JPH0348866A - Guide controller for copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To appropriately guide an operator by performing no guidance when the operator is out and selecting a sound or display guidance according to a distance from a copying machine to the operator. CONSTITUTION:An operator detecting device measures the distance between the copying machine 1 and the operator 5 and detects the presence or absence of the operator via a detecting part 4. The detecting part 4 emits infrared rays or ultrasonic waves. In the case of light, a one-dimensional position sensor is disposed a prescribed distance away from a beam emitting position in the plane perpendicular to a beam emitting direction, and the distance up to the operator is obtained by a trigonometrical survey. In the case of ultrasonic wave, the presence of the operator is determined from the delay time of a reflection signal. When the presence of the operator is detected, a control means guides by sound. When the operator is in a second specific are from which a detection signal cannot be obtained, the control means guides with the aid of a display device. Consequently, noise to circumstances by repeated useless, sound guidance is eliminated when an operator is out.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a guidance control device for a copying machine, and in particular, selects between audio guidance and visual display guidance in accordance with the distance between an operator and the copying machine. The present invention relates to a guidance control device for a copying machine.

[Prior Art] Copying machines are equipped with a voice output device or a visual guidance display device to provide warnings and explanations to an operator when an abnormality occurs.

In a copying machine equipped with an audio output device, warnings and operation instructions are given to the operator by voice, and in a copying machine equipped with a visual guidance display device, guidance is given to the operator by displaying characters and symbols.

Note that this type of device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-20714.
Examples include those described in Publication No. 8.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The above conventional visual guidance display device (hereinafter simply referred to as the guidance display device)! If the operator of a copying machine that is biased towards the operator is at a certain distance from the copying machine, there is a risk of overlooking the display on the guidance display device, and the displayed guidance in the absence of the operator is completely meaningless.

Furthermore, devices equipped with a voice output device have the disadvantage that if the voice guidance from the voice output device is repeated even when the operator is not present, it will cause trouble to those around them.

An object of the present invention is to provide a copying machine that provides ideal guidance to the operator by not providing guidance when the operator is absent, and by distributing audio guidance and display guidance in accordance with the distance between the copying machine and the operator. The purpose of this invention is to provide a guidance control device for aircraft.

[Failure to solve the problem]

The above purpose is to provide warnings and operation instructions to the operator by voice -) a voice output device, a guidance display device to display cautions and operations to the operator, and detect the distance between the copying machine and the operator and output a detection signal. an abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in the copying machine; and when the operator detection device detects that an operator is within a first specific range from the copying machine, the voice output device control means for providing voice guidance using the guidance display device when the operator detecting device detects that the operator is within a second specific range from the copying machine; It consists of things.

(Operation) The distance between the copying machine and the operator is detected by the operator detection device, including the presence or absence of the first operation.Then, the detection signal of this operator detection device allows the operator to move from the copying machine to the first specific range. When it is detected that the vehicle is present, the training means 1 provides audio guidance using the audio output device.

Further, the presence of the operator within the second specific range from the copying machine is detected by the detection signal of the operator detection device? 'tll T' - Guider by step
Display guidance is provided on the friend display device.

In this way, the distance between the copier and the operator is
,? Then, appropriate guidance will be provided.

(Embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of an IM to which the invention is applied;
FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of FIG. 1, in which 1 is a copying machine;
Reference numeral 2 indicates a document rE, 31 indicates an operation display section, 4 indicates a detection section of an operator detection device, and 5 indicates an operator.

A detection unit 4 of an operator detection device is attached to the operation display unit 3 on the front of the copying machine 1, and the detection unit 4G of the operator detection device detects the presence or absence of the operator 5 and the operator 5's relationship to the copying machine 1. The location range is now detected.

The detection section 4 of this operation detection device includes an infrared type and an ultrasonic type, and whichever type is used can be attached to the operation display section 3.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, 6 indicates an infrared beam when infrared rays are used as the detection medium, and 7 to IO indicate the outer edge of the detection area when ultrasonic waves are used as the detection medium, 7.8 and 9 respectively. , 10, it is possible to measure the distance of the operator, and within this range, the reflection η・
If there is one object, it is determined that an operator is present. Both infrared and ultrasonic waves aim to detect the average operator's chest area. Normally, when operating a copier, the width of the operator's chest is equal to the width of the arm plus the thickness of the arm.2 Even if the position of the operator is slightly different, there is concern that the operator may deviate from the detection area of the detection device. I'm doing it this way because I don't have one. Detecting the operator's detection position in one wide area is important when the detection area is a single beam and does not spread out like ultrasonic waves, so it is important to detect the operator's detection position in one wide area. This is particularly important if the device is intended to perform operator sensing.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied, in which 2 is a pressure plate, 3 is an operation display section, 4 is a detection section of an operator detection device, and 14 is a guidance display device. .

As shown in FIG. 3, a contact glass 12 is fixed on the top surface of the copy 11, and a pressure plate 2 for holding down the original placed on the contact glass 12 is rotatably attached to the top surface. There is. An operator card 13 that explains simple operation methods and abnormal displays is attached to the end of the panel board where the operation display section 3 is provided.
A front cover 11 is attached to the front surface of the camera so as to be openable and closable.

Inside the copying machine l with the front cover 11 open, a main switch 15 is provided, and knobs for various parts such as a paper ejection guide plate, levers for various parts such as a fixing unit release lever, and various other parts are accommodated. A cassette 16 is attached to one end of the copying machine 1, and a JBee receiver 17 is attached to the other end.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of the operation display section of FIG. 3, where 4 is a detection section of an operator detection device, and 14 is a guidance display device.

As shown in FIG. 4, a display panel 18 is provided at the center of the operation display section 3 for displaying various types of information.
The detection section 4 of the operator detection section F and the guidance display device 14 are provided above the display panel 18, and below the display panel 18 are provided an automatic density key 19a, a density adjustment key 19b, an automatic paper selection key 20a, and a paper selection key 20b. , equal size key 21a
, an enlargement key 21b and a reduction key 21c are provided.

On one end side of the display panel 18, there are various keys such as a numeric keypad 22, an enter key 23, a start key 24, a guidance key 25, a guidance key display 26, and a timer display 2.
A first operation display section 28 having various displays such as 7 is provided. Similarly, on the other end side of the display panel 18, a page continuous shooting key 29, a zoom magnification change key 30, and an erase key 31 are provided.
A second operation display section 34 is provided which has various keys such as, and various displays such as a centering display 31, a dimension/magnification display 32, and a saw I/display 33.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of the display panel shown in FIG. 4. One half of the day on the display panel is used as a paper display section 35, and this paper display section 35 includes a magnification display 36, a paper specification variable magnification display 37
, automatic paper selection display 38, paper selection display 39, paper size display 40, etc. are provided. In addition, display panel 1
The other half of 8 is used as an operation display section 41, and 1 to 4 supply display section 4
2. Wait 1 display 43, :Z Bee possible display 44, automatic concentration display 45, etc. are provided.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control device for a copying machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, in which 500 is an operator detection device;
600 is an audio output device, 200 is a main board, 210
1 is a microprocessor, 310 is a display board, 14 is a guidance display device, 320 is a drive boat, and 325 is a lighting board.

As shown in FIG. 6, the main board 200 includes microprocessors 21.0. A ROM 220, a RAM 230, etc. are provided, and this main board 200 is equipped with an operator detection device 500, a voice output device 600, and a display board 310.
, a driving board 320, and a lighting board 325 are connected. The main boat 200 also includes a driver 370,
380, signal processing circuit 390, paper feeding unit 360, duplex units 1 to 80, high voltage power supply unit 350, sorter 7
0 and an automatic document feeder 60 are connected.

Various AC loads 400 are connected to the driver 370 described above, various DC loads 410 are connected to the driver 380, and various sensors 420 are connected to the signal processing circuit 390.

Further, the operator detection device 500 includes a transmitter 520
, a receiver 530, and a signal processing section 510, and the audio output device 600 includes a speech synthesis controller 610, a speech synthesizer 620, a ROM 630, and an output circuit 640.

A display section 100 including a guidance display device 14 and a key/switch human power section 101 are connected to the display board 310, motors M1 to M are connected to a drive board 320, and a lamp 31 is connected to a lighting board 325. A lamp control board 330 is connected to the lamp control board 330, and a lamp control board 340 to which the lamps HTI and HT2 are connected.

As already mentioned, there are infrared type and ultrasonic type operator detection devices 500. Measurement light or ultrasonic waves are emitted, reflected from a reflecting object, and the distance to the reflecting object is measured in a manner that is not affected by the received reflection level. The measurement result is within the predetermined Nu range, and the predetermined time I! The continuous presence of the operator signals the presence of the operator.

The distance between the operator and the copying machine detected by the operator detection device 500 is determined by the microprocessor 210 of the main board 200.

Since the principle of measuring the distance h1 is different between light and ultra-fi waves, the method using light and the method using ultrasonic waves will be explained separately below.

Detection using light> An optical system that converts the output of an infrared light-emitting diode and light-emitting diode into a narrow beam is installed at or near the operation section, display section, or document table of the copying machine, and the output is used to control the copying machine by the operator. Place it so that it faces the direction you will be standing when you use it. A one-dimensional position sensor (Posi
tionSensitive Device abbreviated as P
SD) is installed so that its one 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 copying machines, an operator may operate the copying machine by coming close to touching or nearly touching it. With this method, if the operator gets too close,
There are cases where the reflected light cannot be received because the light receiving section or the light projecting section is blocked by the operator or the reflected light exceeds the light receiving range based on the length restriction of the PSD.

In order to prepare for the case where the operator gets too close to the PSD and the position signal cannot be obtained from the PSD, the distance to the operator is continuously measured. When the light cannot be received, the operator determines that the light exists.

Another countermeasure for such conditions is to set the detection gain so that the reflected light from the wall or ceiling behind the operator can be detected when the operator is not present, and to detect the reflected light from the wall or ceiling when the operator is not present. judge.

Alternatively, when there is no moving object such as an operator or a person passing by, the distance to a reflective object, such as a rear wall or ceiling, is detected and memorized, and objects further away than the memorized distance are detected. When this happens, it is determined that the operator exists. This is because if the operator is extremely close and cannot receive the reflected light, the detection result will be the same as if the object is far away and cannot receive the reflected light. The data is based on the fact that this cannot occur unless the conditions under which the copying machine is installed are changed. These methods do not require continuous detection of the operator's approach.

Detection using ultrasonic waves> An ultrasonic speaker and microphone are installed at or near the operation section, display section, or document table of the copier, so that the directivity of the ultrasonic waves is such that the operator stands when operating the copy machine. Place it so that it faces the direction.

The time it takes for the ultrasonic wave emitted from the speaker to hit the detection target, reflect, and return to the microphone is measured, and the distance is determined from the speed at which the sound wave propagates 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 position 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 an operator presence signal.

When the speaker and microphone are installed far apart, if the operator gets too close to the copying machine, one or both of them will be blocked by the operator, making it impossible to receive the reflection. In this case as well, the presence of the operator is determined in the same manner as in the detection method using light.

First, an infrared type operator detection device 500 using an LED that emits infrared rays and a light receiving element (PSD) that detects the ζ position using the reflected light will be described.

FIG. 7 is an explanation of the light receiving element used in the embodiment of the present invention, in which ζ, 4a, 4b are output electrodes, 4C is a common electrode, 4d
is a light receiving surface, and 4e is a spot light.

As shown in the figure, current flows through the output electrodes 4a and 4b according to the position of the spotlight 4e in the longitudinal direction, and when the spotlight 4e hits the center, the current of the output electrode 4a is 1. and the electric current mIz of output type +i4b are equal, and when shifted to the right, 1. <1. , and if it shifts to the left, x2<I. The rate of increase/decrease in TI and rz is proportional to the deviation from the center of the spotlight. Therefore, the position of the spot light and 1. /i+
The relationship is a constant value and is unrelated to the intensity of the spotlight. In other words, by calculating the current ratio, pants 1-
You can find the position of the light.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a distance measurement method using a light receiving element in an embodiment of the present invention, in which 4 is the detection section of the operator detection device, 5 is the operator, 4A is the PSD, 4h is the light receiving lens, and 4r is the emitter. The optical lens 4g is an LED for projecting light.

As shown in Figure 8, by utilizing the fact that the position of the spot light can be detected using the PSD explained in Figure 7, by configuring it as shown in the figure, the distance to the position where the emitted infrared beam hits can be determined. It can be determined by triangulation.

The infrared light of the projected lights LP and D4g is made into a narrow beam by the projected lens 4 and is emitted toward the position where the operator 5 to be detected stands. The spot light that is inverted by 1·j at the detection target is transmitted to the light receiving lens 4h at P S D /1. A real image is focused on the light receiving surface of A. Displacement from the center of the spot light d
is inversely proportional to the distance to the detection target, and the relationship f/L=d/S holds between the base line length S and the distance f between the light receiving lens and the PSD 4A.

As shown in FIG. 7, the following relationship exists between the output types f and II2 of the PSD.

r, =c/2-d=c/2-f S/L-----(
1) Iz =c/2-d=c/2+[S/L----4
2) From now on Iz / I = = (c L / 2 + - f S)
/ (c L/2-f S) #1(-cfs/L ・-(3), and (Iz/I+ 1) is proportional to 1/I,
Since cr and S have values unique to the detection device, I2/1. I7 can be found from

Although this method requires the length of the PSD 4A to be large for short distances, the accuracy is high and is suitable for detecting the presence of a copying machine operator.

The presence of an operator is determined as follows.

When the distance measurement result is smaller than a predetermined value within or outside 50 cm, it is determined that the operator is present.

In order to distinguish from people who simply pass in front of the copying machine without using the copying machine, it may be determined that the operator is present when the operator is within a predetermined distance for a predetermined period of time. If the operator gets too close to the copier and exceeds the light receiving range of the PSD, or covers the light emitting part or the light receiving part, and position data cannot be obtained, the operator is detected by a processing part separate from the calculation part. Then it is determined.

As mentioned above, simply determining that an operator is present when no position data is available may lead to an incorrect determination in the event that the detection device malfunctions.
It is also possible to avoid such a problem by using data before the position data is no longer available and by setting the determination condition to be that the position data is no longer available as a result of the operator approaching.

Alternatively, distance data of ceilings, walls, etc. obtained when the operator is not present may be stored, and when a distance longer than this is detected, it may be determined that the operator is present.

The installation position of the detection device shown in Figures 1 and 2 is based on the normal installation conditions of a copying machine, and takes into consideration the possibility of obtaining data from reflections from the ceiling as distance data from the operator's background. be.

Since copying machines are installed in locations with various lighting conditions, it is necessary to distinguish between ambient light and distance measurement light. For this reason, the infrared radiation emitted is set to 800-950 nm. Furthermore, a visible light cut filter is inserted in front of the light-receiving surface of PSD4A, and LED4g is pulse-driven, and only the change is extracted to measure the distance.
The driving of D4g is limited to a predetermined interval, and the detection currents of PSD and IA are calculated only when driving, and distance data is obtained.

Inserting a common visible light cut filter in the light receiving section and the light projecting section has the effect that the detection section of the operator detection device becomes invisible and does not cause any discomfort to the operator. If it is invisible, it is possible to prevent it from being detected in a way that is not intended by the design.

The ultrasonic operator detection device 500 uses ultrasonic waves instead of infrared rays, and a speaker and P instead of LED.
A microphone is used instead of SD, and the propagation speed of ultrasonic waves in the air is used instead of distance measurement by triangulation.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an operator detection device using ultrasonic waves in an embodiment of the present invention, in which 4 is a detection section of the operator detection device, 4B is an ultrasonic oscillator, 4D is a receiver,
4E is a speaker and 4F is a microphone.

In the figure, the area between 9 and 10.9' and 10' indicates the directivity of the speaker 4E and microphone 4F. In reality, the distance between the detector and the operator 5 is much larger than the distance between the speaker 4E and the microphone 4F, so it is shown as a total detection area in FIGS. 1 and 2. With this configuration, the ultrasonic waves emitted from the speaker 4E are reflected, received by the microphone 4F, the time from emission to reception is measured, the distance from the detector to the operator is calculated, and the time from emission to reception is d. , if the propagation speed of ultrasonic waves in air is V, then L =
v d / 2, and since ■ is a value of about 340 m/s, the distance I7 can be found from the measured d.

Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram of a distance measurement method using ultrasonic waves according to an embodiment of the present invention.An ultrasonic signal with a constant period is given to the speaker for measurement, 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 a microphone. Ultrasonic waves reflect back from various objects within the solid angle shown as directivity, so the propagation paths are different, the time from emission to reception of the received signal is different, and the phase and amplitude are different. It is a composite of different signals.

From this signal, the data of the signal reflected from the closest place is used as distance measurement data.

Therefore, the received 1C signal is amplified, its amplitude is limited by a predetermined limiter, and then detected to obtain the detection signal shown in the figure, and the time to the leading edge of the signal is defined as d. The distance to the operator is determined from d by calculating the above formula.

If the operator is too close to measure the distance, the response is the same as in the case of the infrared method.

Next, the operation of determining the presence or absence of an operator and the range of presence thereof based on data from the operator detection device will be described.

FIG. 1I is an explanatory diagram showing the range for determining the presence or absence of an operator for the copying machine.
However, when the detection section 4 of the operator detection device 500 enters, the distance is subtracted by that distance.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the predetermined Tn range of the operator with respect to the copying machine, and each distance is a distance subtracted by the amount when the detection section 4 of the operator detection device 500 is inserted into the copying machine l.

FIG. 13 is a first flowchart 1 for determining the presence of an operator in the embodiment of the present invention, and the following determination or processing is performed at each 5 TEP.

5TEP6-1: Determine whether the distance data from the operator detection device (500) is within (il) or not, and if it is determined that it is within (a), disconnect if there is an operator, STt: P6 2 If it is determined that the value is equal to or higher than (a), the process proceeds to 5TEP6-3.

5TEP6 2: Determine that an operator is present, and set an operator presence flag in order to apply that information to various controls.

5TEP6-3: Since it is determined that the operator does not exist, the operator presence flag is reset.

As shown below, the process shown in the flow diagram of FIG. 7 is the most basic one, obtained from the operator detection device, and ! 1 Based on the large cutting data, it is determined whether or not an operator is present in front of the photo frame.

FIG. 14 shows the determination of the presence of an operator in the practical example of the present invention in the 20th fl coachyard of J-Lo, and in this flowchart, the operator is continuously present within a predetermined distance a for a predetermined time. If so, it is determined that the operator exists.

In each of the 5 TEPs in FIG. 14, the following trigger determination or processing is performed.

5TEP7-17 Determine 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 5T for a time check.
Proceed to EP7-2. If the value is greater than or equal to the predetermined value (a), the operator does not exist and the process advances to 5TEP76.

5TEP7-27 The time during which the operator exists within (a) is greater than or equal to the predetermined time 1! A check is made to see if the time-up flag indicating that the process has continued has been set. If the time-up flag is 1, there is no need to check the predetermined time, and the process advances to 5TEP7-5. If the time-up flag is O, it means that the check has not been completed for the predetermined period of time, so the next STEEL
” Proceed to 7-3-2.

5TEP'l-3: Increment the counter (Time UP CNT) by 1 to determine whether the operator has been present continuously for more than a predetermined time within (a), and check the contents of the counter. Cut into pieces that are over 100 or 75.

If this subroutine is checked every 5ms, I'
) 500 ms is the predetermined time. This value can be freely set depending on the operating characteristics of the detection means and operator. (Time UP CNT) If ≧100, it continues for a predetermined time.1. Therefore, it is determined that there is an operator and the process proceeds to 5TEP7-4 (Time IJP CNT) <1o.

If so, it has not continued for the predetermined time, and the processing of this subroutine ends.

5TEP7-4: The operator (a) sets a time-up flag in I to indicate that the time for which 0 or less has been present has cleared for a predetermined time or more.

STE P7-5: It is determined that an operator exists, and the operator presence flag is set to 1 in order to apply that information to [Φ] control.

5TEP7-6: There is no operator within the specified distance (, ]), so reset the time-up flag to 0, reset the contents of (time-UP CNT) to 0,
” The operator presence flag is also reset to 0.

FIG. 15 is a third flowchart 1- for determining the presence of an operator in the embodiment of the present invention. , shows a flow for fully disconnecting if an operator continues to exist. In the following explanation, the distances ^1t of a, b, c, and d shown in FIG. 13 will be used. The meaning and size relationship of each are shown in the figure.

In each of the 5 TEPs shown in FIG. 15, the following identification or processing is performed.

5TEP8-1: Determine whether the distance data from the operator detection device (500) is within a predetermined value (81 or less,
If it is determined that it is within (a), it is determined that an operator is present and the process proceeds to 5TEP8-2. Operator detection device (
Is the distance 311 data from 500) greater than or equal to the predetermined value (a)?
Or 5TEP8 if the distance data is within (undetectable)
Proceed to process -8.

5TEP8-2: Since the detection distance is within (a),
Set the within 8 flag to 1. This flag is used to determine where the operator is within the detection range, and to check the direction of movement of the operator in combination with other flags.

5TEP8-3: Set the operator presence flag to 1, which indicates that an operator exists.

5TEP8-4: Check whether the distance data from the operator detection device is within a predetermined value (b).

If it is within b), in 5T17P8-5,
Set the within 5 flag to 1. (b) If it is above, the 5 or less flag is reset to 0 in 5TEP8-11. The within 5 flag is also used for the same purpose as the within 8 flag.

5TEP8-6: Distance from operator detection device^1t
A check is made to see if the data is within a predetermined value (C).

If it is within C), the within C flag is set to 1 in 5TEP8-7. If it is C or higher, ST E
In P 8-1.2, reset the within-0 flag to 0. The within C flag is also used for the same purpose as the within 8 flag.

5TEP8-8: Reset the within 8 flag to 0.

5TEP8-9: Check whether the C or less flag is 1 or 0. This is a process that makes it possible to determine that the operator is present even if the detected distance becomes greater than (a) or the distance data is lost when the operator gets too close to the detection device. In other words, even if the detection distance is greater than (a) or the distance data is absent,
When the within C flag is set to 1, it indicates that the operator approached the copier and then did not move further than a certain distance (C) away from the copier, so the operator did not get too close to the copier. It is possible to determine that the detected value has entered the non-detection range.

5TEP8-10: If the detection distance is not within (a) and the within C flag is not set, it is determined that the operator is not really present, and the operator presence flag is reset to 0.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the predetermined range of the operator for the copying machine 1.
When the detection part 4 of is inserted, the distance is subtracted by that amount.

FIG. 16 is a fourth flowchart for determining the presence of an operator in the embodiment of the present invention. In this flowchart, the detection gain is adjusted so that distance %1 data can be obtained even when there is no detected object, and the distance If it cannot be detected, it is determined that an operator is present.

In each of the 5 TEPs shown in FIG. 16, the following determination or processing is performed.

5TEP9-1 Checks whether the distance data from the operator detection device (500) is within a predetermined value (il). If it is within (a), it is determined that the presence of an operator has been detected (7) and the process proceeds to 5TEP9-3. (a) If it is above, proceed to the next check 5TEP9-2.

5TEP9-2: Check whether distance data from the operator detection device (500) exists. If distance data exists (it is determined that there is no operator within 31), proceed to 5TEP9-4.

If there is no distance data, that is, if the distance cannot be detected, it is determined that the operator is too close to the detection device, and it is determined that the operator is present.5TEP9-3
-Go forward 5.

5TEP9-3: Set the operator presence flag to 1.

5TEP9-4: Set the operator presence flag to 04 to 1-.

FIG. 17 is the fifth flowchart 1 for determining the presence of an overeator in the embodiment of the present invention. In this flowchart, distance data when there is no detected object is stored, and if the object is farther than the distance data, the distance data is stored. If detected, it is determined that an operator is present.

In each of the 5 TEPs shown in FIG. 17, the following determination or processing is performed.

5TEP 10-1: Operator detection device (500)
A check is made to see if the distance at data is within a predetermined value (a). If it is within (a), it is determined that the presence of an operator has been detected, and the process proceeds to 5TIEP 10-3.

(a) If above, next check 5TEP 10-
Proceed to 2.

5TEP 10-2: Operator detection device (500)
Check whether the distance data from the machine is within or above the data (b) measured and recorded in advance without an operator present. If the distance data is (n
) or equal to (n), it is determined that the operator does not exist and the process proceeds to 5TEP 10-4. If the distance data is (n) or more, it is determined that normal distance data cannot be obtained because the operator is too close to the detection device, and it is determined that the operator is present, and 5TEP 10-3
Proceed to.

5TEPIO-3: Set the operator presence flag to 1.

5TEP 10-4: Reset the operator presence flag to O.

Note that n, i, and d in the flowcharts of FIGS. 16 and 17 are as explained in FIG. 18.

As already explained, in the embodiment, the audio output device 600 and the guidance display device 14 are provided, and the sixth
Based on the detection data from the operator detection device 500 shown in the figure, the microprocessor 2 of the main board 200
10, cautions and operation explanations for operators,
A selection is made between audio guidance from the audio output device 600 and display guidance from the guidance display device 14.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of the voice guidance area and display guidance area for the copying machine in the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, if the operator 5 is within distance C from the copying machine 1, the display guidance is performed, and if the distance is within B, voice guidance is performed.

In other words, when some kind of abnormality occurs and it is necessary to take action, conventionally, the details of the abnormality have often been displayed on the operation unit in order to notify the operator of the abnormality. In addition, another example is known in which, when an abnormality occurs, the operator is notified of the abnormality by voice. The present invention uses audio output and guidance display to provide more appropriate guidance depending on the distance between the operator and the machine. Therefore, if the operator approaches within B from the machine (enters the voice guidance area)
When the operator approaches the N machine and approaches within C (enters the operation section guidance display area), the operator uses voice output guidance to call the operator's attention. Since the guidance can be viewed, the guidance can be switched from voice output guidance to guidance display on the guidance display section of the operation section.

In this way, the distance between the machine and the operator is detected, and depending on the distance, guidance is provided to the operator at a distance where the display on the operating section cannot be seen, or by voice guidance when the operator approaches the machine. When you get close enough to see the display, the guidance display on the operating section provides easier-to-understand guidance, which improves operability when a machine malfunction occurs.

On the other hand, even if the Bellator approaches the machine but does not notice an abnormality in the machine and moves away from the machine without doing anything, the abnormality will be outputted as guidance through voice output again to alert the operator. Therefore, it is possible to deal with abnormalities without omission.

Furthermore, if the operator is not near the machine, no sound is output, so the operator does not disturb others.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of guidance processing when papered occurs in the embodiment of the present invention.

In each of the 5 TEPs in the figure, the following determination or processing is performed.

5TEP20-1: Checking whether paper end has occurred.

As shown in FIG. 19, the determination of "paper end" is made based on whether the cassette 1- is set in the selected paper feed stage and whether paper end detection is working.

If it is a paper end, proceed to the next 5TEP 20-2 for further processing. Also, if it is not the end of the paper, proceed to 5TEP20-7.

5TEP2C1-2: Check whether the "within 0 flag" indicating that the operator is located close to the machine is set to 1.

If the "within C flag" is set to 1, an operator is present near the machine, so the process advances to 5TEP20-3 to display guidance on the operating section.

If the flag within C is 0, the next check is 5T.
Proceed to EP20-4.

STEP 20-3: Display paper end guidance on the guidance display section of the operation panel. Saro also stops Paper End's voice guidance output.

STE, P2O- = 1: Indicates that the operator is near the machine command, °゛Δ within flag'' is set to 1)
A check is performed to see if the

If the “within A flag” is set to 1, 5 TEP
Proceed to 20-113.

If the “within A flag” is 0, proceed to 5TEP 207.

5TEP20-5: Check whether the ``within 8'' flag is set to 1, which indicates that the operator is near the machine.

If the "within 'B flag" is set to 1, 5TE
Proceed to P20-6.

If the “within 8 flag” is 0, proceed to 5TEP 207.

5TEP20-6: It has been detected that the operator is near the machine, so in order to notify the operator of the paper end, a paper end guidance audio output is performed using the audio output device.

The audio output here is, for example, r paper end, please replenish the paper. --・J is something that is grouped into one sentence or word.

Further, at this time, the guidance display on the guidance display section of the operation section may be turned off or may be displayed as is.

5TEP20-7: This process is performed when the machine is not at the paper end or when the operator is not near the machine. In such a situation, the guidance for the paper end is not outputted by voice or by the guidance display section of the illustrator department, so each output is stopped.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of paper end determination in the embodiment of the present invention.

In each of the 5 TEPs in FIG. 21, the following determination or processing is performed.

5TEP21-1 It is determined whether the manual feed display is ON or not. If the determination is No, the process proceeds to ST-P21-2, and if YES, the process proceeds to 5TEP218.

5TEP21-2: Determine whether the sketch paper selection flag is 1, and if this determination is YES, 5TI
Proceed to EP21-3, and if No, proceed to 5TEP21-5.

5TEP21-3: A judgment is made as to whether there is a sketch paper power set 1~, and if this judgment is YES, 5TEP2
Proceed to 1-4, and if No, proceed to 5TEP21-7.

5TEP21-4: It is determined whether the lower cassette paper end is reached, and if YES, 5TEP
Proceed to 21-7, and if NO, proceed to 5TEP21, -8.

5TEP21. -7: Paper end display turns ON.

5TEP21-5: It is determined whether there is an upper paper feed cassette, and if the determination is YES, 5TEP21-6
If the determination is NO, the process advances to 5TEP21-7.

5TEP21-6: It is determined whether the upper cassette paper is
Proceed to TEP21-7, and if the determination is No, proceed to 5TEP2
Proceed to 1-8.

5TEP21-8: Paper end display becomes 017F.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of guidance processing when a paper jam occurs in the embodiment of the present invention.

In each of the 5 TEPs in the figure, the following determination or processing is performed.

5TEP22-17 Checking whether a paper jam has occurred. Determination of paper jam is common in copying machines, so it will not be discussed here.

If there is a paper jam, the process advances to the next 5TEP 22-2 to perform guidance processing. Also, if there is no paper jam, proceed to 5TEP22-7.

5TEP22-2: Check whether the "°C within °C flag", which indicates that the operator is located close to the machine, is set to 1.

If the within 0 flag is set to l,
Since the operator is near the machine, the process advances to 5TEP22-3 to display guidance for the operating section.

If the less than 0 flag is O, the next check is 5T.
Proceed to EP22-4.

5TEP21-3: Display paper jam guidance on the guidance display section of the operation section. Furthermore, the audio guidance output for paper jam is stopped.

5TEP214: Check whether the "within A flag" is set to 1, which indicates that the operator is near the machine.

If “within A flag” is set to 1, 5 TEP
Proceed to 22-6.

If the “within A flag” is O, proceed to 5TEP227.

5TEP22-5: Check whether the "within 8 flag" indicating that the operator is near the JA machine is set to 1.

If the ``B8 or less flag'' is set to 1, 5 TEP
Proceed to 22-6.

“If the within B flag is O, proceed to 5TEP227.

5TEP22-6: Since it is detected that the operator is near the machine, the audio output device is used to output paper jam guidance audio to notify the operator of the paper jam.

The audio output here is, for example, r jam, please remove the jammed paper. −−−−−−J toi・
The sentence -1) is organized into 8 leaves.

Further, at this time, the guidance display on the guidance display section of the operation section may be turned off or may be displayed as is.

5TEP22-7: This process is performed when there is no paper jam or when the operator is not near the machine. In such a case, the paper jam guidance is not provided by voice output or by the guidance display section of the operation section, so each output is stopped.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of guidance processing when toner end occurs in the embodiment of the present invention.

In each of the 5 TEPs in the figure, the following determination or processing is performed.

5TEP23-1: Checks whether toner end has occurred. Since the method for determining the toner end differs depending on each copying machine, the detection method will not be specifically described here. Here, we will proceed after the i-nerent has been detected.

If the toner has ended, the process advances to the next 5TEP 23-2 to perform guidance processing. Also, 1, if it is not the end, proceed to 5TEP23-7.

5TEP23-2: Check whether the "within C flag" indicating that the operator is located close to the machine is set to 1.

If the "within C flag" is set to 1, the operator is not present near 411, so the process advances to 5TIEP 23-3 to display guidance for the operating section.

If the within C flag is 0, the process advances to the next check, 5TEP23-4.

5TEP23-3: In the guidance display section of the operation section,
・Display guidance for the end. Furthermore, the toner end audio guidance output is stopped.

5TEP23-4: Check whether or not the within flag is set to 1, which indicates that the operator is near the machine.

If the “within A flag” is set to 1, 5 TEP
23 Proceed to 6.

If the “within A flag” is O, proceed to 5TEP 237.

5TEP23-5: Check whether the "within B flag", which indicates that the operator is near the machine, is set to 1.

If the "B or less flag" is set to 1, the process advances to STI page P23-6.

If the “within B flag” is O, proceed to 5TEP237.

5TEP23-6: It has been detected that the operator is near the machine, so in order to notify the operator of the toner end, a voice output device is used to output a toner end guidance voice.

The audio output here is, for example, f-toner end.
Please replenish toner. It is something that is grouped into one sentence or word, such as ...-1---...-j.

Further, at this time, the guidance display on the guidance display section of the operation section may be turned off or may be displayed as is.

5TEP23-7: This process is performed when the toner end is not reached or when the operator is not near R+hM. In such a case, since the toner end guidance is not provided by voice output or by the guidance display section of the operation section, the respective outputs are stopped.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of guidance processing when a mechanical failure occurs in the embodiment of the present invention.

In each of the 5 TEPs in the figure, the following determination or processing is performed.

5TEP24-1: Checking whether a machine failure has occurred. Since there are various types of failures for each copying machine, we will not discuss the details of the determination of machine failure here. Mechanical failure here means a serviceman call.

If there is a mechanical failure, the process advances to the next 5TEP24-2 to perform guidance processing. Also, if there is no mechanical failure, S
Proceed to TEP2m-7.

S'rEP24-2: Checks whether the "within C flag" indicating that the operator is present at a close distance from the machine is set to 1.

If the within-Pac flag is set to 1, since the operator is near N71, the process advances to 5TEP24-3 to display guidance on the operating section.

If the within °C flag is 0, the process advances to the next check, 5TEP24-4.

5TEP24-3: Display guidance for machine failure on the guidance display section of the operation section. Furthermore, the output of voice guidance in case of machine failure is stopped.

5TEP24-4: Check whether the ``within A flag'' is set to 1, which indicates that the operator is near the machine.

“If the within A flag is set to 1, 5TE
Proceed to P24-6.

If the “within A flag” is 0, the process advances to 5TEP247.

5TEP21-5: Check whether the "within B flag" is set to 1, which indicates that the operator is near the machine.

“If the within 'B flag is set to 1], 5TE
Proceed to P24-6.

“If the within B flag is 0, 5TEP24STEP24
-6: It has been detected that the operator is near the i-machine, so the voice output device is used to output a voice guidance for the machine failure in order to notify the operator of the machine failure.

The audio output here means, for example, that there is a machine error, please call a service person. -'-=-, j, etc. It is an object that is grouped into one sentence or word.

Further, at this time, the guidance display on the guidance display section of the operation section may be turned off or may be displayed as is.

5TEP24-7: , :: performs lFl, n
This is the case when the machine is not at fault, or when the operator is not near the machine. In such a case, since guidance regarding machine failure is not provided by voice output or by the guidance display section of the operation section, the respective outputs are stopped.

(Effects of the Invention) As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the presence of an operator and the area of existence relative to the copying machine are determined, and when the operator is present, voice guidance is provided corresponding to the area of presence relative to the copying machine. and display guidance.
Appropriate guidance is provided to the operator. Furthermore, meaningless guidance is no longer performed when the operator is absent, and voice guidance is no longer repeated, causing a nuisance to the surroundings.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a copying machine illustrating an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the operation display section in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the display panel in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control device of a copying machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the light receiving element, Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the distance measurement method using the photodetector, Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the ultrasonic type operator detection device, and Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the distance measurement method using the ultrasonic wave. An explanatory diagram, FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the range of determining the presence or absence of an operator for the copying machine, FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the predetermined dependence range of operator τ for the copying machine, and FIG.
14, 15, 16, and 17 are flowcharts for determining the presence of an operator, FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the predetermined existence range of the operator with respect to the copying machine, and FIG.
The figure is an explanatory diagram of the audio guidance area and the display guidance area, Figure 20 is a flowchart of guidance processing when a paper end occurs, Figure 21 is a flowchart of paper end determination, and Figure 22 is a flowchart of guidance processing when a paper jam occurs. Flowchart 2 Unillustrated condolence? Condolence drawing → σ D Funeral drawing 0 Unillustrated! ! Funeral 2 Figure Figure 13 Figure 16 Figure 17121 Figure 8 Figure 9

Claims (1)

[Claims] A voice output device provides audio warnings and operational guidance to the operator, a guidance display device visually displays the warnings and operational guidance, and detects the distance between the copier and the operator and sends a detection signal. an operator detection device for outputting an output; an abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in the copying machine;
In response to detecting that the operator is present in a second specific range, the voice output device provides voice guidance, and the operator detecting device detects that the operator is in a second specific range from the copying machine. A guidance control device for a copying machine, comprising: control means for causing the guidance display device to perform display guidance in accordance with the instruction.