The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-232102 filed on Nov. 14, 2014 including description, claims, drawings, and abstract are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a power supply method, and a power supply program.
2. Background Art
In recent years, image forming apparatuses having power saving functions (also called power conservation functions) have been widely used. In such an image forming apparatus, when the apparatus has not been used by users for a certain period of time, for example, the power supply mode is switched from a normal mode to a power saving mode and functions used during normal operation are limited, which enables reduction in power consumption.
On the other hand, the image forming apparatus operating in the power saving mode terminates the power saving mode and returns to the normal mode, which is triggered by user's operation on an operation panel, reception of a print job from a client terminal connected via a network, or the like. It may take time, however, to return to the normal mode from the power saving mode, which keeps the user waiting in front of the image forming apparatus when the user operates the operation panel to make the image forming apparatus to return from the power saving mode to the normal mode.
In this context, JP 2014-98894 A discloses a technology of detecting a user moving toward an image forming apparatus and starting termination of the power saving mode before the user arrives in front of the image forming apparatus, so that the user waiting time is shortened.
With the technology of JP 2014-98894 A, however, the user cannot know what behaviors of a user moving toward the image forming apparatus are triggers for terminating the power saving mode. Thus, the power saving mode may be uselessly terminated even for a person (non user of the image forming apparatus) who is merely passing in front of the image forming apparatus without intention of using the image forming apparatus. As a result, the image forming apparatus wastefully consumes power, which disadvantageously undermines the power consumption reducing effect of the power saving functions.
One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an image forming apparatus, a power supply control method, and a power supply control program that prevent useless termination of a power saving mode for a person who does not intend to use the image forming apparatus.
One or more embodiments of the present invention are listed below.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes: an image former, accommodated in a housing, that forms an image on a sheet; a human detector that detects a person; a light emitter that emits light; a power supply that supplies power to the image former in any of multiple power supply modes; and a controller. The multiple power supply modes include a normal mode in which power enabling image forming by the image former is supplied and a power saving mode in which less power is supplied than in the normal mode. The controller sets a first detection area positioned outside of the housing and a second detection area contained in the first detection area, controls the light emitter to emit the light when the human detector detects the person in the first detection area, and controls to start terminating the power saving mode when the human detector detects the person in the second detection area.
In the image forming apparatus according to one or more embodiments, the controller may control the light emitter to illuminate the second detection area with light when the human detector detects the person in a third detection area that is an area excluding the second detection area from the first detection area.
In the image forming apparatus according to one or more embodiments, the light emitter may emit light toward a floor surface in the second detection area.
In the image forming apparatus according to one or more embodiments, the human detector may have a sensor that locates a position of the person, and the controller may control the light emitter to change a position of light emission on the floor surface in the second detection area according to the position of the person.
In the image forming apparatus according to one or more embodiments, the controller may control the light emitter to draw a marker following movement of the person in the third detection area and indicating a direction to the housing from the person.
In the image forming apparatus according to one or more embodiments, when the human detector detects the person in the second detection area, the controller may control the power supply to start terminating the power saving mode and turn off a sensor of the human detector.
In the image forming apparatus according to one or more embodiments, when the human detector detects the person in the third detection area, the controller may determine whether the person has moved from outside of the first detection area to the third detection area or from the second detection area to the third detection area. Furthermore, when the controller determines that the person has moved from outside of the first detection area to the third detection area, the controller may control the light emitter to illuminate the second detection area with light, and when the controller determines that the person has moved from the second detection area to the third detection area, the controller may control the light emitter not to illuminate the second detection area.
In the image forming apparatus according to one or more embodiments, when the controller determines that the person has stayed in the third detection area longer than a predetermined time, the controller may control the light emitter to suspend illumination of the second detection area with light.
In the image forming apparatus according to one or more embodiments, when the controller determines that the person has moved from the third detection area to the second detection area and the human detector detects the person in the second detection area and another person in the third detection area at the same time, the controller may control the light emitter to suspend illumination of the second detection area with light and may control the power supply to start terminating the power saving mode.
In the image forming apparatus according to one or more embodiments, when the human detector detects the person in the second detection area and another person in the third detection area at the same time, the controller may control the power supply to start terminating the power saving mode.
In the image forming apparatus according to one or more embodiments, when the controller determines that the person has moved from the second detection area to the third detection area and another person has moved from outside of the first detection area to the third detection area, the control unit may control the light emitter to illuminate the second detection area with light.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a power supply control method includes: setting a first detection area positioned outside of a housing of an image forming apparatus and a second detection area contained in the first detection area and located adjacent to the housing; controlling a light emitter to emit light when a person is detected in the first detection area; and controlling a power supply to start terminating a power saving mode when the person is detected in the second detection area.
In the power supply control method according to one or more embodiments, the controlling the light emitter to illuminate with light may include controlling the light emitter to illuminate the second detection area with light when the person is detected in a third detection area that is an area excluding the second detection area from the first detection area.
In the power supply control method according to one or more embodiments, the controlling the light emitter to illuminate the second detection area with light may include controlling the light emitter to emit light toward a floor surface in the second detection area.
In the power supply control method according to one or more embodiments, the controlling the light emitter to illuminate the second detection area with light may include controlling the light emitter to draw a marker indicating a direction to the housing from a position of the person in the second direction area, the marker following movement of the person.
In the power supply control method according to one or more embodiments may include: determining on whether the person has moved from outside of the first detection area to the third detection area or from the second detection area to the third detection area when the human detecting unit detects a person in the third detection area; controlling the light emitter to illuminate the second detection area with light when it is determined that the person has moved from outside of the first detection area to the third detection area; and controlling the light emitter not to illuminate the second detection area when it is determined that the person has moved from the second detection area to the third detection area.
In the power supply control method according to one or more embodiments, the controlling to start terminating the power saving mode may include controlling the power supply to start termination of the power saving mode when the person is detected in the second detection area and another person is detected in the third detection area at the same time.
In the power supply control method according to one or more embodiments, the controlling the light emitter to illuminate the second detection area with light may include controlling the light emitter to illuminate the second detection area with light when it is determined that the person has moved from the second detection area to the third detection area and another person has moved from outside of the first detection area to the third detection area.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a power supply control program causes a computer to execute the power supply control method according to one or more embodiments.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable program causes a computer to execute the power supply control method according to one or more embodiments.
Embodiments of the present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the appended drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention, and wherein:
Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus, a power supply control method, and a power supply control program according to one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In the drawings, the same components will be designated by the same reference numerals. In addition, ratios of dimensions in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may be different from actual ratios.
In examples of the present embodiment, an example in which the image forming apparatus is a multifunction peripheral (MFP) will be described. The image forming apparatus, however, may be a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, or the like.
<Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
<Image Reading Unit>
The image reading unit 110 optically reads an original document placed on an automatic document feeder (ADF), and generates an image data signal. The image reading unit 110 includes a light source, an optical system, an image sensor, and an analog-to-digital conversion circuit. In the image reading unit 110, the light source emits light rays of R, G, and B sequentially toward the original document. The optical system has multiple mirrors and an imaging lens. Reflected light rays from the original document are focused onto the image sensor via the mirrors and the imaging lens of the optical system. The image sensor reads the reflected light rays corresponding to the colors R, G, and B line by line, and generates an electrical signal according to the intensities of reflected light rays from the original document. The generated electrical signal is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by the analog-to-digital conversion circuit, and transmitted as an image data signal to the image processing unit 120.
<Image Processing Unit>
The image processing unit 120 generates printed image data. The image processing unit 120 applies various image processing techniques such as shading compensation and γ correction to the image data signal generated by the image reading unit 110 to generate printed image data in bitmap format.
Furthermore, the image processing unit 120 includes a rasterizing unit, and generates the printed image data on the basis of print setting and print data contained in a print job received by the communication I/F 150. The generated printed image data are transmitted to the control unit 190 and stored in a memory.
<Image Forming Unit>
The image forming unit 130 forms an image by an electrophotographic process, an electrostatic recording method, or the like, and fixes the formed image onto a sheet that is a recording medium. Specifically, the image forming unit 130 irradiates a photosensitive member with light with use of light emitting elements such as lasers or light emitting diodes (LEDs) to form an electrostatic latent image based on the printed image data stored in the memory of the control unit 190. Subsequently, the image forming unit 130 charges the photosensitive member having the electrostatic latent image formed thereon, so that toner adheres to the surface of the photosensitive member and forms a toner image, and transfers the toner image onto the sheet with use of a transfer belt. The sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device, and heated under pressure, so that the toner image is adhered onto the sheet. The sheet onto which the toner image is adhered is conveyed to a post-processing device.
<Operation Panel>
The operation panel 140 receives user's instructions and displays messages and the like for the user. In examples of the present embodiment, the operation panel 140 has button switches and a touch panel attached to the housing B. The user operates these button switches and touch screens displayed on the touch panel to input instructions to the MFP 100. The touch screens display input information, various setting information data, warning messages, and the like.
<Communication I/F>
The communication I/F 150 is an interface for communication with devices such as client terminals connected to a network. The communication I/F 150 receives a print job from a client terminal, and sends the received print job to the image processing unit 120.
For the communication I/F 150, a network interface based on a standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Token Ring, or FDDI, and in addition, various types of local interface such as a serial interface such as a universal serial bus (USB) or based on IEEE 1394 or the like, a parallel interface based on SCSI, IEEE 1284 or the like, a wireless communication interface based on Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE 802.11, HomeRF, IrDA and the like, and a telephone line interface for connection to a telephone line, etc. can be used.
<Human Detecting Unit>
As illustrated in
Note that the shape and the size of the human detection area D1 are not limited. The shape of the human detection area D1 can be a circle, an oval, a fan-like shape, or a rectangle, for example. The human detection area D1 can be set to a range of several meters, or more preferably to a range of 2 to 3 meters, for example, from the position of the MFP 100 depending on the surrounding environment in which the MFP 100 is installed.
In examples of the present embodiment, the human detecting unit 160 includes an imager (video camera) as a sensor. The imager may be attached to the front of the housing B of the MFP 100 (the near side of the drawing in
Note that the shooting range of the imager may be such a range that movement of a person can be taken in a range within a radius of several meters from about the operation panel 140 of the MFP 100, and may be such a range that the floor surface F on which the MFP 100 is installed can also be taken.
Although an example in which the imager is used as the sensor of the human detecting unit 160 to detect a person will be described below, the human detecting unit 160 is not limited to an imager, but a pyroelectric infrared sensor, for example, may be used to detect a person. When a pyroelectric infrared sensor is used, the human detecting unit 160 can include a first sensor for detecting the human detection area D1 and a second sensor for detecting a power saving termination area (second detection area) D2, which will be described later, for example.
<Light Emitting Unit>
The light emitting unit 170 illuminates the power saving termination area D2 with light. As illustrated in
Note that the shape and the size of the power saving termination area D2 is not limited. The shape of the power saving termination area D2 can be a circle, an oval, a fan-like shape, or a rectangle, for example. The power saving termination area D2 can be set in view of the time taken for the MFP 100 to return from a power saving mode to a normal mode and the time for the user to reach the front of the MFP 100 after entering the power saving termination area D2 so that the user need not be kept waiting in front of the MFP 100. The power saving termination area D2 may have a size sufficient for the user not to be kept waiting in front of the MFP 100 and as small as possible in terms of reducing power consumption of the laser. More specifically, the power saving termination area D2 may be set within a range of several centimeters to two meters from the position of the MFP 100, for example.
<Power Supply Unit>
The power supply unit 180 distributes power supplied from a commercial power supply (not illustrated) to the components, which are the image reading unit 110, the image processing unit 120, the image forming unit 130, the operation panel 140, the communication I/F 150, the human detecting unit 160, the light emitting unit 170, and the control unit 190.
The MFP 100 of examples of the present embodiment has a power saving function, and can reduce power consumption while the MFP 100 is not being used. In examples of the present embodiment, the power supply unit 180 supplies power in a power supply mode among multiple power supply modes including the “normal mode” and the “power saving mode.”
In the normal mode, the power supply unit 180 supplies power sufficient for image formation by the image forming unit 130 to the components. In the power saving mode, the power supply unit 180 supplies minimum power to the components of the MFP 100 so that the power supply is less than that in the normal mode. In the power saving mode, in order to reduce power consumption, some of the functions used in normal operation such as touch panel screen display on the operation panel 140 and image formation by the image forming unit 130, for example, are suspended. Note that power is supplied to part of the communication I/F 150, the human detecting unit 160, the light emitting unit 170, and the control unit 190 even during operation in the power saving mode.
Herein, a state in which the MFP 100 operates in the power saving mode will be referred to as a “power saving state.” The MFP 100 in the power saving state terminates the power saving mode and returns to the normal mode, which is triggered by user's operation on the operation panel 140, reception of a print job from a client terminal connected via a network, or the like. Herein, a state in which the MFP 100 operates in the normal mode will be referred to as a “power saving termination state.”
<Control Unit>
The control unit 190 controls the image reading unit 110, the image processing unit 120, the image forming unit 130, the operation panel 140, the communication I/F 150, the human detecting unit 160, the light emitting unit 170, and the power supply unit 180.
As illustrated in
The memory 191 includes a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM), and stores printed image data generated by the image processing unit 120, processing results, parameters, and the like.
The HDD 192 stores therein an operating system, various application programs, control programs for controlling the MFP 100, and the like.
In examples of the present embodiment, in particular, a power supply control program Q for controlling power supply is stored as a control program in the HDD 192. The power supply control program Q is configured to make the CPU 193 execute a power supply control method, which will be described later.
The control unit 190 sets the human detection area D1 located outside of the housing B, and the power saving termination area D2 contained in the human detection area D1 and located adjacent to the housing B. Note that the control unit 190 can also register the shapes and the sizes of the human detection area D1 and the power saving termination area D2 as data in the memory 191, and update the registered data in response to user's request. This allows the shapes and the sizes of the human detection area D1 and the power saving termination area D2 to be changed as necessary according to a change in the surrounding environment of the position where the MFP 100 is installed or user's preference, for example.
When the human detecting unit 160 has detected a person in the human detection area D1, the control unit 190 controls the light emitting unit 170 to emit light in such a manner that the user can recognize the power saving termination area D2. Furthermore, when the human detecting unit 160 has detected a person in the power saving termination area D2, the control unit 190 performs control to start terminating the power saving mode.
<Outline of Power Supply Control Method>
Hereinafter, an outline of the power supply control method according to examples of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
Subsequently, the MFP 100 waits until a person is detected in the human detection area D1 (step S103). Specifically, the imager of the human detecting unit 160 takes a picture of the human detection area D1, performs image processing on the video picture to determine the position of a person in the video picture, and determines whether or not a person is present in the human detection area D1. Since a known processing method can be applied as a specific method for image processing of the video picture, detailed description thereof is omitted.
If a person is detected in the human detection area D1 (step S103: YES), light is emitted toward the power saving termination area D2 (step S104). More specifically, the light emitting unit 170 emits laser light toward the floor surface F in the power saving termination area D2 to illuminate the floor surface F in the power saving termination area D2 with the light.
Note that the laser light is emitted so that a person (user) entering the human detection area D1 can recognize (perceive) the power saving termination area D2 at a glance. For example, in examples of the present embodiment, laser light can be emitted to the entire floor surface F within the power saving termination area D2 as illustrated in
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a person has moved within a non power saving termination area (step S105). The non power saving termination area (third detection area) in examples of the present embodiment is an area excluding the power saving termination area D2 from the human detection area D1.
If a person has not moved within the non power saving termination area (step S105: NO), it is determined whether or not a person has moved to the non detection area (step S106). If a person has moved to the non detection area (step S106: YES), the method proceeds to the process in step S103. If a person has not moved to the non detection area (step S106: NO), the method proceeds to the process in step S105 again.
If a person has moved within the non power saving termination area (step S105: YES), the position of illumination in the power saving termination area D2 is made to follow the position of the person (step S107). A specific example of making the position of illumination in the power saving termination area D2 follow the position of a person will be described later with reference to examples.
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a person is detected in the power saving termination area D2 (step S108). The control unit 190 analyzes a video picture taken by the imager of the human detecting unit 160 to determine whether or not a person is detected in the power saving termination area D2. If no person is detected in the power saving termination area D2 (step S108: NO), it is determined whether or not a person has moved to the non detection area (step S109). If a person has moved to the non detection area (step S109: YES), the method proceeds to the process in step S103. If a person has not moved to the non detection area (step S109: NO), the method proceeds to the process in step S108 again.
If a person is detected in the power saving termination area D2 (step S108: YES), termination of the power saving mode of the MFP 100 is started (step S110). The control unit 190 performs control to terminate the power saving mode and return to the normal mode.
Subsequently, emission of light to the power saving termination area D2 is suspended (step S111). The control unit 190 performs control to suspend radiation of laser light to the light emitting unit 170.
Subsequently, as illustrated in
If a person has moved from the power saving termination area D2 to the non power saving termination area (step S112: YES), it is determined whether or not the power saving transition time has elapsed (step S115). If the power saving transition time has not elapsed (step S115: NO), it is determined whether or not the person who had moved to the non power saving termination area has moved to the non detection area (step S116). If the person who had moved to the non power saving termination area has not moved to the non detection area (step S116: NO), the method proceeds to the process in step S115 again. If the person who had moved to the non power saving termination area has moved to the non detection area (step S116: YES), the method proceeds to the process in step S103 in
If the power saving transition time has elapsed (step S115: YES), it is determined whether or not a person has moved from the non detection area to the non power saving termination area (step S117). If a person has moved from the non detection area to the non power saving termination area (step S117: YES), the method proceeds to the process in step S104 in
The outline of the power supply control method according to examples of the present embodiment has been described above with reference to
In the first example, a case in which a person P present in the non detection area approaches the MFP 100 to use the MFP 100 will be described.
As illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
As described above, in the first example illustrated in
In the second example, a case in which a person present in the non power saving termination area moves within the non power saving termination area without going toward the power saving termination area and a marker is drawn following the movement of the person will be described.
As illustrated in
The marker M is drawn in such a form that allows the person P present in the non power saving termination area to easily recognize the direction toward the installation position of the MFP 100 from the position of the person P. In the present example, a marker M in the shape of an arrow pointing the MFP 100 from the position of the person P is drawn on the floor surface F in the power saving termination area D2. Note that the shape of the marker M may be a shape other than an arrow.
The marker M may be drawn in a color different from that of the other part of the power saving termination area D2 other than the marker M so that the marker M can be easily distinguished from the other part. Alternatively, a part (having an arrow shape, for example) that is not illuminated with laser light may be generated on the floor surface F in the power saving termination area D2 and used as the marker M.
As described above, in the second example illustrated in
Note that the human detection area D1 and the power saving termination area D2 in examples of the present embodiment are not limited to the shapes illustrated in
In the second example, the case in which the entire floor surface in the power saving termination area is illuminated with light and a marker is drawn following the movement of the person has been described. In the third example, a case in which the entire floor surface in the power saving termination area is not illuminated with light but a marker is drawn following the movement of a person will be described.
As illustrated in
Alternatively, as illustrated in
In the fourth example, a case in which a person present in the power saving termination area moves to the non power saving termination area will be described.
As illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
Then, as illustrated in
The fifth example is an example following the fourth example. In the fifth example, a case in which a person moves from the non detection area to the non power saving termination area in a state in which another person who moved from the power saving termination area to the non power saving termination area is present.
As illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
As described above, in examples of the present embodiment, when the human detecting unit 160 has detected a person P who has moved from the non detection area to the non power saving termination area, the control unit 190 controls the light emitting unit 170 to illuminate the power saving termination area D2 with light. Furthermore, when the human detecting unit 160 has detected a person P in the power saving termination area D2, the control unit 190 controls the light emitting unit 170 to suspend light emission to the power saving termination area D2.
Alternatively, in examples of the present embodiment, illumination of the power saving termination area D2 with light may be continued without being suspended after a person P moved from the non power saving termination area to the power saving termination area D2. In this case, the control unit 190 performs control so that laser light will not emitted toward the person P.
Furthermore, the power saving termination area D2 may also be illuminated with light when it is detected that a person has moved from the non detection area to the power saving termination area D2 without passing through the non power saving termination area. For example, when a person enters the human detection area D1 from a side of the MFP 100, the person can move from the non detection area to the power saving termination area D2 without passing through the non power saving termination area since the power saving termination area D2 is close to the boundary between the non detection area and the human detection area D1 in the vicinity of the MFP 100.
Furthermore, the power saving termination area D2 may be illuminated with light when a person is detected in the human detection area D1 whether the person is present in the non power saving termination area or the power saving termination area D2.
The image forming apparatus, the power supply control method, and the power supply control program according to examples of the present embodiment described above produces the following advantageous effects.
Since the area in which the power saving mode is terminated is illuminated with light in the surrounding area of the MFP 100, it is possible to notify a person around the MFP 100 of the area in which the power saving mode is terminated. A person who does not intend to use the MFP 100 is thus prevented from accidentally stepping into the area in which the power saving mode is terminated, which can thus prevent the power saving mode from being uselessly terminated. As a result, the MFP 100 can be prevented from wastefully consuming power, which thus prevents the power consumption reducing effect of the power saving functions from being undermined.
In examples of the first embodiment, a description has been made on controlling the light emitting unit so that power saving termination area is illuminated with light when the human detecting unit has detected a person. In examples of a second embodiment, a description will be made on providing a limit to the time during which the power saving termination area is illuminated with light.
Since configurations in examples of the present embodiment corresponding to those illustrated in
In
In step S205, the MFP 100 waits until a predetermined time elapses. The predetermined time may be a time period having a length sufficient for a person P who moved to the non power saving termination area to recognize the range of the power saving termination area D2 or a longer length.
Subsequently, light emission to the power saving termination area D2 is suspended (step S206). The control unit 190 controls the light emitting unit 170 to suspend light emission to the power saving termination area D2 so as not to illuminate the floor surface F in the power saving termination area D2 with light.
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a person has moved from the non power saving termination area to the non detection area (step S207). If a person has moved from the non power saving termination area to the non detection area (step S207: YES), the method proceeds to the process in step S203.
If a person has not moved from the non power saving termination area to the non detection area (step S207: NO), it is determined whether or not a person is detected in the power saving termination area D2 (step S208). If no person is detected in the power saving termination area D2 (step S208: NO), it is determined whether or not a person has moved to the non detection area (step S209). If a person has moved to the non detection area (step S209: YES), the method proceeds to the process in step S203. If a person has not moved to the non detection area (step S209: NO), the method proceeds to the process in step S208.
If a person is detected in the power saving termination area D2 (step S208: YES), termination of the power saving mode of the MFP 100 is started (step S210).
Since subsequent processes are the same as those in steps S112 to S118 of examples of the first embodiment illustrated in
As illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
The image forming apparatus, the power supply control method, and the power supply control program according to examples of the present embodiment described above produces the following advantageous effect in addition to the effects of examples of the first embodiment.
As a result of suspending emission of laser light to the power saving termination area D2 after elapse of the predetermined time since a person P moved to the non power saving termination area, power consumption due to laser light emission can be reduced.
In examples of the third embodiment, a case in which at least one of a plurality of people present in the non power saving termination area has moved to the power saving termination area will be described. Since configurations in examples of the present embodiment corresponding to those illustrated in
In
In step S304, it is determined whether or not a person is detected in the power saving termination area D2. If no person is detected in the power saving termination area D2 (step S304: NO), light is emitted toward the power saving termination area D2 (step S305). If a person is detected in the power saving termination area D2 (step S304: YES), the power saving mode of the MFP 100 is terminated (step S311). Since the processes in step S305 and subsequent steps are the same as those in step S104 and subsequent steps in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.
As illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
In this manner, even when the person P1 is present in the non power saving termination area, the power saving mode is terminated when the person P2 has moved to the power saving termination area D2. Furthermore, when three or more people are present in the non power saving termination area, the power saving mode is also terminated when at least one of the people has moved to the power saving termination area D2.
The image forming apparatus, the power supply control method, and the power supply control program according to examples of the present embodiment described above produces the following advantageous effects in addition to the effects of examples of the first and second embodiments.
Even when a person is present in the non power saving termination area and a person is present in the power saving termination area D2, the control unit 190 can start termination of the power saving mode of the MFP 100.
Furthermore, even when multiple people are present in the non power saving termination area, since the area in which the power saving mode is terminated is illuminated with light in the surrounding area of the MFP 100, it is possible to notify people around the MFP 100 of the area in which the power saving mode is terminated.
In examples of the first to third embodiments, description has been made on cases in which the imager of the human detecting unit is kept always-on after being turned on. In contrast, in examples of the fourth embodiment, description will be made on a case in which, when a person has moved to the power saving termination area, termination of the power saving mode of the MFP is started, light emission toward the power saving termination area is suspended, and the imager of the human detecting unit is turned off. Since configurations in examples of the present embodiment corresponding to those illustrated in
In
In step S412, the imager of the human detecting unit 160 is turned off. In examples of the present embodiment, taking pictures of the human detection area D1 with the imager of the human detecting unit 160 is suspended. The method then proceeds to the process in step S401.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As described above, in the power supply control method illustrated in
The image forming apparatus, the power supply control method, and the power supply control program according to examples of the present embodiment described above produces the following advantageous effect in addition to the effects of examples of the first to third embodiments.
Since the imager of the human detecting unit 160 is turned off when the MFP 100 is in the power saving termination state, the power consumption of the human detecting unit 160 can be reduced.
In examples of the third embodiment, the case in which at least one of a plurality of people present in the non power saving termination area has moved to the power saving termination area while the imager of the human detecting unit is always on has been described. In contrast, in examples of the fifth embodiment, a case in which the imager of the human detecting unit is turned off in a state in which people are present in the non power saving termination area and the power saving termination area will be descried. Since configurations in examples of the present embodiment corresponding to those illustrated in
In
In step S513, the imager of the human detecting unit 160 is turned off. In examples of the present embodiment, taking pictures of the human detection area D1 with the imager of the human detecting unit 160 is suspended. The method then proceeds to the process in step S501.
As illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
Subsequently, as illustrated in
In this manner, In the power supply control method illustrated in
The image forming apparatus, the power supply control method, and the power supply control program according to examples of the present embodiment described above produces the following advantageous effect in addition to the effects of examples of the first to fourth embodiments.
Even when a person is present in the non power saving termination area and a person is present in the power saving termination area D2, the control unit 190 starts terminating the power saving mode of the MFP 100 and turns off the imager of the human detecting unit 160, which can reduce the power consumption of the human detecting unit 160.
As described above, certain embodiments of the image forming apparatus, the power supply control method, and the power supply control program according to the present invention have been descried. Needless to say, however, further addition, modification, and omission can be made as necessary by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.
For example, in examples of the first to fifth embodiments, the cases in which the human detecting unit mounted in the front of the housing of the image forming apparatus is used to detect mainly a person in front of the image forming apparatus have been described. The present invention, however, is not limited to such cases. For example, the human detecting unit may be mounted separately from the body of the image forming apparatus at a position and orientation in which the human detecting unit can detect the state of the whole image forming apparatus body, so as to set the human detection area and the power saving termination area around the image forming apparatus body. As a result of setting the human detection area and the power saving termination area in this manner, a person at a side and a person at a back of the image forming apparatus can also be detected in addition to a person in front of the image forming apparatus.
Furthermore, in examples of the first to fifth embodiments, description has been made on the cases in which the light emitting unit includes a projector with a light source being a laser pointer or a laser, and laser light is emitted toward the power saving termination area so that the power saving termination area is illuminated with light. The present invention, however, is not limited to the cases in which laser light is emitted toward the power saving termination area, but a light emitting element or the like may be disposed under the floor surface to make the floor surface in the power saving termination area luminous, so that the power saving termination area is illuminated with light.
Furthermore, in examples of the first to fifth embodiments, description has been made on the cases in which the control unit of the image forming apparatus has a power supply control program, and the control unit controls the human detecting unit and the light emitting unit. The power supply control program, however, is not limited to be provided in the control unit of the image forming apparatus. For example, the power supply control program may be provided in a server connected to the image forming apparatus via a network, and a CPU of the server may be configured to control the human detecting unit and the light emitting unit by executing the power supply control program.
Furthermore, in examples of the first to fifth embodiments, description has been made on the cases in which a CPU of the control unit that performs control (job execution control, etc.) in the normal mode performs control in the power saving mode. A control unit (sub CPU) configured to perform control in the power saving mode, however, may be provided in addition to a control unit (main CPU) that performs control in the normal mode.
Furthermore, to prevent termination of the power saving mode when a person unintentionally enters the power saving termination area, the control unit may be configured such that the human detecting unit takes the time during which the person stays in the power saving termination area into account in detecting a person in the power saving termination area. In other words, the control unit may be configured to recognize only a person detected in the power saving termination area and staying in the power saving termination area for a predetermined threshold or longer as a detected person.
Although the disclosure has been described with respect to only a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that various other embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2014-232102 | Nov 2014 | JP | national |