Information processing device, control method for information processing device, and program

Abstract

To solve such a problem in an image forming apparatus with a human sensor and a movable operation unit that there is the possibility that a person who comes closer to an operation unit for operating the unit may deviate from a detection range of the human sensor when the operation unit is moved, in such a case, the human sensor continues a wasteful detection operation even though the human sensor cannot detect a person who intends to use an image formation apparatus or the human sensor erroneously detects a person who does not intend to use the image formation apparatus.SOLUTION: A human sensor function is temporarily disabled when a home position sensor detects that an operation unit deviates from a home position. Consequently, such a situation that a human sensor continues a wasteful detection operation even though the human sensor cannot detect a person who intends to use an image formation apparatus or the human sensor erroneously detects a person who does not intend to use the image formation apparatus can be prevented.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a control method for an information processing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, information processing devices such as image forming devices have often been equipped with a dedicated operation unit that is composed of an input device such as a touch panel or a numeric keypad, a display device such as an LCD (liquid crystal display), and a control board equipped with a CPU. Such a dedicated operation unit is not limited to being fixed in one place on the device, but may be movable to a location where a user or a service person can easily see it. As movable operating units, various types have been proposed, including those whose angle or position can be changed using a tilt mechanism or arm mechanism, those that are connected via a cable or the like, those that are connected wirelessly, and those that can be attached and detached as an operating unit. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes that an operation unit of an image forming apparatus can be detached from the main body and used in order to improve operability.

[0003] Conventionally, some information processing apparatuses, such as image forming apparatuses, are equipped with a human presence sensor that detects a user who is about to use the image forming apparatus. A human presence sensor is sometimes used to automatically transition an image forming apparatus into a standby state, which consumes more power, when a human is detected while the image forming apparatus is in a sleep state, which consumes less power.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 2 proposes a method in which an image forming device is provided with a human presence sensor, and when it is determined that a person is approaching, the image forming device returns from a power saving mode. In this document, the human presence sensor detects whether a person has entered a predetermined range. In an image forming device, the detection range of the human presence sensor is generally set in advance so that a person approaching the main body housing or the operation unit can be detected as a person intending to use the image forming device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-227171 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-203132 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As described above, the human presence sensor detects people approaching the housing or operation unit, which is the main body of the device, within a predetermined range. Therefore, in the case of an information processing device such as an image forming device that is equipped with a human presence sensor and a movable operation unit, when the operation unit is moved, a person approaching to operate the operation unit may move out of the detection range of the human presence sensor.

[0007] For example, if a human presence sensor is installed on the main body housing, if the operation unit is moved, the human presence sensor will no longer be able to detect people who intend to use the image forming device, but the human presence sensor will continue to perform detection operations unnecessarily. Furthermore, if the human presence sensor is installed on the operation unit housing, if the operation unit itself is moved so that the human presence sensor faces to the side or rear of the image forming device, it may erroneously detect a person who has no intention of using the image forming device. An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides a device for controlling a user's movement, the device comprising: an operation means having an input unit that receives an operation by a user and that is movable by the user; a first detection means that detects whether the operation means is disposed at a predetermined position; For operation on the input unitand a second detection means for detecting an approaching user, and is characterized in that the information processing device has a control means for disabling the function of the second detection means when the first detection means detects that the operation means is not placed at the specified position. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a detection means for detecting a user from continuing to operate uselessly despite being unable to detect a person who intends to use the device, or from erroneously detecting a person who does not intend to use the device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an image forming system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the arrangement of a scanner unit, an operation unit, and a human presence sensor in the image forming apparatus (Example 1). [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a process for enabling / disabling a human presence sensor function (first embodiment). [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart showing a process for enabling / disabling a human sensor function (embodiment 2). [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of the arrangement of a scanner unit, an operation unit, and a human presence sensor in an image forming apparatus (Example 3). [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is an example of a screen display for notifying a user of enabling / disabling of a human presence sensor function. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments below are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0012] <Example 1> 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the image forming system of this embodiment, a PC (personal computer) 11, a server 12, and an image forming device 10 are connected via a LAN 13. The image forming apparatus 10 is an example of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment is an information processing apparatus having a control unit that generates image data for screen display and a display unit, displays a screen on the display unit based on the image data generated by the control unit, and includes an operation unit that accepts user operations. More specifically, the information processing apparatus is, for example, a printing device, a reading device, a copying machine, or a facsimile machine. However, the information processing apparatus of the present invention may be an apparatus other than an image forming apparatus.

[0013] The server 12 is a computer that provides services in response to requests from client devices such as the PC 11 or the image forming device 10 . The PC 11 or the server 12 generates a print job including data described in a printing language such as PDL (Page Description Language) or data in a specific data format (e.g., compressed with JBIG) according to a user operation. The PC 11 or the server 12 transmits the generated print job to the image forming device 10 via the LAN 13. When the image forming device 10 receives a print job from an external device such as the PC 11 or the server 12, it executes image formation (printing) according to the received print job.

[0014] The PC 11 or the server 12 can remotely access the image forming apparatus 10 via the LAN 13. The PC 11 or the server 12 is configured to be able to operate the image forming apparatus 10 and monitor the status of the image forming apparatus 10 through the remote access. The image forming apparatus 10 is also configured to be able to notify an external device such as the PC 11 or the server 12 of its own status.

[0015] 2 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of the scanner unit 100, the operation unit 200, and the human presence sensor 500 in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the human presence sensor 500 is described as being installed in the housing of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 200 is connected to the image forming apparatus 10 by a dedicated wired cable, and the user can move the operation unit 200. Fig. 2(a) is an image diagram of an arrangement in which the operation unit 200 is placed at a home position, which is a predetermined initial installation position in the image forming apparatus 10. Fig. 2(b) is an image diagram of an arrangement in which the operation unit 200 is placed at a location away from the home position. The operation unit 200 includes an input device (not shown) such as a touch panel that accepts user operations, and a display device (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display panel that displays a screen based on data generated by a main control unit 300 described later. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 and the operation unit 200 are connected to each other by a dedicated wired cable, but they may be connected to each other by a wireless method such as wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0017] The home position sensor 260 (hereinafter also referred to as the "HP sensor") is a sensor that detects whether or not the operation unit 200 is placed in the home position. The HP sensor 260 is in an active state when the operation unit 200 is placed in the home position, and is in an inactive state when the operation unit 200 is not placed in the home position.

[0018] The human presence sensor 500 is a sensor for detecting the approach of a user who intends to use the image forming apparatus 10. In this embodiment, a method in which the human presence sensor is a pyroelectric sensor will be described as an example, but other methods may be used, such as a method using an infrared reflection sensor or an ultrasonic reflection sensor, or a method of detecting an approaching person by processing an image captured by a camera. The detection range 501 of the human sensor 500 indicates a range in which the human sensor 500 can detect the approach of a user who intends to use the image forming apparatus 10. The detection range 501 of the human sensor 500 is set so as to be able to detect a user approaching the image forming apparatus 10 to operate the scanner unit 100 or the operation unit 200 placed at the home position.

[0019] 2(a), when a user approaches the scanner unit 100 to operate the scanner unit 100, the human sensor 500 can detect the user's approach. Also, when a user approaches the operation unit 200 to operate the operation unit 200, the human sensor 500 can detect the user's approach. 2(b), when a user approaches the scanner unit 100 in an attempt to operate the scanner unit 100, the human sensor 500 can detect the user's approach. However, when a user approaches the operation unit 200 in an attempt to operate the operation unit 200, the human sensor 500 cannot detect the user's approach.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a scanner unit 100, an operation unit 200, a main control unit 300, a printer unit 400, an HP sensor 260, and a human presence sensor 500.

[0021] The main control unit 300 includes a main CPU 301, and controls the entire image forming apparatus 10. The operation unit 200 functions as a user interface (UI), and includes an input device (not shown) that accepts user operations, and a display device (not shown) that displays a screen. In this embodiment, the main control unit 300 and the operation unit 200 are connected to each other by a dedicated wired cable, but may be connected to each other by a wireless method such as wireless LAN or Bluetooth. The printer unit 400 performs image formation processing on a sheet-shaped recording medium (paper) according to, for example, an electrophotographic method. Note that the printer unit 400 is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and may employ other recording methods such as an inkjet method or a thermal transfer method.

[0022] The main control unit 300 includes a main CPU 301 , a ROM 302 , a RAM 303 , a HDD 304 , a power supply control unit 305 , a LANC (LAN controller) 306 , and a LAN I / F 307 . The main control unit 300 realizes a print function by controlling the printer unit 400 to print an image according to a print job received from an external device such as the PC 11. The main control unit 300 also realizes a copy function by controlling the scanner unit 100 and the printer unit 400 to print an image based on image data obtained by the scanner unit 100 reading an original image.

[0023] The main CPU 301 controls the entire image forming apparatus 10. The main CPU 301 reads out and executes a program stored in the ROM 302 or the HDD 304, thereby implementing the functions of the image forming apparatus 10, such as a print function and a copy function. The RAM 303 is configured with a volatile memory such as a DDR SDRAM, etc. The RAM 303 is used to store programs executed by the main CPU 301 and temporary data used by the main CPU 301.

[0024] The HDD 304 is, for example, a storage device connected to the main CPU 301 via a serial ATA. The HDD 304 is used to temporarily store various setting information related to the image forming apparatus 10 and image data used in the print function or copy function. The LANC 306 is connected to the main CPU 301 and the LAN I / F 307. The LANC 306 controls communication with external devices such as the PC 11 or the server 12, which is performed via the LAN I / F 307.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment has a power saving mode and a standby mode as operation modes. In the standby mode, power is supplied from a power source (not shown) to the main CPU 301, and the main CPU 301 is in an operable state. In the power saving mode, power is not supplied from the power source to the main CPU 301, and the main CPU 301 is not in an operable state. The power saving mode is an operation mode in which the image forming apparatus 10 consumes less power than the standby mode. In the power saving mode, the power supply to devices such as the printer unit 400 and the scanner unit 100 is also stopped.

[0026] The power supply control unit 305 performs power supply control of the entire image forming apparatus 10. When power is not supplied to the main CPU 301 and the printer unit 400, the power supply control unit 305 performs on / off control of the power supply of the image forming apparatus 10 provided in the main control unit 300. When power is supplied to the main CPU 301 and the printer unit 400, the main CPU 301 controls the power supply control unit 305 to perform on / off control of the power supply to each unit. The power supply control by the power supply control unit 305 may be realized by the CPU of the power supply control unit 305 executing a program, or may be realized by hardware logic such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device).

[0027] The power supply control unit 305 switches the power supply of the image forming apparatus 10 from the OFF state to the ON state, triggered by a WAKE_ON_UI signal 3006 from the operation unit 200, a WAKE signal 3007 from the LANC 306, or a WAKE signal 3008 from the human sensor 500. As a result, the power supply control unit 305 transitions the image forming apparatus 10 from the power saving mode to the standby mode.

[0028] The WAKE_ON_UI signal 3006 from the operation unit 200 is a signal that is output in order to return the image forming apparatus 10 from the power saving mode to the standby mode when the image forming apparatus 10 is in the power saving mode and a user inputs an operation to the operation unit 200. The WAKE signal 3007 from LANC 306 is a signal that is output in order to return the image forming apparatus 10 from the power saving mode to the standby mode when the image forming apparatus 10 is in the power saving mode and an external device such as the PC 11 or the server 12 accesses the image forming apparatus 10 via the LAN 13 or receives a print job.

[0029] The WAKE signal 3008 from the human sensor 500 is a signal that is output when the human sensor 500 detects the approach of a user who intends to use the image forming apparatus 10 while the image forming apparatus 10 is in the power saving mode. In this embodiment, when the operation unit 200 is placed in the home position, the main CPU 301 performs control based on the WAKE signal 3008 from the human sensor 500 (note that performing control by the human sensor 505 is referred to as enabling the human sensor function). On the other hand, when the operation unit 200 is not placed in the home position, the main CPU 301 does not perform control based on the WAKE signal 3008 from the human sensor 500 (note that not performing control by the human sensor 505 is referred to as disabling the human sensor function).

[0030] The HP sensor 260 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the operation unit 200 is placed in a home position, which is a predetermined initial installation position in the image forming apparatus 10. The HP sensor 260 may be any switch capable of detecting whether or not the operation unit 200 is in the home position, such as a mechanical switch such as a tactile switch, a non-contact switch such as a photointerrupter, or a wireless communication switch such as NFC. In this embodiment, the HP sensor 260 is in an active state when the operation unit 200 is placed in the home position, and is in an inactive state when the operation unit 200 is not in the home position, and notifies the main CPU 301 of this.

[0031] 4 is a flowchart showing a process for enabling / disabling the human sensor function in the embodiment 1. The process of this flowchart is executed by the main CPU 301 of the image forming apparatus 10. First, in S401, the main CPU 301 attempts to communicate with the human sensor 500 and determines whether the human sensor 500 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 10. When the main CPU 301 determines that the image forming apparatus 10 is not equipped with the human sensor 500 (No in S401), the process of this flowchart ends. On the other hand, when the main CPU 301 determines that the image forming apparatus 10 is equipped with the human sensor 500 (Yes in S401), the process proceeds to S402.

[0032] In S402, the main CPU 301 reads from the HDD 304 a setting value indicating whether the human sensor function in the image forming apparatus 10 is enabled or disabled. When the main CPU 301 determines that the setting value of the human sensor function read from the HDD 304 is invalid (No in S402), the process of this flowchart ends. On the other hand, when the main CPU 301 determines that the setting value of the human sensor function read from the HDD 304 is valid (Yes in S402), the process proceeds to S403.

[0033] In S403, the main CPU 301 monitors the HP sensor 260 to determine whether or not the operation unit 200 has been removed from the home position. Here, the main CPU 301 continues monitoring in S403 until the HP sensor 260 determines that the operation unit 200 has been removed from the home position. If the main CPU 301 determines that the HP sensor 260 has determined that the operation unit 200 has been removed from the home position (Yes in S403), the main CPU 301 shifts the process to S404.

[0034] In S404, the main CPU 301 displays on the display unit (not shown) of the operation unit 200 to notify the user that the human sensor function will be temporarily disabled because the operation unit 200 has been removed from the home position, as shown in FIG. 8(a), and then transfers the process to S405. In S405, the main CPU 301 writes a setting value for disabling the human sensor function to the HDD 304 in order to temporarily disable the human sensor 500. Furthermore, the main CPU 301 instructs the human sensor 500 to disable detection via the power supply control unit 305, and shifts the process to S406.

[0035] In S406, the main CPU 301 monitors the HP sensor 260 to determine whether or not the operation unit 200 has been returned to the home position. Here, the main CPU 301 continues monitoring in S406 until the operation unit 200 is returned to the home position by the HP sensor 260. If the main CPU 301 determines that the operation unit 200 is returned to the home position by the HP sensor 260 (Yes in S406), it shifts the process to S407.

[0036] In S407, the main CPU 301 displays on the display unit (not shown) of the operation unit 200 to notify the user that the human sensor function will be re-enabled because the operation unit 200 has been returned to the home position, as shown in FIG. 8(b), and then transfers the process to S408. In S408, the main CPU 301 writes a setting value for enabling the human sensor function to the HDD 304 in order to re-enable the human sensor 500. Furthermore, the main CPU 301 instructs the human sensor 500 to enable detection via the power supply control unit 305, and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0037] As described above, in the first embodiment, when the HP sensor 260 detects that the operation unit 200 has been removed from the home position, a message is displayed on the operation unit 200 indicating that the human sensor function is to be temporarily disabled, and the human sensor function is temporarily disabled. This makes it possible to prevent the human sensor 500 from continuing to perform detection operations in an area where it cannot detect people when the user moves the operation unit 200 and changes the range that the human sensor 500 can detect. It also makes it possible to prevent the human sensor from erroneously detecting a person who has simply passed near the image forming apparatus 10 and has no intention of using the image forming apparatus 10.

[0038] <Example 2> The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, when the HP sensor 260 detects that the operation unit 200 has been removed from the home position, a screen is displayed on the operation unit 200 to allow the user to select whether or not to temporarily disable the human sensor function. In the second embodiment, when the user selects to leave the human sensor function enabled, the human sensor function remains enabled, and a message is displayed to the effect that the detection accuracy of the human sensor 500 may be degraded, to alert the user. The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings, but descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0039] 5 is a flowchart showing a process for enabling / disabling the human sensor function in the embodiment 2. The process of this flowchart is also executed by the main CPU 301 of the image forming apparatus 10. In S501, the main CPU 301 attempts to communicate with the human presence sensor 500 and determines whether the human presence sensor 500 is installed in the image forming apparatus 10. When the main CPU 301 determines that the image forming apparatus 10 is not equipped with the human sensor 500 (No in S501), the process of this flowchart ends. On the other hand, when the main CPU 301 determines that the image forming apparatus 10 is equipped with the human sensor 500 (Yes in S501), the process proceeds to S502.

[0040] In S502, the main CPU 301 reads from the HDD 304 a setting value indicating whether the human sensor function in the image forming apparatus 10 is enabled or disabled. When the main CPU 301 determines that the setting value of the human sensor function read from the HDD 304 is invalid (No in S402), the process of this flowchart ends. On the other hand, when the main CPU 301 determines that the setting value of the human sensor function read from the HDD 304 is valid (Yes in S502), the process proceeds to S503.

[0041] In S503, the main CPU 301 monitors the HP sensor 260 to determine whether or not the operation unit 200 has been removed from the home position. Here, the main CPU 301 continues monitoring in S403 until the HP sensor 260 determines that the operation unit 200 has been removed from the home position. If the main CPU 301 determines that the HP sensor 260 has determined that the operation unit 200 has been removed from the home position (Yes in S503), the main CPU 301 shifts the process to S504.

[0042] In S504, the main CPU 301 displays a selection screen on the display unit (not shown) of the operation unit 200, as shown in FIG. 8(c), which prompts the user to select whether to temporarily disable the human sensor function or to leave it enabled because the operation unit 200 has been removed from the home position. Then, in S505, the main CPU 301 monitors whether a selection input has been made from an input unit (not shown) of the operation unit 200 as to whether the human sensor function should be temporarily disabled or should remain enabled.

[0043] Here, if the main CPU 301 determines that a selection has been made from the input section (not shown) of the operation section 200 to either temporarily disable or keep the human sensor function enabled (Yes in S505), the main CPU 301 transitions to processing in S506. On the other hand, if the main CPU 301 determines that no selection has been made from the input section (not shown) of the operation unit 200 to either temporarily disable or keep the human sensor function enabled (No in S505), the main CPU 301 transitions to processing in S514.

[0044] If the main CPU 301 determines that a certain period of time has not elapsed without any selection input from the input section (not shown) of the operation section 200 to either temporarily disable or leave the human sensor function enabled (No in S514), the main CPU 301 returns the processing to S505. On the other hand, if the main CPU 301 determines that a certain period of time has elapsed without any selection input from the input section (not shown) of the operation section 200 to either temporarily disable or keep the human sensor function enabled (Yes in S514), the main CPU 301 transitions to processing in S507.

[0045] In S506, if the main CPU 301 determines that an input has been made to temporarily disable the human sensor function (Yes in S506), the process proceeds to S507. On the other hand, in S506, if the main CPU 301 determines that an input has been received that would cause the human sensor function to remain temporarily enabled (No in S506), the process proceeds to S508.

[0046] In S507, the main CPU 301 displays on the display unit (not shown) of the operation unit 200 to notify the user that the human sensor function will be temporarily disabled, as shown in Fig. 8(a). Furthermore, in order to temporarily disable the human sensor 500, the main CPU 301 writes a setting value for disabling the human sensor function to the HDD 304, instructs the human sensor 500 to disable detection via the power supply control unit 305, and transitions to processing at S509.

[0047] In S509, the main CPU 301 monitors the HP sensor 260 to determine whether or not the operation unit 200 has been returned to the home position. Here, the main CPU 301 continues monitoring in S509 until the operation unit 200 is returned to the home position by the HP sensor 260. If the main CPU 301 determines that the operation unit 200 is returned to the home position by the HP sensor 260 (Yes in S509), the process proceeds to S510.

[0048] In S510, the main CPU 301 displays on the display unit (not shown) of the operation unit 200 to notify the user that the operation unit 200 has been returned to the home position and the human sensor function will be re-enabled, as shown in FIG. 8(b), and then the process proceeds to S511. In S511, the main CPU 301 writes a setting value for enabling the human sensor function to the HDD 304 in order to re-enable the human sensor 500. Furthermore, the main CPU 301 instructs the human sensor 500 to enable detection via the power supply control unit 305, and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0049] In S508, the main CPU 301 displays on the display unit (not shown) of the operation unit 200 a warning that the human sensor 500 may not function properly when detecting a user approaching to operate the image forming apparatus 10, as shown in Fig. 8(d). This is because, since the operation unit 200 is removed from the home position, it may not be possible to detect a user approaching the operation unit 200, or a user who is to the side of the image forming apparatus 10 may be erroneously detected. Then, the process proceeds to S512.

[0050] In S512, the main CPU 301 monitors the HP sensor 260 to determine whether the operation unit 200 has been returned to the home position. Here, the main CPU 301 continues monitoring in S511 until the operation unit 200 is returned to the home position by the HP sensor 260. If the main CPU 301 determines that the operation unit 200 is returned to the home position by the HP sensor 260 (Yes in S512), it shifts the process to S513.

[0051] In S513, the main CPU 301 displays on the display unit (not shown) of the operation unit 200 that the operation unit 200 has been returned to the home position, and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0052] As described above, in the second embodiment, when the HP sensor 260 detects that the operation unit 200 has been removed from the home position, a screen is displayed on the operation unit to allow the user to select whether or not to temporarily disable the human sensor function. If the user selects to leave the human sensor function enabled, the human sensor function is left enabled, but a message is displayed to the user that the detection accuracy of the human sensor may be degraded, to alert the user. This makes it possible to prevent the human sensor 500 from continuing to perform detection operations in an area where it cannot detect people when the user moves the operation unit 200 and changes the range detectable by the human sensor 500. Furthermore, for users who wish to keep the human sensor 500 enabled, it is possible to keep the human sensor function enabled after notifying them that the detection accuracy of the human sensor 500 may deteriorate.

[0053] <Example 3> In the first and second embodiments, the human sensor 500 is installed in the main body housing of the image forming apparatus 10, whereas in the third embodiment, the human sensor 500 is mounted on the operation unit 200. Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, and the description overlapping with the first or second embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0054] 6 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of the scanner unit 100, the operation unit 200, and the human presence sensor 500 in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, a description will be given of an example in which the human presence sensor 500 is installed and integrated into the operation unit 200.

[0055] FIG. 6A is a conceptual diagram showing a layout in which the operation unit 200 is placed in a home position, which is a predetermined initial installation position in the image forming apparatus 10. FIG. Fig. 6(b) is a first layout image diagram of the operation unit 200 when it is away from the home position. In Fig. 6(b), the operation unit 200 is placed facing in a direction that allows a user in front of the image forming apparatus 10 to operate it directly from the front (a state in which the detection range 501 of the human sensor 500 faces the front of the image forming apparatus 10). Fig. 6(c) is a second layout image diagram of the operation unit 200 when it is away from the home position. In Fig. 6(c), the operation unit 200 is placed facing in a direction that prevents a user standing in front of the image forming apparatus 10 from directly operating it from the front (a state in which the detection range 501 of the human sensor 500 faces in a direction shifted from the front of the image forming apparatus 10). In the third embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 and the operation unit 200 are connected to each other by a dedicated wired cable. However, the image forming apparatus 10 and the operation unit 200 may be connected to each other by a wireless method such as wireless LAN or Bluetooth.

[0056] In FIG. 6(a), it is possible to detect the approach of a user whether the user is approaching the operation unit 200 to operate the operation unit 200 or the user is approaching the scanner unit 100 to operate the scanner unit 100. 6(b), the operation unit 200 is placed so that the detection range 501 of the human presence sensor 500 faces the front of the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, when a user approaches the operation unit 200 to operate the operation unit 200, it is possible to detect the user's approach. However, when a user approaches the scanner unit 100 to operate the scanner unit 100, it is impossible to detect the user's approach.

[0057] 6(c), the operation unit 200 is placed so that the detection range 501 of the human sensor 500 faces away from the front of the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, even if a user approaches the scanner unit 100 to operate the scanner unit 100, or approaches the operation unit 200 to operate the operation unit 200, it becomes impossible to detect the approach of the user. Furthermore, in FIG. 6(c), the operation unit 200 is placed so that the detection range 501 of the human presence sensor 500 faces the side of the image forming device 10, so there is a possibility that a person who has no intention of using the image forming device 10 will be mistakenly detected simply by passing next to the image forming device 10.

[0058] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 in the third embodiment. Here, differences from Fig. 3 described in the first embodiment will be described, and descriptions of overlapping contents will be omitted. The third embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings, but the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0059] A difference from the first embodiment (FIG. 3) is that in the third embodiment (FIG. 7), the HP sensor 260 and the human sensor 500 are connected to the operation unit 200, not to the main CPU 301. As a result, signals from the HP sensor 260 and the human sensor 500 are notified to the main CPU 301 via the operation unit 200. 3 is notified to the CPU 301 as a logical sum (OR) of the WAKE signal 3008 from the human sensor 500 and the WAKE_ON_UI signal 3006 from the operation unit 200. The other blocks are the same as those in FIG. 3, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the process of enabling / disabling the human sensor function executed by the main CPU 301 in the third embodiment can be implemented using the flowchart in either the first embodiment (FIG. 4) or the second embodiment (FIG. 5). Therefore, the description of these flowcharts will also be omitted.

[0060] As described above, in the third embodiment, the human presence sensor 500 is installed in the operation unit 200, not in the main body housing of the image forming apparatus 10. Then, when the HP sensor 260 detects that the operation unit 200 has been removed from the home position, a message to the effect that the human presence sensor function is temporarily disabled is displayed on the operation unit 200, and the human presence sensor function is temporarily disabled. As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 in which the human sensor 500 is installed in the operation unit 200 can also obtain the same effects as those in the first and second embodiments.

[0061] <Other Examples> The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a system made up of a plurality of devices, or to an apparatus made up of a single device. The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and are not excluded from the scope of the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes all configurations that combine the above-mentioned embodiments and their modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10 Image forming device 200 Operation section 260 Home Position Sensor 500 Human Sensor

Claims

1. an operation means having an input unit that accepts an operation by a user and being movable by the user; a first detection means for detecting whether the operation means is placed at a predetermined position; A second detection means for detecting a user approaching to perform an operation on the input unit; An information processing device having and a control means for disabling a function of the second detection means when the first detection means detects that the operation means is not placed at the predetermined position.

23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

2. When the first detection means detects that the operation means is placed at the predetermined position, the control means enables the disabled function of the second detection means.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The operation means further has a display unit, The display unit displays a message indicating that the function of the second detection means is enabled or disabled.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

4. When the first detection means detects that the operation means is not placed at the predetermined position, a first screen is displayed on the display unit, allowing a user to select whether or not to disable a function of the second detection means.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The control means disables the function of the second detection means based on a user's selection on the first screen to disable the function of the second detection means.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The function of the second detection means may be disabled on the screen. If the user does not select the second detection means, a second screen is displayed on the display unit, indicating that the second detection means may not function properly.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

7. The second detection means is capable of detecting the presence or absence of a user approaching the information processing device to operate the operation means within a set detection range.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

8. Further comprising a scanner; The second detection means is capable of detecting the presence or absence of a user who is about to operate the scanner.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7,

9. The second detection means is mounted on the operation means.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

10. The second detection means has a detection range in a direction in which an input unit of the operation means faces when the operation means is disposed at a predetermined position.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

11. When the operating means is in the predetermined position, the second detection means is capable of detecting the presence or absence of a user who is about to operate the operating means.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9,

12. an operation means having an input unit that accepts an operation by a user and being movable by the user; a first detection means for detecting whether the operation means is placed at a predetermined position; A second detection means for detecting a user approaching to perform an operation on the input unit; A method for controlling an information processing device having a step of disabling a function of the second detection means when the first detection means detects that the operation means is not placed at the predetermined position.

23. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus comprising:

13. A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling an information processing device according to claim 12.

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