device, image forming apparatus and program - Patents.com

Abstract

To stop power supply to a power system that detects an object during a predetermined time period required for transition to a power saving state.SOLUTION: In an image forming device, a control method by a power supply control unit to return to a normal state from a sleep state, which consumes less power than the normal state, includes determining, when it is determined that the return from sleep is not due to a timer unit (NO in S802), whether the timer unit is valid as a return factor from sleep in S805, and determining, when it is determined that the timer unit is valid (YES in S805), whether the return from sleep is due to the timer unit (S806). When it is determined that the return from sleep is not due to the timer unit (NO in S806), a relay, a power source unit, and a power supply unit are turned on to supply power to the power supply system, and power supply to each unit is started (S807).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in image forming devices such as printers, facsimile machines, and copiers, a predetermined amount of power generated by a power supply device is supplied to a predetermined load of the image forming device. The image forming device is equipped with a power supply control device, which switches the image forming device from a normal mode in which the user can operate it to a power saving mode (sleep mode) for reducing power consumption when the image forming device is not in operation for a certain period of time. However, even if the user finishes operating the device, the normal mode must be maintained for a certain period of time before switching to the sleep mode, which may result in unnecessary power consumption.

[0003] To solve this problem, it has been proposed to provide an image forming device with a human body detection means, which switches to sleep mode when the human body detection means detects that the user has left the device, and switches to normal mode when the human body detection means detects that the user has approached the image forming device (see Patent Document 1). There are also those that determine the power saving mode to be entered according to information from various sensors and startup history information (see Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-256234 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2009-15770 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology described in the above Patent Document 1, two human body detection means are used to determine whether a person is a user of the image forming device or a passerby, but if a person stops in front of the image forming device, there is a possibility that the device may be erroneously determined to be a user. In other words, even if a user intentionally sets the device to switch to a power-saving sleep mode and switches the device to the sleep mode, the device will switch to normal mode if a user who has no intention of using the device approaches, resulting in unnecessary power consumption.

[0006] Furthermore, in the technology described in Patent Document 2, the power saving state is determined based on the status of various sensors and startup history information, so the user cannot intentionally specify a power state that consumes less power, resulting in unnecessary power consumption.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can stop the power supply to a power system that detects objects for a specified period of time before transitioning to a power saving state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration. The present invention is an information processing device having a plurality of power states, characterized in that it comprises a human presence sensor that receives energy emitted from an object or energy reflected by an object and detects a person non-contact, a power control means that changes the power state of the information processing device based on the detection of a person by the human presence sensor, and a setting means that sets the time for disabling the function of the human presence sensor. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the power supply to the power supply system that detects an object can be stopped for the predetermined time before transitioning to the power saving state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an image forming system. [Diagram 2] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a user detection process for an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a power supply system of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a power state of a power supply system of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a power state of a power supply system of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 11] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 12] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 13] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 16] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 17] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <System configuration> [First embodiment]

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a printer unit 102, a scanner unit 103, and a main controller unit 101. The printer unit 102 performs image forming processing on a sheet-shaped recording medium (paper) according to, for example, an electrophotographic method. The scanner unit 103 optically reads an image from an original and converts it into a digital image. The main controller unit 101 controls the entire image forming apparatus 100, and controls the printer unit 102 to perform image forming processing of the original image read by the scanner unit 103 and to perform a copy operation.

[0013] The main controller unit 101 is also connected to a PC 107 via a network 106. The network 106 is a local area network (LAN) or the like, and may be wired or wireless. The PC 107 is a general computer device having fixed storage devices such as a CPU, RAM, and HDD, and connected to a monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. A printer driver program serving as an image forming program is installed in the PC 107.

[0014] When the printer driver program is executed by the PC 107 , the PC 107 generates PDL data in accordance with drawing commands issued by the operating system or application programs, and transmits the PDL data to the image forming apparatus 100 . Here, PDL data is data converted by a printer driver program into a page description language that can be processed by the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 performs a printing operation by forming a bitmap image on paper based on the PDL data received from the PC 107. The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with an AC plug 105, and is adapted to receive AC commercial power by inserting the AC plug 105 into an external outlet.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 100 is also provided with a human sensor unit 104 that detects moving objects such as people around the image forming apparatus 100. The human sensor unit 104 is not particularly limited as long as it is a sensor that can determine the presence or absence of a person within a detection area, such as a pyroelectric sensor that detects infrared rays emitted from a person and determines the presence or absence of a person based on the amount of change in the infrared rays, or a reflective sensor that emits light such as infrared rays and detects the reflected light.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining a user detection process for the image forming apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2(A) corresponds to a state in which an area in which a human body approaching the front of the image forming apparatus is detected by a human sensor unit as viewed from the side, and Fig. 2(B) corresponds to a state in which an area in which a human body approaching the front of the image forming apparatus is detected by a human sensor unit as viewed from above. In (A) and (B) of FIG. 2, a detection area 200 is a detection area of ​​the human presence sensor unit 104, and when a person is present within the detection area 200, the human presence sensor unit 104 detects it. In addition, in (A) of Figure 2, the image forming device 100 is viewed from the side, and the detection area 200 of the human presence sensor unit 104 is directed toward the lower front of the device, where it is expected that a user will be standing in front of the image forming device 100 and operating it. 2B shows the image forming apparatus 100 as viewed from above, with the human sensor unit 104 attached to the front of the operation unit where it is expected that a person standing in front of the image forming apparatus 100 will operate the operation unit. Note that this detection area 200 can be changed depending on the attachment position of the human sensor unit 104, the orientation at the time of attachment, etc.

[0017] 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In this example, the configurations of a main controller unit and a power supply unit of the image forming apparatus will be explained. 3, the main controller unit 101 is composed of a power supply control unit 312, a network processing unit 313, a timer unit 314, a timer unit 323, a memory unit 315, an RTC unit 324, an HDD unit 316 functioning as an external storage unit, a CPU unit 317, and an image processing unit 318. The power supply control unit 312 performs switching control for supplying / cutting off power to each unit of the image forming apparatus according to the program executed by the CPU unit 317, the state of the human sensor unit 104, the operation unit 319, the network processing unit 313, and the timer units 314 and 323.

[0018] The network processing unit 313 is connected to the CPU unit 317 and the power supply control unit 312. The network processing unit 313 is a control unit that outputs PDL data transmitted from the PC 107 via the network 106 to the CPU unit 317. When the image forming apparatus 100 is in the sleep mode, upon receiving a network packet addressed to the image forming apparatus 100 from the network 106, the network processing unit 313 instructs the power supply control unit 312 to transition to the normal mode.

[0019] The human sensor unit 104 is connected to the power supply control unit 312, and notifies the power supply control unit 312 of the presence or absence of a person within the detection area of ​​the human sensor unit 104. In addition, when the image forming apparatus 100 is in a sleep mode state (normal sleep mode) in which power is supplied to the human sensor unit 104, if the human sensor unit 104 detects the presence of a person within the detection area of ​​the human sensor unit 104, the power supply control unit 312 is instructed to transition to the normal mode. When the image forming apparatus 100 is in a sleep mode state in which the power supply to the human sensor unit 104 is cut off (human sensor power cut-off sleep mode), the human sensor unit 104 does not detect humans, and therefore does not transition to the normal mode due to human detection. The timer unit 314 and the timer unit 323 are connected to the CPU unit 317 and the power supply control unit 312. The timer unit 314 and the timer unit 323 measure the set time by the CPU unit 317 setting the timer time, and notify the power supply control unit 312 of the elapse of the set timer time.

[0020] The memory unit 315 is connected to the CPU unit 317. The memory unit 315 is a volatile memory such as a DDR SDRAM, and is a main memory that stores user data and the like created by a control program and the like executed by the CPU unit 317. The HDD unit 316 is connected to the CPU unit 317. The HDD unit 316 is a storage device for temporarily storing the program executed by the CPU unit 317 and the PDL data transmitted from the network 106. The HDD unit 316 also stores setting information 320 of the image forming apparatus 100. The RTC unit 324 is a real-time clock that keeps track of the current time, and is used when the connected CPU unit 317 checks the current time.

[0021] The CPU section 317 is a central processing unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus 100, and realizes a copy function, a print function, and the like based on a control program stored in the HDD section 316. The image processing section 318 is connected to the CPU section 317, the printer section 102, and the scanner section 103. The image processing section 318 performs image processing such as color space conversion on a digital image output from the scanner section 103, and outputs the processed data to the CPU section 317. The image processing section 318 also performs image processing such as color space conversion on image data read by the scanner section 103 or image data generated based on PDL data received from the PC 107, converts the image data into bitmap data, and outputs the data to the printer section 102. The operation section 319 is connected to the power supply control section 312 and the CPU section 317.

[0022] The operation unit 319 includes a liquid crystal panel for operation and hard keys including a sleep mode transition / cancellation button, and accepts instructions input by a user. When the image forming apparatus 100 detects that the sleep mode transition / cancellation button is pressed while the image forming apparatus 100 is in the sleep mode, the operation unit 319 instructs the power supply control unit 312 to transition to the normal mode.

[0023] Next, the power supply device 300 of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. By inserting an AC plug 107 provided on the image forming apparatus 100 into an external outlet, AC commercial power is supplied to the relay 301 and a power supply unit 305 for the controller power supply systems 1 and 3 .

[0024] The relay 301 is controlled by a power supply control unit 312, and when the relay 301 is turned on, power can be supplied to the high voltage power supply unit 303 and the low voltage power supply unit 304. The power supply unit 305 for controller power supply systems 1 and 3 is controlled by the power supply control unit 312, and is connected to the power supply system 310 of the main controller unit 101 and the human sensor power supply unit 321.

[0025] The power supply system 310 is a power supply system to which power is constantly supplied even during sleep mode, and is connected to a power supply control unit 312, a network processing unit 313, a timer unit 314, a timer unit 323, an RTC unit 324, and a memory unit 315. In addition, the human sensor unit power supply unit 321 is connected to the human sensor unit 104 using the power supply unit 305 for the controller power supply systems 1 and 3 as an input source, and is controlled to be turned on and off by the power supply control unit 312. Next, power supply unit 302 including high voltage power supply unit 303 and low voltage power supply unit 304 is controlled by power supply control unit 312, and power is cut off during sleep mode. High voltage power supply unit 303 is a power supply used mainly for driving motors of printer unit 102 and scanner unit 103 and for a heater in the fixing unit, etc. Low voltage power supply unit 304 supplies power to power supply system 311 of printer unit 102, scanner unit 103, and main controller unit 101.

[0026] A power supply system 311 of the main controller unit 101 is a power supply system whose power supply is cut off during the sleep mode, and is connected to an HDD unit 316, a CPU unit 317, an image processing unit 318, and an operation unit 319. A power supply unit 306 including a scanner unit power supply unit 307, a printer unit power supply unit 308, and a power supply unit 309 for the controller power supply system 2 is controlled by a power supply control unit 312, and power is cut off during the sleep mode. The scanner unit power supply unit 307 is connected to the scanner unit 103 using a high voltage power supply unit 303 and a low voltage power supply unit 304 as input sources, and is on / off controlled by the power supply control unit 312.

[0027] The printer power supply unit 308 is connected to the printer unit 102 with the high voltage power supply unit 303 and the low voltage power supply unit 304 as input sources, and is controlled to be turned on and off by the power supply control unit 312. The power supply unit 309 for the controller power supply system 2 is connected to the power supply system 311 of the main controller unit 101 with the low voltage power supply unit 304 as input source, and is controlled to be turned on and off by the power supply control unit 312. Next, the sleep settings that can be set in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.

[0028] The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with an auto sleep time function that allows the user to set the time to switch from normal mode to sleep mode. This auto sleep time function is a function that causes the CPU unit 317 to switch from normal mode to sleep mode when the time kept by the RTC unit 324 reaches a time that is preset for each day of the week.

[0029] 4 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 319 of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This example corresponds in particular to an example of a screen for setting the auto sleep time. 4 is controlled by the CPU unit 317 based on software stored in the memory unit 315 or HDD unit 316. An auto sleep time setting screen 1201 is displayed when setting the auto sleep time. A title 1206 of the auto sleep time setting screen is displayed as "Set auto sleep time."

[0030] To set the auto sleep time, press the day of the week button 1202 and enter numbers using the numeric keypad buttons provided on the operation unit 319 (not shown), and the entered numbers are displayed as the set time in the time display field 1203. To end the auto sleep time setting, press the OK button 1205. To cancel the setting, press the cancel button 1204 to cancel the auto sleep time setting. The set auto sleep time setting is stored in the setting information 320 in the HDD unit 316.

[0031] The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a sleep recovery time function that can set the time to switch from the sleep mode to the normal mode. This sleep recovery time function is a function in which the CPU unit 317 sets the sleep recovery time in the timer unit 314 before switching to the sleep mode, and switches to the sleep mode state. When the time set in the timer unit 314 is reached, the timer unit 314 notifies the power supply control unit 312 of this fact, and the power supply control unit 312 turns on the power of each unit, switching from the sleep mode to the normal mode.

[0032] 5 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 319 of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example corresponds in particular to a screen configuration for setting the recovery time from sleep mode. The configuration of the sleep recovery time setting screen shown in FIG. 5 is controlled by the CPU unit 317 based on software stored in the memory unit 315 or HDD unit 316. A sleep recovery time setting screen 1301 is displayed when the sleep recovery time is set. A title 1305 of the sleep recovery time setting screen is displayed as "Setting the sleep recovery time". When setting the sleep recovery time, numbers are input via the numeric keypad buttons provided on the operation unit 319 (not shown), and the input numbers are displayed as the set time in the time display field 1302. When the sleep recovery time setting is finished, an OK button 1304 is pressed. When the setting is to be canceled, the sleep recovery time setting can be canceled by pressing a cancel button 1303. The set sleep recovery time setting is stored in the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316.

[0033] Incidentally, the auto sleep time function is not the only case in which the CPU unit 317 switches the image forming apparatus 100 from the normal mode to the sleep mode. In other words, there are also cases in which the CPU unit 317 switches the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep mode by the automatic sleep transition function or by pressing the sleep mode transition / cancel button. The automatic sleep transition function is a function that switches the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep mode if the CPU unit 317 does not perform a job such as printing, copying, or scanning within a preset fixed time. Note that the automatic sleep transition function can also switch the image forming apparatus 100 to the sleep mode if the human sensor unit 104 does not detect a person for a fixed time.

[0034] 6 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 319 of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This example corresponds to the power state during a sleep mode (normal sleep mode) in which power is supplied to the human sensor unit 104. During the normal mode, power is supplied to all blocks shown in FIG. 3. At this time, a form may be adopted in which power is supplied only to necessary functions, but this is not specified here.

[0035] In normal sleep mode, power is supplied to some blocks as shown in Fig. 6. First, AC commercial power is supplied to the power supply unit 305 for controller power systems 1 and 3 via the AC plug 107. The blocks to which power is supplied from the power supply unit 305 for controller power systems 1 and 3 are the human sensor power supply unit 321, the power control unit 312, the network processing unit 313, the timer unit 314, the timer unit 323, the RTC unit 324, and the memory unit 315. The block to which power is supplied from the human sensor power supply unit 321 is the human sensor unit 104. Note that, although it is described that the power supply to the operation unit 319 is cut off, the power control unit 312 is configured to be able to detect that the sleep mode transition / cancellation button has been pressed.

[0036] 7 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 319 of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example corresponds to a power supply state during a sleep mode state in which the power supply to the human sensor unit 104 is cut off (human sensor power cut-off sleep mode). In the human sensor power-off sleep mode, power is supplied to some blocks as shown in Fig. 7. The difference from the normal sleep mode is that the power to the human sensor power supply unit 321 and the human sensor unit 104 is cut off.

[0037] 8 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a time confirmation sequence for the auto-sleep time function. Each step is realized by the CPU unit 317 executing a control program loaded into the memory unit 315. First, the CPU unit 317 checks the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316 to confirm whether the auto sleep time is set (S601). If the CPU unit 317 determines that the auto sleep time is set (YES in S601), the CPU unit 317 accesses the RTC unit 324 and acquires the current time (S602). If the auto sleep time is not set (NO in S601), the time confirmation sequence of the auto sleep time function is terminated. The CPU unit 317 compares the acquired current time with the auto sleep time (S603), and if the times match, notifies the sleep mode transition sequence that a sleep transition factor has occurred (S604). If the auto sleep times do not match (NO in S603), the CPU unit 317 periodically accesses the RTC unit 324 and waits for the current time to match the auto sleep time.

[0038] 9 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a sleep mode transition sequence. Each step is realized by the CPU unit 317 executing a control program loaded into the memory unit 315. First, in order to determine whether a sleep transition trigger has occurred, the CPU unit 317 checks the status of the auto sleep time sequence, the status of the automatic sleep transition sequence, and the status of the sleep mode transition / cancel button of the operation unit 319 via the power supply control unit 312 (S701). If the CPU unit 317 determines that there is no instruction to transition to sleep mode, it periodically polls the status of each unit until an instruction to transition to sleep mode is issued (NO in S701). On the other hand, if the CPU unit 317 determines that a sleep transition factor has occurred (YES in S701), the CPU unit 317 checks the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316 to determine whether a sleep return time has been set (S702).

[0039] If the CPU unit 317 determines that the sleep recovery time has been set (YES in S702), the CPU unit 317 sets the sleep recovery time in the timer unit 314 (S703) and enables the timer unit 314 as a sleep recovery cause (S704). Note that if the CPU unit 317 determines that the sleep recovery time has not been set (NO in S702), the timer unit 314 is not set. Next, to check whether the sleep transition cause is the auto sleep time cause, the CPU unit 317 checks the state of the auto sleep time sequence (S705).

[0040] If the sleep transition cause is the auto sleep time cause (YES in S705), the CPU unit 317 executes software sleep mode transition processing, such as saving data in the image processing unit 318, in accordance with a control program stored in the HDD unit 316 (S706). After the software sleep mode transition processing is completed, the CPU unit 317 instructs the power supply control unit 312 to cut off the power to the power supply systems 2 and 3. When the power supply control unit 312 receives the power cut-off instruction from the CPU unit 317, it cuts off the power to the relay 301, the power supply unit 302, the power supply unit 306, and the human sensor unit power supply unit 321, completing the transition to the human sensor power cut-off sleep mode (S707).

[0041] If the CPU unit 317 determines that the sleep transition factor is not an auto sleep time factor (NO in S705), the CPU unit 317 checks the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316 to determine whether the auto sleep time is set (S708). If the CPU unit 317 determines that the auto sleep time is set (YES in S708), the CPU unit 317 sets the auto sleep time in the timer unit 323 (S709) and enables the timer unit 323 as a sleep return factor (S710).

[0042] It should be noted that if the CPU unit 317 determines that the auto sleep time has not been set (NO in S708), it does not set the timer unit 323. Next, the CPU unit 317 executes software sleep mode transition processing (S711), and instructs the power supply control unit 312 to cut off the power supply to the power supply system 2. Upon receiving the power supply cut-off instruction for the power supply system 2 from the CPU unit 317, the power supply control unit 312 cuts off the power to the relay 301, the power supply unit 302, and the power supply unit 306, and completes the transition to the normal sleep mode (S712).

[0043] 10 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a sleep mode return sequence of the power supply control unit 312. Each step is realized by the power supply control unit 312 executing a control program. First, in order to determine whether a sleep recovery factor has occurred, the power supply control unit 312 determines the states of the network processing unit 313, the human sensor unit 104, the sleep mode transition / cancellation button of the operation unit 319, the timer unit 314, and the timer unit 323 (S801). If the power supply control unit 312 determines that a sleep recovery factor has not occurred, it periodically polls the state of each unit until a sleep recovery factor occurs (NO in S801). On the other hand, if the power supply control unit 312 determines in S801 that there is a return-from-sleep factor (YES in S801), it determines whether the return-from-sleep factor is the timer unit 323 (S802). If the power supply control unit 312 determines that the return-from-sleep factor is the timer unit 323 (YES in S802), the power supply control unit 312 disables the timer unit 323 (S803). After the invalidation, the power control unit 312 cuts off the power supply to the human sensor unit power supply unit 321 that supplies power to the power supply system 3, and transitions to a human sensor power cut-off sleep mode (S804). On the other hand, if the power supply control unit 312 determines in S802 that the wake-up factor is not the timer unit 323 (NO in S802), the power supply control unit 312 determines whether the timer unit 314 is valid as a wake-up factor (S805).

[0044] If the power supply control unit 312 determines that the timer unit 314 is valid (YES in S805), the power supply control unit 312 determines whether the return from sleep is due to the timer unit 314 (S806). If the power supply control unit 312 determines that the return from sleep is not due to the timer unit 314 (NO in S806), the power supply control unit 312 turns on the relay 301, the power supply unit 302, and the power supply unit 306 to supply power to the power supply system 2, starts power supply to each unit (S807), and ends this process. On the other hand, if in S805 the power supply control unit 312 determines that the timer unit 314 is invalid (NO in S805), the power supply control unit 312 turns on the relay 301, the power supply unit 302, the power supply unit 306, and the human sensor unit power supply unit 321 to supply power to the power supply systems 2 and 3, starts supplying power to each unit (S808), and terminates this processing. Similarly, if the power supply control unit 312 determines in S806 that the sleep return factor is the timer unit 314 (YES in S806), the power supply control unit 312 starts supplying power to the power supply systems 2 and 3 (S808) and terminates this process.

[0045] 11 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a sleep mode return sequence. Each step is realized by the CPU unit 317 executing a control program loaded into the memory unit 315. When the power supply system 2 is turned on, power is also supplied to the CPU unit 317, and the CPU unit 317 executes a sleep mode return process. In the sleep mode return process, the CPU unit 317 first executes software sleep mode return process such as restoring data in the image processing unit 318 in accordance with a control program stored in the HDD unit 316 or memory unit 315 (S901). After the sleep mode return process is completed, the CPU unit 317 accesses the power supply control unit 312 to check the cause of transition to normal mode (S902). After confirming the cause of returning to the normal mode, the CPU unit 317 disables the timer unit 314 and the timer unit 323 (S903). After that, the CPU unit 317 executes processing according to the cause of the return from sleep (S904). After completing the processing of the cause of the return from sleep, the CPU unit 317 starts the time confirmation sequence for the return from sleep shown in Fig. 10 (S905), and then starts the time confirmation sequence for the auto sleep time function shown in Fig. 6 (S906).

[0046] 12 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of checking the time of return from sleep mode. Each step is realized by the CPU unit 317 executing a control program loaded into the memory unit 315. First, in order to check whether the power supply of the power supply system 3 has been cut off by the auto sleep time function, the CPU unit 317 checks the state of the motion sensor unit power supply unit 321 via the power supply control unit 312 (S1001). If the power supply of the power supply system 3 has been cut off (YES in S1001), the CPU unit 317 accesses the RTC unit 324 and acquires the current time (S1002).

[0047] On the other hand, if the CPU unit 317 determines in S1001 that the power supply to the power supply system 3 has not been cut off (NO in S1001), the time confirmation sequence for the return from sleep mode is terminated. Next, the CPU unit 317 compares the acquired current time with the sleep recovery time in the setting information 320 (S1003) to determine whether the sleep recovery times match. If the CPU unit 317 determines that the sleep recovery time matches, it turns on the human sensor unit power supply unit 321, starts supplying power to the power supply system 3, which is the power source for the human sensor unit 104 (S1004), and ends this process. On the other hand, if the CPU unit 317 determines that the sleep recovery time does not match (NO in S1003), the CPU unit 317 periodically accesses the RTC unit 324 and waits for the current time to match the sleep recovery time.

[0048] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the auto sleep time has elapsed, the power to the human sensor unit 104 is cut off and the unit enters a sleep mode, thereby restricting operation of the human sensor unit 104 at a time when the user intentionally wants the unit to go into sleep mode. The sleep return factors include an operation factor by the operation unit 319, a communication factor by the network processing unit 313 that performs communication, and a detection factor by the human sensor unit 104.

[0049] Second Embodiment In this embodiment, a case will be described in which it is possible to set the time to transition to the sleep mode in the auto sleep time function and whether to enable or disable the human sensor unit 104 when transitioning to the sleep mode at the auto sleep time. In this case, the auto sleep time function allows the user to select the time to switch to sleep for each day of the week or date, and whether to enable or disable the human sensor unit 104 when switching to sleep. If the human sensor unit 104 is set to enabled, the device will switch to normal sleep mode when the auto sleep time is reached. If the human sensor unit 104 is set to disabled, the device will switch to human sensor power cut-off sleep mode when the auto sleep time is reached. Note that the configuration of the image forming apparatus is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0050] 13 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a sleep mode transition sequence. Each step is realized by the CPU unit 317 executing a control program loaded into the memory unit 315. First, to check whether a sleep transition factor has occurred, the CPU unit 317 checks the state of the auto sleep time sequence, the state of the automatic sleep transition sequence, and the state of the sleep mode transition / cancel button of the operation unit 319 via the power supply control unit 312 to determine whether there is an instruction to transition to the sleep mode (S1101).If the CPU unit 317 determines that there is an instruction to transition to the sleep mode, it periodically polls the state of each unit until an instruction to transition to the sleep mode is issued (NO in S1101).

[0051] On the other hand, if the CPU unit 317 determines in S1101 that a sleep transition factor has occurred (YES in S1101), the CPU unit 317 checks the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316 to determine whether the sleep return time has been set (S1102). Here, if the CPU unit 317 determines that the recovery time has been set (YES in S1102), the CPU unit 317 sets the recovery time in the timer unit 314 (S1103) and enables the timer unit 314 as a recovery factor (S1104).

[0052] If the CPU unit 317 determines that the sleep recovery time has not been set (NO in S1102), it does not set the timer unit 314. Next, the CPU unit 317 checks the state of the auto sleep time sequence to determine whether the sleep transition factor is an auto sleep time factor (S1105). Here, if the CPU unit 317 determines that the sleep transition factor is an auto sleep time factor (YES in S1105), the CPU unit 317 checks the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316 to determine whether the state setting of the human sensor unit 104 at the time of the sleep transition is disabled (S1106).

[0053] Here, if the CPU unit 317 determines that the state setting of the human sensor unit 104 at the time of sleep transition is an invalid setting (YES in S1106), the CPU unit 317 executes software sleep mode transition processing, such as saving data in the image processing unit 318, in accordance with the control program (S1107). After the software sleep mode transition processing is completed, the CPU unit 317 instructs the power supply control unit 312 to cut off the power supplies of the power supply systems 2 and 3. When the power supply control unit 312 receives a power cut-off instruction for the power supply systems 2 and 3 from the CPU unit 317, the CPU unit 317 cuts off the power supplies of the relay 301, the power supply unit 302, the power supply unit 306, and the human sensor unit power supply unit 321, completing the transition to the human sensor power cut-off sleep mode (S1108).

[0054] On the other hand, if the CPU unit 317 determines in S1105 that the sleep transition factor is not an auto sleep time factor (NO in S1105), the CPU unit 317 checks the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316 to determine whether the auto sleep time is set (S1109). Here, if the CPU unit 317 determines that the auto sleep time has been set (YES in S1109), the CPU unit 317 checks the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316 to determine whether the state setting of the human sensor unit 104 at the time of transition to sleep is set to disabled (S1110).

[0055] Here, if the CPU unit 317 determines that the state setting of the human sensor unit 104 at the time of the sleep transition is disabled (YES in S1110), the CPU unit 317 sets the auto sleep time in the timer unit 323 (S1111) and enables the timer unit 323 as a sleep return factor (S1112). On the other hand, if the CPU unit 317 determines in S1109 that the auto sleep time has not been set (NO in S1109) and if the CPU unit 317 determines in S1110 that the state setting of the human sensor unit 104 at the time of transition to sleep is a valid setting (NO in S1110), the timer unit 323 is not set. Next, the CPU unit 317 executes software sleep mode transition processing (S1113), and instructs the power supply control unit 312 to cut off the power supply to the power supply system 2. Upon receiving the power supply cut-off instruction for the power supply system 2 from the CPU unit 317, the power supply control unit 312 cuts off the power supplies to the relay 301, the power supply unit 302, and the power supply unit 306, and completes the transition to the normal sleep mode (S1114).

[0056] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to enable / disable the human sensor unit 104 when transitioning to the sleep mode by the auto sleep time function. In other words, it is possible to set the human sensor power cut-off sleep mode to suppress false detection of the human sensor unit 104 only on days and times when the frequency of use is particularly low, such as on weekends, and it is possible to maintain user convenience and suppress unnecessary transition to the normal mode.

[0057] Third Embodiment In this embodiment, a case will be described where it is possible to control only the power supply to the human sensor unit 104 by setting a time. In the third embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a human sensor off time function that allows the time to be set to cut off only the power supply to the human sensor unit 104 from the normal mode.

[0058] This human sensor off time function is a function in which, when the time clocked by the RTC unit 324 reaches a time preset for each day of the week, the CPU unit 317 transitions from normal mode to human sensor power cut-off normal mode, in which the power supply to the human sensor unit 104 is cut off.

[0059] 14 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 319 of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a screen for setting the human sensor off time. The configuration of the human sensor off time setting screen shown in Fig. 14 is controlled by the CPU unit 317 based on software stored in the memory unit 315 or HDD unit 316. A human sensor off time setting screen 1401 is displayed when the human sensor off time is to be set. A title 1406 of the human sensor off time setting screen is displayed as "Setting human sensor off time". When setting the human sensor off time, the user presses day of the week button 1402 and inputs numbers via the numeric keypad buttons provided on the operation unit 319 (not shown), and the input numbers are displayed as the set time in the time display field 1403.

[0060] To end the setting of the human sensor off time, press OK button 1405. To cancel the setting, the auto sleep time setting can be canceled by pressing Cancel button 1404. The set human sensor off time setting is stored in setting information 320 in HDD section 316.

[0061] The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a human sensor on time function that can set the time to switch from the human sensor power cut-off normal mode to the normal mode. This human sensor on time function is a function that causes the CPU unit 317 to switch from the human sensor power cut-off normal mode to the normal mode when the time clocked by the RTC unit 324 reaches a time that is preset for each day of the week.

[0062] 15 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 319 of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a screen for setting the human sensor on time. The configuration of the human sensor on time setting screen shown in Fig. 15 is controlled by the CPU unit 317 based on software stored in the memory unit 315 or HDD unit 316. A human sensor on time setting screen 1501 is displayed when the human sensor on time is to be set. A title 1506 of the human sensor on time setting screen is displayed as "Setting the human sensor on time". When setting the human sensor on time, a day of the week button 1502 is pressed and numbers are entered via the numeric keypad buttons provided on the operation unit 319 (not shown), and the entered numbers are displayed as the set time in the time display field 1503.

[0063] To end the setting of the human sensor on time, press OK button 1505. To cancel the setting, the auto sleep time setting can be canceled by pressing Cancel button 1504. The set human sensor on time setting is stored in setting information 320 in HDD section 316.

[0064] 16 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a time confirmation sequence for the motion sensor off time function. Each step is realized by the CPU unit 317 executing a control program loaded into the memory unit 315. First, the CPU unit 317 checks the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316 to determine whether a human sensor off time has been set (S1601). If the CPU unit 317 determines that a human sensor off time has been set (YES in S1601), the CPU unit 317 accesses the RTC unit 324 and acquires the current time (S1602). On the other hand, in S1601, if the human sensor off time has not been set (S1601: NO), the time confirmation sequence for the human sensor off time function ends. Next, the CPU unit 317 compares the acquired current time with the human sensor off time (S1603) to determine whether the times match. If the CPU unit 317 determines that the current time matches the human sensor off time, the CPU unit 317 instructs the power supply control unit 312 to cut off the power supply to the power supply system 3 (S1604). Then, when the power supply control unit 312 receives the power cut-off instruction for the power supply system 3 from the CPU unit 317, it cuts off the power supply to the human sensor unit power supply unit 321, completing the transition to the human sensor power cut-off normal mode.

[0065] 17 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a sequence for checking the time when the motion sensor is turned on. Each step is realized by the CPU unit 317 executing a control program loaded into the memory unit 315. First, in order to determine whether the power supply of the power supply system 3 has been cut off by the motion sensor off time function, the CPU unit 317 checks the state of the motion sensor unit power supply unit 321 via the power control unit 312 (S1701). If the CPU unit 317 determines that the power supply of the power supply system 3 has been cut off (YES in S1701), the CPU unit 317 accesses the RTC unit 324 and acquires the current time (S1702).

[0066] On the other hand, in S1701, when the CPU unit 317 determines that the power supply to the power supply system 3 has not been cut off (NO in S1701), the time confirmation sequence for the human sensor on time is ended. Next, the CPU unit 317 compares the acquired current time with the human sensor on time in the setting information 320 to determine whether the human sensor on times match (S1703). If the CPU unit 317 determines that the current time matches the human sensor on time in the setting information 320, the CPU unit 317 turns on the human sensor unit power supply unit 321 and starts supplying power to the power supply system 3, which is the power source for the human sensor unit 104 (S1704). On the other hand, if the CPU unit 317 determines in S1703 that the human sensor on time does not match (NO in S1703), the CPU unit 317 periodically accesses the RTC unit 324 and waits for the current time to match the human sensor on time.

[0067] According to this embodiment, it is possible to mask the cause of return from the human sensor by cutting off the power supply to the human sensor unit 104. In other words, it is possible to set the suppression of the sleep return operation due to erroneous detection of the human sensor only on days and times when the frequency of use is particularly low, such as on weekends, and it is possible to suppress unnecessary transition to the normal mode. According to each embodiment, when the time to switch from the normal mode to the sleep mode is set, unnecessary switching to the normal mode during times of low usage can be suppressed by cutting off the power supply to the motion sensor unit. Furthermore, by cutting off the power supply to the motion sensor unit, it is possible to reduce power consumption compared to the normal sleep mode.

[0068] Each step of the present invention can also be realized by executing software (programs) acquired via a network or various storage media on a processing device (CPU, processor) such as a personal computer (computer).

[0069] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the respective embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are not excluded from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 100 Image forming device 312 Power supply control section

Claims

1. A device equipped with a human sensor that detects people without contact with them, a first control means for transitioning to a sleep mode in which power consumption is reduced based on a user's specification of a day and time for the sleep mode; a second control means for returning from the sleep mode when the human presence sensor detects a human without contact with the human in the sleep mode; a third control means for transitioning to the sleep mode when the human presence sensor does not detect a human for a certain period of time after returning from the sleep mode; A device having:

2. The first control means transitions to the sleep mode at a specified time on a specified day.

2. The device of claim 1 .

3. A device equipped with a human sensor that detects people without contact with them, a first control means for transitioning to a sleep mode in which power consumption is reduced based on a user's designation of a day of the week and a time of day for the sleep mode; a second control means for returning from the sleep mode when the human presence sensor detects a human without contact with the human in the sleep mode; a third control means for transitioning to the sleep mode when the human presence sensor does not detect a human for a certain period of time after returning from the sleep mode; A device having:

4. The first control means transitions to the sleep mode at a specified time on a specified day of the week.

4. The device according to claim 3.

5. The third control means transitions to the sleep mode when the human presence sensor does not detect a person for a certain period of time after returning from the sleep mode and when no job is executed for a certain period of time.

5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The sleep mode is a mode in which power consumption is reduced compared to normal mode.

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The return to the normal mode means that the power consumption increases.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The sleep mode is a mode in which power is supplied to the human presence sensor and the network processing unit that performs communication.

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The sleep mode is a mode in which power is supplied to the human presence sensor and a network processing unit that performs communication, The normal mode is a mode in which power is supplied to the operation unit and image processing unit of the device in addition to the human presence sensor and the network processing unit.

8. The device according to claim 7.

10. The human presence sensor is a sensor that detects people using infrared rays without contact with the person.

10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The human sensor is a pyroelectric sensor.

11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. the device includes a numeric keypad for inputting numbers; The time is specified by the user using the numeric keypad.

12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. the device has a key for transitioning to the sleep mode; The sleep mode is entered based on the operation of the key.

13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The device includes an operation panel, The operation panel is different from the human sensor.

14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A screen for setting the time is displayed on the operation panel.

15. The device of claim 14.

16. A human presence sensor that detects people without contact with them, A printer unit; An image forming apparatus comprising: a first control means for transitioning to a sleep mode in which power consumption is reduced based on a user's specification of a day and time for the sleep mode; a second control means for returning from the sleep mode when the human presence sensor detects a human without contact with the human in the sleep mode; a third control means for transitioning to the sleep mode when the human presence sensor does not detect a human for a certain period of time after returning from the sleep mode; An image forming apparatus having the same.

17. The first control means transitions to the sleep mode at a specified time on a specified day.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16.

18. A human presence sensor that detects people without contact with them, An image forming apparatus including a printer unit, a first control means for transitioning to a sleep mode in which power consumption is reduced based on a user's designation of a day of the week and a time of day for the sleep mode; a second control means for returning from the sleep mode when the human presence sensor detects a human without contact with the human in the sleep mode; a third control means for transitioning to the sleep mode when the human presence sensor does not detect a human for a certain period of time after returning from the sleep mode; An image forming apparatus having the same.

19. The first control means transitions to the sleep mode at a specified time on a specified day of the week.

19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18.

20. The third control means transitions to the sleep mode when the human presence sensor does not detect a person for a certain period of time after returning from the sleep mode and when no job is executed for a certain period of time.

20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

21. The sleep mode is a mode in which power consumption is reduced compared to normal mode.

21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

22. The return to the normal mode means that the power consumption increases.

22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

23. The sleep mode is a mode in which power is supplied to the human presence sensor and the network processing unit that performs communication.

23. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

24. The sleep mode is a mode in which power is supplied to the human presence sensor and a network processing unit that performs communication, The normal mode is a mode in which power is supplied to the operation unit and image processing unit of the device in addition to the human presence sensor and the network processing unit.

23. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22.

25. The human presence sensor is a sensor that detects people using infrared rays without contact with the person.

25. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16,

26. The human sensor is a pyroelectric sensor.

26. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16,

27. the image forming apparatus is provided with a numeric keypad for inputting numbers, The time is specified by the user using the numeric keypad.

27. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16,

28. the image forming apparatus is provided with a key for transitioning to the sleep mode, The sleep mode is entered based on the operation of the key.

28. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

29. the image forming apparatus includes an operation panel, The operation panel is different from the human sensor.

29. An imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 28.

30. A screen for setting the time is displayed on the operation panel.

30. The image forming apparatus according to claim 29.

31. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

32. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 30.

Images