Electronic device, object detection method, and program

Abstract

To provide technology that can improve the accuracy of object detection using wireless LAN functionality. [Solution] The electronic device according to this technology comprises a first wireless LAN module, a second wireless LAN module, and a control unit. The first wireless LAN module and the second wireless LAN module are each capable of connecting to different LANs wirelessly. The control unit acquires channel status information based on a wireless LAN signal transmitted from one of the first and second wireless LAN modules and received by the other wireless LAN module, analyzes the channel status information, and detects objects in its vicinity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technology relates to electronic devices and the like that perform detection of surrounding objects using a wireless LAN function (LAN: Local Area Network).

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, as an object detection method using a wireless LAN function, an object detection method called Wi-Fi sensing (Wi-Fi: Wireless Fidelity) has attracted attention. This Wi-Fi sensing is expected to be applied in various fields such as security, monitoring of the elderly, and ON / OFF of electronic devices.

[0003] In Wi-Fi sensing, two devices having a wireless LAN function by Wi-Fi are required. Among the two devices, the wireless LAN signal (radio wave) transmitted from one device is received by the other device. At this time, when an object (person, animal, obstacle, etc.) exists between the two devices and when it does not exist, the received signal on the receiving side changes. This relationship is utilized to detect the object.

[0004] For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to wireless LAN sensing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In current object detection using a wireless LAN function by two devices, there is a problem that the accuracy of object detection is poor.

[0007] In light of the above circumstances, the objective is to provide a technology that can improve the accuracy of object detection using wireless LAN functionality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The electronic device relating to this technology comprises a first wireless LAN module, a second wireless LAN module, and a control unit. The first wireless LAN module and the second wireless LAN module can each connect to different LANs wirelessly. The control unit acquires channel status information based on a wireless LAN signal transmitted from one of the first wireless LAN modules and received by the other wireless LAN module, analyzes the channel status information, and detects objects in its vicinity.

[0009] This electronic device is equipped with two wireless LAN modules. Channel status information is obtained by transmitting and receiving wireless LAN signals between these two wireless LAN modules, and surrounding objects are detected based on this channel status information.

[0010] In this electronic device, the relative positions of the two wireless LAN modules are known, and the distance between the two wireless LAN modules is also close, which improves the accuracy of object detection using the wireless LAN function.

[0011] The object detection method according to this technology involves an electronic device having a first wireless LAN module and a second wireless LAN module, each capable of connecting to different LANs wirelessly, and acquiring channel status information based on a wireless LAN signal transmitted from one of the first wireless LAN modules and received by the other wireless LAN module. The channel state information is analyzed to detect objects in its surroundings.

[0012] The program relating to this technology acquires channel status information based on a wireless LAN signal transmitted from one of the first and second wireless LAN modules and received by the other wireless LAN module in an electronic device having a first wireless LAN module and a second wireless LAN module, each capable of connecting to different LANs wirelessly. The channel state information is analyzed to detect objects in its surroundings. The process is to be executed by an electronic device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] As described above, this technology provides a method that can improve the accuracy of object detection using wireless LAN functionality. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This figure shows an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of this technology, and also shows the process of object detection by the image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] This figure shows a first example of processing in the control unit of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] This figure shows a second example of processing in the control unit of an image forming apparatus. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] The embodiments of this technology will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] <Overall structure and structure of each part> Figure 1 shows an image forming apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of this technology, and also shows the process of object detection by the image forming apparatus 10.

[0017] In this embodiment, as an example of an electronic device according to the present technology, an image forming apparatus 10 that forms an image on a recording medium such as paper will be described as an example. Note that the electronic device is not limited to the image forming apparatus 10. The electronic device is typically a device having a wireless LAN function according to the present technology (that is, two wireless LAN modules 13 and 14), and any device may be used as long as it can detect an object by this wireless LAN function.

[0018] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 has, as power modes, a normal power mode in which the image forming apparatus 10 operates with normal power, and a power saving mode in which the image forming apparatus 10 operates with power smaller than normal power. Then, the image forming apparatus 10 switches between the normal power mode and the power saving mode based on the presence, position, or movement of a person detected by the wireless LAN function (two wireless LAN modules) according to the present technology.

[0019] Typically, when the presence, position, or a specific movement of a person is detected around the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the user has approached with the intention of using the image forming apparatus 10, and switches the power mode from the power saving mode to the normal power mode.

[0020] In the description of this embodiment, a person (user) is described as an example of an object to be detected, but the detection target is not limited to a person. The detection target may be any object as long as it is, for example, an animal other than a person, an obstacle, or any other object that can exist within a certain space.

[0021] Also, in the description of this embodiment, the case where object detection (Wi-Fi sensing) is used for switching the power mode will be described, but the object detection may be used for any application such as security, monitoring of the elderly, or ON / OFF of a device (for example, ON / OFF of a light).

[0022] The image forming apparatus 10 is configured to form images (characters, figures, symbols, predetermined patterns, pictures, photographs, etc.) on a recording medium (e.g., paper, metal, cloth, wood) using methods such as inkjet, laser, or thermal. This image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, a printer, copier, facsimile machine, or a multifunction device having two or more functions from these devices.

[0023] The image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11 that comprehensively controls the entire image forming apparatus 10, and a communication unit 12 that can communicate with other devices.

[0024] Although not shown in the diagram, the image forming apparatus 10 further includes a supply unit that supplies stored recording media such as paper one sheet at a time to the image forming processing unit, an image forming processing unit that performs image forming processing on the recording media supplied from the supply unit, and an discharge unit that discharges and stores the recording media after image forming processing. The image forming apparatus 10 also further includes a display unit that displays images and an operation unit (contact sensors provided on the display unit, mechanical push buttons, etc.) into which user operations are input.

[0025] The control unit 11 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a non-volatile memory in which various programs and data necessary for CPU processing are stored, and a volatile memory used as the CPU's work area.

[0026] The communication unit 12 includes a first wireless LAN module 13 (Wi-Fi module) and a second wireless LAN module 14 (Wi-Fi module), each capable of connecting to different LANs via wireless LAN communication (Wi-Fi communication). In other words, the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment is equipped with two different wireless LAN modules 13 and 14.

[0027] In the example shown in Figure 1, the first wireless LAN module 13 is connected to the first LAN 20 via the first access point 21, and the second wireless LAN module 14 is connected to the second LAN 30 via the second access point 31. In the example shown in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 10 belongs to both the first LAN 20 and the second LAN 30.

[0028] The first LAN 20 and the second LAN 30 are, for example, networks in an office environment. The first LAN 20 includes, for example, a first access point 21 and a plurality of devices 22, 23 (e.g., PCs (Personal Computers), etc.) that can communicate with the first access point 21 by wired or wireless (wireless LAN communication). The second LAN 30 includes, for example, a second access point 31 and a plurality of devices 32, 33 (e.g., PCs, etc.) that can communicate with the second access point 31 by wired or wireless.

[0029] The first access point 21 and the second access point 31 are capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus 10 via wireless LAN communication. Furthermore, the first access point 21 and the second access point 31 are capable of communicating with other devices 22, 23, 32, and 33, such as PCs, via wired or wireless (wireless LAN communication). Additionally, the first access point 21 and the second access point 31 are capable of communicating with a router, connecting the devices 22, 23, 32, and 33 included in the first LAN 20 and second LAN 30 to the internet.

[0030] It should be noted that the first wireless LAN module 13 and the second wireless LAN module 14 do not necessarily need to be connected to different LANs. For example, there may be cases where there is only one LAN around the image forming apparatus 10. In such cases, one of the wireless LAN modules, the first wireless LAN module 13 or the second wireless LAN module 14, may be used for wireless communication with the access point of that single LAN. Alternatively, both the first wireless LAN module 13 and the second wireless LAN module 14 may be used for wireless communication with the access point of that single LAN.

[0031] The first wireless LAN module 13 and the second wireless LAN module 14 each have an antenna array with multiple antennas, enabling wireless LAN communication using MIMO (Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output).

[0032] Furthermore, the first wireless LAN module 13 and the second wireless LAN module 14 are capable of communicating with each other via wireless LAN (Wi-Fi communication) and are capable of sending and receiving wireless LAN signals to and from each other.

[0033] In this embodiment, channel state information (CSI) acquired when the first wireless LAN module 13 and the second wireless LAN module 14 transmit and receive wireless LAN signals to and from each other is used to perform object detection (Wi-Fi sensing) around the image forming apparatus 10.

[0034] CSI is information extracted at the physical layer of wireless communication that represents the state of the propagation path between two devices (in this embodiment, between the first wireless LAN module 13 and the second wireless LAN module 14). CSI can represent, for example, propagation loss of transmitted radio waves, amplitude changes due to multipath such as reflection or diffraction, and phase changes.

[0035] In this embodiment, a CSI is acquired based on a wireless LAN signal transmitted from one of the first wireless LAN modules 13 and the second wireless LAN module 14 and received by the other wireless LAN module. This CSI is then analyzed to detect objects (people) around the image forming apparatus 10.

[0036] In this embodiment, there are two patterns for transmitting and receiving wireless LAN signals between the first wireless LAN module 13 and the second wireless LAN module 14. Pattern 1: A pattern in which a wireless LAN signal is transmitted from the first wireless LAN module 13 and received by the second wireless LAN module 14. Second pattern: A pattern in which a wireless LAN signal is transmitted from the second wireless LAN module 14 and received by the first wireless LAN module 13.

[0037] Thus, since there are a first pattern and a second pattern in the transmission and reception of wireless LAN signals, the image forming apparatus 10 can acquire two CSIs almost simultaneously. In other words, the image forming apparatus 10 can acquire a first CSI using the first pattern and acquire a second CSI using the second pattern almost simultaneously.

[0038] Therefore, in this embodiment, there are three methods for performing object detection using CSI.

[0039] Method 1: A method that uses only the first CSI. The first wireless LAN module 13 transmits a wireless LAN signal, and the second wireless LAN module 14 receives the wireless LAN signal. At this time, it is not necessary for the second wireless LAN module 14 to transmit a wireless LAN signal. Based on the wireless LAN signal received by the second wireless LAN module 14, the first CSI is acquired, and object detection is performed using this first CSI.

[0040] Second method: A method that uses only the second CSI. The second wireless LAN module 14 transmits a wireless LAN signal, which is then received by the first wireless LAN module 13. At this time, it is not necessary for the first wireless LAN module 13 to transmit a wireless LAN signal. Based on the wireless LAN signal received by the first wireless LAN module 13, a second CSI is acquired, and object detection is performed using this second CSI.

[0041] Third method: A method that uses both the first and second CSIs. The first wireless LAN module 13 transmits a wireless LAN signal, and the second wireless LAN module 14 receives the wireless LAN signal. At the same time, the second wireless LAN module 14 transmits a wireless LAN signal, and the first wireless LAN module 13 receives the wireless LAN signal. Based on the wireless LAN signal received by the second wireless LAN module 14, a first CSI is acquired, and based on the wireless LAN signal received by the first wireless LAN module 13, a second CSI is acquired. Object detection is performed using both the first and second CSIs.

[0042] In this embodiment, we will describe the case in which the third method is used among the first, second, and third methods, but any of these three methods may be used. In the third method, two CSIs are used, so the accuracy of object detection is improved compared to the first and second methods, which use one CSI.

[0043] Here, two or more of the first method, the second method, and the third method may be combined. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, object detection is performed at predetermined intervals. At this time, for example, the method may be switched every period, such as first method, second method, third method, first method, second method, third method, etc. In this case, the order of the methods may be regular or random.

[0044] <Operation Description> [Example 1] Next, a first example of the processing in the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. Figure 2 is a diagram showing a first example of the processing in the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0045] First, the control unit 11 determines whether a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed since the image forming apparatus 10 was last used (ST101). If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the image forming apparatus 10 was last used (NO in ST101), the control unit 11 returns to ST101 and determines again whether the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0046] On the other hand, if a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the image forming apparatus 10 was last used (YES in ST101), the control unit 11 switches the power mode from normal power mode to power saving mode (ST102). When switching to power saving mode, for example, the image forming processing unit and other components are put into a dormant state, and the screen on the display unit is also turned off from the illuminated state. This reduces wasted power when the image forming apparatus 10 is not in use.

[0047] Next, the control unit 11 causes the first wireless LAN module 13 and the second wireless LAN module 14 to send and receive wireless LAN signals to each other and acquire the CSI (ST103).

[0048] In ST103, the control unit 11 causes the first wireless LAN module 13 to transmit a wireless LAN signal and the second wireless LAN module 14 to receive the wireless LAN signal. At the same time, the control unit 11 causes the second wireless LAN module 14 to transmit a wireless LAN signal and the first wireless LAN module 13 to receive the wireless LAN signal.

[0049] Then, the control unit 11 acquires a first CSI based on the wireless LAN signal received by the second wireless LAN module 14, and acquires a second CSI based on the wireless LAN signal received by the first wireless LAN module 13.

[0050] Next, the control unit 11 analyzes the first CSI and the second CSI (ST104). Then, the control unit 11 determines whether a person is present within a predetermined distance (for example, 2m) from the image forming apparatus 10 by determining whether the analysis result is above a predetermined threshold (ST105).

[0051] In this example, the predetermined threshold is used to determine whether or not a person is present within a predetermined distance from the image forming apparatus 10. This threshold is stored in the memory of the control unit 11 in advance through pre-preparation.

[0052] In the preliminary preparation, CSI is first acquired and analyzed in the actual operating environment of the image forming apparatus 10. At this time, CSI is acquired for cases where a person is present within a predetermined distance from the image forming apparatus 10, and for cases where a person is not present within a predetermined distance from the image forming apparatus 10. A threshold for distinguishing between these two CSIs is then learned through machine learning.

[0053] In this example, whether or not a person is present within a predetermined distance from the image forming apparatus 10 is distinguished using CSI and a threshold, but what is distinguished regarding the presence, position, and movement of a person can be appropriately changed by setting conditions.

[0054] If the analysis result by CSI is below a predetermined threshold (NO in ST105), that is, if no person is present within a predetermined distance from the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 11 determines whether a predetermined time (e.g., 1 second) has elapsed since the previous detection (ST106).

[0055] If a predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous detection (NO in ST106), the control unit 11 determines again whether the predetermined time has elapsed (ST106).

[0056] On the other hand, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous detection of a person (YES in ST106), the control unit 11 returns to ST103, and the control unit 11 again causes the first wireless LAN module 13 and the second wireless LAN module 14 to send and receive wireless LAN signals to and from each other to acquire the CSI. In other words, the control unit 11 performs detection of the presence, location, or movement of a person at a fixed interval every predetermined time (for example, every second).

[0057] In ST105, if the analysis result by CSI is above a predetermined threshold (YES in ST105), that is, if a person is present within a predetermined distance from the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 11 switches the power mode from power saving mode to normal power mode (ST107).

[0058] When switching to normal power mode, for example, the image forming processing unit resumes from its dormant state, and the display screen also switches from off to on.

[0059] In this example, when a user approaches the image forming apparatus 10 to use it (for example, for copying purposes), the image forming apparatus 10 automatically returns to normal power mode. Therefore, the user does not need to perform any unnecessary operations to return to normal power mode, and can quickly use the image forming apparatus 10 without waiting for it to return to normal power mode.

[0060] [Second example] Next, a second example of the processing in the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. Figure 3 shows a second example of the processing in the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0061] In the first example described above, the power mode was switched from power-saving mode to normal power mode depending on whether or not a person was present within a predetermined distance from the image forming apparatus 10. However, in this first example, even if a person who does not intend to use the image forming apparatus 10 happens to pass by it, the power mode may switch from power-saving mode to normal power mode. In this case, the system may unnecessarily switch back to normal power mode, potentially leading to wasted power consumption.

[0062] Therefore, in the second example, by using two thresholds, the first threshold and the second threshold, as thresholds for differentiating and detecting the presence, location, or movement of a person, the presence, location, or movement of a person can be detected in even greater detail than in the first example.

[0063] First, the control unit 11 determines whether a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed since the image forming apparatus 10 was last used (ST201). If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the image forming apparatus 10 was last used (NO in ST201), the control unit 11 returns to ST201 and determines again whether the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0064] On the other hand, if a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the image forming apparatus 10 was last used (YES in ST201), the control unit 11 switches the power mode from normal power mode to power saving mode (ST202).

[0065] Next, the control unit 11 sets the current detection level to level 0 (ST203). In this example, detection level 0 corresponds to the absence of a person within a first distance from the image forming apparatus 10.

[0066] Next, the control unit 11 causes the first wireless LAN module 13 and the second wireless LAN module 14 to send and receive wireless LAN signals to each other and acquire the CSI (ST204).

[0067] In ST204, the control unit 11 causes the first wireless LAN module 13 to transmit a wireless LAN signal and the second wireless LAN module 14 to receive the wireless LAN signal. At the same time, the control unit 11 causes the second wireless LAN module 14 to transmit a wireless LAN signal and the first wireless LAN module 13 to receive the wireless LAN signal.

[0068] The control unit 11 then acquires a first CSI based on the wireless LAN signal received by the second wireless LAN module 14, and acquires a second CSI based on the wireless LAN signal received by the first wireless LAN module 13.

[0069] Next, the control unit 11 analyzes the first CSI and the second CSI (ST205). Then, the control unit 11 determines whether the current detection level is level 0 (ST206).

[0070] If the current detection level is level 0 (YES in ST206), the control unit 11 determines whether a person is present within a first distance from the image forming apparatus 10 by determining whether the CSI analysis result is above a first threshold (ST207).

[0071] In this example, the first threshold is used to determine whether a person is present within a first distance from the image forming apparatus 10. This first threshold is learned by machine learning during the preparation phase, as described above, and is stored in the memory of the control unit 11 in advance.

[0072] If the analysis result by CSI is above the first threshold (YES in ST207), that is, if a person is present within a first distance from the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 11 changes the current detection level from level 0 to level 1 (ST208) and proceeds to the next ST209. In other words, in this case, the control unit 11 raises the detection level because a person is approaching the image forming apparatus 10 (within the first distance) and the image forming apparatus 10 may be used.

[0073] In this example, detection level 1 corresponds to the presence of a person within a first distance from the image forming apparatus 10.

[0074] In ST207, if the analysis result by CSI is below the first threshold (NO in ST207), that is, if no person is present within the first distance from the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 11 skips ST208 (leaving the detection level at level 0) and proceeds to the next ST209.

[0075] In ST209, the control unit 11 determines whether a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) has elapsed since the previous detection.

[0076] If a predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous detection (NO in ST209), the control unit 11 determines again whether the predetermined time has elapsed (ST209).

[0077] On the other hand, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous detection of a person (YES in ST209), the control unit 11 returns to ST204 and again causes the first wireless LAN module 13 and the second wireless LAN module 14 to send and receive wireless LAN signals to and from each other to acquire the CSI. In other words, the control unit 11 detects the presence, location, or movement of a person at a fixed interval every predetermined time (for example, every second).

[0078] In ST206, if the current detection level is not level 0 (NO in ST206), that is, if the current detection level is level 1 (see ST208) and a person is present within a first distance from the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 11 proceeds to ST210.

[0079] In the ST210, the control unit 11 determines whether a person is present within a second distance from the image forming apparatus 10 by determining whether the CSI analysis result is above a second threshold.

[0080] The second distance (for example, 1 m) is set to be shorter than the first distance (for example, 3 m). In this example, the second threshold is set to determine whether or not a person is present within the second distance from the image forming apparatus 10. This second threshold is learned by machine learning during the preparation phase, as described above, and is stored in the memory of the control unit 11 in advance.

[0081] In ST210, if the CSI analysis result is greater than or equal to the second threshold (YES in ST210), the control unit 11 changes the current detection level from level 1 to level 2 (ST211).

[0082] In this example, detection level 2 corresponds to the presence of a person within a second distance from the image forming apparatus 10.

[0083] Then, the control unit 11 switches the power mode from power saving mode to normal power mode (ST212). In other words, in this case, the control unit 11 determines that a person has approached the image forming apparatus 10 for the purpose of using it (within the second distance) and switches the power mode from power saving mode to normal power mode.

[0084] In ST210, if the CSI analysis result is less than the second threshold (ST210 NO), the control unit 11 determines whether the CSI analysis result is greater than or equal to the first threshold (ST213).

[0085] If the CSI analysis result is below the first threshold (NO in ST213), that is, even though the current detection level is level 1 (see YES in ST206), the control unit 11 changes the current detection level from level 1 to level 0 (ST214) and returns to ST209. In other words, in this case, the control unit 11 determines that a person approached the image forming apparatus 10 (within the first distance), but not for the purpose of using the image forming apparatus 10, and lowers the detection level.

[0086] On the other hand, if the CSI analysis result is above the first threshold (YES in ST213), that is, if the CSI analysis result is below the second threshold (see ST210) but above the first threshold, the control unit 11 skips ST214 (i.e., leaves the current detection level at level 1) and returns to ST209. In other words, in this case, the control unit 11 decides that a person has approached the image forming apparatus 10 (within the first distance), but it is still unclear whether the purpose is to use the image forming apparatus 10, so it decides to hold off and leaves the detection level at level 1.

[0087] In the second example, two thresholds are used to create three detection levels, allowing for even more granular detection of a person's presence, location, or movement than in the first example. Furthermore, the number of thresholds and detection levels can be increased, allowing for even more granular detection of a person's presence, location, or movement.

[0088] <Effect, etc.> Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 related to this technology will be described. In this description, the operation of this embodiment will be explained in comparison with each comparative example.

[0089] First, as a comparative example, let's consider an image forming apparatus that uses a pyroelectric sensor to detect people. This first comparative example has problems such as only being able to detect people who approach the image forming apparatus at a certain angle, and the accuracy of detection changing depending on the temperature.

[0090] Next, as a second comparative example, let's consider a case where human detection is performed using wireless LAN communication between two separate devices. For example, let's consider a case where wireless LAN communication is performed between an image forming apparatus equipped with only one wireless LAN module and an access point, and the image forming apparatus performs human detection based on the CSI acquired through this wireless LAN communication.

[0091] In the case of the second comparative example, since human detection is performed using the wireless LAN function, similar to the embodiment, the problems of the angle at which a person approaches and the accuracy problems in response to temperature changes in the first comparative example are resolved.

[0092] On the other hand, in the second comparative example, for example, when the image forming apparatus and access point are placed in an office environment, the location where the image forming apparatus and access point are placed can be freely determined according to user convenience. However, in the case of human detection by CSI analysis using wireless LAN functionality, if the exact positions of the two devices communicating via wireless LAN are not known in advance, it may not be possible to accurately detect the location of a person. Furthermore, there is a problem that the accuracy of detection decreases as the distance between the image forming apparatus and access point increases.

[0093] In contrast, in this embodiment, two wireless LAN modules 13 and 14 capable of sending and receiving wireless LAN signals to and from each other are provided within a single image forming apparatus 10, and the positional relationship between these two wireless LAN modules 13 and 14 is known. Furthermore, the distance between these two wireless LAN modules 13 and 14 is close. Therefore, in this embodiment, the presence, position, and movement of a person can be accurately detected.

[0094] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by using two CSIs to detect people, as in the third method described above, the presence, location, and movement of people can be detected even more accurately.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by comparing the CSI obtained by transmitting and receiving wireless LAN signals with one or more thresholds, the presence, location, and movement of a person can be detected in multiple distinct ways. This allows for even more accurate detection of a person's presence, location, and movement.

[0096] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the power mode is switched from normal power mode to power-saving mode when the presence of a person, the location of a person, or a specific movement of a person is detected. This allows the power mode of the image forming apparatus 10 to be appropriately returned to normal power mode in accordance with the timing when the user uses the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, the user does not need to perform any unnecessary operations to return to normal power mode, and can quickly use the image forming apparatus 10 without waiting for it to return to normal power mode. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0097] 10…Image forming apparatus 11…Control Unit 13…First Wireless LAN Module 14…Second wireless LAN module 20…First LAN 30…Second LAN

Claims

1. A first wireless LAN module and a second wireless LAN module, each capable of connecting to different LANs wirelessly, A control unit that, based on a wireless LAN signal transmitted from one of the first wireless LAN modules and received by the other wireless LAN module, acquires channel state information, analyzes the channel state information, and detects objects in its vicinity. An electronic device equipped with the following features.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, The control unit detects a person as the object. electronic equipment.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, The control unit switches between a normal power mode, which operates the electronic device with normal power, and a power-saving mode, which operates the electronic device with less power than normal, based on the detection of a person. electronic equipment.

4. The electronic device according to claim 3, The control unit compares the analysis results obtained from the analysis of the channel state information with one or more thresholds to detect the presence, location, or movement of the person in multiple categories, and switches between the normal power mode and the power saving mode based on the detected presence, location, or movement of the person. electronic equipment.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, The control unit learns the one or more threshold values ​​by machine learning. electronic equipment.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, The control unit acquires first channel state information based on a first wireless LAN signal transmitted from the first wireless LAN module and received by the second wireless LAN module, acquires second channel state information based on a second wireless LAN signal transmitted from the second wireless LAN module and received by the first wireless LAN module, and analyzes the first channel state information and the second channel state information to detect objects in the surrounding area. electronic equipment.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, The aforementioned electronic device is an image forming apparatus that performs image forming processing on a recording medium. electronic equipment.

8. In an electronic device having a first wireless LAN module and a second wireless LAN module, each capable of connecting to different LANs wirelessly, channel status information is acquired based on a wireless LAN signal transmitted from one of the first wireless LAN modules and received by the other wireless LAN module. The channel state information is analyzed to detect objects in its surroundings. Object detection method.

9. In an electronic device having a first wireless LAN module and a second wireless LAN module, each capable of connecting to different LANs wirelessly, channel status information is acquired based on a wireless LAN signal transmitted from one of the first wireless LAN modules and received by the other wireless LAN module. The channel state information is analyzed to detect objects in its surroundings. A program that causes an electronic device to perform a process.

Images