Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image-forming apparatus with an operation unit placed in a position that is eccentric either left or right from the center of the backside or the front side capable of detecting a user who is positioned outside of the width direction of the apparatus.SOLUTION: A human sensor 32 detects a user using the apparatus. A control unit 35 controls the operation of the apparatus by using the detection result by the human sensor 32. When the operation panel 31 is placed at a position eccentric in either the left or right direction from the center of the back side or the front side of the image forming system 10, the detection range of the human sensor 32 is set to be able to detect user with at least part of the body is outside of the area in the width direction of the apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an image processing apparatus that, when a moving body (user) is detected by a human sensor, uses a commercial power supply as a power source and determines whether to supply power to various devices or the like and transition to a standby mode or to transition back to a sleep mode according to the situation of the moving body, thereby suppressing wasteful power consumption.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an image forming apparatus, a human sensor for detecting a user who uses the apparatus itself is provided, and the operation of the apparatus itself is controlled using the detection result of this human sensor. However, if an operation unit such as an operation panel is arranged at a position other than the center on the front side of the apparatus, the user may operate the operation unit with a part of the body not within the width direction of the apparatus, and thus there is a possibility that the human sensor may not detect the user.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of detecting a user who is not within the width direction of the apparatus itself in an image forming apparatus in which an operation unit is arranged at a position eccentric in either the left-right direction from the center of the back side or the front side of the apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an operation unit disposed at a position eccentric in either the left-right direction from the center of the back side or the front side of the apparatus, a human presence sensor that detects a user who uses the apparatus itself, and a control unit that controls the operation of the apparatus itself using the detection result by the human presence sensor. The detection range of the human presence sensor is set so as to be able to detect a user whose at least a part of the body does not fit within the width direction of the apparatus itself.

[0007] The image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the human presence sensor is configured to be able to change the detection direction, and by changing the detection direction, it is possible to set a detection range capable of detecting a user whose at least a part of the body does not fit within the width direction of the apparatus itself.

[0008] The image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the human presence sensor is configured to be able to change stepwise in the detection direction selected from a plurality of detection directions.

[0009] The image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, further including a changing mechanism for changing the detection direction of the human presence sensor, and the control unit sets a detection range corresponding to the arrangement position of the operation unit by controlling the changing mechanism according to the arrangement position of the operation unit.

[0010] The image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further including an adjusting means for adjusting the detection sensitivity of the human presence sensor after the detection direction of the human presence sensor is determined.

[0011] The image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the human presence sensor is a distance measuring sensor capable of detecting the distance to a user by detecting the reflected light of the irradiated light.

[0012] In the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, when the distance between the apparatus and the user measured by the distance measuring sensor becomes equal to or less than a preset distance, the control unit controls to return the own apparatus from the power saving state to the normal operation state.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus in which an operation unit is disposed at a position eccentric in either the left-right direction from the center on the back side or the front side of the apparatus, it is possible to detect a user who does not fit within the width direction of the own apparatus.

[0014] According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, even when the position where the operation unit is disposed changes, the detection direction of the human sensor can be changed according to the arrangement position of the operation unit.

[0015] According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where it can be changed steplessly, the work of changing the detection direction of the human sensor can be facilitated.

[0016] According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, even when the position where the operation unit is disposed changes, the work of changing the detection direction of the human sensor can be made unnecessary.

[0017] According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the detection sensitivity suitable for the changed detection direction of the human sensor.

[0018] According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus in which an operation unit is disposed at a position eccentric in either the left-right direction from the center on the back side or the front side of the apparatus, it is possible to detect the distance to a user who does not fit within the width direction of the own apparatus.

[0019] According to the image forming apparatus of the seventh aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus in which an operation unit is arranged at a position eccentric in either the left-right direction from the center on the back side or the front side of the apparatus, it is possible to detect the distance from a user who does not fit within the width direction of the own apparatus and return the own apparatus from the power saving state to the normal operation state.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0020]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0022] FIG. 1 is an external view for explaining the schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, only the configuration related to the explanation of the present invention is shown, and other configurations are omitted.

[0023] The image forming apparatus 10 is a so-called multi-functional device having a plurality of functions such as a printing function, a scanning function, a copying function, and a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 10 is provided with an operation panel 31 at the upper part for receiving the operations of users and displaying various information to the users. And a human presence sensor 32 for detecting a user who uses the apparatus itself is provided on the left side of the front of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0024] As the human presence sensor 32, for example, a distance measuring sensor capable of detecting the distance to a user by detecting the reflected light of the irradiated light can be used. The state of detecting a user approaching to use the own device by this human presence sensor 32 is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, since the user generally approaches the position where the operation panel 31 is installed, the human presence sensor 32 is set to detect such a user.

[0025] Note that, in the present embodiment, the case where a distance measuring sensor is used as the human presence sensor 32 will be described, but any sensor may be used as long as it can detect a user using the own device.

[0026] Then, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, for example, by detecting a user using the own device using this human presence sensor 32, control is performed to return the own device from the power saving state to the normal operation state.

[0027] Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 3.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU 11, a memory 12, a storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF) 14 that transmits and receives data to and from an external device or the like via a network, a user interface (abbreviated as UI) device 15 including a touch panel or a liquid crystal display and a keyboard, a scanner 16, a print engine 17, and a human presence sensor 32. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 18.

[0029] The CPU 11 is a processor that executes predetermined processing based on a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13 to control the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, the CPU 11 will be described as reading and executing a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13, but it is also possible to store the program in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and provide it to the CPU 11.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 realized by executing the above control program.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment includes a human presence sensor 32, a sensitivity adjustment unit 33, an operation panel 31, a data transmission / reception unit 34, a control unit 35, an image reading unit 36, a data storage unit 37, and an image output unit 38.

[0032] The data transmission / reception unit 34 transmits and receives data to and from an external device such as a terminal device. The control unit 35 generates print data based on a print job received from an external device via the data transmission / reception unit 34, and controls the generated print data to be output from the image output unit 38. The data storage unit 37 stores various data such as print data generated by the control unit 35.

[0033] The operation panel 31 is controlled by the control unit 35 and functions as an operation unit that displays various information to the user and inputs various operation information performed by the user.

[0034] The image output unit 38 outputs an image onto a recording medium such as printing paper based on the control by the control unit 35. The image reading unit 36 reads a document image from a set document based on the control by the control unit 35.

[0035] As described above, the human presence sensor 32 detects a user who uses the own device. And the sensitivity adjustment unit 33 adjusts the detection sensitivity of the human presence sensor 32.

[0036] Then, the control unit 35 controls the operation of the own device by using the detection result of the human sensor 32. Specifically, when the distance between the user measured by the human sensor 32 becomes equal to or less than a preset distance, the control unit 35 performs control to return the own device from the power saving state to the normal operation state. Here, the normal operation state means a state in which power is supplied to each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 10 and various functions provided in the image forming apparatus 10 can be used. The power saving state is a state in which the power supply to each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 10 is partially stopped and the power consumption is reduced compared to the normal operation state.

[0037] The operation panel 31 in the present embodiment can change the placement location according to the user's request. Specifically, it is configured to be able to be placed at the center position on the back side or the front side of the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 10, or at a position eccentric in any direction in the left-right direction from the middle of the back side or the front side.

[0038] Note that the present embodiment includes not only the case where the operation panel 31 is configured to be able to change the placement location, but also the case where the operation panel 31 is not configured to be able to change the placement location and is originally placed eccentrically. That is, the present embodiment also includes a configuration in which the operation panel 31 whose placement location cannot be changed is fixedly placed at the center position on the back side or the front side of the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 10, or at a position eccentric in any direction in the left-right direction from the middle of the back side or the front side.

[0039] When the operation panel 31 is placed at a position eccentric in any direction in the left-right direction from the center on the back side or the front side of the image forming apparatus 10, the detection range of the human sensor 32 is set to be able to detect a user whose at least a part of the body does not fit within the width direction of the own device. Note that even when the operation panel 31 is originally placed at a position eccentric in any direction in the left-right direction from the center on the back side or the front side of the image forming apparatus 10, the detection range of the human sensor 32 is set to be able to detect a user whose at least a part of the body does not fit within the width direction of the own device.

[0040] For example, the human presence sensor 32 is configured to be able to change the detection direction, and by changing the detection direction, it is possible to set a detection range that can detect users whose at least a part of the body does not fit within the width direction of the own device.

[0041] Note that the human presence sensor 32 may be configured to be able to change stepwise to a detection direction selected from among a plurality of detection directions, without being able to change the detection direction steplessly.

[0042] Furthermore, by providing a change mechanism for changing the detection direction of the human presence sensor 32, the control unit 35 may detect the arrangement position of the operation panel 31 and automatically set a detection range corresponding to the arrangement position of the operation panel 31 by controlling the change mechanism according to the arrangement position of the operation panel 31.

[0043] Note that when the detection direction of the human presence sensor 32 is changed, there is a possibility that the detection sensitivity may not be optimal. Therefore, after the detection direction of the human presence sensor 32 is determined, the sensitivity adjustment unit 33 may adjust the detection sensitivity of the human presence sensor 32.

[0044] Here, the state where at least a part of the user's body does not fit within the width direction of the image forming apparatus means a state in which when the shape of the user's body is projected onto the front of the image forming apparatus, all or at least a part of the outer shape of the projected user's body protrudes outside the width of the image forming apparatus.

[0045] In the above description, it has been described that the human presence sensor 32 is configured to be able to change the detection direction, but in this embodiment, the detection direction of the human presence sensor 32 is fixed and the case where it is configured to be unable to change the detection direction is also included. Even when the detection direction of the human presence sensor 32 is fixed in this way, it is possible to change the detection range of the human presence sensor 32 by changing the detection sensitivity.

[0046] Next, with reference to the drawings, a detailed description will be given of how the detection direction of the human presence sensor 32 is set according to the arrangement position of the operation panel 31 in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment.

[0047] First, FIG. 5 shows the state of the detection direction of the human presence sensor 32 when the operation panel 31 is arranged at the center of the front side of the image forming apparatus 10. FIG. 5 is a view of the image forming apparatus 10 as seen from above.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that since the operation panel 31 is arranged at the center position on the front side of the image forming apparatus 10, the detection range of the human presence sensor 32 is also set so that the vicinity of the center position of the image forming apparatus 10 becomes the detection range. Therefore, it can be seen that the user 90 who tries to operate the operation panel 31 is within the detection range of the human presence sensor 32.

[0049] Generally, users often stand in front of the operation panel 31 and operate it, and when moving from other places to the image forming apparatus 10, they often move toward the operation panel 31. Therefore, when the operation panel 31 is arranged at the center of the front side of the image forming apparatus 10, by setting the detection range of the human presence sensor 32 so that the vicinity of the center of the apparatus can be detected, the possibility of detecting the user who uses the image forming apparatus 10 is increased.

[0050] Next, the case where the operation panel 31 is arranged in the right direction on the front side will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 6, it can be seen that the operation panel 31 is arranged at a position eccentric to the right from the center on the front side when viewed from the front of the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0051] FIG. 7 shows the state when the detection direction of the human presence sensor 32 remains the same as the direction shown in FIG. 5 when the operation panel 31 is arranged in the right direction on the front side in this way.

[0052] Referring to Fig. 7, since the detection direction of the human presence sensor 32 is set to face near the center of the image forming apparatus 10, it can be seen that a user 90 who attempts to operate the operation panel 31 arranged on the right side is out of the detection range.

[0053] As described above, since users generally approach the apparatus toward the operation panel 31, when the user 90 moves along a trajectory like the arrow shown in Fig. 7, the user will arrive in front of the operation panel 31 without entering the detection range of the human presence sensor 32 even once.

[0054] Then, since the image forming apparatus 10 does not automatically return to the normal operation state, the user has to operate a power button or the like to return the image forming apparatus 10 from the power saving state to the normal operation state, which results in an increase in the time until the start of use.

[0055] Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the detection direction and detection range of the human presence sensor 32 are set according to the arrangement position of the operation panel 31.

[0056] For example, the human presence sensor 32 in the present embodiment has a structure as shown in Fig. 8 and is structured such that the detection direction can be mechanically changed. Note that Fig. 8 shows an enlarged view of a part of the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 10 and is not a view seen from the outside of the apparatus. In Fig. 8, by loosening the screws 41 and 42, the positional relationship between the screw 42 and the human presence sensor 32 moves within the range of the long hole 43, and thus the human presence sensor 32 is structured to rotate around the screw 41.

[0057] As a result, as shown in Fig. 9, the detection direction of the human presence sensor 32 is configured to be changeable within a range of, for example, ±α° around a preset reference direction.

[0058] Since the detection direction of the human presence sensor 32 is variable in this way, Fig. 10 shows the state when the detection direction is changed according to the arrangement position of the operation panel 31.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 10, it can be seen that since the operation panel 31 is arranged on the front side rightward of the upper part of the image forming apparatus 10, the detection direction of the human sensor 32 is changed to the right direction. As a result, even for a user 90 who is trying to operate the operation panel 31 eccentric to the right direction from the center of the image forming apparatus 10 and at least a part of whose body does not fit within the width direction of the apparatus itself, the human sensor 32 can detect the user.

[0060] When the user 90 is present at a position where the user can reach out and operate the operation panel 31, from the viewpoint of detection accuracy, it is desirable that a part of the detection range of the human sensor 32 is set to cover the body part of the user. However, on the other hand, in order to minimize false detection, the detection range of the human sensor 32 may be set within the width of the apparatus.

[0061] As described above, the state where at least a part of the user's body does not fit within the width direction of the image forming apparatus means that when the shape of the user's body is projected onto the front of the image forming apparatus, all or at least a part of the outer shape of the projected user's body protrudes outside the width of the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 10, it is a state where a part of the right side of the user 90 protrudes outside the width of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0062] Note that even when the configuration is not such that the detection direction of the human sensor 32 can be changed, if the positional relationship between the operation panel 31 and the human sensor 32 is as shown in FIG. 10, the detection range of the human sensor 32 may be set to the detection range as shown in FIG. 10.

[0063] And when the detection direction of the human sensor 32 is changed in this way, the detection sensitivity of the human sensor 32 may be adjusted by the sensitivity adjustment unit 33.

[0064] The operation of the detection sensitivity adjustment of the human sensor 32 by this sensitivity adjustment unit 33 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11.

[0065] In addition, in this detection sensitivity adjustment, when the user is at the central operation position which is the center of the position to be detected by the human presence sensor 32, when the user is at the left offset operation position which is a position shifted to the left from the position to be detected by the human presence sensor 32, or when the user is at the right offset operation position which is a position shifted to the right from the position to be detected by the human presence sensor 32, the detection sensitivity adjustment is performed so that the human presence sensor 32 can detect in any of these cases.

[0066] First, in step S101, the sensitivity adjustment unit 33 measures the output value of the human presence sensor 32 with a human body or an adjustment object placed at the central operation position.

[0067] Next, in step S102, the sensitivity adjustment unit 33 measures the output value of the human presence sensor 32 with a human body or an adjustment object placed at the left offset operation position.

[0068] Then, in step S103, the sensitivity adjustment unit 33 measures the output value of the human presence sensor 32 with a human body or an adjustment object placed at the right offset operation position.

[0069] After that, in step S104, the sensitivity adjustment unit 33 determines whether all the output values measured at the three operation positions are within the appropriate range. If it can be confirmed that all the output values are within the appropriate range, the sensitivity adjustment is terminated.

[0070] Also, in step S104, if it is determined that any one of the three output values measured at the three operation positions is not within the appropriate range, the sensitivity adjustment unit 33 changes the gain setting or the emitted light amount of the human presence sensor 32 in step S105, and returns to the process of step S101 to repeat the measurement of the output value.

[0071] Next, the detection direction of the human presence sensor 32 is fixed. For example, an example in the case where the detection sensitivity is adjusted to change the detection range is shown in FIG. 12.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 12, it can be seen that even when the detection direction of the human presence sensor 32 is not changed, the detection range of the human presence sensor 32 is set so as to be able to detect a user whose at least a part of the body does not fit within the width direction of the own device.

[0073] Incidentally, also in FIG. 12, when the user 90 is present at a position where the user can reach out and operate the operation panel 31, from the viewpoint of detection accuracy, it is desirable that a part of the detection range of the human presence sensor 32 is set to cover the body part of the user. However, on the other hand, in order to minimize false detections as much as possible, the detection range of the human presence sensor 32 may be set to be within the width of the device.

[0074] Next, FIG. 13 shows a state when the operation panel 31 is arranged in the left direction on the front side as viewed from the front of the device. In the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, since the case where the human presence sensor 32 is arranged on the left side of the device is described, when the operation panel 31 is arranged in the left direction of the device, the detection direction is set at an angle close to 90° from the front of the device. Here, the detection direction of the human presence sensor 32 may be set so that the angle from the front of the device is 90°.

[0075] Also in FIG. 13, when the user 90 is present at a position where the user can reach out and operate the operation panel 31, from the viewpoint of detection accuracy, it is desirable that a part of the detection range of the human presence sensor 32 is set to cover the body part of the user. However, on the other hand, in order to minimize false detections as much as possible, the detection range of the human presence sensor 32 may be set to be within the width of the device.

[0076] Note that, in the present embodiment, as an example, the case where the human presence sensor 32 is arranged on the left side of the device has been described. However, even when the human presence sensor 32 is arranged on the right side of the device or near the center, the detection direction and the detection range are similarly set according to the arrangement position of the operation panel 31.

[0077] For example, FIG. 14 shows a state where the human presence sensor 32 is arranged on the right side of the apparatus, and the operation panel 31 is arranged in the left direction on the front side of the upper part of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 14, since the operation panel 31 is arranged in the left direction on the front side of the upper part of the image forming apparatus 10, the detection direction of the human presence sensor 32 arranged on the right side of the apparatus is changed to the left side direction, so that the detection range of the human presence sensor 32 is set to be able to detect a user 90 whose at least a part of the body does not fit within the width direction of the own apparatus.

[0079] Also in FIG. 14, when the user 90 is present at a position where the user can reach out and operate the operation panel 31, from the viewpoint of detection accuracy, it is desirable that a part of the detection range of the human presence sensor 32 is set to cover the body part of the user. However, on the other hand, in order to minimize false detection as much as possible, the detection range of the human presence sensor 32 may be set to be within the width of the apparatus.

[0080] Finally, the case where the operation panel 31 is arranged on the back side of the upper part of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0081] FIG. 15 shows a state where the operation panel 31 is arranged in the right direction on the back side as viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0082] The detection range of the human presence sensor 32 set when the operation panel 31 is arranged at such a position is shown in FIG. 16. When the operation panel 31 is arranged on the back side, it is assumed that the user may approach from the side direction of the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, the detection range of the human presence sensor 32 is set to be able to detect a range farther from the center than when the operation panel 31 is arranged on the front side.

[0083] In addition, in Fig. 16, the positions when the operation panel 31 is arranged at the center on the back side or in the left direction on the back side are indicated by dotted lines. Even when the operation panel 31 is arranged at such positions, the detection direction and detection range of the human presence sensor 32 are set to be optimal according to their respective arrangement positions.

[0084] When the operation panel 31 is installed on the back side of the apparatus, even if the operation panel 31 is shifted to the left or right direction of the apparatus, there is a higher possibility that operations will be performed at the central position of the apparatus than when the operation panel 31 is arranged on the front side. In addition, when the operation panel 31 is installed on the back side of the apparatus, it is also assumed that the user 90 approaches the apparatus from the side direction.

[0085] Therefore, in Fig. 16, the detection range of the human presence sensor 32 is set wide so that the user 90 approaching the apparatus from the central direction on the front side can also be detected, and the detection range is set so that it does not fit within the width direction of the apparatus, enabling the user 90 approaching from the side direction of the apparatus to be detected as well. Of course, since the detection range is set wide, the number of false detections that detect unnecessary users will naturally increase.

[0086] Also, in Fig. 16 as well, when the user 90 is present at a position where the user can reach out and operate the operation panel 31, from the viewpoint of detection accuracy, it is desirable that a part of the detection range of the human presence sensor 32 is set to cover the body part of the user. However, on the other hand, in order to minimize false detections as much as possible, the detection range of the human presence sensor 32 may be set to be within the width of the apparatus.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the user using the image forming apparatus 10 was detected by one human presence sensor 32, but the present invention is not limited to such a case and also includes cases where the user is detected by two human presence sensors.

[0088] For example, it is also possible to detect the presence or absence of a user by using two human presence sensors, namely, a distance measurement sensor such as the above-described human presence sensor 32 and a pyroelectric sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of surrounding users within a wide detection range. Since the distance measurement sensor has a large power consumption for emitting detection light by itself, it is set to a standby state in a power-saving state, and when the pyroelectric sensor alone detects that a user is approaching the image forming apparatus 10, the distance measurement sensor is activated to measure the distance to the user when the pyroelectric sensor detects the user.

[0089] In each of the above embodiments, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes a general-purpose processor (for example, CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and a dedicated processor (for example, GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0090] Also, the operation of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be achieved not only by one processor but also by a plurality of physically separated processors cooperating with each other. Further, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0091] 10 Image forming apparatus 11 CPU 12 Memory 13 Storage device 14 Communication interface 15 User interface device 16 Scanner 17 Print engine 18 Control bus 31 Operation panel 32 Human presence sensor 33 Sensitivity adjustment unit 34 Data transmission / reception unit 35 Control unit 36 Image reading unit 37 Data storage unit 38 Image output unit 41, 42 Screws 43 Long hole 90 User

Claims

1. An operation unit disposed at a position eccentric in either the left-right direction from the center on the back side or the front side of the apparatus, A distance measuring sensor capable of detecting the distance to a user using the apparatus by detecting the reflected light of the irradiated light, A control unit that controls the operation of the apparatus using the detection result by the distance measuring sensor, A change mechanism that changes the detection direction of the distance measuring sensor, Adjusting means for adjusting the detection sensitivity of the distance measuring sensor, comprising: The control unit sets a detection range corresponding to the arrangement position of the operation unit by controlling the change mechanism according to the arrangement position of the operation unit, After the detection direction of the distance measuring sensor is determined, the adjusting means includes the output value of the distance measuring sensor measured with a user or an adjustment object placed at a central operation position that is the center of the position to be detected by the distance measuring sensor, and the left offset operation position that is a position shifted to the left from the position to be detected by the distance measuring sensor. By adjusting the detection sensitivity of the distance measuring sensor so that all output values of the output value of the distance measuring sensor measured with a user or an adjustment object placed in the state and the output value of the distance measuring sensor measured with a user or an adjustment object placed at a right offset operation position that is a position shifted to the right from the position to be detected by the distance measuring sensor are within a preset range, The detection range of the distance measuring sensor is set so that a user whose at least a part of the body does not fit within the width direction of the apparatus can also be detected. An image forming apparatus.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls to return the apparatus from the power saving state to the normal operation state when the distance to the user measured by the distance measuring sensor becomes equal to or less than a preset distance.

Images