JP4346390B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus having good operability for a visually impaired person.

  As represented by the US Rehabilitation Act, there is an increasing demand for machines that can be used by both healthy and disabled people without inconvenience. In an image processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, the applicant has previously proposed an image forming apparatus having a voice guidance function in order to enable a visually impaired person to perform complicated mode setting ( Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, energy saving is desired in various devices, and even in an image processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, when there is no operation input to the image processing apparatus for about 10 seconds due to a request for energy saving, the low power mode is set. An image processing apparatus to be transferred has appeared. When the image processing apparatus shifts to the low power mode, the power supply of the control circuit is also cut off, so that the mode set up to that point is reset.

  However, when a visually handicapped person sets up the image processing apparatus, even if there is the voice guidance as described above, it takes more time to operate than a normal person, and before he / she notices, it shifts to the low power mode. In addition, there is a problem that visually impaired people do not know that they have entered the low power mode.

  The applicant has previously proposed an image forming apparatus that notifies the remaining time until the transition to the energy saving mode by sound information such as display or buzzer and notifies that the transition time is approaching. (See Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-302017 JP 2002-225396 A

  However, in the prior art, there is a need for improvement in order to improve the operability of the visually impaired.

  That is, in the prior art described in Patent Document 1, for example, when the human body detection sensor detects a human body, the voice message is interrupted when the human body detection sensor is turned off in a setting for performing voice guidance. Therefore, the response to visual impairment is insufficient, and improvement is necessary to improve the operability of the visually impaired.

  In the prior art described in Patent Document 2, the remaining time until the transition to the energy saving mode is clearly indicated by a display or a buzzer. However, in order to cancel the transition to the energy saving mode, some operation input is required. Therefore, the operability is poor for visually impaired people, and there is a need for improvement in order to improve the operability of visually impaired people.

  Therefore, in order to save energy in the normal operation mode, the present invention supplies the power when the voice guidance key is pressed and the human body detection means that is normally shut off is switched to the voice guidance mode. In the state where the human body detecting means detects the human body, the time measurement for shifting to the low power mode is stopped, and the transition to the low power mode is prevented even if the operation is interrupted. In order to simplify the operation start method for visually handicapped persons, the voice guidance key can be used to shift / return to the low power mode, and when returning from the low power mode by pressing the voice guidance key, In addition, power is supplied to the human body detection means so that timer control is possible. In addition, when the human body detection means is not detected in the voice guidance mode and before moving to the low power mode, a notification is made by voice, so that when there is a visually impaired person outside the detection range of the human body detection means, the transition to the energy saving mode is possible. Inform them that you are approaching.

  Specifically, the invention described in claim 1 performs various operations necessary for image processing such as a setting operation by an operation means for performing various setting operations when the voice guidance is enabled by the voice guidance key. Voice guidance is performed by the voice guidance means for performing the voice guidance, and according to the voice guidance, various image processing is performed according to the operation content set and operated by the operation means, and necessary for image processing such as operation of the operation means. When the no-operation time during which no operation is performed is counted by the energy saving transition timer and the energy saving transition timer counts the predetermined waiting time, the voice guidance key is used to switch to the energy saving mode for reducing power consumption. When switched to effective, power is supplied to the human body detecting means for detecting a human body within a predetermined range, and the presence or absence of the human body is detected. If the human body detection means detects a human body when the energy transfer timer has started counting no-operation time, it clears the time measurement of the energy saving transition timer, and when the voice guidance is invalid, to the human body detection means When the voice guidance is enabled while stopping the energization and reducing the power consumption, the energization to the human body detection means is started to enable the human body detection, while the human body detection means detects the human body. Clears the energy saving transition timer, reliably prevents inadvertent mode clearing by transitioning to the energy saving mode, and allows a visually impaired person to perform operations with ample ease of operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 2 is provided with an energy saving return key for instructing at least a return from the energy saving mode in the operating means, and returning from the energy saving mode based on the operation of the energy saving return key, and by operating the voice guidance key Can also be restored from the energy-saving mode, and when returning from the energy-saving mode by operating the voice guidance key, it is possible to save energy by operating the voice guidance key only by returning the power supply to the human body detection means. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which is set to a voice guidance effective mode with return from the mode and human body detection, prevents complicated operations, and has better operability for visually impaired persons.

  In the third aspect of the invention, the voice-saving guidance is valid and the power supply to the human body detecting means is being performed. By counting the warning time, the voice guidance means can output warning voice guidance to the effect that the time to shift to the energy saving mode is approaching, so that even visually impaired operators who have moved outside the detection range of the human body detection means By simply returning to the detection range of the human body detection means, such as in front of the image processing device, an inadvertent mode clear due to shifting to the energy saving mode can be prevented, and an image processing device with better operability for the visually impaired It is intended to provide.

  When the human body detecting means detects a human body while outputting the warning voice guidance, the invention clears the time of the non-operation time of the energy saving transition timer and also counts the time of the energy saving transition timer in the voice guidance means. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that is more operable for visually handicapped persons by outputting a voice guidance to the effect that it has been cleared so that the energy saving transition timer is cleared.

  The image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an operation unit that performs various setting operations, a voice guidance unit that performs voice guidance for performing various operations necessary for image processing such as a setting operation by the operation unit, A voice guidance key that switches between enabling / disabling voice guidance by the voice guidance means, and when the voice guidance is set to be valid by the voice guidance key, the voice guidance means performs voice guidance and And performing various image processing in accordance with the operation contents set and operated by the operation means, and measuring the no-operation time during which no operation necessary for image processing such as operation of the operation means is performed by an energy saving transition timer. When the energy saving transition timer times out a predetermined waiting time, the image shifts to the energy saving mode to reduce power consumption A human body detecting means for detecting a human body within a predetermined range, and when the voice guidance is effectively switched by the voice guidance key, supplying power to the human body detecting means to detect the presence or absence of a human body And when the human body detecting means detects a human body when the energy saving transition timer starts measuring the no-operation time, the above object is achieved by clearing the time counting of the energy saving transition timer. ing.

  In this case, for example, as described in claim 2, the operation means includes at least an energy saving return key for instructing a return from the energy saving mode, and the image processing apparatus is based on an operation of the energy saving return key. In addition to returning from the energy saving mode, when the voice guidance key is operated to return from the energy saving mode and when the voice guidance key is operated to return from the energy saving mode, supply of power to the human body detecting means is performed. It may be returned in a state of starting.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 3, the image processing apparatus is configured such that the energy saving transition timer is in the state where the voice guidance is valid and power is supplied to the human body detection unit. When the operation time is started and a predetermined warning time close to the waiting time is counted, the voice guidance means outputs a warning voice guidance to the effect that the transition time to the energy saving mode is approaching. Also good.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 4, when the human body detection unit detects the human body while outputting the warning voice guidance, the image processing apparatus measures the time of the no-operation time of the energy saving transition timer. In addition to clearing, the voice guidance means may output voice guidance to the effect that the timing of the energy saving transition timer has been cleared.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, when voice guidance is enabled by the voice guidance key, various operations necessary for image processing such as setting operations by the operation means for performing various setting operations are performed. Necessary for image processing such as operation of the operation means and performing various image processing according to the operation contents set and operated by the operation means according to the voice guidance. If the energy-saving transition timer measures the no-operation time during which no operation is performed, and the energy-saving transition timer counts the specified waiting time, voice guidance is used to switch to the energy-saving mode that reduces power consumption. When the switch is effectively switched, power is supplied to the human body detecting means for detecting a human body within a predetermined range to detect the presence or absence of the human body. In addition, when the energy saving transition timer starts counting the no-operation time, if the human body detection means detects the human body, the time counting of the energy saving transition timer is cleared. When the voice guidance is enabled while stopping the energization of the means and reducing the power consumption, the energization to the human body detection means is started to enable the human body detection, and the human body detection means detects the human body. The energy saving transition timer can be cleared while the camera is in operation, so that inadvertent mode clearing by shifting to the energy saving mode can be surely prevented, and even a visually handicapped person can operate with ease. The operability can be improved.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, the operation means is provided with an energy saving return key for instructing at least a return from the energy saving mode, and is returned from the energy saving mode based on the operation of the energy saving return key. The voice guidance key can also be used to return from the energy-saving mode, and when the voice guidance key is used to return from the energy-saving mode, power supply to the human body detection means is started. By only the operation, it is possible to prevent the complicated operation by setting the voice guidance effective mode with the return from the energy saving mode and the human body detection, and the operability can be further improved for the visually impaired.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, in a state where the voice guidance is valid and the power is supplied to the human body detection means, the energy saving transition timer starts measuring the no-operation time, When a predetermined warning time close to the waiting time is counted, the voice guidance means that the warning voice guidance indicating that the time to shift to the energy saving mode is approaching is output, so the operation of the visual impairment moved outside the detection range of the human body detection means For those who are visually impaired, it is possible to prevent inadvertent mode clearing by shifting to the energy-saving mode simply by returning to the detection range of the human body detection means such as in front of the image processing device. Can be improved.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the invention described in claim 4, when the human body detecting means detects a human body while outputting the warning voice guidance, the time of no operation time of the energy saving transition timer is cleared and the voice guidance means Since the voice guidance indicating that the timing of the energy saving transition timer has been cleared is output, it can be understood that the energy saving transition timer has been cleared, and operability can be further improved for visually impaired persons.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The scope of the present invention limits this invention especially in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.

  1 to 6 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 to which the first embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention is applied. It is.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 includes controllers such as a system controller 2, an engine controller 3, an I / O controller 4, a FAX controller 5, and an operation unit controller 6. The system controller 2 further includes a PSU (Power Supply). Unit: power supply unit 11, HDD (hard disk) 12, etc. are connected, and although not shown, a NIC (Network Interface Card), Centro, etc. are connected.

  The PSU 11 rectifies, smoothes, and steps down the commercial power source to generate various DC power sources used in the image forming apparatus 1 and heater power sources for lighting the heaters of the fixing unit, and in particular, the first conversion unit 11a. And a second converter 11b. The first conversion unit 11a supplies + 5VE power to each part of the image forming apparatus 1, and the second conversion unit 11b supplies + 5V and + 24V power to each part of the image forming apparatus 1. The HDD 12 temporarily stores image data.

  The engine controller 3 is connected to the system controller 2 and the I / O controller 4, and the reading controller 13, the writing controller 14, and the fixing unit 15 are connected to the engine controller 3. The reading control unit 13 controls the operation of a document reading unit (not shown) to read a document image with a predetermined resolution. The writing control unit 14 controls the electrophotographic image writing unit and causes the image writing unit to transfer the image to the photosensitive member based on the image data of the document read by the document reading unit and the image data received by facsimile. An electrostatic latent image is formed, toner is attached to the photoreceptor on which the electrostatic latent image is formed to form a toner image, and the toner image is transferred to a recording sheet. The fixing unit 15 is incorporated in the image writing unit, and heats and presses the recording paper onto which the toner image has been transferred by the image writing unit to fix the toner image on the recording paper.

  The I / O controller 4 is connected to the various units 16 such as various motors, clutches, and various sensors in the image forming apparatus 1, and outputs detection results of the various sensors to the engine controller 3. At the same time, based on a control signal from the engine controller 3, the operation of various motors, clutches and the like is controlled.

  Further, a public line is connected to the FAX controller 5, and the FAX controller 5 is connected to the system controller 2 and executes facsimile communication processing under the control of the system controller 2.

  The operation unit controller 6 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays and outputs various types of information and a display device unit 17 such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that is displayed by turning on / off the operation state, and a touch displayed on the LCD. Various key input units 18 such as a touch panel for inputting various keys for operating the image forming apparatus 1 by touching a button and a hard key switch for inputting various keys for operating the image forming apparatus 1 are connected. The operation unit controller 6, the display device unit 17, and the various key input units 18 constitute an operation unit (operation means) 19 as a whole.

  The operation unit controller 6 is connected to the system controller 2, and performs display processing on the display device 17 and key input processing of various key input units 18 under the control of the system controller 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 19 includes an LCD 21 with a touch panel, a power key (return key) 22, a start key 23, a clear / stop key 24, a numeric key 25, an interrupt key 26, a preheat key 27, and a program key 28. , An application switching key 29 for switching between copy, fax and printer functions provided in the image forming apparatus 1, various hard keys such as an initial setting key 30 and a voice guidance key 31, and an alert for displaying an alert such as jam or toner end A display unit 32, a human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 as a human body detection means, a speaker 34, and the like are provided, and a circuit block is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the operation unit 19 includes the operation unit controller 6, the power key 22, the voice guidance key 31, the LED matrix 41, the key matrix 42, the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33, the speaker 34, the LCD 21 with a touch panel including the LCD 21a and the touch panel 21b, and the like. The operation unit controller 6 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, an ARS power supply control unit 52, an audio control unit LSI 53, an amplifier (AMP) 54, an LCD / touch panel controller 55, and a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 56. A driver 57, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 58, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 59, and the like. The main part of the operation unit controller 6 is connected to the CPU bus 60.

  The operation unit controller 6 is a one-chip microcomputer, and the CPU 51 uses the RAM 59 as a work memory based on a program in the ROM 58 and communicates with the system controller 2 by a built-in communication function to control each unit of the operation unit 19. Then, the processing as the operation unit 19 is executed. The power key 22 and the voice guidance key 31 on the operation unit 19 are directly connected to the system controller 2, and the operation contents of the power key 22 and the voice guidance key 31 are directly input to the system controller 2.

  Under the control of the CPU 51, the audio control unit LSI 53 converts the audio data stored in the ROM 58 or the like into an analog signal, sends it to the amplifier 54, and the amplifier 54 amplifies the analog audio signal from the speaker 34. Output loudly. Therefore, the voice control unit LSI 53, the amplifier 54, and the speaker 34 function as voice guidance means as a whole.

  Under the control of the CPU 51, the LCD / touch panel controller 55 sequentially reads necessary display data from the VRAM 56 that stores the display data of the LCD 21a and displays it on the LCD 21a. In addition, the bias control of the touch panel 21b is performed via the driver 57 using port data. The CPU 51 directly detects the touch coordinate data of the touch panel 21b with the analog port.

  The operation unit 19 has its LEDs and various keys directly connected to the general-purpose port of the CPU 51, and the CPU 51 of the operation unit controller 6 performs lighting control and processing of input data.

  Further, the CPU 51 of the operation unit controller 6 is connected to an ARS power supply control unit 52 that controls the power supply of the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33. The ARS power supply control unit 52 is supplied with power supplies of + 5V and + 24V from the PSU 11. Have been supplied. The ARS power supply control unit 52 supplies / cuts off power to the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 under the control of the CPU 51.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 includes an LED 33a as a light emitting element and a phototransistor (p-Tr) 33b as a light receiving element, and detects the presence or absence of a human body as a detection object. Then, the detection result is output to the CPU 51. As the LED 33a, an infrared LED is used because of its human body detection performance.

  The ARS power supply control circuit 52 is configured as shown in FIG. 4, for example, and FIG. 4 shows a circuit configuration when the power supply of the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 is + 5V. .

  The ARS power supply control circuit 52 includes a transistor Tr1 for turning on / off +5 V, and a bias resistor R1 connected between the emitter and base of the transistor Tr1, and the base of the transistor Tr1 is connected to the PO port of the CPU 51. . Further, as described above, the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 includes the LED 33a and the phototransistor 33b, the LED 33a is connected to the ARS power supply control circuit 52, and the common connection portion between the LED 33a and the phototransistor 33b is grounded. The terminal of the phototransistor 33b opposite to the LED 33a is connected to + 5V and is connected to the PI port of the CPU 51.

  Now, when the CPU 51 drives the PO port to the “L” level, the base potential of the transistor Tr1 of the ARS power supply control circuit 52 also becomes “L”, the transistor Tr1 is turned on, and the human body detection sensor (ARS) Power is supplied to 33.

  When power is supplied to the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33, the LED 33a emits light, and the light emitted from the LED 33a is irradiated onto the human body that is the detection object, and the reflected light reflected by the human body is converted into a phototransistor. Incident on 33b. When the reflected light from the human body is incident, the phototransistor 33b is turned on, and the PI port of the CPU 51 becomes “L” level. Therefore, the CPU 51 indicates that there is a person in front of the image forming apparatus 1. Can be recognized.

  When the voice guidance key 31 on the operation unit 19 is pressed in the standby mode (standby mode), the image forming apparatus 1 can switch the voice guidance mode to selection / non-selection (valid / invalid). When the guidance mode is selected, the CPU 51 controls the ARS power supply control unit 52 to supply power to the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 as described above under the control of the system controller 2. In addition, when non-selection is selected in the selection / non-selection of the voice guidance mode, the CPU 51 drives the PO port to the “H” level under the control of the system controller 2, and the ARS power control unit 52 The transistor Tr1 is turned off to cut off the power supply to the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 has an energy saving mode (hereinafter referred to as an energy saving mode) in which power supplied to each unit is reduced or cut off to reduce power consumption. When the preset energy saving transition time has elapsed, the operation shifts to the energy saving mode. The transition to the energy saving mode is performed on the detection result of the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 as will be described later. It is controlled accordingly.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the standby mode, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment shifts to the energy saving mode when no preset operation is performed and a preset energy saving transition time has elapsed. Control is performed according to the detection result of the detection sensor (ARS) 33.

  That is, when the voice guidance mode is valid, that is, when power is supplied to the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33, the image forming apparatus 1 performs the energy saving mode transition control process as shown in FIG. Now, when the voice guidance key 31 is turned on and the voice guidance mode is valid, that is, when power is supplied to the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33, as shown in FIG. It is checked whether the 19 key is pressed or whether the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 is ON (detects a human body) (step S101), whether the key operation of the operation unit 19 is performed or the human body detection sensor (ARS). When the timer 33 is turned on, it is determined that the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 has been performed, or that a person is nearby and is about to perform the operation, and a timer that measures the transition time to the energy saving mode. A certain energy saving transition timer is cleared and the transition to the energy saving mode is not performed (step S102).

  In step S101, when no key operation is performed on the operation unit 19 and the output of the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 is also OFF, the system controller 2 does not operate the image forming apparatus 1, and It is determined that there is no person nearby, the energy saving transition timer is counted up (step S103), and it is checked whether the count value of the energy saving transition timer has reached a preset energy saving transition time (step S104).

  If the count value of the energy saving transition timer is not equal to the energy saving transition time in step S104, the system controller 2 ends the process without shifting to the energy saving mode, and the count value of the energy saving transition timer is saved in step S104. When the transition time is reached, the mode is shifted to the energy saving mode to reduce power consumption (step S105).

  Then, when the voice guidance key 31 is not turned on and the voice guidance is invalid, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not to shift to the energy saving mode using only the key operation of the operation unit 19 as a determination criterion. Even if there is a person in front of the image forming apparatus 1, if the key of the operation unit 19 is not operated, the energy saving transition timer is counted up, and when the energy saving transition time which is a specified time has elapsed, the energy saving mode is entered.

  Therefore, when a user who needs voice guidance, that is, a visually impaired person uses the image forming apparatus 1, the operation interval may be longer than that of a healthy person. However, as described above, the voice guidance key 31 is used. By enabling the voice guidance by pressing, the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 detects the operator when the operator is in front of the image forming apparatus 1 even if the key operation interval is extended. , Does not shift to energy saving mode. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can be operated with ease. Further, when the voice guidance is invalid, that is, when a healthy person performs an operation, the power supply to the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 is cut off, so that power consumption during operation can be reduced.

  When the mode is shifted to the energy saving mode, it is necessary to return from the energy saving mode. Conventionally, the power key 22 on the operation unit 19 also serves as the return key for returning from the energy saving mode. When is pressed, the system is restored from the energy saving mode.

  However, since the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes the voice guidance key 31 in the operation unit 19, the operation from the energy saving mode to the standby mode (standby mode) can be performed by operating (pressing) the voice guidance key 31. Return.

  Therefore, as described above, the two keys of the power key 22 and the voice guidance key 31 for making a return from the energy saving mode are directly connected to the system controller 2.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the power key 22 and the voice guidance key 31 have different return modes. For example, as shown in FIG. Is restored when the power supply to the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 is OFF and the voice guidance is invalid, and when the voice guidance key 31 is depressed, it is returned to the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33. The power supply is turned on and the voice guidance is enabled.

  In this way, when a visually handicapped person starts up the image forming apparatus 1, the operation of returning from the energy saving mode and the voice guidance valid setting operation can be performed simultaneously by one operation of pressing the voice guidance key 31. Can do.

  Then, the operation after the return is the same as described above, and in order to clarify that the return is in the voice guidance effective mode, the shape of the voice guidance key 31 is different from that shown in FIG. The shape is different from that of the key, and the position of the voice guidance key 31 is also set at the forefront and at the end.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment, when the voice guidance key 31 is set to enable voice guidance, various operations necessary for image processing such as setting operations in the operation unit 19 that performs various setting operations. The voice control unit LSI 53 that performs voice guidance for performing voice guidance through the speaker 34 performs various image processing according to the operation content set and operated by the operation unit 19 according to the voice guidance, and the operation unit 19. When no operation time required for image processing such as the above operation is not performed, the energy saving transition timer measures time, and when the energy saving transition timer times the predetermined waiting time, it shifts to the energy saving mode that reduces power consumption. At this time, when the voice guidance is effectively switched by the voice guidance key 31, a human body detection sensor (ARS) that detects a human body within a predetermined range. 3 to detect the presence or absence of a human body, and when the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 detects a human body while the energy saving transition timer starts measuring the no-operation time, the energy saving transition is performed. The timer timing is cleared.

  Therefore, when the voice guidance is invalid, the energization to the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 is stopped while the energization to the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 is stopped to reduce the power consumption. Start and enable human body detection, clear the energy saving transition timer while the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 detects the human body, and ensure the careless mode clear by shifting to the energy saving mode Therefore, even a visually handicapped person can perform a comfortable operation to improve operability.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with the power key 22 as a return key for instructing at least the return from the energy saving mode in the operation unit 19, and returns from the energy saving mode based on the operation of the power key 22. In addition, when the voice guidance key 31 is operated to return from the energy saving mode and when the voice guidance key 31 is returned from the energy saving mode, the supply of power to the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 is started. I am returning.

  Therefore, only by operating the voice guidance key 31, it is possible to set the voice guidance effective mode with the return from the energy saving mode and the human body detection to prevent a complicated operation and further improve the operability for the visually impaired. Can be made.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the energy saving mode transition control process by the image forming apparatus to which the second embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  The present embodiment is applied to an image forming apparatus similar to the image forming apparatus 1 similar to the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the first embodiment is described as necessary. The description will be made using the same reference numerals used in the description.

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment notifies that the transition time to the energy saving mode is approaching by voice guidance before the energy saving transition time elapses when the voice guidance mode is enabled.

  That is, when the voice guidance is valid and the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 is ON, the operator can detect the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 even if the transition to the energy saving mode is not performed. When the energy saving transition time elapses after moving out of the range, the mode shifts to the energy saving mode. When the mode is shifted to the energy saving mode, the mode setting up to that point is cleared, and re-operation is required, especially for visually impaired people. It becomes a burden.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment notifies that the transition time to the energy saving mode is approaching by voice guidance before the energy saving transition time elapses when the voice guidance mode is enabled.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, when the voice guidance key 31 is turned on and the voice guidance mode is valid, that is, the power is supplied to the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33, the image forming apparatus 1 The controller 2 checks whether the key of the operation unit 19 is pressed or whether the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 is ON (detects a human body) (step S201), and whether the key operation of the operation unit 19 is performed. When the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 is turned on, it is determined that the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 has been performed, whether a person is near and is performing the operation, and is in the middle of performing the operation. The energy saving transition timer for measuring the transition time is cleared, and the transition to the energy saving mode is not performed (step S202).

  In step S201, when no key operation is performed on the operation unit 19 and the output of the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 is also OFF, the system controller 2 does not operate the image forming apparatus 1, and It is determined that there is no person nearby, the energy saving transition timer is counted up (step S203), and it is checked whether the count value of the energy saving transition timer has reached a preset energy saving transition time (step S204).

  In step S204, when the count value of the energy saving transition timer is not equal to the energy saving transition time, the system controller 2 checks whether it is the energy saving transition guidance time (step S205). To do. For example, the energy saving transition guidance time is set to a time shorter by several seconds to tens of seconds than the energy saving transition time.

  In step S205, if it is the energy saving transition guidance time, the system controller 2 checks whether the energy saving transition guidance is in progress (step S206), and if it is already in the energy saving transition guidance, the process is ended as it is.

  If it is determined in step S206 that the energy saving transition guidance is not being executed, the system controller 2 converts the energy saving transition guidance voice data stored in the ROM 58 or the like into an analog signal, amplifies it by the amplifier 54, and outputs it from the speaker 34 (step S206). S207). This energy saving transition guidance is a voice guidance indicating that the transition to the energy saving mode is approaching.

  When the operator operating according to the voice guidance returns to the detectable range of the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 in accordance with the energy saving transition guidance, in step S201, the human body detection sensor (ARS). 33 detects the operator, and the system controller 2 clears the count value of the energy saving transition timer (step S202).

  In spite of performing the energy saving transition guidance, when the count value of the energy saving transition timer reaches the energy saving transition time in step S204, the system controller 2 shifts to the energy saving mode to reduce power consumption (step S208). .

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the energy saving transition timer counts the non-operation time while the voice guidance is valid and the power is supplied to the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33. When a predetermined warning time close to the waiting time is started, a warning voice guidance indicating that the time for shifting to the energy saving mode is approaching is output using the voice control unit LSI 53 to the speaker 34.

  Therefore, even for a visually impaired operator who has moved out of the detection range of the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33, it is possible to save energy by simply returning to the detection range of the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33, such as in front of the image forming apparatus 1. Inadvertent mode clearing caused by shifting to the mode can be prevented, and the operability can be further improved for the visually impaired.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the energy saving mode shift control process by the image forming apparatus to which the third embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  The present embodiment is applied to an image forming apparatus similar to the image forming apparatus 1 similar to the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the first embodiment is described as necessary. The description will be made using the same reference numerals used in the description.

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment notifies that the transition time to the energy saving mode is approaching by voice guidance before the energy saving transition time elapses when the voice guidance mode is enabled. After the voice guidance output indicating that the energy saving mode shift is approaching, when the operator moves within the detection range of the key operation or human body detection sensor (ARS) 33, the output of the energy saving mode shift guidance is interrupted and the energy saving shift is performed. Outputs voice guidance to the effect that the timer has been cleared.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when the voice guidance key 31 is turned on and the voice guidance mode is enabled, that is, the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on when the power is supplied to the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33. The controller 2 checks whether the key of the operation unit 19 is pressed or whether the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 is ON (detects a human body) (step S301), and whether the key operation of the operation unit 19 is performed, When the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 is turned on, it is determined whether the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 has been performed, whether a person is nearby, or is performing, and the energy saving transition guidance is provided. It is checked whether output is in progress (step S302).

  When the energy saving transition guidance is not being output in step S302, the system controller 2 clears the energy saving transition timer for measuring the transition time to the energy saving mode, and does not shift to the energy saving mode (step S303).

  If the energy saving transition guidance is being output in step S302, the system controller 2 interrupts the output of the energy saving transition guidance and outputs a voice guidance indicating that the energy saving transition timer has been cleared (step S304). Is cleared and the transition to the energy saving mode is not performed (step S303).

  In step S301, if no key operation is performed on the operation unit 19 and the output of the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 is also OFF, the system controller 2 does not operate the image forming apparatus 1, and It is determined that there is no person nearby, the energy saving transition timer is counted up (step S305), and it is checked whether the count value of the energy saving transition timer has reached a preset energy saving transition time (step S306).

  In step S306, when the count value of the energy saving transition timer is not equal to the energy saving transition time, the system controller 2 checks whether it is the energy saving transition guidance time (step S307). To do. For example, the energy saving transition guidance time is set to a time shorter by several seconds to tens of seconds than the energy saving transition time.

  In step S307, if it is the energy saving transition guidance time, the system controller 2 checks whether the energy saving transition guidance is being performed (step S308), and if it is already in the energy saving transition guidance, the processing is ended as it is.

  If it is determined in step S308 that the energy saving transition guidance is not in progress, the system controller 2 converts the energy saving transition guidance voice data stored in the ROM 58 or the like into an analog signal, which is amplified by the amplifier 54 and output from the speaker 34 (step). S309). This energy saving transition guidance is a voice guidance indicating that the transition to the energy saving mode is approaching.

  When the operator operating according to the voice guidance returns to the detectable range of the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 according to the energy saving transition guidance, in step S301, the human body detection sensor (ARS). 33 detects the operator, and in step S302, the energy saving transition guidance is being output. Therefore, the system controller 2 interrupts the output of the energy saving transition guidance and also provides a voice guidance to the effect that the energy saving transition timer has been cleared. It outputs (step S304), clears the energy saving transition timer, and does not shift to the energy saving mode (step S303).

  In spite of performing the energy saving transition guidance, when the count value of the energy saving transition timer reaches the energy saving transition time in step S306, the system controller 2 shifts to the energy saving mode to reduce power consumption (step S310). .

  As described above, when the human body detection sensor (ARS) 33 detects the human body while outputting the warning voice guidance, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment clears the time for measuring the no-operation time of the energy saving transition timer and the voice. A voice guidance to the effect that the time count of the energy saving transition timer has been cleared is output from the control unit LSI 53 to the speaker 34.

  Therefore, it can be understood that the energy saving transition timer has been cleared, and operability can be further improved for the visually impaired.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  For example, from the viewpoint of power saving, the normal timer use mode (normal mode) and the voice guidance mode can be set separately for the time measured by the transition timer to the low power mode, and the normal mode mainly reduces standby power. You may enable it to set.

  It can be applied by providing a human body detection means in general equipment having an energy saving mode and a voice guidance function for a visually impaired person.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus to which a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. The circuit block block diagram of the operation part of FIG. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of an ARS power supply control unit and a human body detection sensor in FIG. 3. 3 is a flowchart showing energy saving mode transition control processing by the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. Explanatory drawing of the return mode from the energy saving mode by a power key and a voice guidance key. 6 is a flowchart showing energy-saving mode transition control processing by the image forming apparatus to which the second embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention is applied. 10 is a flowchart showing energy-saving mode transition control processing by the image forming apparatus to which the third embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 System controller 3 Engine controller 4 I / O controller 5 FAX controller 6 Operation part controller 11 PSU
11a 1st conversion part 11b 2nd conversion part 12 Hard disk 13 Reading control part 14 Write control part 15 Fixing part 16 Each part 17 Display device part 18 Various key input parts 19 Operation part 21 LCD with a touch panel
21a LCD
21b Touch Panel 22 Power Key 23 Start Key 24 Clear / Stop Key 25 Numeric Keypad 26 Interrupt Key 27 Preheat Key 28 Program Key 29 Application Switch Key 30 Initial Setting Key 31 Voice Guidance Key 32 Alert Display Section 33 Human Body Detection Sensor (ARS)
33a LED
33b Phototransistor 34 Speaker 41 LED matrix 42 Key matrix 51 CPU
52 ARS power supply controller 53 Voice controller LSI
54 Amplifier 55 LCD / Touch Panel Controller 56 VRAM
57 Driver 58 ROM
59 RAM
60 CPU bus Tr1 transistor R1 bias resistor

Claims (4)

  Operation means for performing various setting operations, voice guidance means for performing voice guidance for performing various operations necessary for image processing such as setting operations at the operation means, and enabling / disabling of voice guidance by the voice guidance means A voice guidance key to be switched, and when the voice guidance is set to be valid by the voice guidance key, the voice guidance is performed by the voice guidance means, and the operation contents set and operated by the operation means according to the voice guidance In response to various image processing, the energy-saving transition timer measures the no-operation time during which no operation necessary for image processing such as operation of the operation means is performed, and the energy-saving transition timer counts a predetermined waiting time Then, the image processing apparatus shifts to an energy saving mode for reducing power consumption, and detects a human body within a predetermined range. When the voice guidance is effectively switched by the voice guidance key, the human body detection means is supplied with power to detect the presence or absence of a human body, and the energy saving transition timer is not operated. An image processing apparatus characterized by clearing the time measurement of the energy saving transition timer when the human body detection means detects a human body when the time measurement is started.   The operation means includes at least an energy saving return key for instructing a return from the energy saving mode, and the image processing device returns from the energy saving mode based on the operation of the energy saving return key, and the voice guidance key The power-saving mode is also restored by an operation, and when returning from the power-saving mode by operating the voice guidance key, the power-returning is started in a state of starting the supply of power to the human body detecting means. The image processing apparatus according to 1.   In the state where the voice guidance is valid and power is supplied to the human body detecting means, the image processing apparatus starts counting the no-operation time and waits for the waiting time. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined warning time is measured, the voice guidance means outputs a warning voice guidance indicating that the time for shifting to the energy saving mode is approaching. . When the human body detecting unit detects a human body while outputting the warning voice guidance, the image processing device clears the time of the no-operation time of the energy saving transition timer, and also stores the energy saving transition timer in the voice guidance unit. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a voice guidance to the effect that said time count is cleared is output.

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