device, image forming apparatus and program - Patents.com

Abstract

To stop power supply to a power system that detects an object during a predetermined time period required for transition to a power saving state.SOLUTION: In an image forming device, a control method by a power supply control unit to return to a normal state from a sleep state, which consumes less power than the normal state, includes determining, when it is determined that the return from sleep is not due to a timer unit (NO in S802), whether the timer unit is valid as a return factor from sleep in S805, and determining, when it is determined that the timer unit is valid (YES in S805), whether the return from sleep is due to the timer unit (S806). When it is determined that the return from sleep is not due to the timer unit (NO in S806), a relay, a power source unit, and a power supply unit are turned on to supply power to the power supply system, and power supply to each unit is started (S807).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention provides Device, Image forming device and programs It is related to. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in image forming devices such as printers, facsimiles, and copiers, a predetermined amount of power generated by a power supply is supplied to a predetermined load of the image forming device. The image forming device is equipped with a power supply control device that switches the image forming device from a normal mode, in which the user can operate it, to a power-saving mode (sleep mode) to reduce power consumption if the image forming device is not in operation for a certain period of time. However, even after the user has finished operating the device, the normal mode must be maintained for a certain period of time before switching to the sleep mode, which can result in unnecessary power consumption.

[0003] To solve this problem, it has been proposed to provide an image forming device with a human body detection means, which switches to sleep mode when the human body detection means detects that the user has left the device, and switches to normal mode when the human body detection means detects that the user has approached the image forming device (see Patent Document 1). There is also a technology that determines the power saving mode to be entered based on information from various sensors and startup history information (see Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-256234 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-15770 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, two human body detection means are used to determine whether an image forming device is being used or a passerby, but if a person stops in front of the image forming device, there is a possibility that the device may be erroneously determined to be a user. In other words, even if a user intentionally sets the device to enter sleep mode, a power-saving state, and the device enters sleep mode, the device may enter normal mode simply by approaching a user who has no intention of using the device, resulting in unnecessary power consumption.

[0006] Furthermore, in the technology described in Patent Document 2, the power-saving state is determined based on the status of various sensors and startup history information, which means that the user cannot intentionally specify a power state that consumes less power, resulting in unnecessary power consumption.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can stop the power supply to the power system that detects objects for a predetermined period of time before transitioning to a power-saving state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The device of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration. A device equipped with a human presence sensor that detects a person without contact with the person, the device comprising: a first control means that transitions to the sleep mode based on a user's specification of a day and time related to the sleep mode in which power consumption is reduced; a second control means that returns from the sleep mode based on the human presence sensor detecting a person without contact with the person in a state where the device has transitioned to the sleep mode; and a third control means that transitions to the sleep mode based on the human presence sensor not detecting a person for a certain period of time in a state where the device has returned from the sleep mode. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the power supply to the power supply system that detects an object can be stopped for the predetermined time before transitioning to the power saving state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an image forming system. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a user detection process for an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a power supply system of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a UI screen displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a UI screen displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a power state of a power supply system of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a power state of a power supply system of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a UI screen displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a UI screen displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <System configuration description> [First embodiment]

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. 1, image forming apparatus 100 includes printer unit 102, scanner unit 103, and main controller unit 101. Printer unit 102 performs image formation processing on sheet-like recording media (paper) using, for example, an electrophotographic method. Scanner unit 103 optically reads an image from an original document and converts it into a digital image. Main controller unit 101 controls the entire image forming apparatus 100, and controls image formation processing of the original document image read by scanner unit 103 in printer unit 102 and copy operations.

[0013] The main controller unit 101 is also connected to a PC 107 via a network 106. The network 106 is a local area network (LAN) or the like, and may be wired or wireless. The PC 107 is a general computer device having fixed storage devices such as a CPU, RAM, and HDD, and connected to a monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. A printer driver program serving as an image forming program is installed in the PC 107.

[0014] When the printer driver program is executed by the PC 107, the PC 107 generates PDL data in accordance with drawing commands issued by the operating system or application programs, and transmits the PDL data to the image forming apparatus 100. Here, PDL data refers to data converted by a printer driver program into a page description language that can be processed by the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 performs a printing operation by forming a bitmap image on paper based on the PDL data received from the PC 107. The image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with an AC plug 105, and is configured to receive AC commercial power by inserting the AC plug 105 into an external outlet.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 100 is also provided with a human presence sensor unit 104 that detects moving objects such as people around the image forming apparatus 100. The human presence sensor unit 104 is not particularly limited as long as it is a sensor that can determine the presence or absence of a person within a detection area, such as a pyroelectric sensor that senses infrared rays emitted from a person and determines the presence or absence of a person based on the amount of change in the infrared rays, or a reflective sensor that emits light such as infrared rays and detects the reflected light.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a user detection process for the image forming apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2(A) corresponds to a side view of the area where the human sensor unit detects a human body approaching the front of the image forming apparatus, and Fig. 2(B) corresponds to a top view of the area where the human sensor unit detects a human body approaching the front of the image forming apparatus. In (A) and (B) of FIG. 2, a detection area 200 is a detection area of ​​the human sensor unit 104, and when a person is present within the detection area 200, the human sensor unit 104 detects it. In addition, in (A) of Figure 2, the image forming device 100 is viewed from the side, and the detection area 200 of the human presence sensor unit 104 is directed toward the lower front of the device, where it is expected that a user will be standing in front of the image forming device 100 and operating it. 2(B) shows the image forming apparatus 100 as viewed from above, with the human sensor unit 104 attached to the front of the operation unit where it is expected that a person standing in front of the image forming apparatus 100 will operate the operation unit. Note that this detection area 200 can be changed depending on the attachment position of the human sensor unit 104, the orientation at the time of attachment, etc.

[0017] 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. In this example, the configuration of a main controller unit and a power supply unit of the image forming apparatus will be described. 3, the main controller unit 101 is made up of a power supply control unit 312, a network processing unit 313, a timer unit 314, a timer unit 323, a memory unit 315, an RTC unit 324, an HDD unit 316 functioning as an external storage unit, a CPU unit 317, and an image processing unit 318. The power supply control unit 312 performs switching control to supply / cut off power to each unit of the image forming apparatus in accordance with the status of a program executed by the CPU unit 317, the human sensor unit 104, the operation unit 319, the network processing unit 313, and the timer units 314 and 323.

[0018] The network processing unit 313 is connected to the CPU unit 317 and the power supply control unit 312. The network processing unit 313 is a control unit that outputs PDL data transmitted from the PC 107 via the network 106 to the CPU unit 317. Furthermore, when the image forming apparatus 100 is in the sleep mode, upon receiving a network packet addressed to the image forming apparatus 100 from the network 106, the network processing unit 313 instructs the power supply control unit 312 to transition to the normal mode.

[0019] The human sensor unit 104 is connected to the power supply control unit 312, and notifies the power supply control unit 312 of the presence or absence of a person within the detection area of ​​the human sensor unit 104. Furthermore, when the image forming apparatus 100 is in a sleep mode state (normal sleep mode) in which power is supplied to the human sensor unit 104, if the human sensor unit 104 detects the presence of a person within the detection area, it instructs the power supply control unit 312 to transition to the normal mode. When the image forming apparatus 100 is in a sleep mode state in which the power supply to the human sensor unit 104 is cut off (human sensor power cut-off sleep mode), the human sensor unit 104 does not detect a person, and therefore does not transition to normal mode due to human detection. The timer unit 314 and the timer unit 323 are connected to the CPU unit 317 and the power supply control unit 312. The CPU unit 317 sets the timer time, and the timer unit 314 and the timer unit 323 measure the set time, and after the set timer time has elapsed, notify the power supply control unit 312 of that fact.

[0020] The memory unit 315 is connected to the CPU unit 317. The memory unit 315 is a volatile memory such as a DDR SDRAM, and is a main memory that stores user data created by a control program executed by the CPU unit 317. The HDD unit 316 is connected to the CPU unit 317. The HDD unit 316 is a storage device that temporarily stores programs executed by the CPU unit 317 and PDL data transmitted from the network 106. The HDD unit 316 also stores setting information 320 for the image forming apparatus 100. The RTC unit 324 is a real-time clock that keeps track of the current time, and is used by the connected CPU unit 317 to check the current time.

[0021] The CPU unit 317 is a central processing unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus 100, and realizes functions such as copying and printing based on a control program stored in the HDD unit 316. The image processing unit 318 is connected to the CPU unit 317, the printer unit 102, and the scanner unit 103. The image processing unit 318 performs image processing such as color space conversion on a digital image output from the scanner unit 103, and outputs the processed data to the CPU unit 317. The image processing unit 318 also performs image processing such as color space conversion on image data read by the scanner unit 103 or image data generated based on PDL data received from the PC 107, converts the image data into bitmap data, and outputs the bitmap data to the printer unit 102. The operation unit 319 is connected to the power supply control unit 312 and the CPU unit 317.

[0022] The operation unit 319 includes a liquid crystal panel for operation and hard keys including a sleep mode transition / cancellation button, and accepts instructions input by a user. When the image forming apparatus 100 detects that the sleep mode transition / cancellation button has been pressed while the image forming apparatus 100 is in the sleep mode, the operation unit 319 instructs the power supply control unit 312 to transition to the normal mode.

[0023] Next, the power supply device 300 of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. By inserting an AC plug 107 provided on the image forming apparatus 100 into an external outlet, AC commercial power is supplied to the relay 301 and the power supply unit 305 for the controller power supply systems 1 and 3 .

[0024] The relay 301 is controlled by a power supply control unit 312, and when the relay 301 is turned on, power can be supplied to the high voltage power supply unit 303 and the low voltage power supply unit 304. The power supply unit 305 for controller power supply systems 1 and 3 is controlled by the power supply control unit 312, and is connected to the power supply system 310 of the main controller unit 101 and the human sensor unit power supply unit 321.

[0025] The power supply system 310 is a power supply system to which power is constantly supplied even during sleep mode, and is connected to a power supply control unit 312, a network processing unit 313, a timer unit 314, a timer unit 323, an RTC unit 324, and a memory unit 315. In addition, the human sensor unit power supply unit 321 is connected to the human sensor unit 104 using the power supply unit 305 for controller power supply systems 1 and 3 as an input source, and is configured so that its on / off is controlled by the power supply control unit 312. Next, the power supply unit 302, which includes a high-voltage power supply unit 303 and a low-voltage power supply unit 304, is controlled by a power supply control unit 312, and is turned off during sleep mode. The high-voltage power supply unit 303 is a power supply mainly used for driving the motors of the printer unit 102 and the scanner unit 103, and for the heater of the fixing unit, etc. The low-voltage power supply unit 304 supplies power to a power supply system 311 of the printer unit 102, the scanner unit 103, and the main controller unit 101.

[0026] A power supply system 311 of the main controller unit 101 is a power supply system that is powered off during sleep mode, and is connected to an HDD unit 316, a CPU unit 317, an image processing unit 318, and an operation unit 319. A power supply unit 306 including a scanner unit power supply unit 307, a printer unit power supply unit 308, and a power supply unit 309 for the controller power supply system 2 is controlled by a power control unit 312, and power is cut off during sleep mode. The scanner unit power supply unit 307 is connected to the scanner unit 103 using a high voltage power supply unit 303 and a low voltage power supply unit 304 as input sources, and is controlled to be turned on and off by the power control unit 312.

[0027] The printer unit power supply unit 308 is connected to the printer unit 102 using the high voltage power supply unit 303 and the low voltage power supply unit 304 as input sources, and is controlled to be turned on and off by the power supply control unit 312. The power supply unit 309 for the controller power supply system 2 is connected to the power supply system 311 of the main controller unit 101 using the low voltage power supply unit 304 as input source, and is controlled to be turned on and off by the power supply control unit 312. Next, the sleep settings that can be set in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.

[0028] The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with an auto-sleep time function that can set the time to transition from normal mode to sleep mode. This auto-sleep time function is a function that causes the CPU unit 317 to transition from normal mode to sleep mode when the time kept by the RTC unit 324 reaches a preset time for each day of the week.

[0029] 4 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 319 of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a screen for setting the auto-sleep time. 4 is controlled by the CPU unit 317 based on software stored in the memory unit 315 or HDD unit 316. An auto sleep time setting screen 1201 is displayed when setting the auto sleep time. The title 1206 of the auto sleep time setting screen displays "Set auto sleep time."

[0030] To set the auto sleep time, press the day of the week button 1202 and enter numbers using the numeric keypad provided on the operation unit 319 (not shown), and the entered numbers will be displayed as the set time in the time display field 1203. To end the auto sleep time setting, press the OK button 1205. To cancel the setting, press the cancel button 1204 to cancel the auto sleep time setting. The set auto sleep time setting is stored in the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316.

[0031] Image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a sleep recovery time function that can set the time to transition from sleep mode to normal mode. This sleep recovery time function involves CPU unit 317 setting the sleep recovery time in timer unit 314 before transitioning to sleep mode, and transitioning to sleep mode. When the time set in timer unit 314 arrives, timer unit 314 notifies power supply control unit 312 of this fact, and power supply control unit 312 turns on the power of each unit, transitioning from sleep mode to normal mode.

[0032] 5 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 319 of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This example corresponds in particular to the configuration of the screen for setting the recovery time from sleep. The configuration of the wake-up time setting screen shown in FIG. 5 is controlled by the CPU unit 317 based on software stored in the memory unit 315 or HDD unit 316. A wake-up time setting screen 1301 is displayed when setting the wake-up time. A title 1305 of the wake-up time setting screen displays "Setting the wake-up time." When setting the wake-up time, numbers are entered using the numeric keypad provided on the operation unit 319 (not shown), and the entered numbers are displayed as the set time in the time display field 1302. To end the wake-up time setting, an OK button 1304 is pressed. To cancel the setting, a cancel button 1303 can be pressed to cancel the wake-up time setting. The set wake-up time setting is stored in the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316.

[0033] Incidentally, the auto sleep time function is not the only case in which the CPU unit 317 switches the image forming apparatus 100 from normal mode to sleep mode. That is, there are also cases in which the CPU unit 317 switches the image forming apparatus 100 to sleep mode by using the automatic sleep transition function or by pressing the sleep mode transition / cancel button. The automatic sleep transition function switches the image forming apparatus 100 to sleep mode if the CPU unit 317 does not perform a job such as printing, copying, or scanning within a preset period of time. Note that the automatic sleep transition function can also switch the image forming apparatus 100 to sleep mode if the human sensor unit 104 does not detect a person for a certain period of time.

[0034] 6 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 319 of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This example corresponds to the power state during sleep mode (normal sleep mode) when power is supplied to the human sensor unit 104. During normal mode, power is supplied to all blocks shown in FIG. 3. In this case, a configuration may be adopted in which power is supplied only to necessary functions, but this is not specified here.

[0035] In normal sleep mode, power is supplied to some blocks as shown in Fig. 6. First, commercial AC power is supplied to the power supply unit 305 for controller power systems 1 and 3 via the AC plug 107. The blocks to which power is supplied from the power supply unit 305 for controller power systems 1 and 3 are the human sensor power supply unit 321, power supply control unit 312, network processing unit 313, timer unit 314, timer unit 323, RTC unit 324, and memory unit 315. The block to which power is supplied from the human sensor power supply unit 321 is the human sensor unit 104. Note that although it is described that power to the operation unit 319 is cut off, the power supply control unit 312 is configured to be able to detect that the sleep mode transition / cancellation button has been pressed.

[0036] 7 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 319 of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This example corresponds to the power state during a sleep mode in which the power to the human sensor unit 104 is cut off (human sensor power cut-off sleep mode). In the human sensor power-off sleep mode, power is supplied to some blocks as shown in Fig. 7. The difference from the normal sleep mode is that the power to the human sensor power supply unit 321 and the human sensor unit 104 is cut off.

[0037] 8 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a time confirmation sequence for the auto-sleep time function. Each step is realized by the CPU 317 executing a control program loaded into the memory 315. First, the CPU unit 317 checks the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316 to see if the auto-sleep time has been set (S601). If the CPU unit 317 determines that the auto-sleep time has been set (YES in S601), the CPU unit 317 accesses the RTC unit 324 and acquires the current time (S602). If the auto-sleep time has not been set (NO in S601), the time confirmation sequence for the auto-sleep time function ends. The CPU unit 317 compares the acquired current time with the auto-sleep time (S603), and if the times match, notifies the sleep mode transition sequence that a sleep transition factor has occurred (S604). If the auto-sleep times do not match (NO in S603), the CPU unit 317 periodically accesses the RTC unit 324 and waits for the current time to match the auto-sleep time.

[0038] 9 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a sleep mode transition sequence. Each step is realized by the CPU 317 executing a control program loaded into the memory 315. First, to determine whether a cause for transition to sleep has occurred, the CPU unit 317 checks the status of the auto sleep time sequence, the status of the automatic sleep transition sequence, and the status of the sleep mode transition / cancel button on the operation unit 319 via the power supply control unit 312 (S701). If the CPU unit 317 determines that there is no instruction to transition to sleep mode, it periodically polls the status of each unit until an instruction to transition to sleep mode is issued (NO in S701). On the other hand, if the CPU unit 317 determines that a sleep transition factor has occurred (YES in S701), the CPU unit 317 checks the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316 to determine whether a sleep return time has been set (S702).

[0039] If the CPU unit 317 determines that the sleep recovery time has been set (YES in S702), the CPU unit 317 sets the sleep recovery time in the timer unit 314 (S703) and enables the timer unit 314 as a sleep recovery factor (S704). Note that if the CPU unit 317 determines that the sleep recovery time has not been set (NO in S702), the timer unit 314 is not set. Next, to confirm whether the sleep transition factor is an auto sleep time factor, the CPU unit 317 checks the status of the auto sleep time sequence (S705).

[0040] If the sleep transition factor is the auto sleep time factor (YES in S705), the CPU unit 317 executes software sleep mode transition processing, such as saving data in the image processing unit 318, in accordance with a control program stored in the HDD unit 316 (S706). After the software sleep mode transition processing is completed, the CPU unit 317 instructs the power supply control unit 312 to cut off power to the power supply systems 2 and 3. Upon receiving the power cut-off instruction for the power supply systems 2 and 3 from the CPU unit 317, the power supply control unit 312 cuts off power to the relay 301, the power supply unit 302, the power supply unit 306, and the human sensor power supply unit 321, thereby completing the transition to the human sensor power cut-off sleep mode (S707).

[0041] If the CPU unit 317 determines that the sleep transition factor is not an auto sleep time factor (NO in S705), the CPU unit 317 checks the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316 to determine whether the auto sleep time is set (S708). If the CPU unit 317 determines that the auto sleep time is set (YES in S708), the CPU unit 317 sets the auto sleep time in the timer unit 323 (S709) and enables the timer unit 323 as a sleep return factor (S710).

[0042] If the CPU unit 317 determines that the auto-sleep time has not been set (NO in S708), it does not set the timer unit 323. Next, the CPU unit 317 executes software sleep mode transition processing (S711) and instructs the power supply control unit 312 to cut off power to the power supply system 2. Upon receiving the power supply cut-off instruction for the power supply system 2 from the CPU unit 317, the power supply control unit 312 cuts off power to the relay 301, the power supply unit 302, and the power supply unit 306, and completes the transition to the normal sleep mode (S712).

[0043] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a sleep mode return sequence of the power supply control unit 312. Each step is realized by the power supply control unit 312 executing a control program. First, in order to determine whether a cause for returning from sleep has occurred, the power supply control unit 312 determines the states of the network processing unit 313, the motion sensor unit 104, the sleep mode transition / cancellation button of the operation unit 319, the timer unit 314, and the timer unit 323 (S801). If the power supply control unit 312 determines that a cause for returning from sleep has not occurred, it periodically polls the state of each unit until a cause for returning from sleep occurs (NO in S801). On the other hand, if the power supply control unit 312 determines in S801 that there is a wake-up factor (YES in S801), it determines whether the wake-up factor is the timer unit 323 (S802). If the power supply control unit 312 determines that the wake-up factor is the timer unit 323 (YES in S802), the power supply control unit 312 disables the timer unit 323 (S803). After the invalidation, the power control unit 312 cuts off the power supply from the human sensor unit power supply unit 321 that supplies power to the power supply system 3, and transitions to a human sensor power cut-off sleep mode (S804). On the other hand, if the power supply control unit 312 determines in S802 that the wake-up factor is not the timer unit 323 (NO in S802), the power supply control unit 312 determines whether the timer unit 314 is valid as a wake-up factor (S805).

[0044] If the power supply control unit 312 determines that the timer unit 314 is valid (YES in S805), the power supply control unit 312 determines whether the wake-up factor is the timer unit 314 (S806). If the power supply control unit 312 determines that the wake-up factor is not the timer unit 314 (NO in S806), the power supply control unit 312 turns on the relay 301, the power supply unit 302, and the power supply unit 306 to supply power to the power supply system 2, starts power supply to each unit (S807), and ends this process. On the other hand, if the power supply control unit 312 determines in S805 that the timer unit 314 is invalid (NO in S805), the power supply control unit 312 turns on the relay 301, the power supply unit 302, the power supply unit 306, and the human sensor unit power supply unit 321 to supply power to the power supply systems 2 and 3, starts supplying power to each unit (S808), and ends this processing. Similarly, if the power supply control unit 312 determines in S806 that the cause of the return from sleep is the timer unit 314 (YES in S806), the power supply control unit 312 starts supplying power to the power supply systems 2 and 3 (S808) and terminates this processing.

[0045] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a sleep mode return sequence. Each step is realized by the CPU 317 executing a control program loaded into the memory 315. When the power supply system 2 is turned on, power is also supplied to the CPU unit 317, and the CPU unit 317 executes a process to return from sleep mode. In the process to return from sleep mode, the CPU unit 317 first executes a software process to return from sleep mode, such as restoring data in the image processing unit 318, in accordance with a control program stored in the HDD unit 316 or memory unit 315 (S901). After the process to return from sleep mode is completed, the CPU unit 317 accesses the power control unit 312 to check the cause of the transition to normal mode (S902). After confirming the cause of returning to normal mode, the CPU unit 317 disables the timer unit 314 and the timer unit 323 (S903). Thereafter, the CPU unit 317 executes processing according to the cause of returning from sleep (S904). After completing the processing of the cause of returning from sleep, the CPU unit 317 starts the time confirmation sequence for the sleep return time shown in Fig. 10 (S905), and then starts the time confirmation sequence for the auto sleep time function shown in Fig. 6 (S906).

[0046] 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of checking the time for returning from sleep mode. Each step is implemented by the CPU 317 executing a control program loaded into the memory 315. First, in order to check whether the power supply to the power supply system 3 has been cut off by the auto sleep time function, the CPU unit 317 checks the state of the motion sensor unit power supply unit 321 via the power control unit 312 (S1001). If the power supply to the power supply system 3 has been cut off (YES in S1001), the CPU unit 317 accesses the RTC unit 324 and acquires the current time (S1002).

[0047] On the other hand, if the CPU unit 317 determines in S1001 that the power supply to the power supply system 3 has not been cut off (NO in S1001), the time confirmation sequence for the return from sleep mode is terminated. Next, the CPU unit 317 compares the acquired current time with the sleep recovery time in the setting information 320 (S1003) to determine whether the two times match. If the CPU unit 317 determines that the time matches the sleep recovery time, it turns on the human sensor unit power supply unit 321, starts supplying power to the power supply system 3, which is the power source for the human sensor unit 104 (S1004), and ends this process. On the other hand, if the CPU unit 317 determines that the recovery times do not match (NO in S1003), the CPU unit 317 periodically accesses the RTC unit 324 and waits until the current time matches the recovery time.

[0048] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the auto sleep time has elapsed, the human sensor unit 104 is switched to a sleep mode in which the power to the human sensor unit 104 is cut off, thereby restricting the operation of the human sensor unit 104 at a time when the user intentionally wants to put the unit into sleep mode. The factors for returning from sleep include an operation factor by the operation unit 319, a communication factor by the network processing unit 313 that performs communication, and a detection factor by the human sensor unit 104.

[0049] Second Embodiment In this embodiment, a case will be described in which it is possible to set the time to transition to the sleep mode in the auto sleep time function and whether to enable or disable the human sensor unit 104 when transitioning to the sleep mode at the auto sleep time. In this case, the auto sleep time function allows you to select the time you want to transition to sleep for each day of the week or date, and whether to enable or disable the human sensor unit 104 when transitioning to sleep. If the human sensor unit 104 is set to enabled, the device will transition to normal sleep mode when the auto sleep time is reached. If the human sensor unit 104 is set to disabled, the device will transition to human sensor power-off sleep mode when the auto sleep time is reached. Note that the configuration of the image forming apparatus is the same as in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0050] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a sleep mode transition sequence. Each step is realized by the CPU 317 executing a control program loaded into the memory 315. First, to check whether a sleep transition factor has occurred, the CPU unit 317 checks the status of the auto sleep time sequence, the status of the automatic sleep transition sequence, and the status of the sleep mode transition / cancel button on the operation unit 319 via the power supply control unit 312, and determines whether there is an instruction to transition to sleep mode (S1101).If the CPU unit 317 determines that there is an instruction to transition to sleep mode, it periodically polls the status of each unit until an instruction to transition to sleep mode is issued (NO in S1101).

[0051] On the other hand, if the CPU unit 317 determines in S1101 that a sleep transition factor has occurred (YES in S1101), the CPU unit 317 checks the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316 to determine whether the sleep return time has been set (S1102). Here, if the CPU unit 317 determines that the sleep recovery time has been set (YES in S1102), the CPU unit 317 sets the sleep recovery time in the timer unit 314 (S1103) and enables the timer unit 314 as a sleep recovery factor (S1104).

[0052] If the CPU unit 317 determines that the sleep recovery time has not been set (NO in S1102), it does not set the timer unit 314. Next, the CPU unit 317 checks the status of the auto sleep time sequence to determine whether the sleep transition factor is an auto sleep time factor (S1105). Here, if the CPU unit 317 determines that the sleep transition factor is an auto sleep time factor (YES in S1105), the CPU unit 317 checks the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316 to determine whether the state setting of the human sensor unit 104 at the time of sleep transition is disabled (S1106).

[0053] Here, if the CPU unit 317 determines that the state setting of the human sensor unit 104 at the time of transition to sleep is an invalid setting (YES in S1106), the CPU unit 317 executes software sleep mode transition processing, such as saving data in the image processing unit 318, in accordance with the control program (S1107). After the software sleep mode transition processing is completed, the CPU unit 317 instructs the power supply control unit 312 to cut off power to the power supply systems 2 and 3. When the power supply control unit 312 receives the power cut-off instruction for the power supply systems 2 and 3 from the CPU unit 317, the CPU unit 317 cuts off power to the relay 301, the power supply unit 302, the power supply unit 306, and the human sensor unit power supply unit 321, thereby completing the transition to the human sensor power supply cut-off sleep mode (S1108).

[0054] On the other hand, if the CPU unit 317 determines in S1105 that the sleep transition factor is not an auto sleep time factor (NO in S1105), the CPU unit 317 checks the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316 to determine whether the auto sleep time is set (S1109). Here, if the CPU unit 317 determines that the auto sleep time has been set (YES in S1109), the CPU unit 317 checks the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316 to determine whether the state setting of the human sensor unit 104 at the time of transition to sleep is set to disabled (S1110).

[0055] Here, if the CPU unit 317 determines that the state setting of the human sensor unit 104 at the time of sleep transition is disabled (YES in S1110), the CPU unit 317 sets the auto sleep time in the timer unit 323 (S1111) and enables the timer unit 323 as a factor for returning from sleep (S1112). On the other hand, if the CPU unit 317 determines in S1109 that the auto sleep time has not been set (NO in S1109) and if the CPU unit 317 determines in S1110 that the state setting of the human sensor unit 104 at the time of transition to sleep is a valid setting (NO in S1110), the timer unit 323 is not set. Next, the CPU unit 317 executes software sleep mode transition processing (S1113) and instructs the power supply control unit 312 to cut off power to the power supply system 2. Upon receiving the power supply cut-off instruction for the power supply system 2 from the CPU unit 317, the power supply control unit 312 cuts off power to the relay 301, the power supply unit 302, and the power supply unit 306, completing the transition to the normal sleep mode (S1114).

[0056] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to enable / disable the human sensor unit 104 when transitioning to the sleep mode using the auto sleep time function. In other words, it is possible to set the sleep mode to the human sensor power cut-off mode, which suppresses false detections by the human sensor unit 104, only on days and times when the frequency of use is particularly low, such as on weekends, thereby maintaining user convenience and preventing unnecessary transitions to the normal mode.

[0057] Third Embodiment In this embodiment, a case will be described in which it is possible to control only the power supply to the human sensor unit 104 by setting a time. In the third embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a human sensor off time function that allows the time to be set to cut off only the power supply to the human sensor unit 104 from the normal mode.

[0058] This human sensor off time function is a function that causes the CPU unit 317 to transition from normal mode to human sensor power cut-off normal mode, in which the power to the human sensor unit 104 is cut off, when the time measured by the RTC unit 324 reaches a time preset for each day of the week.

[0059] 14 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 319 of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a screen for setting the human sensor off time. The configuration of the human sensor off time setting screen shown in Fig. 14 is controlled by the CPU unit 317 based on software stored in the memory unit 315 or HDD unit 316. A human sensor off time setting screen 1401 is displayed when the human sensor off time is to be set. The title 1406 of the human sensor off time setting screen displays "Setting human sensor off time." When setting the human sensor off time, the user presses the day of the week button 1402 and inputs numbers using the numeric keypad buttons provided on the operation unit 319 (not shown), and the input numbers are displayed as the set time in the time display field 1403.

[0060] To end the setting of the human sensor off time, press OK button 1405. To cancel the setting, the auto sleep time setting can be canceled by pressing Cancel button 1404. The set human sensor off time setting is stored in setting information 320 in HDD unit 316.

[0061] The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a human sensor on time function that can set the time to transition from the human sensor power-off normal mode to the normal mode. This human sensor on time function is a function that causes the CPU unit 317 to transition from the human sensor power-off normal mode to the normal mode when the time kept by the RTC unit 324 reaches a time that is preset for each day of the week.

[0062] 15 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed on the operation unit 319 of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a screen for setting the time when the human sensor is turned on. The configuration of the human sensor on time setting screen shown in Fig. 15 is controlled by the CPU unit 317 based on software stored in the memory unit 315 or HDD unit 316. A human sensor on time setting screen 1501 is displayed when the human sensor on time is to be set. The title 1506 of the human sensor on time setting screen displays "Setting human sensor on time". When setting the human sensor on time, press the day of the week button 1502 and enter numbers using the numeric keypad buttons provided on the operation unit 319 (not shown), and the entered numbers are displayed as the set time in the time display field 1503.

[0063] To finish setting the human sensor on time, press OK button 1505. To cancel the setting, press Cancel button 1504 to cancel the auto sleep time setting. The set human sensor on time setting is stored in setting information 320 in HDD unit 316.

[0064] 16 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a time confirmation sequence for the motion sensor off time function. Each step is realized by the CPU 317 executing a control program loaded into the memory 315. First, the CPU unit 317 checks the setting information 320 of the HDD unit 316 to determine whether a human sensor off time has been set (S1601). If the CPU unit 317 determines that a human sensor off time has been set (YES in S1601), the CPU unit 317 accesses the RTC unit 324 and acquires the current time (S1602). On the other hand, if the human sensor off time has not been set in S1601 (NO in S1601), the time confirmation sequence for the human sensor off time function ends. Next, the CPU unit 317 compares the acquired current time with the human sensor off time (S1603) to determine whether the times match. If the CPU unit 317 determines that the current time matches the human sensor off time, the CPU unit 317 instructs the power supply control unit 312 to cut off power to the power supply system 3 (S1604). Then, upon receiving the power cut-off instruction for the power supply system 3 from the CPU unit 317, the power supply control unit 312 cuts off power to the human sensor unit power supply unit 321, completing the transition to the human sensor power cut-off normal mode.

[0065] 17 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. This example corresponds to an example of a time confirmation sequence for when the motion sensor is turned on. Each step is realized by the CPU 317 executing a control program loaded into the memory 315. First, in order to determine whether the power supply system 3 has been powered off using the motion sensor off time function, the CPU unit 317 checks the state of the motion sensor unit power supply unit 321 via the power control unit 312 (S1701). If the CPU unit 317 determines that the power supply system 3 has been powered off (YES in S1701), the CPU unit 317 accesses the RTC unit 324 and acquires the current time (S1702).

[0066] On the other hand, in S1701, if the CPU unit 317 determines that the power supply to the power supply system 3 has not been cut off (NO in S1701), the time confirmation sequence for the human sensor on time ends. Next, the CPU unit 317 compares the acquired current time with the human sensor on time in the setting information 320 to determine whether the human sensor on times match (S1703). Here, when the CPU unit 317 compares the current time with the human sensor on time in the setting information 320 and determines that the human sensor on times match, the CPU unit 317 turns on the human sensor unit power supply unit 321 and starts supplying power to the power supply system 3, which is the power source for the human sensor unit 104 (S1704). On the other hand, if the CPU unit 317 determines in S1703 that the human sensor on time does not match (NO in S1703), the CPU unit 317 periodically accesses the RTC unit 324 and waits for the current time to match the human sensor on time.

[0067] According to this embodiment, it is possible to mask factors that could cause the device to return from sleep mode due to erroneous detection by the human sensor by cutting off the power supply to the human sensor unit 104. In other words, it is possible to set the device to suppress sleep mode return operations due to erroneous detection by the human sensor only on days and times when the device is used less frequently, such as on weekends, and to suppress unnecessary transitions to normal mode. According to each embodiment, when a time for transitioning from normal mode to sleep mode is set, unnecessary transition to normal mode during times of low usage can be suppressed by cutting off the power supply to the human sensor unit. Furthermore, by cutting off the power supply to the human sensor unit, it is possible to reduce power consumption compared to normal sleep mode.

[0068] Each step of the present invention can also be realized by executing software (programs) acquired via a network or various storage media on a processing device (CPU, processor) such as a personal computer (computer).

[0069] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the respective embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are not excluded from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 100 Image forming device 312 Power supply control unit

Claims

1. A device equipped with a human sensor that detects people without contact with them, a first control means for transitioning to a sleep mode in which power consumption is reduced based on a user's specification of a day and time for the sleep mode; a second control means for recovering from the sleep mode when the human presence sensor detects a human without contact with the human in the sleep mode; a third control means for transitioning to the sleep mode when the human presence sensor does not detect a human for a certain period of time after returning from the sleep mode; A device having:

2. The first control means transitions to the sleep mode at a specified time on a specified day.

2. The device of claim 1 .

3. A device equipped with a human sensor that detects people without contact with them, a first control means for transitioning to a sleep mode in which power consumption is reduced based on a user's designation of a day of the week and a time of day for the sleep mode; a second control means for recovering from the sleep mode when the human presence sensor detects a human without contact with the human in the sleep mode; a third control means for transitioning to the sleep mode when the human presence sensor does not detect a human for a certain period of time after returning from the sleep mode; A device having:

4. The first control means transitions to the sleep mode at a specified time on a specified day of the week.

4. The device according to claim 3.

5. The third control means transitions to the sleep mode when the human presence sensor does not detect a person for a certain period of time after returning from the sleep mode and when no job is executed for a certain period of time.

5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The sleep mode is a mode in which power consumption is reduced compared to normal mode.

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The return to the normal mode means that the power consumption increases.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The sleep mode is a mode in which power is supplied to the human presence sensor and the network processing unit that performs communication.

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The sleep mode is a mode in which power is supplied to the human presence sensor and a network processing unit that performs communication, The normal mode is a mode in which power is supplied to the operation unit and image processing unit of the device in addition to the human presence sensor and the network processing unit.

8. The device according to claim 7.

10. The human presence sensor is a sensor that detects people using infrared rays without contact with the person.

10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The human sensor is a pyroelectric sensor.

11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. the device includes a numeric keypad for inputting numbers; The time is specified by the user using the numeric keypad.

12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. the device has a key for transitioning to the sleep mode; The sleep mode is entered based on the operation of the key.

13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The device includes an operation panel, The operation panel is different from the human sensor.

14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A screen for setting the time is displayed on the operation panel.

15. The device of claim 14.

16. A human presence sensor that detects people without contact with them, A printer unit; An image forming apparatus comprising: a first control means for transitioning to a sleep mode in which power consumption is reduced based on a user's specification of a day and time for the sleep mode; a second control means for recovering from the sleep mode when the human presence sensor detects a human without contact with the human in the sleep mode; a third control means for transitioning to the sleep mode when the human presence sensor does not detect a human for a certain period of time after returning from the sleep mode; An image forming apparatus having the same.

17. The first control means transitions to the sleep mode at a specified time on a specified day.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16.

18. A human presence sensor that detects people without contact with them, An image forming apparatus including a printer unit, a first control means for transitioning to a sleep mode in which power consumption is reduced based on a user's designation of a day of the week and a time of day for the sleep mode; a second control means for recovering from the sleep mode when the human presence sensor detects a human without contact with the human in the sleep mode; a third control means for transitioning to the sleep mode when the human presence sensor does not detect a human for a certain period of time after returning from the sleep mode; An image forming apparatus having the same.

19. The first control means transitions to the sleep mode at a specified time on a specified day of the week.

19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18.

20. The third control means transitions to the sleep mode when the human presence sensor does not detect a person for a certain period of time after returning from the sleep mode and when no job is executed for a certain period of time.

20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

21. The sleep mode is a mode in which power consumption is reduced compared to normal mode.

21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

22. The return to the normal mode means that the power consumption increases.

22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

23. The sleep mode is a mode in which power is supplied to the human presence sensor and the network processing unit that performs communication.

23. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

24. The sleep mode is a mode in which power is supplied to the human presence sensor and a network processing unit that performs communication, The normal mode is a mode in which power is supplied to the operation unit and image processing unit of the device in addition to the human presence sensor and the network processing unit.

23. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22.

25. The human presence sensor is a sensor that detects people using infrared rays without contact with the person.

25. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16,

26. The human sensor is a pyroelectric sensor.

26. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16,

27. the image forming apparatus is provided with a numeric keypad for inputting numbers, The time is specified by the user using the numeric keypad.

27. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16,

28. the image forming apparatus is provided with a key for transitioning to the sleep mode, The sleep mode is entered based on the operation of the key.

28. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

29. the image forming apparatus includes an operation panel, The operation panel is different from the human sensor.

29. An imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 28.

30. A screen for setting the time is displayed on the operation panel.

30. The image forming apparatus according to claim 29.

31. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

32. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 30.

Images