Image formation device

Abstract

To provide an image formation device that can discriminate user approach and lights-out at a relatively low cost.SOLUTION: In an image formation device 1, a solar cell sheet 11 is so located as to be curved or bent from a housing front face 1a to a top face 1b of the image formation device 1, and a controller 42 transits an operation mode from a power saving operation mode to a normal operation mode when generated electric power of the solar cell sheet 11 is less than a first threshold TH1 and is not less than a second threshold TH2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] One image forming device has a first solar panel on the operation panel and a second solar panel on the top surface of the document cover, and in power-saving operation mode, when the output current of both the first solar panel and the second solar panel is below a predetermined value, it continues in power-saving operation mode, and when the output current of the second solar panel exceeds a predetermined value while the output current of the first solar panel is below the predetermined value, it transitions from power-saving operation mode to normal operation mode (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-66372 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the image forming apparatus described above is provided with two solar cell panels, and the output currents of the two solar cell panels must be monitored, which increases the cost of the apparatus.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus that can distinguish between a user approaching and a light-off state at a relatively low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a solar cell sheet and a controller that transitions the operation mode of the image forming apparatus from a power-saving operation mode to a normal operation mode based on the power generated by the solar cell sheet. The solar cell sheet is curved or bent from the front surface to the top surface of the housing of the image forming apparatus, and the controller transitions the operation mode from the power-saving operation mode to the normal operation mode when the power generated by the solar cell sheet falls below a first threshold but does not fall below a second threshold that is lower than the first threshold. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus capable of distinguishing between a user approaching and a light-off state can be obtained at a relatively low cost.

[0008] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the change over time in the power generated by the solar cell sheet in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Embodiment 1

[0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

[0013] 1 includes a solar cell sheet 11 and an operation panel 12 on a housing. In the first embodiment, the solar cell sheet 11 is arranged so as to curve from the front surface 1a (the surface on which the operation panel 12 is installed) to the top surface 1b of the housing of the image forming device 1. Here, the solar cell sheet 11 is installed along the curved surface 1c.

[0014] For example, the solar cell sheet 11 is a sheet-shaped perovskite solar cell.

[0015] The operation panel 12 includes a display device (display panel, indicators, etc.) that displays various information to the user, and an input device (touch panel, hard keys, etc.) that detects user operations.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 further includes a capacitor 21, a charge / discharge circuit 22, a secondary battery 31, a power supply circuit 32, an internal device 41, and a controller .

[0017] The capacitor 21 is an electricity storage device, such as an electric double layer capacitor, that temporarily stores the charge generated by the solar cell sheet 11. The charge / discharge circuit 22 charges the capacitor 21 with the charge generated by the solar cell sheet 11 and outputs the charge stored in the capacitor 21 at a predetermined constant voltage. In other words, the charge generated by the solar cell sheet 11 becomes a current that is conducted to the charge / discharge circuit 22.

[0018] The power supply circuit 32 charges the secondary battery 31 with power from the charge / discharge circuit 22 and power from a commercial power source, and supplies power from the charge / discharge circuit 22, power from the commercial power source, and power from the secondary battery 31 to internal devices and a controller 42 as power supply power.

[0019] The internal devices 41 include the operation panel 12, a communication device, a printing device, etc. In the normal operation mode, power is supplied to all of the internal devices 41, and in the power saving operation mode, power is supplied to only some of the internal devices 41.

[0020] The controller 42 controls the power supply circuit 32, the internal device 41, etc. The controller 42 also controls the operation mode of the image forming apparatus. Specifically, the controller 42 sets the operation mode to the normal operation mode when the image forming apparatus 1 is started up, and thereafter, when a predetermined user operation is detected or the time of no operation exceeds a predetermined value, the controller 42 transitions the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the power saving operation mode, and when, for example, a job request is received in the power saving operation mode, the controller 42 transitions the operation mode back to the normal operation mode.

[0021] Furthermore, the controller 42 transitions the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 from the power saving operation mode to the normal operation mode based on the power generated by the solar cell sheet 11. Specifically, when the power generated by the solar cell sheet 11 becomes less than the first threshold value TH1 and does not become less than the second threshold value TH2 that is lower than the first threshold value TH1, the controller 42 transitions the operation mode from the power saving operation mode to the normal operation mode.

[0022] For example, the charge / discharge circuit 22 measures the output current value from the solar cell sheet 11 to the charge / discharge circuit 22, and the controller 42 detects the output current value and determines the power generated by the solar cell sheet 11 from the output current value (for example, based on the electrical characteristics of the charge / discharge circuit 22).

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the change over time in the power generated by the solar cell sheet 11 in the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

[0024] When there is no one around the image forming device 1 and ambient light (e.g., light emitted from a light source such as an indoor light) is irradiating the solar cell sheet 11 of the image forming device 1, the power generated by the solar cell sheet 11 exceeds the first threshold value TH1.

[0025] When a user approaches the front side (operation panel 12) of the image forming device 1 to operate the image forming device 1, some of the ambient light incident on the solar cell sheet 11 is blocked, so the generated power becomes less than the first threshold value TH1, but the remaining ambient light is not blocked and enters the solar cell sheet 11, so the generated power remains above the second threshold value TH2, which is lower than the first threshold value TH1.

[0026] 3, if the power generated by the solar cell sheet 11 becomes less than the first threshold value TH1 but does not become less than the second threshold value TH2, the controller 42 determines that the ambient light source is not turned off and that a user has approached, and automatically transitions the operation mode from the power-saving operation mode to the normal operation mode. This allows the user to immediately use the image forming apparatus 1 without performing a user operation to transition the operation mode from the power-saving operation mode to the normal operation mode.

[0027] Specifically, in embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 3, if the power generated by the solar cell sheet 11 is not less than the second threshold value TH2 at time T2, a predetermined time td after time T1 when the power generated by the solar cell sheet 11 becomes less than the first threshold value TH1, the controller 42 transitions the operating mode from the power saving operating mode to the normal operating mode.

[0028] In addition, if the power generated by the solar cell sheet 11 becomes less than the first threshold value TH1 at time T1, and the power becomes less than the second threshold value TH2 at time T2, a predetermined time td after time T1, the controller 42 may determine that the source of ambient light has been turned off and shut down the image forming device 1.

[0029] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0030] When the image forming apparatus 1 is started up, the controller 42 sets the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 to a normal operation mode. In the normal operation mode, the controller 42 executes various jobs in the internal device 41 in accordance with user operations and the like.

[0031] Thereafter, when a predetermined user operation is detected or the time of no operation exceeds a predetermined value, the controller 42 transitions the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the power-saving operation mode.

[0032] When a job request is received in the power saving operation mode, the controller 42 transitions the operation mode to the normal operation mode.

[0033] In addition, in the power saving operation mode, the controller 42 monitors the power generated by the solar cell sheet 11, and if the power generated by the solar cell sheet 11 becomes less than the first threshold TH1 but does not become less than the second threshold TH2 which is lower than the first threshold TH1, it determines that the source of ambient light has not been turned off and that a user has approached, and automatically transitions the operation mode from the power saving operation mode to the normal operation mode.

[0034] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the solar cell sheet 11 is arranged in a curved manner from the front surface 1a to the top surface 1b of the housing of the image forming device 1, and the controller 42 transitions the operating mode from the power saving operating mode to the normal operating mode when the power generated by the solar cell sheet 11 becomes less than the first threshold value TH1 but does not become less than the second threshold value TH2.

[0035] As a result, the approach of a user and the turning off of the light are distinguished and detected based on the power generated by a single solar cell sheet 11, so that the approach of a user and the turning off of the light can be distinguished at a relatively low cost without providing multiple solar cells.

[0036] Embodiment 2

[0037] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. In embodiment 2, as shown in Fig. 4, for example, solar cell sheet 11 is bent and arranged from front surface 1a of the housing of image forming apparatus 1 (surface on which operation panel 12 is installed) to top surface 1b.

[0038] The other configurations and operations of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0039] Embodiment 3

[0040] In the third embodiment, the predetermined time td is set based on the range of the solar cell sheet 11 that is irradiated with ambient light.

[0041] For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the solar cell sheet 11 has a range where it is arranged on the front surface 1a of the housing and a range where it is arranged on the top surface 1b of the housing. When ambient light is blocked in the range of the solar cell sheet 11 on the top surface 1b and the front surface 1a of the housing (i.e., when the user is nearby to operate the device), a value td1 is set as the predetermined time td. When ambient light is blocked only in the range of the solar cell sheet 11 on the front surface 1a of the housing (i.e., when the user passes in front of the image forming device 1), a value td2 is set as the predetermined time td. Here, td1 is smaller than td2.

[0042] Specifically, a third threshold value is set in response to the case where ambient light with respect to only the range of the front surface 1a of the housing in the solar cell sheet 11 is blocked, and a fourth threshold value is set in response to the case where ambient light with respect to both the range of the front surface 1a and the upper surface 1b of the housing in the solar cell sheet 11 is blocked. When the generated power of the solar cell sheet 11 is less than the third threshold value and is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold value (that is, when the ambient light with respect to only the range of the front surface 1a of the housing in the solar cell sheet 11 is blocked by the user), the value td2 is set as the above-mentioned predetermined time td. When the generated power of the solar cell sheet 11 is less than the fourth threshold value (that is, when the ambient light with respect to the ranges of the front surface 1a and the upper surface 1b of the housing in the solar cell sheet 11 is blocked by the user), the value td1 (td1 < td2) is set as the above-mentioned predetermined time td. Thereby, it is possible to discriminate between a user who has passed by without using the image forming apparatus 1 and a user who has approached to use the image forming apparatus 1. When the user approaches to use the image forming apparatus 1, the transition from the power saving operation mode to the normal operation mode is executed more promptly.

[0043] Note that the number of set values of the predetermined time td may be three or more, and a corresponding number of threshold values may be provided. Also, for example, in the case of the solar cell sheet 11 shown in FIG. 1, the predetermined time td may be set in the same manner.

[0044] Note that the other configurations and operations of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment are the same as those of the first or second embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0045] Note that various changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter and without diminishing the intended advantages. That is, it is intended that such changes and modifications be included in the claims.

[0046] For example, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the controller 42 may maintain the operating mode in the power-saving operating mode if the power generated by the solar cell sheet 11 has returned to equal to or greater than the first threshold value TH1 a predetermined time (for example, any time between 2 and 4 seconds) after the time T1 at which the power generated by the solar cell sheet 11 became less than the first threshold value TH1. This prevents a person simply passing in front of the image forming device 1 from being mistakenly detected as a user approaching to use the image forming device 1. [Industrial Applicability]

[0047] The present invention is applicable to, for example, an image forming apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. Image forming device 1a Front of the case 1b Top side 11 Solar cell sheet 42 Controller

Claims

1. In the image forming apparatus, A solar cell sheet; a controller that transitions the operation mode of the image forming apparatus from a power saving operation mode to a normal operation mode based on the power generated by the solar cell sheet; the solar cell sheet is arranged in a curved or bent state from the front surface to the top surface of the housing of the image forming apparatus, the controller transitions the operation mode from a power saving operation mode to a normal operation mode when the power generated by the solar cell sheet becomes less than a first threshold value and does not become less than a second threshold value that is lower than the first threshold value; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller transitions the operating mode from a power saving operating mode to a normal operating mode if the power generated by the solar cell sheet is not less than the second threshold value at a predetermined time after the power generated by the solar cell sheet becomes less than the first threshold value.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined time is set based on the range of illumination of the solar cell sheet by ambient light.

4. the irradiation range includes a range of the solar cell sheet on the front surface of the housing and a range of the top surface of the housing, a third threshold is set corresponding to a case where ambient light is blocked only in the range of the front surface of the housing out of the range of the front surface of the housing and the range of the top surface of the housing; a fourth threshold is set corresponding to a case where ambient light is blocked from both the range of the front surface of the housing and the range of the top surface of the housing; the predetermined time is shorter when the generated power is less than the fourth threshold value than when the generated power is less than the third threshold value and equal to or greater than the fourth threshold value; 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the controller shuts down the image forming apparatus when the power generated by the solar cell sheet falls below the second threshold at a time the predetermined time has elapsed since the power generated by the solar cell sheet fell below the first threshold.

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