Electronic device

Abstract

To obtain an electronic apparatus having satisfactory operability in an energy saving mode while suppressing power consumption.SOLUTION: The controller 41 (a) switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode when the user operation on the predetermined key is detected, and (b) immediately extends the cycle of the detection timing of the user operation on the predetermined input device from the predetermined first value to the predetermined second value when the user operation on the predetermined key is detected, the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode, and no person is detected by the human detection sensor 45. Even when a person is continuously detected by the human detection sensor 45, the cycle is extended from the predetermined first value to the predetermined second value when the predetermined time elapses from the time point when 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] An electronic device according to the present invention includes 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 for detecting a user operation on a predetermined input device, and a human presence sensor. The controller (a) switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode when a user operation on a predetermined key on the input device is detected, and (b) when the user operation on the predetermined key is detected and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode, immediately extends the cycle from a predetermined first value to a predetermined second value if no human is detected by the human presence sensor, and extends the cycle from the predetermined first value to the predetermined second value when a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation mode was switched from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode, even if a human is continuously detected by the human presence sensor. [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 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of a change in the touch detection frequency according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in the touch detection frequency according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 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, a communication device 44, and a human sensor 45. 4 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.

[0014] The printing device 42 is an internal device that prints the original image.

[0015] 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 to the user. The input device 61 includes a touch panel 61a and hard keys such as an energy saving key 61b.

[0016] The communication device 44 is a wired or wireless network interface, a modem, a peripheral device interface, or the like, and performs data communication with a host device (not shown) or the like.

[0017] The human sensor 45 is a sensor that detects a person within a predetermined distance range in front of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0018] 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).

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] On the other hand, 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 controller 41 extends the operation detection cycle by delaying it from the predetermined first value to the predetermined second value.

[0022] Specifically, when the controller 41 detects a user operation on a predetermined key (here, the energy-saving key 61b), it switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode. When the user operation on the predetermined key is detected and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode, if no person is detected by the presence / absence sensor 45, the controller immediately extends the above-described cycle from a predetermined first value to a predetermined second value. Even when a person is continuously detected by the presence / absence sensor 45, when a predetermined time dT has elapsed from the time point T1 when the operation mode was switched from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode, the controller extends the above-described cycle from the predetermined first value to the predetermined second value. Note that this predetermined time dT can be set to an arbitrary value.

[0023] In this embodiment, the controller 41 sets the drive frequency (touch detection frequency) of the touch panel 61a corresponding to the operation detection cycle. That is, the controller 41 sets the operation detection cycle described above by setting the drive frequency of the touch panel 61a in the input device 61.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the touch detection frequency in Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of changes in the touch detection frequency in Embodiment 1.

[0025] 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 T1 when the mode is switched to the energy-saving mode. 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, and a person is continuously detected by the presence / absence sensor 45, the controller 41, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, keeps the touch detection frequency at F1 and changes the touch detection frequency from F1 to F2 when the predetermined time dT has elapsed.

[0026] On the other hand, if the human sensor 45 no longer detects a person before the predetermined time dT has elapsed, the controller 41 changes the touch detection frequency from F1 to F2 at the point when the human sensor 45 no longer detects a person, as shown in FIG. 4, for example.

[0027] When the controller 41 extends the cycle from the first predetermined value to the second predetermined value, the controller 41 may extend the cycle in stages or gradually.

[0028] Next, the operation of the electronic device according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0029] When the image forming apparatus 1 is started up, the controller 41 sets the operation mode to the normal operation mode and sets the touch detection frequency to F1.

[0030] Thereafter, when the 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 The human sensor 45 determines whether or not a person is detected.

[0031] Then, the controller 41 (a) immediately changes the touch detection frequency to F2 if no person is detected by the human sensor 45, (b) keeps the touch detection frequency at F1 if a person is continuously detected by the human sensor 45, and (c) changes the touch detection frequency from F1 to F2 when the human sensor 45 no longer detects a person or a predetermined time dT has elapsed.

[0032] 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 a user operation on a predetermined key is detected, and (b) when a user operation on a predetermined key is detected and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode, if no person is detected by the human presence sensor 45, immediately extends the period for detecting the user operation on the predetermined input device from a predetermined first value to a predetermined second value, and even if a person is continuously detected by the human presence sensor 45, extends the period from the predetermined first value to the predetermined second value when a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation mode was switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode.

[0033] As a result, when a user operation on energy saving key 61b is detected, and based on human presence sensor 45, if the user is near image forming apparatus 1, operability is not reduced, and power consumption is reduced if the user is not near image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, operability in energy saving mode is improved while power consumption is suppressed.

[0034] Embodiment 2

[0035] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the touch detection frequency according to the second embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing another example of a change in the touch detection frequency according to the sixth embodiment.

[0036] In the second embodiment, the motion sensor 45 includes a first sensor that detects a person within a predetermined first distance range, and a second sensor that detects a person within a predetermined second distance range. Here, the far end of the second distance range (i.e., the end farther from the motion sensor 45) is farther from the motion sensor 45 than the far end of the first distance range.

[0037] In the second embodiment, when a user operation on the above-mentioned predetermined key is detected and the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode, and a person is continuously detected by the second sensor and a person is not continuously detected by the first sensor (i.e., when there is no person nearby but a person is far away), the controller 41 extends the above-mentioned period from the predetermined first value to the predetermined second value when a predetermined first time dT1 has elapsed from the time T1 when the operation mode was switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode, as shown in FIG. 5, for example.

[0038] On the other hand, in this case, when a person is continuously detected by the first sensor (or both the first sensor and the second sensor) (i.e., when a person is nearby), the controller 41 extends the above-mentioned period from the predetermined first value to the predetermined second value when a predetermined second time dT2 has elapsed from the time T1 when the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode, as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

[0039] The predetermined second time dT2 is different from the predetermined first time dT1. Here, the predetermined second time dT2 is longer than the predetermined first time dT1. The predetermined first time dT1 and the predetermined second time dT2 can be set to any values.

[0040] If a person is no longer detected by either the first sensor or the second sensor before the predetermined first time dT1 or the predetermined second time dT2 has elapsed, the controller 41 extends the aforementioned cycle from the predetermined first value to the predetermined second value at that time. Also, if a person has been continuously detected by the second sensor before the predetermined first time dT1 has elapsed and the person begins to be continuously detected by the first sensor midway through that time (i.e., when the person moves from far away to closer), the controller 41 extends the aforementioned cycle from the predetermined first value to the predetermined second value when the predetermined second time dT2 has elapsed since the time T1 when the operation mode was switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] For example, in the first and second embodiments, an image forming apparatus is shown as an example of an electronic device, but the electronic device may be an electronic device (such as an air conditioner) in which an input device and a main device are separated but can communicate with each other. [Industrial Applicability]

[0044] The present invention is applicable to, for example, an image forming apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1. Image forming device (an example of an electronic device) 41 Controller 45 Human Sensor 61 Input Device 61b Energy saving key (example of a predetermined key)

Claims

1. In electronic devices, a controller that switches the 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 timing for detecting user operations on a predetermined input device; Equipped with a human presence sensor, the controller (a) switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode when a user operation on a predetermined key is detected, and (b) 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, if no person is detected by the human presence sensor, immediately extends the cycle from a predetermined first value to a predetermined second value, and even if a person is continuously detected by the human presence sensor, extends the cycle from the predetermined first value to the predetermined second value when a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation mode was switched from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode; An electronic device characterized by:

2. The human presence sensor includes a first sensor that detects a person within a predetermined first distance range and a second sensor that detects a person within a predetermined second distance range; the far end of the second distance range is farther from the motion sensor than the far end of the first distance range; 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, the controller: (a) when a person is continuously detected by the second sensor and a person is not continuously detected by the first sensor, extends the period from the predetermined first value to the predetermined second value when a predetermined first time has elapsed since the operation mode was switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode; and (b) when a person is continuously detected by the first sensor, extends the period from the predetermined first value to the predetermined second value when a predetermined second time has elapsed since the operation mode was switched from the normal operation mode to the energy saving mode. the predetermined second time is different from the predetermined first time; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1,

3. 3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined second time is longer than the predetermined first time.

4. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time can be set to any value.

5. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the controller extends the period from the first predetermined value to the second predetermined value in a stepwise or gradual manner.

6. the electronic device is an image forming device, the image forming apparatus includes the input device; 6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein:

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