JP6550990B2 - Power control apparatus and image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a power control apparatus and an image processing apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a sensor signal detector monitors a signal from a power switch or the like in a power saving state, and controls energization / shutdown of power supply according to the timing of the signal. Patent Document 2 discloses a technology in which power is supplied to a second sensor when a first sensor detects a moving object, and transition from a sleep mode to a specific mode is performed when a second sensor confirms the approach of the moving object. Has been.

JP 2004-139008 A JP 2014-99205 A

  For example, in some image processing apparatuses having a scanning function, the power saving mode is canceled when a platen (a portion of the scanner that presses a document) is opened. In this apparatus, for example, when it is determined using the detection result of the open / close sensor that detects the open / close of the platen when the open / close sensor is monitored as in the technique of Patent Document 1, the platen is opened during the power saving mode. The open / close sensor continues to consume power. Therefore, when the technology of Patent Document 2 is applied and the supply of power to the open / close sensor is performed based on the detection result of another sensor with lower power consumption, the power consumption in the power saving mode can be suppressed as a whole.

However, if, for example, the previous user has left the platen open, as soon as power is supplied to the open / close sensor, it is detected that the platen is open, and the power saving mode is erroneously in spite of the absence of the user. Will be released.
Therefore, the present invention has an object to suppress the power saving mode being released when there is no user who uses the device while suppressing the power consumption for obtaining information that triggers the device to release the power saving mode. I assume.

The power control apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention has a first state that appears at the start of use of the device as a state of the device in the first mode and a second state that appears at the end of use of the device. A first detection unit that detects and does not perform the detection in the second mode; a storage unit that stores a detection result of the first detection unit; The second detection unit detects the mode of the first detection unit and the second detection unit whose power consumption is smaller than the reduction amount of power consumption when changing from the 1 mode to the second mode, and the second detection unit detects the approach or operation A switching unit for switching to the second mode when the device enters the power saving mode in the first mode when detected, and a detection result by the first detection unit performed after the switching to the first mode; The memory before the device enters power saving mode And the detection result stored is a release portion for releasing the power saving mode when the condition is met in the case where the second condition is detected after switching to the first mode wherein the conditions Even if it is determined that the first condition is not detected after the switching, the detection result stored in the storage unit before the device enters the power saving mode indicates the first condition. And a release unit that determines that the condition is not satisfied .

Power control device according to claim 2 of the present invention, in the structure according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the detection result indicating the first state before said device is power-saving mode In addition, when the second state is detected after switching to the first mode, the stored detection result is overwritten on the detection result representing the second state.

The power control apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention, in the first mode, performs a first output representing the state when detecting the state appearing at the start of use of the apparatus, and ends the use of the apparatus. If a state that appears is detected, a second output indicating the state is output, and in the second mode, the first detection unit that does not perform the detection, detects a human approach or movement, and the first detection unit detects the first detection unit. The second detection unit detects the approach or the operation of the second detection unit whose power consumption is smaller than the reduction amount of power consumption when the mode is switched to the second mode, and the mode of the first detection unit A switching unit for switching to the second mode when the device enters the power saving mode in the first mode, and the first detection unit after a predetermined period after switching to the first mode has elapsed When the output from the A release unit for releasing the de, the period is shortened every time canceling the power saving mode, if the change in the output period shaved by the shortening is detected, the period before performing the shortening And a release unit that returns and does not perform shortening thereafter .

An image processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes the power control apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects and an image processing unit that processes an image, and the image processing unit operates in a power saving mode. The power saving mode is canceled by the power control device.

According to the first, third , and fourth aspects of the invention, the power saving mode is canceled when there is no user who uses the device while suppressing power consumption for obtaining information that triggers the device to release the power saving mode. Can be suppressed.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 1, when the approach or operation | movement of the user who does not use an apparatus is detected, it can suppress that power saving mode is cancelled | released.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the power saving mode can be canceled when a user who tries to use the device left in the first state appears.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, even when the time required from when the first detection unit is switched to the first mode to when the output is started is not known, the period during which the determination to cancel the power saving mode is not performed Can be closer.

The figure showing the hardware constitutions of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 1st Example. Diagram showing appearance of image processing device Diagram showing the state where the document pressing section is opened The figure showing the image processing device viewed from above The figure showing an example of a cancellation condition table The figure showing an example of the operation | movement procedure of an image processing apparatus The figure showing the hardware constitutions of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example. Diagram showing an example of the transition of the signal output from the open / close detection sensor The figure showing an example of the operation | movement procedure of an image processing apparatus The figure showing an example of the change of the signal output from the open / close detection sensor and the standby period The figure showing an example of the cancellation | release condition table of a modification

[1] First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. The image processing apparatus 1 provides services with image processing such as scanning, printing and copying, while operating in a power saving mode for reducing power consumption and stopping service provision such as scanning when not used by the user Do. When the image processing apparatus 1 cancels the power saving mode, the image processing apparatus 1 performs the operation of providing each service again. The mode in which each service is provided in this way is called a normal mode. Hereinafter, a mechanism for the image processing apparatus 1 to cancel the power saving mode and return to the normal mode will be described.

  The image processing apparatus 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 4, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 5, an operation panel 6, a printer 7, and the like. The scanner 8 includes an open / close detection sensor 11, a human sensor 12, a power control circuit 13, a register 14, and a power saving control circuit 15. The CPU 2 is a computer that executes a program stored in the ROM 4 or the HDD 5 and controls the operation of each part using the RAM 3 as a work area.

  The HDD 5 stores various programs and data. The operation panel 6 includes a display for displaying various messages and images, an operator for operating the image processing apparatus 1 (including a touch screen provided on the display), and the like. The printer 7 is a means for forming an image on a recording medium. For example, the recording medium is electrophotographic using four color toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Form an image. The scanner 8 is means for reading an image formed on a recording medium such as paper, and optically reads an image on the recording medium, for example. The scanner 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

  FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the image processing apparatus 1. In the image processing apparatus 1, a scanner 8 is provided on the upper side of the printer 7. The scanner 8 includes a main body 81 and a document pressing unit 82. The main body 81 includes a light source that irradiates light on the document, an image sensor, an optical system that guides reflected light from the document to the image sensor, and the like. The document pressing portion 82 is a plate-like member that presses the document placed on the main body 81 and is also called a platen.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which the document pressing portion 82 is opened. When the document pressing unit 82 is opened, it becomes possible to place a document on the document table 83 and to remove the document placed on the document table 83. The document pressing unit 82 is normally in a closed state when the user does not use the scan function, and is in an open state when the user tries to use the scan function. The document pressing unit 82 is also closed during scanning, and is opened when the document is replaced.

  The open / close detection sensor 11 shown in FIG. 1 is a sensor that detects the open / close state of the document pressing unit 82 described above. The open / close state of the document pressing unit 82 is one of the states of the image processing apparatus 1. The open / close detection sensor 11 is an example of the “first detection unit” of the present invention that detects the state of the image processing apparatus 1. The open / close detection sensor 11 is, for example, a bending sensor, and when the document pressing unit 82 is opened / closed, the bending state changes and the resistance value changes, thereby changing the output. The open / close detection sensor 11 outputs a low voltage signal Low when the document pressing unit 82 is closed, and outputs a high voltage signal High when the document pressing unit 82 is open. A signal output from the open / close detection sensor 11 is supplied to the CPU 2.

  The open / close detection sensor 11 operates in two modes: a first mode in which an open / close state is detected and a second mode in which an open / close state is not detected. In the first mode, the open / close detection sensor 11 is in a state in which power is continuously supplied so that a change in state is detected and the output signal is switched whenever the document pressing unit 82 is opened or closed. For this reason, the open / close detection sensor 11 continues to consume power even when the document pressing unit 82 is not opened or closed in the first mode.

  On the other hand, in the second mode, the open / close detection sensor 11 is in a state in which its own power consumption is reduced compared to the first mode. In the present embodiment, the open / close detection sensor 11 is in a state in which the power is turned off and no power is supplied in the second mode, so that power consumption is reduced compared to the first mode and the open / close state is not detected. It becomes a state. It is not essential to turn off the power supply in the second mode, and power supply to the open / close detection sensor 11 may be provided as long as power consumption is reduced and the open / closed state is not detected. .

  The human sensor 12 is a sensor that detects the approach of a human. The human sensor 12 detects the approach of a human by emitting infrared rays or ultrasonic waves, for example. As the human sensor 12, a sensor that consumes less power than the amount of reduction in power consumption when the open / close detection sensor 11 changes from the first mode to the second mode is used. The human sensor 12 is an example of the “second detection unit” in the present invention. The installation position and detection range of the human sensor 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows the image processing apparatus 1 viewed from vertically above. The image processing apparatus 1 is provided with an operation panel 6. The human sensor 12 is provided on the side of the image processing apparatus 1 where the operation panel 6 is provided, that is, the side that stands when the user operates the operation panel 6. In FIG. 4, a detection range A <b> 1 in which the human sensor 12 detects human approach is shown. The human sensor 12 detects the approach of a human when a human enters the detection range A1. The human sensor 12 supplies a signal indicating that human approach has been detected to the power supply control circuit 13.

  The power control circuit 13 is a circuit that controls the power of the open / close detection sensor 11. When the power control circuit 13 turns on the power of the open / close detection sensor 11, the open / close detection sensor 11 enters a state for detecting the open / close state, that is, the first mode described above. When the power supply control circuit 13 cuts off the power supply of the open / close detection sensor 11, the open / close detection sensor 11 enters a state where the open / close state is not detected, that is, the second mode described above. Thus, the power supply control circuit 13 is an example of the “switching unit” of the present invention that switches the mode of the open / close detection sensor 11.

  The power supply control circuit 13 switches the mode of the open / close detection sensor 11 to the first mode when the human sensor 12 detects the approach of a human. Specifically, when the signal supplied from the human sensor 12 indicates the approach of a human, the power control circuit 13 turns on the open / close detection sensor 11 to switch to the first mode. Strictly speaking, it takes about several milliseconds (sensor activation time) until the open / close detection sensor 11 switched to the first mode outputs the signal High and the signal Low, but this time is ignored in this embodiment. It shall be possible.

  Further, the power control circuit 13 switches the mode of the open / close detection sensor 11 to the second mode when the image processing apparatus 1 is in the power saving mode. The power supply control circuit 13 determines that the power saving mode is set based on a signal from the power saving control circuit 15 described later.

  The register 14 stores the detection result of the open / close detection sensor 11. The register 14 is an example of the “storage unit” in the present invention. When the signal Low is supplied from the open / close detection sensor 11, the CPU 2 stores information (for example, a value of “0”) representing the closed state of the document pressing unit 82 in the register 14, and the signal High from the open / close detection sensor 11 When supplied, information (for example, a value of “1”) indicating that the document pressing unit 82 is open is stored in the register 14.

  When the CPU 2 enters the power saving mode by the power saving control circuit 15 described later, the power is not supplied. When the power saving mode is started, the CPU 2 stores the detection result by the open / close detection sensor 11 in the register 14 while power is still supplied. Thus, the detection result before entering the power saving mode is stored in the register 14.

  The power saving control circuit 15 controls the supply of power to each unit (the CPU 2, the RAM 3, the ROM 4, and the like shown in FIG. 1) in the normal mode and the power saving mode of the image processing apparatus 1. In the normal mode, the power saving control circuit 15 performs control to supply power necessary for each unit to perform normal operation. Further, in the power saving mode, the power saving control circuit 15 divides each part into three groups, stops the supply of power for the first group, and performs control to continue supplying power for the second group. The second group includes a human sensor 12, a power supply control circuit 13, and a register 14. As described above, power is supplied also in the power saving control circuit 15 itself in the power saving mode.

  The power saving control circuit 15 also supplies power to the third group in the power saving mode. However, for the third group, the supply of power is controlled by another circuit. Specifically, the open / close detection sensor 11 is included in the third group, and the power supply control circuit 13 controls the supply of power as described above. The power saving control circuit 15 determines that a condition for switching to the power saving mode (hereinafter referred to as “power saving condition”) is satisfied, for example, when a time during which the operation on the operation panel 6 or the operation of each unit is not performed exceeds a threshold value. Then, control of power in the power saving mode, that is, stop of power supply to the first group is started. When this control is started, the power saving control circuit 15 supplies a signal indicating that to the power supply control circuit 13. When the power control circuit 13 receives this signal, the power control circuit 13 determines that the apparatus is in the power saving mode, and performs switching to the second mode described above.

  Further, the power saving control circuit 15 cancels the power saving mode when a condition for canceling the power saving mode described below (hereinafter referred to as “cancellation condition”) is satisfied. The power saving control circuit 15 is supplied with the signal High and the signal Low output from the open / close detection sensor 11. These signals represent the detection result by the open / close detection sensor 11, that is, the signal High indicates the result of detection of a state in which the document pressing unit 82 is open (hereinafter referred to as "open state"), and the signal Low is the document pressing unit 82. This represents the result of detecting a closed state (hereinafter referred to as “closed state”).

  The open state is a state that appears when the use of the image processing apparatus 1 is started, and is an example of the “first state” in the present invention. The closed state is a state that appears when the use of the image processing apparatus 1 ends, and is an example of the “second state” in the present invention. Note that the first and second states do not appear only at the start of use and end of use of the image processing apparatus 1, for example, while the user is using the image processing apparatus 1. (In this embodiment, the document pressing unit 82 is closed during scanning, and the document pressing unit 82 is opened when the document is replaced).

  When the power saving control circuit 15 receives the detection result of the open / close detection sensor 11 by the signal High and the signal Low described above, the power saving control circuit 15 refers to the detection result stored in the register 14. The power saving control circuit 15 stores the detection result by the open / close detection sensor 11 performed after switching to the first mode and the detection result stored in the register 14, that is, stored in the register 14 before the own apparatus enters the power saving mode. If the detection result satisfies the release condition, the power saving mode is released.

  The detection result by the opening / closing detection sensor 11 performed after switching to the first mode here includes the following two cases. For example, when the user passes near the image processing apparatus 1, human approach is detected and the open / close detection sensor 11 is turned on, but the open / close state of the document pressing unit 82 remains unchanged and the power saving mode is switched again. It will be. In this case, since the detection result does not change from when the open / close detection sensor 11 is switched to the first mode until it is switched to the second mode, the detection result detected first is directly after the switch to the first mode. It becomes a detection result by the open / close detection sensor 11 performed.

  On the other hand, when the user uses the image processing apparatus 1, the open / close detection sensor 11 that is turned on when the user approaches the device detects the open / closed state of the document pressing unit 82. Since the time required for the first detection is negligible as described above, for example, if the document pressing unit 82 is closed, the closed state is detected, and then the user opens the document pressing unit 82 to open the document. Will be detected. That is, the detection result changes from when the open / close detection sensor 11 is switched to the first mode until it is switched to the second mode. In this case, the detection result after the change when the detection result first changes (the open state in the above example) is the detection result by the open / close detection sensor 11 performed after the switching to the first mode.

The power saving control circuit 15 satisfies the release condition using, for example, a release condition table in which the state represented by the stored detection result, the state represented by the detection result by the open / close detection sensor 11, and the presence / absence of release of the power saving mode are associated. Determine if it was.
FIG. 5 shows an example of the release condition table. In the example of FIG. 5, when the stored detection result indicates “closed state” and the detection result by the open / close detection sensor 11 indicates “open state”, the power saving mode is canceled, and In all other combinations, the release of the power saving mode is “none”.

  On the basis of the release condition table shown in FIG. 5, the power saving control circuit 15 releases the detection result representing the closed state when it is stored and the detection result representing the open state is detected by the open / close detection sensor 11. It is determined that the condition is satisfied, and the power saving mode is released. For example, when the user finishes using the scan function of the image processing apparatus 1, the document pressing unit 82 is opened to take out the document, and after closing the document pressing unit 82, the document is removed from the installation place of the image processing apparatus 1.

  Thereafter, when the image processing apparatus 1 enters the power saving mode, the detection result indicating the closed state is stored in the register 14. Then, it is assumed that another user arrives and opens the document pressing unit 82 to set a document in order to use the scanning function of the image processing apparatus 1. In this case, the detection result representing the closed state is stored as described above, and the detection result representing the open state is detected by the open / close detection sensor 11, so the power saving mode is released.

  Further, when the open / close detection sensor 11 detects the closed state after switching to the first mode, the power saving control circuit 15 satisfies the release condition regardless of which state the stored detection result represents. Judge that it is not. As a case where the closed state is detected by the open / close detection sensor 11 switched to the first mode, for example, a human sensor for approaching a user who has passed near the image processing apparatus 1 in a state where the document pressing unit 82 is closed. 12 may be detected, and the user may go away without opening the document pressing unit 82, or the user of the passing user may close the document pressing unit 82 which has been kept open. In this embodiment, the power saving mode is not canceled in these cases where the image processing apparatus 1 is not likely to be used by the user.

  Note that even when the user temporarily closes the document pressing unit 82 in order to use the image processing apparatus 1 with the document pressing unit 82 opened, the closed state is detected by the open / close detection sensor 11 switched to the first mode. Will be. In this embodiment, when the power saving control circuit 15 stores the detection result indicating the open state in the register 14 as described above and the open / close detection sensor 11 detects the closed state after switching to the first mode, The detection result stored in the register 14 is instructed to be overwritten on the detection result indicating the closed state.

  According to this instruction, the register 14 overwrites the detection result indicating the open state with the detection result indicating the closed state. When the user opens the document pressing unit 82 after the overwriting, the detection result indicating the closed state is stored, and the detection result indicating the open state is detected by the open / close detection sensor 11. The power saving control circuit 15 determines that the release condition is satisfied as described above, and releases the power saving mode. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the power saving mode is canceled when a user who wants to use the image processing apparatus 1 left in the open state appears.

  Even when the open / close detection sensor 11 detects an open state after switching to the first mode, the power saving control circuit 15 indicates that the detection result stored in the register 14 before the device enters the power saving mode is in the open state. If it is expressed, it is determined that the release condition is not satisfied. The detection result indicating the open state is stored in the register 14 when, for example, the previous user leaves with the document pressing unit 82 opened.

  In such a case, the open state is detected by the open / close detection sensor 11 switched to the first mode because, for example, the user feels that the user has passed near the image processing apparatus 1 in the state where the document pressing unit 82 is open. A case where the sensor 12 detects and the user leaves the document pressing unit 82 as it is is considered. In this embodiment, even in this case where the image processing apparatus 1 is not likely to be used by the user, the power saving mode is not canceled.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is no user who uses the image processing apparatus 1 as compared with the case where the power saving control circuit 15 cancels the power saving mode without considering the detection result stored in the register 14. Sometimes the power saving mode is prevented from being released. In particular, the release of the power saving mode when the approach of a user who does not use the image processing apparatus 1 is detected is suppressed.

  The open / close detection sensor 11, the human sensor 12, the power control circuit 13, the register 14, and the power saving control circuit 15 shown in FIG. 1 function as a power control device 10 that controls the power of the image processing device 1. The CPU 2, the RAM 3, the ROM 4, the HDD 5, the operation panel 6, the printer 7, and the scanner 8 function as an image processing unit 20 that performs image processing. In the image processing device 1, as described above, the image processing unit 20 operates in the power saving mode, and the power control device 10 cancels the power saving mode.

Subsequently, an operation procedure regarding cancellation of the power saving mode will be described.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example of an operation procedure of the image processing apparatus 1. This operation procedure is started when the power saving condition described above is satisfied in the image processing apparatus 1. In the example of FIG. 6, it is assumed that the open / close detection sensor 11 is operating in the first mode when this operation procedure is started. First, when the image processing apparatus 1 determines whether the power saving condition is satisfied (step S11), the image processing apparatus 1 determines whether an open state is detected (step S12).

  When it is determined that the open state is detected (YES), the image processing apparatus 1 stores the detection result indicating the open state in the register 14 (step S13), and determines that the closed state is detected (NO) In this case, the detection result indicating the closed state is stored in the register 14 (step S14). Subsequently, the image processing apparatus 1 switches the open / close detection sensor 11 to the second mode (step S15), and starts the power saving mode (step S16). Note that either of the operations in steps S15 and S16 may be performed first or in parallel.

  Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 1 determines whether or not the human sensor 12 has detected the approach of a human (step S21). If it is determined that the human sensor 12 has not detected (NO), the operation of step S21 is repeated. . If the image processing apparatus 1 determines that an approach has been detected in step S21 (YES), the image processing apparatus 1 switches the open / close detection sensor 11 to the first mode (step S22). Next, the image processing apparatus 1 determines whether the open state is detected by the open / close detection sensor 11 switched to the first mode (step S23).

  If the image processing apparatus 1 determines in step S23 that the open state has been detected (YES), the image processing apparatus 1 refers to the register 14 and determines whether or not a detection result indicating the closed state is stored (step S24). If it is determined that the closed state is stored (YES), the power saving mode is released (step S25), and this operation procedure is ended. If the image processing apparatus 1 determines that the open state is stored in step S24 (NO), the image processing apparatus 1 maintains the power saving mode (step S26) and returns to step S21 (detection of human sensor). And continue to operate.

  If the image processing apparatus 1 determines in step S23 that the closed state is stored (NO), the image processing apparatus 1 refers to the register 14 to determine whether or not a detection result indicating the closed state is stored (step S23). S31) When it is determined that the closed state is stored (YES), after performing the operation of step S26 (maintaining the power saving mode), the operation returns to step S21 (determination of detection of the human sensor). to continue.

  If the image processing apparatus 1 determines in step S31 that the open state is stored (NO), it overwrites the detection result indicating the open state stored in the register 14 with the detection result indicating the closed state. (Step S32), the process returns to Step S23 (determination of detection of the open state) and continues the operation.

[2] Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, a description will be given focusing on differences from the first embodiment. First, in the second embodiment, the detection result is not stored in the register 14. In the second embodiment, the cancellation condition is determined based on the state of the signal output from the open / close detection sensor 11 (whether the signal is high or low). However, in the second embodiment, the change in the signal output from the open / close detection sensor 11 is determined. The release condition is determined based on (for example, a change from signal Low to signal High).

  FIG. 7 shows the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment. The image processing apparatus 1a includes components other than the register 14 among the units included in the image processing apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 7, the open / close detection sensor 11, the human sensor 12, the power control circuit 13, and the power saving control circuit 15 function as the power control device 10a that controls the power of the image processing device 1a.

  As in the first embodiment, in the first mode, the open / close detection sensor 11 according to the present embodiment detects the state (open state) that appears at the start of use of the image processing apparatus 1a. When an output (output of signal High) is performed and a state (closed state) appearing at the end of use of the image processing apparatus 1a is detected, a second output (output of signal Low) representing the state is performed. Further, the open / close detection sensor 11 does not detect them in the second mode.

  On the other hand, the power saving control circuit 15 cancels the power saving mode by a method different from the first embodiment. Specifically, the power saving control circuit 15 cancels the power saving mode when the output from the open / close detection sensor 11 changes after a predetermined period after switching to the first mode has elapsed. This period is a period in which the power saving control circuit 15 waits without making a determination as to whether or not to cancel the power saving mode, and is hereinafter referred to as a “waiting period”. A method for determining the standby period will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the transition of the signal output from the open / close detection sensor 11. In FIG. 8, a graph is shown in which the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents voltage. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the voltage of the signal Low is 0 V (that is, the same voltage as when the power is turned off). For example, when the user goes away with the document pressing unit 82 open, the output of the signal High continues until the open / close detection sensor 11 is switched to the second mode and the power is turned off. When the power is turned off, the voltage of the signal output from the open / close detection sensor 11 becomes 0 V (the same voltage as the signal Low).

  Thereafter, the power saving mode is started, and when the user passes near the image processing apparatus 1a and the human sensor 12 detects the approach of the user, the open / close detection sensor 11 is switched to the first mode. As described in the first embodiment, when the power is turned on, the open / close detection sensor 11 outputs a signal after an activation time of about several milliseconds. In this example, since the document pressing portion 82 remains open, the open / close detection sensor 11 outputs a signal High. Therefore, although the document pressing unit 82 is not moved with the document opening unit 82 actually open, the output from the open / close detection sensor 11 changes from the signal Low to the signal High.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the standby period described above is determined to be longer than the time required from when the open / close detection sensor 11 is switched to the first mode until the signal is output. For this reason, the power saving control circuit 15 maintains the power saving mode without canceling even when the signal output as shown in FIG. 8 during the standby period changes from the signal Low to the signal High. In this case, when a user who wants to use the image processing apparatus 1a arrives, the manuscript pressing unit 82 is closed and the operation panel 6 is operated, so that the signal output from the open / close detection sensor 11 changes from the signal High to the signal Low. In this case, the power saving control circuit 15 cancels the power saving mode because the output from the open / close detection sensor 11 has changed after the standby period has elapsed.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the operation procedure of the image processing apparatus 1a. The image processing device 1a first performs step S11 (determining whether the power saving condition is satisfied) shown in FIG. 6, and then performs step S15 (switching the open / close detection sensor 11 to the second mode) and S16 (starting the power saving mode), Next, step S21 (determination of whether or not the human sensor detects the approach of a human) is performed. If the image processing apparatus 1a determines that an approach is detected in step S21 (YES), the image processing apparatus 1a performs an operation in step S22 (switching of the open / close detection sensor 11 to the first mode).

  Subsequently, after switching to the first mode and powering on the open / close detection sensor 11, the image processing apparatus 1a determines whether the standby period has elapsed (step S41). The image processing apparatus 1a repeats the operation of step S41 until it is determined that the standby period has elapsed, and if it is determined that it has elapsed (YES), next, it is determined whether or not the output of the open / close detection sensor 11 has changed ( Step S42). The image processing apparatus 1a repeats the operation of step S42 until it determines that the output has changed, and if it determines that the output has changed (YES), performs the operation of step S25 (cancels the power saving mode) and ends this operation procedure.

  Also in this embodiment, for example, when the human sensor 12 detects the approach of the user passing near the image processing apparatus 1 with the document pressing unit 82 opened, and the user leaves the document pressing unit 82 as it is. The power saving mode is not cancelled. As described above, the power saving mode is canceled when there is no user who uses the image processing apparatus 1a, as compared with the case where the power saving control circuit 15 determines whether or not to cancel the power saving mode even in the standby period. Is suppressed. In particular, this suppression is realized when the release condition is determined based on a change in the signal output from the open / close detection sensor 11.

[3] Modified Examples Each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and may be modified as follows. Moreover, you may implement combining each Example and each modification as needed.

[3-1] Standby period In the second embodiment, the standby period is fixed, but may be changed. For example, the time required from the switching of the open / close detection sensor 11 shown in FIG. 8 to the first mode until the signal High is output (the time required from the start of the open / close detection sensor 11 to the output, hereinafter referred to as “start-up time”). ) May not be accurately known not only by the user but also by engineers who handle the image processing apparatus. In this case, the power saving control circuit 15 changes the standby period as follows.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the transition of the signal output from the open / close detection sensor 11 and the standby period. In the example of FIG. 10, the power saving control circuit 15 first determines whether the release condition is satisfied, using the determined period of time as the first waiting period. Next, the power saving control circuit 15 shortens the standby period each time the power saving mode is canceled, and when a change in output is detected during the period cut by the reduction, the power saving control circuit 15 returns to the standby period before the reduction. It is determined whether the release condition is satisfied. In the example of FIG. 10, when shortening from the third waiting period to the fourth waiting period, the change in the output from the signal Low to the signal High is detected in the cut-off period.

  Therefore, the power saving control circuit 15 returns to the third standby period before shortening and determines whether the release condition is satisfied, and thereafter the standby period is not shortened. The longer the standby period, the more likely it is that the power saving mode will not be canceled because a change in the output is detected due to the action of the user who intends to use the image processing apparatus. Therefore, the shorter the standby period is, the better as long as it is longer than the activation time of the opening / closing detection sensor 11 described above. In this modification, even when the activation time is not accurately known, the standby period is made closer to the activation time.

[3-2] Cancellation conditions The cancellation conditions used in the first embodiment are not limited to those described in the description of FIG.
FIG. 11 shows an example of the release condition table of this modification. In the example of FIG. 11, when the stored detection result represents “open state” and the detection result by the open / close detection sensor 11 represents “closed state”, the release of the power saving mode is “Yes”. This is different from the example shown in FIG.

  By using the release condition table shown in FIG. 11, the power saving control circuit 15 stores the detection result indicating the closed state in the register 14 as in the first embodiment, and the open / close detection sensor 11 sets the open state. In addition to the first case where the detection result indicating is detected, the register 14 stores the detection result indicating the open state, and the open / close detection sensor 11 detects the detection result indicating the closed state. In this case, it is determined that the release condition is satisfied, and the power saving mode is released.

  In the first embodiment, when a user who wants to use the image processing apparatus 1 appears by overwriting the detection result stored in the register 14 in the second case described above with the detection result indicating the closed state, power saving is performed. Although the mode is released, in this modification, the power saving mode is released without overwriting the register 14. Further, in the present modification, when the user closes the document pressing unit 82, the power saving mode is released. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, when the document pressing unit 82 is once closed and then opened, the power saving is performed. The power saving mode is released at an earlier timing than when the mode is released.

[3-3] First Detection Unit In the embodiment, the open / close detection sensor 11 is used as an example of the first detection unit of the present invention, but any other sensor may be used. For example, a sensor that detects whether or not a document is placed on the document table 83 shown in FIG. 3 may be used as the first detection unit. In addition, a sensor for detecting the open / close state of the storage unit of the recording medium of the printer 7 or a human sensor in a detection range narrower than the human sensor 12 may be used as the first detection unit.

  Further, the first detection unit may not be a sensor. For example, when the operation panel 6 performs an operation determined by the user, a state may be detected that the operation has been performed on the image processing apparatus. In short, any device may be used as the first detection unit as long as it detects a state that appears when the user intends to use the image processing apparatus.

  Further, the detected first state and second state are different depending on what is used as the first detection unit. For example, when a sensor for detecting whether or not a document is placed on the document table 83 is used, the state where the document is placed is detected as the first state, and the state where the document is not placed is the second state. It is detected as a state. However, in any case, the state appearing at the start of use of the image processing apparatus is detected as the first state, and the state appearing at the end of use of the image processing apparatus is detected as the second state.

[3-4] Second Detection Unit In the embodiment, the human sensor 12 is used as an example of the second detection unit according to the present invention, but other sensors may be used. For example, a communication unit that performs near field communication with a communication device (such as a smartphone) having a near field communication (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark)) function possessed by the user may be used as the second detection unit. In this case, the communication unit detects the approach of a person by receiving the user ID and the device ID of the communication device by the short-range communication.

  In addition, the second detection unit may detect a human motion. For example, when the short-range communication described above is NFC (Near Field Communication) communication, an operation in which the user holds the communication device over the communication unit is detected rather than approaching the user. Further, the operation panel 6 may be used as a second detection unit to detect an operation of performing a specific operation. In short, the second detection unit is one that consumes less power than the amount of reduction in power consumption when the first detection unit changes from the first mode to the second mode, and detects human approach or movement. I hope there is. Thereby, compared with the case where the first detection unit is always operated in the first mode, power consumption for obtaining information (a detection result by the first detection unit) that triggers the cancellation of the power saving mode of the image processing apparatus is suppressed. Be done.

[3-5] Power Control Target In the embodiment, the power control device controls the power supply in the image processing device, but is not limited thereto. For example, a display device such as a display or an information processing device such as a personal computer or a server device may be used. Further, as in the embodiment, the power control device may be incorporated in the device to be controlled, or the housing may be different from the device to be controlled (the external device as viewed from the device to be controlled). Well). In short, as long as the device operates in the power saving mode, any device may be a power supply control target.

[3-6] Category of Invention The present invention can be understood as an image processing device, a power control device, and other devices that are controlled by the power control device. The information processing method for realizing the process performed by the power control apparatus and the computer that controls the power control apparatus can also be understood as a program for causing the above-described units to function. This program is provided in the form of a recording medium such as an optical disk storing the program, or in a form such as downloading and installing on a computer via a communication line such as the Internet and making it available.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing apparatus, 2 ... CPU, 3 ... RAM, 4 ... ROM, 5 ... HDD, 6 ... Operation panel, 7 ... Printer, 8 ... Scanner, 10 ... Power control apparatus, 11 ... Opening / closing detection sensor, 12 ... Person Sense sensor, 13 ... power supply control circuit, 14 ... register, 15 ... power saving control circuit, 20 ... image processing unit

Claims (4)

In the first mode, the first state that appears at the start of use of the device and the second state that appears at the end of use of the device are detected as the state of the device, and the detection is not performed in the second mode. 1 detection unit,
A storage unit for storing a detection result of the first detection unit;
A second detection unit that detects an approach or action of a human and whose power consumption is smaller than a reduction amount of power consumption when the first detection unit changes from the first mode to the second mode;
A switching unit configured to switch the mode of the first detection unit to the first mode when the approach or operation is detected by the second detection unit, and to the second mode when the device is in the power saving mode;
When the detection result by the first detection unit performed after switching to the first mode and the detection result stored in the storage unit before the device enters the power saving mode satisfy the conditions The cancellation unit cancels the mode, and when the second state is detected after switching to the first mode, it is determined that the condition is not satisfied, and the first state is detected after the switching. Even when the device is in a power saving mode, the power control device includes: a release unit that determines that the condition is not satisfied when the detection result stored in the storage unit represents the first state before the device enters the power saving mode. . The storage unit stores a detection result representing the first state before the device enters the power saving mode, and when the second state is detected after switching to the first mode, The power control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the stored detection result is overwritten on a detection result representing the second state. In the first mode, when a state appearing at the start of use of the device is detected, a first output representing the state is performed, and if a state appearing at the end of use of the device is detected, a second output representing the state A first detector that performs output and does not perform the detection in the second mode;
A second detection unit that detects an approach or action of a human and whose power consumption is smaller than a reduction amount of power consumption when the first detection unit changes from the first mode to the second mode;
A switching unit configured to switch the mode of the first detection unit to the first mode when the approach or operation is detected by the second detection unit, and to the second mode when the device is in the power saving mode;
The cancellation unit cancels the power saving mode when the output from the first detection unit changes after a predetermined period after switching to the first mode has elapsed, each time the power saving mode is canceled. A power control apparatus comprising: a cancellation unit that shortens the period and returns a period before the shortening is performed when a change in the output is detected in the period shaved by the shortening, and does not shorten the period thereafter . The power control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
And an image processing unit for processing an image;
An image processing apparatus in which an image processing unit operates in a power saving mode and the power saving apparatus cancels the power saving mode.

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