JP3131270B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of performing a plurality of functions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a copying machine, various modes are considered as necessary only by considering the copying machine alone, and a plurality of preset modes are set so as to be executable according to each state. There is something. As one of such copying machines, there is a copying machine which includes a human body detecting means for detecting that an operator is present near the copying machine, and has a function of performing an operation by switching an operation according to a distance of the operator to the copying machine.

This copying machine detects the presence of an operator by judging, for example, the stillness, movement, distance, and the like of a detection target of a human body detecting means, and performs voice guidance when the operator is stationary (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-207148). Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-235858) switches the copy mode to a predetermined standard mode in response to two conditions that copying has been completed and that there is no operator. Another image forming apparatus is disclosed in
JP-A-235855, JP-A-61-235856, JP-A-61-235857, and JP-A-61-2.
No. 35860-JP-A-61-235865,
There is an image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-96969, for example, in which one machine can select a plurality of functions.

[0004]

In the above-described copying machine, only a single copying machine is considered. For example, in a digital copying machine, a plurality of functions such as a facsimile, a printer, and a file processing function are simultaneously provided in one machine. There is no system that exists and performs completely different operations. Further, in an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of functions can be selected with one machine, for example, when an operator who has made a copy of a document tries to start copying the document, an external communication device is used. In some cases, printing of a received facsimile received document or the like starts, and the document cannot be copied. Also, if the operator comes to make a copy of a document while printing a facsimile received document or the like sent from outside using communication means, the operator determines that the apparatus is in use and does nothing. The end of the printing of a facsimile received document or the like is waited in front of the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of solving these problems and preventing a collision between printing of a received document from outside and use by an operator.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises a reading means for reading an original, a recording means for forming an image on a recording sheet, a mode setting and In an image forming apparatus having an operation unit for performing display and a human body detecting means for detecting a human, and capable of executing a plurality of functions including a facsimile function, as shown in FIG. A facsimile-received document printing means for causing the recording means to execute recording of a facsimile-received document when it is detected that the document has been separated. Wherein the facsimile-received document printing means outputs the facsimile-received document by the recording means if a predetermined time has not elapsed after the operation of the apparatus has been completed According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the facsimile-received document printing unit is configured to execute the facsimile by the recording unit when the operation of the apparatus is suspended. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a document feeder for automatically feeding a document to the reader. The facsimile-received document printing means prohibits execution of recording of a facsimile-received document by the recording means when a document is set in the document feeding means. Reading means, a recording means for forming an image on a recording sheet, an operation unit for setting and displaying a mode, and a human body detecting means for detecting a human. In the image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions including a facsimile function, when the human body detecting means detects the approach of an operator during the recording operation of the facsimile received document by the recording means, the recording operation is performed by the recording means. A control means for stopping the operation is provided,
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit shifts the function to a predetermined standard mode after stopping the recording operation. In the forming apparatus, the control unit shifts the function to a mode before the start of the recording operation after stopping the recording operation, and the invention according to claim 8 includes a reading unit for reading an original, and a recording sheet. An image forming apparatus having a recording unit for forming an image, an operation unit for setting and displaying a mode, and a human body detecting unit for detecting a human being, and capable of executing a plurality of functions. A file printing means for causing the recording means to print a file sent from an external device when it is detected that the operator has left the printer.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the facsimile received document printing means 2 causes the recording means to execute recording of a facsimile received document when the human body detecting means 1 detects that the operator has left the apparatus. . In the invention described in claim 2, the facsimile received document printing means prohibits the recording means from executing the recording of the facsimile received document when a predetermined time has not elapsed after the operation of the apparatus has been completed. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the facsimile-received document printing means prohibits the recording means from executing recording of the facsimile-received document when the operation of the apparatus is suspended.

In the invention described in claim 4, the facsimile-received document printing means prohibits the recording means from executing recording of the facsimile-received document when a document is set in the document feeding means. In the invention according to claim 5, the control means causes the recording means to stop the recording operation when the human body detecting means detects the approach of the operator during the recording operation of the facsimile reception document by the recording means. In the invention according to claim 6, the control means shifts the function to a predetermined standard mode after stopping the recording operation. In the invention according to claim 7, the control means shifts the function to a mode before the start of the recording operation after stopping the recording operation.

In the invention according to claim 8, the file printing means prints a file sent from an external device to the recording means when the human body detecting means detects that the operator has left the apparatus. Let

[0010]

2 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
In the copying machine 1 of the first embodiment, a document pressure plate 3 is provided on an upper portion of the document on a document table 2 for pressing the document on the document table 2, and a detecting portion of a human body detecting device including an operating portion 4 and an operator detecting device is provided on the upper front side. 5 are arranged. The copying machine 1 is provided such that the manuscript pressure plate 3 and the operation unit 4 are operated by the operator 6 from the front side F. The detection unit 5 of the operator detecting device detects the presence of the operator 6 and the relative position to the copying machine 1. The existence range is detected.

The detection unit 5 of the operator detection device is generally known to be of a light (for example, infrared) type and an ultrasonic type. In the present embodiment, an infrared type is used and the detection unit 5 is provided at the operation unit 4. Although arranged, an ultrasonic type may be used. The detector 5 emits an infrared beam 7 and detects a reflected beam from the operator 6 or the like. In addition,
When an ultrasonic type is used, the detection unit 5 emits ultrasonic waves between the outer edges 8 and 9 in the vertical direction and outputs the ultrasonic waves 1 in the horizontal direction.
An emission area of the ultrasonic wave is defined so as to emit between 0 and 11, and in this area, the distance of the operator 6 to the front surface F of the copying machine 1 can be measured, and an ultrasonic reflector exists in this area. For example, it is determined that the operator 6 exists.

When an infrared detector is used, the detector 5 has a high directivity, so that the detector 5 is set so as to aim at the vicinity of the chest of the average operator 6 and emit light. Normally, when the operator 6 performs the operation toward the copying machine 1, the width at the position of the chest is added to the thickness of the arm, so that the position where the operator 6 stands when operating the copying machine 1 is slightly different. This is because even if the operator 6 does not come off the detection area of the detection unit 5. In order for the detection unit 5 to detect the operator 6 in a range as wide as possible, it is meaningful when the number of infrared beams 7 for detecting the operator 6 is one and does not have a spread like an ultrasonic wave. This is effective when one detector 5 detects the operator 6.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rear side of the document pressure plate 3 is rotatably mounted on the upper portion of the copying machine 1, and the document is placed on the document table 2 and the document pressure plate 3 is put thereon.
It is also possible to use an automatic document feeder in place of the document pressure plate 3 and automatically set a document on the document table 2 by the automatic document feeder. Copier 1
On the left side of the upper operation unit 4, an operator card 12 for explaining a simple copier operation method and an error display is attached.
A front cover 13 is attached to the front face F of the copying machine 1 so as to be freely opened and closed. In the copying machine 1, a paper feed cassette 14 is set on the right side, and a paper discharge tray 15 is provided on the left side.
Inside the copier 1, a scanner for scanning and reading an original on the original platen 2 and then performing A / D conversion, an image processing unit for processing an image signal from the scanner or the like, and an image from the image processing unit A well-known image forming / fixing system having a plotter for printing on transfer paper by a signal is provided.

The plotter includes a photosensitive drum, a charger for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum, and a writing unit for exposing the photosensitive drum with an image signal from an image processing unit to form an electrostatic latent image. A developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum into a visible image, a transfer charger that transfers the visual image on the photoconductor drum onto transfer paper fed from the paper supply cassette 14, A separation charger that separates the transfer paper from the photosensitive drum, a fixing device that fixes a visible image on the transfer paper separated from the photosensitive drum and discharges the transfer paper to the discharge tray 15; It has a cleaning device and a static eliminator that cleans and removes electricity after separation. FIG. 5 shows a part of the operation unit 4. In the center of the operation unit 4 is a display panel 1 for performing various displays.
The detection unit 5 of the operator detection device and the guidance display unit 17 are provided above the display panel 16. An automatic density key 18, a temperature adjustment key 19, an automatic paper selection key 20,
A paper selection key 21, an equal-size key 22, an enlargement key 23, and a reduction key 24 are provided. Further, on the right side of the display panel 16, there are provided various keys such as a numeric keypad 25, an enter key 26, a start key 27, a guidance key 28 and the like, and a display section for performing various displays such as a guidance display section 29 and a timer display section 30. A key group and a display group 31 mainly related to execution of copying are provided.

On the left side of the display panel 16 in the operation unit 4, a liquid crystal display (LCD) of 400 × 256 dots and a touch switch are provided, and the LCD has a menu key 32, scroll keys 33, There are a utility key 34, a guidance key 35, a contrast adjustment knob 36, an extended function display section 37, and the like. This L
A CD typically displays a menu screen as shown in FIG. This screen displays all the functions incorporated in the present embodiment, and is set so that when the operator touches a part of the function, the touch switch is turned on and the function is selected.

FIG. 6 shows the display panel 16. The display panel 16 includes a paper display section 38 and an operation display section 39. The paper display section 38 has a magnification display section 40, a paper designated scaling display section 41, an automatic paper selection display section 42, a paper selection display section 43, and a paper selection display section. A size display section 44 and the like are provided. The operation display section 39 includes a toner supply display section 45, a standby display section 46, a copy enabled display section 47, and an automatic density display section 48.
Etc. are provided.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of this embodiment. The system of this embodiment is roughly divided into a system control unit 49, a scanner unit 50, an image processing unit (IPU) 51, and a plotter unit 5.
2, an operation unit 53, an LCD unit 54, and a human body detection device 55. The operation unit 53 is the part shown in FIG. The system control unit 49 includes a base unit 56, a memory unit 57,
Printer unit 58, facsimile unit 59, file unit 60
It consists of. The memory unit 57 is a scanner unit 5
0, an IPU 51, and a digital image signal from the plotter unit 52 are written to a memory 62 composed of a DRAM via a video converter 61, and a digital image signal is read from the memory 62 and output to the scanner unit 50, the IPU 51, and the plotter unit 52. Or The printer unit 58 is a CPU
63, a ROM 64, a RAM 65, and the like, and a communication device 66 such as RS232C or Centronics or a LAN (Local Area N) from an external system device.
document file sent via the E.network), a character generator (CG) ROM 67, an AGDC
(Advanced Graphic Display
(Controller) 68 to expand the data on the memory 62.

A facsimile unit 59 includes a CPU 69 and a ROM.
70, a RAM 71, a CCU (Communication Control Unit) 72 for receiving data transmitted through a public line, a SAF (Stack and Forward) memory 73 for holding received data,
A compression / decompression circuit 74 for compressing and decompressing image signals is mounted. The CPU 69 operates the CCU via the public line.
The data sent to 72 is written to the SAF memory 73, the data in the SAF memory 73 is read out and sent to the public line, and the received data held in the SAF memory 73 is expanded by the compression / expansion circuit 74. Memory 62
The image data on the memory 62 is compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 74 and written into the SAF memory 73.

The file section 60 includes a CPU 75 and a ROM 7
6, RAM 77, magneto-optical disk drive (ODD) 78,
A compression / decompression circuit 79 and the like are mounted, and an image signal reproduced from the magneto-optical disk by the ODD 78 is decompressed by the compression / decompression circuit 74 and expanded on the memory 62, or the image data on the memory 62 is compressed and the optical Writing on magnetic disks. The base unit 56 includes a CPU 80, R
OM81, RAM82, DMA controller (DMA
C) 83, interrupt control circuit 84, interface 85
Scanner unit 50, IPU 51, plotter unit 5
2. Controlling the operation unit 53, the LCD unit 54, the human body detection device 55, the memory unit 57, the printer unit 58, the facsimile unit 59, the file unit 60, and the like to control the entire machine of the present embodiment and execute each function. Let it. For this reason, a plotter prints an image signal from a scanner, received facsimile document data, and a document file from an external system device.

The scanner unit 50 includes a CPU 86 and a ROM 8
7, having a RAM 88, interfaces 89 and 90,
The digital image signal read from the document on the document table 2 by the scanner and A / D converted is output to the memory unit 57.

The IPU 51 includes a CPU 91, a ROM 92, an R
An AM 93 and interfaces 94 and 95 are mounted, and the digital image signal from the memory unit 57 is subjected to scaling processing such as enlargement and reduction, image processing such as blanking and shadowing, and output to the memory unit 57. The plotter 52 is a CPU 9
6, ROM 97, RAM 98, interface 99,
100 is mounted to control the plotter,
The digital image signal from 7 is converted into light to form an image on a recording sheet made of transfer paper. The operation unit 53 is a CP
U101, ROM 102, RAM 103, input / output port 104, interface 105 are mounted, and keys other than the LCD unit 54 and the light emitting diode 106 are connected, and input signals from the keys are taken in to turn on / off the light emitting diode. The LCD unit 54 has a CPU 107 and an RO
M108, RAM 109, LCD equipped with input / output ports 110, and shown in FIG.
1 is connected to display an LCD screen and capture input signals from touch keys and hard keys. The human body detection device 55 includes an oscillator 112 that emits an infrared beam to the detection area, a detection unit 5 including a receiver 113 that receives the infrared beam reflected by the detection area, and the like.
And a signal processing unit 114 for processing a signal received from the signal processor 13.

The CPU 80 of the base unit 56 is operated by the operator based on input signals from the operation units 53 and 54, based on input signals from the operation units 53 and 54. By controlling the section 60 and the like, the entire machine of this embodiment is controlled to selectively execute functions such as a copying function, a printer, a facsimile, and a file process.

Next, the operation principle of the human body detecting device 55 will be described. The oscillator 112 emits an infrared beam 7 for distance measurement in a direction in which the operator 6 operates the copier 1, and outputs a reflected wave from the reflecting object to the receiver 1.
The signal is received at 23 and the signal processing unit 114 measures the distance to the reflecting object in a manner not affected by the level of the reflected wave. Then, the CPU 80 determines that the measurement result is within a predetermined range,
It is assumed that the operator 6 is present near the copying machine 1 because the operator 6 has been present for a predetermined time. An infrared light emitting diode as an oscillator 112 and an optical system for making the output light a thin beam are installed in or near the operation unit (or display unit or document table) of the copying machine 1.
The infrared light emitting diode and the optical system are arranged so that the output light is directed in the direction in which the operator 6 stands when the operator 6 operates the copying machine 1.

In the receiver 113, a light receiving lens and a one-dimensional position sensor (Position Sensit) are located at a predetermined distance from the beam emitting position of the oscillator 112 in a plane orthogonal to the beam emitting direction of the oscillator 112.
The light receiving lens and the PSD are arranged such that the longitudinal direction thereof is oriented at a predetermined distance from the beam emission position of the oscillator 112. Infrared light emitted from the infrared light emitting diode is converted into a thin beam by an optical system, reflected by a reflecting object, and received by a PSD via a light receiving lens. The signal processing unit 114 detects the presence of the operator 6 in the vicinity of the copying machine 1 by obtaining the distance to the reflecting object from the output signal of the PSD based on the principle of triangulation to obtain the CPU 80.
Output to

Due to the operational characteristics of the copying machine 1, the operator 6 sometimes approaches the copying machine 1 or approaches it. In the human body detection device 55, when the operator 6 approaches the copying machine 1 extremely, the emission beam of the oscillator 112 or the light reception beam of the receiver 113 is blocked by the operator 6, or the light reception beam of the receiver 113 is There is a case where the receiver 113 cannot receive the beam due to exceeding the light receiving range based on the limitation of the length.

In order to prepare for such a case, the human body detecting device 55 continuously measures the distance to the operator 6, and the distance between the human body detecting device 55 and the operator 6 becomes gradually shorter. When it becomes impossible to receive the beam, the CPU 80 determines that the operator 6 exists as in the processing flow described later. As another countermeasure against such a case, a detection gain is set so that the human body detection device 55 can detect reflected light from a wall or a ceiling behind the operator 6 when the operator 6 is not present, When the reflected light cannot be detected, the CPU 80
May be determined from the output signal of the human body detection device 55 that the operator 6 exists, as in the processing flow described later.

As yet another countermeasure, the CPU 80 determines the distance to a reflective object such as a rear wall or ceiling when there is no moving object such as the operator 6 or a person passing through the detection range, as in the processing flow described later. Signal processing unit 114
May be detected and stored from the output signal, and when a reflective object farther than that distance is detected, it may be determined that the operator 6 is present. This is the same result that the operator 6 is extremely close to the copier 1 and the receiver 113 cannot receive the beam from the reflecting object, because the reflecting object is far enough away to receive the reflected beam. Is determined based on the fact that the output signal of the receiver 113 to a reflective object farther than the background cannot occur unless the condition in which the copying machine 1 is installed is changed, and the approach of the operator 6 is continued. The detection need not be performed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the detecting unit 5 including the oscillator 112 and the receiver 113 is installed in the upper part of the copying machine 1 near the original platen 3.
As a result, an infrared beam 7 is emitted as a detection medium into the outer edges 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the detection area. This infrared beam 7 is reflected by a reflecting object such as the operator 6 in the detection area and received by the receiver 113.

Next, the operation of the PSD will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the characteristics of the PSD. PSD
Reference numeral 115 denotes an element having a common electrode 116 and output terminals 117 and 118.
Currents I ₁ and I ₂ flow in the longitudinal direction of the light source 9 in accordance with the position of the spot light 120 due to the infrared beam 7 from the reflecting object.
That is, equal to the output current I ₂ of the output current I ₁ and the output terminal 118 of the output terminal 117 when the spot light 120 is hitting the center of the light receiving portion 119, the spot light 1
When 20 deviates to the right from the center of the light receiving section 119, I ₁ <I ₂
When the spot light 120 shifts to the left from the center of the light receiving section 119, I ₁ > I ₂ . The rate of increase or decrease of I ₁ and I ₂ is proportional to the deviation of the spot light 120 from the center. Therefore, the relationship between the position of the spot light 120 and I ₂ / I ₁ is constant, and is independent of the intensity of the spot light 120. Therefore, the position of the spot light 120 can be obtained by calculating the ratio of I ₁ and I ₂ by the signal processing unit 114.

Next, a distance measuring method of the human body detecting device 55 will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a distance measurement method using the PSD 115. By using the PSD 115, the distance to the reflecting object can be obtained by triangulation using the fact that the position of the spotlight 120 can be detected. The infrared light emitted from the infrared light emitting diode 121 is converted into a thin infrared beam 7 by the light projecting lens 122.
And fires toward a position where the operator 6 in the detection area stands when the operator operates the copying machine 1.
Reflected by a reflecting object such as
An image is formed such that a real image is formed on the light receiving unit 119 of D115.

The displacement d of the spot light 120 from the center of the light receiving section 119 of the PSD 115 is inversely proportional to the distance L to the reflecting object, the base line length S, the light receiving lens 123 and the PSD 1.
The relationship f / L = d / S holds between the distance f and the distance f.

As shown in FIG. 10, the output currents I ₁ and I ₂ of the PSD 115 have the following relationship if the length of the PSD 115 is c. I ₁ = c / 2−d = c / 2−fS / L I ₂ = c / 2 + d = c / 2 + fS / L From these, I ₂ / I ₁ = (cL / 2 + fS) / (cL / 2−fS) ≒ 1 + cfS / L, and (I ₂ / I ₁ −1) is proportional to 1 / L, and c, f,
S is a value of I ₂ because the human body detecting device 55 has a unique value.
/ From I ₁ can be obtained L. The human body detection device 55 needs to increase the required length of the PSD 115 as the distance becomes shorter.

Next, the determination of the presence of the operator 6 by the CPU 80 will be described. The CPU 80 determines that the operator 6 is present when the result of measuring the distance to the reflecting object of the human body detecting device 55 becomes smaller than a predetermined value of about 50 cm as described above. Further, the CPU 80 keeps the reflection object within a predetermined distance for a predetermined time in order to distinguish between the operator 6 and a person who just passes in front of the copying machine 1 without using the copying machine 1 as in a processing flow described later. At this time, it may be determined that the operator 6 exists.

Further, the CPU 80 determines that the operator 6 is too close to the copying machine 1 to exceed the light receiving range of the PSD 115 or to cover the oscillator 112 or the receiver 113, so that the distance measurement data is transmitted from the signal processing unit 114 to the CPU 80. If not obtained, it is determined that the operator 6 exists.
If the CPU 80 simply determines that the operator 6 exists when the distance measurement data cannot be obtained from the signal processing unit 114, there is a problem that an erroneous determination may be made when the human body detection device 55 is broken. Therefore, using the distance measurement data before the distance measurement data cannot be obtained as in the processing flow described later, the condition that the distance measurement data cannot be obtained as a result of the operator 6 approaching the copying machine 1 is used as a determination condition. By doing so, the problem can be avoided. Further, the CPU 80 stores distance measurement data of a ceiling, a wall, and the like obtained when no operator is present as in a processing flow described later, and determines that the operator 6 is present when a distance longer than this distance is detected. It may be. The installation position of the human body detection device 55 is such that distance measurement data by reflection from the ceiling can be obtained as distance measurement data from the background of the operator 6 under the ordinary installation conditions of the copying machine 1.

Since the copying machine 1 is installed under various lighting conditions, it is necessary to distinguish between the surrounding light and the light for distance measurement. For this reason, the infrared beam 7 is 800 to 9
It is set to 50 nm. Further, a visible light cut filter is inserted in front of the light receiving surface of the PSD 115, and the infrared light emitting diode 121 is pulse-driven by a driving circuit, and the change is extracted from the output current of the PSD 115 by the signal processing unit 114 to measure the distance. In addition, the driving of the infrared light emitting diode 121 is limited to a predetermined interval, and only when the infrared light emitting diode 121 is driven, the output current of the PSD 115 is calculated to obtain the distance measurement data.

Since a common visible light cut filter is inserted in front of the oscillator 112 and the receiver 113, the oscillator 112 and the receiver 113 become invisible, so that the operator 6 does not feel uncomfortable. . For this reason, it is possible to prevent the operator 6 from taking a countermeasure different from the design intention, such as not being consciously detected.

As the human body detecting device 55, a device using the following ultrasonic waves can be used. A transmitter 112 and a receiver 113 are provided at or near the operation unit (or display unit or platen) of the copying machine 1, and the transmitter 112 has a speaker that emits ultrasonic waves. Receiver 1
Reference numeral 13 denotes a microphone, and the speaker and the microphone are arranged so that the directivity thereof is oriented in a direction in which the operator operates the copying machine 1. Ultrasonic waves emitted from the loudspeaker are reflected by an object in the detection area and are received by the microphone. The signal processing unit 114 measures the time from when the ultrasonic wave emitted from the speaker hits the reflecting object in the detection area, is reflected and is received by the microphone, and this time and the speed at which the ultrasonic wave propagates in the air are measured. To determine the distance to the reflecting object.

Since the ultrasonic waves emitted from the loudspeaker have a spread, not all are reflected at the same distance, but the time to return to the microphone differs depending on the ultrasonic reflection position. Therefore, some ultrasonic waves received by the microphone have various delay times with respect to the time of emission of the speaker. Therefore, the distance to the reflecting object is determined by the delay time of the earliest ultrasonic wave that returns to the microphone among the ultrasonic waves received by the microphone, and if the distance is within a predetermined range, the distance is determined as the distance to the operator. judge.

When the speaker and the microphone are far apart from each other, if the operator approaches the copying machine extremely, one or both of the ultrasonic wave emitted from the speaker and the ultrasonic wave to be received by the microphone are blocked by the operator. As a result, the microphone cannot receive ultrasonic waves.
In this case, the CPU 80 determines the presence of the operator in the same manner as in the case of the above-described human body detection device using light.

This human body detection device utilizes the propagation speed of ultrasonic waves in the air. As shown in FIG. 12, a speaker 124 is driven by an output signal of an ultrasonic oscillator 125 and a reception signal from a microphone 126 is received. Is the receiving unit 12
7 to the signal processing unit 114. Speaker 12
4 transmits an ultrasonic wave into the outer edges 128 and 129 of the region showing the directivity, and the microphone 126 receives the ultrasonic waves coming from inside the outer edges 130 and 131 of the region showing the directivity.

The ultrasonic wave emitted from the speaker 124 is reflected by a reflecting object such as the operator 6 and is reflected by the microphone 12.
6 is received. The signal processing unit 114 measures a time d from the emission of the ultrasonic wave by the speaker 124 to the reception of the ultrasonic wave by the microphone 126, and from this time d, the distance L to the reflecting object.
Is measured. Assuming that the propagation speed of the ultrasonic wave in the air is v, L = vd / 2, and since v is a value of about 340 m / s, L can be obtained from d.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart of the human body detecting device. The speaker 124 receives an ultrasonic signal of a constant frequency from the ultrasonic oscillator 125 every time an operator detects it, and emits an ultrasonic wave. This ultrasonic wave is reflected by a reflecting object such as an operator and received by the microphone 126. Since the ultrasonic wave is reflected by various objects in the area indicating the directivity of the microphone 126 and returns to the microphone 126, the propagation path differs depending on the reflecting object, and the ultrasonic wave from the speaker 124 is transmitted from the microphone 126 to the microphone 126.
Time until the reception of the ultrasonic wave of the
Is a signal obtained by combining signals having different phases and amplitudes.

The signal processing unit 114 is connected to the microphone 12
The data reflected at the nearest point from the received signal No. 6 is used as the data for distance measurement. Therefore, the signal processing unit 11
Numeral 4 amplifies the reception signal of the microphone 126, limits the amplitude by the limiter, and detects the signal. The time until the leading edge (from the ultrasonic emission of the speaker 124) is d. Then, the signal processing unit 114 performs the calculation of the above equation from d to calculate L
Is measured as the distance to the operator. Also, CPU
80 is the distance L when the operator 6 is too close to the copying machine 1;
If the distance L cannot be measured, the distance L to the operator is obtained in the same manner as in the above-described human body detection device using infrared rays.

Next, a description will be given of a determination as to whether or not the operator is at a position where the copier 1 is operated. The CPU 80 determines that the operator 6 is at the position where the operator 6 operates the copying machine 1 when the operator 6 is located at a distance a from the front face F of the copying machine 1 as shown in FIG. This distance a
Is the distance from the front face F of the copying machine 1 to a predetermined position, and when the transmitter 112 and the receiver 113 enter from the end of the copying machine 1, the distance is reduced by the amount of the entry.

FIG. 15 shows a processing flow for judging whether or not the operator 6 of the CPU 80 is located at a position where the copier 1 is operated. In step S21, the CPU 80 determines whether or not the distance to the reflecting object is within a from the distance measurement signal from the signal processing unit 114 in the human body detecting device 55. If the distance to the reflecting object is within a, the operator 6 is present. If the distance to the reflection object is not less than a, it is determined that the operator 6 does not exist, and the operator presence flag is reset.

FIG. 16 shows a processing flow for judging that the operator 6 is at the position where the operator 6 operates the copying machine 1 when the operator 6 of the CPU 80 has been within the copying machine 1 within a for a predetermined time. Further, the CPU 80 determines in step S3
In step 1, it is determined whether or not the distance to the reflecting object is within a from the distance measurement signal from the signal processing unit 114. If the distance to the reflecting object is not within a, the operator 6 moves from the front surface F of the copying machine 1 to a. Therefore, in step S36, the time-up flag, the time-up counter, and the operator presence flag are reset. If the distance to the reflecting object is within a, the CPU 80 determines in step S32 whether a time-up flag indicating that the time during which the operator 6 is within a has continued for a predetermined time or more is set to 1. Perform a check.

If the time-up flag is set to 1, the CPU 80 does not need to check the time during which the operator 6 is within the copying machine 1a, and the process proceeds to step S35. If the time-up flag is not set to 1, the CPU 80 determines that the operator 6
It is necessary to check the time that exists within
In step S33, the time-up counter for checking whether or not the time during which the operator 6 continues within a is equal to or more than a predetermined time is increased by 1, and it is determined whether or not the time-up counter has become 100 or more. I do. When this subroutine is checked every 5 ms, about 500 m
s becomes the above-mentioned predetermined time. The value of 100 can be freely set according to the operation characteristics of the human body detection device 55 and the operator 6.

The CPU 80 has a time-up counter of 10
If the value is 0 or more, the time during which the operator 6 is continuously present within a is equal to or longer than the predetermined time.
Is determined to exist, the time-up flag is set to 1 in step S34, and the process proceeds to step S35. CPU
At step S35, it is determined at step S35 that the operator 6 exists, and the operator presence flag is set to 1 in order to apply the information to various controls. If the time-up counter is not equal to or greater than 100, the time during which the operator 6 continues to be within a does not exceed the predetermined time, and thus the processing of this subroutine is terminated.

FIG. 18 shows a processing flow for judging that the operator 6 is continuously present when the distance measurement data from the signal processing unit 114 is suddenly lost after the CPU 80 detects the presence of the operator 6. Show. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the range from the front face F of the copying machine 1 to the distance d is defined as the unmeasurable range, and the distances a and
Each range up to b and c is an operator detection range. Further, a, b, c, and d are distances obtained by subtracting the distance when the detection unit 5 of the human body detection device 55 enters from the front face F of the copying machine 1.

The CPU 80 determines whether or not the distance measurement data from the human body detecting device 55 is within a in step S41.
If the distance measurement data is within a, it is determined that the operator 6 exists, and the process proceeds to step S42. Also, CP
U80 proceeds to step S48 when the distance measurement data is equal to or larger than a or when there is no distance measurement data (the operator cannot be detected).

In step S42, since the operator 6 is within a, the CPU 80 sets the flag within a to 1. The flag within a is used for determining where the operator 6 is located within the operator detection range, and for checking an operator moving direction in combination with other flags. Next, the CPU 80 sets the operator presence flag indicating that the operator 6 exists in step S43 to 1
Set to.

Next, in step S44, the CPU 80 checks whether or not the distance measurement data from the human body detecting device 55 is within b. If the distance measurement data is within b, the CPU 80 sets the flag within b to 1 in step S45 and proceeds to step S46. If the distance measurement data is not within b, the CPU 80 resets the flag within b to 0 in step S411. The flag within b is used for the same purpose as the flag within a.

In step S46, the CPU 80 checks whether or not the distance measurement data from the human body detecting device 55 is within c. If the distance measurement data is within c, the CPU 80 sets the within-c flag to 1 in step S47. If the distance measurement data is not within c, the CPU 80 sets c in step S412.
Reset the in-flag to 0. Flags within c are also a
Used for the same purpose as the within flag.

The CPU 80 resets the flag within a to 0 in step S48, and checks whether the flag within c is 1 in step S49. This is because when the operator 6 gets too close to the human body detecting device 55,
This is a process for making it possible to determine that the operator 6 is present even when the distance measurement data from 5 is greater than or equal to a or the distance measurement data is lost.

In other words, even if the distance measurement data from the human body detection device 55 is equal to or larger than a or the distance measurement data is lost, if the flag within c is set to 1, the operator 6 operates the copier 1 , Which indicates that the operator 6 has not moved further away from the copying machine 1 by more than c, so it can be determined that the operator 6 has approached the copying machine 1 too much (entered the undetectable range). . C
If the flag within c is not 1, the PU 80 determines that the operator 6 does not really exist, and resets the operator presence flag to 0 in step S410.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for adjusting the detection gain of the human body detecting device 55 so that distance measurement data can be obtained even when there is no detected object, and judging that the operator 6 is present when the human body detecting device 55 cannot detect the distance. FIG. 21 is a processing flow of the CPU 80. FIG. 21 shows a case where the CPU 80 stores distance measurement data from the human body detecting device 55 when there is no detected object, and the detected object longer than the distance is detected by the human body detecting device 5.
5 is a processing flow for judging that an operator 6 is present when the detection is performed at 5.

As shown in FIG. 19, the range from the front of the copying machine 1 to the distance d is defined as an unmeasurable range, the range from the front F of the copying machine 1 to the distance a is defined as an operator detection range, and The fixed distance from the front surface of No. 1 to the pillar, ceiling, etc. is n. Further, a, d, and n are distances obtained by subtracting the distance when the detection unit 4 of the human body detection device 55 enters from the front face F of the copying machine 1.

As shown in FIG. 20, in step S51, the CPU 80 checks whether or not the distance measurement data from the human body detecting device 55 is within a, and if the distance measurement data is within a, detects the presence of the operator 6. And the process proceeds to step S53. If the distance measurement data is not within a, the CPU 80 checks in step S52 whether the distance measurement data from the human body detection device 55 exists. If the distance measurement data exists, the CPU 80 determines that the operator 6 does not exist within a, that is, the human body detection device 55 cannot detect the distance to the operator 6 and the operator 6 is too close to the human body detection device 55. By determining that the operator 6 is present, the operator presence flag is set to 1 in step S53. If the distance measurement data does not exist, the CPU 80 determines that the operator 6 does not exist and determines in step S54.
Resets the operator presence flag to 0.

As shown in FIG. 21, the CPU 80 checks in step S61 whether or not the distance measurement data from the human body detecting device 55 is within a, and if the distance measurement data is within a, detects the presence of the operator 6. And the process proceeds to step S63. If the distance measurement data is not within a, the CPU 80 determines in step S62 whether or not the distance measurement data from the human body detection device 55 is larger than the data n measured and stored in the absence of the operator 6 in advance. To check.

Then, the CPU 80 determines that the distance measurement data is n
If not, it is determined that the operator 6 does not exist, and the operator presence flag is reset to 0 in step S64. If the distance measurement data is larger than n, it is determined that the operator 6 exists, and the process proceeds to step S63. CPU80
Sets the operator presence flag to 1 in step S63.

The CPU 80 determines the relative positional relationship between the operator 6 and the front face F of the copying machine 1 as described above, and changes the function as follows. FIG. 22 shows the relationship between the relative positional relationship (distance) between the operator 6 and the front face F of the copying machine 1 and the printing of a facsimile received document. CPU80
Changes the function as shown in FIG. 23 depending on whether or not the operator 6 is within the range of not less than the distance a and not more than the distance c (or not more than the distance b) from the front face F of the copying machine 1. That is, the CPU 80 first checks whether the “flag within a” is set to 1 and checks
Is located within a distance from the front face F of the copying machine 1.

If the "flag within a" is set to 1, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If the "flag within a" is not set to 1, the "flag within c" is set.
Is set to 1 to determine whether the operator 6 is located within a distance c from the front face F of the copying machine 1 or not. If the "flag within c" is set to 1, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If the "flag within c" is not set to 1, the CPU 80 determines whether or not it is operating (executing any function).

The CPU 80 returns if it is in operation, and determines whether there is a facsimile reception document (if there is a document received by the facsimile unit and not yet printed) if it is not in operation. This is C of base part 56
The PU 80 inquires the CPU 69 of the facsimile unit 59 whether or not there is a facsimile reception document. CPU
If there is no facsimile received document, the process returns as it is, and if there is a facsimile received document, the plotter unit 52 prints the facsimile received document.

In the first embodiment, since the facsimile reception document is printed by detecting that the operator 6 has left the copying machine 1, the operator 6 does not use the copier 1 to print the facsimile reception document. This can be done at times, and conflicts between the printing of the facsimile received document and the use of the operator can be prevented.

FIG. 24 shows C in the second embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows a part of a processing flow of a PU. This second embodiment is:
In the first embodiment, the CPU 80 executes the processing flow of FIG. 24 instead of the processing flow of FIG. First, the CPU 80 checks whether the “flag within a” is set to 1 and determines whether or not the operator 6 is within a distance from the front face F of the copying machine 1. Then, the CPU 80 returns if the “flag within a” is set to 1, and checks whether the “flag within c” is set to 1 if the “flag within a” is not set to 1. It is determined whether the operator 6 is within a distance c from the front face F of the copying machine 1.

If the “flag within c” is set to 1, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If the “flag within c” is not set to 1, the CPU 80 is set in advance after the operation (execution of any function) is completed. It is determined whether the elapsed time has elapsed. If the preset time has not elapsed after the end of the operation, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If the preset time has elapsed after the end of the operation, the CPU 80 of the facsimile unit 59 determines whether or not there is a facsimile reception document. Contact to judge. CPU80
Returns if there is no facsimile reception document, and if there is a facsimile reception document, it causes the plotter unit 52 to print the facsimile reception document.

In the second embodiment, the conditions for printing a facsimile received document are set when a predetermined time has elapsed after the end of the operation and the operator 6 does not exist. The facsimile reception document can be reliably printed when the operation is performed and the subsequent work is not performed, and the collision between the printing of the facsimile reception document and the use of the operator can be prevented.

FIG. 25 shows C in the third embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows a part of a processing flow of a PU. This third embodiment is:
In the first embodiment, the CPU 80 executes the processing flow of FIG. 25 instead of the processing flow of FIG. First, the CPU 80 checks whether the “flag within a” is set to 1 and determines whether or not the operator 6 is within a distance from the front face F of the copying machine 1. Then, the CPU 80 returns if the “flag within a” is set to 1, and checks whether the “flag within c” is set to 1 if the “flag within a” is not set to 1. It is determined whether the operator 6 is within a distance c from the front face F of the copying machine 1.

If the "flag within c" is set to 1, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If the "flag within c" is not set to 1, the CPU 80 is operating (executing any function) or interrupting the operation. Judge. And CP
U80 returns as it is during operation, and returns as it is during operation interruption because there is a possibility of continuing copying. The CPU 80 determines whether or not a document is set in the automatic document feeder (DF) during operation or interruption, based on a document detection signal from a document set sensor of the automatic document feeder. Here, the automatic document feeder sequentially feeds the documents stacked on the document feeder by the operator onto the platen 2, discharges the copied document, copies the document, and checks whether the document is stacked on the document feeder. It is detected by a document set sensor. If a document is set in the automatic document feeder, the CPU 80 returns because there is a possibility that the document is copied. If the document is not set in the automatic document feeder, it is determined whether or not there is a facsimile reception document. CPU of facsimile unit 59
An inquiry is made to 69 to make a determination. If there is no facsimile reception document, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If there is a facsimile reception document, the CPU 80 causes the plotter unit 52 to print the facsimile reception document.

In the third embodiment, the facsimile reception document is not printed while the operation is suspended, and the facsimile reception document is not printed even when no original is set in the automatic document feeder. It is possible to print the received document smoothly, and to prevent a collision between the printing of the facsimile received document and the use of the operator.

FIG. 26 shows C in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows a part of a processing flow of a PU. This fourth embodiment is:
In the first embodiment, the CPU 80 executes the processing flow of FIG. 26 instead of the processing flow of FIG. First, the CPU 80 checks whether the “flag within a” is set to 1 and determines whether or not the operator 6 is within a distance from the front face F of the copying machine 1. Then, the CPU 80 returns if the “flag within a” is set to 1, and checks whether the “flag within c” is set to 1 if the “flag within a” is not set to 1. It is determined whether the operator 6 is within a distance c from the front face F of the copying machine 1.

If the "flag within c" is set to 1, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If the "flag within c" is not set to 1, the CPU 80 determines whether or not the operation is suspended. If the operation is interrupted, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If the operation is not interrupted, the CPU 80 determines whether a document is set in the automatic document feeder based on a document detection signal from a document set sensor of the automatic document feeder. . If the original is set in the automatic document feeder, the CPU 80 returns because there is a possibility that the original is copied. If the original is not set in the automatic document feeder, the CPU 80 returns in advance. It is determined whether the set time has elapsed. If the preset time has not elapsed after the end of the operation, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If the preset time has elapsed after the end of the operation, the CPU 80 of the facsimile unit 59 determines whether or not there is a facsimile reception document. Contact to judge. If there is no facsimile reception document, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If there is a facsimile reception document, the CPU 80 causes the plotter unit 52 to print the facsimile reception document.

In the fourth embodiment, the CPU 80 sets conditions for printing a facsimile received document when the operator 6 does not exist after a preset time has elapsed after the operation is completed. Since the printing is not performed during the interruption of the operation and the facsimile received document is not printed even when the original is not set in the automatic document feeder, when the operator 6 performs the operation and does not continue the operation thereafter The facsimile reception document can be reliably printed, the facsimile reception document can be printed smoothly, and the collision between the facsimile reception document printing and the use of the operator can be prevented.

FIG. 27 shows C in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows a part of a processing flow of a PU. This fifth embodiment is:
In the first embodiment, the CPU 80 executes the processing flow of FIG. 27 instead of the processing flow of FIG. First, the CPU 80 checks whether the “flag within a” is set to 1 and determines whether or not the operator 6 is within a distance from the front face F of the copying machine 1. If “flag within a” is set to 1, the CPU 80 returns as it is,
If “flag within a” is not set to 1, “b”
The CPU 80 checks whether the "inside flag" is set to 1 and determines whether or not the operator 6 is within a distance of "b" from the front face F of the copying machine 1. The CPU 80 sets the "inside b flag" to 1. If the “flag within b” is not set to 1, it is determined whether or not the facsimile reception document is being printed by the plotter. If it is not, return as it is, and if the facsimile reception document is being printed, stop printing the facsimile reception document of the plotter and return to the standard mode of the function set as the initial function to return to the state usable by the operator Here, the initial function is a copy function initial function as shown in FIG. Le screens and modes, the default state of the initial screen and the mode such as the functions of a facsimile, the operator can select each function in the default state by the operation unit.

In the fifth embodiment, the printing of the facsimile received document is stopped by detecting that the operator 6 has approached the copying machine 1 and stopping the printing of the facsimile received document and shifting to the standard mode of the initial function. This can be performed when the operator 6 is not using the copying machine 1 to prevent a collision between the printing of the facsimile received document and the use of the operator, and the operator always uses the copying machine 1 in a constant state. Environment can be provided.

In the fifth embodiment, the CPU
Instead of the process of "returning to the standard mode of the function set as the initial function", the process of "returning the function and mode before printing the facsimile received document" may be performed. Since the method of using the copying machine 1 differs depending on the operator, in the fifth embodiment, the CPU 80 performs a process of "returning to the standard mode of the function set as the initial function" or, The operator can select whether to perform a process of "returning the function and mode before printing the facsimile received document" by the operation unit, and the selection signal from the operation unit causes the CPU 80 to set the "initial function". The process of "returning to the standard mode of the function" and the process of "returning the function and mode before printing the facsimile received document" may be selectively performed.

In the fifth embodiment, the CPU 80 returns the function and the mode before printing the facsimile received document, instead of the process of "returning to the standard mode of the function set as the initial function". Is performed, the facsimile reception document can be printed when the operator 6 is not using the copying machine 1, and the collision between the facsimile reception document printing and the use of the operator can be prevented. In addition to this, it is possible to provide an environment in which the functions and modes used by the operator are restored and the operator can continue the work smoothly.

FIG. 28 shows C in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows a part of a processing flow of a PU. This sixth embodiment is:
In the first embodiment, the CPU 80 executes the processing flow of FIG. 28 instead of the processing flow of FIG. The printer unit 58 is connected to a LAN (Local
The CPU 63 is connected to an external system device via communication means 66 such as Area Network or Centronics, and the CPU 63 receives a document file sent from the external system device via communication means such as LAN or Centronics. The data is developed in the memory 62 of the memory unit 57.
The CPU 80 transfers the document file in the memory 62 to the plotter unit 52 and prints the document file with the plotter.

First, as shown in FIG. 28, the CPU 80
It is checked whether or not the "flag within a" is set to 1 to determine whether or not the operator 6 is located within a distance from the front face F of the copying machine 1. And CPU
If the “flag within a” is set to 1, the process returns to step 80. If the “flag within a” is not set to 1, it is checked whether the “flag within c” is set to 1 and the operator returns to step 80. It is determined whether or not 6 exists within a distance c from the front face F of the copying machine 1.

If the "flag within c" is set to 1, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If the "flag within c" is not set to 1, the CPU 80 determines whether or not it is operating (executing any function). to decide. If it is operating, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If it is not operating, the CPU 80 determines whether or not there is a document file sent from an external system device via a communication means such as a LAN or Centronics. This is because the CPU 80 of the base unit 56
This is done by inquiring of the CPU 63 about whether or not there is a facsimile reception document. If there is no document file sent from an external system device via a communication means such as a LAN or Centronics, the CPU 80 returns as it is, and returns the document sent from the external system device via a communication means such as a LAN or Centronics. If there is a file, the plotter unit 52 prints the document file.

In the sixth embodiment, since it is detected that the operator 6 has left the copying machine 1, a document file sent from an external system device via a communication means such as a LAN or Centronics is printed. This can be done when the operator is not using the copier 1 with a document file from an external system device, thereby preventing a collision between the printing of the document file from the external system device and the use of the operator.

FIG. 29 shows C in the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows a part of a processing flow of a PU. This seventh embodiment is:
In the sixth embodiment, the CPU 80 executes the processing flow of FIG. 29 instead of the processing flow of FIG. First, the CPU 80 checks whether the “flag within a” is set to 1 and determines whether or not the operator 6 is within a distance from the front face F of the copying machine 1. Then, the CPU 80 returns if the “flag within a” is set to 1, and checks whether the “flag within c” is set to 1 if the “flag within a” is not set to 1. It is determined whether the operator 6 is within a distance c from the front face F of the copying machine 1.

If the "flag within c" is set to 1, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If the "flag within c" is not set to 1, the CPU 80 determines whether or not a preset time has elapsed after the end of the operation. Judge. If the preset time has not elapsed after the end of the operation, the CPU 80 returns as it is, and if the preset time has elapsed after the end of the operation, the communication means such as a LAN or Centronics from an external system device. It is determined whether or not there is a document file sent via the. This is because the CPU 80 of the base unit 56
It inquires of U63 whether there is a facsimile reception document or not. The CPU 80 is connected to a LAN from an external system device.
If there is no document file sent via communication means such as the Internet or Centronics, the process returns as it is. If there is a document file sent from an external system device via communication means such as the LAN or Centronics, the plotter unit 52
To print the document file.

In the seventh embodiment, the condition for printing a document file sent from an external system device via a communication means such as a LAN or Centronics is set as a condition that a predetermined time elapses after the operation is completed and the operator 6 Is set when there is no document, so when the operator performs work and does not continue to work thereafter, the document file can be reliably printed from the external system device, and the document from the external system device can be printed. Collisions between file printing and operator use can be prevented.

FIG. 30 shows C in the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows a part of a processing flow of a PU. This eighth embodiment is:
In the sixth embodiment, the CPU 80 executes the processing flow of FIG. 30 instead of the processing flow of FIG. First, the CPU 80 checks whether the “flag within a” is set to 1 and determines whether or not the operator 6 is within a distance from the front face F of the copying machine 1. Then, the CPU 80 returns if the “flag within a” is set to 1, and checks whether the “flag within c” is set to 1 if the “flag within a” is not set to 1. It is determined whether the operator 6 is within a distance c from the front face F of the copying machine 1.

If the "flag within c" is set to 1, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If the "flag within c" is not set to 1, the CPU 80 determines whether or not the operation is in progress or interrupted. Then, the CPU 80 returns if it is operating, and returns if it is interrupted. If the operation is not interrupted, the CPU 80 determines whether a document is set in the automatic document feeder (DF) based on a document detection signal from a document set sensor of the automatic document feeder. If the original is set in the automatic document feeder, the CPU 80 returns because there is a possibility that the original is copied. If the original is not set in the automatic document feeder, the CPU 80 returns from the external system device to the LAN or the LAN. It is determined whether there is a document file sent via a communication means such as Centronics. This is because the CPU 80 of the base unit 56 is
Inquires whether a facsimile reception document exists or not. If there is no document file sent from an external system device via a communication means such as a LAN or Centronics, the CPU 80 returns as it is, and returns the document sent from the external system device via a communication means such as a LAN or Centronics. If there is a file, the plotter unit 52 prints the document file.

In the eighth embodiment, printing of a document file sent from an external system device via a communication means such as a LAN or Centronics is not performed while the operation is suspended. The document file can be printed smoothly, and a collision between the printing of the document file from an external system device and the use of the operator can be prevented.

FIG. 31 shows C in the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows a part of a processing flow of a PU. This ninth embodiment is
In the sixth embodiment, the CPU 80 executes the processing flow of FIG. 31 instead of the processing flow of FIG. First, the CPU 80 checks whether the “flag within a” is set to 1 and determines whether or not the operator 6 is within a distance from the front face F of the copying machine 1. Then, the CPU 80 returns if the “flag within a” is set to 1, and checks whether the “flag within c” is set to 1 if the “flag within a” is not set to 1. It is determined whether the operator 6 is within a distance c from the front face F of the copying machine 1.

If the "flag within c" is set to 1, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If the "flag within c" is not set to 1, the CPU 80 determines whether or not the operation is suspended. If the operation is interrupted, the CPU 80 returns. If the operation is not interrupted, the CPU 80 determines whether a document is set in the automatic document feeder based on a document detection signal from a document set sensor of the automatic document feeder. If the original is set in the automatic document feeder, the CPU 80 returns because there is a possibility that the original is copied. If the original is not set in the automatic document feeder, the CPU 80 returns in advance. It is determined whether the set time has elapsed. If the preset time has not elapsed after the end of the operation, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If the preset time has elapsed after the end of the operation, the CPU 80 returns from an external system device via a communication means such as a LAN or Centronics. It is determined whether there is a document file sent. This is the CPU of the base unit 56
80 inquires of the CPU 63 of the printer unit 58 whether or not there is a facsimile reception document. If there is no document file sent from an external system device via a communication means such as a LAN or Centronics, the CPU 80 returns as it is, and returns the document sent from the external system device via a communication means such as a LAN or Centronics. If there is a file, the plotter unit 52 prints the document file.

In the ninth embodiment, it is detected that the operator 6 has left the copying machine 1, and a document file sent from an external system device via a communication means such as a LAN or Centronics is printed. In addition, the condition for printing the document file is set when a predetermined time has elapsed after the operation is completed and the operator 6 is not present. Further, the printing of the document file is not performed while the operation is suspended. Of the document file from the user and use by the operator can be prevented.

FIG. 32 shows a part of the processing flow of the CPU in the tenth embodiment of the present invention. The tenth embodiment is different from the sixth embodiment in that the CPU 80 executes the processing flow of FIG. 32 instead of the processing flow of FIG. First, the CPU 80 checks whether the “flag within a” is set to 1 and determines whether or not the operator 6 is within a distance from the front face F of the copying machine 1. If the "flag within a" is set to 1, the CPU 80 checks whether the "flag within b" is set to 1, and the operator 6 is located within a distance b from the front face F of the copying machine 1. It is determined whether or not to do.

If the “flag within a” is not set to 1, the CPU 80 sets “flag within b” to 1
Check whether the operator is set to
Is located within a distance b from the front face F of the copying machine 1. If the “flag within b” is set to 1, the CPU 80 returns as it is. If the “flag within b” is not set to 1, the CPU 80 is sent from an external system device via a communication means such as a LAN or Centronics. It is determined whether the document file is being printed.
Then, the CPU 80 returns if the document file sent from the external system device is not being printed, and stops the printing of the document file if the document file sent from the external system device is being printed. By returning to the standard mode of the function set as the initial function, the state is returned to a state usable by the operator.

[0093]

In the tenth embodiment, during printing of a document file sent from an external system device via communication means such as a LAN or Centronics, the operator 6
When the operator 6 detects that the user is approaching the copying machine 1, the printing of the document file is stopped and the mode is shifted to the standard mode of the initial function. Not only can this be performed when not in use, to prevent collision between the printing of the facsimile received document and the use of the operator, but also provide an environment in which the operator always uses the copying machine 1 in a constant state. it can.

In the tenth embodiment, the CP
U80 "Return to standard mode of initial function"
Instead of the process described above, a process of “returning the function and mode before printing a document file from an external system device” may be performed. Since the method of using the copier 1 differs depending on the operator, in the tenth embodiment, the CPU 80 performs the process of "returning to the standard mode of the initial function" or, instead, executes "processing from an external system device". The operator can select whether to perform a process of “returning the function and mode before printing the document file” by using the operation unit, and the CPU 80 causes the CPU 80 to “return to the standard mode of the initial function” according to a selection signal from the operation unit. "And the process of" returning the function and mode before printing a document file from an external system device "may be selectively performed.

In the tenth embodiment, the CPU 80
If the process of "returning the function and mode before printing a document file from an external system device" is performed instead of the process of "returning to the initial mode of the initial function", the external Can be printed when the operator 6 is not using the copier 1 to prevent a conflict between the printing of the facsimile received document and the use of the operator. It is possible to provide an environment in which the functions and modes used have been restored and the operator can continue the work smoothly. Further, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be similarly applied to other image forming apparatuses.

[0097]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a reading unit for reading an original, a recording unit for forming an image on a recording sheet, and an operation unit for setting and displaying a mode. And an image forming apparatus having a human body detecting means for detecting a human, and capable of executing a plurality of functions including a facsimile function, wherein when the human body detecting means detects that an operator has left the apparatus, the recording means Facsimile reception document printing means for executing the recording of the facsimile reception document, the facsimile reception document can be printed when the operator is not using the apparatus, and the facsimile reception document printing and use of the operator can be performed. Collision can be prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the facsimile-received document printing means is configured to execute the facsimile reception document printing when a predetermined time has not elapsed after the operation of the apparatus has ended. Since the execution of the recording of the facsimile received document by the recording means is prohibited, the facsimile received document can be reliably printed when the operator performs the work and does not subsequently perform the work thereafter. Collision can be prevented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the facsimile reception document printing means records the facsimile reception document by the recording means when the operation of the apparatus is suspended. Since the execution is prohibited, the printing of the received facsimile document can be performed smoothly, and the collision between the printing of the received facsimile document and the use of the operator can be prevented.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, there is provided a document feeding means for automatically feeding a document to the reading means, and the facsimile reception document printing means comprises: When a document is set in the document feeding means, the execution of the recording of the facsimile received document by the recording means is prohibited, so that the facsimile received document can be printed smoothly. Can be prevented from conflicting with the use of.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a reading unit for reading an original, a recording unit for forming an image on a recording sheet, an operation unit for setting and displaying a mode, and a human being are detected. An image forming apparatus having a human body detection unit and capable of executing a plurality of functions including a facsimile function, wherein the human body detection unit detects the approach of an operator during the recording operation of the facsimile reception document by the recording unit, Since the recording means is provided with a control means for stopping the recording operation, the facsimile reception document can be printed when the operator is not using the apparatus, and the collision between the facsimile reception document printing and the use of the operator is prevented. Not only can this be prevented, but it is also possible to provide the operator with an environment in which the device is used in a constant state.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the control means shifts the function to a predetermined standard mode after stopping the recording operation. Can be performed when the operator is not using the device, thereby preventing the conflict between the printing of the facsimile received document and the operator's use, as well as restoring the functions and modes used by the operator. As a result, it is possible to provide an environment in which the operator can continue the work smoothly. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the control means shifts the function to a mode before the start of the recording operation after stopping the recording operation, so that the printing of the facsimile reception document is performed. This function can be performed when the operator is not using the apparatus to prevent a conflict between the printing of the facsimile received document and the operator's use. Can provide an environment in which work can be continued smoothly.

According to the present invention, a reading unit for reading an original, a recording unit for forming an image on a recording sheet, an operation unit for setting and displaying a mode, and a human being are detected. An image forming apparatus having a human body detecting means and capable of executing a plurality of functions, wherein when the human body detecting means detects that the operator has left the apparatus, the printing of a file sent from an external device is recorded. Means to print the file
A document file from an external system device can be created when the operator is not using the device, and a collision between the printing of the document file from the external system device and the use of the operator can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the first embodiment of the present invention and an operator.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the embodiment and an operator.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a part of the operation unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the operation unit.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an LCD unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a default state of the LCD unit.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a PSD in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a detection unit of the human body detection device in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a detection unit of an example of an ultrasonic type human body detection device.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart of the human body detection device.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the human body detection device of the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a part of a processing flow of a CPU in the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing another processing flow of the CPU in the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the human body detection device of the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing another processing flow of the CPU in the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the human body detection device of the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing another processing flow of the CPU in the embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing another processing flow of the CPU in the embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the human body detection device of the embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing another processing flow of the CPU in the embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a processing flow of a CPU according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a processing flow of a CPU according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a processing flow of a CPU according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a processing flow of a CPU according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a processing flow of a CPU according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a processing flow of a CPU according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a processing flow of a CPU according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a processing flow of a CPU according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing flow of the CPU according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 human body detecting means 2 facsimile received document printing means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 G03G 13/22-13/24 G03G 15/22-15/32 G03G 15 / 36 G03G 21/00 370-540

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] A reading unit for reading an original, a recording unit for forming an image on a recording sheet, an operation unit for setting and displaying a mode, and a human body detecting unit for detecting a human; in the image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions including a facsimile function, by the human body detecting means
When it is detected that the operator has left the device,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a facsimile reception document printing unit that causes a recording unit to execute recording of a facsimile reception document . 2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said facsimile received document printing means terminates the operation of the apparatus.
If the predetermined time has not elapsed after the completion of the
An image forming apparatus for prohibiting the execution of recording of a facsimile received document by a user. 3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said facsimile received document printing means is operating while said apparatus is operating.
If the facsimile is being received by the recording means,
An image forming apparatus for prohibiting execution of recording of a transmitted document . 4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, Hara
Document feeding means for automatically feeding a document to the reading means.
The facsimile-received document printing means includes:
If a document is set in the document feeder,
An image forming apparatus for prohibiting execution of recording of a facsimile received document by means . 5. An image forming apparatus comprising: reading means for reading a document; recording means for forming an image on a recording sheet; an operation unit for setting and displaying a mode; and a human body detecting means for detecting a human; In an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions including a facsimile function, a facsimile by the recording unit is provided.
During the recording operation of the received document, the human body detecting means is turned off.
When the approach of the pererator is detected, the recording operation is performed on the recording means.
An image forming apparatus comprising a control unit for stopping a crop. 6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said control means stops a recording operation and sets a predetermined mark.
An image forming apparatus characterized by shifting functions to a quasi-mode . 7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said control means shifts the function to a mode before starting the printing operation after stopping the printing operation. And a reading unit for reading an original, a recording unit for forming an image on a recording sheet, an operation unit for setting and displaying a mode, and a human body detecting unit for detecting a human. In an image forming apparatus capable of performing a plurality of functions, when the human body detecting unit detects that an operator has left the apparatus, a file printing unit that causes the recording unit to print a file sent from an external device is provided. An image forming apparatus comprising: