JPH03194562A - Controller for copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To efficiently attain copying by detecting a person who goes away from a copying machine after the formation of an image is finished detecting that an original, a transfer paper or the like is left without being taken out, issuing an alarm and instructing a proper action when the person is detected with in a prescribed time thereafter. CONSTITUTION:In the case that an operation flag is not set on a step that copying operation is finished, the position of an operator 5 is detected by a detection part 4 with the aid of using an infrared beam, an ultrasonic wave or the like and the position of the operator 5 is over an operation feasible distance (a), the alarm is issued when the operator leaves the original or the transfer paper and goes away from the copying machine. Next, in the case that the operator comes within a human body detection feasible distance MAX again and comes nearer to the copying machine, a guidance flag is set and guidance is outputted.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a control device for a copying machine that warns an operator of forgetting a document or forgetting to take out a transfer sheet. [Prior Art] Conventionally, a copying machine equipped with a sound generator has a human body detection sensor and
A method for warning in connection with forgetting a manuscript or forgetting to take out a transfer sheet has been proposed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-235855. [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, a warning is simply given by voice, and then the operator who was given the warning notices the warning and returns to the copying machine. The problem was that no consideration had been given to the processing of The purpose of the present invention is to determine whether the operator who gave the warning has approached the copying machine again using a human body detection means that can measure the distance, and only when it is determined that the operator who was operating the machine has approached the copying machine again, the optimal copying machine is detected. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device for a copying machine that gives audible warning about the operating method or issues the operating method. [Means for Solving the Problems] According to the present invention, the above object is to provide a control means for controlling the entire operation of the machine, an operation section for setting and displaying the mode of the copying machine, and detecting the presence of a human being. In a copying machine control device equipped with human body detection means capable of and a means for instructing the human body to take appropriate measures when the human body detection means detects the presence of a human within a predetermined time after the warning is given. achieved by [Function] When the image formation end signal is on, it detects a person moving away from the copying machine, detects that a document, transfer paper, etc. has been forgotten, and gives a warning to this person (operator). After giving the warning,
When the human body detection means detects the presence of a human within a predetermined time, it operates to instruct the human to take appropriate measures. [Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between a copying machine implementing the present invention and an operator. In the figure, 1 is a copying machine, 2
is the original pressure plate, 3 is the operation (display) section, 4 is the detection section of the human body detection means, 5 is the operator, a is the maximum distance within which the copying machine can be operated, and MAX is the maximum distance that can be detected by the human body detection means. shows. Before describing the invention in detail, a detailed description of the invention will now be provided. According to the present invention, by continuously measuring and detecting the distance between the copying machine 1 and the operator 5, it is possible to detect whether or not the operator 5 is moving by the same person. Based on this detection result,
Controls guidance (instructions) of the copying machine 1. Therefore, if a document is forgotten or a transferred copy paper is forgotten, a warning is issued to the operator 5, and the
The movement of the operator 5 is continuously measured by the detection section 4 of the human body detection means, and when the operator 5 notices the warning and returns to the copying machine 1 again, the detection section 4 of the human body detection means and the detection section 4 detect the alarm. If it can be determined based on the distance output, more detailed guidance (instructions) regarding the content of the warning is provided. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing the relationship between the movement of the operator 5 and the output of the detection section 4 of the human body detection means. The vertical axis represents the output voltage of the detection section 4 and the distance from the detection section 4. On the other hand, the horizontal axis is the time axis. FIG. 2 shows an operator 5 approaching the copying machine 1 in order to use the copying machine 1, and after performing a copying operation, the operator 5 approaches the copying machine 1.
The figure shows the relationship between the voltage output from the detection unit 4 and time when the sensor moves away from the sensor. The time axis during the copy operation is omitted. Further, in the figure, MAX indicates the distance that can be detected by the detection unit 4 of the human body detection means, and a indicates the maximum distance within which the copying machine can operate. FIG. 3 shows the movements of the operator 5 when it is determined that a warning should be issued according to the present invention. In other words, operator 5, who approaches copy machine 1 to use copy machine 1, uses copy machine L to copy machine 1.
When Operator 5's position exceeded the operable distance a, Operator 5, who had forgotten the original or copied transfer paper in the machine and received a voice warning from Copying Machine 1, approached Copying Machine 1 again. state. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for performing the above-described operations. Below, FIG. 4 will be explained step by step. 5TEP
At step 4-1, it is determined whether the series of copy operations performed by the operator 5 has been completed. If the process has not finished, it is not possible to issue a warning, so various judgments are skipped and the flow ends. If copying is completed, 5T
In EP4-2, it is determined whether the distance detected by the detection unit 4 is within a measurable range. If it is outside the range, it is determined that the operator 5 is not near the copying machine. In this case, in order to output the next instruction (guidance), the instruction (guidance) output flag is cleared, and the operation flag indicating the history of operations that resulted in warnings using the machine is cleared ( STEP4-1
7). If it is within the range, it is determined in 5TEP4-3 whether the distance detected by the detection unit 4 is within the operable range, or whether it is within the detection range but within the range in which the copying machine cannot be operated. In other words, since it is determined in 5TEP4-2 whether the distance is within the detection range, it is determined here whether the distance is larger or smaller than a. Operator 5 must be within the range where the copier can be operated.
If there is, the above-mentioned operation flag is checked in 5TEP4-4. If the operation flag is not set, in 5TEP4-5, it is checked whether the mode requires issuing a warning such as forgetting a document. If a mode requiring a warning occurs, an operation flag is set in 5TEP4-12 to remember that a warning is required. On the other hand, if the operation flag is set, 5T
At EP46, it is determined whether the currently detected distance to the operator 5 is gradually decreasing. If the direction is decreasing, it is determined in 5TEP4-7 whether the output of the first warning instruction (guidance) when leaving a document etc. behind and trying to leave the machine has been executed. Cuff flag-1) It is determined that the operator 5 is moving away from the machine, and if it is within the distance jIa (instruction l output flag≠1), the process is completed without doing anything. 5TEP4
At -8, the first instruction (guidance) is output and this determination is made when the operator 5 approaches the machine again. Here, a flag is checked to prevent the second instruction (guidance) from being output, and if it has not been output yet, the second more detailed instruction (guidance) is checked.
guidance) is processed with 5TEP410, and 5TEP4-
At step 11, an instruction (guidance) output flag is set. 5
TEP49.5 TEP4-13.5 TEP4-14 is when the distance is within the operable range and the distance detectable range with the sensor, the distance to the operator is increasing, and the operation flag is set. , 5T when the instruction (guidance) output flag is not set.
When the first instruction (guidance) is processed in EP4-15 and this instruction is performed, a flag is set to remember that the first instruction (guidance) was output (S
TEP4-16). On the other hand, when the operation flag is not set at 5TEP 4-9, when the distance is in the decreasing direction at 5TEP 4-13, and when the instruction flag is set at 5TEP 4-14, all processing ends. As an example of an instruction, the first instruction (guidance) that is executed as a warning in case you forget the original should be simple and clear, such as "forget the original," and the second instruction (guidance) should be a warning when you open the rADF. Please take it home. Furthermore, A
Originals fed using the DF are ejected using the clear key. "and,
You can add a more detailed explanation. Details of the case in which the above-described present invention is actually applied to a copying machine will be described below.

[Structure of the copying machine and positional relationship with the operator] Figure 5 shows the relative positional relationship (distance) between the copying machine and the operator.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between lighting/extinguishing of the display on the operation unit. FIG. 5 is an explanatory side view showing the usage state of the copying machine according to the embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a plan view thereof. In the figure, a document pressure plate 2 for pressing the document on a contact glass is provided on the top surface of a copying machine 1, and an operation display section 3 and a detection section 4 of an operator detection device are provided on the front side F of the top surface. . The operator 5 is set to operate the copying machine 1 from the front side F of the copying machine 1, and the detecting section 4 detects the presence of the operator 5 and the relative location range with respect to the copying machine 1. It has become. The detection unit 4 of this operator detection device is generally known to be of an optical (for example, infrared) type or an ultrasonic type, and the operation display unit 3 is attached to indicate which type is used. It goes without saying that the detecting section 4 may be provided in the vicinity of the operation display section 3 at a position on the front F of the copying machine 1 where the operator can be detected. 5 and 6, for example, when an infrared beam 6 is emitted by the detection unit 4, the presence of the operator 5 is detected by detecting the reflection of the infrared ray 6, and in the case of ultrasonic waves, the outer edge 7 vertically between .8,
Furthermore, horizontal areas are defined between the outer edges 9 and 10, and in these areas the front surface F of the copier 1 of the operator 5 is
If there is a reflective object within a predetermined distance within this range, it is determined that the operator 5 is present. When using the infrared beam 6, the beam is set to be emitted to hit the chest of the average operator 5 because of its strong directivity. Normally, when operating the copying machine, the width is equal to the width of the arm at the chest position, so even if the position of the operator 5 is slightly different, there is no need to worry about the operator falling out of the detection area of the detection device. It is. Detecting the detection position of the operator 5 in as wide a region as possible is very meaningful in the case of an infrared (light) method in which the detection area is one beam and does not spread like ultrasonic waves. This is particularly important when attempting to perform operator detection with one detection device. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the copying machine according to the embodiment as seen from the front side F. A contact glass 12 is fixedly installed on the top surface of the copying machine, and the document pressing plate 2 for pressing the document placed on the contact glass 12 is placed on the top surface. It is rotatably attached to the rear side of the The document pressure plate 2 can also be replaced with an automatic document feeder. An operator card 13 is attached to the left side of the panel section where the operation section 3 is arranged, and it explains simple operation methods and abnormal displays, and a front cover 11 is attached to the front F of the copying machine 1 so that it can be opened and closed. There is. A main switch 15 is disposed on the left side of the housing of the copying machine 1, and inside the housing are a light source, a mirror, and a mirror (not shown).
A known electronic system consisting of an optical system consisting of a lens, etc., a photoreceptor, a charging charger arranged along its outer periphery, a developing unit, a transfer charger, a separation charger, a cleaning unit, a fixing unit provided on the downstream side in the transport direction, etc. The image forming/fixing system of the photocopying machine, and the paper feed tray 17 that feeds transfer paper from either the paper feed cassette 16 or the manual feed table installed on the right side of the housing in the figure, and the paper output tray 17 installed on the left side of the housing. It houses each part of the transport system, including the transport route for transporting up to FIG. 8 is a front view showing the configuration of the operating section 3 of FIG. 7. As shown in the figure, a display panel 18 for displaying various types of information is provided at the center of the operation section 3. Above the display panel 18, a detection section 4 of an operator detection device and an instruction (guidance) display section 14 are arranged. and is provided. Further, below the display panel 18, an automatic density key 19a, a temperature adjustment key 19b, an automatic paper selection key 20a, and a paper selection key 20b are provided.
, equal size key 21a, enlargement key 21b and reduction key 21
c are provided respectively. Furthermore, on the right side of the display panel 18, a numeric keypad 22 is provided.
, enter key 23, start key 24, instruction (guidance) key 25, etc., and guidance key display 2
6. A group of keys and a display group 28 mainly related to the execution of copying, which have various displays such as a timer display 27, are provided. On the other hand, on the left side of the display panel 18, there are various keys such as a page continuous copying key 29, a zoom magnification key 30, a centering display 31, a dimension magnification change display 32, and a sort display 33.
A key group and display group 34 mainly related to the copy mode are provided, having various displays such as. FIG. 9 is an enlarged front view of the display panel 18 shown in FIG. The negative half of the display panel 18 serves as a paper display section 35, and the other half serves as an operation display section 41. The paper display section 35 is provided with a magnification display 36, a paper specification variable magnification display 37, an automatic paper selection display 38, a paper selection display 39, a paper size display 40, and the like. Further, the operation display section 41 is provided with a toner replenishment display 42, a standby display 43, a copy ready display 44, an automatic density display 45, and the like.

[Copy machine control circuit]

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a control device for a copying machine 1 according to an embodiment having various functions such as an operator detection device, a voice output device, and a timer. In the figure, a main board 200 as a control body includes a microprocessor 210,
A ROM 220, a RAM 230, etc. are installed, and a human body detection means (operator detection device) 5 is mounted on this main board 200.
00, an audio output device 600, a display board 310, a driving board 320, and a lighting board 325 are connected. The main board 200 also includes drivers 370°380,
Various loads such as a signal processing circuit 390, a paper feed unit 360, a duplex unit 80, etc. are connected. Further, various AC loads 400 are connected to the driver 370, and the driver 380
are connected to various DC loads 410, and various sensors 420 are connected to the signal processing circuit 390. Operator detection device 500 includes a signal processing section 510, a transmitter 520, and a receiver 530, and includes an audio output device 60.
0 is a speech synthesis controller 610, a speech synthesizer 620.
Each of them includes a ROM 630 and an output section 640. The display board 310 includes an instruction (guidance) display device 1
4 are connected to the display section 100 including the keys and input section 101, and the drive board 320 has motors M1, M2 . M3 is connected. The lamp 31 is connected to the lighting board 325 via a lamp control board 330, and the heaters HTI and HT2 are connected via a lamp control board 340. The operator detection device 500 is the detection unit 4 of the copying machine 1.
The transmitter 520 emits distance measuring light (infrared rays) or ultrasonic waves in the direction in which the operator 5 is operating, and the receiver 530 receives the reflection from the reflecting object and detects the distance to the reflecting object. There are two types: optical type and ultrasonic type, which measure distance in a way that is not affected by the received reflection level. Then, if the measurement results measured by these methods are within a preset range and continue to exist for a preset time, the presence signal of the operator 5 is determined.

[Detection principle of operator position]

Since the principles for measuring distance are different between light and ultrasound, we will first explain the principles by separating those that use light and those that use ultrasound. <Detection by light> An infrared light-emitting diode and an optical system that converts the output of the light-emitting diode into a narrow beam are installed on the operation (display) section 3 or document table of the copying machine 1, or in the vicinity thereof.
The copying machine 1 is installed so that it faces the direction in which you stand when operating the copying machine 1. A one-dimensional position sensor (Posi
A sensitive device (PSD) is installed so that its longitudinal direction is in the direction of the distance from the beam emission position. Using the principle of triangulation, the distance to the object is determined from the data on the position where the PSD receives the reflected light. Due to the operational characteristics of the copier 1, the operator 5
may be operated in such a way as to come into contact with or come close to it. In this method, if the operator 5 gets too close, the light receiving section or the light projecting section may be blocked by the operator 5, or the reflected light may exceed the light receiving range based on the length limit of the PSD. There are cases where reflected light cannot be received. In order to prepare for the case where the operator 5 gets too close to the PSD and the position signal cannot be obtained from the PSD, the distance to the operator 5 is continuously measured, and the distance to the operator 5 gradually becomes closer. After that, when the reflected light cannot be received, the operator 5 determines that there is a reflected light. Another countermeasure under such conditions is to
When the operator 5 is not present, the detection gain is set so that reflected light from the wall or ceiling behind can be detected, and when the reflected light cannot be received, it is determined that the operator 5 is present. Or a reflective object when there is no moving object such as the operator 5 or a person passing by, such as a rear wall.
The distance to the ceiling or the like is detected and stored, and when an object is detected farther than the stored distance, it is determined that the operator 5 is present. This is because if the operator 5 is extremely close and cannot receive the reflected light, the detection result will be the same as if the object is far enough away and cannot receive the reflected light. The determination is made based on the fact that this cannot occur unless the conditions under which the copying machine 1 is installed are changed. In these methods, it is not necessary to continuously detect the approach of the operator 5. <Detection using ultrasonic waves> Ultrasonic speakers and microphones are installed on the operating section (display) section 3 or document table of the copying machine 1, or in the vicinity thereof, and their directivity is set so that when the operator 5 operates the copying machine 1, Place it so that it faces the direction you are standing on. The time it takes for the ultrasonic waves emitted from the speaker to hit the target and be reflected back to the microphone is measured, and the distance is determined from the speed at which the sound waves propagate through the air. Since the emitted ultrasonic waves have a spread, they are not all reflected from the same distance, and the time it takes for them to return varies depending on the distance to the point where the ultrasonic waves are reflected. Therefore, signals received by the microphone include signals with various delay times. The distance of the object to be detected is determined based on the delay time of the signal that returns earliest among these signals, and if the distance is within a predetermined range, it is taken as the presence signal of the operator 5. When the speaker and microphone are installed far apart, if the operator 5 gets too close to the copying machine 1,
One or both of them will be blocked by the operator 5 and will not be able to receive reflections. In this case as well, the presence of the operator 5 is determined in the same manner as in the detection method using light. First, an optical operator detection device 500 using an LED that emits infrared rays and a light receiving element (PSD) that detects a position using the reflected light will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the characteristics of the PSD used in the example. The PSD is an element having output electrodes 4a+4b and a common electrode 4C, and a light receiving surface 4d is provided on the front surface. A current as shown in the figure flows through the output electrodes 4a, 4b depending on the position in the longitudinal direction of the light receiving surface 4d. In other words, when the spotlight 4e hits the center, the current ■ generated in the output electrode 4a and the current I2 generated in the output electrode 4b are equal, and when it shifts to the right, I+<12.
If it shifts to the left, Iz<I+. The rate of increase/decrease in I+ and Iz is proportional to the deviation from the center of the spotlight 4e. Therefore, the relationship between the position of the spotlight 4e and I z /I + is a constant value, and is unrelated to the strength of the spotlight 4e. In other words, by calculating the current ratio, the spot light 4
The position of e can be found. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a distance measurement method using PSD. In the figure, the detection unit 4 of the operator detection device 500 is provided with a light emitting lens 4f and a light receiving lens 4h, an LED 4g for light emitting is behind the light emitting lens 4f, and a PSD 4A is behind the light receiving lens 4h. are arranged respectively. With such an arrangement and using the PSD 4A, the distance to the position hit by the emitted infrared beam can be determined by triangulation by utilizing the fact that the position of the spotlight 4e can be detected. The infrared light from the projection LED 4g is made into a narrow beam by the projection lens 4f and reflected toward the position where the operator 5 who is the object of detection stands. The spot light 4e reflected by the detection target is made to form a real image on the light receiving surface 4d of the PSD 4A by the light receiving lens 4h. The deviation d of the spot light 4e from the center is inversely proportional to the distance to the detection target, and the base line length S and the light receiving lens 4h are
The relationship f/L=d/S holds true for the distance f between the PSD 4A and the PSD 4A. As shown in FIG. 11, the output current I+ of PSD4A,
There is the following relationship with Iz. 1 + = c / 2 d = c / 2 f
S/Ll 2 = C/ 2 d = C/
2 + f S / L From now on, Iz /II - (cL/2+fS) / (cL/2-
fs) = l + cfS/L, (12/ll-1> is proportional to 1/L, and c, f
, S have values specific to the detection device, so I2/II mustard can be determined. In this method, the length of the PSD 4A required for short distances must be increased, but the accuracy is increased and it is suitable for detecting the presence of the operator 5 of the copying machine 1. In this embodiment, the presence of the operator 5 is determined when the distance measurement result is smaller than a predetermined value within or outside of 5Qcm.
It is set to determine that operator 5 is present. Furthermore, in order to distinguish the person from a person who is simply passing by without using the copying machine 1, it may be determined that the operator 5 is present when the operator is within a predetermined distance for a predetermined period of time. If the operator 5 gets too close to the copying machine 1 and exceeds the light receiving range of the PSD 4A, or covers the light emitting part or the light receiving part, and position data cannot be obtained, the operator 5 is judge that it exists. However, as mentioned above, simply determining that operator 5 is present when position data cannot be obtained may lead to an incorrect judgment in the event that the detection device malfunctions, so it is difficult to obtain position data. It is also possible to avoid such a problem by using the data before the position data becomes impossible to obtain, and by making the determination condition that the position data is no longer obtained as a result of the operator 5 approaching. Alternatively, distance data of ceilings, walls, etc. obtained when the operator 5 is not present may be stored, and when a distance longer than this is detected, it may be determined that the operator 5 is present. Detection unit 4 of the operator detection device 500 in FIGS. 5 and 6
The installation location is the same as that of a normal copying machine, with operator 5
The idea is to obtain data from the reflection from the ceiling as distance data from the background. Since the copying machine I is installed under various lighting conditions, it is necessary to distinguish between the surrounding light and the distance measuring light. Therefore, in this embodiment, the infrared rays emitted are 800
A wavelength of ~950 nm was selected and further PSD
Insert a visible light cut filter in front of the light receiving surface 4d of 4A,
The LED 4g is driven in pulses and only the change is extracted to measure the distance, and the driving of the LED 4g is limited to a predetermined interval, and the detection current of the PSD 4A is calculated only when the LED 4g is being driven to obtain distance data. I have to. In this way, by inserting a common visible light cut filter in front of the light receiving section and the light projecting section, that is, the light projecting lens 4f and the light receiving lens 4h, the operator detection device 500
This also has the effect that the detection unit 4 is no longer visible and the operator 5 does not feel uncomfortable. If it is invisible, it is possible to prevent it from responding in a way that is not intended by the design, such as intentionally avoiding detection. On the other hand, the ultrasonic operator detection device 500 uses ultrasonic waves instead of infrared rays, and uses speakers instead of LEDs.
A microphone is used instead of PSD, and the propagation speed of ultrasonic waves in the air is used instead of distance measurement by triangulation. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an operator detection device 500 using ultrasonic waves according to an embodiment, and shows the detection unit 4 of the operator detection device 500, which includes a speaker 4E, an ultrasonic oscillator 4B, a microphone 4F, and a receiver 4D. . The area sandwiched between 9 and 10 and 9' and 10' is the speaker 4E.
shows the directivity of microphone 4F. In reality, when comparing the distances between the speaker 4E and the microphone 4F, the distance between the detection unit 4 and the operator 5 is much larger, so in FIGS. 5 and 6, it is shown as a total detection area. With this configuration, the ultrasonic waves emitted from the speaker 4E are reflected, received by the microphone 4F, the time from emission to incidence is measured, the distance from the detector 4 to the operator 5 is calculated, and the time from emission to incidence is measured. d. If the propagation speed of ultrasonic waves in the air is V, then L = v d / 2, and ■ is a value of about 340 m/s, so the distance can be determined from the measured time d. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a method of measuring time d. An ultrasonic signal with a constant period is applied to the speaker 4E each time a measurement is performed, and ultrasonic waves as shown in the figure are emitted. The emitted ultrasonic waves hit an object and are reflected, and the reflected waves are received by the microphone 4F. Ultrasonic waves reflect back from various objects within the solid angle shown as directivity, so the propagation paths are different, and the received signals have different times from emission to reception, and signals with different transport and amplitude. It is a composite. The data of the signal reflected from the closest point to this signal is used as distance measurement data. Therefore, the received signal is amplified, its amplitude is limited by a predetermined limiter, and then detected to obtain the detected signal shown in the figure, and the time to its leading edge is defined as d. Then, the above equation is calculated from time d to find the distance to the operator. The response when the operator 5 is too close to measure the distance is the same as in the case of the infrared method. Next, the operation of determining the presence/absence and presence range of the operator 5 based on the distance data between the operator 5 and the copying machine 1 obtained from the operator detection device 500 will be described. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the range in which the operator 5 exists with respect to the copying machine I. In the figure, the distance a is the distance a when the detecting section 4 of the operator detection device 500 enters into the copying machine 1. The distance is calculated by subtracting the difference. FIG. I6 is an explanatory diagram showing the location range of the operator 5 in which distances a, b, c, and d are further set. Therefore, from the copying machine 1, the operator 5
FIG. 17 shows a flowchart for detecting whether or not . In this process, the 5TEP 17-1 first determines whether the distance data from the operator detection device 500 is within a predetermined value a, and if it is determined that it is within the predetermined value a, it is determined that the operator 5 is present. Proceed to 17-2, and if it is determined that the value is greater than the predetermined value a, 5TEPI7
-Proceed to 3. The 5TEPI 7-2 determines that the operator 5 exists, and sets the operator presence flag in order to apply this information to various controls. 5TEP 17-3 determines that operator 5 does not exist, so it resets the operator presence flag. As described above, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 50
Based on the distance data obtained from 0, it is determined whether the operator 5 is present in front of the copying machine 1 or not. FIG. 18 is a flowchart for determining that the operator 5 is present when the operator 5 is continuously present within a predetermined distance for a predetermined period of time. In this process, it is first determined in 5TEP 18-1 whether the distance data from the operator detection device 500 is within a predetermined value a, and if it is within the predetermined value a, then the process proceeds to 5TEP 18-2 for a time check. If the value is greater than or equal to the predetermined value a, the operator 5 does not exist, and the process proceeds to 5TEP 18-7. 5TEP 18-2, the operator 5 checks whether or not the "time-up flag 1" is set to 1, which indicates that the time within the predetermined value a has continued for more than a predetermined time. If it is 1, there is no need to check the predetermined time, so the process advances to 5TEP18-5. “If the time-up flag is O, the check that it has continued for the predetermined time has not yet been completed, so proceed to the next 5TEP 18-3. In 5TEP 18-3, the operator 5 travels within the predetermined value a for more than the predetermined time. The time-up counter (Time UP CNT), which is a counter for determining whether it continues to exist, is increased by 1, and in 5TEP18-4 it is determined whether the contents of the counter have become 100 or more. If this subroutine is checked every 5 ms, the predetermined time is about 500 ms. This value can be freely set according to the operating characteristics of the operator detection means 500 and the operator 5. 5TEP 18-4 If (Time UP CNT) ≧100, it has been continued for the specified time, so Operator 5
5TEP18 to process it.
-Go to 5. If (time UP CNT)<100, the processing of this subroutine ends because the predetermined time m has not been continued yet. 5TEP18-5 sets a "time-up flag" to 1, which indicates that the operator 5 has been within a distance of a predetermined value a for a predetermined time or more.Next, in S'l"EP18-6, the operator 5 is determined to exist, and in order to apply this information to various controls, the "operator presence flag" is set to 1. If it is determined in the above 5TEP18-1 that the value is greater than or equal to the predetermined value a, the 5TEP18- Operator 5 at 7
does not exist within the predetermined distance (a), the time-up flag is reset to 0, the content of the time-up counter is reset to 0, and the operator presence flag is also reset to 0. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the location range of the operator 5 with respect to the copying machine 1. Naturally, when the detecting section 4 is inserted into the copying machine 1, the distance is subtracted by that distance. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing another processing procedure for determining the presence of the operator 5 according to the embodiment, in which the detection gain is adjusted so that distance data can be obtained even when there is no detection object, and when the distance cannot be detected. shows the procedure when determining that the operator 5 is present. Further, FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing another processing procedure, in which distance data when there is no detected object is stored, and when a detection result that the object is farther than the distance data is obtained, it is determined that the operator 5 is present. It shows the steps to follow. In the explanation of FIGS. 20 and 21, n shown in FIG. 19,
Use the distances a and d. The meaning and size relationship of each are shown in the figure. First, at 5TEP 20-1 in FIG. 20, it is checked whether the distance data from the operator detection device 500 is within a predetermined jia. If it is within the predetermined value a, operator 5
It is determined that the presence of is detected, and the process proceeds to 5TEP20-3. If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined value a, the next processing step is 5TEP2.
Proceed to 0-2. 5TEP 20-2 checks whether distance data from the operator detection device 500 exists. if,
If the distance data exists, it is determined that the operator 5 does not exist at a distance within the predetermined value a, and 5TEP2
Proceed to 0-4 and reset the operator presence flag to O. If there is no distance data, that is, the distance cannot be detected, it is determined that the operator 5 is too close to the detection device 500 and that the operator 5 is present. ,5TE
Proceed to P20-3 and set the operator presence flag to 1. In addition, in FIG. 21, first in 5TEP21-1, it is checked whether the distance data from the operator detection device 500 is within a predetermined value a. If it is within the predetermined value a, it is determined that the presence of the operator 5 has been detected and the process proceeds to 5TEP21-3.If it is greater than or equal to the predetermined value a, the next check 5TEP2
Proceed to 1'-2. In 5TEP21-2, distance data from the operator detection device 500 is measured and stored in advance by the operator 5.
A check is made to see if the data is within or above n in a state where there is no data. If the distance data is within n or equal to n, operator 5 determines that it does not exist, and 5TEP2
Proceed to 1-4 and "Reset the operator presence flag to O. If the distance data is n or more, it is assumed that normal distance data cannot be obtained because the operator 5 has come too close to the detection device 500, and the operator 5 Judging that exists, 5T
Proceed to EP21-3 and set the operator presence flag to 1.

[Lights on/off control]

The process of determining the relative positional relationship between the operator 5 and the copying machine 1 as described above and controlling the lights on and off will be described. Incidentally, FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing the relative positional relationship (distance) between the copying machine 1 and the operator 5, and the relationship between lighting/extinguishing of the display on the operation section. In FIG. 22, the copying machine 1 is equipped with an operation (display) section 3 on the front F side (the side directly facing the operator 5) of the top surface. The distance at which the display of the copying machine 1 and the operation (display) section 3 is turned on and the distance at which the display is turned off are distances from the front surface F of the copying machine 1, and correspond to within b and within C, respectively. Here, the distances within b and within C are different, but the distances may be the same. That is, when the operator 5 approaches the copying machine 1 and comes within b, the display on the operation (display) section 3 is turned on. Further, when the operator 5 moves away from the copying machine 1 and becomes further away than C, the display on the operation (display) section 3 is controlled to turn on/off so that the display on the operation (display) section 3 is turned off. . FIG. 23 is a flowchart for determining that the operator 5 continues to be present when the distance data suddenly disappears after the presence of the operator 5 is detected. In the following explanation, a shown in FIG. Use distances b, c, and d. The meaning and size relationship of each are shown in the figure. 5TEP 23-1 determines whether the distance data from the operator detection device 500 is within a predetermined value a, and if it is determined that it is within a, it is determined that the operator 5 is present;
Proceed to 5TEP23-2. Distance data from the operator detection device 500 is a predetermined value a
If this is the case, or if there is no distance data (undetectable), the process advances to step 5TEP23-8. Since the detected distance is within a in 5TEP23-2, the within a flag is set to 1. This flag is used to determine where the operator 5 is located within the detection range, and to check the moving direction of the operator 5 in combination with other flags. At 5TEP23-3, an operator presence flag indicating that operator 5 exists is set to 1. 5TEP 23-4 checks whether the distance data from the operator detection device is within a predetermined value. If it is within b, set the within b flag to 1 in 5TEP23-5.
Set to . If it is equal to or greater than b, the less than b flag is reset to O in 5TEP23-11. The within-b flag is also used for the same purpose as the within-a flag. 5TEP 23-6 checks whether the distance data from the operator detection device 500 is within a predetermined value C or not. If it is within C, the within C flag is set to 1 in 5TEP 23-7. If it is C or higher, 5TEP2
At 3-12, the within C flag is reset to 0. The within-C flag is also used for the same purpose as the within-a flag. When it is determined in 5TEP 23-1 that the detected distance is a or more as described above, the less than a flag is reset to O in 5TEP 23-8. Next, in 5TEP23-9, a check is made to see if the within C flag is 1 or 0. This is operator 5
This is a process that makes it possible to determine that the operator 5 is present even if the detected distance becomes equal to or greater than a when the operator 5 gets too close to the detection device 500, or even if the distance data is lost. In other words, even if the detected distance is a or more or there is no distance data, if the within C flag is set to 1, the operator 5 approaches the copying machine 1 and then moves beyond a certain distance C from the copying machine 1. Since this indicates that the operator 5 is not far away, it can be determined that the operator 5 has come too close to the copying machine 1 (has entered the undetectable range). 5TEP23-10, the detection distance is not within a, and C
If the within flag is not set, it is determined that operator 5 does not really exist, and the operator existence flag is reset to O. In the above-described embodiment, when the image formation end signal is on and the detection section 4 of the human body detection means detects that a person moves away from the copying machine 1, the document detection device (not shown) detects the document on the contact glass 12. or when the presence of transfer paper is detected by a transfer paper presence/absence detecting member (not shown), a warning is given by voice or sound to the operator 5 of the copying machine 1 (the person who is detected as moving away). If a human is detected again by the detection unit 4 of the human body detection means within a certain period of time after giving a warning, the voice or sound generating device 600 notifies the operator 5 of an appropriate treatment method. It looks like this. [Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when the image formation end signal is on and the human body detection means detects an operator moving away from the copying machine, it detects that a document, transfer paper, etc. has been left behind. The present invention is equipped with means for giving a warning to the operator by voice, sound, etc., and means for instructing the person to take appropriate measures when the human body detection means detects the presence of a person within a predetermined time after giving the warning. In addition to issuing a warning to the operator, it is also possible to provide more detailed instructions (guidance) to the operator who notices the warning, making it easier to handle warnings in a shorter time and using copies more efficiently. A control device for a copying machine can be provided.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between a copying machine implementing the present invention and an operator; FIGS. 2 and 3 are explanatory diagrams showing the relationship between the operator's movement and the output of the detection section of the human body detection means; Fig. 4 is a flowchart for performing the operations shown in Figs. 2 and 3, Fig. 5 is a side view showing how the copying machine is used, Fig. 6 is a plan view thereof, and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the copying machine. , 8th
The figure is a front view of the operation (display) section of the copying machine, Figure 9 is an enlarged front view of the display panel in Figure 8, Figure 10 is a block diagram of the control device of the copying machine, and Figure 11 is the characteristics of the light receiving element. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a distance measurement method using a light receiving element, FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a distance measurement method using ultrasonic waves, and FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a time measurement method. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the operator's location range with respect to the copying machine, FIG. 16 is another explanatory diagram showing the operator's location range with respect to the copying machine, and FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the operator's location range with respect to the copying machine. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for determining whether the operator is present within a predetermined distance for a predetermined period of time; FIG. Other explanatory diagrams showing the operator's presence range, FIGS. 20 and 21 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure for detecting whether or not the operator exists within a predetermined distance range, respectively, and FIG. Fig. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the positional relationship and the lighting/extinguishing of the operation unit. Figure 23 shows the process of continuously determining that the operator is present when distance data suddenly disappears after detecting the presence of the operator. It is a flowchart showing a procedure. 1... Copying machine, 3... Operation (display) section, 4... Detection section, 4d... Light receiving surface, 4e... Spot light, 4f
...Emitting lens, 4h...Receiving lens, 4g...
LED, 4A...PSD (light receiving element), 4B...
Ultrasonic oscillator, 4D...Receiver, 4E...Speaker, 4F...Microphone, 5...Operator, 6
...Infrared beam, 7.8°9.10...outer edge,
18... Display panel, 6o... Original supply device, 20
0... Main board, 210... Microprocessor, 310... Display board, 320... Drive board, 325... Lighting board, 500... Operator (
human body) detection means, 520... transmitter, 530... receiver, 600... audio output device. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure Figure 6 Funeral diagram Figure 1I Figure 3 Figure 4 is 4υ 12 Cause 14 Figure 15 Figure 16 Figure 17 Figure 19 Figure 20 Figure 21 Figure $22 figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a copying machine control device that includes a control unit that controls the overall operation of the machine, an operation unit that sets and displays the mode of the copying machine, and a human body detection unit that can detect the presence of a person, the image forming means for detecting misplacement of originals, transfer paper, etc. and giving a warning to the operator by voice, sound, etc. when the end signal is on and the human body detection means detects an operator moving away from the copying machine; A control device for a copying machine, comprising means for instructing an appropriate action to be taken when the human body detecting means detects the presence of a human within a predetermined time.