged is stacked on the sheet discharge tray 107. Specifically, the sheet supplied from the sheet feeding unit 104 is discharged from the columnar section 105 to the cavity section 106 in the horizontal direction through an image forming process in the image forming section 103. Then, the sheet discharged to the cavity portion 106 is stacked on the sheet discharge tray 107.

  The image forming unit 103 has an openable front cover 108 which constitutes a part of the front surface 101 a of the apparatus main body 101. Specifically, the lower end portion of the front cover 108 is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body 101 so that the upper end portion can be moved back and forth.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 further includes an operation unit 109 on the front surface 101 a of the apparatus main body 101. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 109 is configured of a liquid crystal touch panel and at least one operation key. The operation unit 109 is used to display information related to an image forming process and an image reading process and to perform an input operation by a user.

  Further, the operation unit 109 is supported by the apparatus main body 101 so as to be capable of pivoting from a posture in which the front surface 101a is partially covered. Specifically, the operation unit 109 is supported by the front surface 101 a of the apparatus main body 101 (the front surface 102 a of the image reading unit 102) at a position immediately above the columnar section 105.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the image forming apparatus 100, a user detection apparatus 10 for detecting a user approaching the image forming apparatus 100 is provided in the apparatus main body 101. In the image forming apparatus 100, generally, the surface of the apparatus main body 101 on which the operation unit 109 is disposed is the front surface 101a of the apparatus main body 101. Further, when aiming at the operation unit 109 for operation, the user often approaches the image forming apparatus 100 from the front surface 101 a side of the apparatus main body 101. Therefore, from the viewpoint of detecting an approaching user, the user detection device 10 is preferably provided on the front surface 101 a of the device main body 101.

  In the present embodiment, the user detection device 10 is provided at the front end 109 a of the operation unit 109 which is a projecting portion on the front surface 101 a side of the device main body 101. Specifically, the user detection device 10 is provided at the front end 109 a of the operation unit 109 so that the approach of the user can be recognized immediately.

Embodiment 1
2 to 4 are configuration explanatory diagrams of respective sensitivities of the user detection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a configuration explanatory view of the user detection device.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the user detection device 10 has a heat sensor 12 for detecting heat rays (infrared rays) emitted from a detected person.

  In the user detection device 10, a blind portion 14 is disposed in front of the detection end (detection surface, if it is planar) 12a of the heat sensor 12. The blind portion 14 is connected to the detection end 12 a of the thermal sensor 12 through the transmission port 16 by a change in the direction (direction indicated by the arrow 18) in which one or more transmission ports 16 formed between the plurality of blinders 14 a are directed. The heat ray (the hatched portion indicated by reference numeral 20) to be reached can be changed. Further, the blind portion 14 is capable of adjusting the sensitivity of the heat sensor 12 by adjusting the angle at which the transmission port 16 is directed by changing the angle of the blinder 14a.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the user detection device 10, the detection signal of the heat sensor 12 is amplified / compared by the amplifier / comparator 10a, and the operation unit 10b makes a user / non-user determination. The determination result is stored in the memory unit 10c, and the data history stored in the memory unit 10c can be used for the determination.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the blinder 14 a of the blind portion 14 is made of a strip-like plate material, and a material (such as resin) which does not transmit heat rays such as far infrared rays can be adopted. In the blind portion 14, a plurality of blinders 14 a rotate around longitudinal axes respectively (the axes are perpendicular to the sheet of FIG. 2 to FIG. 4), and each blinder 14 a is substantially identical at each position. It is a structure that can set the rotational position while maintaining parallel. The blinders 14 a may not be parallel due to the setting of the transmission port 16 or the like. Also, the transmission port 16 can be made of a resin that transmits space or far infrared rays.

  The blinder 14a is located at a window 14c formed substantially at the center of the base 14b, and rotation shafts (not shown) at both longitudinal end sides of the blinder 14a rotate (rotate) to the base 14b. It is pivotally supported.

  The window portion 14c of the blind portion 14 is the detection end 12a of the heat sensor 12 and is positioned on the heat receiving side, and the plurality of blinders 14a are rotated to change the angle with respect to the base portion 14b. The opening direction and the opening degree (size of the opening) of the port 16 can be changed. The blind portion 14 has a structure in which the transmission ports 16 formed between the blinders 14 a are changed by changing the angles of the plurality of blinders 14 a with respect to the detection direction of the heat sensor 12. By changing the transmission port 16, it is possible to set the directional direction (orientation) of the transmission port 16 and the area in which the window portion 14c is opened.

  In the user detection device according to the first embodiment, the blind portion 14 has the highest sensitivity when the directivity direction of the transmission port 16 formed between the blinders 14a is horizontal (see FIG. 2), and the transmission port The sensitivity is the lowest when the pointing direction of the 16 points is downward (see FIG. 4), and the medium sensitivity is obtained when the pointing direction of the transmission port 16 is upward (see FIG. 3). is there.

  More specifically, FIG. 2 shows the case where, in the user detection device 10, the aperture direction of the transmission opening 16 of the blind portion 14 is horizontal and the setting sensitivity is high. In FIG. 2, the X and Y directions are along the horizontal direction, the ± Y direction is horizontal (along the paper surface), the ± X direction is horizontal (with respect to the paper) and the ± Z direction is horizontal The vertical direction (along the page) is vertical.

  The thermal sensor 12 is disposed so as to be directed in a substantially horizontal direction (−Y direction), and the window portion 14 c is opened in the −Y direction. The blind portion (blind structure) 14 along which the longitudinal direction of the blinder 14a extends in the horizontal direction (± X direction) perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2 is a blind portion 14a. It is structured to move. In the blind portion 14, the blinder 14 a or the base portion 14 b is made of a material that does not transmit or can not transmit infrared light, and is covered with a material that transmits air or infrared light otherwise.

  Here, in the blind portion 14, the transmission port 16 of the blind portion 14 in FIG. 2 is directed in the horizontal direction (XY plane), and in this state, the aperture area of the transmission port 16 is the largest. It is a high state configuration.

  Further, FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the user detection apparatus in the case where the sensitivity is medium.

  In FIG. 3, the transmission port 16 of the blind portion 14 is directed upward (obliquely upward). A heat ray (far infrared ray) emitted from the detected person from above is incident on the heat sensor 12 through the transmission port 16.

  Further, FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the user detection apparatus in the case where the sensitivity is low.

  In FIG. 4, the direction of the blind portion 14 is downward, and heat rays (far infrared rays) radiated from the downward detection person enter the heat sensor 12 through the transmission port 16.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3 described above, when the blind portion 14 is upward, heat rays from the head of the person to be detected are detected. On the other hand, when the blind part 14 of FIG. 4 is downward, a heat ray (far infrared ray) from the foot of the detected person is incident on the heat sensor 12. In general, the user wears pants, skirts, socks, and shoes at the foot of an office or the like, so the user does not get much heat. On the other hand, the head is usually exposed to the skin on the face, and even when using a mask, the head is exposed more to the skin, and the blind part 14 faces upward compared to the face downward. The sensitivity is relatively high, and the sensitivity is lowest when the blind portion 14 is directed downward.

  In the first embodiment, the sensitivity can be adjusted by moving the angle of the blinder 14 a of the blind portion 14. Thus, by adjusting the sensitivity, it is possible to adjust the distance that can be detected by the user. In the above description, high sensitivity, medium sensitivity and low sensitivity have been described discontinuously, but since the blind portion 14 is a movable portion, continuous operation without changing the angle of the discontinuous blinder 14a is continuous. It can move.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 1, although the blind part 14 is implement | achieved by swinging the angle of the blinder 14a, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the blinder 14a constitutes a blind portion 14 at a fixed angle with respect to the base portion 14b, and the blind portion 14 is rotated around an axis in the detection direction of the thermal sensor 12 to form between the blinders 14a. The direction in which the transmission port 16 is directed may be turned and changed.

  In addition, the adjustment of the sensitivity of the heat sensor 12 can be set by the user operating the electronic device on which the user detection device is mounted, and the electronic device itself automatically detects the sensitivity of the user detection device 10 or It can also be adjusted to a preset value.

  According to the user detection device of the above embodiment, the blind portion 14 for shielding the heat rays (far infrared rays) from a person from the heat receiving side of the heat sensor 12 is provided. The user detection device can adjust the sensitivity of the heat sensor 12, that is, the detection distance of the user, by adjusting the sensitivity of the heat sensor 12 by changing it to the middle, upward, and selecting the desired sensitivity on the device side. 10 can be provided, and a means for changing the sensitivity of the thermal sensor 12 can be actively used to provide a method of discriminating between users approaching the device (the image forming apparatus 100) and non-users just crossing the device.

  Therefore, according to the embodiment, it is possible to realize a simple, inexpensive, user discriminating method and an apparatus including the same, while configuring a means capable of adjusting the sensitivity of the heat ray sensor with a simple and inexpensive configuration.

Second Embodiment
Next, the user detection device according to the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the determination of the user / non-user in the user detection device provided in the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the detection determination of the non-user. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a user determination method of the second embodiment.

  Whether the user detection device 10 detects the heat source (user) by changing the angle of the blinder 14a of the blind part 14 temporally so that the heat sensor 12 becomes high sensitivity → middle sensitivity → low sensitivity It measures whether or not. Based on the result, the user determination / non-user determination is determined. In this case, as the movement of the blind portion 14, the sensitivity is switched from high to middle and then back to high once, and the sensitivity is switched to low. However, data may be read and discarded to return to high once. The switching time to each sensitivity is about 300 ms (milliseconds), and one measurement of high, medium, and small sensitivity can be measured in about 1 second, and the switching time is adapted to the movement of a person.

  It is desirable that the user detection device 10 for performing the user determination is disposed near the operation panel 109 of the image forming apparatus 100 (screen for user operation).

  Two-dimensional (XY coordinate) drawings in the case where the user detection apparatus 10 measures a user are shown in FIG. 6 and FIG.

  By moving the blind portion 14 as described in the first embodiment, the area is divided into three areas of high sensitivity, middle sensitivity, and low sensitivity (or four areas including an insensitive area to which the sensitivity does not reach). 6 and 7, the high sensitivity is indicated by a code TL, the middle sensitivity is indicated by a code TM, and the low sensitivity is indicated by broken lines of a code TS. The movement pattern of the user and the non-user is because the user (indicated by reference numeral 30) moves (approaches) the screen of the operation unit 109 as a target, as shown in FIG. A non-user (indicated by reference numeral "32") has a pattern passing a long distance.

  Conversely, a non-user (32) susceptible to false detection is a pattern passing by in front of the user detection device as shown in FIG. In this case, it is detected that the non-user (32) passes by in the + or -X direction.

  FIG. 8 shows a total of eight patterns of user / non-user determination according to the second embodiment. Each pattern is a combination of high sensitivity, middle sensitivity, and low sensitivity. In the determination (result), it is assumed that the determination that the user is present is the user determination, and the determination that the user is not present is the non-user determination. There is also a pending decision.

  As will be described later, the largest difference between the second embodiment and the third embodiment is the time interval of the blind switching, and in the second embodiment, to detect with high sensitivity means that the distance between the objects to be detected is near distance to long distance It means that detection is performed in any area, and detecting with low sensitivity means that a detection object exists in an area of only a short distance.

  In FIG. 8, pattern 1 is a case where the sensitivity is high, medium, or low, and all are detected. As the assumed state in this case, it is determined that the user is approaching the user detection device 10 or remains near a device on which the user detection device 10 is mounted, and the user determination is made.

  Pattern 2 is a case where high sensitivity is detected in the high sensitivity, and low sensitivity is not detected. In this case, it is put on hold for the next measurement because it can not be determined whether the user is a true user or a crossing non-user, though he is sure.

  Pattern 3 is high in sensitivity, small in detection, and non-detection in sensitivity. It is estimated that the user is staying at a long distance but suddenly approaching with speed. Therefore, user judgment is made.

  Although the pattern 4 is detected with high sensitivity, it is not possible to detect with a small or medium sensitivity, and the user is presumed to be detected only at a crossing position or a distant position, and is determined as a non-user determination.

  In pattern 5, when the sensitivity is high, not detected, and the sensitivity is medium and small, in this case, although the user is relatively close, it is strange that the sensitivity can not be detected, so the next measurement is put on hold.

  If pattern 6 is detected only during sensitivity, pattern 7 is detected only when sensitivity is low. In these cases, it is assumed that the user has crossed in front of the user detection device, and pattern 6 is an intermediate distance, Or, it is assumed that the user is crossing the short distance and the pattern 7 is the short distance. Therefore, non-user determination is made.

  The pattern 8 can not detect the signal in all cases, and it is presumed that the user is not present, which is a non-user determination.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a pattern of the user determination method (non-user determination) according to the third embodiment.

  On the other hand, in the third embodiment, switching from high sensitivity to middle sensitivity to low sensitivity is performed at quick time intervals as compared with the second embodiment. Also, this is performed in a very fast time compared to the movement speed of the person, and the distance between the detection object (person) is measured by measuring the high sensitivity → middle sensitivity → low sensitivity at a time interval at which the person can hardly move. Is measured. For example, when the object to be detected is at a long distance, only the sensitivity is detected, and the sensitivity is not detected. The switching time of the sensitivity is preferably about 25 ms (milliseconds), and in about 100 ms, measurement is performed in order of high sensitivity → low sensitivity, and the distance of the detection object is determined from far to near distance. Although this is used as distance data as it is, the measurement interval of distance data is preferably about 300 ms, and the switching time of sensitivity is sufficiently fast compared to this, so data averaging and data discarding may be performed. Unlike this embodiment, this method is characterized in that the approximate distance of the object to be detected can be measured. (In the second embodiment, even if detection is performed with high sensitivity, it is not known whether the distance is near or far.)

  FIG. 9 shows patterns 27 of user determination. It is determined from the measurement results of N−2, N−1, N times as certain measurement times N = 1.

  The pattern 1 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times results in far → far → far. In this case, it is a non-user determination because at all times, that is, all the past three measurements are far away and there is no user.

  Pattern 2 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times results in far → far → close. In this case, although it is a long distance in the past two measurements, the near distance determination is made in this measurement, and the user is approaching, so the user determination is made.

  Patterns 3 and 4 are patterns in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times results in far → far → middle, far → middle → far. In this case, as in the case of pattern 1, the distance of the user is long, and the non-user determination is made.

  Pattern 5 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times results in far → middle → close. In this case, since the user is approaching, the user determination is made.

  Pattern 6 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times results in far → middle → middle. In this case, as in pattern 1, it is far away and non-user determination.

  Pattern 7 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times results in far → close → far. In this case, although the user has approached for a moment, it is non-user determination that this is a crossing.

  Pattern 8 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times results in far → close → close. In this case, although the user has stayed at a long distance, it is presumed that the user has suddenly come close and approaching, and the user is judged to be.

  Pattern 9 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times results in far → close → middle. In this case, the measurement is not stable, so we are on hold.

  The pattern 10 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times is the result of middle → far → far. In this case, as in pattern 1, non-user determination is made.

  The pattern 11 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times is a result of middle → far → close. In this case, it is determined that the user is approaching and the user determination is made.

  The patterns 12 and 13 are patterns in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times is the result of middle → far → middle, middle → middle → far. In this case, the distance of the user is far, and it is determined as non-user determination.

  The pattern 14 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times is a result of middle → middle → close. In this case, since the user is approaching, the user determination is made.

  The pattern 15 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times is a result of middle → middle → middle. In this case, as in pattern 1, non-user determination is made.

  The pattern 16 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times is the result of middle → close → far. In this case, the measurement is not stable and is put on hold and left to the judgment in the next measurement.

  The pattern 17 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times is a result of middle → close → close. In this case, the user is approaching and the user determination is made.

  The pattern 18 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times is a result of middle → close → middle. In this case, the measurement is not stable and is on hold.

  The pattern 19 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times is a result of near → far → far. In this case, non-user determination is made as crossing.

  The pattern 20 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times is a result of near → far → close. In this case, the measurement is not stable and is put on hold and left to the judgment in the next measurement.

  The patterns 21 and 22 are patterns in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times is the result of near → far → middle, near → middle → far. In this case, the user is away and it is determined that the user is not a user.

  The pattern 23 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times is a result of near → middle → close. In this case, the user is close and the user determination is made.

  The pattern 24 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times is a result of near → middle → middle. In this case, the measurement is not stable and is put on hold and left to the judgment in the next measurement.

  The pattern 25 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times is a result of near → close → far. In this case, since the user is moving away, the non-user determination is made.

  The pattern 26 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times is a result of near → close → close. In this case, since the user is close, the user determination is made.

  The pattern 27 is a pattern in which detection of N−2 times → N−1 times → N times is a result of near → close → middle. In this case, since the user is moving away, it becomes non-user determination.

  As described above, the user / non-user determination is performed.

According to the embodiment, the image forming apparatus has been exemplified as the electronic device equipped with the user detection device described above, but the electronic device according to the present invention is not limited to this and can be used by being installed in another electronic device.
Further, although there are various programs in which the electronic device realizes the user determination method of the embodiment, various programs can be created and executed by the electronic device within the scope of the present invention.

  The user detection device, the user determination method, and the electronic device equipped with the user detection device of the present invention can be used for various electronic devices such as an image forming device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 user detection apparatus 12 heat sensor 12a detection end 14 blind part 14a blinder 16 transmission port 100 image forming apparatus TL sensitivity large TM sensitivity middle TS sensitivity small

Claims (9)

In a user detection device that detects the presence or absence of a person based on heat rays detected by a heat sensor,
The heat wire which is disposed at the detection end of the heat sensor, and which is directed to the detection end of the heat sensor through between the blinders by a change in the directional direction of a transmission port formed between a plurality of juxtaposed blinders. Variable blinds,
A user detection device comprising: a sensitivity adjustment unit that makes it possible to adjust the sensitivity of the heat sensor by changing the pointing direction of the transmission port of the blind portion.   The blind portion has the highest sensitivity when the directivity direction of the transmission openings formed between the blinders is horizontal, and the lowest sensitivity when the transmission direction of the transmission openings is downward, the transmission The user detection device according to claim 1, wherein the sensitivity is medium when the pointing direction of the mouth is upward.   The blind portion is characterized in that the angles of the plurality of blinders are changed with respect to the detection direction of the thermal sensor to change the direction in which the transmission openings formed between the blinders are directed. The user detection device according to 1 or 2.   The blind portion is formed between the blinders while the angles of a plurality of blinders are fixed with respect to the detection direction of the heat sensor and the blind portion is rotated about an axis of the detection direction of the heat sensor The user detection device according to claim 1, wherein the user detection device is configured to change a direction in which the transmission port is directed.   The user detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heat sensor is a pyroelectric sensor. A user determination method using the user detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A sensitivity change step of temporally operating the blind portion to temporally change detection sensitivity of the heat sensor;
A user determination method characterized by including a determination step of making a user / non-user determination based on detection / non-detection at each temporally changed sensitivity. A user determination method using the user detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
Measuring the distance of the user / non-user by activating the blind part at a time faster than the moving speed of the user / non-user;
Estimating the movement of the user / non-user based on the result of multiple measurements of the distance, and determining whether the user / non-user is the user or not from the estimated movement. Judgment method.   An electronic apparatus comprising the user detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   An electronic device that implements the user determination method according to any one of claims 6 or 7.

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