JP2014094568A - Information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An information processing apparatus capable of extending the life of an apparatus component having a life by preventing return from an unnecessary energy saving mode and reducing unnecessary power consumption.
An MFP as an information processing apparatus is an MFP having a first power mode and a second power mode that saves power compared to the first power mode, and first detection means 502 that detects a change in state. When the first detection unit 502 detects a change in state, the second detection unit 1202 starts a detection operation for detecting an object approaching the MFP, and the second detection unit 1202 detects an object. Control means for changing the power mode of the MFP from the second power mode to the first power mode.
[Selection] Figure 12

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus characterized by a human body detection technique for switching power modes.

  In the conventional information processing apparatus, in order to realize energy saving, an energy saving mode in which the power supply of most parts inside the apparatus is turned off is supported. Returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode takes time because the power is turned on, which may impair user convenience.

  In order to solve this problem, some information processing apparatuses that support a conventional energy saving mode are provided with a human body detection unit, and return from the energy saving mode when a human body is detected (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This has the effect of apparently speeding up the startup time for the user.

JP-A-11-202690

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, there is no problem when the user approaches the information processing device when the operation unit is operated. However, the user approaches the information processing device for purposes other than the operation unit operation. Sometimes.

  For example, when the paper discharged to the paper discharge unit is picked up, the paper is supplied to the paper supply unit, or the toner is supplied. In this case, it is not necessary to return the information processing apparatus from the energy saving mode. When the information processing apparatus is unnecessarily activated, there is a problem that a device having a lifetime in the number of activation times consumes the lifetime unnecessarily.

  Examples of devices having a lifetime include a HDD and a relay that turns on / off the power supply in the power supply unit, and a fuse that is used in the power supply unit. In addition, there is a problem in that unnecessary power is consumed in the time required for the information processing apparatus once activated to shift to the energy saving mode again.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of extending the life of an apparatus component having a life by preventing return from an unnecessary energy saving mode and reducing unnecessary power consumption.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to claim 1 is an information processing apparatus having a first power mode and a second power mode that is more power-saving than the first power mode. A first detection means for detecting a change; a second detection means for starting a detection operation for detecting an object approaching the information processing apparatus when the first detection means detects a change in the state; Control means for changing the power mode of the information processing apparatus from the second power mode to the first power mode when the second detection means detects an object.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prolong the life of apparatus parts having a lifetime by preventing return from an unnecessary energy saving mode, and to reduce unnecessary power consumption.

1 is an external view of an MFP 101 as an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an external view of a large MFP 201 as an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration inside MFP 101 of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part 303 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an operation unit 104 in FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement principle of the electrostatic capacitance type human body detection by the human body detection part 502 in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the human body detection part 502 in FIG. 6 is a top view in which a locus of a user who came to operate the operation unit 104 of the MFP 101 in which the antenna 501 is mounted on the operation unit 104 is entered. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the detection intensity of the electrostatic capacity detection circuit 701 in FIG. 7 and time with respect to the user's locus in FIG. 8. 6 is a top view in which a locus of a user who has picked up a sheet is entered in a paper discharge unit 103 of an MFP 101 in which an antenna 501 is mounted on an operation unit 104. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the detection intensity | strength of the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 701 in FIG. 7, and time with respect to the user's locus | trajectory of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure by which the 2nd human body detection part 1202 is connected to the operation part 104 of FIG. 6 is a top view in which a locus of a user who has picked up a sheet is entered in the paper discharge unit 103 of the MFP 101 equipped with the antenna 501 in the operation unit 104 and the second antenna 1201 in the paper discharge unit 103. FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the detection intensity | strength of the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 701 in FIG. 7, and time with respect to the user's locus | trajectory of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process (return request judgment process) which judges whether the return request | requirement from the energy saving mode performed by CPU503 in FIG. 12 is output (1). Trajectory of the user when using the operation unit 104 after leaving the MFP 101 after picking up the paper in the paper discharge unit 103 of the MFP equipped with the antenna 501 in the operation unit 104 and the second antenna 1201 in the paper discharge unit 103 It is the top view which filled in. 17 is a graph showing the relationship between the detection intensity of the electrostatic capacity detection circuit 701 in FIG. 7 and time with respect to the user's locus in FIG. 16. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process (return request judgment process) which judges whether the return request | requirement from the energy saving mode performed by CPU503 in FIG. 12 is output (2). FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration in which a paper sensor 1901 is connected to the operation unit 104 of FIG. 3. 6 is a top view in which a locus of a user who has picked up a sheet is entered in the sheet discharge unit 103 of the MFP 101 equipped with the antenna 501 in the operation unit 104 and the sheet sensor 1901 in the sheet discharge unit 103. FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the detection intensity | strength of the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 701 in FIG. 7, and time with respect to the user's locus | trajectory of FIG. 20 (1). It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process (return request judgment process) which judges whether the return request | requirement from the energy saving mode performed by CPU503 in FIG. 19 is output (3). FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration in which a timer 2301 is added to the operation unit 104 of FIG. 3. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the detection intensity | strength of the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 701 in FIG. 7, and time with respect to the user's locus | trajectory of FIG. 20 (2). It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process (return request judgment process) which judges whether the return request | requirement from the energy saving mode performed by CPU503 in FIG. 23 is output (4).

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of an MFP 101 as an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The MFP (multi function peripheral) 101 has functions such as a copy, a scanner, a FAX, and a printer, and the first power mode (energy saving mode) and the second power mode in which the power supply state inside the apparatus is different. It has a plurality of power modes including (normal mode).

  The reader unit 102 is a place where a user places a paper document, reads the paper document with a sensor, and outputs electronic data. The operation unit 104 is a unit that includes a button for a user to give an instruction to the apparatus, and a display element that displays a state of the apparatus and an operation menu.

  The printer unit 105 is a unit that prints a desired image on a sheet, and prints a desired image by placing toner on the sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding unit 106 and fixing it. The printed paper is discharged by the paper discharge unit 103. The paper feed unit 106 is a unit for storing paper, and the user can add paper.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of a large MFP 201 as an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  The large MFP 201 has a larger outer shape than the normal MFP 101 in order to support high-speed printing and continuous printing of a large number of sheets. In particular, the printer unit 205, the paper feed unit 206, the paper discharge unit 203, and the operation unit 204 are large. The reader unit 202 also realizes a higher operating speed. The toner replenishing unit 207 is arranged at a position where the large MFP 201 can easily replenish toner in order to realize high-speed continuous operation.

  The purpose of the user who uses the MFP 101 and the large MFP 201 is mainly for operating the operation unit, for picking up the discharged paper, for supplying paper, or for supplying toner. The large MFP 201 is characterized in that the user's standing position is significantly different from that of the MFP 101.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration inside the MFP 101 of FIG.

  3 shows the internal hardware configuration of the MFP 101 in FIG. 1, the large MFP 201 in FIG. 2 also has an internal configuration as shown in FIG.

  The plug 301 is plugged into a commercial AC power outlet and supplies AC power to the power supply unit 302. The power supply unit 302 supplies power to each unit in the apparatus, converts AC power into a voltage suitable for each unit, and converts AC to DC as necessary. The control unit 303 is a unit that controls other units and processes and transfers electronic data.

  The power supply control signal 304 is a signal for the control unit 303 to perform on / off control of the output of the power supply unit 302. The MFP 101 has a normal operation mode and an energy saving mode in which power consumption is greatly reduced.

  In the energy saving mode, the power of the reader unit 102, the paper discharge unit 103, the printer unit 105, and the paper feed unit 106 is cut to reduce power consumption. Also, only a part of the inside of the control unit 303 and the operation unit 104 operates, and the power of other parts is cut off. The power is supplied only to a circuit that detects a trigger for returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode.

  The trigger is reception of a FAX, reception of a job via a network, pressing of a button on the operation unit 104, or the like. For the user who presses the button of the operation unit 104 in the energy saving mode, it is desirable to make the operation unit 104 usable as soon as possible.

  However, it may take several seconds to several tens of seconds depending on the software or hardware that controls the operation unit 104. Also, for example, relays and HDDs that turn on / off power have a lifetime (tens of thousands of times in a small example). For example, in the case of a relay, it is the life of a contact, and in the case of an HDD, it is a life due to accumulation of mechanical stress on a recording medium or a head.

  Therefore, there is a limit to the number of times to shift between the energy saving mode and the normal mode. Therefore, it is desirable that the number of times of migration is as small as possible.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the control unit 303 in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the CPU 402 performs processing of the control unit 303 and uses the memory 403.

  A reader I / F 404 is an I / F for communicating with the reader unit 102. The internal bus 405 is for the CPU 402 to communicate with each block in the control unit 303. The operation unit I / F 406 is an I / F that communicates with the operation unit 104, and transmits display data and receives input information from a user such as a button or a touch panel.

  A LAN I / F 407 is connected to a network such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and exchanges job data and commands / statuses. A FAX I / F 408 is an I / F that is connected to a public telephone line and performs FAX image communication.

  The HDD 409 stores programs and OS used by the CPU 402. The HDD 409 stores job data and image data as files. The job data refers to data for the MFP to execute a function, such as PDL data for print processing received from a client PC (not shown) via the LAN I / F. A printer I / F 410 is an I / F that communicates with the printer unit 105, and exchanges commands / statuses and image data.

  A power control unit 401 is a block that controls the transition between the normal mode and the energy saving mode of the MFP. The power supply control unit 401 changes the power supply control signal 304 so as to shift from the normal mode to the energy saving mode by a command from the CPU 402.

  The power control unit 401 is operable in the first power mode (energy saving mode) and functions as a switching unit that switches the power mode when a trigger is detected.

  In addition, the power supply control unit 401 monitors the activation signals from the operation unit I / F 406, LAN I / F 407, and FAX I / F 408 in the energy saving mode, and returns to the normal mode from the energy saving mode when there is a change. The power control signal 304 is changed.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the operation unit 104 in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, a human body detection unit (also referred to as a living body detection unit) (first human body detection unit) 502 and an antenna 501 are blocks that perform capacitive human body detection, and determine whether a user approaches or leaves. Then, the result is transmitted to the control unit 303 via the host I / F 508.

  The CPU 503 controls the operation unit 104 and uses a memory 507 for operation. The memory 507 includes a nonvolatile program memory and a rewritable temporary memory.

  The display unit 504 displays data received from the control unit 303 via the host I / F 508 on the LCD. The button unit 506 includes a push button or a touch panel overlaid on the LCD. When the CPU 503 detects a change in the button or the touch panel, the CPU 503 transmits the change in the button or the touch panel to the control unit 303 via the host I / F 508.

  Each block in the operation unit 104 is connected by an internal bus 505. Under the energy saving mode, power is supplied to only part of the human body detection unit 502 and the host I / F 508 in order to reduce power consumption.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the human body detection unit 502 is provided in the operation unit 104 is illustrated, but a configuration in which the human body detection unit is connected to the internal bus 405 may be used. In addition, although a configuration in which the CPU 503 and the memory 507 are provided in the operation unit 104 is illustrated, a configuration in which the CPU 402 controls the operation unit 104 and the operation unit 104 does not have a CPU memory may be used.

  As described above, when the user restores the MFP in the energy saving mode by a button operation, it is desirable to restore it as soon as possible. By installing the human body detection unit in the MFP, it is possible to detect that the user has approached the MFP, return to the normal mode, and obtain an effect of apparently shortening the return time.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation principle of electrostatic capacity type human body detection by the human body detection unit 502 in FIG.

  At the time of electrostatic capacity type human body detection, the electrostatic capacity Chm between the antenna 501 and the human body 601 mounted on the MFP 101 is measured. The capacitance Chm increases or decreases depending on the distance between the antenna 501 and the human body 601. However, the capacitance that can be actually measured by the antenna 501 is the combined capacitance C of the capacitance Chg between the human body 601 and the ground and Cmg between the MFP 101 and the ground, in addition to Chm. The composite capacity C is defined by Equation 1.

C = (Chm + Chg) // Cmg (Formula 1)
Since the values of the capacitances Chg and Cmg vary depending on the environment, whether or not the human body 601 is approaching the MFP 101 is evaluated based on a relative value with respect to the base noise level. A feature of electrostatic human body detection is that, as can be seen from Equation 1, the distance between the human body 601 and the MFP 101 can be grasped relatively. Moreover, since the power consumption is low, it is suitable for operating in the energy saving mode.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the human body detection unit 502 in FIG.

  In FIG. 7, the capacitance detection circuit 701 includes a CV conversion unit 707, an A / D conversion unit 708, and a control unit 709. The CV conversion unit 707 to which the antenna 501 is connected converts the capacitance between the antenna 501 and the ground into a voltage value. The voltage value output from the CV converter 707 is converted into a digital value by the A / D converter 708.

  The control unit 709 controls the CV conversion unit 707 and the A / D conversion unit 708 in accordance with commands issued from the CPU 702. The CPU 702 reads the obtained digital value and performs operations such as noise removal and level conversion. The memory 704 includes a nonvolatile program memory and a rewritable temporary memory.

  Each block in the human body detection unit 502 is connected by an internal bus 703. The buffer 706 is a buffer that connects the internal bus 703 of the human body detection unit 502 and the internal bus 505 of the operation unit 104.

  FIG. 8 is a top view in which the locus of the user who came to operate the operation unit 104 of the MFP 101 in which the antenna 501 is mounted on the operation unit 104 is entered.

  In FIG. 8, reference symbol Th <b> 1 is a threshold for detecting a human body by the human body detection unit 502. If it is within the circle indicated by the threshold Th1, it is determined that the human body is detected. In the case of electrostatic capacitance type human body detection, since there is no directivity, the judgment criterion Th1 is circular.

  Here, the reason why the antenna 501 is arranged on the operation unit 104 is because the operation unit 104 has a return button for the user to switch from the energy saving mode to the normal mode. As long as a user approaching the operation unit 104 can be detected, the antenna 501 may be located elsewhere.

  FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the detection intensity of the capacitance detection circuit 701 in FIG. 7 and time with respect to the user's locus in FIG.

  In FIG. 9, since the user is away from the MFP 101 during the period from the origin to T901 in the graph, the detection intensity is at the noise level. The detection intensity gradually increases from T901, and it is determined that the human body is detected when Th1 is exceeded. At T903, when the detected intensity becomes smaller than Th1, it is determined that the user has left the MFP 101.

  The above is a general operation example of the MFP in which the electrostatic capacity type human body detection unit 502 is mounted. Thereby, before the user presses the button for returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode, the MFP can be started, and convenience for the user is improved.

  As described above, the user may approach the MFP for purposes other than the operation of the operation unit 104. For example, this is a case where the paper discharged to the paper discharge unit 103 is picked up.

  FIG. 10 is a top view in which the locus of the user who has picked up the paper is entered in the paper discharge unit 103 of the MFP 101 in which the antenna 501 is mounted on the operation unit 104.

  In FIG. 10, the user approaches the paper discharge unit 103 to pick up the output paper (arrow 1001), and after picking up the paper, the capacitance detection circuit 701 crosses the region where the detection intensity exceeds the threshold Th1. (Arrow 1002).

  FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the detection intensity of the capacitance detection circuit 701 in FIG. 7 and time with respect to the user's locus in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, the detected intensity exceeds the threshold Th1 during the period from T1201 to T1202, and the MFP 101 returns from the energy saving mode to the normal mode. In the present embodiment, a technique for reducing the possibility of returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode due to such erroneous detection is proposed.

(First embodiment)
In the first embodiment, an example in which a human body is detected by the operation unit 104 and the paper discharge unit 103 will be described. This is to distinguish between a user who has approached to operate the operation unit 104 and a user who has approached to take out the paper discharged to the paper discharge unit 103.

  In the first embodiment, the MFP may be the MFP 101 or the large MFP 201. Further, it is assumed that the apparatus configuration of the MFP is the same as that described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration in which the second human body detection unit 1202 is connected to the operation unit 104 of FIG.

  A second human body detection unit 1202 and a second antenna 1201 are added to the configuration of the operation unit 104 shown in FIG. The CPU 503 detects a user approaching to operate the operation unit 104 from the detection results of the human body detection unit 502 and the second human body detection unit 1202. Since the configuration of the second human body detection unit 1202 is the same as the configuration of the human body detection unit 502 described above, description thereof is omitted.

  The human body detection unit (first human body detection unit) 502 is arranged to detect a human body approaching the apparatus in order to input a trigger from the operation unit (operation panel) 104. The second human body detection unit 1202 is arranged to detect a human body approaching the apparatus for a purpose different from the trigger input.

  FIG. 13 is a top view in which the locus of the user who has picked up the paper is entered in the paper discharge unit 103 of the MFP 101 equipped with the antenna 501 in the operation unit 104 and the second antenna 1201 in the paper discharge unit 103.

  FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between the detection intensity of the electrostatic capacity detection circuit 701 in FIG. 7 and time with respect to the locus of the user in FIG.

  In the period from T1401 to T1404, since the detection intensity in the second human body detection unit 1202 exceeds the threshold Th2, it is determined that the human body is being detected. In the period from T1402 to T1403, the human body detection is performed because the detection intensity of the human body detection unit 502 exceeds the threshold Th1.

  The CPU 503 of the operation unit 104 determines whether to return from the energy saving mode. The determination criterion is when the output of the second human body detection unit 1202 is equal to or lower than the threshold Th2, and the output of the human body detection unit 502 is equal to or higher than the threshold Th1.

  That is, the energy saving mode is maintained when a human body is detected in the vicinity of the paper discharge unit 103, and returns from the energy saving mode when no human body is detected and when a human body is detected in the vicinity of the operation unit 104.

  Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the MFP from returning from the energy saving mode by a user who has come to the paper discharge unit 103 to pick up paper.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process (return request determination process) for determining whether or not to output a return request from the energy saving mode executed by the CPU 503 in FIG. 12 (1). Each processing step is marked with a symbol S.

  After the MFP 101 shifts to the energy saving mode, the CPU 503 of the operation unit 104 starts this flowchart.

  After shifting to the energy saving mode, in S101, the CPU 503 checks whether or not the output of the second human body detection unit 1202 exceeds Th2. If exceeded, the CPU 503 determines that the return condition from the energy saving mode is not satisfied, and performs the processing from S1001 again. If not exceeded, in S102, the CPU 503 checks whether the output of the human body detection unit 502 exceeds Th1.

  If not, it is determined that the return condition from the energy saving mode is not satisfied, and the process is performed from S101. If exceeded, in S103, the CPU 503 notifies the control unit 303 of a return request from the energy saving mode. The control unit 303 shifts from the energy saving mode to the normal mode by changing the power control signal 304.

  As described above, by adding the second antenna 1201 to the paper discharge unit 103 and combining it with the antenna 501 provided in the operation unit 104, a user who has come to pick up the paper output to the paper discharge unit 103 can be mistaken. The possibility of detecting and returning from the energy saving mode can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the second antenna 1201 is arranged in the paper discharge unit 103, but may be arranged in the paper supply unit 106 or other parts. For example, when the second antenna 1201 is arranged in the paper feed unit 106, it is possible to detect a user approaching the MFP 101 for the purpose of supplementing the paper feed unit 106 with paper.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, an example in which the human body detection threshold value Th1 in the human body detection unit 502 is set in two stages will be described.

  In the configuration described in the first embodiment, when the user takes a path approaching the operation unit 104 after taking the paper to the paper discharge unit 103, the CPU 503 instructs the control unit 303 to save energy. Improve that the output of the return request from is delayed.

  An example in which the user approaches the operation unit 104 after approaching the paper discharge unit 103 is when the user checks the paper discharge unit 103 and confirms the situation when a desired output is not found. Since the configuration of the apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 16 illustrates a case in which the operation unit 104 is used to move away from the MFP 101 after the operation unit 104 has been picked up by the operation unit 104 and the paper discharge unit 103 is equipped with the second antenna 1201. It is the top view which entered the user's locus.

  Arrows 1601, 1602, and 1603 indicate the movement trajectory of the user. When the threshold value Th2 of the paper discharge unit 103 includes the operation unit 104, even if the user approaches the operation unit 104 in the configuration of the first embodiment, a request for returning from the energy saving mode is not output. In the second embodiment, the human body detection intensity in the human body detection unit 502 is set to two stages of a threshold Th1 (first detection intensity) and Th1 ′ (second detection intensity).

  FIG. 17 is a graph showing the relationship between the detection intensity of the capacitance detection circuit 701 in FIG. 7 and time with respect to the user's locus in FIG.

  In FIG. 17, a period from T1701 to T1703 is a period in which the human body detection unit 1202 detects a human body. During this period, the human body detection intensity of the human body detection unit 502 equipped in the operation unit 104 is changed to the threshold value Th1 '.

  A period from T1702 to T1704 is a period during which the human body detection unit 502 detects the human body. The CPU 503 of the operation unit 104 outputs a return request from the energy saving mode to the control unit 303 at time T1702.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process (return request determination process) for determining whether or not to output a return request from the energy saving mode executed by the CPU 503 in FIG. 12 (2). Each processing step is marked with a symbol S.

  After the MFP 101 shifts to the energy saving mode, the CPU 503 of the operation unit 104 starts this flowchart.

  After shifting from the normal mode to the energy saving mode, the CPU 503 checks whether or not the output of the human body detection unit 502 exceeds Th1 'in S201. If exceeded, the CPU 503 determines that the return condition from the energy saving mode is satisfied, and notifies the control unit 303 of a return request from the energy saving mode in S204. If not, in S202, the CPU 503 checks whether the output of the human body detection unit 502 exceeds Th1.

  If not exceeded, the CPU 503 determines that the return condition from the energy saving mode is not satisfied, and performs the processing from S201. If exceeded, in S203, the CPU 503 checks whether the output of the second human body detection unit 1202 exceeds Th2.

  If exceeded, the CPU 503 determines that the return condition from the energy saving mode is not satisfied, and performs the processing from S201 again. If not exceeded, the CPU 503 notifies the control unit 303 of a return request from the energy saving mode to the normal mode in S204.

  As described above, when Th1 ′ having a detection intensity higher than Th1 is set and the output of the human body detection unit 502 exceeds Th1 ′, that is, when the user sufficiently approaches the operation unit 104, the energy saving mode is changed to the normal mode. The return request can be output. Further, when the output of the human body detection unit 502 exceeds Th1 and the output of the second human body detection unit 1202 is lower than Th2, that is, when the user moves from the paper discharge unit 103 to the operation unit 104, the energy saving mode is also performed. A request to return to the normal mode can be output.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which a sensor for detecting paper discharged to the paper discharge unit 103 is used instead of the second human body detection unit 1202 described in the first embodiment. The fact that the possibility of the user coming to the paper discharge unit 103 is low when the paper is not discharged is utilized. If the costs of the paper sensor and the human body detection unit are compared, there is an advantage that a low cost can be easily realized as compared with the second embodiment.

  FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration in which a paper sensor 1901 is connected to the operation unit 104 of FIG.

  A paper sensor 1901 is used instead of the second human body detection unit 1202 in FIG. The CPU 503 reads the value output from the paper sensor 1901 and determines whether or not there is paper discharged to the paper discharge unit 103.

  Here, the sheet sensor 1901 functions as a state detection unit that detects a specific state of the apparatus.

  FIG. 20 is a top view in which the locus of the user who has picked up the paper is entered in the paper discharge unit 103 of the MFP 101 equipped with the antenna 501 in the operation unit 104 and the paper sensor 1901 in the paper discharge unit 103.

  When the paper sensor 1901 detects the paper, the user may come to the paper discharge unit 103 to pick up the paper. Accordingly, the human body detection unit 502 narrows the detection range by increasing the detection intensity as shown by the circle of the threshold Th1 'in FIG. When the paper sensor 1901 does not detect the paper, it is unlikely that the user will pick up the paper at the paper discharge unit 103. Accordingly, the human body detection unit 502 reduces the detection intensity as shown by the circle of the threshold Th1 in FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a graph showing the relationship between the detection intensity of the capacitance detection circuit 701 in FIG. 7 and time with respect to the user's locus in FIG. 20 (1).

  As an example, the sheet sensor 1901 indicates a state where a sheet is detected. The detection intensity of the human body detection unit 502 is a threshold value Th1 '. Therefore, if the detected intensity when the user approaches the paper discharge unit 103 to pick up the paper (arrow 2001 in FIG. 20) and removes the paper from the paper discharge unit 103 (arrow 2002 in FIG. 20) is the threshold Th1. A request to return from the energy saving mode to the normal mode does not occur.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process (return request determination process) for determining whether or not to output a return request from the energy saving mode executed by the CPU 503 in FIG. 19 (3). Each processing step is marked with a symbol S.

  After the MFP 101 shifts to the energy saving mode, the CPU 503 of the operation unit 104 starts this flowchart.

  After shifting to the energy saving mode, in S301, the CPU 503 checks whether or not the output of the human body detection unit 502 exceeds Th1 '. If exceeded, the CPU 503 determines that the return condition from the energy saving mode is satisfied, and notifies the control unit 303 of a return request from the energy saving mode in S304.

  If not, in S302, the CPU 503 checks whether or not the output of the human body detection unit 502 exceeds Th1. If not exceeded, the CPU 503 determines that the return condition from the energy saving mode is not satisfied, and performs the processing from S301.

  If exceeded, the CPU 503 checks the output of the paper sensor 1901 in S303. If there is a sheet, the user is likely to pick up the sheet. Therefore, the CPU 503 determines that the return condition from the energy saving mode is not satisfied, and performs the processing from S301 again.

  If there is no paper, it is unlikely that the user will pick up the paper. Therefore, the CPU 503 determines that the MFP 101 has been operated, and requests the control unit 303 to return from the energy saving mode to the normal mode in S304. To be notified.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the paper sensor 1901 is disposed in the paper discharge unit 103 has been described. However, in order to identify a user who supplies paper to the paper supply unit 106 and a user who operates the MFP, the paper is supplied to the paper supply unit 106. A sensor may be arranged. Further, in order to distinguish between a user who replenishes toner and a user who operates the MFP, a tonerless sensor may be disposed in the toner replenishing unit 207 to replenish toner.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, in the configuration described in the third embodiment, the paper sensor 1901 detects the absence of paper when the user takes all the discharged paper, and the human body detection unit 502 detects the human body. An example in which the intensity is changed from the threshold Th1 ′ to Th1 will be described.

  In the third embodiment, when the user picks up all the sheets from the paper discharge unit 103, it is determined that there is no paper at that time, so the human body detection strength of the human body detection unit 502 changes from the threshold Th1 ′ to Th1. To do. If the user's position matches between the threshold values Th1 and Th1 ', the configuration of the third embodiment issues a return request from the energy saving mode at that time.

  In order to cope with this, in the fourth embodiment, a timer is added to the configuration of the third embodiment to reduce the possibility of erroneous detection. The timer starts measuring after the output of the sheet sensor 1901 changes from the presence of the sheet to the absence of the sheet, and is measured until a certain time Td elapses.

  When the predetermined time Td has elapsed, the detection intensity of the human body detection unit 502 is changed from the threshold value Th1 'to Th1. Td is set in advance assuming the time when the user who has taken the paper to the paper discharge unit 103 leaves the MFP 101. For example, if the average time for the user to leave the MFP 101 is about 3 seconds, a little margin is added and Td is set to 5 seconds.

  FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a configuration in which a timer 2301 is added to the operation unit 104 of FIG.

  The CPU 503 initializes the timer value of the timer 2301. The timer 2301 increases the timer value over time. The CPU 503 refers to the timer value to check whether Td is exceeded.

  FIG. 24 is a graph showing the relationship between the detection intensity of the electrostatic capacity detection circuit 701 in FIG. 7 and time with respect to the user's trajectory in FIG.

  T2401 is the time when the user has taken all the sheets discharged to the paper discharge unit 103. At this time, the output of the human body detection unit 502 connected to the antenna 501 disposed in the operation unit 104 exceeds the threshold Th1. However, in this embodiment, the human body detection reference value maintains the threshold value Th1 ′ for a certain period of time Td after changing from the paper present state to the paper absent state. No return request is output.

  At the time of T2402, after the elapse of the delay time Td, the human body detection reference value is changed to the threshold value Th1, but at this time, the user is away from the MFP 101 and the detection intensity is low. Not output.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process (return request determination process) for determining whether or not to output a return request from the energy saving mode executed by the CPU 503 in FIG. 23 (4). Each processing step is marked with a symbol S.

  After the MFP 101 shifts to the energy saving mode, the CPU 503 of the operation unit 104 starts this flowchart.

  After shifting to the energy saving mode, the CPU 503 initializes the timer 2301 in S401. In S402, the CPU 503 checks the detection result of the paper sensor 1901. If there is a paper, the CPU 503 initializes the timer 2301 in S403. Since the timer 2301 always counts up, it is not necessary to count up when there is a sheet, so initialization is performed.

  When there is no sheet, the timer 2301 is counted up. That is, the timer 2301 is counted up from the time when the sheet is changed to the state where there is no sheet.

  In step S <b> 404, the CPU 503 checks whether the output of the human body detection unit 502 exceeds the threshold value Th <b> 1 ′. If exceeded, the CPU 503 determines that the return condition from the energy saving mode is satisfied, and notifies the control unit 303 of a return request from the energy saving mode in S407.

  If not, in step S405, the CPU 503 checks whether the output of the human body detection unit 502 exceeds Th1. If not exceeded, the CPU 503 determines that the return condition from the energy saving mode is not satisfied, and performs the processing from S402. If exceeded, the CPU 503 compares the value of the timer 2301 with the fixed time Td in S406.

  If the timer value is less than Td, there is a high possibility that there is no paper, or the user has not removed the paper and has not yet left, so the CPU 503 determines that the return condition from the energy saving mode is not satisfied. The process is again performed from S402.

  If the timer value is equal to or greater than Td, there is a high possibility that there is no paper or the user is already away from the MFP 101 even if the user has picked up the paper. In S407, the CPU 503 In 303, a request for return from the energy saving mode is notified.

  As described above, by using the timer 2301, the possibility of returning from the energy saving mode when the user has taken all the sheets can be reduced.

Claims (1)

An information processing apparatus having a first power mode and a second power mode that saves power than the first power mode,
First detection means for detecting a change in state;
Second detection means for starting a detection operation for detecting an object approaching the information processing device when the first detection means detects a change in the state;
An information processing apparatus comprising: control means for changing a power mode of the information processing apparatus from the second power mode to the first power mode when the second detection means detects an object.

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