阅读说明：本技术 图像形成装置 (Image forming apparatus with a toner supply device ) 是由 早野康友 中井康博 片本浩司 村上光一 佐枝政夫 于 2019-05-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种能抑制使用者的便利性的下降的图像形成装置。图像形成装置(100)具有感测人的人感应传感器(150)及接受操作的操作单元(115),操作单元(115)接受具有多个阶段的一系列操作,在一系列操作的中途阶段,人感应传感器(150)不实施对人的感测动作,并且在接受操作后,若经过了规定时间,则使已接受的操作无效。(The invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the reduction of user convenience. An image forming apparatus (100) includes a human sensing sensor (150) for sensing a human and an operation unit (115) for receiving an operation, wherein the operation unit (115) receives a series of operations having a plurality of stages, and the human sensing sensor (150) does not perform a sensing operation on the human in the middle of the series of operations, and after receiving the operation, if a predetermined time has elapsed, the received operation is invalidated.)

1. An image forming apparatus is characterized by comprising:

human sensory sensor for sensing human, and

an operation unit for accepting an operation of the operation unit,

the operation unit accepts a series of operations having a plurality of stages,

in a midway stage of the series of operations, the human sensing sensor does not sense a human, and when a predetermined time has elapsed after the operation is received, the received operation is invalidated.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that:

in a series of operations having a plurality of stages, which are accepted by the operation unit, there is a setting corresponding to each stage,

the prescribed time is determined according to the setting in the series of operations.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that:

the prescribed time is determined to be longer and longer as the stage of the setting in the series of operations progresses.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that:

according to the setting in the series of operations, when the human induction sensor does not perform a sensing action on a human, an accepted operation is immediately invalidated.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that:

depending on a condition, invalidating the accepted operation when the human induction sensor does not implement a sensing action on a human.

6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein:

and a display unit for performing display related to the operation,

the display unit performs display corresponding to each of the settings.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that:

and a display unit for performing display related to the operation,

the display unit stops displaying when the accepted operation becomes invalid.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that:

and a display unit for performing display related to the operation,

when the accepted operation becomes invalid, the display unit performs initial display.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a human sensing sensor for sensing a human.

Background

As an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and a multifunction peripheral, there is known a type that has a human sensing sensor for sensing a human and performs an operation based on a sensing result of the human sensing sensor.

For example, an image forming apparatus having a human motion sensor has a normal operation mode in which the image forming apparatus operates after receiving power supply and a power saving mode in which the image forming apparatus is in a low power consumption state in which the supplied power is smaller than the normal power state, in order to save energy. Further, there are often the following configurations: the normal operation mode is switched to the power saving mode when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, the standby state of the image forming apparatus continues for a predetermined time and/or a presence of a person in the vicinity is detected from the sensing result of the human sensor), or the normal operation mode is returned to when a presence of a person in the vicinity is detected from the sensing result of the human sensor in the power saving mode.

However, for example, when the human detection sensor detects that no human is present, the image forming apparatus needs to be switched from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode, and cannot be used immediately. Further, there is a problem that after the human sensing sensor detects that no human is present and the power saving mode is switched to the power saving mode after a certain time has elapsed, extra power may be consumed. Therefore, an image forming apparatus for simultaneously achieving user convenience and reducing power consumption has been proposed.

For example, patent document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus including a sensing unit that senses a human body, an operation unit that accepts an operation by a user, and a processing unit that executes an operation (job) set by the operation unit, wherein timing of transition to a power saving state is controlled in accordance with an execution state of the operation in a state where the human body is not sensed. With this image forming apparatus, power control can be switched according to the movement of the operator away from the operation unit, and thus, it is possible to suppress excessive power consumption while ensuring operator convenience.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

Further, some image forming apparatuses having a human sensor are not only capable of saving power of the entire image forming apparatus, but also have a so-called auto clear (auto clear) function of stopping display for operation after a predetermined time has elapsed and invalidating the contents of the operation that has been performed so far when the human sensor detects that no human is nearby.

Further, the image forming apparatus may be installed in an environment such as a convenience store where a plurality of unspecified users are used. In this case, the image forming apparatus is not usable only by a user who is skilled in operating the image forming apparatus. For example, a user who does not know the operation method of the image forming apparatus uses the image forming apparatus while asking a store clerk or the like of a convenience store about the operation method. In addition, there are also cases where a user starts operating the image forming apparatus without asking a clerk or the like about the operation method, and asks the clerk or the like about the operation method in the middle of the operation, because the user does not know the operation method. In this case, the user may leave the image forming apparatus, and therefore the human sensor cannot detect the user, and if a predetermined time has elapsed until the user returns, the user may automatically erase the image, and the user may have to perform a new operation from the beginning with respect to the operation performed halfway, which may result in a low convenience.

In order to avoid such a problem, for example, it is sufficient to increase the time from when the human sensor does not detect until the automatic clearing, and in this case, when the user stops using the operation until the middle of the operation and does not cancel the operation performed so far and holds the operation, the next user performs a task to cancel the operation of the previous user and then uses the operation, which causes a problem of low convenience.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing a reduction in user convenience.

Means for solving the problems

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is characterized in that: the operation unit receives a series of operations having a plurality of stages, does not perform a sensing operation on a human in a middle stage of the series of operations, and invalidates the received operation when a predetermined time has elapsed after the reception of the operation.

Thus, even if the user leaves the image forming apparatus in the middle of a series of operations, the operations performed so far are not invalidated after a predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, even if the user has an action to inquire about the operation method of the image forming apparatus, for example, it is not necessary to perform the operation from the beginning, and the convenience is high. Further, since the operation performed so far becomes invalid after the predetermined time has elapsed, even if the user suspends the operation in the middle of a series of operations, the operation becomes invalid after the predetermined time has elapsed. Thus, the next user can use the device immediately, and the convenience is high.

In the image forming apparatus, the operation unit may be configured to receive a series of operations having a plurality of stages, and the predetermined time may be determined based on the setting of each stage in the series of operations.

Thus, the predetermined time is determined according to the stage during the operation of the user, so that the setting can be performed with a high degree of freedom, and the convenience is high.

In the image forming apparatus, the predetermined time may be determined to be longer as the stage of the setting in the series of operations progresses.

Thus, for example, when the human sensing sensor does not detect, the time until the operation performed until now is invalidated is longer when the series of operations is about to end than when the series of operations is just started. Therefore, when the human sensing sensor does not detect, the operation up to now is less likely to be ineffective and the convenience is high if the user takes time.

In the image forming apparatus, the received operation may be immediately invalidated when the motion sensor does not sense a human based on the setting in the series of operations.

Thus, for example, if the user moves away from the image forming apparatus in the initial stage of a series of operations, the user can immediately invalidate the received operation, and the degree of freedom of setting is high, and convenience is high.

In the image forming apparatus, the accepted operation may be invalidated when the motion sensor does not sense the human being, depending on conditions.

Thus, when the human sensing sensor does not sense a person (the human sensing sensor does not sense a person), the operation that has been accepted can be immediately invalidated according to the condition, and therefore, the next user can immediately use the image forming apparatus, which is highly convenient.

Further, the image forming apparatus may further include a display unit that performs display related to an operation, and the display unit may perform display corresponding to each of the settings.

Thus, the setting corresponding to each stage in the series of operations corresponds to the display of the display means, and the user can visually and easily recognize which stage is the series of operations.

The image forming apparatus may further include a display unit that performs display related to an operation, and the display unit may stop the display when the accepted operation becomes invalid.

Thus, the user is readily aware that the automatic purge has been performed, and is readily aware of the availability. Also, power for operating the display unit can be saved.

The image forming apparatus may further include a display unit that performs display related to an operation, and the display unit may perform initial display when the accepted operation becomes invalid.

Thus, the user is readily aware that the automatic purge has been performed, and is readily aware of the availability.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing a reduction in user convenience.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a sensing range of the human sensor in the image forming apparatus shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a control configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a table showing the time until the automatic clearing in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation related to the auto purge of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an initial menu screen of the display device of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a display screen in each setting of the display device of the image forming apparatus according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a display screen in each setting of the display device of the image forming apparatus according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a display screen in each setting of the display device of the image forming apparatus according to embodiment 3.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a sensing range R of the human sensor 150 in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in fig. 1. In fig. 1 and 2, symbol X represents the left-right direction, symbol Y represents the depth direction, and symbol Z represents the vertical direction.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, image forming apparatus 100 includes image forming apparatus main body 110 and document reading apparatus 120.

Document reading apparatus 120 is provided on the upper portion of image forming apparatus main body 110, and includes document stage 121, document reading unit 122, and automatic document feeder 123. Document reading unit 122 in document reading apparatus 120 reads an image of a document placed on document stage 121 or an image of a document automatically conveyed by document automatic feeder 123, and transmits the read image data of the document to image forming apparatus main body 110. The document reading apparatus 120 discharges the document, which is conveyed by the document automatic feeding apparatus 123 and read by the document reading portion 122, to the document discharge tray 123 a.

The image forming apparatus main body 110 includes a sheet storage portion 111, a sheet conveying portion 112, an image forming portion 113, a sheet discharging portion 114, and an operation portion 115. The image forming apparatus main body 110 accommodates a recording sheet such as a recording paper sheet in a sheet accommodating portion 111, conveys the recording sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion 111 by a sheet conveying portion 112, forms a color image or a monochrome image on the recording sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying portion 112 by the image forming portion 113 based on image data transmitted from the document reading device 120 or the outside, and discharges the recording sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming portion 113 onto a sheet discharge tray 114a of a sheet discharging portion 114. The operation unit 115 includes an operation member 165 including a display device 164. The display device 164 is a touch panel display, and can display an image related to an operation and perform input by touching a screen of the display device 164.

In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 further includes a human sensing sensor 150 for sensing a human.

The human motion sensor 150 is provided at one end portion (right end portion in this example) in the left-right direction X in front view below the operation portion 115 on the front surface (operation-side surface) of the image forming apparatus main body 110.

The human sensor 150 is a sensor that senses whether or not a human is present within a predetermined limited sensing range R (see fig. 2). The human sensory sensor 150 has directivity that specifies the sensing range R. The sensing range R may be a predetermined limited sensing range of directions in which at least two of the left-right direction X, the depth direction Y, the vertical direction Z, and the like are combined, and in this example, the sensing range R is a conical range that is directed upward in the left-right direction X and the vertical direction Z (see fig. 2).

In this example, the human sensor 150 is an ultrasonic human sensor using ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic type human sensor 150 includes an ultrasonic transmitter 151 and an ultrasonic receiver 152, and detects the presence or absence of an object based on a sensing result obtained by transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the object within a predetermined sensing range R by the ultrasonic transmitter 151 and receiving a reflected wave from the object by the ultrasonic receiver 152. Although the human sensor 150 in this example is an ultrasonic human sensor using ultrasonic waves, other human sensors may be used, such as an infrared human sensor using infrared rays, an optical human sensor using visible light, a pyroelectric human sensor, an acoustic human sensor, and a push-type sensor. Further, a human sensory sensor in which 2 or more kinds of human sensory sensors are combined may be used.

The 1 st sensing part 210, the 2 nd sensing part 220, and the 3 rd sensing part 230, which are not illustrated in fig. 1 and 2, will be described below.

[ control section ]

Image forming apparatus 100 further includes a control unit 180 (see fig. 3) for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 100. Here, image forming apparatus 100 has functions such as copying, printing, facsimile, and scanning, and control section 180 controls operations of the respective functions.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a control configuration of the control unit 180 in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in fig. 1.

Here, control unit 180 has a power saving mode in which image forming apparatus 100 is changed from a high power consumption state to a low power consumption state in which the supply energy is smaller than that in the high power consumption state. Here, the concept of the low power consumption state in the power saving mode also includes a state in which the power supply (the main power supply 191 in this example) does not supply power.

In this example, control unit 180 enters the power saving mode when predetermined conditions (for example, the standby state of image forming apparatus 100 continues for a predetermined time and/or no person is detected from the sensing result of person detection sensor 150) are satisfied. In this example, the standby state is an image forming operation standby state. Here, the image forming operation standby state is a state in which the image forming operation can be immediately performed, and specifically, is a state in which the fixing temperature is maintained at a predetermined temperature (for example, 170 ℃) by supplying a predetermined power to the fixing portion of the image forming apparatus main body 110 so that the fixing temperature reaches the predetermined temperature (for example, 170 ℃) at the time of the image forming operation, and the control portion 180 is activated. In this example, the power saving mode is a state in which the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus main body 110 is supplied with power saving power so that the fixing temperature becomes a predetermined power saving temperature (for example, 150 ℃) lower than a predetermined temperature (for example, 170 ℃) at the time of the image forming operation and the control unit 180 is activated. Therefore, in this example, the high power consumption state represents a standby state, and the low power consumption state represents a state of the power saving mode. That is, the image forming apparatus 100 has a normal operation mode (high power consumption state) in which it operates by receiving power supply, and a power saving mode (low power consumption state) in which power supply is reduced. The predetermined temperature and the power saving temperature are not limited to 170 ℃ and 150 ℃, which is merely an example. As long as the power saving temperature is set to be lower than the specified temperature.

Also, the control part 180 is restored from the low power consumption state to the high power consumption state of the power saving mode when sensing a human being in the power saving mode according to the sensing result of the human induction sensor 150.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 3, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a main power supply 191 and a sub-power supply 192 (energy saving power supply). This configuration is an example of a specific implementation method.

In the main power supply 191, control system lines indicated by thin lines are electrically connected to the control section 180 (main control section 181 in this example), and power system lines indicated by thick lines are electrically connected to the image forming apparatus main body 110 and the document reading apparatus 120.

When the image forming apparatus 100 is to be put into the image forming operation standby state, the control unit 180 (the main control unit 181 in this example) transmits an instruction signal indicating that the image forming apparatus 100 is to be put into the image forming operation standby state or an instruction signal indicating that the image forming apparatus 100 is to be put into the power saving mode to the main power supply 191.

The control Unit 180 (in this example, the main control Unit 181) includes a Processing Unit 181a formed of a microcomputer such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage Unit 181b including a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a nonvolatile Memory in which data can be rewritten.

The control unit 180 (the main control unit 181 in this example) controls the operation of various components by loading and executing a control program stored in advance in the ROM of the storage unit 181b on the RAM of the storage unit 181b by the processing unit 181 a. The RAM of the storage unit 181b provides the processing unit 181a with a work area for work and an area as an image memory for storing image data, respectively.

In the sub-power source 192, an electric power system indicated by a thick line is electrically connected to the control unit 180 (the main control unit 181 and the sub-control unit 182 in this example), the human sensing sensor 150, and the operation unit 115, and supplies electric power to the control unit 180 (the main control unit 181 and the sub-control unit 182 in this example), the human sensing sensor 150, and the operation unit 115 at all times.

In the human motion sensor 150, a control system line indicated by a thin line is electrically connected to an input system of the control unit 180 (in this example, the main control unit 181), and a signal indicating presence of a human or a signal indicating absence of a human is transmitted to the control unit 180. Thus, the human sensing sensor 150 can make the control unit 180 recognize whether a person is present or absent.

In the operation unit 115, a control system line indicated by a thin line is electrically connected to the control unit 180 (the main control unit 181 in this example), and operation information is transmitted to the control unit 180 or display information transmitted from the control unit 180 is displayed. The operation unit 115 has an alarm buzzer 115a, and the alarm buzzer 115a emits an alarm sound in response to the instruction signal transmitted from the control unit 180.

Further, the control unit 180 (the main control unit 181 in this example) also controls execution of auto-clear, which is display of the display device 164 returned to the initial display, that is, the initial menu screen, by invalidating the operation content being input when the user leaves the image forming apparatus 100 while the user inputs the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 through the operation unit 115. Since the image forming apparatus 100 has such an auto-erasing function, even if the user interrupts the operation and sets aside the operation in the middle of a series of operations, for example, the operation contents are invalidated after a predetermined time, and the next user can immediately use the image forming apparatus 100.

When receiving a signal indicating that no person is present from the human detection sensor 150 at a middle stage of a series of operations having a plurality of stages, the control unit 180 transmits an instruction to invalidate the operation input up to the middle stage to the operation unit 115 after a predetermined time has elapsed. Further, an instruction is sent to the display device 164 to display an initial menu screen. Here, the series of operations are related operations such as copy processing, facsimile processing, and print processing, and are processing completed by operations in a plurality of stages. In addition, corresponding settings are made for a plurality of stages in the series of operations. The setting is specified in accordance with the display screen of the display device 164.

Then, a predetermined time period until the automatic erasing is performed is predetermined in accordance with the setting, and the data (see fig. 4) thereof is stored in advance in the ROM of the storage unit 181 b.

Fig. 4 shows a table T1 of time until automatic clearing in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 4, in table T1, the times until auto-clear (auto-clear time) are designated as 0 second, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, and 0 second for the initial menu screen, 1 st setting, 2 nd setting, 3 rd setting, and JOB completion (completion of a series of operations) on the display device 164. Note that the description of the setting 4 is omitted. Here, the 1 st setting, the 2 nd setting, and the 3 rd setting indicate respective stages of a series of operations, and the auto purge time increases as the stages progress.

The control unit 180 causes the operation unit 115 to receive a signal related to a setting currently being input by the user in the operation, and determines the time until the automatic clearing by referring to the table T1 stored in the storage unit 181 b.

As shown in fig. 3, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an article sensing portion 200 that senses a removed article 240 (at least 1 of the recording sheet P, the original G, and the storage medium M in this example) to be removed by a user after an image is formed, and invalidates a sensing result of the human sensing sensor 150 when the removed article 240 left after the image is formed is detected based on a sensing result of the article sensing portion 200.

Specifically, in the sub-power source 192, a power system line indicated by a thick line is electrically connected to the article sensing units 200(210 to 230), and power is always supplied to the article sensing units 200(210 to 230).

The article sensing unit 200 includes at least 1 of a 1 st sensing unit 210 (see fig. 1 and the like) that senses the presence or absence of the recording sheet P after the image is formed, a 2 nd sensing unit 220 (see fig. 1 and the like) that senses the presence or absence of the original document G after the image is formed, and a 3 rd sensing unit 230 (see fig. 1 and the like) that senses the presence or absence of the storage medium M that is removable from the image forming apparatus main body 110 (specifically, the connection connector 110a (see fig. 1 and the like) provided in the operation unit 115) (in this example, the 1 st sensing unit 210, the 2 nd sensing unit 220, and the 3 rd sensing unit 230).

As the 1 st sensing portion 210, a piezoelectric switch or a reflective photosensor that is switched on and off depending on the presence or absence of the recording sheet P can be exemplified, and as the 2 nd sensing portion 220, a piezoelectric switch or a reflective photosensor that is switched on and off depending on the presence or absence of the original G can be exemplified. The storage medium M is typically a USB (registered trademark) memory or an SD (secure digital) memory card, and the 3 rd sensing unit 230 is typically an interface (for example, a USB (registered trademark) memory interface or an SD memory card interface) that transmits a signal indicating a connected state or a disconnected state according to the presence or absence of the storage medium M.

In the 1 st sensing portion 210, a control system indicated by a thin line is wired electrically to an input system of the control portion 180 (the main control portion 181 in this example), and sends a signal indicating that the recording sheet P after image formation is left on the sheet discharge tray 114a of the sheet discharge portion 114 or a signal indicating that the recording sheet P after image formation is not left on the sheet discharge tray 114a of the sheet discharge portion 114 to the control portion 180. Thereby, the 1 st sensing portion 210 enables the control portion 180 to recognize whether or not the recording sheet P is left on the sheet discharge tray 114 a.

Further, in the 2 nd sensor unit 220, a control system line indicated by a thin line is electrically connected to an input system of the control unit 180 (the main control unit 181 in this example), and a signal indicating that the original G after image formation is left on the original stage 121 and the original discharge tray 123a of the original automatic feeding apparatus 123 or a signal indicating that the original G after image formation is not left on the original stage 121 and the original discharge tray 123a of the original automatic feeding apparatus 123 is sent to the control unit 180. Thus, the 2 nd sensing unit 220 can cause the control unit 180 to recognize whether or not the document G is left on the document stage 121 or the document discharge tray 123 a.

In the 3 rd sensing part 230, a control system line indicated by a thin line is electrically connected to an input system of the control part 180 (in this example, the main control part 181), and a signal indicating that the storage medium M after image formation is left on the connection connector 110a of the operation part 115 of the image forming apparatus main body 110 or a signal indicating that the storage medium M after image formation is not left on the connection connector 110a of the operation part 115 of the image forming apparatus main body 110 is transmitted to the control part 180. Thus, the 3 rd sensing unit 230 allows the control unit 180 to recognize whether or not the storage medium M is left on the connector 110a for connection.

Next, a control operation related to automatic clearing by the control unit 180 in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation related to the auto purge of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the flowchart shown in fig. 5, first, the control unit 180 recognizes that the user has pressed the service button in a state where the initial menu screen is displayed on the display device 164 (step S1), and determines whether or not a person is detected based on the sensing result of the person sensing sensor 150 (step S2). When the control unit 180 detects a person based on the sensing result of the human sensor 150 (step S2: YES) and recognizes that the series of operations by the user has been completed (step S3), it determines whether or not a person is detected based on the sensing result of the human sensor 150 (step S4). When a human being is detected from the sensing result of the human sensing sensor 150 (step S4: YES), the control section 180 executes JOB corresponding to a series of operations (step S5).

When the control unit 180 detects no person from the sensing result of the human sensor 150 in step S2 (no in step S2), and when the control unit 180 detects no person from the sensing result of the human sensor 150 in step S4 (no in step S4), the control unit 180 confirms the setting in the current operation (step S6).

The control unit 180 refers to the table T1, determines the auto-purge time based on the confirmed current setting (step S7), and starts counting the auto-purge time (step S8). After the counting of the auto purge time is started, the control unit 180 determines whether or not a human is detected based on the sensing result of the human sensor 150 (step S9), and when a human is detected based on the sensing result of the human sensor 150 (step S9: yes), the control unit 180 stops counting the auto purge time and resets the auto purge time (step S10), and then proceeds to step S3.

When no human being is detected from the sensing result of the human motion sensor 150 (no in step S9), the control unit 180 determines whether or not the auto-clear time has elapsed (step S11), and when the auto-clear time has elapsed (yes in step S11), causes the display device 164 to display an initial menu screen (step S12), and then proceeds to step S1. That is, a series of operations is invalidated and auto-purge is performed.

When the auto purge time has not elapsed (step S11: NO), the flow proceeds to step S9.

(embodiment 1)

In embodiment 1, a case where the user selects the copy process as JOB will be described.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an initial menu screen G0 of the display device 164 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 6, when the image forming apparatus 100 is in a usable state, the display device 164 displays an initial menu screen G0. On the initial menu screen G0, "copy", "fax", and "print service" are displayed, and any JOB can be selected.

When the user selects "copy" on the display device 164, a signal for executing copy processing is sent to the control unit 180. Specifically, when the user touches the display position of "copy" on the display device 164, a signal related to the touch position of the user is transmitted to the control unit 180, and the control unit 180 recognizes and performs the copy processing based on the signal.

When the user selects the copy processing, the display of the display device 164 is switched to a screen for executing the copy processing.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a display screen in each setting of the display device of the image forming apparatus according to embodiment 1. Specifically, a screen for executing copy processing is shown.

When the user selects "copy" on the display device 164, the display on the display device 164 is changed from the initial menu screen G0 to the screen G1a shown in fig. 7 (a).

The screen G1a is a screen for selecting the copy type. Here, the state of the display screen G1a in the display device 164 corresponds to the 1 st setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves image forming apparatus 100 while screen G1a is displayed, after 10 seconds has elapsed since control unit 180 detected that no person is present based on the sensing result of human sensor 150 (see fig. 4), display on display device 164 changes to initial menu screen G0, and automatic clear is executed. If no person is detected for 10 seconds, the menu screen G0 is changed to the initial menu screen G0, and if the user returns within 10 seconds and the control unit 180 detects that a person is present based on the sensing result of the human sensor 150, the screen G1a is still displayed and the auto clear is not executed.

When the user selects the copy type on the screen G1a, the display on the display device 164 is changed from the screen G1a to the screen G1b shown in fig. 7 (b).

The screen G1b is a screen for selecting a sheet. Here, the state of the display screen G1b in the display device 164 corresponds to the 2 nd setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves the image forming apparatus 100 while displaying the screen G1b, the display of the display device 164 changes to the initial menu screen G0 and automatic clear is executed after 20 seconds have elapsed since the control unit 180 detected that no person is present based on the sensing result of the human sensor 150 (see fig. 4).

When the user selects paper on the screen G1b, the display of the display device 164 changes from the screen G1b to the screen G1c shown in fig. 7 (c).

The screen G1c is a screen for selecting the number of copies and the like and instructing the start of copying. Here, the state of the display screen G1c on the display device 164 corresponds to the 3 rd setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves image forming apparatus 100 while displaying screen G1c, control unit 180 detects that no person is present based on the sensing result of person sensing sensor 150 and after 30 seconds have elapsed (see fig. 4), the display on display device 164 changes to initial menu screen G0, and automatic clearing is executed.

When the user selects the number of copies and instructs to start copying on the screen G1c, the display on the display device 164 is changed from the screen G1c to the screen G1d shown in fig. 7 (d).

Screen G1d is a screen for selecting whether or not to perform a preview display of copying. Here, the state of the display screen G1d in the display device 164 corresponds to the 4 th setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves the image forming apparatus 100 while displaying the screen G1d, the auto-clear time is determined in the same manner as described above with reference to fig. 7(a) to 7(c), and when the user does not return after the determined auto-clear time has continued, the display on the display device 164 changes to the initial menu screen G0, and the auto-clear is executed.

On the screen G1d, when the user selects not to perform the preview display, the copy processing is executed, and the display on the display device 164 is changed from the screen G1d to the screen G1e shown in fig. 7 (e).

Screen G1e is a screen for selecting whether or not to continue copying. Here, the state of the display screen G1e in the display device 164 corresponds to the 5 th setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves the image forming apparatus 100 while displaying the screen G1e, the auto-clear time is determined in the same manner as described above with reference to fig. 7(a) to 7(c), and when the user does not return after the determined auto-clear time has continued, the display on the display device 164 changes to the initial menu screen G0, and the auto-clear is executed.

When the user selects to end copying without continuing copying in the screen G1e, JOB related to copy processing is completed, and the display on the display device 164 is changed from the screen G1e to the screen G1f shown in fig. 7 (d).

The picture G1f is an end picture. When the user leaves image forming apparatus 100 while displaying screen G1f, the display on display device 164 immediately changes to initial menu screen G0 (see fig. 4).

In table T1, the auto clear time on the initial menu screen G0 is 0 second, and the display of the display device 164 may be turned off immediately when the user leaves the image forming apparatus 100 while the initial menu screen G0 is displayed on the display device 164. Therefore, the power saving effect is achieved.

(embodiment 2)

In embodiment 2, the same points as those in embodiment 1 will not be described, and the points different therefrom will be described with emphasis.

In embodiment 2, a case where the user selects the facsimile process as JOB will be described. When the initial menu screen G0 (see fig. 6) is displayed on the display device 164, the user touches the display device 164 to select "fax".

When the user selects the facsimile process, the display of the display device 164 is changed to a screen for performing the facsimile process.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a display screen in each setting of the display device of the image forming apparatus according to embodiment 2. Specifically, a screen for performing facsimile processing is shown.

When the user selects "fax" via the display device 164, the display of the display device 164 changes from the initial menu screen G0 to the screen G2a shown in fig. 8 (a).

The screen G2a is a screen for selecting whether to transmit or receive a facsimile. Here, the state of the display screen G2a in the display device 164 corresponds to the 1 st setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves image forming apparatus 100 while displaying screen G2a, control unit 180 detects that no person is present based on the sensing result of human sensor 150 and after 10 seconds have elapsed (see fig. 4), display on display device 164 changes to initial menu screen G0, and automatic clear is executed. Further, the screen G1a is still displayed when no person is detected for 10 seconds, and the initial menu screen G0 is changed, and when the user returns within 10 seconds and the control unit 180 detects that a person is present based on the sensing result of the human sensor 150, the auto clear is not executed.

When the user selects the facsimile transmission on the screen G2a, the display on the display device 164 is changed from the screen G2a to the screen G2b shown in fig. 8 (b).

The screen G2b is a screen for selecting whether the transmission address is domestic or overseas. Here, the state of the display screen G2b in the display device 164 corresponds to the 2 nd setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves image forming apparatus 100 while displaying screen G2b, control unit 180 detects that no person is present based on the sensing result of human sensor 150 and 20 seconds later (see fig. 4), display on display device 164 changes to initial menu screen G0, and automatic clear is executed.

When the user selects whether to send the message to home or abroad on the screen G2b, the display on the display device 164 is changed from the screen G2b to the screen G2c shown in fig. 8 (c).

The screen G2c is a screen for inputting a facsimile number. Here, the state of the display screen G2c in the display device 164 corresponds to the 3 rd setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves image forming apparatus 100 while displaying screen G2c, control unit 180 detects that no person is present based on the sensing result of human sensor 150 and after 30 seconds have elapsed (see fig. 4), display on display device 164 changes to initial menu screen G0, and automatic clear is executed.

When the user inputs the facsimile number on the screen G2c, the display of the display device 164 changes from the screen G2c to the screen G2d shown in fig. 8 (d).

The screen G2d is a screen for selecting whether to print the transmission result. Here, the state of the display screen G2d in the display device 164 corresponds to the 5 th setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves the image forming apparatus 100 while displaying the screen G2d, the auto-clear time is determined in the same manner as described above with reference to fig. 8(a) to 8(c), and when the user does not return after the determined auto-clear time has continued, the display on the display device 164 changes to the initial menu screen G0, and the auto-clear is executed.

In the screen G2d, when the user selects whether or not to print the transmission result, the display of the display device 164 is changed from the screen G2d to the screen G2e shown in fig. 8 (e).

Screen G2e is a screen for prompting setting of a document on document reading apparatus 120. Here, the state of the display screen G2e in the display device 164 corresponds to the 5 th setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves the image forming apparatus 100 while displaying the screen G2e, the auto-clear time is determined in the same manner as described above with reference to fig. 8(a) to 8(c), and when the user does not return after the determined auto-clear time has continued, the display on the display device 164 changes to the initial menu screen G0, and the auto-clear is executed.

When the user places a document on the screen G2e, the display of the display device 164 changes from the screen G2e to the screen G2f shown in fig. 8 (f).

The screen G2f is a screen for instructing the start of facsimile transmission. Here, the state of the display screen G2f in the display device 164 corresponds to the 6 th setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves the image forming apparatus 100 while displaying the screen G2f, the auto-clear time is determined in the same manner as described above with reference to fig. 8(a) to 8(c), and when the user does not return after the determined auto-clear time has continued, the display on the display device 164 changes to the initial menu screen G0, and the auto-clear is executed.

When the user instructs the start of the facsimile transmission on the screen G2f, the display on the display device 164 changes from the screen G2f to the screen G2G shown in fig. 8 (G).

The screen G2G is a screen for selecting whether to continue the occurrence of the facsimile. Here, the state of the display screen G2G in the display device 164 corresponds to the 7 th setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves the image forming apparatus 100 while displaying the screen G2G, the auto-clear time is determined in the same manner as described above with reference to fig. 8(a) to 8(c), and when the user does not return after the determined auto-clear time has continued, the display on the display device 164 changes to the initial menu screen G0, and the auto-clear is executed.

When the user selects not to continue the generation of the facsimile and terminates the facsimile in the screen G2G, JOB related to the facsimile processing is completed, and the display of the display device 164 is changed from the screen G2G to the screen G2h shown in fig. 8 (h). The screen G2h is an end screen.

(embodiment 3)

In embodiment 3, the same points as those in embodiment 1 and embodiment 2 will not be described, and the points of difference will be described in detail.

In embodiment 3, a case where the user selects the print process as JOB will be described. When the initial menu screen G0 is displayed on the display device 164 (see fig. 6), the user selects "print service" by touching the display device 164.

When the user selects the print processing, the display of the display device 164 is switched to a screen for executing the print processing.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a display screen in each setting of the display device of the image forming apparatus according to embodiment 3. Specifically, a screen for implementing the print processing is shown.

When the user selects "print service" via the display device 164, the display of the display device 164 is changed from the initial menu screen G0 to a screen G3a shown in fig. 9 (a).

The screen G3a is a screen for inputting a user-specific number to perform printing. Here, the state of the display screen G3a in the display device 164 corresponds to the 1 st setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves the image forming apparatus 100 while displaying the screen G3a, the controller 180 detects that no person is present based on the sensing result of the human sensor 150 and the display of the display device 164 changes to the initial menu screen G0 after 10 seconds (see fig. 4), and the automatic clear is executed. In addition, when no person is detected for 10 seconds, the menu screen G0 is changed to the initial menu screen G0, and when the user returns within 10 seconds and the control part 180 detects a person based on the sensing result of the human sensor 150, the screen G1a is still displayed and the auto clear is not executed.

When the user inputs the user-specific number on the screen G3a, the display on the display device 164 changes from the screen G3a to the screen G3b shown in fig. 9 (b).

The screen G3b is a screen for selecting whether the print type is document printing or image printing. Here, the state of the display screen G3b in the display device 164 corresponds to the 2 nd setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves image forming apparatus 100 while displaying screen G3b, control unit 180 detects that no person is present based on the sensing result of human sensor 150 and 20 seconds later (see fig. 4), display on display device 164 changes to initial menu screen G0, and automatic clear is executed.

When the document printing or the image printing is selected in the screen G3b, the display of the display device 164 is changed from the screen G3b to the screen G3c shown in fig. 9 (c).

The screen G3c is a screen for selecting data to be printed. Here, the state of the display screen G3c in the display device 164 corresponds to the 3 rd setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves image forming apparatus 100 while displaying screen G3c, control unit 180 detects that no person is present based on the sensing result of human sensor 150 and after 30 seconds have elapsed (see fig. 4), display on display device 164 changes to initial menu screen G0, and automatic clear is executed.

When the user selects data to be printed on the screen G3c, the display of the display device 164 is changed from the screen G3c to the screen G3d shown in fig. 9 (d).

The screen G3d is a screen for selecting the number of copies to be printed and instructing the start of printing. Here, the state of the display screen G3d in the display device 164 corresponds to the 4 th setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves the image forming apparatus 100 while displaying the screen G3d, the auto-clear time is determined in the same manner as described above with reference to fig. 9(a) to 9(c), and when the user does not return after the determined auto-clear time has continued, the display on the display device 164 changes to the initial menu screen G0, and the auto-clear is executed.

When the user selects the number of prints and instructs to start printing on the screen G3d, the display on the display device 164 is changed from the screen G3d to the screen G3e shown in fig. 9 (e).

Screen G3e is a screen for selecting whether or not to display a preview of printing. Here, the state of the display screen G3e in the display device 164 corresponds to the 5 th setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves the image forming apparatus 100 while displaying the screen G3e, the auto-clear time is determined in the same manner as described above with reference to fig. 9(a) to 9(c), and when the user does not return after the determined auto-clear time has continued, the display on the display device 164 changes to the initial menu screen G0, and the auto-clear is executed.

When the user selects not to perform the preview display on screen G3e, the print processing is executed, and the display on display device 164 is changed from screen G3e to screen G3f shown in fig. 9 (f).

The screen G3f is a screen for selecting whether or not to continue printing. Here, the state of the display screen G3f in the display device 164 corresponds to the 6 th setting in a series of operations. Therefore, when the user leaves the image forming apparatus 100 while displaying the screen G3f, the auto-clear time is determined in the same manner as described above with reference to fig. 9(a) to 9(c), and when the user does not return after the determined auto-clear time has continued, the display on the display device 164 changes to the initial menu screen G0, and the auto-clear is executed.

When the user selects not to continue printing but to end printing on the screen G3f, JOB related to the printing process is completed, and the display on the display device 164 is changed from the screen G3f to the screen G3G shown in fig. 9 (G).

The screen G3G is an end screen. When the user leaves image forming apparatus 100 while displaying screen G3G, the display on display device 164 immediately changes to initial menu screen G0 (see fig. 4).

Although the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the configuration may be other than the above configuration. For example, in the image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 180 may determine an auto-purge time when no person is detected from the sensing result of the human sensor 150 in the middle of a series of operations, execute the auto-purge when a predetermined time elapses without detecting a person, and execute the auto-purge when no person is detected under conditions without waiting for the predetermined time. For example, regarding the setting in the early stage in a series of operations, it is also possible to execute auto purge immediately (auto purge time is 0 second) when no person is detected.

In image forming apparatus 100, the auto-clear time is set to 0 second, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, and 0 second for the initial menu screen, the 1 st setting, the 2 nd setting, the 3 rd setting, and JOB completion, respectively, but is not limited to these values and may be changed as appropriate. Further, the auto purge time increases as the series of operation stages progresses in each setting, but the auto purge time may not be fixed or may be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in other various forms. Therefore, the embodiments are merely illustrative in all aspects and are not intended to be narrowly construed. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims and is not limited to the text of the specification. Further, variations and modifications within the scope equivalent to the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

100 image forming apparatus

110 image forming apparatus main body

110a connecting connector

111 sheet storage part

112 sheet conveying part

113 image forming unit

114 sheet discharge portion

114a sheet discharge tray

115 operating part

115a alarm buzzer

120 original reading device

121 original manuscript carrying platform

122 document reading section

123 automatic document feeder

123a document discharge tray

150 human induction sensor

151 ultrasonic wave emitting part

152 ultrasonic wave receiving part

164 display device

165 operating member

180 control part

181 Main control part

181a treatment part

181b storage unit

182 sub-control part

191 Main Power supply (an example of a power supply)

192 secondary power supply

200 article sensing part

210 st sensing part

220 nd 2 nd sensing part

230 rd sensing part

240 removal of articles

G original

M storage medium

P recording sheet

R sensing range

X left and right directions

Y depth direction

Z up-and-down direction