JP5278583B2 - Image forming apparatus, human detection device for image forming apparatus, and control device for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique that reduces power consumption of an image forming apparatus as compared to the case where a plurality of human detection means are kept active all the time for human detection. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus is provided which includes; a first human detector 600 for detecting a human in a region obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal plane of the image forming apparatus; a second human detector 700, which requires more power than the first human detector 600, for detecting a human in a region above the detection region of the first human detector 600; and a determination unit 740 for commanding the second human detector 700 to return to a normal state from a power-saving state when the first human detector 600 detects a human while the image forming apparatus is in the power-saving mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2013,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a human detection device for the image forming apparatus, and a control device for the image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, in order to realize energy saving, when not in use, a device that waits in a power consumption state that is less than the power consumption when it is used, and returns from the standby state when a sensor detects that a person has approached Has been proposed.
For example, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a pyroelectric infrared sensor, and if the sensor signal of this pyroelectric infrared sensor is ON, the temperature of the fixing device is set to the temperature during the image forming operation. Cancel the power saving mode.
Further, the image processing apparatus of Patent Document 2 is configured as follows. In other words, in an image processing apparatus having a plurality of power modes including an energy saving mode and a normal mode in which the power supply state inside the apparatus is different, a power control unit that can operate in the energy saving mode and switches the power mode when a trigger is detected is provided. . In addition, a human body detection unit arranged to detect a human body approaching the apparatus for inputting a trigger, and a second human body detection arranged to detect a human body approaching the apparatus for a purpose different from the input of the trigger A part. The power supply control unit switches to the normal mode if the second human body detection unit does not detect the human body when the human body detection unit detects the human body in the energy saving mode. In addition, the power supply control unit maintains the energy saving mode if the second human body detection unit detects the human body when the human body detection unit detects the human body.

JP-A-6-242226 JP 2010-217303 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of reducing power consumption as compared with a case where a plurality of human detection means are activated in a state where humans can be detected during a power saving mode (energy saving mode). And

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus in a power saving state, the first person detecting means for detecting a person in a first region obliquely below the horizontal plane of the image forming apparatus, and the first person detection requires high power consumption than unit, and the two detecting means for detecting a human in a second region which does not overlap with the upper and and the first region than the detection region of the first person detecting means, the first person detecting means There when detecting a human, a first image forming apparatus including, an instruction unit for giving an instruction to return the second person detecting means from the power saving state.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, when viewed from above, the detection range of the second person detection means is present inside the detection range of the first person detection means. The image forming apparatus described.
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that at least one of the first person detecting means and the second person detecting means is provided in plural, and the respective detection ranges are different. An image forming apparatus.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the first person detection means is disposed on one end side in the lateral direction of the apparatus when viewed from above, and the other end side is disposed on the first person detection means. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus does not have a detection range of 1.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the first person detection means includes a pyroelectric sensor that detects infrared rays emitted by a person using a pyroelectric effect, and the second person detection means emits light. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reflective sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that receives light.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second person detecting unit can change a detectable distance as a detection range. It is.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the human detection device for an image forming apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus in a power saving state, the human detection device for the image forming apparatus is relative to a horizontal plane of the image forming apparatus. a first person detection means for detecting a human in a first region of the obliquely downward, and the first person requires high power consumption than detecting means, the first person upward a and the first region than the detection region of the detection means a second person detection means for detecting a human in a second region which does not overlap, an instruction unit for the first person detection means when detecting a human, first an instruction to return the second person detecting means from the power saving state , A human detection device for an image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 8 is connected to an image forming apparatus in a power saving state provided with a human detection means for detecting a person, and controls a power state of the image forming apparatus based on a human detection result by the human detection means. In the control device for an image forming apparatus, the person detecting means includes a first person detecting means for detecting a person in a first region obliquely below the horizontal plane of the image forming apparatus, and the first person detecting means. A second person detecting means for detecting a person in a second area that requires high power consumption and is above the detection area of the first person detecting means and does not overlap the first area, and for the image forming apparatus control device, when the first person detection means detects a human, first is the control apparatus for an image forming apparatus including, an instruction unit for giving an instruction to return the second person detecting means from the power saving state .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the amount of power consumption as compared with a case where a plurality of person detecting means are activated in a state where a person can be detected during the power saving state.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce power consumption while suppressing false detection as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, erroneous detection is less likely to occur than when the present invention is not adopted.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a person who intends to operate the apparatus can be detected with higher accuracy than when the present invention is not adopted.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce power consumption while suppressing false detection as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the detection range can be set corresponding to the user as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a human detection device for an image forming apparatus having higher detection accuracy of a person who intends to use the apparatus than when the present invention is not adopted.
According to the invention of claim 8, compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted, the control to switch from the power saving state to the normal operation state by detecting a person can be performed with further reduced false detection.

1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state which the front cover opened. It is a figure which shows the back surface side of a support part cover. (A) is an enlarged view in the VA part of FIG. (B) is sectional drawing of the VB-VB part of (a). (C) is sectional drawing of the VC-VC part of (a). It is a figure which shows the detection range of the human detection apparatus in the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a 2nd person detection part. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a permeable member. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a support part cover. It is sectional drawing of the XX part in FIG. It is a block diagram of a person detection device. (A) is a figure which shows the area | region where the light emission part of a reflective sensor light-emits, and the area | region where a light-receiving part receives light. (B) is the light emission intensity distribution of the light emitting part. (C) is a received light intensity distribution of the light receiving unit. It is a figure which shows the position assumed that the user who operates a user interface and the user who takes the paper loaded on the 1st stacking tray or the 2nd stacking tray are located. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the power saving mode cancellation | release process which CPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the transfer process to the power saving mode which CPU performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the transfer process to the power saving mode of the other form which CPU performs. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on another form. (A)-(c) is a figure explaining the case where the 1st person detection part was provided with two or more and each detection range was made into the different range. (A)-(c) is a figure explaining the case where the 2nd person detection part was provided with two or more and each detection range was made into a different range. It is the figure explaining the relationship between the board | substrate mounted in an image forming apparatus, and the 1st board | substrate which mounts the pyroelectric sensor of a human detection apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.
The image forming apparatus 1 is an example of an operated apparatus, and an image reading apparatus 100 that reads an image of a document, and an image that records an image on a recording material (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “paper” as a representative). And a recording device 200. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control device 300 that controls the operation of the entire device, a touch panel, and the like. A user interface (UI) 400 that outputs and presents information from the control device 300 to the user is provided.
The image reading apparatus 100 is disposed on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 1, and the image recording apparatus 200 is disposed on the lower side of the image reading apparatus 100 and incorporates a control device 300. The user interface 400 functions as an example of an operation unit operated by a person, and is disposed on the front side of the upper part of the image forming apparatus 1, that is, on the front side of an image reading unit 110 described later of the image reading apparatus 100.

First, the image reading apparatus 100 will be described.
The image reading apparatus 100 includes an image reading unit 110 that reads an image of a document, and a document transport unit 120 that transports the document to the image reading unit 110. The document conveying unit 120 is disposed at the upper part of the image reading apparatus 100, and the image reading unit 110 is disposed at the lower part of the image reading apparatus 100.
The document transport unit 120 includes a document storage unit 121 that stores a document, and a document discharge unit 122 that discharges a document transported from the document storage unit 121, and the document is transferred from the document storage unit 121 to the document discharge unit 122. Transport.

The image reading unit 110 includes a platen glass 111, a light irradiation unit 112 that irradiates light on a reading surface (image surface) of a document, and light L is irradiated from the light irradiation unit 112 to a reading surface of the document. A light guide unit 113 that guides the reflected light L reflected by the surface to be read and an imaging lens 114 that forms an optical image of the light L guided by the light guide unit 113 are provided. The image reading unit 110 includes a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor that photoelectrically converts the light L imaged by the imaging lens 114, and detects an optical image that has been imaged. And an image processing unit 116 that is electrically connected to the detection unit 115 and to which an electrical signal obtained by the detection unit 115 is transmitted.
The image reading unit 110 reads an image of a document transported by the document transport unit 120 and an image of a document placed on the platen glass 111.

Next, the image recording apparatus 200 will be described.
The image recording apparatus 200 includes an image forming unit 20 that forms an image on a sheet, a sheet supply unit 60 that supplies the sheet P to the image forming unit 20, and a sheet P on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 20. A paper discharge unit 70 for discharging the paper, and a reverse conveyance unit 80 that reverses the front and back of the paper P on which one side of the image P is formed by the image forming unit 20 and conveys the paper P toward the image forming unit 20 again. ing.

  The image forming unit 20 includes four image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) that are arranged in parallel at regular intervals. It has. Each image forming unit 21 predetermines an electrostatic latent image formed by laser irradiation by a photosensitive drum 22, a charger 23 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 22, and an optical system unit 50 described later. And a developing unit 24 that develops and visualizes the obtained color component toner. Further, the image forming unit 20 is provided with toner cartridges 29Y, 29M, 29C, and 29K for supplying toner of each color to the developing devices 24 of the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K.

  The image forming unit 20 includes an optical system unit 50 that irradiates the photosensitive drum 22 of the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K with laser light below the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K. Yes. The optical system unit 50 includes a semiconductor laser and a modulator (not shown), a polygon mirror (not shown) that deflects and scans laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser, and a glass window (not shown) that passes the laser light. And a frame (not shown) for sealing each component.

  The image forming unit 20 includes an intermediate transfer unit 30 that multiplex-transfers the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 22 of the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K onto the intermediate transfer belt 31, and an intermediate transfer unit. A secondary transfer unit 40 that transfers the toner image formed on the paper 30 to the paper P; and a fixing device 45 that fixes the toner image formed on the paper P by heating and pressing. .

  The intermediate transfer unit 30 includes an intermediate transfer belt 31, a drive roller 32 that drives the intermediate transfer belt 31, and a tension roller 33 that applies a constant tension to the intermediate transfer belt 31. Further, the intermediate transfer unit 30 has a plurality of (this embodiment) for transferring the toner images formed on the photosensitive drum 22 facing each photoconductor drum 22 and the intermediate transfer belt 31 on the intermediate transfer belt 31. In this embodiment, four primary transfer rollers 34 and a backup roller 35 opposed to a secondary transfer roller 41 described later via an intermediate transfer belt 31 are provided.

The intermediate transfer belt 31 is stretched around a plurality of rotating members such as a drive roller 32, a tension roller 33, a plurality of primary transfer rollers 34, a backup roller 35, and a driven roller 36. The intermediate transfer belt 31 is circulated and driven at a predetermined speed in the direction of the arrow by a drive roller 32 that is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown). As the intermediate transfer belt 31, for example, a belt formed of rubber or resin is used.
Further, the intermediate transfer unit 30 includes a cleaning device 37 that removes residual toner and the like existing on the intermediate transfer belt 31. The cleaning device 37 removes residual toner, paper dust, and the like from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 31 after the toner image transfer process is completed.

The secondary transfer unit 40 includes a secondary transfer roller 41 that is provided at the secondary transfer position and presses the backup roller 35 via the intermediate transfer belt 31 to secondary-transfer the image onto the paper P. The secondary transfer position where the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31 is transferred to the paper P by the secondary transfer roller 41 and the backup roller 35 facing the secondary transfer roller 41 via the intermediate transfer belt 31 is Composed.
The fixing device 45 fixes the image (toner image) secondarily transferred by the intermediate transfer unit 30 on the paper P using heat and pressure by the heat fixing roller 46 and the pressure roller 47.

  The paper supply unit 60 includes a paper storage unit 61 that stores paper on which an image is recorded, a feed roll 62 that sends out the paper P stored in each of the paper storage units 61, and a paper P that is sent out by the feed roll 62. Are conveyed along the conveying path 63, and conveying rolls 64, 65, and 66 that convey the paper P disposed along the conveying path 63 and sent out by the delivery roll 62 to the secondary transfer position.

The paper discharge unit 70 is provided above the image forming unit 20, and includes a first stacking tray 71 for stacking sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit 20, and the first stacking tray 71 and the image reading unit. And a second stacking tray 72 which is provided between the apparatus 100 and stacks sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit 20.
The paper discharge unit 70 is provided downstream of the fixing device 45 in the transport direction, and is provided on a transport roll 75 that transports the paper P on which the toner image is fixed, and on the downstream side of the transport roll 75 in the transport direction. And a switching gate 76 for switching the transport direction of the paper P. Further, the paper discharge unit 70 supplies the paper P, which is transported to one side (right side in FIG. 2) of the transport direction switched by the switching gate 76, to the first stacking tray 71 downstream of the switching gate 76 in the transport direction. A first discharge roll 77 for discharging is provided. Further, the paper discharge unit 70 has a transport roll 78 that transports the paper P transported to the other side (upper side in FIG. 2) of the transport direction switched by the switching gate 76 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the switching gate 76. And a second discharge roll 79 for discharging the paper P conveyed by the conveyance roll 78 to the second stacking tray 72.

  The reverse conveyance unit 80 conveys the reversed paper P to the side of the fixing device 45 by rotating the conveyance roll 78 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the paper P is discharged to the second stacking tray 72. A reverse conveyance path 81 is provided. A plurality of transport rolls 82 are provided in the reverse transport path 81 along the reverse transport path 81. The paper P transported by these transport rolls 82 is sent again to the secondary transfer position by the transport rolls 82.

The image recording apparatus 200 includes an apparatus main body frame 11 that directly or indirectly supports the image forming unit 20, the paper supply unit 60, the paper discharge unit 70, the reverse conveyance unit 80, and the control device 300, and the apparatus main body. And an apparatus housing 12 which is attached to the frame 11 and forms the outer surface of the image forming apparatus 1.
The apparatus main body frame 11 includes a switching gate 76, a first discharge roll 77, a transport roll 78, a second discharge roll 79, and the like on the one end side in the horizontal direction of the image forming apparatus 1. A reading device support portion 13 that extends in the direction and supports the image reading device 100 is provided. The reading device support unit 13 supports the image reading device 100 in cooperation with a back portion of the device main body frame 11.

The image recording apparatus 200 includes a front cover 15 that is provided on the front side of the image forming unit 20 as a part of the apparatus housing 12 and that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body frame 11.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which the front cover 15 is opened.
The user can replace the intermediate transfer unit 30 and the toner cartridges 29Y, 29M, 29C, and 29K of the image forming unit 20 with new ones by opening the front cover 15.

The image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above operates as follows.
A document image read by the image reading apparatus 100 or image data received from a personal computer (not shown) is subjected to predetermined image processing. The image data subjected to the image processing is yellow (Y), It is converted into color material gradation data of magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and is output to the optical system unit 50.

  The optical system unit 50 emits laser light emitted from a semiconductor laser (not shown) to a polygon mirror via an f-θ lens (not shown) in accordance with the input color material gradation data. In the polygon mirror, incident laser light is modulated in accordance with gradation data of each color, deflected and scanned, and the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K are passed through an imaging lens (not shown) and a plurality of mirrors. Irradiate the photosensitive drum 22.

  On the photoreceptor drums 22 of the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K, the surface charged by the charger 23 is scanned and exposed to form an electrostatic latent image. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) in each of the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K. Is done. The toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 22 of the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K are multiplex-transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt 31 that is an intermediate transfer member.

  On the other hand, in the paper supply unit 60, the feeding roll 62 rotates in accordance with the timing of image formation, picks up the paper P stored in the paper storage unit 61, and is transported by the transport rolls 64 and 65 through the transport path 63. Is done. Thereafter, the transport roll 66 rotates in accordance with the movement timing of the intermediate transfer belt 31 on which the toner image is formed, and the paper P is transported to the secondary transfer position formed by the backup roller 35 and the secondary transfer roller 41. . At the secondary transfer position, the toner image on which four colors are multiplexed is sequentially transferred in the sub-scanning direction using the pressure contact force and a predetermined electric field on the paper P conveyed from below to above. Is done. The paper P on which the toner images of the respective colors have been transferred is discharged after being subjected to a fixing process by heat and pressure by the fixing device 45 and is stacked on the first stacking tray 71 or the second stacking tray 72.

  When there is a request for double-sided printing, the paper P on which an image is formed on one side is conveyed by the reverse conveying unit 80 so that the front and back are reversed, and is sent again to the secondary transfer position. Then, at the secondary transfer position, the toner image is transferred to the other surface of the paper P, and the image transferred by the fixing device 45 is fixed. Thereafter, the paper P on which images are formed on both sides is discharged and stacked on the first stacking tray 71 or the second stacking tray 72.

Next, the power mode of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
The image forming apparatus 1 has a plurality of power modes (operation modes) with different power consumption. As an example of the power mode, a warm-up mode when the power switch is turned on and the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on, a run mode for executing the generated job, and a standby for the generation of the job are waited for. There are a standby mode and a power saving mode for reducing power consumption. Hereinafter, the run mode may be referred to as a normal mode as a mode that operates in a normal operation state. In the standby mode and the power saving mode, the power supplied to the image forming unit 20 or the like is stopped or reduced below the amount of power in the normal mode. Accordingly, the power consumption amount in the power saving mode is lower than the power consumption amount in the normal mode.
In the case where the image forming apparatus 1 includes an authentication device such as an IC card reader that performs user authentication, power may be supplied to the authentication device in the standby mode.

Control device 300 returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode when a predetermined return condition is satisfied. The return condition is, for example, reception (acquisition) of data from an external device or reception (acquisition) of a signal indicating that a person has been detected from a second human detection unit 700 of the human detection device 2 described later. Can be illustrated.
On the other hand, the control device 300 shifts from the normal mode to the power saving mode when a predetermined power saving condition is satisfied. Examples of the power saving conditions include a job completion for data received (acquired) from an external device, and a signal indicating that no person has been detected from the second human detection unit 700 of the human detection device 2 (non-detection). It is possible to exemplify that a predetermined period has elapsed since the reception (acquisition) of the signal) and the reception (acquisition) of the non-detection signal from the second person detection unit 700.
Thus, the control device 300 functions as an example of a switching unit that switches between the normal mode as the first power state and the power saving mode as the second power state.

Next, a mechanism for detecting a person (human body) and returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode will be described.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a human detection device 2 (see FIG. 1) that detects a person (human body). The human detection device 2 is always supplied with power even in the power saving mode, and a first human detection unit 600 as an example of a first human detection unit that detects that a person has entered a predetermined area; When the first person detection unit 600 detects the entry of a person, power is supplied, and a second person detection as an example of a second person detection unit that detects the presence of a person in a predetermined area. Part 700. When the second person detection unit 700 detects that a person is present in a predetermined area, the second person detection unit 700 outputs a signal indicating that the person has been detected to the control device 300.

  Here, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a support unit cover 500 that covers the front surface of the reading device support unit 13 on the front side of the reading device support unit 13. The support cover 500 is a part of the apparatus housing 12 and functions as an outer surface forming member that forms an outer surface on the front side of the apparatus that is assumed to be located by a person operating the user interface 400. The support cover 500 is a plate-like member and is fixed directly or indirectly to the apparatus main body frame 11. The human detection device 2 is attached to the back side of the support portion cover 500.

First, the first person detection unit 600 will be described.
The first person detection unit 600 detects that a person has entered a predetermined region (detection range A1 shown in FIG. 6) by detecting infrared rays of a specific wavelength emitted by the person using the pyroelectric effect. To detect. The first human detection unit 600 includes a pyroelectric element, a lens, an IC, a printed circuit board, and the like, detects a change amount of infrared rays that occurs when a person moves, and the detected change amount exceeds a predetermined reference value. A pyroelectric sensor 610 for detecting that a person has entered a predetermined area, and a first substrate 630 which is a printed circuit board on which the pyroelectric sensor 610 is mounted. .
When the pyroelectric sensor 610 is mounted on the first substrate 630 and detects that a person has entered a predetermined region, the pyroelectric sensor 610 outputs a signal to that effect.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the back side of the support portion cover 500.
As shown in FIG. 4, the first substrate 630 is fixed to the back side of the support cover 500 with bolts 640. Thereby, the pyroelectric sensor 610 mounted on the front side of the first substrate 630 is indirectly fixed to the apparatus main body frame 11.
5A is an enlarged view of the VA portion of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the VB-VB portion of FIG. 5A. FIG.5 (c) is sectional drawing of the VC-VC part of Fig.5 (a).
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a detection range of the human detection device 2 in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. 6A is a diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 viewed from the front side, FIG. 6B is a diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 viewed from above, and FIG. It is the figure seen from the direction.

The support cover 500 is formed using a fixed mold and a movable mold movable relative to the fixed mold, and the relative movement direction of the movable mold with respect to the fixed mold is parallel to the horizontal direction from the back side toward the near side. It is attached to the apparatus main body frame 11 so as to be. The support cover 500 has a female screw portion 501 into which a bolt 640 for fastening the first substrate 630 is screwed so that its center line direction is parallel to the relative movement direction of the movable die with respect to the fixed die. It has been.
The pyroelectric sensor 610 is attached to the support cover 500 via the first substrate 630 so that the center line direction is the center line direction of the female screw portion 501, in other words, the horizontal direction from the back side toward the near side. ing. The detection range of the pyroelectric sensor 610 is a predetermined angle (displayed as an angle α in FIGS. 5 and 6) that is symmetrical in all directions with respect to the center direction. That is, when the direction in which the detection surface is directed is the central direction, the angular range of the omnidirectional angle α with respect to the central direction is the detection range of the pyroelectric sensor 610.

In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the detection range of the pyroelectric sensor 610 is indicated by hatching in FIG. 6 by disposing the support cover 500 on the front side of the pyroelectric sensor 610. It is limited to a range, and this range is set as a detection range A1 of the first person detection unit 600.
In other words, the support cover 500 is arranged on the front side of the pyroelectric sensor 610, and the inside and outside of the support cover 500 is only inside and below the center position of the pyroelectric sensor 610 in the vertical direction. An opening 502 as an example of a penetrating through hole is formed, and the pyroelectric sensor 610 is covered except for the portion. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the focal distance is set such that the horizontal distance from the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 toward the near side on the floor surface on which the image forming apparatus 1 is placed becomes the specified distance L1. The position of the opening 502 with respect to the electric sensor 610 is determined. Examples of the specified distance L1 include, for example, about 0.8 m to 1.3 m (800 mm to 1300 mm). In addition, the support cover 500 is provided with an inclined portion 503 that is inclined obliquely downward and rearward with respect to a horizontal plane when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 1, and an opening 502 is formed in the inclined portion 503. .

Regarding the detection range in the horizontal direction, the positions of both ends in the horizontal direction of the opening 502 are symmetrically determined in advance with respect to the central direction to which the detection surface of the pyroelectric sensor 610 is directed (FIG. 5, In FIG. 6, the angle range (shown as an angle α) is set to a position that does not block. However, a plurality of ribs 502 a that connect the upper wall and the lower wall of the opening 502 are provided in a plurality of lateral portions of the opening 502.
As a result, the detection range A1 of the first human detection unit 600 in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is set in a region obliquely below the horizontal plane, which is indicated by the oblique lines in FIG. In this way, the support cover 500 is arranged on the front side of the pyroelectric sensor 610 so as to cover a part of the detection range of the pyroelectric sensor 610, and only obliquely downward from the position where the pyroelectric sensor 610 is provided. The detection range A1 of the first person detection unit 600 is widened by setting the range to be detectable so that, for example, a passerby who does not plan to use the image forming apparatus 1 is detected. Suppressed.

  Further, since the opening 502 is formed in an inclined portion 503 that is inclined obliquely downward and rearward with respect to a horizontal plane provided in the support portion cover 500, the opening 502 and the pyroelectric sensor 610 are difficult to see from the user. Thus, the appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 is prevented from being damaged due to the presence of the opening 502. Further, the first person detection unit 600 sets the area on the near side of the image forming apparatus 1 as the detection range A1 and does not set the first stacking tray 71 and the second stacking tray 72 as the detection range. The detection unit 600 is prevented from detecting the paper P discharged toward the stacking trays 71 and 72. In addition, since the pyroelectric sensor 610 is arranged so that its central direction is parallel to the horizontal line from the back side toward the near side, compared to a configuration in which the central direction is inclined with respect to the horizontal line. The pyroelectric sensor 610 and the first substrate 630 can be easily assembled to the support cover 500, and the shape of the support cover 500 can be easily formed.

Next, the second person detection unit 700 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the second person detection unit 700. FIG. 4 also shows a state where the second person detection unit 700 is attached to the back side of the support unit cover 500.
The second human detection unit 700 includes an infrared reflective reflective sensor 710 having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and a reflective sensor substrate 720 (see FIG. 4), which is a printed circuit board on which the reflective sensor 710 is mounted. And a support member 730 that supports the reflective sensor 710 and the reflective sensor substrate 720.

The reflective sensor 710 includes a light emitting unit 711 that emits light using an infrared light emitting diode as a light emitting element, a light receiving unit 712 that uses a photodiode as a light receiving element, and a housing 713 that supports the light emitting unit 711 and the light receiving unit 712. And a harness (not shown) for supplying power to the light emitting unit 711 and the light receiving unit 712 and transmitting an output signal from the light receiving unit 712.
As shown in FIG. 4, the reflective sensor 710 and the reflective sensor substrate 720 are attached to the support member 730, and the support member 730 is fixed to the back surface side of the support portion cover 500 with a bolt 731.

  In addition, the second person detection unit 700 includes a determination unit 740 (see FIG. 11) that determines whether a person is present based on the voltage output from the reflective sensor 710. The determination unit 740 compares the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710 (which may be a voltage obtained by amplifying this voltage) and a predetermined reference voltage, and when the output voltage exceeds the reference voltage, there is a person. Judge that. Then, the determination unit 740 outputs a signal indicating that there is a person to the control device 300. In addition, electric power is supplied to the reflective sensor 710 and a notification unit 751 described later based on a signal from the determination unit 740 that a person is present. As will be described later, the determination unit 740 is provided on the first substrate 630, and power is supplied when the first person detection unit 600 detects the entry of a person.

  The second person detection unit 700 includes a notification unit 751 that notifies the user that a person has been detected by emitting light when the determination unit 740 determines that the reflection sensor 710 has detected a person, and a notification A light guide plate 752 (see FIG. 8), which is a plate that uniformly emits light emitted from the unit 751. The notification unit 751 includes a light emitting diode (LED) 751a that is a semiconductor element that emits light, and a notification unit substrate 751b that is a control board on which the light emitting diode 751a is mounted, and the notification unit substrate 751b is the back surface of the support unit cover 500. It is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 by being fixed to the side with a bolt 753.

In addition, the second person detection unit 700 includes a transmission member 760 that transmits infrared rays received and emitted by the reflection sensor 710 on the front side of the reflection sensor 710.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the transmission member 760.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the support cover 500.
The transmissive member 760 is a black member that makes it difficult for the human eye to see the light emitting portion 711 and the light receiving portion 712 of the reflective sensor 710, and is made of polycarbonate. Further, the transmissive member 760 is a plate-like member, and is attached to the support portion cover 500 so that the surface on the near side becomes the same height as the surface of the support portion cover 500.

10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XX in FIG.
FIG. 6 also shows the detection range A2 of the reflective sensor 710.
The reflective sensor 710 emits infrared light from the light emitting unit 711 toward a predetermined area on the near side of the user interface 400 of the image forming apparatus 1, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit 712. The detection range A2 of the reflective sensor 710 is set to a range in which a person who exists in an assumed range where a person who operates the user interface 400 is assumed to be located is detected. When viewed from above, the detection range A2 of the reflective sensor 710 is an area within the detection range A1 of the first human detection unit 600 described above (see FIG. 6B). That is, the reflection type sensor 710 has, for example, 20 degrees toward the user interface 400 with respect to a horizontal line in which the optical axes of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 711 and the light received by the light receiving unit 712 are directed from the back side to the front side. It is attached to the support cover 500 so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle (indicated as an angle β in FIG. 6) such as ˜50 degrees. In other words, the light emitting unit 711 is configured so that the lateral detection range of the image forming apparatus 1 becomes wider so that a person located on the near side of the user interface 400 of the image forming apparatus 1 can be detected with higher accuracy. And the optical axis of the light which light-receiving part 712 receives / emits is attached so that it may incline with respect to the horizontal line which goes to a near side from a back side.
In the detection range A2 of the second human detection unit 700 (reflection sensor 710), the horizontal distance from the front side to the front side from the front surface of the image forming apparatus 1 is a specified distance L2 (see FIG. 6). It is set to become. For example, the specified distance L2 may be about 0.3 m to 0.5 m (300 mm to 500 mm).

The specified distance L2 may be changed by operating a button provided in the image forming apparatus 1, for example.
For example, in the case of a wheelchair user, the posture is such that the body is directed to the image forming apparatus 1 not in the front direction but in a direction perpendicular to the front direction. At this time, the wheelchair user may not be detected by the reflective sensor 710 due to being out of the detection range A2 of the reflective sensor 710. In such a case, it is effective to increase the specified distance L2 of the reflective sensor 710. For example, when the specified distance L2 is initially set to 0.3 m, it can be changed to 0.6 m (600 mm). By doing in this way, even in the case of a wheelchair user, it becomes easier to be detected by the reflective sensor 710. However, in the case of a wheelchair user, the operation position for operating the document set or the user interface 400 may be out of the detection range A2 even in this way. However, since the specified distance L2 of the reflective sensor 710 is increased, the user can easily detect the position by holding the hand in front and can operate without changing the operation position. Also, in a wide office space, by increasing the specified distance L2 of the reflective sensor 710 as described above, even when a user (person) hurries to access the image forming apparatus 1, the reflective sensor 710 can be used more quickly. Detected. Therefore, the user (person) can operate the user interface 400 with higher responsiveness.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the human detection device 2.
The first substrate 630 and the reflective sensor substrate 720 are a power supply from the first substrate 630 to the reflective sensor 710, and a determination unit 740 (instruction means) provided on the first substrate 630 from the reflective sensor 710. It is connected via an electric wire (harness) (not shown) that transmits the output to. The first substrate 630 and the notification unit substrate 751b are connected via an electric wire (harness) (not shown) that carries power from the first substrate 630 to the notification unit 751.

  When the first substrate 630 acquires a signal indicating that the human body output from the pyroelectric sensor 610 has been detected, power is supplied to the reflective sensor 710 and the determination unit 740 for a predetermined period T1. An allowable power supply permission unit 650 (transmission means) is provided. The power supply permission unit 650 rises in synchronization with a rising edge of a signal indicating that a human body is detected from the pyroelectric sensor 610, and generates a signal that maintains a high level for a predetermined period T1. It can be illustrated that it is a multivibrator. Moreover, as predetermined period T1, it can be illustrated that it is 30 seconds.

  Further, as described above, the pyroelectric sensor 610 and the determination unit 740 are provided on the first substrate 630. The determination unit 740 can exemplify that the comparator 740 compares the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710 with a predetermined reference voltage and is an element whose output is switched depending on which is larger. When the determination unit 740 determines that a person is present based on the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710, that is, when the reflective sensor 710 detects a person, the control unit 300 transmits a signal indicating that the person is present. Output. In addition, power is supplied to the reflective sensor 710, the notification unit 751, and itself based on a signal from the determination unit 740 indicating that a person is present.

In the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above, when the first person detection unit 600 detects a person, the power supply permission unit 650 reflects the reflection of the second person detection unit 700 during a predetermined period T1. The power supply to the mold sensor 710 and the determination unit 740 is allowed. When the second person detection unit 700 detects a person within a predetermined period T1, that is, when the determination unit 740 has an output voltage from the reflective sensor 710 that exceeds the reference voltage, there is a person. If it is determined, a signal indicating that a person has been detected is output to the control device 300. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode in the control device 300. In addition, power is supplied to the reflective sensor 710 and the determination unit 740 of the second person detection unit 700 over the above-described predetermined period T1. In addition, power is supplied to the notification unit 751 of the second person detection unit 700.
On the other hand, when the second person detection unit 700 does not detect a person within the predetermined period T1, the supply of power to the reflective sensor 710 and the determination unit 740 of the second person detection unit 700 is stopped. The

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the pyroelectric sensor 610 of the first human detection unit 600 is turned on even during the power saving mode (power is supplied to the pyroelectric sensor 610). When the first person detection unit 600 detects a person, the second person detection unit 700 is turned on (power is supplied to the reflective sensor 710 and the like). And when the 2nd person detection part 700 detects a person within the predetermined period T1 after the 1st person detection part 600 detects a person, the signal to that effect is output to the control apparatus 300, Return from power saving mode to normal mode. On the other hand, when the second person detection unit 700 does not detect a person within the period T1, the power of the second person detection unit 700 is turned off.

Here, the first human detection unit 600 and the second human detection unit 700 are compared.
The power consumption of the reflective sensor 710 of the second human detection unit 700 is 0.255 W, whereas the power consumption of the pyroelectric sensor 610 of the first human detection unit 600 is 0.006 W, and the reflection This is about 2.4% of the power consumption of the mold sensor 710. The time required from when the power is off until power is supplied and the human body can be detected is 2 to 3 seconds for the reflective sensor 710 or 1 second or less for the reflective sensor 710. The mold sensor 610 is about 30 seconds, and is longer than the reflective sensor 710.
As shown in FIG. 6, the detection range A1 of the first human detection unit 600 is wider than the detection range A2 of the second human detection unit 700 (reflection type sensor 710), and the second human detection unit 600 when viewed from above. The detection range A2 of the human detection unit 700 is within the region of the detection range A1 of the first human detection unit 600.

  As described above, the pyroelectric sensor 610 of the first person detection unit 600 is a sensor that detects that a person has entered the detection range A1 based on the amount of change in infrared rays that occurs when the person moves. When the person is stopped, no detection is made even if the stop position is within the detection range A1. Accordingly, the first person detection unit 600 may not be able to detect the person if the person is stopped even if the person is present on the near side of the user interface 400 of the image forming apparatus 1. On the other hand, the reflective sensor 710 of the second person detection unit 700 detects the front side of the user interface 400 as a detection range A2, and detects a person who is stopped when the person is present in the detection range A2. To do.

Due to the difference in characteristics between the pyroelectric sensor 610 of the first human detection unit 600 and the reflective sensor 710 of the second human detection unit 700, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has the following advantages. There is.
That is, as in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the first human detection unit 600 that is always turned on during the power saving mode detects a person, the second human detection unit 700 is powered on. When the second person detection unit 700 detects a person, it is turned on and is configured to return from the power saving mode, so that the power consumption of the second person detection unit 700 is always higher than that in the power saving mode. It becomes possible to reduce electric power.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is more unlikely to be used than a device that returns from the power saving mode when the first person detection unit 600 having a wide detection range detects a person. This makes it possible to reduce so-called false detection, in which a dog or a dog is erroneously detected to return from the power saving mode. That is, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the first person detection unit 600 having a wide detection range detects a person, the second person detection unit 700 is turned on, and the detection range is narrow. When the second person detection unit 700 detects a person, it is possible to reduce false detection by adopting a configuration that returns from the power saving mode. That is, according to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect a person who intends to use the image forming apparatus 1 with higher accuracy and return from the power saving mode.

  In addition, the reflective sensor 710 of the second human detection unit 700 has a short time required to detect a human body after power is supplied from a power-off state, for example, less than 1 second. It is possible to return from the power saving mode earlier than the configuration of returning from the power saving mode by pressing a power saving cancel button provided in 400 or near the user interface 400. In addition, it is possible to reduce the effort of pressing the power saving release button. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the convenience for the user and increase the merchantability.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the human detection device 2 is attached to the support portion cover 500 that forms the front outer surface of the reading device support portion 13. On the other hand, since the user interface 400 and the front cover 15 exist in the front side portion of the image forming apparatus 1, it is conceivable to attach the human detection device 2 to these. However, since many components such as buttons, a screen, and a board are packed in a small space in the user interface 400, it is not easy to place the human detection device 2 further. Further, the front cover 15 is opened and closed in order to attach / detach the toner cartridges 29Y, 29M, 29C, 29K and the like housed in the apparatus housing 12, for example. Therefore, it is difficult to mount the front cover 15 so as not to interfere with the attachment / detachment path of the components mounted in the apparatus housing 12. Further, considering the state in which the front cover 15 is opened, the length of the harness may be increased. Thus, by arranging the human detection device 2 on the reading device support unit 13, the device configuration can be simplified as compared with the configuration of the user interface 400 or the front cover 15.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 711 and the light receiving unit 712 of the reflective sensor 710 of the second person detecting unit 700 are arranged in the vertical direction, thereby providing the following advantages. .
FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating a region where the light emitting unit 711 of the reflective sensor 710 emits light and a region where the light receiving unit 712 receives light. FIG. 12B is a light emission intensity distribution of the light emitting unit 711. FIG. 12C shows the received light intensity distribution of the light receiving unit 712.
The light emitting region of the light emitting unit 711 of the reflective sensor 710 is a region of plus or minus 5 degrees centered on the optical axis, and the light receiving region of the light receiving unit 712 is a region of plus or minus 5 degrees centered on the optical axis. . In addition, as shown in FIG. 12B, the light emission intensity distribution of the light emitting unit 711 is a distribution in which the light emission intensity at the center portion around the optical axis is large and the light emission intensity gradually attenuates toward the outside in the radial direction. It becomes. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 12C, the light receiving intensity distribution of the light receiving unit 712 is a distribution in which the light receiving intensity at the center portion around the optical axis is large, and the light receiving intensity gradually attenuates toward the outside in the radial direction. It becomes.

  Therefore, in the direction in which the light emitting unit 711 and the light receiving unit 712 are arranged, there is a region that is a light emitting region but not a light receiving region (for example, point A in FIG. 12A), and in this region, the light emitting unit 711 emits light. Although the light hits, the light receiving unit 712 hardly receives the light, so that it is difficult to detect a person. Similarly, there is a region that is a light receiving region but not a light emitting region (for example, point B in FIG. 12A). In such a region, although the light receiving unit 712 receives light, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 711 hits it. It is difficult to detect people because it is difficult. Further, in a region where the light emission intensity of the light emitting section 711 is high but the light reception intensity of the light receiving section 712 is small (for example, point C in FIG. 12A), the light reception intensity of the light receiving section 712 is small, so that light is transmitted. It is difficult to detect people because it is difficult to receive light. Similarly, in a region where the light receiving intensity of the light receiving part 712 is high but the light emitting intensity of the light emitting part 711 is small (for example, point D in FIG. 12A), the light emitting intensity of the light emitting part 711 is small, thereby detecting a person. It becomes difficult to do.

On the other hand, regarding the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the light emitting unit 711 and the light receiving unit 712, the optical axis of the light emitting unit 711 and the optical axis of the light receiving unit 712 are basically on the same straight line. The light emitting area and the light receiving area are basically the same, and the light intensity and the light intensity distribution are basically the same.
As described above, the reflective sensor 710 detects a person with higher accuracy in a wider range in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the light emitting unit 711 and the light receiving unit 712 than in the arrangement direction of the light emitting unit 711 and the light receiving unit 712. It becomes possible to do.

On the other hand, considering the usage pattern of the image forming apparatus 1, the user usually moves in the lateral direction of the image forming apparatus 1 or approaches from the near side and is positioned in front of the user interface 400. Conceivable. It is unlikely that the user will move up and down the image forming apparatus 1.
In view of these matters, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the reflective sensor 710 is arranged such that the arrangement direction of the light emitting unit 711 and the light receiving unit 712 is the vertical direction. As a result, the reflective sensor 710 moves in the horizontal direction and tries to be positioned in front of the user interface 400 as compared with the case where the light emitting unit 711 and the light receiving unit 712 are arranged in the horizontal direction. It becomes possible to detect the user who performs it earlier.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, there is an advantage described below by turning on the notification unit 751 when the second person detection unit 700 detects a person.
The user recognizes that the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is canceled and the amount of power consumption is larger than that of the power saving mode by seeing that the notification unit 751 is turned on. Thereby, when the second person detection unit 700 detects a person, the notification unit 751 is turned on, so that the second person detection unit 700 detects the position where the user exists, and the power saving mode is detected. You can expect to learn how will be lifted. As a result, the user moves so as not to be detected by the second human detection unit 700 when only the paper P loaded on the first stacking tray 71 or the second stacking tray 72 is picked up. Can be encouraged.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the second person detection unit 700 is easy to detect when the user (person) operates the user interface 400, and the user (person) is the first stacking tray. 71 or the second stacking tray 72 is placed at a position that is difficult to detect when taking the paper P loaded on the second stacking tray 72. It is possible to move so as not to be detected by the human detection unit 700.

  That is, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the first stacking tray 71 and the second stacking tray 72 are disposed between the image forming unit 20 and the image reading apparatus 100, and the first discharge roll 77. The second discharge roll 79 is provided on the stacking trays 71 and 72 side of the reader support unit 13 disposed on one end side (left side in FIG. 1) in the horizontal direction. The paper P is discharged toward 72. In the second person detection unit 700, the light emitting unit 711 and the light receiving unit 712 are arranged on the one end side in the lateral direction (left side in FIG. 1), and the area on the near side of the arranged end side Is the detection range A2.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating positions where it is assumed that a user who operates the user interface 400 and a user who takes the paper P stacked on the first stacking tray 71 or the second stacking tray 72 are positioned.
Since the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has the above-described arrangement configuration, as shown in FIG. 13, the paper P stacked on the first stacking tray 71 or the second stacking tray 72 is picked up. It is possible to expect that only the user will act without being detected by the second person detection unit 700. Therefore, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection of detecting a user who only comes to pick up the paper P stacked on the stacking trays 71 and 72.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the first person detection unit 600 is easy to detect when the user (person) is approaching the user interface 400, and the user (person) is Since it is installed at a position where it is difficult to detect when the paper P stacked on the first stacking tray 71 or the second stacking tray 72 is picked up, the user who only comes to pick up the paper P stacked on the stacking trays 71 and 72 However, it is possible to move so as not to be detected by the first person detection unit 600.

  That is, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the first stacking tray 71 and the second stacking tray 72 are disposed between the image forming unit 20 and the image reading apparatus 100, and the first discharge roll 77. The second discharge roll 79 is provided on the stacking trays 71 and 72 side of the reader support unit 13 disposed on one end side (left side in FIG. 1) in the horizontal direction. The paper P is discharged toward 72. And the 1st person detection part 600 is arrange | positioned at the said one edge part side (left side in FIG. 1) in the horizontal direction, and makes the area | region of the near side of the arrange | positioned edge part the detection range A1. The first person detection unit 600 does not set the other end side as the detection range of the first person detection unit 600. That is, the first human detection unit 600 is provided so that the position facing the user interface 400 across the user interface 400 is not set as the detection range A1 when viewed from above. In other words, the first person detection unit 600 is provided so as not to set the position adjacent to the stacking trays 71 and 72 as the detection range A1 when viewed from above.

  Since the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has such an arrangement, as shown in FIG. 13, the paper P stacked on the first stacking tray 71 or the second stacking tray 72 is picked up. It is possible to expect a user who just comes to act without being detected by the first person detection unit 600. As a result, the first person detection unit 600 detects a user who only needs to pick up the paper P stacked on the stacking trays 71 and 72, and turns on the power of the reflective sensor 710 and the like. Can be suppressed.

  In addition, the first person detection unit 600 sets the area on the near side of the image forming apparatus 1 as the detection range A1 and does not set the first stacking tray 71 and the second stacking tray 72 as the detection range. The human detection unit 600 is restrained from detecting the paper P discharged toward the stacking trays 71 and 72. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the first person detection unit 600 from detecting the paper P discharged toward the stacking trays 71 and 72 and turning on the power source of the reflective sensor 710 and the like. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the determination unit 740 and the power supply permission unit 650 are configured by hardware is described as an example. However, the configuration is not necessarily limited to such a configuration and is similar to the above. Any configuration is possible as long as it can operate. For example, it may be configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory and operated by software. The power may be supplied to the CPU and the memory when the first person detection unit 600 detects a person.

A procedure of the power saving mode release process when the determination unit 740 and the power supply permission unit 650 are configured by a CPU and a memory will be described.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of power saving mode cancellation processing performed by the CPU. When the first person detection unit 600 detects a person, power is supplied to the CPU and the power is turned on. When the power is turned on, the CPU executes this power saving mode canceling process.

  First, the CPU sets a predetermined period T1 as a timer (step (hereinafter, simply referred to as “S”) 101), and starts supplying power to the reflective sensor 710 (S102). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710 exceeds a predetermined reference voltage (S103). When the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710 exceeds a predetermined reference voltage (Yes in S103), a signal indicating that the second person detection unit 700 has detected a person is output to the control device 300. (S104). As a result, the power saving mode is canceled and the image forming apparatus 1 returns from the power saving mode. Further, power is supplied to the notification unit 751, and the notification unit 751 is turned on (S105).

  On the other hand, if the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710 does not exceed a predetermined reference voltage (No in S103), it is determined whether or not the period T1 has elapsed (S106). When the period T1 has elapsed (Yes in S106), the power supply to the reflective sensor 710 is stopped (S107), and the power supply to the CPU itself is also stopped (S108). On the other hand, when the period T1 has not elapsed (No in S105), the processing after S103 is performed.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process for shifting to the power saving mode performed by the CPU. After the power saving mode is canceled by the power saving mode releasing process described above, that is, after the second person detection unit 700 outputs a signal indicating that the person has been detected to the control device 300 in S104, the CPU executes this process. It is repeatedly executed every predetermined period.
First, the CPU determines whether or not the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710 is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference voltage (S201). When the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710 is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference voltage (Yes in S201), the control unit 300 indicates that the second person detection unit 700 has not detected a person. A signal (non-detection signal) is output (S202). As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 shifts to the power saving mode. Further, the power supply to the notification unit 751 is stopped, and the notification unit 751 is turned off (S203). Further, the power supply to the reflective sensor 710 is stopped (S204), and the power supply to the CPU itself is also stopped (S205).

Further, unlike the process of shifting to the power saving mode described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 15, the second person detection unit 700 stops detecting a person and shifts to the power saving mode after a predetermined period T2. May be.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a transition process to another mode of power saving performed by the CPU.
First, the CPU determines whether or not the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710 is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference voltage (S301). When the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710 becomes equal to or lower than the reference voltage (Yes in S301), the power supply to the notification unit 751 of the second person detection unit 700 is stopped and the notification unit 751 is turned off ( S302), the period T2 is set as a timer (S303). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the period T2 has elapsed (S304). When the period T2 has elapsed (Yes in S304), the control unit 300 outputs a signal indicating that the second person detecting unit 700 has not detected a person (S305). As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 shifts to the power saving mode. Further, the power supply to the reflective sensor 710 is stopped (S306), and the power supply to the CPU itself is also stopped (S307).

  On the other hand, when the period T2 has not elapsed (No in S304), it is determined whether or not the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710 exceeds a predetermined reference voltage (S308). If the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710 exceeds the reference voltage (Yes in S308), power is supplied to the notification unit 751, the notification unit 751 is turned on (S309), and the timer for the period T2 is reset ( S310). On the other hand, when the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710 does not exceed a predetermined reference voltage (No in S308), the processing from S304 is performed.

  In the transition process to the power saving mode described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 16, after the time T2 has elapsed after the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710 becomes equal to or lower than the reference voltage, the CPU Although the second person detection unit 700 outputs a signal indicating that no person is detected, the present invention is not particularly limited to this mode. When the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710 is equal to or lower than the reference voltage (Yes in S301), the CPU outputs a signal to the control device 300 that the second person detection unit 700 has not detected a person. Then, after receiving the signal to that effect, the control device 300 measures the period T2 by itself and saves power when the second person detection unit 700 does not receive the signal that the person has been detected again within the period T2. You may enter mode.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to another embodiment.
When the image forming apparatus 1 includes another user interface 450 arranged so as to be orthogonal to the floor surface in addition to the user interface 400 provided so as to be parallel to the floor surface, The other user interface 450 may be arranged such that the human detection device 2 is arranged between the user interface 400 and the other user interface 450.

  As a result, the first person detection unit 600 can detect both a person who approaches the user interface 400 and a person who approaches the other user interface 450 with high accuracy. In addition, it is possible to detect with high accuracy both a person who wants to operate the user interface 400 and a person who wants to operate another user interface 450 by the second person detection unit 700.

  In the above-described embodiment, the optical axis of the light received and emitted by the light emitting unit 711 and the light receiving unit 712 of the reflective sensor 710 of the second human detection unit 700 is relative to the horizontal line from the back side toward the near side. However, in the case of having a plurality of user interfaces, the present invention is not particularly limited to such a mode. The detection range A2 of the second person detection unit 700 may be arranged so as to be an area between the area on the near side of the user interface 400 and the area on the near side of the other user interface 450. Thereby, it is possible to detect with high accuracy both a person who wants to operate the user interface 400 and a person who wants to operate another user interface 450.

In the above-described embodiment, the human detection device 2 is exemplified by an apparatus including two detection units, ie, a first human detection unit 600 and a second human detection unit 700 having different detection ranges and power consumption amounts. However, it is not particularly limited to such an embodiment. That is, the human detection device 2 may include a plurality of human detection units having different detection ranges and power consumption. For example, it is possible to detect people by supplying power to the human detection unit with the second largest detection range when the human detection unit with the widest detection range has detected people by providing three human detection units with different detection ranges. When the human detection unit having the second widest detection range detects a person, power is supplied to the human detection unit having the narrowest detection range to enable human detection. When the person detection unit with the narrowest detection range detects a person, the fact is output to the control device 300 so that the image forming apparatus 1 is returned from the power saving mode. In such a configuration, if the power consumption of the human detection unit with the narrowest detection range is larger than the power consumption of the other human detection units, the human detection unit with the narrowest detection range is always in the power saving mode. It is possible to reduce the amount of power consumption compared to a configuration for supplying power.
That is, in this embodiment, a plurality of at least one of the first person detection unit 600 and the second person detection unit 700 are provided, and the respective detection ranges are different.

FIGS. 18A to 18C are diagrams illustrating a case where a plurality of first human detection units 600 are provided and the detection ranges are different from each other.
Compared to the case of FIG. 6, the second person detection unit 700 is provided at one place similarly to the case of FIG. 6, and the same applies to the detection range A <b> 2.
On the other hand, two first person detection units 600 are provided at the same location. The detection range A1 occupies different ranges. In FIG. 18, for convenience of explanation, the ranges are illustrated as a detection range A11 and a detection range A12. Here, the detection range A11 is set such that a horizontal distance from the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 toward the near side on the floor surface on which the image forming apparatus 1 is placed becomes the specified distance L11. . The detection range A12 is set such that the horizontal distance from the front side to the near side on the floor surface on which the image forming apparatus 1 is placed is the specified distance L12. Here, the specified distance L12 is larger than the specified distance L11 (L12> L11), and the detection range A12 is a range farther from the front surface of the image forming apparatus 1 than the detection range A11. Regarding the detection range in the horizontal direction, both the detection range A11 and the detection range A12 are symmetric angles (shown as an angle α in FIG. 18), and are the same.

  Thus, by providing a plurality of first person detection units 600 and setting the detection ranges to be different, the image forming apparatus 1 can be returned from the power saving mode more quickly. That is, a person who intends to use the image forming apparatus 1 is detected when entering the detection range A12 of the first person detection unit 600 first. Then, it is detected when it enters the detection range A11 of the first human detection unit 600, and further detected when it enters the detection range A2 of the second human detection unit 700. Thereby, the approach of the user (person) can be grasped step by step, and the person who intends to use the image forming apparatus 1 can be more reliably discriminated. Then, in each mechanism part in the image forming apparatus 1, those that start up relatively slowly start up when they enter the detection range A <b> 11 of the first human detection unit 600, and those that start up relatively fast are the second ones. If the image forming apparatus 1 is started up when entering the detection range A2 of the human detection unit 700, the image forming apparatus 1 can be returned from the power saving mode more quickly.

  Regarding the detection range of the first human detection unit 600, the specified distance can be set to a desired value by changing the position, size, angle, and the like of the opening 502 (see FIG. 5) and the inclined portion 503 (see FIG. 5). The value can be set. The horizontal detection range can be similarly set to a desired value by changing the position and size of the opening 502.

FIGS. 19A to 19C are diagrams illustrating a case where a plurality of second person detection units 700 are provided and each detection range is set to a different range.
Compared to the case of FIG. 6, the first human detection unit 600 is provided at one place as in the case of FIG. 6, and the same applies to the detection range A <b> 1.
On the other hand, two second person detection units 700 are provided at the same location. The detection range A1 occupies different ranges. In FIG. 19, for convenience of explanation, the ranges are illustrated as a detection range A21 and a detection range A22. Here, the detection range A21 is arranged so as to be inclined at an angle β toward the user interface 400 with respect to a horizontal line from the back side toward the near side, and from the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 toward the front side. The direction distance is set to be the specified distance L21. On the other hand, the detection range A21 is arranged in parallel to the horizontal line from the back side to the near side, and the horizontal distance from the back side to the near side from the front surface of the image forming apparatus 1 is the specified distance L22. It is set to become.

  In this way, by providing a plurality of second person detection units 700 and setting the respective detection ranges to be different, a person approaching the image forming apparatus 1 can be detected by any one of the plurality of second person detection units 700. It only has to be detected. Therefore, a person who intends to use the image forming apparatus 1 can be detected more reliably.

  In addition, about the detection range of the 2nd person detection part 700, it can change by changing the attachment direction of the reflective sensor 710 about the angle. For example, when the determination unit 740 is a comparator as described with reference to FIG. 11, the specified distance can be changed by changing the reference voltage compared with the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710. That is, setting the reference voltage low increases the specified distance, and conversely setting the reference voltage high decreases the specified distance.

  In the human detection device 2 according to the above-described embodiment, the first human detection unit 600 detects the person as an opportunity to supply power to the second human detection unit 700. It is not limited to the aspect which concerns. For example, as a device that detects that a person is approaching the detection range A2 of the second human detection unit 700, instead of the first human detection unit 600, the device is more than the detection range A2 of the second human detection unit 700. A vibration detection sensor that detects vibrations in a wide range and consumes less power than the power consumption of the second human detection unit 700 is provided. When the vibration detection sensor detects vibrations when a person approaches, You may make it supply electric power to the person detection part 700. FIG. Further, instead of the first person detection unit 600, a temperature sensor that detects that a person is approaching due to a change in temperature, a fluorescent lamp, and the like are turned on, so that the periphery of the image forming apparatus 1 is brightened. A brightness sensor to be detected may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first person detection unit 600 and the second person detection unit 700 that detects a person in a range narrower than the detection range A1 of the first person detection unit 600 are provided. In the human detection device 2, the amount of power required for the first person detection unit 600 to detect a person is smaller than the amount of power required for the second person detection unit 700 to detect a person, The second person detection unit 700 is supplied with the power necessary to detect the person when the first person detection unit 600 detects the person, and enters a state where the person can be detected, and detects the person. In this case, the human detection apparatus 2 that outputs a signal indicating that the detection has been performed is provided in the image forming apparatus 1 including the image reading apparatus 100 and the image recording apparatus 200, but is not particularly limited to the image forming apparatus 1. It is preferable to apply the human detection device 2 having such a function to any device that can reduce the amount of power consumption when it is not used compared to when it is used. Examples of such devices include image forming apparatuses such as printers, scanners, and facsimiles, or image output apparatuses, vending machines, automatic ticket gates, and the like.

Persons who do not use equipment such as offices, factories, warehouses, stores, hotels, stations, airports, harbors, parking lots, roadsides, walkways, markets, photosensitive facilities, event venues, schools, libraries, government offices, and other public facilities It is preferable to provide the human detection device 2 in a device installed in a place where there is a possibility of passing near the device.
In other words, the human detection device 2 is a device that requires a sufficient amount of power when used and can reduce power consumption more than when it is used when it is not used, without using it with a person who uses this device. The present invention is preferably applied to a device installed in a place where people passing near the device are mixed.
By providing the human detection device 2 in devices installed in these places, it is possible to reduce power consumption and improve convenience.

  Further, when the human detection device 2 is provided in the above-described device such as the image forming device 1, it is not always necessary to incorporate it in the device. For example, the human detection device 2 may be configured as a separate device from the above-described device and connected by, for example, a harness. Also, some components of the human detection device 2, for example, the first human detection unit 600 may be incorporated in the device, and other components may be separate from the device. If the human detection device 2 is configured as a separate device from the above device, the connection form between the human detection device 2 and the above device can transmit that the human detection device 2 has detected a person. Any form may be sufficient and it may be wired or wireless.

Further, it is preferable that the human detection device 2 operates independently even when incorporated in a device such as the image forming device 1.
FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the substrate mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 and the first substrate 630 (see FIG. 4) on which the pyroelectric sensor 610 of the human detection device 2 is mounted.
As the substrate shown in FIG. 20, in addition to the first substrate 630, there are a centralized control substrate 310 and a relay substrate 350 placed between the centralized control substrate 310 and the first substrate 630.

  The first substrate 630 is provided with a pyroelectric sensor 610, a power supply allowance unit 650, and a determination unit 740. Further, the reflection sensor 710 and the notification unit 751 are connected to the first substrate 630. Has been. This configuration is the same as that of the first substrate 630 described with reference to FIG. On the other hand, the first substrate 630 in FIG. 20 is provided with a voltage dividing circuit 660 that receives information from the relay substrate 350.

  The centralized control board 310 is, for example, a board of a control device 300 (see FIG. 2) that controls the operation of the entire device, and constitutes a part of the control device 300. The relay board 350 is a board for exchanging information between the central control board 310 and the first board 630. Although only one is shown in FIG. In order to exchange information with the substrate provided in each mechanism unit of the image forming apparatus 1, a plurality of them are usually provided. As described with reference to FIG. 4, for example, the first substrate 630 is provided on the back surface side of the support cover 500, and the central control substrate 310 and the relay substrate 350 are provided in other locations in the image forming apparatus 1. ing.

  Here, the information received by the voltage dividing circuit 660 of the first substrate 630 is, for example, the specified distance L2 of the detection range A2 of the reflective sensor 710. As described above, when the specified distance L2 is changed by, for example, the user operating a button provided on the image forming apparatus 1, the information is obtained from the central control board 310 to the voltage dividing circuit 351 of the relay board 350. Is transmitted to the voltage dividing circuit 660 of the first substrate 630. Further, this information is transmitted to the determination unit 740. For example, when the determination unit 740 is a comparator as described with reference to FIG. 11, the reference voltage to be compared with the output voltage from the reflective sensor 710 is changed. Thereby, the specified distance L2 can be changed.

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 740 determines that a person has been detected by the reflective sensor 710, the information is transmitted to the centralized control board 310 via the relay board 350 as a signal indicating that a person has been detected. . As a result, the control device 300 starts up each mechanism unit of the image forming apparatus 1, and the image forming apparatus 1 returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

  Thus, by providing the first substrate 630 separately from the centralized control substrate 310, the human detection device 2 can operate independently even when the control device 300 is not operating in the power saving mode. Therefore, power consumption can be further reduced.

In the case where the first substrate 630 is configured separately from the image forming apparatus 1 or the like, the first substrate 630 can also be regarded as a control device that controls the device.
In this case, the first substrate 630 is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 that is the image forming apparatus 1 that is operated by a person and includes the person detecting device 2 that detects the person. The human detection device 2 is a control device that controls the power state of the image forming apparatus 1 based on the first human detection unit 600 that is supplied with power and detects a person in the second power state, and the first human detection unit 600. In addition to detecting a person in a range narrower than the detection range of the human detection unit 600, the amount of power necessary for detecting the person is greater than the amount of power required for the first human detection unit 600 to detect the person. A large second person detection unit 700, and the control device detects the person when the first person detection unit 600 detects a person when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the second power state. Power supply that transmits the amount of power necessary to detect a person to the detection unit 700 When the container 650 and the second person detection unit 700 supplied with the amount of power required to detect a person detect the person, the image forming apparatus 1 changes from the second power state to the first power state. And a determination unit 740 for instructing to switch to a function as a control device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Human detection apparatus, 11 ... Apparatus main body frame, 12 ... Apparatus housing, 13 ... Reading apparatus support part, 15 ... Front cover, 20 ... Image forming part, 30 ... Intermediate transfer unit, 40 ... Secondary transfer unit 45 ... fixing device 50 ... optical system unit 60 ... paper supply unit 70 ... paper discharge unit 80 ... reverse conveying unit 100 ... image reading device 200 ... image recording device 300 ... control device , 400, 450 ... user interface (UI), 500 ... support part cover, 600 ... first person detection part, 700 ... second person detection part

Claims (8)

In an image forming apparatus in a power saving state,
First person detecting means for detecting a person in a first area obliquely below the horizontal plane of the image forming apparatus;
A second person detection means for detecting the first person requires high power consumption than sensing means, the human in the second region which does not overlap with the upper and and the first region than the detection region of the first person detecting means,
When the first person detection means detects a person, first , an instruction means for giving an instruction to return the second person detection means from the power saving state;
An image forming apparatus including: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when viewed from above, the detection range of the second person detection unit exists inside the detection range of the first person detection unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first person detection unit and the second person detection unit is provided in a plurality, and each detection range is different. The first person detecting means is arranged on one end side in the lateral direction of the apparatus when viewed from above, and the other end side is not set as a detection range of the first person detecting means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The first person detection means includes a pyroelectric sensor that detects infrared rays emitted by a person using a pyroelectric effect,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second person detecting unit includes a reflective sensor having a light emitting unit that emits light and a light receiving unit that receives light. 6. . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second person detecting unit can change a detectable distance as a detection range. In a human detection device for an image forming apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus in a power saving state,
The human detection device for the image forming apparatus is:
First person detecting means for detecting a person in a first area obliquely below the horizontal plane of the image forming apparatus;
A second person detection means for detecting the first person requires high power consumption than sensing means, the human in the second region which does not overlap with the upper and and the first region than the detection region of the first person detecting means,
When the first person detection means detects a person, first , an instruction means for giving an instruction to return the second person detection means from the power saving state;
A human detection device for an image forming apparatus. In a control device for an image forming apparatus that is connected to an image forming apparatus in a power saving state provided with a person detecting means for detecting a person and controls a power state of the image forming apparatus based on a person detection result by the person detecting means. ,
The person detecting means is
First person detecting means for detecting a person in a first area obliquely below the horizontal plane of the image forming apparatus;
A second person detection means for detecting the first person requires high power consumption than sensing means, the human in the second region which does not overlap with the upper and and the first region than the detection region of the first person detecting means,
Including
The control device for the image forming apparatus is:
When the first person detection means detects a person, first , an instruction means for giving an instruction to return the second person detection means from the power saving state;
A control device for an image forming apparatus.

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