Electronic apparatus

Abstract

To obtain an electronic apparatus having a good operability in an energy saving mode while suppressing a power consumption.SOLUTION: A controller 41 is configured to: (a) switch an operation mode from a normal operation mode to an energy-saving mode when a non-operation period of an input device 61 exceeds a predetermined threshold value and when a user operation on an energy-saving key 61b is detected; (b) immediately extend an operation detection cycle to a predetermined value when the non-operation period of the input device 61 exceeds the predetermined threshold value and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode; and (c) extend the operation detection cycle by delaying the operation detection cycle from a predetermined first value to a predetermined second value when the user operation on the energy saving key 61b is detected and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] One electronic device has an operation unit that detects user operations based on the timing of a drive signal, and in sleep mode, the period of the drive signal is changed according to a time period set based on the frequency of use of the electronic device, thereby reducing power consumption (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-161992 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, the longer the cycle of the drive signal, the less power consumption there is, but the worse the operability becomes. If a user switches the operation mode of the electronic device from normal operation mode to sleep mode (i.e., an energy-saving mode that consumes less power than normal operation mode) by user operation and then immediately operates the electronic device again, operability becomes worse if the cycle of the drive signal is short.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an object to provide an electronic device that reduces power consumption and has good operability in energy saving mode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electronic device according to the present invention includes an input device that detects a user operation, and a controller that switches the operation mode of the electronic device between a normal operation mode and a power-saving mode that consumes less power than the normal operation mode and sets a period for detecting the user operation of the input device. The controller (a) switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the power-saving mode when a period of no operation of the input device exceeds a predetermined threshold and a user operation on a predetermined key is detected, (b) immediately extends the period to a predetermined value when the period of no operation of the input device exceeds the predetermined threshold and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the power-saving mode, and (c) extends the period with a delay from a predetermined first value to a predetermined second value when the user operation on the predetermined key is detected and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the power-saving mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, an electronic device can be obtained that reduces power consumption and has good operability in energy saving mode.

[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 example of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in the touch detection frequency. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of a change in the touch detection frequency. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing yet another example of a change in the touch detection frequency. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in the touch detection frequency according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of a change in the touch detection frequency according to the second embodiment. 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 example of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device shown in Fig. 1 is an image forming device 1 such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral. The image forming device 1 has an operation panel 11 installed on the front of a housing 1a.

[0013] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, this image forming apparatus includes a controller 41, a printing device 42, an operation panel 43, and a communication device 44.

[0014] The controller 41 includes a computer, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc., and realizes various processing functions with software and / or hardware, controls internal devices such as the printing device 42 and the operation panel 43, and performs various data processing.

[0015] In addition, the controller 41 switches the operation mode of the image forming device 1 between a normal operation mode and an energy saving mode that consumes less power than the normal operation mode, and sets the period for detecting user operations of the input device 61 (hereinafter also referred to as the operation detection period).

[0016] Specifically, the controller 41 (a) sets the operation mode to the normal operation mode when the image forming apparatus 1 is started up, (b) in the normal operation mode, if the period of non-operation of the input device 61 exceeds a predetermined threshold or if a user operation on a predetermined key is detected, switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode, and (c) in the energy saving mode, if a user operation on the input device 61 is detected or a job request is received by the communication device 44, switches the operation mode from the energy saving mode to the normal operation mode.

[0017] Furthermore, when the period of non-operation of the input device 61 exceeds a predetermined threshold and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode, the controller 41 immediately extends the operation detection period to a predetermined value, and when a user operation on the energy saving key 61b is detected and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode, the controller 41 extends the operation detection period with a delay from a predetermined first value to a predetermined second value.

[0018] In this embodiment, the controller 41 sets the drive frequency (touch detection frequency) of the touch panel 61a in accordance with the operation detection cycle. That is, the controller 41 sets the drive frequency of the touch panel 61a in the input device 61, thereby setting the above-mentioned operation detection cycle.

[0019] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the touch detection frequency, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing another example of a change in the touch detection frequency, and Fig. 5 is a diagram showing yet another example of a change in the touch detection frequency.

[0020] For example, when the controller 41 detects a user operation on the energy-saving key 61b and switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode, at the timing Td, which is a predetermined time dt after the timing T0 when the energy-saving mode is switched, the operation detection period is immediately extended to a predetermined second value. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the non-operation period of the input device 61 exceeds a predetermined threshold and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode, the controller 41 changes the touch detection frequency from f1 to f2 (f2 < f1) at the timing T0. When a user operation on the energy-saving key 61b is detected and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode, the controller 41 changes the touch detection frequency from f1 to f2 at the timing Td. Note that the above-mentioned predetermined time dt can be arbitrarily set.

[0021] Also, for example, when the controller 41 detects a user operation on the energy-saving key 61b and switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode, the operation detection period is gradually extended to a predetermined second value from the timing T0 when the energy-saving mode is switched. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the non-operation period of the input device 61 exceeds a predetermined threshold and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode, the controller 41 changes the touch detection frequency from f1 to f2 (f2 < f1) at the timing T0. On the other hand, when a user operation on the energy-saving key 61b is detected and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode, the touch detection frequency is gradually changed from f1 to f2 between the timing T0 and the timing Td.

[0022] Also, for example, when the controller 41 detects a user operation on the energy-saving key 61b and switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode, it gradually extends the operation detection period to a predetermined second value from the timing T0 when the energy-saving mode is switched. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the non-operation period of the input device 61 exceeds a predetermined threshold value and the controller 41 switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode, it changes the touch detection frequency from f1 to f2 (f2 < f1) at the timing T0. On the other hand, when a user operation on the energy-saving key 61b is detected and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode, the touch detection frequency is gradually changed from f1 to f2 between the timing T0 and the timing Td.

[0023] The printing device 42 is an internal device that prints a manuscript image.

[0024] The operation panel 43 includes an input device 61 that detects user operations and a display device 62 such as a liquid crystal display that displays an operation screen for the user. The input device 61 includes a touch panel 61a and hard keys such as an energy-saving key 61b.

[0025] The communication device 44 is a wired or wireless network interface, a modem, a peripheral device interface, etc., and performs data communication with a host device (not shown) and the like.

[0026] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

[0027] When the image forming apparatus 1 is activated, the controller 41 sets the operation mode to the normal operation mode and sets the touch detection frequency to f1.

[0028] Thereafter, in the normal operation mode, when the non-operation period of the input device 61 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the controller 41 switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode and immediately changes the touch detection frequency to f2.

[0029] On the other hand, when depression of the energy saving key 61b is detected in the normal operation mode, the controller 41 switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode, and changes the touch detection frequency to f2 with a delay as described above.

[0030] Thereafter, in the energy saving mode, when a user operation on the input device 61 is detected or a job request is received by the communication device 44, the controller 41 switches the operation mode from the energy saving mode to the normal operation mode and returns the touch detection frequency from f2 to f1.

[0031] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the controller 41 (a) switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode when the period of non-operation of the input device 61 exceeds a predetermined threshold and a user operation on the energy saving key 61b is detected, (b) immediately extends the operation detection period to a predetermined value when the period of non-operation of the input device 61 exceeds the predetermined threshold and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode, and (c) extends the operation detection period with a delay from a predetermined first value to a predetermined second value when a user operation on the energy saving key 61b is detected and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode.

[0032] As a result, if the period of non-operation of the input device 61 exceeds a predetermined threshold, it is highly likely that the user is not at the image forming device 1, so the operation detection period is immediately extended to reduce power consumption, while if a user operation on the energy saving key 61b is detected, it is highly likely that the user is at the image forming device 1, so the operation detection period is not immediately extended to the predetermined second value, but is extended after a delay to reduce power consumption so as not to degrade operability. Therefore, operability in the energy saving mode is improved while suppressing power consumption.

[0033] Embodiment 2

[0034] In the second embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 further includes a human sensor (not shown) that detects a person in front of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0035] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the touch detection frequency according to the second embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing another example of a change in the touch detection frequency according to the second embodiment.

[0036] In the second embodiment, the controller 41 does not extend the operation detection period during a period in which a person is detected by the human presence sensor (even when timing Td arrives). Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, for example, the controller 41 does not set the touch detection frequency to f2 during a period in which a person is detected by the human presence sensor (even when timing Td arrives), and immediately sets the touch detection frequency to f2 when the human presence sensor no longer detects a person.

[0037] Furthermore, if a person is detected by the human presence sensor when the operation detection period is set to a predetermined second value, the controller 41 immediately changes the operation detection period to a predetermined first value. Specifically, for example, as shown in Fig. 7, if a person is detected by the human presence sensor when the touch detection frequency is set to f2, the controller 41 immediately returns the touch detection frequency to f1.

[0038] The configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0039] It should be noted 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 its intended advantages. In other words, it is intended that such changes and modifications be included within the scope of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0040] The present invention is applicable to, for example, an image forming apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1. Image forming device (an example of an electronic device) 41 Controller 61 Input Device 61a Touch panel 61b Energy saving key (example of a predetermined key)

Claims

1. In electronic devices, an input device for detecting a user operation; a controller that switches an operation mode of the electronic device between a normal operation mode and an energy-saving mode that consumes less power than the normal operation mode, and that sets a cycle of the timing for detecting the user operation of the input device; the controller (a) switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode when a non-operation period of the input device exceeds a predetermined threshold and a user operation on a predetermined key is detected, (b) immediately extends the cycle to a predetermined value when a non-operation period of the input device exceeds a predetermined threshold and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode, and (c) extends the cycle with a delay from a predetermined first value to a predetermined second value when a user operation on the predetermined key is detected and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode; An electronic device characterized by:

2. The electronic device described in claim 1, characterized in that when a user operation on the specified key is detected and the operating mode is switched from the normal operating mode to the energy saving mode, the controller immediately extends the cycle to the specified second value a specified time after the timing of switching to the energy saving mode.

3. The electronic device described in claim 1, characterized in that when a user operation on the specified key is detected and the operating mode is switched from the normal operating mode to the energy saving mode, the controller gradually extends the cycle to the specified second value from the time of switching to the energy saving mode.

4. The electronic device described in claim 1, characterized in that when a user operation on the specified key is detected and the operating mode is switched from the normal operating mode to the energy saving mode, the controller gradually extends the period to the specified second value from the time of switching to the energy saving mode.

5. Equipped with a human presence sensor, the controller does not extend the period during a period in which a person is detected by the human presence sensor; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1,

6. The electronic device described in claim 5, characterized in that when the period is the predetermined second value and a person is detected by the human presence sensor, the controller immediately changes the period to the predetermined first value.

7. the input device includes a touch panel; the controller sets a drive frequency of the touch panel in accordance with the period; 7. The electronic device according to claim 6,

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