electronic machinery

Abstract

To obtain electronic devices with good operability. [Solution] The controller 41 sets the period for detecting user operations on the input device 61 and turns the motion sensor 44 on / off. The controller 41 then sets the above period as the reference period when (a) the motion sensor 44 is on and no person is detected by the motion sensor 44, and (b) when the motion sensor 44 is off, it sets the above period to a period shorter than the reference period.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] An electronic device includes an operation unit that detects a user operation at the timing of a drive signal of a predetermined period, and a human presence sensor. When a person is detected by the human presence sensor, the above-described period is shortened to improve the operability (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, the longer the period of the above-described drive signal, the less the power consumption. Therefore, it is preferable to increase the reference period of the drive signal to reduce the power consumption. However, when the human presence sensor is turned off due to user settings or the like, the period of the drive signal remains the reference period even when the user approaches the electronic device, and the operability when the user starts operating the electronic device deteriorates.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to obtain an electronic device with good operability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The electronic device according to the present invention comprises a human presence sensor and a controller that sets a period for detecting user operations on a predetermined input device and also turns the human presence sensor on and off. The controller (a) sets the period to a reference period when the human presence sensor is on and no person is detected by the human presence sensor, and (b) sets the period to a period shorter than the reference period when the human presence sensor is off. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, an electronic device with good operability can be obtained.

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

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the period of the drive signal of the input device 61 in Figure 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the figures.

[0011] Figure 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 Figure 1 is an image forming apparatus 1, such as a printer or a multifunction device. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation panel 11 installed on the front of the housing 1a.

[0012] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, this image forming apparatus further comprises a controller 41, a printing device 42, a communication device 43, and a human presence sensor 44.

[0013] The controller 41 includes a computer, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and other components, and implements various processing units using software and / or hardware. It controls internal devices such as the operation panel 11 and the printing device 42, and also performs various data processing.

[0014] The printing device 42 is an internal device that prints the original image. The communication device 43 is a wired or wireless network interface, modem, peripheral device interface, etc., which performs data communication with a host device (not shown).

[0015] The motion sensor 44 is a sensor that detects a person within a predetermined distance range in front of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0016] The control panel 11 includes an input device 61 for detecting user operations and a display device 62, such as a liquid crystal display, for displaying the operation screen to the user. The input device 61 includes a touch panel 61a and hard keys, and operates according to a drive signal. Specifically, the input device 61 operates intermittently according to the cycle of the drive signal.

[0017] Furthermore, the controller 41 sets the timing period for detecting user operations on the input device 61 and turns the motion sensor 44 on or off according to user settings. When the motion sensor 44 is on, power is supplied to the motion sensor 44, and a sensor signal indicating the detection of a person is output from the motion sensor 44 to the controller 41. On the other hand, when the motion sensor 44 is off, power is not supplied to the motion sensor 44, and no sensor signal is output.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the period of the drive signal of the input device 61 in FIG. 2 (that is, the period of the detection timing of user operations).

[0019] Then, as shown in FIG. 3 for example, the controller 41 sets the above-mentioned period as the reference period Po when (a) the human sensor 44 is in the on state and no person is detected by the human sensor 44, and (b) when the human sensor 44 is in the off state, sets the above-mentioned period as a period P1 shorter than the reference period Po.

[0020] Also, as shown in FIG. 3 for example, when the human sensor 44 is in the on state, if a person is detected by the human sensor 44, the controller 41 shortens the above-mentioned period.

[0021] Note that the period when a person is detected by the human sensor 44 when the human sensor 44 is in the on state may be the same as the period when the human sensor 44 is in the off state, or may be longer or shorter than the period when the human sensor 44 is in the off state.

[0022] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0023] When the image forming apparatus 1 is activated, the controller 41 turns the human sensor 44 on or off according to user settings and the like.

[0024] When the motion sensor 44 is turned on, the controller 41 determines whether or not a person has been detected by the motion sensor 44 based on the level of the sensor signal from the motion sensor 44. If no person has been detected by the motion sensor 44, the controller 41 sets the detection timing period for user operations on the input device 61 to the reference period. When a person is detected by the motion sensor 44, the controller 41 shortens the detection timing period for user operations on the input device 61. When the motion sensor 44 no longer detects a person, the controller 41 returns the detection timing period for user operations on the input device 61 to the reference period.

[0025] On the other hand, when the motion sensor 44 is turned off, the controller 41 continuously sets the detection timing period of user operation of the input device 61 to a period P1 that is shorter than the reference period Po described above.

[0026] As described above, according to the above embodiment, the controller 41 sets the period for detecting user operations on the input device 61 and turns the motion sensor 44 on / off. The controller 41 then sets the above period as the reference period when (a) the motion sensor 44 is on and no person is detected by the motion sensor 44, and (b) the above period as a shorter period than the reference period when the motion sensor 44 is off.

[0027] This ensures good operability even when the motion sensor 44 is turned off.

[0028] Furthermore, various changes and modifications to the embodiments described above will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the subject matter and without diminishing the intended advantages. In other words, such changes and modifications are intended to be included in the claims.

[0029] For example, in the above embodiment, when the motion sensor 44 is in the off state, the input device 61 may be made to operate continuously instead of intermittently according to the cycle of the drive signal.

[0030] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the controller 41 may (a) switch the operating mode of the image forming apparatus 1 between a normal operating mode and a power-saving mode that consumes less power than the normal operating mode, and (b) set the reference period in the power-saving mode to be longer than the reference period in the normal operating mode. [Industrial applicability]

[0031] The present invention can be applied, for example, to an image forming apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1. Image forming apparatus (an example of electronic equipment) 41 Controllers 44 motion sensors 61 Input device

Claims

1. A motion sensor, The system includes a controller that sets the timing cycle for detecting user operations on a predetermined input device, and also turns a human motion sensor on and off. The controller (a) sets the period to the reference period when the motion sensor is ON and no person is detected by the motion sensor, and (b) sets the period to a period shorter than the reference period when the motion sensor is OFF. Electronic devices characterized by the following:

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the motion sensor is in the ON state, the controller shortens the cycle when the motion sensor detects a person.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller (a) switches the operating mode of the electronic device between a normal operating mode and a power-saving mode which consumes less power than the normal operating mode, and (b) sets the reference period in the power-saving mode to be longer than the reference period in the normal operating mode.

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