Image Forming Apparatus Human Crowding Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measures to prevent human crowding and maintain social distance in offices, such as installing cameras and floor signs, require extra costs and are not effectively addressed by current image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with a sensor that detects human presence and adjusts alerts based on the density level, calculated by counting human detections over a predetermined time and using predefined threshold values, to inform users about crowding levels through visual and auditory signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized cameras or environmental modifications are installed to monitor human crowding, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the image forming apparatus to perform both its primary imaging function and secondary human presence detection function using existing components. The sensor unit detects human presence while the apparatus simultaneously performs copying or printing operations, eliminating the need for dedicated monitoring equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus uses its own built-in sensor and processing capabilities to monitor human crowding and provide alerts, rather than relying on external specialized systems. The apparatus serves itself by utilizing its existing hardware resources for the additional monitoring function.
2Measurement precision
If specialized cameras or environmental modifications are installed to monitor human crowding, then monitoring capability is improved, but implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the image forming apparatus to perform both its primary imaging function and secondary human presence detection function using existing components. The sensor unit detects human presence while the apparatus simultaneously performs copying or printing operations, eliminating the need for dedicated monitoring equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the existing image forming apparatus as a cost-effective solution rather than investing in expensive specialized monitoring cameras. By repurposing equipment already present in the environment, the solution avoids additional capital expenditure on specialized hardware.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor detects humans continuously and provides detailed alerts, then monitoring accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs human presence detection at periodic intervals rather than continuous monitoring. The sensor detects human presence, and the control unit determines density levels at discrete time points, reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial monitoring by detecting human presence only to the extent necessary for density determination. Rather than continuously tracking every movement or providing exhaustive monitoring data, the system performs sufficient detection to determine whether the density exceeds the threshold and issues alerts accordingly.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a sensor and an alerting portion. The sensor detects a human. The alerting portion changes the contents of an alert in accordance with the density level of people that is determined based on the number of times of sensing, which is the number of times that a human is detected during a predetermined time based on the output of the sensor, and a predefined threshold value.