Electronic apparatus and power mode switching program

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus and a power mode switching program capable of switching power modes according to the user's usage status.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus includes: an operation unit having a power-saving operation part for setting the power mode to a first power-saving mode; and a human detection sensor for detecting a human. The apparatus determines a second recovery mode which switches from the first power-saving mode to a second power-saving mode (S146) when specific conditions relating to a usage status of the power-saving operation part are satisfied (YES at S142 or YES at S144) as a recovery mode at a time of human detection being the recovery mode in a case where the human detection sensor detects a human. The apparatus determines a first recovery mode which switches from the first power-saving mode to a normal mode (S145) when the specific conditions are not satisfied (NO at S142 and NO at S144).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device for switching a power mode, which is a power consumption mode, and a power mode switching program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an electronic device provided with a normal mode and a power saving mode in which power consumption is less than that in the normal mode as power modes (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The electronic device described in Patent Document 1 includes a first power saving mode and a second power saving mode in which power consumption is higher than that in the first power saving mode as the power saving mode.

[0003] The electronic device described in Patent Document 1 includes an operation unit such as a button for inputting various operations and a human sensor for detecting a human. When the human sensor detects a human while the power mode of the electronic device described in Patent Document 1 is the first power saving mode, the power mode is switched from the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the conventional electronic device, when the power mode is the first power saving mode, even if the human sensor detects a human, the power mode is not switched from the first power saving mode to the normal mode. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes a long time from when the user detected by the human sensor operates the operation unit until the power mode returns to the normal mode, and the convenience is poor.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a power mode switching program that can switch the power mode according to the usage status of the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The electronic device of the present invention is an electronic device including an operation unit and a human sensor for detecting a human, and the electronic device includes, as a power mode which is a mode of power consumption, a normal mode and a power saving mode with less power consumption than the normal mode, and the electronic device includes, as the power saving mode, a first power saving mode and a second power saving mode with more power consumption than the first power saving mode, the operation unit includes a power saving operation unit for setting the power mode to the power saving mode, and the electronic device includes, as a return mode which is a mode of switching from the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode or the normal mode, a first return mode for switching from the first power saving mode to the normal mode and a second return mode for switching from the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode, and the electronic device determines the second return mode when a specific condition regarding the usage status of the power saving operation unit is satisfied, and determines the first return mode when the specific condition is not satisfied, as a human sensing return mode which is the return mode when the human sensor detects a human.

[0008] With this configuration, the electronic device of the present invention determines the second return mode when a specific condition regarding the usage status of the power saving operation unit is satisfied, and determines the first return mode when this condition is not satisfied, as a human sensing return mode which is the return mode when the human sensor detects a human. Therefore, the power mode can be switched according to the usage status of the user.

[0009] In the electronic device of the present invention, the specific condition may be a condition that the ratio of the power saving operation unit being operated within a specific time after the execution of an operation unit operation job, which is a job started by being operated from the operation unit, is equal to or higher than a specific ratio.

[0010] With this configuration, when the ratio of the power-saving operation unit being operated within a specific time after the completion of the execution of an operation unit operation job, which is a job started by operating the operation unit, is equal to or higher than a specific ratio, that is, when it is highly likely to be used by a user with a high awareness of power saving, the second return mode is determined as the human presence time return mode. Therefore, it is possible to determine a human presence time return mode suitable for a user who is more likely to prioritize power consumption reduction rather than the short time until the power mode returns to the normal mode, that is, a user with a high awareness of power saving.

[0011] In the electronic device of the present invention, the specific condition may be a condition that the number of times the power-saving operation unit is operated within a specific period is equal to or more than a specific number of times.

[0012] With this configuration, when the number of times the power-saving operation unit is operated within a specific period is equal to or more than a specific number of times, that is, when it is highly likely to be used by a user with a high awareness of power saving, the second return mode is determined as the human presence time return mode. Therefore, it is possible to determine a human presence time return mode suitable for a user who is more likely to prioritize power consumption reduction rather than the short time until the power mode returns to the normal mode, that is, a user with a high awareness of power saving.

[0013] When the ratio of the power-saving operation unit being operated within a specific time after the completion of the execution of an operation unit operation job, which is a job started by operating the operation unit, is not equal to or higher than a specific ratio and the number of times the power-saving operation unit is operated within a specific period is not equal to or more than a specific number of times, the first return mode may be determined as the human presence time return mode.

[0014] With this configuration, when the ratio of the operation of the power saving operation unit within a specific time after the completion of the execution of the operation unit operation job, which is a job started by operating from the operation unit, is not more than a specific ratio and the number of times the power saving operation unit is operated within a specific period is not more than a specific number, that is, when it is highly likely to be used by a user with low awareness of power saving, the first return mode is determined as the human presence time return mode. Therefore, it is highly likely to prioritize the short time until the power mode returns to the normal mode rather than reducing power consumption. That is, it is possible to determine a human presence time return mode suitable for a user with low awareness of power saving.

[0015] The power mode switching program of the present invention is a power mode switching program executed by an electronic device including an operation unit and a human presence sensor for detecting a human. The electronic device includes a normal mode and a power saving mode with less power consumption than the normal mode as power modes, which are modes of power consumption. The electronic device includes a first power saving mode and a second power saving mode with more power consumption than the first power saving mode as the power saving mode. The operation unit includes a power saving operation unit for setting the power mode to the power saving mode. The electronic device includes a first return mode for switching from the first power saving mode to the normal mode and a second return mode for switching from the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode as return modes, which are modes for switching from the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode or the normal mode. The power mode switching program causes the electronic device to determine the second return mode when a specific condition regarding the usage status of the power saving operation unit is satisfied, and to determine the first return mode when the specific condition is not satisfied, as the human presence time return mode, which is the return mode when the human presence sensor detects a human.

[0016] With this configuration, an electronic device that executes the power mode switching program of the present invention determines the second return mode when a specific condition regarding the usage status of the power saving operation unit is satisfied, and determines the first return mode when this condition is not satisfied, in the human presence return mode, which is the return mode when the human presence sensor detects a human. Therefore, the power mode can be switched according to the usage status of the user.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] The electronic device and the power mode switching program of the present invention can switch the power mode according to the usage status of the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus as an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an operation unit 11 which is an operation device such as a button for inputting various operations, a display unit 12 which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying various information, a printer 13 which is a printing device for printing an image on a recording medium such as paper, a scanner 14 which is a reading device for reading an image from a document, a communication unit 15 which is a communication device for communicating with an external device directly by wire or wirelessly via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, or without passing through a network, a fax communication unit 16 which is a fax device for performing fax communication via a communication line such as an external facsimile device (not shown) and a public telephone line, a human sensor 17 for detecting a human, a storage unit 18 which is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for storing various information, and a control unit 19 for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 10, and is a computer.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a power consumption mode (hereinafter referred to as "power mode") in the image forming apparatus 10.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 has, as power modes, a normal mode and a power saving mode in which power consumption is less than that in the normal mode. The image forming apparatus 10 has, as the power saving mode, a first power saving mode in which power consumption is the lowest and a second power saving mode in which power consumption is more than that in the first power saving mode. The second power saving mode is a power mode in which, among the devices of the image forming apparatus 10, the energized devices are fewer than those in the normal mode and more than those in the first power saving mode. For example, the operation unit 11 and the display unit 12 may be energized when the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 is the normal mode and the second power saving mode, and may not be energized when the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 is the normal mode and the first power saving mode.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 10 has, as a mode (hereinafter referred to as "return mode") for switching from the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode or the normal mode, a first return mode for switching from the first power saving mode to the normal mode and a second return mode for switching from the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 11 includes a power saving button 11a as a power saving operation unit for switching the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 to the first power saving mode.

[0027] The storage unit 18 can store a power mode switching program 18a for switching the power mode. The power mode switching program 18a may be installed in the image forming apparatus 10, for example, at the manufacturing stage of the image forming apparatus 10, may be additionally installed in the image forming apparatus 10 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or may be additionally installed in the image forming apparatus 10 from the network.

[0028] The storage unit 18 can store power saving operation time information 18b indicating the time when the power saving button 11a is operated (hereinafter referred to as "power saving operation time") for each power saving operation time.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the power saving operation time information 18b.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the power saving operation time information 18b shows the power saving operation time for each power saving operation time. In FIG. 3, some of the power saving operation times are depicted with omission.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 18 can store job completion time information 18c that shows, for each job, the time (hereinafter referred to as the "job completion time") when the execution of a job (hereinafter referred to as the "operation unit operation job") started by being operated from the operation unit 11 is completed.

[0032] Examples of the operation unit operation job include a scan job of reading an image from a document by the scanner 14, a copy job of printing an image read from a document by the scanner 14 on a recording medium by the printer 13, and a FAX transmission job of transmitting FAX data of a specific image such as an image read from a document by the scanner 14 to a specific destination via the FAX communication unit 16. Examples of jobs other than the operation unit operation job include a printer printing job of printing an image based on specific print data such as print data received via the communication unit 15 on a recording medium by the printer 13, and a FAX reception printing job of printing an image based on FAX data received via the FAX communication unit 16 on a recording medium by the printer 13.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the job completion time information 18c.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the job completion time information 18c shows the job completion time for each job. In FIG. 4, some of the job completion times are depicted with omission.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 18 stores power saving operation rate information 18d indicating the rate (hereinafter referred to as the "power saving operation rate") at which the power saving button 11a is operated within a specific time after the execution of the operation unit operation job, power saving operation reference time information 18e indicating the time (hereinafter referred to as the "power saving operation reference time") from the completion of the execution of the operation unit operation job to the operation of the power saving button 11a, which is the basis for calculating the power saving operation rate, power saving operation rate calculation period information 18f indicating the period (hereinafter referred to as the "power saving operation rate calculation period") for which the power saving operation rate is calculated, power saving operation count calculation period information 18g indicating the period (hereinafter referred to as the "power saving operation count calculation period") for which the number of times the power saving button 11a is operated (hereinafter referred to as the "power saving operation count") is calculated after a specific period before the current time and before the current time, reference operation rate information 18h indicating the power saving operation rate (hereinafter referred to as the "reference operation rate"), which is the basis for determining the return mode (hereinafter referred to as the "human detection return mode") of the image forming apparatus 10 when the human sensor 17 detects a human, reference operation count information 18i indicating the power saving operation count (hereinafter referred to as the "reference operation count"), which is the basis for determining the human detection return mode, and human detection return mode information 18j indicating the human detection return mode.

[0036] The power saving operation reference time indicated by the power saving operation reference time information 18e is, for example, any time between 1 minute and 10 minutes.

[0037] The power saving operation rate calculation period indicated by the power saving operation rate calculation period information 18f is, for example, any period between 1 day and 1 month.

[0038] The power saving operation count calculation period indicated by the power saving operation count calculation period information 18g is, for example, any period between 1 hour and 1 day.

[0039] The power saving operation reference time information 18e, the power saving operation rate calculation period information 18f, the power saving operation count calculation period information 18g, the reference operation rate information 18h, and the reference operation count information 18i can be updated according to instructions from the user via the operation unit 11 or the communication unit 15.

[0040] The control unit 19 shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 19. The CPU of the control unit 19 executes programs stored in the storage unit 18 or the ROM of the control unit 19.

[0041] The control unit 19 realizes a power mode switching unit 19a that switches the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 by executing a power mode switching program 18a.

[0042] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

[0043] First, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when the execution of a job is completed will be described.

[0044] When the execution of a job is completed, the power mode switching unit 19a of the image forming apparatus 10 executes the operation shown in FIG. 5.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when the execution of a job is completed.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the power mode switching unit 19a determines whether there is a job being executed by the image forming apparatus 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "executing job"), or a job waiting to be executed by the image forming apparatus 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "waiting job") (S101). When there is a waiting job, the control unit 19 of the image forming apparatus 10 executes one of the waiting jobs when the execution of the executing job is completed.

[0047] If the power mode switching unit 19a determines in S101 that neither the executing job nor the waiting job exists, it determines whether the job that has just been completed (hereinafter referred to as the "target job" in the description of the operation shown in FIG. 5) is an operation unit operation job (S102).

[0048] If the power mode switching unit 19a determines in S102 that the target job is an operation unit operation job, it stores the job completion time of the target job in the job completion time information 18c (S103).

[0049] If the power mode switching unit 19a determines in S101 that there is an executing job or a waiting job, or determines in S102 that the target job is not an operation unit operation job, or when the process of S103 ends, it ends the operation shown in FIG. 5.

[0050] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when the power saving button 11a is operated will be described.

[0051] When the power saving button 11a of the image forming apparatus 10 is operated, the power mode switching unit 19a of the image forming apparatus 10 executes the operation shown in FIG. 6.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when the power saving button 11a is operated.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 6, the power mode switching unit 19a determines whether there is an executing job or a waiting job (S121).

[0054] When the power mode switching unit 19a determines in S121 that neither the job being executed nor the job in the standby state exists, it stores the current power saving operation time in the power saving operation time information 18b (S122).

[0055] When the process of S122 is completed, the power mode switching unit 19a executes a human presence time return mode determination process for determining the human presence time return mode (S123).

[0056] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the human presence time return mode determination process shown in FIG. 6.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 7, the power mode switching unit 19a executes a power saving operation rate calculation process for calculating the power saving operation rate (S141).

[0058] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the power saving operation rate calculation process shown in FIG. 7.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, the power mode switching unit 19a specifies the job completion times included in the period after the time before the power saving operation rate calculation period indicated by the power saving operation rate calculation period information 18f from the current time and before the current time among the job completion times indicated by the job completion time information 18c (S161).

[0060] When the process of S161 is completed, the power mode switching unit 19a specifies, among the job completion times specified in S161, the job completion times in which the power saving operation time indicated by the power saving operation time information 18b exists after the job completion time and before the time after the power saving operation reference time indicated by the power saving operation reference time information 18e from this job completion time (S162).

[0061] FIG. 9(a) is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the job completion time and the power saving operation time in the image forming apparatus 10. FIG. 9(b) is a diagram showing an example different from the example shown in FIG. 9(a) of the relationship between the job completion time and the power saving operation time in the image forming apparatus 10.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 9(a), when there is a power-saving operation time after the job completion time and before the time that is the power-saving operation reference time after this job completion time, this job completion time is specified in S162. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 9(b), when there is no power-saving operation time after the job completion time and before the time that is the power-saving operation reference time after this job completion time, this job completion time is not specified in S162.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 8, when the process of S162 ends, the power mode switching unit 19a calculates, as a percentage, the power-saving operation rate which is the ratio of the number of job completion times specified in S162 to the number of job completion times specified in S161 (S163).

[0064] When the process of S163 ends, the power mode switching unit 19a stores the power-saving operation rate calculated in S163 in the power-saving operation rate information 18d (S164), and ends the power-saving operation rate calculation process shown in Fig. 8.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 7, when the power-saving operation rate calculation process of S141 ends, the power mode switching unit 19a determines whether the power-saving operation rate indicated by the power-saving operation rate information 18d is greater than or equal to the reference operation rate indicated by the reference operation rate information 18h (S142).

[0066] If the power mode switching unit 19a determines in S142 that the power-saving operation rate indicated by the power-saving operation rate information 18d is less than the reference operation rate indicated by the reference operation rate information 18h, it calculates the number of times the power-saving button 11a has been operated after the time before the power-saving operation count calculation period indicated by the power-saving operation count calculation period information 18g from the current time and before the current time as the power-saving operation count (S143).

[0067] When the process of S143 ends, the power mode switching unit 19a determines whether the power-saving operation count calculated in S143 is greater than or equal to the reference operation count indicated by the reference operation count information 18i (S144).

[0068] If the power mode switching unit 19a determines in S144 that the number of power saving operations calculated in S143 is less than the reference number of operations indicated by the reference operation number information 18i, it stores the first return mode as the human presence return mode in the human presence return mode information 18j (S145).

[0069] If the power mode switching unit 19a determines in S142 that the power saving operation rate indicated by the power saving operation rate information 18d is equal to or higher than the reference operation rate indicated by the reference operation rate information 18h, or determines in S144 that the number of power saving operations calculated in S143 is equal to or higher than the reference number of operations indicated by the reference operation number information 18i, it stores the second return mode as the human presence return mode in the human presence return mode information 18j (S146).

[0070] When the process of S145 or S146 is completed, the power mode switching unit 19a ends the human presence return mode determination process shown in FIG. 7.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 6, when the human presence return mode determination process of S123 is completed, the power mode switching unit 19a switches the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 to the first power saving mode (S124).

[0072] If the power mode switching unit 19a determines in S121 that there is an executing job or a waiting job, or when the process of S124 is completed, it ends the operation shown in FIG. 6.

[0073] Note that the power mode switching unit 19a may also switch the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 to the first power saving mode in specific cases other than when the power saving button 11a is operated. For example, when the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 is the normal mode or the second power saving mode, if the state where the image forming apparatus 10 does not execute a job and the operation unit 11 is not operated continues for a specific period, the power mode switching unit 19a may switch the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 to the first power saving mode.

[0074] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when the human presence sensor 17 detects a human when the power mode is the first power saving mode will be described.

[0075] When the human presence sensor 17 detects a human while the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 is the first power saving mode, the power mode switching unit 19a of the image forming apparatus 10 executes the operation shown in FIG. 10.

[0076] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when the human presence sensor 17 detects a human while the power mode is the first power saving mode.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 10, the power mode switching unit 19a determines the human presence return mode indicated in the human presence return mode information 18j (S181).

[0078] When it is determined in S181 that the human presence return mode indicated in the human presence return mode information 18j is the first return mode, the power mode switching unit 19a switches the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 from the first power saving mode to the normal mode (S182).

[0079] When it is determined in S181 that the human presence return mode indicated in the human presence return mode information 18j is the second return mode, the power mode switching unit 19a switches the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 from the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode (S183).

[0080] When the processing of S182 or S183 is completed, the power mode switching unit 19a ends the operation shown in FIG. 10.

[0081] In the above, the switching of the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 when the human sensor 17 detects a human when the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 is the first power saving mode has been described. The power mode switching unit 19a of the image forming apparatus 10 may switch the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 to a predetermined power mode for this condition when a specific condition other than the condition that the human sensor 17 detects a human is satisfied when the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 is the first power saving mode. Similarly, the power mode switching unit 19a of the image forming apparatus 10 may switch the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 to a predetermined power mode for this condition when a specific condition is satisfied when the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 is the second power saving mode.

[0082] As described above, when the human sensor 17 of the image forming apparatus 10 detects a human, in the human detection return mode which is the return mode, when a specific condition regarding the usage status of the power saving button 11a is satisfied (YES in S142 or YES in S144), the second return mode is determined (S146), and when this condition is not satisfied (NO in S142 and NO in S144), the first return mode is determined (S145). Therefore, the power mode can be switched according to the usage status of the user.

[0083] When the ratio of the operation of the power saving button 11a within a specific time after the execution of the operation unit operation job is completed is equal to or higher than a specific ratio (YES in S142) in the image forming apparatus 10, that is, when it is highly likely to be used by a user with a high awareness of power saving, the second return mode is determined as the human detection return mode (S146). Therefore, it is possible to determine a human detection return mode suitable for a user who gives priority to reducing power consumption rather than the time until the power mode returns to the normal mode, that is, a user with a high awareness of power saving.

[0084] When the number of times the power saving button 11a is operated within a specific period is equal to or greater than a specific number (YES in S144), that is, when it is highly likely to be used by a user with a high awareness of power saving, the image forming apparatus 10 determines the second return mode as the human presence detection return mode (S146). Therefore, it is highly likely to prioritize the reduction of power consumption rather than the short time until the power mode returns to the normal mode, and it is possible to determine a human presence detection return mode suitable for a user with a high awareness of power saving, that is, a user who is highly likely to prioritize power consumption reduction.

[0085] When the ratio of the number of times the power saving button 11a is operated within a specific time after the execution of the operation unit operation job is not equal to or greater than a specific ratio and the number of times the power saving button 11a is operated within a specific period is not equal to or greater than a specific number (NO in S142 and NO in S144), that is, when it is highly likely to be used by a user with a low awareness of power saving, the image forming apparatus 10 determines the first return mode as the human presence detection return mode (S145). Therefore, it is highly likely to prioritize the short time until the power mode returns to the normal mode rather than the reduction of power consumption, and it is possible to determine a human presence detection return mode suitable for a user with a low awareness of power saving, that is, a user who is highly likely to prioritize the short time until the power mode returns to the normal mode.

[0086] In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 determines the human presence detection return mode based on both the power saving operation rate and the power saving operation count, which are criteria regarding the usage status of the power saving button 11a. However, the image forming apparatus 10 may determine the human presence detection return mode based on only one of the power saving operation rate and the power saving operation count. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 may determine the human presence detection return mode based on a new criterion regarding the usage status of the power saving button 11a instead of, or in addition to, at least one of the power saving operation rate and the power saving operation count.

[0087] In the present embodiment, when the power saving button 11a of the image forming apparatus 10 is operated, the human presence time return mode determination process is executed. However, instead of or in addition to the case where the power saving button 11a of the image forming apparatus 10 is operated, the human presence time return mode determination process may be periodically executed.

[0088] The electronic device of the present invention is an image forming apparatus in the present embodiment. However, the electronic device of the present invention may be an electronic device other than an image forming apparatus.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0089] 10 Image forming apparatus (electronic device) 11 Operation unit 11a Power saving button (power saving operation unit) 17 Human presence sensor 18a Power mode switching program

Claims

1. An operation unit, a human presence sensor for detecting a human, and an electronic device comprising the same, wherein the electronic device includes a normal mode and a power-saving mode as power modes which are modes of power consumption, and the power-saving mode consumes less power than the normal mode, wherein the electronic device includes a first power-saving mode and a second power-saving mode as the power-saving mode, and the second power-saving mode consumes more power than the first power-saving mode, wherein the operation unit includes a power-saving operation unit for changing the power mode to the power-saving mode, wherein the electronic device includes a first return mode for switching from the first power-saving mode to the normal mode and a second return mode for switching from the first power-saving mode to the second power-saving mode as return modes which are modes for switching from the first power-saving mode to the second power-saving mode or the normal mode, wherein the electronic device determines the second return mode when a specific condition regarding the usage status of the power-saving operation unit is satisfied, and determines the first return mode when the specific condition is not satisfied, as a human presence sensor return mode which is the return mode when the human presence sensor detects a human, and is characterized by this.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the specific condition is a condition that a ratio of the power-saving operation unit being operated within a specific time after the execution of an operation unit operation job which is a job started by being operated from the operation unit is equal to or more than a specific ratio.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the specific condition is a condition that the number of times the power-saving operation unit is operated within a specific period is equal to or more than a specific number of times.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when the ratio of the power-saving operation unit being operated within a specific time after the execution of an operation unit operation job which is a job started by being operated from the operation unit is not equal to or more than a specific ratio and the number of times the power-saving operation unit is operated within a specific period is not equal to or more than a specific number of times, the first return mode is determined as the human presence sensor return mode.

5. An operation unit, a human presence sensor for detecting a human, and a power mode switching program executed by an electronic device comprising the same, wherein the electronic device includes a normal mode and a power-saving mode as power modes which are modes of power consumption, and the power-saving mode consumes less power than the normal mode, The electronic device includes, as the power saving mode, a first power saving mode and a second power saving mode with higher power consumption than the first power saving mode. The operation unit includes a power saving operation unit for setting the power mode to the power saving mode. The electronic device includes, as a return mode for switching from the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode or the normal mode, a first return mode for switching from the first power saving mode to the normal mode and a second return mode for switching from the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode. When the human presence sensor detects a human, the power mode switching program causes the electronic device to determine the second return mode when specific conditions regarding the usage status of the power saving operation unit are satisfied, and causes the electronic device to determine the first return mode when the specific conditions are not satisfied, as a human presence detection return mode which is the return mode in this case. A power mode switching program characterized by the above.

Images