Device with human detection function

Abstract

To provide a device with a human detection function, with which, when locating in a recess of the exterior part of a housing a detection window which is located in a portion of the exterior part and which the detection wave used by a human detection sensor passes through, it is possible to eliminate a sense of discomfort from the recess as a design and make the detection window less conspicuous, as compared with the case where the recess is located at center of the exterior part and where the recess is about a length a little longer than the detection window.SOLUTION: Provided is a device with a human detection function, comprising a housing having an exterior part, a human detection sensor for detecting humans, and a detection window which is located in a portion of the exterior part and which the detection wave used by the human detection sensor passes through, the exterior part having a recess in which the detection window is located, the recess being a groove extending to the lateral edges of the exterior part, and the groove length of the groove being of a dimension longer than the groove width.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device with a human detection function.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below describes an image forming apparatus provided with a human sensor. When the detection of the presence of a user by the human sensor disappears during an intermediate stage of a series of operations of the image forming apparatus, auto-clear is executed after a predetermined auto-clear time has elapsed, and as the human sensor, it is also described that only a first human sensor disposed within the area range of the operation unit or the sheet discharge unit in the image forming apparatus is provided.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a device with a human detection function that, when arranging a detection window through which a detection wave used by a human detection sensor passes in a recessed portion of an exterior portion of a housing, can make the recessed portion less obtrusive in terms of design and less noticeable for the detection window compared to when the recessed portion is at the center of the exterior portion or when the recessed portion has a length slightly longer than the detection window.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] This invention (1) includes a housing having an exterior portion, a human detection sensor for detecting a human, and a detection window disposed in a part of the exterior portion and through which a detection wave used by the human detection sensor passes. The exterior portion has a recessed portion for arranging the detection window. The recessed portion is a groove that extends to reach an end portion existing in the left - right direction of the exterior portion, and the groove has a dimension where the groove length is longer than the groove width. and The end portions existing in the left - right direction of the exterior portion are the left and right end portions existing on the outermost side of the exterior portion It is a device with a human detection function.

[0006] This invention (2) includes a housing having an exterior portion, a human detection sensor for detecting a human, and a detection window disposed on a part of the exterior portion through which a detection wave used by the human detection sensor passes. The exterior portion has a recessed portion for disposing the detection window. The recessed portion A groove extending to reach the end portions existing in the left - right direction of the exterior portion, the groove having a groove length longer than the groove width The end portions existing in the left - right direction of the exterior portion are the end portions existing inside the exterior portion It is a device with a human detection function.

[0007] This invention (3) is the device with a human detection function of the above - mentioned invention (1) or (2) In the device with a human detection function, The recessed portion is a groove having a groove length of 5 times or more the dimension in the direction along the groove length of the detection window It is a device with a human detection function 。

[0008] This invention ( 4 ) is, among the devices with a human detection function of the above - mentioned invention (1) to ( 3 ), a device with a human detection function in which the groove has a length dimension that is 10 times or more the groove width when the groove width is set to 1.

[0009] This invention ( 5 ) is, among the devices with a human detection function of the above - mentioned invention (1) to ( 4 ), a device with a human detection function in which the groove has a groove width narrower than twice the dimension of the detection window in the width direction of the groove.

[0010] This invention ( 6 ) is, among the devices with a human detection function of the above - mentioned invention (1) to ( 5 ), a device with a human detection function in which the detection window is disposed in a state of existing inside the groove of the recessed portion.

[0011] This invention ( 7 ) is a device with a human detection function among any of the above inventions (1) to ( 6 ) where the detection window is arranged in contact with one or both of the contour lines on both sides facing each other in the width direction of the groove, and it is a device with a human detection function. This invention ( 8 ) is a device with a human detection function among any of the above inventions (1) to ( 6 ) where the detection window is arranged in a state where it crosses one or both of the contour lines on both sides facing each other in the width direction of the groove inside the exterior part, and it is a device with a human detection function.

[0012] This invention ( 9 ) is a device with a human detection function among any of the above inventions (1) to ( 8 ) and includes an image forming unit that forms an image and a document reading unit that reads a document. The recessed part is provided in a part of the exterior part corresponding to the boundary between the image forming unit and the document reading unit, and it is a device with a human detection function. This invention ( 10 ) is a device with a human detection function among any of the above inventions (1) to ( 8 ) and includes an image forming unit that forms an image and a table part on which an object to be read is placed. The recessed part is provided in a part of the exterior part corresponding to the boundary between the image forming unit and the table part, and it is a device with a human detection function. This invention ( 11 ) is a device with a human detection function among any of the above inventions (1) to ( 8 ) and includes an image forming unit that forms an image and a medium discharge unit that discharges a recording medium. The recessed part is provided in a part of the exterior part corresponding to the boundary between the image forming unit and the medium discharge unit, and it is a device with a human detection function.

[0013] This invention ( 12 ) is a device with a human detection function among any of the above inventions (1) to ( 11In any device with a human detection function, the human detection sensor has a plurality of human detection sensors, the detection window has a plurality of detection windows corresponding individually to the plurality of human detection sensors, and the plurality of detection windows are arranged in the recessed portion, which is a device with a human detection function.

[0014] This invention ( 13 ) is, in the device with a human detection function of the above invention ( 12 ), provided with a first operation panel and a second operation panel, the human detection sensor has a first human detection sensor for the first operation panel and a second human detection sensor for the second operation panel, the detection window has a first detection window for the first human detection sensor and a second detection window for the second human detection sensor, and the first detection window and the second detection window are arranged in the recessed portion, which is a device with a human detection function.

[0015] This invention ( 14 ) is, in the device with a human detection function of the above invention ( 13 ), the first operation panel and the second operation panel are arranged such that their positions in the left - right direction of the housing are different, the first detection window is arranged at a position closer to the first operation panel than the second operation panel in the left - right direction of the recessed portion, and the second detection window is arranged at a position closer to the second operation panel than the first operation panel in the left - right direction of the recessed portion, which is a device with a human detection function.

[0016] This invention ( 15 ) is, in the device with a human detection function of the above invention ( 14 ), the recessed portion consists of an elongated groove extending in the left - right direction of the housing, and the first detection window and the second detection window are arranged such that they are at the same position in the up - down direction of the groove of the recessed portion and at different positions in the left - right direction, which is a device with a human detection function.

Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the above inventions (1) and (2), when arranging a detection window, which is arranged on a part of the exterior of the housing and through which a detection wave used in a human detection sensor passes, in a recessed portion of the exterior, compared with the case where the recessed portion is at the center position of the exterior and the case where the recessed portion has a length slightly longer than the detection window, the recessed portion has no sense of incongruity as a design and can make the detection window less conspicuous. Also, according to the above inventions (1) and (2), compared with the case where both of the end portions existing in the left - right direction of the exterior portion are the left and right end portions existing inside the exterior portion, the recessed portion has no sense of incongruity as a design

[0018] The above invention (3) In According to Compared with the case of a groove having a groove length of less than 5 times the dimension along the left - right length of the detection window, it becomes difficult to make the detection window less conspicuous .

[0019] According to the above invention ( 4 ), compared with the case where the groove of the recessed portion has a length shorter than 10 times the groove width when the groove width is set to 1, the recessed portion has no sense of incongruity as a design and can make the detection window less conspicuous.

[0020] According to the above invention ( 5 ), compared with the case where the groove of the recessed portion has a groove width that is 2 times or more the dimension of the groove of the detection window in the width direction, the recessed portion can make the detection window less conspicuous.

[0021] According to the above invention ( 6 ), compared with the case where the detection window is arranged in the groove of the recessed portion in a state flush with the surface of the exterior or protruding from its surface, the recessed portion can make the detection window less conspicuous.

[0022] According to the above invention ( 7 ), compared with the case where the detection window is arranged in a state where one or both of the contour lines on both sides facing each other in the width direction of the groove of the recessed portion cross over when viewed from the outside of the exterior, the recessed portion can maintain no sense of incongruity as a design and make the detection window less conspicuous. According to the above invention ( 8According to , compared with the case where the detection window is disposed in a state where one or both of the contour lines on both sides facing each other in the width direction of the groove of the recessed portion cross over to the outside of the exterior portion, the recessed portion can maintain a lack of a sense of incongruity as a design and make the detection window less conspicuous.

[0023] According to the above invention ( 9 ) compared with the case where the recessed portion is not provided in a portion corresponding to the boundary between the image forming portion and the document reading portion of the exterior portion, the recessed portion can maintain a lack of a sense of incongruity as a design and make the detection window less conspicuous. According to the above invention ( 10 ) compared with the case where the recessed portion is not provided in a portion corresponding to the boundary between the image forming portion and the base portion of the exterior portion, the recessed portion can maintain a lack of a sense of incongruity as a design and make the detection window less conspicuous. According to the above invention ( 11 ) compared with the case where the recessed portion is not provided in a portion corresponding to the boundary between the image forming portion and the medium discharging portion of the exterior portion, the recessed portion can maintain a lack of a sense of incongruity as a design and make the detection window less conspicuous.

[0024] According to the above invention ( 12 ) compared with the case where at least one of the plurality of detection windows is not disposed in the recessed portion, the recessed portion can maintain a lack of a sense of incongruity as a design and make the plurality of detection windows less conspicuous.

[0025] According to the above invention ( 13 ) compared with the case where one or both of the first detection window and the second detection window are not disposed in the recessed portion, the recessed portion can maintain a lack of a sense of incongruity as a design and make the two detection windows less conspicuous.

[0026] According to the above invention ( 14According to , when the first detection window is not arranged closer to the first operation panel than the second operation panel in the left - right direction of the recessed portion, and the second detection window is not arranged closer to the second operation panel than the first operation panel in the left - right direction of the recessed portion, the following effects are obtained. That is, it becomes easier to individually detect a person approaching the first operation panel and the second operation panel, and the recessed portion can be made to have no sense of incongruity as a design and make the two detection windows less conspicuous. According to the above - mentioned invention 15 , when the first detection window and the second detection window are arranged at different positions in the vertical direction of the groove of the recessed portion, the recessed portion can make the two detection windows less conspicuous.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027]

Figure 1

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Figure 16

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] First Embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus 1A with a human detection function according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the obliquely front side. FIG. 2 is a front schematic view of the apparatus 1A. In each drawing such as FIG. 1, the up-down, left-right, and front-back directions indicated by arrows are the directions represented based on the front Ft of the apparatus 1A assuming that the user stands face to face when using the apparatus 1A.

[0030] The apparatus 1A with a human detection function according to the first embodiment includes, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, etc., a housing 10A having an exterior portion (exterior part), a human detection sensor 7, a detection window 8 disposed on a part of the exterior portion of the housing 10A, and a functional unit 2.

[0031] The housing 10A has an internal framework part and an external exterior portion (exterior part), and is a structure composed of materials such as a plurality of frames and exterior covers with a required structure and shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 10A in the first embodiment is formed as a structure having a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the vertical direction in terms of its appearance. Further, the exterior of the housing 10A is formed by exterior covers such as a front cover 11a, a rear cover, a left side cover, a right side cover 11d, and an upper end cover 11e, for example. At least a part of the exterior cover is configured as an opening / closing cover having a structure that can be opened and closed.

[0032] The human detection sensor 7 is a detector that detects a person approaching within a predetermined range of the front Ft of the housing 10A. As this human detection sensor 7, for example, the following types of sensors are used. That is, a sensor that emits a detection wave D such as infrared rays or ultrasonic waves from an emitting unit to a predetermined range (detection area) E set in advance and detects the presence of a person by receiving the detection wave that is reflected and returned by the detection unit, or a sensor that receives, as the detection wave D, the infrared rays radiated from a person who has entered within a predetermined range E set in advance and detects the presence of a person by the detection unit. Further, the human detection sensor 7 is disposed on the inner side of the housing 10A. Furthermore, the human detection sensor 7 is attached, for example, to a mounting opening 12a provided in a part of a frame 12 disposed on the back side (rear) of the front cover 11a of the housing 10A as shown in FIG. 3.

[0033] The detection window 8 is a portion through which the detection wave D used by the human detection sensor 7 passes, and has a covering member 81 that covers and closes the opening through which the detection wave D passes. The opening through which the detection wave D passes is a mounting opening 12a for attaching the human detection sensor 7, an opening provided to allow the detection wave D to pass through, and the like. The covering member 81 may be a member having a shape capable of covering the opening through which the detection wave D passes and made of a material capable of transmitting the detection wave D. Further, the covering member 81 may be configured integrally with the human detection sensor 7 in addition to being configured as a separate body from the human detection sensor 7 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0034] The shape of the detection window 8, actually the shape of the covering member 81, is set to the shape and size necessary for allowing the detection wave D to pass through. The detection window 8 (covering member 81) in the first embodiment adopts a horizontally long rectangle. Also, the detection window 8 is disposed at a location in the housing 10A that is necessary for detecting an approaching person. In the first embodiment, since it is necessary to detect a person approaching within a predetermined range of the front Ft of the housing 10A, the detection window 8 is disposed at a required part of the front cover 11a. Incidentally, on the housing 10A, operation parts or display parts used by a user (not shown) are disposed in the upper part inside the front cover 11a or in a part that extends outward from the upper end of the front cover 11a, or on the upper surface part of the housing 10A.

[0035] The functional part 2 is a part composed of devices having functions necessary for the use of the apparatus 1A. As this functional part 2, there is an image forming part (20) which will be exemplified later. In addition, other parts such as a vending machine part, an automated teller machine (ATM) part, an automatic ticket issuing machine part, an information guidance machine part, a charging machine part, and a terminal machine part are applicable. This functional part 2 is not limited to a configuration applying one type of functional part, and may be a combination of a plurality of types of functional parts. Also, the functional part 2 includes a person detection function by a person detection sensor 7 or the like.

[0036] Depending on the type of the functional part 2, the shape and size of the housing 10A may be changed. For example, the overall shape of the housing 10A may become a shape other than a rectangular parallelepiped, or the shape and size may be such that necessary shaped parts such as openings and recesses are provided in a part of the housing 10A. Also, as illustrated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the functional part 2 may have an external functional part 2B provided such that a part thereof is disposed outside the housing 10A. The position where the external functional part 2B is provided is not limited to a position above the upper end of the housing 10A, and may be, for example, a position on the side of the left and right side surfaces of the housing 10A. Examples of the external functional part 2B include an operation part and a display part.

[0037] Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the like, the device 1A with the human detection function has a recessed portion 15 in the exterior portion of the housing 10A where the detection window 8 is disposed. The recessed portion 15 is provided corresponding to the necessary location where the detection window 8 should be disposed.

[0038] In the first embodiment, the recessed portion 15, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is provided as a groove that extends to reach the ends existing in the left - right direction of the exterior portion of the housing 10A and has a groove length Mn longer than the groove width Mw. More specifically, the groove that is the recessed portion 15 is a groove that extends linearly and slenderly in a substantially horizontal state in the left - right direction until it reaches the left end 10h and the right end 10m existing on the outermost side of the housing 10A respectively. Also, the groove that is the recessed portion 15 is provided in a state of penetrating the left end 10h and the right end 10m of the housing 10A. However, the groove that is the recessed portion 15 may be provided in a state of leaving a part of the left end 10h and the right end 10m of the housing 10A and being in contact with that part (that is, not penetrating). A part of the ends 10h, 10m is, for example, a part such as the left and right side covers, frames, etc.

[0039] Also, from another perspective, in the first embodiment, the recessed portion 15, as shown in either FIG. 2 or FIG. 4, has a groove length Mn that is a dimension in the direction (in this example, the left - right direction) along the groove length Mn of the detection window 8 H and is also provided as a groove having a length of 5 times or more of the length n. When the groove has a groove length Mn less than 5 times the left - right dimension Hn of the detection window 8, the recessed portion 15 becomes a groove having a length slightly longer than the detection window 8, making it difficult to make the detection window 8 less conspicuous. In the first embodiment, the groove length Mn of the recessed portion 15 is set to, for example, 6 times the left - right dimension Hn of the detection window 8.

[0040] In addition, when the groove width Mw is set to 1, the recessed portion 15 is also provided as a groove having a groove length Mn that is 10 times or more the groove width Mw. When the groove length Mn is less than 10 times the groove width Mw, the recessed portion 15 does not become an elongated groove and is unnatural as a design, and it also becomes difficult to make the detection window 8 inconspicuous. In the first embodiment, the groove length Mn of the recessed portion 15 is set to, for example, 12 times the groove width Mw. Further, the groove width Mw of the recessed portion 15 is set to be substantially the same dimension throughout the entire region in the direction along the groove length Mn (the left - right direction in this example).

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the groove of the recessed portion 15 is configured to have a width Hw that is narrower than twice the dimension Hd in the width direction (the up - down direction in this example) of the detection window 8 in the groove. When the width Hw of the groove is equal to or greater than twice the dimension (2·Hd) of the dimension Hd of the detection window 8, it becomes difficult to make the detection window 8 inconspicuous.

[0042] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the recessed portion 15 formed by this groove is provided by dividing the front cover 11a vertically at the position where the recessed portion 15 is provided, and attaching each part of the divided front cover 11a to the frame 12 of the housing 10A with a required interval in the vertical direction. For this reason, the recessed portion 15 is a groove having a U - shaped cross - section with a corner where the vertical cross - section along its vertical line bends substantially at a right angle. In addition to this, the recessed portion 15 may also be provided, for example, by molding the front cover 11a into a shape in which the groove of the recessed portion 15 exists.

[0043] In addition, the recessed portion 15 formed by this groove may also be provided in exterior covers other than the front cover 11a, such as exterior covers of the left and right side covers. In this case, other recessed portions provided in the exterior covers other than the front cover 11a can be provided in a state where they are continuous with the recessed portion 15 provided in the front cover 11a. When other recessed portions in such a continuous state are provided, compared with the case where other recessed portions are not provided, the recessed portion 15 provided in the front cover 11a has a more unified design, which is preferable.

[0044] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the detection window 8 is attached to the bottom surface 15b of the groove (the front surface of the frame 12 in this embodiment), which is the recessed portion 15. Further, the detection window 8 is attached so as to cover the mounting opening 12a on the bottom surface 15b of the groove, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As a method of attaching the detection window 8, fitting and fixing methods such as snap fit and attachment means such as pasting methods are adopted.

[0045] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the detection window 8 is disposed at a substantially central position in the left - right direction of the groove, which is the recessed portion 15. The position where the detection window 8 is disposed is not limited to this central position. For example, other positions suitable for conditions such as the range required for detection may be selected.

[0046] Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(B), the detection window 8 is disposed in a state of being present inside the groove of the recessed portion 15. This can also be said that, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the detection window 8 is arranged so that the outermost surface portion 8a facing outward of the groove of the recessed portion 15 does not contact (intersect) the virtual line VR connecting the contour lines (edges) Lu, Lv facing each other in the width direction of the groove of the recessed portion 15. From the viewpoint of making the detection window 8 less conspicuous, etc., by arranging the detection window 8 inside the groove of the recessed portion 15, it is preferable that the outermost surface portion 8a of the detection window 8 is separated from the contour lines (edges) Lu, Lv of the recessed portion 15 and approaches the bottom surface 15b of the recessed portion 15.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 4(A), the detection window 8 is arranged such that a predetermined interval Su and Sv are provided respectively from the contour lines Lu and Lv facing each other in the width direction of the groove, which is the recessed portion 15. In the first embodiment, from the viewpoint of making the detection window 8 less conspicuous when viewed from a position above the recessed portion 15, the detection window 8 is arranged such that the upper interval Su is narrower than the lower interval Sv.

[0048] In the apparatus 1A with a human detection function having the above configuration, when a person such as a user approaches the front cover 11a of the housing 10A where the detection window 8 is arranged and enters the detection area E of the human detection sensor 7, the necessary detection wave D is obtained by the detection unit of the human detection sensor 7. Thereby, the presence of a person is detected in the apparatus 1A with a human detection function.

[0049] Also, in this apparatus 1A with a human detection function, when the presence of a person is detected by the human detection sensor 7, the detection information is used, for example, as a trigger for changing the state of the functional unit 2. The change in the state of the functional unit 2 is, for example, a change in state such that the power saving mode (sleep state) that shifts after a predetermined time has elapsed after the operation of the functional unit 2 is stopped is switched to the standby mode (operation standby state) by obtaining the detection information.

[0050] And in this apparatus 1A with a human detection function, the housing 10A has a recessed portion 15 for installing the detection window 8 on its exterior portion. Moreover, the recessed portion 15 extends to the end portions 10h and 10m existing in the left - right direction of the exterior portion of the housing 10A and is provided as a groove having a groove length Mn longer than the groove width Mw. Therefore, according to this apparatus 1A with a human detection function, when arranging the detection window 8 in a recessed portion provided in a part of the exterior portion of the housing 10A, compared with the case where the recessed portion is at the central position of the exterior portion, the recessed portion 15 has no sense of incongruity as a design and makes the detection window 8 less conspicuous.

[0051] In addition, the device 1A with human detection function has a recessed portion 15 in which a detection window 8 is installed in the exterior part of the housing 10A, and the recessed portion 15 is also provided as a groove having a groove length Mn that is 5 times or more the dimension Hn in the direction along the groove length Mn of the detection window 8. Therefore, in this device 1A with human detection function, when the detection window 8 is disposed in a recessed portion in a part of the exterior part of the housing 10A, the recessed portion 15 is more natural in design and makes the detection window 8 less noticeable, compared to a recess having a length slightly longer than the detection window 8.

[0052] In addition, in the device 1A with a human detection function, the recessed portion 15 is also provided as a groove that extends thinly until it reaches the left end 10h and the right end 10m that are located on the outermost side of the exterior part of the housing 10A. Therefore, in this device 1A, the recessed portion 15 is less awkward in design and makes the detection window 8 less noticeable, compared to a case in which both ends located in the left and right directions of the exterior part of the housing 10A are left and right ends located inside the exterior part. In this case, the degree of freedom in arranging the detection window 8 in the left and right directions within the groove of the recessed portion 15 of the housing 10A is increased.

[0053] Furthermore, in device 1A with a human detection function, the groove of recessed portion 15 is provided with a groove width Mw (<2·Hd) that is narrower than twice the dimension Hd in the width direction of the groove of detection window 8. For this reason, in this device 1A, recessed portion 15 makes detection window 8 less noticeable compared to when the groove of recessed portion 15 has a groove width Mw that is twice or more the dimension Hd of detection window 8.

[0054] Furthermore, in device 1A with a human detection function, detection window 8 is disposed inside the groove of recessed portion 15. Therefore, in this device 1A, recessed portion 15 makes detection window 8 less noticeable compared to when detection window 8 is disposed in the groove of recessed portion 15 flush with the surface of the exterior part of housing 10A or protruding from that surface.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 5(A), the detection window 8 may be disposed in contact with one of the contour lines Lu and Lv that face each other above and below in the width direction of the groove that is the recessed portion 15 (the illustrated example is a configuration example in which the detection window 8 is disposed in contact with the upper contour line Lu). As shown in Fig. 5(B), the detection window 8 may be disposed in contact with both contour lines Lu and Lv of the groove that is the recessed portion 15. The state in which the detection window 8 is in contact with the groove contour lines Lu, Lv means that when viewed from directly in front of the groove, the upper side 8u or the lower side 8v of the detection window 8 appears to be approximately the same height as the groove contour lines Lu, Lv in the vertical direction.

[0056] In this manner, when the detection window 8 is positioned in contact with one or both of the contour lines Lu, Lv that face each other above and below the groove, which is the recessed portion 15, the recessed portion 15 makes the detection window 8 less noticeable than when the detection window 8 is positioned in a state where it is not in contact with both the upper and lower contour lines Lu, Lv of the groove.

[0057] 5(A) is a configuration example in which the detection window 8 is arranged in contact with the upper contour line Lu of the groove, which is the recessed portion 15. In the detection window 8 arranged in this manner, at least a portion of the detection window 8 is more likely to be hidden by the edge of the upper contour line Lu of the groove, which exists like an overhang, compared to the case in which the detection window 8 is arranged in contact with the lower contour line Lv of the groove, and the recessed portion 15 makes the detection window 8 less noticeable. This effect is more noticeable when the recessed portion 15 is provided at a position (height) lower than the eye level of a person such as a user in the housing 10A.

[0058] In addition, the detection window 8 may be arranged, like the detection window 8B shown in FIG. 6, so as to extend beyond both or either of the contour lines Lu, Lv on the upper and lower sides facing each other in the width direction of the groove which is the recessed portion 15 on the inside (rear side) of the exterior part of the housing 10A. The detection window 8B shown in Fig. 6 is a configuration example when it is arranged in a state of straddling both the upper contour line Lu and the lower contour line Lv of the groove that is the recessed portion 15. In this case, the outermost surface portion 8a that bulges outward of the detection window 8B corresponds to the bottom surface (15b) of the groove that is the recessed portion 15. Further, the covering member 81 of the detection window 8B is attached so as to be fitted into a mounting recess 12b provided by recessing the frame 12 with which the front cover 11a comes into contact.

[0059] Incidentally, when the detection window 8B is arranged in a state of straddling both the contour lines Lu and Lv on both sides of the groove that is the recessed portion 15, as shown in Fig. 6(A), when viewed from the front Ft side of the apparatus, the detection window 8B looks almost the same as the state (Fig. 5(B)) when the detection window 8 is arranged in contact with the contour lines Lu and Lv on both sides of the groove that is the recessed portion 15. Also, when the detection window 8B is arranged in a state of straddling one (for example, the upper contour line Lu) of the contour lines Lu and Lv on both sides of the groove that is the recessed portion 15, when viewed from the front Ft side of the apparatus, the detection window 8B looks almost the same as the state (Fig. 5(A)) when the detection window 8 is arranged in contact with one (for example, the upper contour line Lu) of the contour lines Lu and Lv on both sides of the groove that is the recessed portion 15.

[0060] When the detection window 8 is arranged in such a state, compared with the case where the detection window 8 straddles both or one of the opposing contour lines Lu and Lv in the width direction of the groove of the recessed portion 15 on the outside of the exterior portion of the housing 10A, the recessed portion 15 has no sense of incongruity as a design and makes the detection window 8B less conspicuous.

[0061] In addition, in this apparatus 1A, it is preferable that the recessed portion 15 (at least the bottom surface 15b of the groove) is colored the same color or a similar color as the color of the detection window 8. The similar color means, for example, a color that is adjacent or in a nearby position in the color wheel. When configured in this way, the detection window 8 is less likely to stand out due to the influence of the color of the recessed portion 15. Incidentally, the detection window 8, or more precisely the covering member 81, is often made dark-colored (e.g., black) with a low degree of brightness from the perspective of preventing the human detection sensor 7 from being seen through from the outside. When the detection window 8 is made, for example, translucent black, at least the bottom surface 15b of the recessed portion 15 may be made black or dark gray.

[0062] Second Embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus 1B, which is an example of an apparatus with a human detection function according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as seen obliquely from the front. FIG. 8 is a front schematic view of the image forming apparatus 1B. FIG. 9 is a top schematic view of the image forming apparatus 1B.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment, except that a housing 10B provided with a medium discharge portion 4 is applied with an image forming portion 20, a medium supply portion 30, and a document reading portion 50 as functional portions 2. Therefore, in the following description, the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are given to the common constituent parts, and the description thereof is omitted except when necessary.

[0064] The housing 10B is most different in that it has a shape provided with a medium discharge portion 4 formed of an inner space of the housing where the recording medium 39 on which an image is formed by the image forming portion 20 is discharged, but the other parts are configured almost the same as the housing 10A in the first embodiment.

[0065] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7 and the like, the housing 10B is formed as a structure having an overall appearance that is substantially the same as that of the housing 10A in the first embodiment and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the vertical direction. Further, the housing 10B uses a front cover 11f and a right side cover 11g having a shape slightly different from that of the front cover 11a and the right side cover 11d in the first embodiment in the portion of the exterior cover where the medium discharge portion 4 is provided. The slightly different shape means that the portion where the medium discharge portion 4 is provided has a cutout shape. The front cover 11f is configured as an opening / closing cover that can open and close, for example, the portion of the housing 10B excluding the media discharge unit 4 and the document reading unit 50. The front cover 11f as this opening / closing cover may be an opening / closing cover shaped to exclude the portion of the housing 10B where the media supply unit 30 is located. In this case, the front cover 11f becomes an opening / closing cover that opens and closes the portion of the housing 10B where the image forming unit 20 is located.

[0066] The media discharge unit 4 is provided at a position diagonally above and to the right of the image forming unit 20. The media discharge unit 4 is formed as a discharge space 40 existing on the upper side of the front Ft side of the housing 10B. Further, the discharge space 40 of the media discharge unit 4 is a space opened outward by a front opening that is offset to the right side in the front of the housing 10B and a side opening that is continuously opened from the front opening to the right side surface of the housing 10B. Also, the media discharge unit 4 is provided with a discharge port 41 for the recording medium 39 on the inner wall surface on the left side of the discharge space 40. Further, the media discharge unit 4 is provided with a loading surface 42 for loading and accommodating the recording medium 39 discharged from the discharge port 41 on the bottom surface of the discharge space 40. The loading surface 42 is formed, for example, as a surface that slopes upward as it moves away from the discharge port 41 in the right direction, that is, a so-called right-rising slope.

[0067] The image forming unit 20 in the functional unit 2 is a portion having equipment for forming an image corresponding to image information on the recording medium 39. This image forming unit 20 is configured using an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that finally forms an image made of a developer on the recording medium 39.

[0068] The image forming unit 20 composed of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus all includes an image holding body such as a photoreceptor having a surface for holding an image (not shown in any figure), devices such as a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device arranged around the image holding body, and a fixing device arranged at a position away from the image holding body. Further, this image forming unit 20 also includes devices such as a developer supply device, an image processing device, and a control device. Among these, as the transfer device, a direct transfer type device that directly transfers an image composed of a developer formed on an image carrier to the recording medium 39, or an intermediate transfer type device that transfers the image from the image carrier to the recording medium 39 via an intermediate transfer member is adopted.

[0069] This image forming unit 20 has a function of forming an image corresponding to image information input from an external device such as an information terminal connected to the image forming apparatus 1B, and a function of obtaining information of a document read by the document reading unit 50 as image information and forming an image corresponding to the image information. Therefore, in the image forming unit 20, a charging operation centered on the image carrier, an exposure operation corresponding to the image information, a developing operation, and a transfer operation are performed in this order in the above-described image forming apparatus. As a result, an image composed of a developer is created on the image carrier in the image forming unit 20, and then the image is transferred from the image carrier to the recording medium 39. Further, in the image forming unit 20, a fixing operation is performed on the recording medium 39 to which the image has been transferred, and thereby the image is fixed on the recording medium 39. The recording medium 39 on which the image has been formed by this fixing is finally discharged to the medium discharge unit 4.

[0070] The medium supply unit 30 is a part that houses the recording medium 39 and supplies it to the image forming unit 20. The medium supply unit 30 is disposed below the image forming unit 20. The medium supply unit 30 includes a housing such as a tray (not shown in any figure) that houses the recording medium 39, and devices such as a feeding device that feeds out the recording medium 39 from the housing. The housing is attached so that it can be pulled out from the inside to the outside of the housing 10B to enable operations such as housing the recording medium 39. The number of the housings is not limited to one and may be plural. Also, the number of feeding devices arranged is the same as the number of the housings. As the recording medium 39, for example, media such as sheet-like plain paper, coated paper, and cardboard of a predetermined size are used.

[0071] In this medium supply unit 30, the required recording medium 39 is sent out toward the image forming unit 20 in accordance with the transfer operation in the image forming unit 20. The reference numeral 37 indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 8 is the main medium conveyance path through which the recording medium 39 is conveyed so as to pass through a part of the image forming unit 20 (the part where an image is transferred onto the recording medium 39) from the medium supply unit 30 and reach the discharge port 41 in the medium discharge unit 4.

[0072] The original document reading unit 50 in the functional unit 2 is a part having a device for reading a sheet-like original document. The original document reading unit 50 is composed of an image reading unit 51, a platen cover unit 53, an automatic document feeder 55, etc. The image reading unit 51 is a part having a platen glass 52 as an original document reading table on which an original document is placed, a reading device for reading the original document placed on the platen glass 52, etc. The platen cover unit 53 is a part that covers and opens / closes the platen glass 52. The platen cover unit 53 is connected to the image reading unit 51 by a hinge 58 (see FIG. 9) at the rear and is attached so as to be rotatable in the opening / closing directions indicated by the arrows J1 and J2 with the hinge 58 as a fulcrum.

[0073] The automatic document feeder 55 is a device that is arranged on the platen cover unit 53 and automatically conveys a plurality of original documents to enable continuous reading. This automatic document feeder 55 employs a method of reading with an image sensor or the like arranged on the original document conveyance path, or a method of reading using the reading device in the image reading unit 51. The reference numeral 57 indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 8 is the main original document conveyance path in the automatic document feeder 55 through which the original document is conveyed. The automatic document feeder 55 and the platen cover unit 53 may be treated as an external functional unit 2B arranged outside the upper part of the housing 10A described in the first embodiment.

[0074] This original document reading unit 50 can read the original document on the platen glass 52 or continuously read it with the automatic document feeder 55. Further, the original document reading unit 50 transmits the information of the read original document as image information from the image reading unit 51 to the image forming unit 20 or the like. Further, on the front end of the original document reading unit 50, an operation panel 91 for operating the image forming apparatus 1B is arranged. This operation panel 91 includes a display unit such as a touch-type liquid crystal panel capable of displaying and operating an operation screen, in addition to mechanical operation units such as buttons and switches.

[0075] And in this image forming apparatus 1B, as shown in FIG. 7 and the like, it includes a human detection sensor 7 and a detection window 8 arranged on a part of the exterior of the housing 10B. Moreover, it has a recessed portion 15 for arranging the detection window 8 on the exterior of the housing 10B.

[0076] Among these, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and the like, the recessed portion 15 is provided at a portion corresponding to the boundary between the image forming unit 20 and the original document reading unit 50 in the exterior of the housing 10B. The recessed portion 15 in the second embodiment is provided as an elongated groove reaching from the left end 10h when viewed from the front Ft of the housing 10B to the right inner end 10p which is the end existing inside the exterior. This recessed portion 15 is configured as a relatively short groove compared to the recessed portion 15 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 10, 11) which is an elongated groove reaching from the left end 10h to the right end 10m of the housing 10B.

[0077] Also, from another perspective, as shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the recessed portion 15 is also provided as a groove having a groove length Mn that is 5 times or more the length of the dimension Hn in the direction (in this example, the left-right direction) along the groove length Mn of the detection window 8 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). In the second embodiment, the groove length Mn of the recessed portion 15 is set to, for example, 5 times the left-right dimension Hn of the detection window 8. Furthermore, regarding other configurations of this recessed portion 15, they are substantially the same as the configuration of the recessed portion 15 in the first embodiment.

[0078] In addition, regarding each component such as the human detection sensor 7, the detection window 8, and the arrangement of the detection window 8 in the recessed portion 15 in this image forming apparatus 1B, each component such as the human detection sensor 7, the detection window 8, and the arrangement of the detection window 8 in the recessed portion 15 in the apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment (see also FIGS. 2 to 5, etc.) has substantially the same configuration.

[0079] In the image forming apparatus 1B having the above configuration, the recessed portion 15 for installing the detection window 8 is provided in the exterior portion of the housing 10B, and moreover, the recessed portion 15 extends to reach the left end portion 10h and the right inner end portion 10p existing in the left - right direction of the exterior portion of the housing 10B, and is provided as a groove having a groove length Mn longer than the groove width Mw. Therefore, according to this image forming apparatus 1B, when the detection window 8 is arranged in the recessed portion provided in a part of the exterior portion of the housing 10B, compared with the case where the recessed portion is at the central position of the exterior portion, the recessed portion 15 has no sense of incongruity in terms of design and makes the detection window 8 less conspicuous.

[0080] Also, in this image forming apparatus 1B, the recessed portion 15 for installing the detection window 8 is provided in the exterior portion of the housing 10B, and moreover, the recessed portion 15 is also provided as a groove having a groove length Mn that is 5 times or more the dimension Hn in the direction along the groove length Mn of the detection window 8. Therefore, according to this image forming apparatus 1B, when the detection window 8 is arranged in the recessed portion provided in a part of the exterior portion of the housing 10B, compared with the case where the recessed portion has a length slightly longer than the detection window 8, the recessed portion 15 has no sense of incongruity in terms of design and makes the detection window 8 less conspicuous.

[0081] Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 1B, the recessed portion 15 is provided in a portion corresponding to the boundary between the image forming unit 20 and the document reading unit 50 in the exterior portion of the housing 10B, and the detection window 8 is arranged in the recessed portion 15. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 1B, compared with the case where the recessed portion 15 is provided in a portion of the exterior portion of the housing 10B that is not the boundary between the image forming unit 20 and the document reading unit 50, the recessed portion 15 does not look unnatural, has no sense of incongruity, improves the appearance quality, and makes the detection window 8 less conspicuous. In addition, also in this image forming apparatus 1B, the above-described effects regarding the recessed portion 15 and the detection window 8 obtained in the apparatus 1A with a person detection function according to the first embodiment can be similarly obtained.

[0082] Third Embodiment FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus 1C which is another example of an apparatus with a person detection function according to the third embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from the front. FIG. 11 is a front schematic view of the image forming apparatus 1C. FIG. 12 is a top schematic view of the image forming apparatus 1C.

[0083] The image forming apparatus 1C according to the third embodiment is configured in the same manner as the image forming apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment, except that an external reading unit 60 is applied instead of the document reading unit 50 as the functional unit 2, and a housing 10C provided with a front cover 11h having a different configuration is applied. Therefore, in the following description, the same reference numerals as those used in the second embodiment (strictly including the first embodiment) are given to the common constituent parts, and the description thereof is omitted except when necessary.

[0084] The external reading unit 60 is a reading unit of a type that reads a reading object outside the housing 10C. As shown in FIG. 10 and the like, the external reading unit 60 includes a table portion 61 on which a reading object is placed, and a reading device unit 65 or the like that reads the reading object placed on the table portion 61.

[0085] The table portion 61 is composed of a plate-shaped member having a flat upper surface portion 61a on which a reading object can be placed and stationary. Further, the table portion 61 is attached to the upper end of the housing 10C so that the upper surface portion 61a thereof becomes the uppermost surface of the housing 10C. The reading object may be any object that can be placed on the table portion 61 and read from above the table portion 61 by the reading device unit 65. For example, in addition to a sheet-like document on which image information is recorded, three-dimensional objects such as books, magazines, foods, and plants are included.

[0086] The reading device unit 65 is composed of a reading device 65a capable of optically reading an object to be read placed on the base unit 61 and members for supporting and mounting the reading device 65a. In the third embodiment, the reading device unit 65 is mounted in a posture such that the reading device 65a is supported so as to rise upward from the rear end side of the base unit 61 by a required length and can read the base unit 61. As the reading device 65a, for example, a camera configured by combining an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and optical elements such as a lens is used. This camera as the reading device 65a may also be referred to as a writing and drawing camera. The reading device unit 65 may include an illumination device for illuminating an object to be read placed on the base unit 61 during reading.

[0087] Also, as shown in FIG. 10 and the like, the reading device unit 65 is provided with an operation panel 92 for operating the image forming apparatus 1C at a position on the front side and the base side of the member supporting the reading device 65a. The operation panel 92 is arranged to be located at a position away from above the base unit 61 from the viewpoint of improving its operability. This operation panel 92 mainly has a display unit such as a touch-type liquid crystal panel capable of displaying and operating an operation screen, but may also be provided with a mechanical operation unit such as a button.

[0088] The housing 10C is configured in substantially the same manner as the housing 10B having the media discharge unit 4 provided in the second embodiment, except for the front cover 11h. The entire front cover 11h located below the external reading unit 60 (base unit 61) is configured as an opening and closing cover that can open and close with, for example, the left end as a fulcrum in the housing 10C. Also, the front cover 11h is provided with a second opening and closing cover portion 11j on the upper right side of the front cover 11h. The second opening and closing cover portion 11j is configured as an opening and closing cover that can open and close so as to cover the media discharge unit 4 from the front Ft side and expose it on the front Ft side. The second opening / closing cover part 11j is attached via a hinge or the like so as to be openable downward or leftward on the front side in the front cover 11h. The second opening / closing cover part 11j may be attached so as to be in a state of being opened and lowered to the back side (rear surface) of the front cover 11h.

[0089] And in this image forming apparatus 1C, as shown in FIG. 10 and the like, it includes a human detection sensor 7 and a detection window 8 disposed on a part of the exterior part of the housing 10C. Moreover, it has a recessed part 15 for disposing the detection window 8 in the exterior part of the housing 10C.

[0090] Among these, the recessed part 15 is provided at the boundary between the image forming part 20 and the medium discharge part 4, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and the like. Also, this recessed part 15 is provided as an elongated groove reaching from the left end 10h to the right end 10m when viewed from the front Ft of the housing 10C.

[0091] Also, from another perspective, as shown in FIG. 10, the recessed part 15 is also provided as a groove having a groove length Mn that is 5 times or more the length of the dimension Hn in the direction (in this example, the left - right direction) along the groove length Mn of the detection window 8 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). In the third embodiment, the groove length Mn of the recessed part 15 is set to, for example, 12 times the length of the left - right dimension Hn of the detection window 8. Furthermore, regarding other configurations of this recessed part 15, they are substantially the same as the configuration of the recessed part 15 in the first embodiment.

[0092] Also, regarding the configurations such as the human detection sensor 7, the detection window 8, and the way of arranging the detection window 8 in the recessed part 15 in this image forming apparatus 1C, they are substantially the same as the respective configurations such as the human detection sensor 7, the detection window 8, and the way of arranging the detection window 8 in the recessed part 15 in the apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment, similar to the case of the second embodiment (also refer to FIGS. 2 - 5 and the like).

[0093] The image forming apparatus 1C configured as described above can also capture the reading information of the object to be read by the reading device 65a of the external reading unit 60 as image information into the image forming unit 20, and form an image corresponding to the image information on the recording medium 39. Thereby, the image forming apparatus 1C can also record and output the image of the object to be read on the recording medium 39.

[0094] Further, in this image forming apparatus 1C, when the detection window 8 is arranged in a recessed portion provided in a part of the exterior portion of the housing 10C, compared with the case where the recessed portion is at the central position of the exterior portion or the recessed portion is a recess having a length slightly longer than the detection window 8, the recessed portion 15 has no sense of incongruity as a design and makes the detection window 8 less conspicuous.

[0095] Also, in this image forming apparatus 1C, the recessed portion 15 is provided in a portion corresponding to the boundary between the image forming unit 20 and the medium discharge unit 4 in the exterior portion of the housing 10C, and the detection window 8 is arranged in the recessed portion. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 1C, compared with the case where the recessed portion 15 is provided in a portion that is not the boundary between the image forming unit 20 and the medium discharge unit 4 in the exterior portion of the housing 10C, the recessed portion 15 does not look unnatural, has no sense of incongruity, improves the appearance quality, and makes the detection window 8 less conspicuous. In addition, also in this image forming apparatus 1C, the above-described operational effects regarding the recessed portion 15 and the detection window 8 obtained in the apparatus 1A with a human detection function according to the first embodiment can be similarly obtained.

[0096] Note that in this image forming apparatus 1C, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 11, instead of the recessed portion 15, a recessed portion 15B provided in a portion corresponding to the boundary between the image forming unit 20 and the base 61 of the external reading unit 60 in the exterior portion of the housing 10C may be adopted, and the detection window 8 may be provided in the recessed portion 15B. When configured in this way, compared to the case where the recessed portion 15B is provided in a portion of the exterior of the housing 10C that has nothing to do with the boundary such as the boundary between the image forming unit 20 and the base 61 of the external reading unit 60, the recessed portion 15B does not look unnatural, there is no sense of discomfort, the appearance quality is improved, and the detection window 8 is made less conspicuous.

[0097] Further, in this image forming apparatus 1C, as shown in FIG. 10, a recessed portion 16 formed by an elongated groove extending linearly in the front-rear direction is provided in the right side cover 11g of the exterior of the housing 10C. This recessed portion 16 may be provided in the left side cover of the exterior of the housing 10C. Incidentally, the recessed portion 16 is provided in a state where it is connected and continuous with the recessed portion 15 in the front cover 11h at the right corner, but the recessed portion 16 is not limited to being provided in such a state. In this case, it is possible to provide the detection window 8 in the recessed portion 16 and also make the detection window 8 less conspicuous.

[0098] Fourth Embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus 1D, which is another example of an apparatus with a human detection function according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed obliquely from the front. FIG. 14 is a front schematic view of the image forming apparatus 1D. FIG. 15 is a top schematic view of the image forming apparatus 1D.

[0099] The image forming apparatus 1D according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 1C according to the third embodiment except for the following modified points. The modified points are that in addition to the operation panel 92 (hereinafter also referred to as the first operation panel 92), a second operation panel 93 is provided, and in addition to the human detection sensor 7 for the first operation panel 92 (for detecting a person approaching the operation panel 92) and the detection window 8, a first human detection sensor 7A and a first detection window 8A for the second operation panel 93 (for detecting a person approaching the second operation panel 93) are provided. Therefore, in the following description, the same reference numerals as those used in the third embodiment (strictly including the first embodiment) are given to the common components, and the description thereof is omitted except when necessary. Further, hereinafter, the human detection sensor 7 and the detection window 8 are referred to as the second human detection sensor 7C and the second detection window 8C.

[0100] The second operation panel 93 is disposed at the left front end of the base 61 of the external reading unit 60, and is configured as a small operation panel that can, for example, operate a part of the operation content of the first operation panel 92. In addition, the second operation panel 93 can be placed, for example, in a state of being laid down on the base 61 when it is not needed such as when not in use.

[0101] And in this image forming apparatus 1D, as shown in FIGS. 13, 15, etc., the first operation panel 92 and the second operation panel 93 are arranged such that their positions in the left - right direction of the housing 10C are different. In the fourth embodiment, the first operation panel 92 and the second operation panel 93 are also arranged such that their positions in the front - rear direction and the up - down direction of the housing 10C are different from each other. More specifically, in the fourth embodiment, the first operation panel 92 and the second operation panel 93 are arranged at different positions where the second operation panel 93 is shifted to the left side of the first operation panel 92 in the left - right direction. Also, the second operation panel 93 is arranged at a different position shifted to the front side (near side) of the first operation panel 92 in the front - rear direction. Further, the first operation panel 92 is arranged at a different position shifted upward from the second operation panel 93 in the up - down direction.

[0102] Also, in this image forming apparatus 1D, a recessed portion 15 having the same configuration as the recessed portion 15 in the third embodiment (see FIGS. 9, 10, etc.) is provided in the housing 10C. Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 1D, as shown in FIGS. 14, 15, etc., the first detection window 8A is arranged closer to the first operation panel 92 than the second detection window 8C in the left - right direction of the recessed portion 15. Also, the second detection window 8C is arranged closer to the second operation panel 93 than the first detection window 8A in the left - right direction of the recessed portion 15.

[0103] As a result, in the image forming apparatus 1D, for example, when a person approaching the first operation panel 92 enters the detection area Ea of the first person detection sensor 7A, the first person detection sensor 7A receives the detection wave passing through the first detection window 8A and detects the presence of the person. Also, when a person approaching the second operation panel 93 enters the detection area Ec of the second person detection sensor 7C, the second person detection sensor 7C receives the detection wave passing through the second detection window 8C and detects the presence of the person.

[0104] Also, according to this image forming apparatus 1D, similar to the case of the image forming apparatus 1C according to the third embodiment, when arranging the detection window 8 in a recessed portion provided in a part of the exterior portion of the housing 10C, compared with the case where the recessed portion is at the center position of the exterior portion or the recessed portion is a recess having a length slightly longer than the detection window 8, the recessed portion 15 has no sense of incongruity as a design and makes the detection window 8 less conspicuous.

[0105] Moreover, in this image forming apparatus 1D, the first detection window 8A and the second detection window 8C are arranged in one recessed portion 15 in the exterior portion of the housing 10C. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 1D, compared with the case where at least one of the first detection window 8A and the second detection window 8C is not arranged in the recessed portion 15, the recessed portion 15 has no sense of incongruity as a design and makes the two detection windows 8A, 8C less conspicuous.

[0106] Furthermore, according to image forming device 1D, the following effects are achieved compared to a case in which first detection window 8A is not positioned closer to first operation panel 92 than second operation panel 93 in the left-right direction of recessed portion 15, and second detection window 8C is not positioned closer to second operation panel 93 than first operation panel 92 in the left-right direction of recessed portion 15. That is, it becomes easier to individually detect people approaching first operation panel 92 and second operation panel 93, and recessed portion 15 provides a natural design and makes the two detection windows 8A and 8C less noticeable.

[0107] Also, in this image forming device 1D, as shown in Figure 16 etc., the first detection window 8A and the second detection window 8C are arranged so that they are at the same position in the width direction of the groove which is the recessed portion 15 (in this example, the up-down direction) and at different positions in the left-right direction. This makes the first detection window 8A and the second detection window 8C less noticeable than when the first detection window 8A and the second detection window 8C are positioned such that they are offset in the vertical direction of the groove which is the recessed portion 15. 16, recessed portion 15 is a groove having the same depth Md from the surface of the exterior part (front cover 11h) of housing 10C. Therefore, first detection window 8A and second detection window 8C are disposed at the same position in the front-rear direction of recessed portion 15.

[0108] Variations. The present invention is not limited to the contents exemplified in the first to fourth embodiments, and includes, for example, the following modified examples.

[0109] As long as it is possible to make the detection window 8 and the like less noticeable, the cross-sectional shape of the recessed portion 15 is not limited to a long and thin groove having a U-shape, and the recess may have another cross-sectional shape. Further, recessed portion 15 consisting of an elongated groove is not limited to a groove extending elongated in the left-right direction, but may be configured as an elongated groove extending in the up-down direction in the exterior portion of each of housings 10A, 10B, and 10C. Furthermore, the recessed portion 15 formed by the elongated groove may be configured as an elongated groove extending in an oblique direction so as to reach an end portion existing in the left - right direction or the up - down direction in each of the above - mentioned exterior portions. In the case of the recessed portion 15 formed by the elongated groove extending in the oblique direction, the groove width Mw is the dimension along the direction substantially orthogonal to the oblique direction, and the groove length Mn is the dimension along the oblique direction.

[0110] The detection windows 8, 8A, 8C and the recessed portion 15 may be provided not only in the front portion on the front Ft side in each exterior portion of the housings 10A, 10B, 10C, but also in the left - right side portions and the back portion in each exterior portion. Also, two or more detection windows 8 may be arranged in one recessed portion 15. In this case, the number of two or more detection windows 8 is not limited to the number corresponding to the number of installed operation panels, and may be a number not related to the number of installed operation panels.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0111] 1A... Device with human detection function 1B, 1C, 1D... Image forming apparatus (an example of a device with human detection function) 4... Media discharge unit 7... Human detection sensor 7A... First human detection sensor 7C... Second human detection sensor 8... Detection window 8A... First detection window 8C... Second detection window 10A, 10B, 10C... Housing 10h... Left - hand end (an example of an end portion existing in the left - right direction of the exterior portion of the housing) 10m... Right - hand end (an example of an end portion existing in the left - right direction of the exterior portion of the housing) 10p... Right - hand inner end (an example of an end portion existing inside the exterior portion of the housing) 15... Recessed portion 20... Image forming unit 39... Recording medium 50... Original document reading unit 60... External reading unit 61... Base 92... First operation panel 93... Second operation panel D … Detected wave Mw … Groove width Mn … Groove length Hn … Length of detection window (an example of the length in the direction along the groove length)

Claims

1. A housing having an exterior portion, A human detection sensor for detecting a human, A detection window disposed on a part of the exterior portion and through which a detection wave used by the human detection sensor passes, and comprising: The exterior portion has a recessed portion for disposing the detection window, The recessed portion is a groove extending to an end portion existing in the left - right direction of the exterior portion, and the groove has a dimension in which the groove length is longer than the groove width, An apparatus with a human detection function, wherein the end portions existing in the left - right direction of the exterior portion are the left and right end portions existing on the outermost side of the exterior portion.

2. A housing having an exterior portion, A human detection sensor for detecting a human, A detection window disposed on a part of the exterior portion and through which a detection wave used by the human detection sensor passes, and comprising: The exterior portion has a recessed portion for disposing the detection window, The recessed portion is a groove extending to an end portion existing in the left - right direction of the exterior portion, and the groove has a dimension in which the groove length is longer than the groove width, An apparatus with a human detection function, wherein the end portions existing in the left - right direction of the exterior portion are the end portions existing inside the exterior portion.

3. The apparatus with a human detection function according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the recessed portion is a groove having a length of 5 times or more the dimension in the direction along the groove length of the detection window.

4. The apparatus with a human detection function according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the groove has a length with a dimension of 10 times or more the groove width when the groove width is set to 1.

5. The apparatus with a human detection function according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the groove has a groove width narrower than 2 times the dimension in the width direction of the groove of the detection window.

6. The apparatus with a human detection function according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the detection window is disposed in a state of being present inside the groove of the recessed portion.

7. The apparatus with a human detection function according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detection window is disposed in a state of being in contact with one or both of the contour lines on both sides facing each other in the width direction of the groove.

8. The apparatus with a human detection function according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detection window is disposed in a state of crossing one or both of the contour lines on both sides facing each other in the width direction of the groove inside the exterior portion.

9. An apparatus comprising an image forming unit that forms an image and an original reading unit that reads an original, The apparatus with a human detection function according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the recessed portion is provided in a portion of the exterior portion corresponding to the boundary between the image forming unit and the original reading unit.

10. An apparatus comprising an image forming unit that forms an image and a table portion on which an object to be read is placed, The apparatus with a human detection function according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the recessed portion is provided in a portion of the exterior portion corresponding to the boundary between the image forming unit and the table portion.

11. An apparatus comprising an image forming unit that forms an image and a medium discharging unit that discharges a recording medium, The apparatus with a human detection function according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the recessed portion is provided in a portion of the exterior portion corresponding to the boundary between the image forming unit and the medium discharging unit.

12. The human detection sensor has a plurality of human detection sensors, The detection window has a plurality of detection windows corresponding individually to the plurality of human detection sensors, The apparatus with a human detection function according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the plurality of detection windows are disposed in the recessed portion.

13. An apparatus comprising a first operation panel and a second operation panel, The human detection sensor includes a first human detection sensor for the first operation panel and a second human detection sensor for the second operation panel, The detection window includes a first detection window for the first human detection sensor and a second detection window for the second human detection sensor, The apparatus with a human detection function according to claim 12, wherein the first detection window and the second detection window are arranged in the recessed portion.

14. The first operation panel and the second operation panel are arranged such that their positions in the left - right direction of the housing are different, The first detection window is arranged at a position closer to the first operation panel than the second operation panel in the left - right direction of the recessed portion, and the second detection window is arranged at a position closer to the second operation panel than the first operation panel in the left - right direction of the recessed portion. The apparatus with a human detection function according to claim 13.

15. The recessed portion is formed by an elongated groove extending in the left - right direction of the housing, The apparatus with a human detection function according to claim 14, wherein the first detection window and the second detection window are arranged at the same position in the up - down direction of the groove of the recessed portion and at different positions in the left - right direction.

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