JP6780397B2 - Surveillance control device, image processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a monitoring control device and an image processing device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of detecting a user approaching an image forming apparatus and restoring the image forming apparatus from power saving. Specifically, as the first mode when the presence of a person is detected within a certain distance, the second mode consumes less power than the first mode when the presence of a person cannot be detected in a range closer to the distance. It is stated that it will be migrated to.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-011181

An object of the present invention is to obtain a monitoring control device and an image processing device capable of adjusting the time required for recovery according to the utilization rate.

The invention according to claim 1 comprises a power saving means for cutting off the power supply to the power supply target to save power, a detection means for detecting a user approaching the power supply target, and at least the user is the power supply target. The adjusting means for adjusting the detection range by the detecting means and the user within the detection range adjusted by the adjusting means during the power saving by the power saving means according to the usage environment classified by the usage rate of using the power saving means. When it enters, it has a supply means for supplying power to the power supply target, and the detection means always supplies power even during power saving by the power saving means and detects a user within a predetermined range. A monitoring control device including a human sensor and an imaging means that does not supply power during power saving by the power saving means and is supplied with power by user detection by the human sensor to capture at least the detection range. Is.

The invention according to claim 2 is based on the invention according to claim 1, wherein the detection range of the detection means is used as a reference range when the utilization rate of the usage environment is less than a predetermined threshold value. When the utilization rate of the environment is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the detection range of the user by the detection means is made wider than the reference range.

In the invention according to claim 3, in the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the utilization rate is set in an operating time zone sorted by day of the week or time of day.

In the invention according to claim 4, in the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the utilization rate is set based on the actual operating state based on statistics for a certain period of time.

Invention according to claim 5, in claim 1 the invention of any one of claims 4, wherein the power supply target executes the process receives information from the remote via the communication line network processing The utilization rate is set depending on whether or not a process is reserved for the processing unit.

In the invention according to claim 6 , in the invention according to claim 5 , the utilization rate set by the presence or absence of reservation of the processing execution instruction to the processing unit has a fixed period after the reservation as a valid period.

The invention according to claim 7 is an image processing device including the monitoring control device according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the processing unit includes an image forming unit that forms an image based on image information.

The invention according to claim 8 is an image processing apparatus including the monitoring control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 .

According to the invention of claim 1, the time required for recovery can be adjusted according to the utilization rate. Further, a motion sensor and a camera can be used as the detection means.

According to the invention of claim 2, the detection range can be adjusted based on the utilization rate.

According to the invention of claim 3, the utilization rate can be set in the operating time zone.

According to the invention of claim 4, the utilization rate can be set by the statistical value of the actual operating condition.

According to the invention of claim 5 , the detection range can be adjusted based on the reservation of the processing to the processing unit.

According to the invention of claim 6 , the valid period of the detection range can be set.

According to the invention of claim 7 , the time required for recovery can be adjusted according to the utilization rate.

According to the invention of claim 8 , the time required for recovery can be adjusted according to the utilization rate.

It is the schematic of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the image processing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a side view around the image processing apparatus which shows the person effective detection distance by a motion sensor and a camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the monitoring control routine which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the monitoring control routine which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows an image processing device 10 according to the first embodiment.

The image processing device 10 includes an image forming unit 12 that forms an image on recording paper, an image reading unit 14 that reads an original image, and a facsimile communication control circuit 16. The image processing device 10 includes a main controller 18 that functions as a power saving means, an adjusting means, and a supplying means, and controls an image forming unit 12, an image reading unit 14, and a facsimile communication control circuit 16 to read, for example, an image. The image data of the original image read by the unit 14 is temporarily stored, and the read image data is sent to the image forming unit 12 or the facsimile communication control circuit 16.

The image forming unit 12, the image reading unit 14, the facsimile communication control circuit, and the main controller 18 can be power supply targets.

A network communication network 20 such as the Internet is connected to the main controller 18, and a telephone network 22 is connected to the facsimile communication control circuit 16. The main controller 18 is connected to the PC 24 (personal computer) shown in FIG. 2 via a network communication network 20, for example, and receives image data. Further, the main controller 18 executes facsimile reception and facsimile transmission using the telephone line network 22 via the facsimile communication control circuit 16.

The image reading unit 14 receives a platen for positioning a document, a scanning drive system for scanning an image of a document placed on the platen and irradiating light, and light reflected or transmitted by scanning of the scanning drive system. A photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD that converts the light into an electric signal is provided.

The image forming unit 12 includes a photoconductor, and around the photoconductor, a charging device that uniformly charges the photoconductor, a scanning exposure unit that scans a light beam based on image data, and the scanning exposure unit are used. The image developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed by scanning exposure, the transfer unit that transfers the image on the developed photoconductor to the recording paper, and the surface of the photoconductor after transfer are cleaned. A cleaning unit and a cleaning unit are provided. In addition, a fixing portion for fixing the image on the recording paper after transfer is provided on the transport path of the recording paper.

The image processing device 10 receives electric power from the commercial power source 26. In the image processing apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, there are a normal mode in which power is supplied from the commercial power supply 26 and a power saving mode (including 0 W in power supply) that minimizes the power supply from the commercial power supply 26. Control to transition between is executed.

(Control system hardware configuration of image processing device)
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the hardware configuration of the control system of the image processing device 10.

The network communication line network 20 is connected to the main controller 18 of the image processing device 10. A PC 24 that can be a source of image data or the like is connected to the network communication network 20.

A facsimile communication control circuit 16, an image reading unit 14, an image forming unit 12, a UI touch panel 30, and an IC card reader / writer 32 are connected to the main controller 18 via buses 28A to 28E such as a data bus and a control bus, respectively. Has been done. That is, each processing unit of the image processing device 10 is controlled mainly by the main controller 18. A backlight unit 30BL for the UI touch panel is attached to the UI touch panel 30.

Further, the image processing device 10 includes a power supply device 34, and is connected to the main controller 18 by a signal harness 36.

The power supply device 34 receives electric power from the commercial power supply 26 via the input power supply line 38.

In the power supply device 34, the power supply line 38A that independently supplies power to each of the main controller 18, the facsimile communication control circuit 16, the image reading unit 14, the image forming unit 12, the UI touch panel 30, and the IC card reader / writer 32. ~ 38E is provided. Therefore, in the main controller 18, power is individually supplied (usually) to each power supply target (hereinafter, may be referred to as a “processing unit”, “device”, “module”, “operated target”, etc.). Mode) or power cutoff (power saving mode) enables so-called partial power saving control. The partial power saving of each processing unit is an example, and the processing unit may be classified into several groups and the power saving may be controlled for each group.

Further, a motion sensor 40 as an example of the detection means and a camera 42 are connected to the main controller 18 to monitor the presence or absence of a moving body including a person around the image processing device 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the motion sensor 40 and the camera 42 are attached to a vertically long rectangular pillar portion provided between the image reading unit 14 and the image forming unit 12 in the image processing device 10. .. The pillar portion is provided in a columnar shape in a portion connecting the upper housing mainly covering the image reading unit 14 and the lower housing mainly covering the image forming unit 12, and the inside thereof is a recording paper transport system or the like (not shown). Omitted) is assembled.

In the first embodiment, the target of partial power saving includes the main controller 18. That is, when all the processing units are powered, the monitoring control unit 18A provided in the main controller 18 receives the minimum necessary power and cuts off the power supply to other control devices.

The monitoring control unit 18A may include, for example, an IC chip or the like, which is called an ASIC and includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, or the like in which an operation program is stored and processed by the operation program.

In the monitoring during power saving, for example, when a print request comes from the communication line detection unit or a fax reception request is received from the fax line detection unit, the monitoring control unit 18A responds to the device that was saving power. Supply power.

In the first embodiment, the power supply source of the monitoring control unit 18A is the commercial power source 26, but the power generated from the solar panel, the power supply unit having a storage function such as a battery and a capacitor, regenerative energy, etc. A generator or the like that generates electricity may be used as a power supply source.

(Functions of motion sensor 40 and camera 42)
When the user stands in front of the image processing device 10 in the power saving mode and then, for example, operates the power saving control button (not shown) to restart the power supply, it takes time for the image processing device 10 to start up. was there.

Therefore, the motion sensor 40 and the camera 42 are installed, and in the power saving mode, the motion sensor 40 detects the motion sensor 40 before the user presses the power saving release button, and the camera 42 is supplied with power to supply power to the camera 42. By supplying electric power to each processing unit, the user can use it quickly.

In other words, the camera 42 is configured so that it is not constantly supplied with power (camera off).

The motion sensor 40 is defined as "human sensor", which is a proper noun in the first embodiment, and it is sufficient that at least a person can detect (detect) it. In other words, it also includes the detection (detection) of a moving object other than a human, but in the first embodiment, the description will be made specifically for a human. The person includes a person who uses the image processing device 10 (hereinafter, may be distinguished as a user) and a person who does not use the image processing device 10.

If there is a moving body (animal, robot, etc.) that operates the image processing device 10 other than a human, the moving body may be replaced with a human.

As the motion sensor 40, an infrared sensor or the like using the pyroelectric effect of the pyroelectric element is typical (pyroelectric sensor), and also in the first embodiment, the motion sensor 40 is a pyroelectric sensor. Is applied. For example, in a pyroelectric sensor, when the amount of temperature change in the detection range exceeds a threshold value in advance, the binary signal, which is an output signal, is inverted.

When a person (user) enters the detection area of the motion sensor 40, the camera 42 is supplied with electric power (camera on) and starts operating. For example, the process (service) is specified and the necessary device is used. It is configured to instruct the startup from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

In the power saving mode, the motion sensor 40 receives power from the monitoring control unit 18A and monitors the movement of people around the image processing device 10. When the motion sensor 40 detects a person, the motion sensor 40 performs cooperative control such as starting to supply power to the camera 42 in the power cut state during the power saving mode.

In the first embodiment, the motion sensor 40 and the camera 42 are connected to the main controller 18. The effective detection distance (effective imaging distance) of the camera 42 is adjustable, and in the first embodiment, it is adjustable to 1 m and 3 m as shown in FIG.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the effective detection distance of the camera 42 is set to 1 m, the user 44 is invalid at the position A in FIG. 3, and the user 44 is B in FIG. It is a valid detection at the position of.

Further, when the effective detection distance of the camera 42 is set to 3 m, the detection is effective regardless of whether the user 44 is at the position A or the position B in FIG.

In the first embodiment, as a basic setting at the time of transition to the power saving mode, the power of the camera 42 is turned off when the effective detection distance is 1 m, and the power of the camera 42 is turned on when the effective detection distance is 3 m. Although it is turned on, as an irregular setting, the power of the camera 42 may be turned on when the effective detection distance is 1 m.

Further, in the first embodiment, when the camera power is turned on, it may be determined whether or not to use the image processing device 10 based on the information captured at the effective detection distance. For example, it is possible to determine that the image processing device 10 is used when the line of sight is directed to the image processing device 10, and that the image processing device 10 is not used when the line of sight is not directed.

As described above, the image processing device 10 is provided with a power saving control button, and the user can manually operate the power saving instruction or cancel the power saving. In the first embodiment, the power saving control button and the motion sensor 40 and the camera 42 are used in combination, but the motion sensor 40 and the camera 42 may perform all monitoring without the power saving control button. It is possible.

Here, if convenience is emphasized in the power saving mode, for example, a person at a position of 3 m is detected earlier than a person within 1 m, and the image processing device 10 is shifted to the normal mode. It is desirable to make it processable.

On the other hand, if energy saving is emphasized in the power saving mode, for example, even if a person at a position 3 m from the image processing device 10 is detected, it is uncertain whether or not the image processing device 10 is actually used. Therefore, shifting to the normal mode may reduce the energy saving property.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, when shifting from the power saving mode to the normal mode, attention is paid to the fact that the frequency of use of the image processing device 10 differs depending on the difference in the number of users existing around the image processing device 10. , The time zone is divided into a period when the image processing device 10 is frequently used (busy operating time zone) and a time when the image processing device 10 is used infrequently (low operating time zone), and is different in each time zone. Monitoring control was executed.

In the first embodiment, the busy working hours (X) are set to 9:00 ≤ X <17:00 (hereinafter, 9:00 to 17:) on weekdays (Monday to Friday) based on the working hours of general companies. (00)), and the off-hours (Y) is other than the busy season (Saturday, Sunday, and weekdays 17:00 ≤ Y <9:00 (hereinafter referred to as 17:00 to 9:00)). did.

In the first embodiment, as monitoring control, the effective detection distance of the camera 42 is set to 3 m and the power is turned on during the busy operating hours when the mode shifts to the power saving mode. In the off-hours, the effective detection distance of the camera 42 is set to 1 m, and the power is turned off (basic setting).

As a result, by controlling the power supply of the camera 42 based on the detection status by the motion sensor 40 (details will be described later, see FIG. 4), convenience is prioritized during busy operating hours, and energy saving is prioritized during quiet operating hours. Monitoring control is established.

Hereinafter, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

(Example of mode transition of power supply control of image processing device 10)
If the image processing device 10 is not processed, the operating state is the power saving mode. During the power saving mode, the minimum necessary power is supplied to the monitoring control unit 18A, the motion sensor 40, and the camera 42 to monitor the movement (entry) of a person.

Here, when there is a start-up opportunity, the operating state shifts to the warm-up (warm-up operation) mode.

After this start-up trigger, a mode may be provided in which the power supply amount increases from the power supply in the original power saving mode by activating the main controller 18 and the UI touch panel 30. This mode may still be defined as power saving or may be defined as another mode.

In addition, after the start-up trigger, for example, the mode returns to the mode in which a job can be selected (UI touch panel 30 activation (power supply)), and which device is activated is determined by the selected job, and the job type is determined. In the case of image reading or the like, if the image forming unit 12 does not start, it may not warm up (partial power saving control).

The warm-up mode is a warm-up operation for quickly bringing the image processing device 10 (mainly the temperature of the fixing portion of the image forming unit 12) into a processable state, and is the maximum power consumption of each mode. ..

For example, as a heater in the fixing portion, an IH heater is applied in the first embodiment, and as a comparative example, the warm-up mode time is relatively shorter than that of a heater using a halogen lamp. .. It is also possible to use an IH heater and a halogen lamp together. The warm-up operation is the mode that consumes the most power (for example, 1200 W).

When the warm-up mode ends, the image processing device 10 shifts to the standby mode.

The standby mode is literally a mode in which "preparation is completed in preparation for a thing", and the image processing device 10 is in a state in which the operation of image processing can be immediately executed.

Therefore, when there is a job execution operation as a key input, the operating state of the image processing device 10 shifts to the running mode, and image processing based on the instructed job is executed.

When the image processing is completed (when a plurality of consecutive jobs are waiting, when all of the continuous jobs are completed), the operating state of the image processing device 10 shifts to the standby mode by the standby trigger.

After image processing, time counting by the timer function may be started, a standby trigger may be output after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the mode may be changed to the standby mode.

If there is a job execution instruction during this standby mode, the mode transitions to the running mode again, and when the power saving mode transition condition is satisfied, the mode transitions to the power saving mode.

(Monitoring control during power saving mode)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a monitoring control routine mainly in the power saving mode of the image processing device 10 after startup.

Immediately after the image processing device 10 is started, it operates in the normal mode, and in step 100, it is determined whether or not the power saving mode transition condition is satisfied.

The power saving mode transition condition is determined based on whether or not there is a running job and whether or not a certain period of time has passed since the last operation by the user. For example, if there is no job being executed and the UI touch panel 30 is not operated for a certain period of time, it is determined that the power saving mode transition condition is satisfied.

If it is determined in step 100 that the power saving mode transition condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step 102, the normal mode is continued, and it is determined whether or not there is a user operation during the normal mode.

If a negative determination is made in step 102, the process returns to step 100. If a positive determination is made in step 102 (with user operation), the process proceeds to step 104, and a job including normal processing (for example, image formation processing, image reading processing, and facsimile transmission / reception processing) is performed according to the user operation. ) Is executed, and the process returns to step 100.

On the other hand, when the power saving mode transition condition is satisfied in step 100, the transition to step 106 is performed to determine whether or not it is a busy operating time zone. In the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the current time is a preset operating time zone (for example, Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00) as the busy operating time zone.

In step 106, if an affirmative determination, that is, if it is determined that the current time is in the busy operating time zone, the process proceeds to step 108, the effective detection distance set by the camera 42 is set to 3 m, and the process proceeds to step 114. To do.

Further, in step 106, if it is determined that the negative determination and development time is in the off-hours operating time zone (outside the busy operating hours), the process proceeds to step 110 and the effective detection distance set by the camera 42 is set to 1 m. Then, the process proceeds to step 112, the power of the camera 42 is turned off, and the process proceeds to step 114. That is, although the effective detection distance is set (1 m), it does not function as the camera 42.

In step 114, a process for shifting to the power saving mode is performed. When the power saving mode transition process is completed in step 114, the process proceeds to step 116.

In step 116, it is determined whether the power of the camera 42 is on or off. If it is determined in step 116 that the power of the camera 42 is off, it is determined that the camera 42 is in a quiet operating time zone, and the process proceeds to step 118 to determine whether or not a person is detected by the motion sensor 40. ..

If an affirmative determination is made in step 118, it is determined that the user is approaching the image processing device 10, the process proceeds to step 124, the power of the camera 42 is turned on, and the process returns to step 116. In the case of the transition from the affirmative determination in step 118 to step 124, the so-called irregular setting that the effective detection distance of the camera 42 is set to 1 m and the power of the camera 42 is turned on (the basic setting is valid in steps 110 and 112). The detection distance is 1 m, and the power is off).

Further, if a negative determination is made in step 118, the process proceeds to step 120, and it is determined whether or not the busy operating time zone is started during the power saving mode. If a negative determination is made in step 120, the process returns to step 116.

If an affirmative determination is made in step 120, the process proceeds to step 122, the detection distance of the camera 42 is set to 3 m, the process proceeds to step 124, the power of the camera 42 is turned on, and the process returns to step 116.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 116 that the power of the camera 42 is turned on, the process proceeds to step 126.

Here, the operating time determined to turn on the power of the camera 42 in step 116 is a busy operating time zone in the basic setting (step 108), but in the irregular setting (affirmative determination in step 118 and step 124). Since it is a quiet operating time zone, there is a possibility of any operating time zone.

In step 126, a person is detected by the camera 42, and whether or not the user uses the image processing device 10 is determined based on the captured image. The effective detection distance of the camera 42 is changed depending on the operating time zone (busy operating time zone or off-peak operating time zone).

If an affirmative determination is made in step 126, that is, if it is determined that the user is a user who detects a person and uses the image processing device 10, the process proceeds to step 128 to perform a process for shifting from the power saving mode to the normal mode. , Return to step 100.

Further, in step 126, a negative determination, that is, when the camera 42 does not detect a person within the effective detection distance, it is determined that the user does not use the image processing device 10, the process proceeds to step 130, and the operating time zone Judge whether or not is in a quiet operating time zone.

In this step 130, if the negative determination is made, that is, during the busy operating hours, the process returns to step 126, and the person detection by the image pickup of the camera 42 is repeated.

Further, if an affirmative determination is made in step 130, that is, it is determined that the transition has occurred during the off-hours operation time zone, the process proceeds to step 132, the effective detection distance of the camera 42 is set to 1 m, and the process proceeds to step 134.

In step 134, the motion sensor 40 determines whether or not a person has not been detected for a certain period of time, and if a negative determination is made, the process returns to step 126. If an affirmative determination is made in step 134, the process proceeds to step 136, the power of the camera 42 is turned off (basic setting of the off-peak operating time zone), and the process proceeds to step 116.

According to the first embodiment, during busy operating hours, which are frequently used by users, the camera 42 approaches within a range of 10 to 3 m while the power of the camera 42 is turned on even during the power saving mode. It is possible to detect the incoming user.

In addition, during off-hours, the power of the camera 42 is turned off until the motion sensor 40 detects it, and the camera 42 is limited to users approaching within a range of 1 m from the image processing device 10. Can be detected.

As a result, in the busy operating hours, the user is detected from a greater distance than in the off-operating hours, and the mode shifts from the power saving mode to the normal mode in front of the user's image processing device 10. Waiting time is reduced.

On the other hand, in the off-hours, the power consumption in the power saving mode is reduced as compared with the busy operating hours by turning off the power of the camera 42 until the motion sensor 40 detects a person. It becomes possible.

In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the operation is changed between the busy operating time zone and the off-peak operating time zone, but the combination of the operations is not limited to two and may be three or more.

Further, the change target in the busy operating time zone and the off-peak operating time zone is the human effective detection distance of the image by the camera 42, but the change target is not limited to this, but is limited to the human detection range (human detection detection angle) of the image by the camera 42. It may be used, or it may be the effective detection distance of the motion sensor 40.

(Modified example of setting busy working hours and off-hours)
In the first embodiment, the busy period of the operating hours is set from 9:00 to 17:00 on weekdays (Monday to Friday) based on the working hours of general companies, and the off-season is other than the busy period (Saturday, Sunday). , And weekdays from 17:00 to 9:00, but it is not necessary to set the busy and off-seasons of the operating hours based on the working hours of general companies, and the following modes can be considered.

(Aspect 1) The day of the week and the set time are set according to the type of job. For example, a newspaper company, a publishing company, or the like may have a lot of work at night, and if the set time can be changed, it is possible to be busy and quiet during the operating hours suitable for the installation location of the image processing device 10.

(Aspect 2) Adjust to the brightness of the living room. For example, if the brightness is above a certain level, it is determined that the utilization rate of the image processing device 10 is high, and the image processing device 10 is set to a busy time zone.

(Aspect 3) Adjust to the processing amount of the communication device. For example, if the communication volume of the LAN (local area network) is acquired and the communication volume is equal to or higher than a certain level, it is determined that the utilization rate of the image processing device 10 is high, and the busy time zone is set.

(Aspect 4) Based on the entry / exit information of the living room by the ID card possessed by the employee, etc., the number of people existing in the living room is adjusted. For example, if there are a certain number of people or more, it is determined that the utilization rate of the image processing device 10 is high, and it is set as a busy time zone.

(Aspect 5) Based on the actual operation status of the image processing apparatus 10 based on statistics for a certain period of time, a time zone having a high utilization rate and a time zone having a low utilization rate are separated.

According to the first embodiment, in the power saving mode, the time required for recovery is adjusted according to the usage rate as compared with the case where the recovery condition is set and the recovery takes time regardless of the usage rate (usage frequency). It becomes possible to do.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment will be described below. In the second embodiment, with respect to the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the same drawings are diverted and the same reference numerals are given, and the description of the configuration will be omitted.

The feature of the second embodiment is that while the first embodiment changes the state of the power saving mode depending on whether it is a busy operating time or a quiet operating time, the second embodiment is in the power saving mode. In addition, when an image formation instruction is received at the request of the PC 24 (see FIG. 2), the monitoring control is changed.

When the image forming instruction is received, the image processing apparatus 10 temporarily stores the information for forming the image and waits for the output. In this case, it is expected that the user instructed by the PC 24 will come to pick up the output waiting print in a relatively short period of time.

Therefore, the detection level is changed depending on the presence or absence of print waiting for output.

In the second embodiment, if there is an output waiting print, the detection level is set to "simple", and if there is no output waiting print, the detection level is set to "normal".

When the detection level is "simple", the power of the camera 42 is turned on, but the camera 42 does not detect a person and shifts to the normal mode.

The detection level of "normal" is a setting in which the power of the camera 42 is turned on and the camera 42 executes human detection.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a monitoring control routine of the image processing device 10 after activation according to the second embodiment.

Immediately after the image processing device 10 is started, it operates in the normal mode, and in step 200, it is determined whether or not the power saving mode transition condition is satisfied.

The power saving mode transition condition is determined based on whether or not there is a running job and whether or not a certain period of time has passed since the user last operated. For example, if there is no job being executed and the UI touch panel 30 is not operated for a certain period of time, it is determined that the power saving mode transition condition is satisfied.

If it is determined in step 200 that the power saving mode transition condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step 202, the normal mode is continued, the user operates during the normal mode, and the information for image formation from the PC 24 is input. Determine if there was a reception.

If a negative determination is made in step 202, the process returns to step 200. If a positive determination is made in step 202 (information is received for user operation or image formation), the process proceeds to step 204, and normal processing (for example, image formation processing, image reading) is performed according to the user operation. The job including the process and the facsimile transmission / reception process) is executed, and the process returns to step 200.

For example, in step 202, when an image formation instruction is received together with the image formation information, the authentication information included in the image formation instruction is acquired and collated with the authentication information stored in the image processing device 10. If the collation fails, the acceptance of print instructions is terminated. If the collation is successful, the image formation instruction is decomposed, and then the authentication information and the image formation information are associated and stored as an output waiting print.

On the other hand, if the power saving mode transition condition is satisfied in step 202, the process proceeds to step 206 to determine whether or not the output waiting print is stored.

In step 206, if there is an affirmative determination, that is, a print waiting for output, the process proceeds to step 208, the detection level is set to “simple”, and the process proceeds to step 212. The setting in step 208 means that, for example, in the case of program processing, the detection level flag F is set (F ← 1).

Further, in step 206, if a negative determination, that is, if there is no output waiting print, the process proceeds to step 210, the detection level is set to "normal", and the process proceeds to step 212. The setting in step 210 means, for example, in the case of program processing, resetting the detection level flag F (F ← 0).

In step 212, the power of the camera 42 is turned off, and then the process proceeds to step 214 to perform a process for shifting to the power saving mode.

When the power saving mode transition process is completed in step 214, the process proceeds to step 216 to determine whether or not the information for image formation has been received.

If the affirmative judgment is made in step 216, it is determined that the information for image formation has been received, the process proceeds to step 218, the power of the camera 42 is turned on, and then the process proceeds to step 220 to shift to the normal mode. , Return to step 200.

Further, if a negative determination is made in step 216, it is determined that the information for image formation has not been received, and the process proceeds to step 222 to determine whether or not the power of the camera 42 is turned on.

In step 222, a negative determination, that is, when the power of the camera 42 is off, the process proceeds to step 224 to determine whether or not a person has been detected by the motion sensor 40.

If it is determined in step 224 that a person has been detected by the motion sensor 40, the process proceeds to step 226 to determine whether or not the detection level is "simple".

If the affirmative judgment is made in step 226, the detection level is "simple", so the process proceeds to step 218, the camera power is turned on (currently, if the camera 42 is on, the camera 42 is maintained), and the process proceeds to step 220. The transition is performed, and the mode shifts to the normal mode without detecting a person by the camera 42.

If a negative determination is made in step 226, the detection level is not "simple" (the detection level is "normal"), so the process proceeds to step 228, the power of the camera 42 is turned on, and the process proceeds to step 216. Return.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 224, that is, if a person cannot be detected by the motion sensor 40, the process proceeds to step 230 to determine whether or not a certain period (for example, 5 minutes) has passed after the power saving mode. To do.

If an affirmative determination (a certain period of time has passed) is made in step 230, the process proceeds to step 232, the detection level is changed to "normal", and the process returns to step 216. If a negative determination is made in step 230 (a certain period of time has not passed), the detection level remains "simple" and the process returns to step 216.

Next, in the negative determination of step 216, when the process proceeds to step 222, the positive determination in step 222, that is, when the power of the camera 42 is on, the process proceeds to step 234 and the image captured by the camera 42 is used. Perform human detection.

When a person is detected by the image captured by the camera 42 in step 234, the process proceeds to step 218, the power of the camera 42 is maintained, the process proceeds to step 220, and the normal mode is entered. The process proceeds to step 200.

If a person cannot be detected by the image captured by the camera 42 in step 234, the process proceeds to step 236, and the motion sensor 40 determines whether or not the person has not been detected for a certain period of time and denies it. If it is determined, the process returns to step 216. If an affirmative determination is made in step 236, the process proceeds to step 238, the power of the camera 42 is turned off, and the process returns to step 216.

According to the second embodiment, when there is a print waiting for output, the motion sensor 40 shifts from the power saving mode to the normal mode only by detecting a person for a certain period (for example, 5 minutes). ..

As a result, when the user comes to pick up the print waiting for output, since the print exists, the image processing device 10 turns on the power of the camera 42 and detects a person by the image captured by the camera 42. It is possible to shift to the normal mode without taking time and reduce the waiting time of the user in front of the image processing device 10.

(Modified example of detection function)
In the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the camera 42 is mounted on the image processing device 10, but the camera 42 does not have to be mounted on the image processing device 10. For example, information may be obtained from a camera installed in a living room (for example, a ceiling). The camera may be an existing surveillance camera or a new dedicated camera.

In addition, a motion sensor 40 (pyroelectric sensor) is applied to start up the camera 42 (power supply or power supply and person detection control), and effective detection of the camera 42 is performed depending on whether it is during busy operating hours or off-peak operating hours. Although the distance is changed (adjusted), the pyroelectric sensor and the reflection sensor may be used together as the motion sensor 40.

In this case, the pyroelectric sensor detects a relatively distant person (user) during the busy operating hours, and the reflective sensor detects a relatively distant person (user) during the off-hours operating hours, and the UI of the image processing device 10 is relatively close. The user who faces the touch panel 30) may be detected.

As the power supply control when the reflection type sensor is additionally applied to the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the charcoal type sensor having the relatively lowest power consumption (the first embodiment). When a person is detected, power is constantly supplied to the motion sensor 40), and power is supplied to a reflective sensor that consumes more power than the motion sensor 40 and less than the camera 42 to approach the image processing device 10. The power supply period may be set to three stages, such as determining that the power is being generated, and then starting up the camera 42 that consumes the most power to identify the user.

The utilization rate set in the first embodiment and the second embodiment (including modified examples) may be fixedly applied by default based on the usage environment at the time of shipment. Then, it may be calculated by the own device (image processing device 10) or received from an external device and changed.

10 Image processing device 12 Image forming unit 14 Image reading unit 16 Facsimile communication control circuit 18 Main controller 20 Network communication line network 22 Telephone line network 24 PC
26 Commercial power supply 28A to 28E Bus 30 UI touch panel 30BL Backlight for UI touch panel 32 IC card reader / writer 34 Power supply device 36 Signal harness 38 Input power supply line 38A to 38E Power supply line 40 Human sensor 42 Camera

Claims (8)

A power saving means that cuts off the power supply to the power supply target to save power,
A detection means for detecting a user approaching the power supply target, and
An adjustment means for adjusting the detection range by the detection means at least according to the usage environment classified by the usage rate at which the user uses the power supply target.
When a user enters the detection range adjusted by the adjusting means during power saving by the power saving means, the supply means for supplying power to the power supply target and the power supply means.
Have,
The detection means
A motion sensor that detects a user within a predetermined range while power is always supplied even during power saving by the power saving means,
A monitoring control device including an image pickup means in which power is not supplied during power saving by the power saving means, power is supplied by user detection by the motion sensor, and at least the detection range is imaged . When the utilization rate of the usage environment is less than a predetermined threshold value, the detection range of the detection means is used as a reference range.
The monitoring control device according to claim 1, wherein when the utilization rate of the usage environment is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the detection range of the user by the detection means is wider than the reference range. The monitoring control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the utilization rate is set in an operating time zone sorted by day of the week or time of day. The monitoring control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the utilization rate is set based on an actual operating condition based on statistics for a certain period of time. The power supply target includes a processing unit that receives information remotely via a communication network and executes processing.
The monitoring control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the utilization rate is set depending on whether or not processing is reserved for the processing unit. The monitoring control device according to claim 5, wherein the utilization rate set by the presence or absence of reservation of the processing execution instruction to the processing unit has a fixed period after the reservation as a valid period . The monitoring control device according to claim 5 or 6, is provided.
An image processing device including an image forming unit in which the processing unit forms an image based on image information. An image processing device including the monitoring control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.