JPH09160440A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an operator to operate an image forming device withoutpating attention to direction change by switching an effective operational direction based on the result detected by human body detecting sensors provided at both operating positions of the device. SOLUTION: This device having the operating positions A and B on two side faces facing each other respectively and capable of being operated from each operating position is provided with the human body detecting sensors 7 and 8 arranged at the right positions in each operational direction and a control part 52 which judges whether a copying operation is in execution or not and executes work for judging the operational direction where the human body is detected by the human body sensors, when the copying operation is not in execution and the present effective operational direction. When the operational direction where the human body has been detected by the human body detecting sensors, is different from the present effective operational direction, the control part 52 switches the effective operational direction to the operational direction where the human body has been detected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile machine, and more particularly to an improvement of the image forming apparatus operable from a plurality of operating directions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of OA equipment have been positively introduced and installed in various places in the office in order to improve the efficiency of office work. Some of these OA devices are miniaturized such as laptop personal computers, but many such OA devices such as desktop personal computers and copiers have a considerably large installation area and bulk. Therefore, when these OA devices are installed in an office, a large space is occupied by each OA device, and the space that can be actually used becomes small even in an office having a large area. An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is almost always installed near a wall for the purpose of effectively utilizing the space. However, when the layout of furniture in the office is taken into consideration, if the OA equipment can be used from two or more directions, the degree of freedom in installation increases, space can be saved, and operability is improved. be able to. The following technology is disclosed as such an image forming apparatus.

<Copier Having Operation Units on Both Sides of Apparatus> A copying machine disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 169244/1989 has a plurality of operation units independently at positions opposed to each other through a document placing unit. While arranging, at the end of the document placing section,
Supports the pressure plate and opens and closes laterally. <Rotating Copying Machine> The copying machine disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-21946 has a rotating mechanism at the bottom of the main body of the copying machine. Allows operation from any direction. <Copier in which each unit is unitized and can be accessed bidirectionally> The copier disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 32525/1988 allows the units in the apparatus to be independent and enables bidirectional access to the front and rear of the apparatus. The operation part can be attached to both front and rear surfaces. <Copier that can be operated from 4 directions> JP-A-5-20405
7, JP-A-5-207209, and JP-A-5-2072.
No. 10, JP-A-5-216314, and JP-A-5-219.
The copying machines disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 308 and JP-A-5-227372 are provided with a document pressure plate capable of opening / closing operations from four directions and a means for detecting the opening / closing direction. Accordingly, the lighting means provided on the original scale is turned on. Further, it is provided with an operation panel movable between two adjacent sides, and further provided with means for detecting the position of the operation panel. In addition, a space is provided between the scanner unit and the image forming engine unit, and the image formed paper is ejected in this space, and the scanner unit moves in four directions with respect to the image forming engine unit. And make it easy to take out the discharged paper. In addition, when there is an image formation instruction from each operation panel, the instruction is sequentially stored and image formation is performed, and the interruption instruction can be accepted only from the operation panel that issued the image formation instruction. Provide an operation panel that can be prioritized. Further, the original reading range or the vertical movement of the discharge tray is determined based on the detection result of the operation direction. Further, the scanner is made movable with respect to the image forming engine unit, and the original reading range, the effective operation panel or the vertical movement of the discharge tray is controlled according to the detection result of the movement direction. Further, the original reading range, the upper and lower sides of the effective operation panel or discharge tray are determined based on the detection result of the opening / closing direction of the pressure plate.

<Copier equipped with operation section having two print keys> The copier disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-76343 has a construction in which print keys are provided at the left and right positions of the operation plate. ing. <Apparatus provided with an operating section that stands up in the operating direction> The apparatus disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-76343 aims to make the operating panel stand up so that the display surface of the operating panel can be easily seen. To do. <Apparatus equipped with a rotating operation unit> Showa 63-6685
The apparatus disclosed in No. 0 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-66851 is provided with a liquid crystal display unit rotatably with respect to the apparatus body so that the angle with respect to the line of sight can be changed. <Apparatus equipped with a rotatable operation unit> JP-A-62-153
In the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 963/1983 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-153966, a display unit provided with a liquid crystal panel is provided rotatably with respect to the operation panel to make the display easy to see. Also, it can be driven by a motor to set the required angle. <Device in which the position of the operating portion is variable> JP-A-60-209
In the devices disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 745 and JP-A-61-43308, an operation unit is made detachable and a plurality of unit receiving portions are provided so that the position of the operation device can be changed.

[0005]

An image forming apparatus that can be operated in both directions has two operation directions (operation positions) and can be used by switching the operation directions. Since the start key can be pressed from any position, the copy machine body is not on the wall,
It can be installed between departments as an office partition. Moreover, since the operation direction can be switched when necessary, the same image forming apparatus can be used from each department. By the way, in each of the conventional image forming apparatuses described above, the following problems occur as a result of enabling operation from a plurality of directions. That is, in the conventional image forming apparatus capable of bidirectional operation, the mode setting direction at the time of image formation and the start permission direction of the image forming operation cannot be switched, so that the operator can operate. It was necessary to move in the direction and then perform the operation. If a means for switching the operating direction by manual operation is provided, the operator always pays attention to the image forming operation in the opposite operating direction and the designation of the copy mode, and is aware and considering the switching of the operating direction. Since the need arises, the operability was significantly reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and the invention of claim 1 switches the effective operation direction based on the detection result by the human body detection sensors provided at both operation positions of the image forming apparatus. The purpose is to enable the operator to operate without being aware of the direction change. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the human body detecting sensor detects the human body detecting sensor and validates the operation direction approached by the operator, thereby enabling the operator to operate without being aware of the direction change. The purpose is to enable immediate response to the approach of the operator by observing the amount of change.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the preheat is switched to the copy standby state, the human body detection sensor makes the operation direction approached by the operator effective, thereby preventing confusion at the time of releasing the preheat, and The purpose is to enable operation without being aware of conversion. According to the invention of claim 4, the human body detection sensor enables the operation direction in which the operator is present first, and even if the operator in the opposite direction comes,
The purpose is to prevent the confusion of the operator due to the switching of the operation direction by not changing the operation direction until there is no operator who is copying first. According to the invention of claim 5, even if the opposite direction of operation is already enabled by the human body detection sensor, the operation direction can be forcibly changed by the direction changing means. The purpose is to enable copying even when there are people in the area.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 has an operation position on each of two opposing side portions, and an image forming operation can be performed from each operation position. In the device, work to detect the human body detection sensor placed in the proper position in each operation direction, to determine if the copy operation is in progress, and to determine the operation direction in which the human body detection sensor detects the human body when the copy operation is not in progress And a control unit that performs work for determining the currently effective operation direction, and the control unit, when the operation direction in which the human body is detected by the human body detection sensor and the currently effective operation direction are different, It is characterized by performing control for switching the effective operation direction to the operation direction in which the human body is detected. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus that has operating positions on each of two opposing side portions and can be operated from each operating position, a human body detection sensor disposed at each appropriate position in each operating direction, A copy control operation; a work for determining whether or not the human body detection sensor has newly detected a human body; and a control unit for performing a work for determining a currently effective operation direction. If the human body detection sensor is not in the copying operation and the operation direction in which the human body is newly detected by the human body detection sensor is different from the currently effective operation direction, the operation unit detects the operation in which the human body is newly detected in the effective operation direction. It is characterized in that control for switching to the direction is performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having an operating position on each of two opposing side portions and capable of being operated from each operating position, the image forming apparatus having a preheating mode. , A human body detection sensor disposed in a proper position in each operation direction, a judgment as to whether or not it is in a preheating state, and a work of transitioning to a copy standby state when the human body detection sensor detects a human body in a preheating state The human body detection sensor includes a control unit that determines the operation direction in which the human body is detected, and a control unit that determines the effective operation direction before preheating. When the operated direction is different from the operating direction before preheating, the effective operating direction is switched to the operating direction in which the human body detection sensor detects the human body. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus which has an operating position on each of two opposing side portions and which can be operated from each operating position. Human body detection sensors placed at appropriate positions in each direction, work to determine whether or not copy operation is in progress, work to determine the operating direction in which the human body detection sensor detected the human body when not in copy operation, and currently effective And a control unit that performs a work for determining a different operation direction, and the control unit detects the effective operation direction when the operation direction in which the human body detection sensor detects the human body and the currently effective operation direction are different. It is characterized in that the control is switched to the side detected by the sensor, and when the human body detection sensor in the currently effective operation direction is detecting the human body, the operation direction is not switched.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus which has an operating position on each of two side portions facing each other and can be operated from each operating position. The image forming apparatus is arranged at a proper position in each operating direction. A human body detection sensor, direction changing means for switching the effective operation direction, work for determining the direction in which the human body detection sensor detects a human body, and a control unit for performing work for determining the current effective operation direction, The control unit switches the effective operation direction to the operation direction in which the human body detection sensor detects the human body when the operation direction in which the human body detection sensor detects the human body and the currently effective operation direction are different, and the direction conversion means When the direction change is instructed, the effective operation direction is switched to the instructed operation direction.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention as viewed from the front side, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus as viewed from the rear side. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in these figures is provided with a device casing 2 formed in a vertically long rectangular shape, an image reading device 3 provided on the upper side of the device casing 2, and an image reading device 3 provided on the lower side of the device casing 2. Image forming apparatus (image forming unit) 4, a main power switch 5 provided at the center of the right side plate of the apparatus casing 2 (the right side plate in FIG. 1), and one side portion of the upper surface of the apparatus casing 2. Operation device 6, human body detection sensors 7 and 8 provided on the upper part of the front side surface (operating direction A side) and the upper part of the rear side surface (operating direction B side) of the device housing 2, and the upper part of the left side plate of the device housing 2. Power switch 9 on the operation direction A side (front side), a power switch 10 on the operation direction B side (back side) provided on the upper side of the right side plate of the device casing 2, and an upper front side of the device casing 2. Start key 11 on the operating direction A side
And a start key 12 provided on the rear side of the upper part of the device casing 2 on the operation direction B side. In other words, this image forming apparatus has operation positions on the front side surface and the back side surface, respectively, and the operator can operate by standing in either one of the operation positions. With the main power switch 5 turned on, the operation direction is displayed on the LCD panel 26 constituting the operation device 6 based on the operation contents of the power switches 9 and 10 and the detection contents of the human body detection sensors 7 and 8. Display the operation screen for A or the operation screen for operation direction B, and enable the operation in either direction A or B,
When the operation is performed in this direction, the image reading device 3 is operated to read the image of the document, and the image data obtained by the image reading device 3 is transferred onto the transfer paper of the size designated by the image creating device 4. Toner image is formed and discharged to the outside of the machine.

The image reading device 3, the operating device 6 and the image forming device 4 which compose the image forming apparatus 1 will be described in detail below. First, as shown in FIG. 3, the image reading device 3 includes a contact glass 15 fitted into an opening formed in the upper part of the device casing 2 and an upper part of the device casing 2 adjacent to the contact glass 15. Placed manuscript scale 1
6, a pressure plate 17 configured to be openable and closable in any of the front and rear directions on the upper portion of the device casing 2, and a guide rail (not shown) arranged in the device casing 2 to provide a sub-scanning direction. On the other hand, a first carriage 18 that is configured to be movable and is driven to run at a first speed according to the scaling ratio, and a document that is placed on the first carriage 18 and placed on the contact glass 15. A light source 19 for illuminating
A first mirror 20 is disposed on the first carriage 18 and reflects light (optical image) from the document. Further, the image reading device 3 is configured to be movable in the sub-scanning direction by a guide rail (not shown) arranged in the device casing 2, and even if the first carriage 18 moves, the document is read. A second carriage 21 that is driven to travel at a speed (second speed) that is half the first speed so that the optical path length during reading is constant, and is arranged on this second carriage 21 and reflected from the first mirror 20. The second and third mirrors 22 and 23 that reflect the reflected optical image, and the movable mirror 2 are movably arranged in the device housing 2. The position is adjusted to a position according to focus, magnification, etc., and the light is emitted from the third mirror 23. The lens 24 that collects the focused optical image and the lens 24 that is movably arranged in the device housing 2 are positionally adjusted to a position according to focus, magnification, etc., and receive the optical image collected by the lens 24. And convert to electrical signal (image signal) CCD image sensor 25 that
And

When an image reading command is output from the image forming device 4 side, the positions of the lens 24 and the CCD image sensor 25 are moved in the left-right direction according to the reading magnification, the reading range, etc., and the positions are adjusted. After that, the first carriage 1
In the state where the light source 19 of No. 8 is turned on, the first carriage 18
And the second carriage 21 are moved in the sub-scanning direction at the first and second speeds, respectively, to read the image of the original document placed on the contact glass 15, and the lens 24
The light is condensed on the CD image sensor 25 to generate an image signal, which is supplied to the image forming device 4. Operating device 6
Is an LCD display (liquid crystal display) 26 arranged at a position laterally above the device casing 2 so as to be long in the front-rear direction (from the front side to the back side in FIG. 1),
The touch panel 27 is disposed on the upper side of the LCD display 26 and detects the touch when the operator touches the LCD display 26 and generates touch position information. As shown in FIG. 4, while communicating with the main controller 52 on the side of the image creating apparatus 4 via the I / O port, the display instruction command, status information, etc. output from the main controller 52 are fetched and stored. A process of displaying on the LCD display 26 which constitutes the operating device 6, a process of processing touch position information of the touch panel 27 constituting the operating device 6 and detecting an operated key,
The operation unit 28 is provided for performing processing such as transmitting this to the main controller 52.

When a split display screen instruction is output from the main controller 52, this is taken in by the operation unit 28, and each half surface (front half surface) of the screen is displayed on the LCD display 26 as shown in FIG. Displays a split display screen used for operating the operation direction. When the main controller 52 outputs an instruction for all display screens, the operation unit 28 loads the instruction, and L
A full display screen is displayed on the CD display 26, as shown in FIG. 6, so that the entire screen is used for operation in one operation direction. If the operator touches the display surface of the LCD display 26 in this state, the touch panel 2
This is detected by 7 to generate touch position information, and the operation unit 28 processes this to generate a key signal (operation information) corresponding to the touch position, which is supplied to the main controller 52.

Further, the image forming apparatus (image forming section) 4 is
As shown in FIG. 3, based on an image signal output from the image reading device 3, a writing optical unit 45 that writes an optical image, and an optical image generated by the writing optical unit 45 is visualized as a toner image. Imaging unit 46
A paper feed unit 47 for supplying the transfer paper, and a paper transfer unit 48 for transferring the toner image visualized by the visualization unit 46 onto the transfer paper taken out by the paper feed unit 47, A fixing unit 49 for melting and fixing the toner on the transfer paper to which the image is transferred by the paper transfer unit 48, and the transfer paper on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 49 are attached to the left side plate of the device casing 2. A paper discharge unit 51 for discharging paper onto the paper tray 50, a main controller 52 for controlling the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1, and an image signal output from the image reading apparatus 3 based on an instruction from the main controller 52. And an image signal processing unit (IPU) 53 for processing the image signal, and the image represented by the image signal output from the image reading device 3 is used as a toner image. And Zoka, on the transfer sheet of the specified size, after transferring the toner image, to fix the toner image, it is discharged onto the paper discharge tray outside a machine 50.

In this case, the writing optical unit 45, based on the image data output from the image signal processing unit 53,
A laser output unit 60 including a laser diode that generates a laser beam, a polygon mirror that scans the laser beam emitted from the laser diode, a drive motor that rotates the polygon mirror, and the laser output unit 60. The image signal processing unit is provided with a lens group 61 such as an f-θ lens that converts the laser light to fθ, and a mirror 62 that reflects the laser light from the lens group 61 and supplies the laser light to the visualization unit 46. The image data output from 53 is converted into an optical signal, and the optical image corresponding to the image data is written on the photoconductor 63 constituting the visualization unit 46 to form an electrostatic latent image. The visualization unit 46 is rotationally driven by a main motor 85 (see FIG. 4), and a photoreceptor 63 on which a latent image is formed by the laser light emitted from the writing optical unit 45, and one end of the photoreceptor 63. When the laser light emitted from the writing optical unit 45 is detected, the main scanning synchronization signal (LSYN
C) for generating and supplying it to the main controller 52, a photoconductor cleaning unit 65 arranged around the photoconductor 63 to clean the photoconductor 63, and a photosensor cleaning unit 65 arranged around the photoconductor 63. Photoconductor 6
Charging unit 66 for uniformly charging 3 and the photoconductor 63
And a developing unit 67 for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 63. When performing the printing operation, the photosensitive member 63 is rotationally driven by the driving force of the main motor 85, is cleaned by the cleaning unit 65, is uniformly charged by the charging unit 66, and is further emitted from the writing optical unit 45. When an optical image corresponding to image data is written on the photoconductor 63, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 63. After this, the developing unit 6
7 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 63 to form a toner image.

Further, the paper feeding unit 47 is housed in the apparatus casing 2 so as to be retractable and retractable, and first to third paper feeding trays 70 to 72 in which transfer papers of a designated size are respectively housed, and these. First to third paper feeding units 73 to 75 for taking out the respective transfer papers stored in the first to third paper feeding trays 70 to 72
And a vertical transport unit 7 that transports the transfer paper taken out by the first to third paper feed units 73 to 75 upward.
6 and the transfer paper transported by the vertical transport unit 76 are taken in, and the paper transfer unit 4 is loaded at a timing.
8 and a registration roller 77 for supplying the first to third paper feed trays 70 to 72 when performing a printing operation.
The transfer paper of the designated size is taken out of the transfer paper of each size stored in, the upper end of the toner image formed on the photoconductor 63 reaches the paper transfer position while the transfer paper is conveyed upward. The transfer paper is supplied to the paper transfer unit 48 at the timing.

The paper transfer unit 48 is arranged so as to face the photoconductor 63, and a bias voltage is applied when the toner image formed on the photoconductor 63 is transferred onto the transfer paper supplied from the registration roller 77. Paper transfer bias roller 78, a drive roller 79 that is driven to rotate by a main motor 85, and the drive roller 79 and the paper transfer bias roller 78 that are stretched.
A transfer belt 80 for transferring the transfer sheet on which the toner image on the photoconductor 63 is transferred by the transfer belt 8, and the transfer belt with the transfer sheet supplied from the registration roller 77 interposed during the printing operation. 80 to the photoconductor 63
While pressing, a predetermined bias voltage is applied to the paper transfer bias roller 78 to transfer the toner image formed on the photoconductor 63 onto the transfer paper, and then the toner image is conveyed to the fixing unit 49. The fixing unit 49 includes a fixing roller 81 controlled to have a predetermined temperature and a pressure roller 82 for pressing the transfer paper conveyed by the paper transfer unit 48 against the fixing roller 81. The transfer paper conveyed from the unit 48 is heated while being pressed, the toner image formed on the transfer paper is melted and fixed, and the transfer paper is delivered to the paper discharge unit 51. The paper discharge unit 51 is provided with a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 69 for conveying the transfer paper. The paper ejection unit 51 takes in the transfer paper conveyed from the fixing unit 49, and conveys the transfer paper by the respective conveyance roller pairs 69. The paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 50 outside the machine.

The main controller (control unit) 52
Has a microprocessor as shown in FIG.
While communicating with the operation device 6 and the image signal processing unit 53 via the port, a process of controlling the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 1, a process of receiving a signal output from each sensor 83, and a solenoid 84 are controlled. Processing, main motor 8
5 is a circuit for performing a process for driving the intermediate clutch 86, a process for controlling the intermediate clutch 86, the first to third sheet feeding clutches 87 to 89, and the like, and the contents of preset programs and operation information transmitted from the operating device 6. Based on each sensor 85
Processing a signal output from the control unit to control the solenoid 84, the main motor 85, the intermediate clutch 86, the first to third sheet feeding clutches 87 to 89, an image reading command is generated, and the image reading command is generated. Processing for transmitting to the device 3, processing for generating a display instruction command, state information, display information and the like, processing for transmitting to the operating device 6, processing for generating an image processing command and transmitting this to the image signal processing unit 53, etc. Do.

Next, the operation direction designating operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the schematic diagrams shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and the flow charts shown in FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has an office partition portion, for example, two walls 110, 1.
8 is installed in an installation place 116 between a partition 114, a shelf 115, etc., which divides the space 112 of the sales department 1 surrounded by 11 and the space 113 of the sales department 2.
As shown in, the operator 117 on the sales division 1 side operates in the operation direction A.
It is assumed that the operator 118 of the second sales department uses the same in the operation direction B. <Example of Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 1> The operation position of a normal image forming apparatus is fixed to one side, but since the bidirectional image forming apparatus has two operation positions, the operation device 6 (at least one common operation Device or multiple operating devices provided individually)
Input from, or determine which operating position the start keys 11 and 12 are in the valid state (operable state), or both operating positions A and B are in the valid state, A valid operating direction must be specified. In the embodiment corresponding to claim 1, human body detecting means 7 and 8 arranged in respective operation directions (operation positions) A and B, respectively.
The main controller (control unit) 52, which receives a human body detection signal from the computer, determines whether or not the copying operation is being performed, and if the copying operation is not being performed, the current effective operation direction is determined and the human body detection sensor is used. When the human body detection direction is different from the currently effective operation direction, the effective operation direction is changed to the detected operation direction side of the human body.
For this reason, an operator who wants to perform a copy operation while standing in one operation position during the non-copying operation can start the operation without being aware of or changing the operation direction. In addition, as the human body detection sensors 7 and 8,
For example, a means for emitting detection light such as infrared rays and a means for receiving the detection light reflected by the human body are used, but other means may be used.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation of this embodiment. In step 1, it is judged whether or not the copying operation is being performed. If NO, that is, if the copying operation is being performed, this flow is ended, and if YES, that is, if the copying operation is not being performed, the operation direction A It is judged whether or not the human body detection sensor 7 is detecting (ST2). Here, if the human body detection sensor 7 in the operation direction A is operating, it is determined whether the operation from the operation direction B is valid (S
T3), if the operation direction B is not valid, this flow is ended. That is, the operation from the operation direction A becomes possible. If the operation direction B is valid, the operation direction is switched to A and this flow is ended (ST
4). If the human body detection sensor 7 in the operation direction A is not performing the detection operation in step 2, step 5
It is determined whether or not the human body detection sensor 8 in the operation direction B is performing a detection operation (detection of a human body) in step S1.
If the human body detection sensor 8 in the operation direction B is performing the detection operation, it is determined in step 6 whether the operation from the operation direction A is valid. If the operation direction A is not valid, this flow ends, but the operation direction A
If is enabled, the operation direction is switched to B, which is the direction in which the human body is detected, and this flow ends.

<Example of Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 2> In the above-described example of the first embodiment, when a person is standing at one operation position and no copy operation is performed, a new operation position is set at the other operation position. Even if the operator stands up to start the operation, the operator standing in the other operation position cannot start the operation because the human body detection sensor in the one operation position is detecting. This form example solves such a problem. That is, in this embodiment, is the main controller (control unit) 52 receiving the human body detection signals from the human body detection means 7 and 8 arranged in the respective operation directions (operation positions) A and B respectively, is the copy operation in progress? It is determined whether or not the human body detection sensors 7 and 8 have newly detected motions when the copying operation is not in progress, and the current effective operation direction is determined. When the operation direction in which the human body is newly detected by the detection sensor is different from the currently effective operation direction, the effective operation direction is switched to the operation direction in which the human body is newly detected. For this reason, even if a human is present at one of the operation positions for a long time during the non-copying operation, an operator who newly enters the other operation position to perform a copy operation can switch the operation direction. The operation can be started without any awareness or consideration.

The operation of this embodiment is shown in the flowchart of FIG.
First, in Step 10,
It is determined whether or not the copying operation is in progress. If the copying operation is in progress, this flow is ended, and if the copying operation is not in progress, it is determined whether or not the human body detection sensors 7 and 8 are in operation (ST.
11). If any human body detection sensor is operating in step 11, this flow is ended, and if any human body detection sensor is not operating, the human body detection sensor 7 in the operation direction A operates in step 12. It is determined whether or not Then, if the human body detection sensor 7 in the operation direction A is operating, it is determined in step 13 whether the operation direction B is valid. If the operation direction B is not effective, this flow is ended, and if the operation direction B is effective, the operation direction is switched to A and this flow is ended. That is, when a person is detected in the operation direction B for a long time, the human body detection sensor 7 on the operation direction A side is newly turned on.
If yes, the operation direction is switched to A. Step 1
2, if the human body detection sensor 7 in the operation direction A is not operating, it is determined in step 15 whether or not the human body detection sensor 8 in the operation direction B is operating. If it is not operating, this flow is ended. If the human body detection sensor 8 in the operation direction B is operating, it is determined in step 16 whether the operation direction A is valid. If the operation direction A is not valid, this flow is ended. If the operation direction A is valid, the operation direction is switched to B, and this flow ends. That is, when a person is detected in the operation direction A for a long time, the human body detection sensor 8 on the operation direction B side is newly turned on.
If so, the operation direction is switched to B.

<Example of Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 3> An image forming apparatus equipped with a preheating mode and a human body detection sensor is configured to release preheating and shift to a copy standby state when a human body is detected. However, when an image forming apparatus capable of bidirectional operation is equipped with such a preheating mode and a human body detection sensor, various confusions are likely to occur when preheating is released. This form example solves such a problem. That is, in this embodiment, the human body detection means 7 and 8 arranged in the operation directions (operation positions) A and B, respectively.
The main controller (control unit) 52 that receives a human body detection signal from the robot determines whether or not the human body detection sensor is in a preheating state, determines whether or not the human body detection sensor performs a detection operation, determines the human body detection direction, and The effective operation direction is detected and the control to shift from the preheat state to the copy standby state when the human body is detected is executed.If the operation direction detecting the human body and the operation direction before preheating are different, the effective operation direction is determined. The operation direction was switched to the one that detected the human body. As a result, when the preheat state transitions to the copy standby state, the operation direction approached by the operator becomes effective, so confusion at the time of preheat release can be prevented and operation can be performed without being aware of the direction change. It is possible.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the operation of this embodiment.
It is. First, in step 20, it is judged whether or not the image forming apparatus is in a preheating state. If it is not in a preheating state, this flow is ended, and if it is in a preheating state, one of the human body detection sensors 7 and 8 operates. It is determined whether or not it is (ST21). Then, in step 21, if no human body detection sensor is operating, this flow is ended, and if any human body detection sensor is operating,
A transition is made from the preheat state to the copy standby state, and it is determined whether or not the operation direction before preheat is A (ST22, 23).
If the operating direction before preheating is A, the operating direction is A, and if the operating direction before preheating is A, the operating direction is B (ST
24, 28). Next, in step 25, it is determined whether the human body detection sensor 7 in the operation direction A is operating, and if the human body detection sensor 7 in the operation direction A is operating,
In step 26, it is determined whether or not the operation direction B is valid. If the operation direction B is not valid, this flow is ended, but if the operation direction B is valid, the operation direction B is validated. Is switched to A, and this flow is completed.

If the human body detecting sensor 7 in the operating direction A is not operating in step 25, it is determined in step 29 whether the human body detecting sensor 8 in the operating direction B is operating, and the human body detecting sensor in the operating direction B is operated. If the human body detection sensor 8 in the operating direction B is operating, it is judged in step 30 whether the operating direction A is valid or not. If the operation direction A is not effective, this flow
If the operation direction A is valid, the operation direction is switched to B, and this flow ends. That is, according to this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus in the preheating state shifts to the copy standby state by detecting the human body, if the operation direction in which the human body is detected and the operation direction before preheating are different,
The effective operation direction is switched to the operation direction for detecting the human body. Therefore, when the preheat state transitions to the copy standby state, the operating direction approached by the operator becomes effective, so it is possible to prevent confusion when releasing preheat and operate without being aware of the direction change. Is.

<Example of Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 4> In an image forming apparatus using a human body detection sensor and capable of bidirectional operation, an operator stands up at one operation position and tries to perform an operation. When the operation direction is switched while the user is on the road, confusion occurs. This form example solves such a problem. That is, in this form example, each operation direction (operation position)
The main controller (control unit) 52 that receives human body detection signals from the human body detection means 7 and 8 arranged in A and B, respectively,
The direction of human body detection is determined by determining whether or not copy operation is in progress, the operation of detecting the operation direction in which the human body is detected when copy operation is not in progress, and the operation of detecting the current effective operation direction. When the effective operation direction is different, the effective operation direction is switched, and the operation direction is not changed if the human body detection sensor of the effective operation direction is operating. For this reason, the operation direction where the operator exists first is always valid, and even if the operator comes in the opposite direction, the operation direction does not change until there is no operator copying earlier, It is possible to prevent confusion of the operator due to switching of the operation direction.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation of this embodiment. In step 40, it is judged whether or not the copying operation is in progress. If the copying operation is in progress, this flow chart is shown.
If the human body detection sensor 7 in the operation direction A is operating, it is determined in step 41 if the copying operation is not in progress. If the human body detection sensor 7 in the operation direction A is operating,
It is judged whether the operation direction B is valid, and if the operation direction B is not effective, this flow is ended, but if the operation direction B is effective, the human body in the operation direction B is determined in step 43. It is determined whether the detection sensor 8 is in operation, and if the human body detection sensor 8 in the operation direction B is in operation, this flow is ended. In step 43, when the human body detection sensor 8 in the operation direction B is not in operation, the operation direction is switched to A, and this flow is ended. That is, when the operation direction B is valid when the operator enters the operation direction A and is detected, and the human body is not detected in the operation direction B, the operation direction is switched to A. The operation of the operator who has entered the operation direction A is permitted.

If the human body detection sensor 7 in the operating direction A is not operating in step 42, it is determined in step 45 whether the human body detecting sensor 8 in the operating direction B is operating, and the human body in the operating direction B is operated. If the detection sensor 8 is not operating, this flow is ended, but if the human body detection sensor 8 in the operation direction B is operating, it is determined whether the operation direction A is valid. Then, if the operation direction A is not effective, this flow is ended. If the operation direction A is effective, it is judged in step 47 whether the human body detection sensor 7 in the operation direction A is operating. When the human body detection sensor 7 in the operation direction A is operating, this flow is ended. However, when the human body detection sensor 7 in the operation direction A is not in operation, the operation direction is switched to B and this flow is ended. That is, when the operator does not enter the operation direction A, the human body is detected in the operation direction B, and when the operation direction A is valid and there is no human body in the operation position A, the effective operation direction is To B, and the operation direction B
Allows operations from. As is clear from this flow, in the present embodiment, the operation direction in which the operator is present first is always valid, and even if the operator comes in the opposite direction, the operator who is copying first is Since the operation direction does not change until the user is absent, it is possible to prevent the operator from being confused due to the switching of the operation direction.

<Example of Embodiment Corresponding to Claim 5> In an image forming apparatus equipped with a human body detection sensor and capable of bidirectional operation, when one of the operation directions is effective due to human body detection. , Even if a person who came to the other operation position tries to operate it, it can not be operated as long as there is a person at one operation position,
The present embodiment solves such a problem. That is, in this embodiment, the direction changing means (key) 120 for forcibly switching the effective operation direction is provided in the touch panel 27 on the LCD display 26, and arranged in each operation direction (operation position) A, B. Human body detection means 7,
The main controller (control unit) 52 that receives the human body detection signal from 8 changes the effective operation direction when the human body detection direction and the effective operation direction differ from the function of detecting the current effective operation direction. Further, it has a function of changing the effective operation direction when the direction change is instructed. In addition,
This direction changing means is a key that can be instructed from the operation direction side in the invalid state. For this reason, even if one of the operation directions is already enabled by human body detection, the operation direction can be forcibly changed by key operation, so there is a malfunction in human body detection, or there is a person in the opposite direction. However, it is possible to perform the copy operation from the other direction.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the operation of this embodiment. In step 50, it is judged whether or not the copy operation is in progress. If the copying operation is in progress, this flow is ended, and if the copying operation is not in progress, it is judged in step 51 whether the human body detection sensor 7 in the operation direction A is operating. If the human body detection sensor 7 in the operation direction A is operating,
In step 52, it is determined whether the operation direction B is valid. If the operation direction B is valid, the operation direction is switched to A (ST53). If the operation direction B is not valid, the process is not performed and the process proceeds to the next process. When the human body detection sensor 7 in the operation direction A is not operating in step 51, the process proceeds to step 58,
It is determined whether the human body detection sensor 8 in the operation direction B is operating. If the human body detection sensor 8 in the operation direction B is not operating, the process is not performed and the process proceeds to the next process. If No. 8 is operating, it is determined in step 59 whether the operation direction A is valid. In this case, if the operation direction A is valid, the operation direction is switched to B (ST60), and if the operation direction A is not valid, the process is not performed and the process proceeds to the next process.

In step 54, it is judged whether the current effective operation direction is A. If the effective operation direction is A, it is judged in step 55 whether the copy operation is in progress, and the copy operation is performed.
If it is in operation, this flow is ended. If the copy operation is not in progress, it is judged in step 56 whether the direction change key 120 is pressed or not. If the direction change key is not pressed, this flow is ended. That is, the operation direction A remains valid. If the direction change key is pressed in step 56, the operation direction is switched to B, and this flow ends. If NO in step 54, that is, if the current effective operation direction is B, similar processing is performed (ST61 to 63). That is, when the copy operation is not in progress and the direction conversion key is ON, the operation direction is switched to A. As described above, in this embodiment, even if one of the operation directions has already been enabled by the human body detection, the operation direction can be forcibly changed to the other operation direction by the key operation. Even if a person is present in the opposite direction, the copy operation can be performed from the other direction.

[0033]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1,
In an image forming apparatus that can be operated from both directions, the effective operation direction can be switched by detecting the human body with the human body detection sensor without performing a special operation direction conversion operation, so the operator is aware of switching the operation direction. It can be operated without. According to the invention of claim 2, it is possible to switch the effective operation direction by human body detection by the human body detection sensor without performing a special direction change operation, and the human body detection sensor is used when the operator newly approaches. Since only the operation is performed, even if a person exists near the image forming apparatus for a long time and continues to be detected, the direction is changed when the operator approaches in the opposite direction, and the operator is immediately approached. Can handle.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the human body detection sensor makes a human body detection, the operating direction of the human body detection sensor becomes effective when the human body detection sensor transits from the preheat state to the copy standby state. The operator's confusion can be prevented and the operation can be performed without being aware of the switching of the operation direction.
According to the invention of claim 4, the effective operation direction can be switched by the human body detection without special operation for changing the direction, and the operation direction is not switched when the operator is present first. It is possible to prevent the confusion that the operation direction is switched when the operator is trying to operate. According to the invention of claim 5, the effective operation direction can be switched by the human body detection, and even if the direction is switched by the human body detection, if the direction conversion is instructed by operating the direction conversion means, it is forcibly forced. Since the direction is changed, an image can be formed even if the human body detection sensor malfunctions or a person exists in the opposite direction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention when viewed from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when viewed from the rear side.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of an operation device, a main controller, and an image signal processing unit shown in FIG.

5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a split display screen displayed on the LCD display shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a full display screen displayed on the LCD display shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an arrangement example of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of use of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second example of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth example of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 image forming device, 2 device housing, 3 image reading device,
4 image creating device, 5 main power switch, 6 operating device, 7 human body detection sensor on the operating direction A side, 8 operating direction B
Side human body detection sensor, 9 operation direction A side power switch, 10 operation direction B side power switch, 11 operation direction A side start key, 12 operation direction B side start key, 15 contact glass, 16 original scale,
17 pressure plate, 18 first carriage, 19 light source, 20
1st mirror, 21 2nd carriage, 22 2nd mirror, 23 3rd mirror, 24 lens, 25 CCD image sensor, 26 LCD display, 27 touch panel, 28 operation unit, 29 split display screen, 30
All display screens, 35 CPU circuits, 36 ROM circuits, 3
7 RAM circuit, 38 UART circuit, 39 VRAM
Circuit, 40 Character Generator, 41 LCD Controller, 42 Touch Panel Controller, 45
Writing optical unit, 46 visualization unit, 47 paper feeding unit, 48 paper transfer unit, 49 fixing unit, 50 paper ejection tray, 51 paper ejection unit, 52 main controller (human body detection direction judgment means, effective direction judgment means, copy (Operation determining means, direction change presence / absence determining means, operation input direction determining means), 53 image signal processing section, 60 laser output unit, 61 lens group, 6
2 mirror, 63 photoconductor, 64 beam sensor, 65
Photoconductor cleaning unit, 66 charging unit,
67 developing unit, 69 conveying roller pair, 70 to 72
First to third paper feed trays, 73 to 75 First to third paper feed units, 76 Vertical transport unit, 77 Registration roller, 78 Paper transfer bias roller, 79 Drive roller, 8
0 conveyor belt, 81 fixing roller, 82 pressure roller, 83 sensor, 84 solenoid, 85 main motor, 86 intermediate clutch, 87 to 89 first to third sheet feeding clutch, 110, 111 wall, 112, 113 space, 120 Direction changing means.

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Norio Michie 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having operation positions on at least two side portions facing each other and capable of operating from each operation position, and a human body detection sensor arranged at a proper position in each operation direction, and a copy sensor. -A control unit that performs a determination as to whether or not an operation is in progress, a task to determine the operation direction in which the human body detection sensor detects a human body when not in motion, and a task to determine a current effective operation direction. The control unit for switching the effective operation direction to the operation direction in which the human body is detected when the operation direction in which the human body is detected by the human body detection sensor and the currently effective operation direction are different from each other. An image forming apparatus characterized by performing control. 2. An image forming apparatus having operating positions on at least two opposing side portions and capable of operating from each operating position, and a human body detection sensor arranged at a proper position in each operating direction, and a copy sensor. -A control unit that performs a determination whether it is in motion, a task of determining whether or not the human body detection sensor newly detects a human body, and a task of determining a current effective operation direction, The control unit is not in the copying operation, and when the operation direction in which the human body is newly detected by the human body detection sensor is different from the currently effective operation direction, the effective operation direction is newly detected in the human body. An image forming apparatus characterized by performing control for switching to an operation direction. 3. An image forming apparatus which has an operation position on at least two opposing side portions and can be operated from each operation position, and which has a preheat mode, in each operation direction. The human body detection sensors placed in appropriate places, the judgment of whether it is in the preheating state, the work of transitioning to the copy standby state when the human body detection sensor detects the human body in the preheating state, and the human body detection sensor Includes a control unit that respectively performs the work of determining the operation direction in which the human body is detected and the work of determining the effective operation direction before preheating, and the control unit is the operation in which the human body detection sensor detects the human body. An image forming apparatus, wherein when the direction and the operation direction before preheating are different, the effective operation direction is switched to the operation direction in which the human body detection sensor detects the human body. 4. An image forming apparatus which has an operating position on at least two opposing side portions and can be operated from each operating position, and which has a preheating mode, in each operating direction. Human body detection sensors placed in appropriate places, and whether or not the copying operation is in progress, and the operation in which the human body detection sensor detects the human body when the copying operation is not in progress Work to determine the operating direction,
And a control unit for performing the operation, the control unit switches the effective operation direction to the side detected by the human body detection sensor when the operation direction in which the human body detection sensor detects the human body and the currently effective operation direction are different. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that, when the human body detection sensor of the currently effective operation direction detects a human body, control is performed so that the operation direction is not switched. 5. An image forming apparatus which has an operation position on at least two opposing side parts and can be operated from each operation position, and a human body detection sensor arranged at a proper position in each operation direction. , A direction conversion means for switching the effective operation direction, work for determining the direction in which the human body detection sensor has detected the human body, and a control unit for performing work for determining the current effective operation direction, the control unit comprising: When the operation direction in which the human body detection sensor detects the human body is different from the currently effective operation direction, the effective operation direction is switched to the operation direction in which the human body detection sensor detects the human body, and the direction conversion means instructs the direction conversion. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that, when the operation is performed, the effective operation direction is switched to the instructed operation direction.