JPH0497169A - Image forming device provided with automatic power down function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the need of key operation by a user by setting a ready mode or a power down mode in accordance with the detected state of an operator detecting sensor and actuating a power mode switching means. CONSTITUTION:The operator detecting sensor S1 detects whether the operator exists near an image forming device main body 1, and the power mode of the image forming device is switched according to whether or not the operator exists. The power mode is switched, for example, when a state where the operator is detected is changed to a state where the operator is not detected, or when the state where the operator is not detected is shifted to the state where the operator is detected. Namely, the power mode is automatically switched according to whether or not the operator exists. Thus, the key operation by the operator is not needed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Industrial Application Field This invention relates to image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and laser printers, and particularly to image forming apparatuses having a power down function that can switch the power consumption of the apparatus body. The present invention relates to a forming device.

(b) Conventional technology In general copying machines and laser printers, the paper onto which the toner image has been transferred is heated by a fixing roller to soften and melt the toner, thereby ensuring that the toner adheres to the paper. . In order to perform this toner fixing, it is necessary to maintain the temperature of the fixing roller surface at about 180°C.

However, maintaining the temperature of the fixing roller at such a temperature that allows fixing consumes a large amount of power, and it is extremely difficult for the fixing roller to be maintained at a high temperature of 180°C when no image forming operation is performed for a long time. It's a waste of time.

Therefore, conventional mode (ready mode) sets the fixing roller to a temperature (approximately 180"C) that allows for immediate fixing operation.
and a mode (power down mode) that does not allow immediate fixing but sets the temperature to a low power consumption (approximately 140° C.).

By the way, in the past, this power mode switching was generally done by manual key operation by the user, and in some cases, the power down mode was activated when no key was pressed on the copying machine for a certain period of time, or when the original was set. When it is detected that the
359 (publication No. 359)).

(C) Invention or legal principle to be solved However, when the power mode is switched using the method described above, the following problems arise.

Power mode switching only by manual line 7
-) If you forget to press a key, the power mode may not be switched and the power mode is left in ray mode, or if you operate the switch key after setting an original, paper, etc. From that point on, it is necessary to wait until the fixing roller's high temperature control operation is started, which may be a waste of time.

Additionally, in the case of devices that switch to power-down mode after a certain period of time has elapsed, for example, even if image formation processing is to be continued, the mote may be switched if no key operations are performed for a while due to organizing documents, etc. There were times when some inconveniences occurred.

Furthermore, in the case of a device that switches to ready mode when a document is set, if the document is set after paper centrifugation and document organization, etc., the heating of the fixing roller will start after that, which will take time. It had the disadvantage of being wasted.

In view of these points, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can solve the problem as described in 1 above by switching the power mode depending on the presence or absence of an operator who actually performs the operation. The purpose is to

(61 Means for Solving Problems) This invention provides an operator detection sensor that detects an operator in proximity to the main body of an image forming apparatus, and a ready-to-use sensor that can immediately operate the main body of the image forming apparatus but consumes a large amount of power. power mode switching means for switching to a mode or a power down mode that cannot immediately start operation but consumes less power; and a power mode switching means for switching to a power down mode in which it is not possible to immediately start operation but consumes less power; and power mode setting means for setting the power mode switching means and operating the power mode switching means.

The power mode setting means may include means for setting the power down mode when the state changes from a state in which an operator is detected to a state in which no operator is detected, and a certain period of time has elapsed in that state.

Further, the configuration may include means for setting the ready mode when the state changes from the state in which the operator is not detected to the state in which the operator is detected, and a predetermined period of time has elapsed in that state.

Furthermore, this image forming apparatus may be provided with means for prohibiting the operation of the power mode switching means while the image forming apparatus main body is in operation, regardless of the detection state of the operator detection sensor.

(e) Effect In this invention, the operator detection sensor detects whether or not an operator is near the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the power mode of the image forming apparatus is switched depending on the presence or absence of the operator. be exposed.

, or when the state shifts from a state in which the operator is not detected to a state in which the operator is detected. In other words, this claim (
In the inventions 2+ and +3), when the operator leaves the image forming apparatus main body, the power is switched from the ready mode to the power down mode, and when the operator approaches the image forming apparatus main body, the power is switched down. mode is switched to ready mode. That is, the power mode is automatically switched depending on the presence or absence of the operator, and the operator does not have to take the trouble to perform key operations.

Further, as described in claim (4), if the power mode is not switched while the main body of the image forming apparatus is in operation, the operator can switch the image forming apparatus while the image forming operation has started. It will not switch to power mode even if you leave it.

('') Embodiment FIG. 4 is an external view showing a state in which a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention detects an operator.

An operator detection sensor S1 is provided at the front of the copying machine main body 1, and detects an operator A present at the front of the copying machine main body. For example, a pyroelectric infrared sensor is used as the operator detection sensor S1. Normally, the human body emits infrared rays having a peak wavelength of 10 μm, and the pyroelectric infrared sensor is sensitive to the infrared rays radiated from the human body. Figure ≠ is a diagram showing the configuration of the operator detection sensor S1. The operator detection sensor S1 includes a condensing mirror 2b for condensing infrared rays 2C from a wide range, and a pyroelectric infrared sensor 2a at the center thereof. As a result, the operator detection sensor S1 can detect the operator not only when the operator is standing in front of the sensor S1, but also when the operator is standing on the front side of the copying machine main body 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control section of this copying machine.

The entire copying machine is controlled by a controller 3. Detection states from various sensors such as the operator detection sensor S1 and the fixing roller temperature sensor S2 are input to the controller 3. Further, an operation baffle 4 is connected to the controller 3. The operation panel 4 includes a print switch 4a,
It is provided with various input keys such as a numeric keypad 4b and an interrupt key 40, and accepts inputs such as copying conditions by the operator, and inputs the received data into the controller 3. The operation panel 4 also displays a preheating display section 4d and copying conditions.

It includes a display section 4e on which error messages and the like are displayed, and performs display operations in accordance with signals from the controller 3.

The controller 3 is also connected to a fixing heater 5 that heats the fixing roller and other various copying units.
It outputs operating signals to various sensors and operation panels in response to input from them. Note that when the power mode is switched, mainly the control signal for the fixing heater 5 changes. That is, in the ready mode, the fixing heater 5 is
The temperature of the fixing heater is maintained at about 80° C., or the fixing heater is maintained at a temperature of about 140° C. in the power down mode.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the power mode switching processing procedure in the copying machine.

In the ready mode in which the fusing heater is maintained at a temperature of 180°C, while a copying operation is in progress, it waits until the operation is completed, and during that time, the output of the operator detection sensor Sl is read. interrupt (nl). This corresponds to the "means for inhibiting the operation of the power mode switching means" as set forth in claim (4). When the copy operation is completed, the output state of the operator detection sensor S1 is read and the state is determined (n2→n3). If there is an operator at the front of the copying machine body (Sl is on), it is determined whether a signal to start a copying operation has been input (n4). When the copy operation start signal is input, the copy operation is performed according to another processing procedure, and the process waits until the copy operation is completed (nl). However, if the copy operation signal is not input, the process returns to detecting the output state of the operator detection sensor S1 (
n2→n3).

On the other hand, when the operator detection sensor S1 no longer detects the operator, the timer TI is started and the timer T1
If the operator does not approach the main body of the copying machine during the time-up period (if St is not turned on), the power down mode is set and the control temperature of the fixing heater is lowered (n
5→n6→n7→n8→n9). In addition to setting the power down mode, the display section 4e is turned off and the preheating lamp 4d is turned off.
I'm getting angry. Here, it is desirable that the time measured by the timer TI be set to about 5 minutes or more. Note that when the operator detection sensor S1 is turned on after the timer Tl for switching to the power down mode is started, the input determination of the copy operation start signal is performed without determining whether the timer T1 has timed up (nlo). This nlo processing has the following advantages, for example. Timer T1 starts when the operator who was previously processing leaves the copying machine. If the next operator arrives just before the timer TI expires, the timer I and up determinations will not be made, so the power down mode will not be set even after the timer T1 has elapsed. Also n
If the input of the copy operation start signal is not determined by LO, the process returns to n6, and the output of the operator detection sensor S1 is read to determine whether or not there is an operator. During this time, the timer T1 continues to measure time, and for example, if Sl is turned on by a mere passerby, the timer T1 continues to measure time without being affected by anything.

The above is the processing in the ready mode, and in this embodiment, according to claim (2), when the state shifts from the state in which the operator is detected to the state in which the operator is not detected, and a certain period of time has elapsed in that state. , a means of setting power-down mode.”
is n2. Corresponds to n3 and n5 to n9.

) When the mode is set, if the read state of the operator detection sensor S1 is on, the timer T2 is started (n11→n12→n13). Timer T2 is a timer that measures approximately 5 to 30 seconds or approximately 20 seconds or less, and if the operator detection sensor S1 continues to be on while timer T2 times up, the ready mode is set and the preheating lamp is turned on. 4d is turned off and the display section 4e is turned on (n 14→n 15→n 16→n
17). However, if the output state of the operator detection sensor S1 turns off during this time, the timer T2 is returned to the reset state (n15→n11), assuming that the operator is a mere passerby.
). This eliminates the inconvenience of the ready mode being set by a mere passerby. Note that in this embodiment, claim (3) states, ``transition from a state in which the operator is not detected to a state in which the operator is detected;
"Means for setting ready mode when a certain period of time has elapsed in this state" corresponds to nil to n17.

(g) Effects of the Invention According to this invention, the operator detection sensor detects the presence of the operator and automatically switches between the power down mode and the ready mode, thereby saving the operator the troublesome effort of switching the power mode. There's no need to spend. Furthermore, when switching to power down mode, unlike when switching manually, there is no chance of forgetting to switch the power mode, and when switching to ready mode, the operator can be near the image forming apparatus main body while arranging documents, etc. Even if no key operations are performed, the mode is automatically switched to ready mode as soon as the operator is detected, so there is no time loss caused by forgetting to switch.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for power mode switching in a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control section of the copying machine, and FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the operator detection sensor. The figure shown in FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the installed state of the sensor. Sl--operator detection sensor. Figure 1 (B) 4C Figure 1 Figure Figure 1

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) An operator detection sensor that detects an operator who is close to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and a ready mode that allows the main body to operate immediately but consumes a lot of power, or a ready mode that does not allow the start of operation immediately. power mode switching means for switching to a power down mode that is possible but consumes less power; and a power mode for setting the ready mode or power down mode according to the detection state of the operator detection sensor and operating the power mode switching means. An image forming apparatus equipped with an auto power down function, characterized in that a setting means is provided. (2) A claim wherein the power mode setting means includes means for setting a power down mode when a state in which the operator is detected is shifted to a state in which the operator is not detected and a certain period of time has elapsed in that state. An image forming apparatus having an auto power down function according to item (1). (3) The power mode setting means includes means for setting a ready mode when the power mode setting means transitions from a state in which an operator is not detected to a state in which an operator is detected and a certain period of time has elapsed in that state; An image forming apparatus having an auto power down function according to claim (1) or (2). (4) Claims (1) to (3) further comprising means for prohibiting the operation of the power mode switching means regardless of the detection state of the operator detection sensor while the image forming apparatus main body is in operation.
An image forming apparatus having an auto power down function according to any one of the above.