U.S. patent application number 16/535201 was filed with the patent office on 2020-09-24 for information processing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Osamu GOTO, Kenta OGATA.
Application Number | 20200300607 16/535201 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004292559 |
Filed Date | 2020-09-24 |
![](/patent/app/20200300607/US20200300607A1-20200924-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20200300607/US20200300607A1-20200924-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20200300607/US20200300607A1-20200924-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20200300607/US20200300607A1-20200924-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20200300607/US20200300607A1-20200924-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20200300607/US20200300607A1-20200924-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20200300607/US20200300607A1-20200924-D00006.png)
![](/patent/app/20200300607/US20200300607A1-20200924-D00007.png)
![](/patent/app/20200300607/US20200300607A1-20200924-D00008.png)
![](/patent/app/20200300607/US20200300607A1-20200924-D00009.png)
![](/patent/app/20200300607/US20200300607A1-20200924-D00010.png)
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20200300607 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GOTO; Osamu ; et
al. |
September 24, 2020 |
INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS
Abstract
An information processing apparatus includes: a distance
measurement sensor that outputs a voltage according to a distance
to a measurement object; and a control unit that supplies power to
the distance measurement sensor at preset intervals and stops the
power supply after a preset first period has elapsed. When
performing control to determine that the measurement object has
approached the apparatus in a state where an output voltage from
the distance measurement sensor is equal to or higher than a preset
threshold value, the control unit supplies power again and stops
the power supply after a preset second period has elapsed, and then
performs control to determine that the output voltage from the
distance measurement sensor is a falsely detected output voltage
when the output voltage during the power supply is equal to or
higher than a preset voltage.
Inventors: |
GOTO; Osamu; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; OGATA; Kenta; (Kanagawa, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FUJI XEROX CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
1000004292559 |
Appl. No.: |
16/535201 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00336 20130101;
H04N 1/00891 20130101; H04N 1/00904 20130101; G01B 11/026
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01B 11/02 20060101
G01B011/02; H04N 1/00 20060101 H04N001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 22, 2019 |
JP |
2019-054410 |
Claims
1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a distance
measurement sensor that outputs a voltage according to a distance
to a measurement object; and a control unit that: performs control
to determine that the measurement object has approached the
apparatus in a state where an output voltage from the distance
measurement sensor is equal to or higher than a preset threshold
value, wherein the control unit repeatedly: (i) supplies power to
the distance measurement sensor at preset intervals and stops power
supply to the distance measurement sensor after a preset first
period during which power is supplied has elapsed, and (ii)
supplies power again and stops the power supply to the distance
measurement sensor after a preset second period has elapsed; and
then performs control to determine that the output voltage from the
distance measurement sensor is a falsely detected output voltage
when the output voltage during power supply to the distance
measurement sensor is equal to or higher than a preset voltage.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the second period is set to be longer than the first
period.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein the second period is set to be three or more times longer
than the first period.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the control unit stops power supply to the distance
measurement sensor after repeating a power supply state during the
second period a plurality of times, and then determines that the
output voltage from the distance measurement sensor is a falsely
detected output voltage when the output voltage during power supply
to the distance measurement sensor is equal to or higher than a
preset voltage.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein the control unit sets different power supply periods during
a plurality of the second periods.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein the control unit sets different supply voltages to a power
source of the distance measurement sensor during a plurality of the
second periods.
7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the control unit stops power supply to the distance
measurement sensor after the preset first period has elapsed in a
state where the output voltage from the distance measurement sensor
is equal to or higher than the preset threshold value, supplies
power again and stops the power supply to the distance measurement
sensor after the preset second period has elapsed, and then
repeatedly determines whether or not the output voltage during
power supply to the distance measurement sensor is equal to or
higher than the preset voltage a plurality of times, to determine
whether or not detection of the measurement object by the distance
measurement sensor is false detection based on results of a
plurality of times of determination.
8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the control unit performs control to turn on the power of
the apparatus when the output voltage from the distance measurement
sensor is equal to or higher than the preset threshold value, and
does not perform control to turn on the power of the apparatus,
when determining that the output voltage from the distance
measurement sensor is a falsely detected output voltage, even
though the output voltage from the distance measurement sensor is
equal to or higher than the preset threshold value.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority under 35
USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-054410 filed Mar.
22, 2019.
BACKGROUND
(i) Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an information processing
apparatus.
(ii) Related Art
[0003] Japanese Patent No. 2939045 discloses a distance measurement
sensor that improves noise resistance by a shielding effect with a
storage case configured to have conductivity and be grounded.
SUMMARY
[0004] Aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present
disclosure relate to providing an information processing apparatus
and a program capable of preventing a distance measurement sensor
from making false detection due to external noise when detecting
and controlling the approach of a measurement object using the
distance measurement sensor.
[0005] Aspects of certain non-limiting embodiments of the present
disclosure address the features discussed above and/or other
features not described above. However, aspects of the non-limiting
embodiments are not required to address the above features, and
aspects of the non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure
may not address features described above.
[0006] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided an information processing apparatus including: a distance
measurement sensor that outputs a voltage according to a distance
to a measurement object; and a control unit that supplies power to
the distance measurement sensor at preset intervals and stops power
supply to the distance measurement sensor after a preset first
period during which power is supplied has elapsed, when performing
control to determine that the measurement object has approached the
apparatus in a state where an output voltage from the distance
measurement sensor is equal to or higher than a preset threshold
value, supplies power again and stops the power supply to the
distance measurement sensor after a preset second period has
elapsed, and then performs control to determine that the output
voltage from the distance measurement sensor is a falsely detected
output voltage when the output voltage during power supply to the
distance measurement sensor is equal to or higher than a preset
voltage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of
an image forming system according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0009] FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams for describing control by a
human-body detection system using a distance measurement sensor
40;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a structure of the
distance measurement sensor 40;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the outline of a structure
of a PSD 42;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state of the PSD 42 when
a photodiode 61 is turned on;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing a system configuration of
the human-body detection system using the distance measurement
sensor 40;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for describing an operation in a case
where false detection determination processing is not performed in
the image forming apparatus 10 according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0015] FIGS. 8A-8D are a diagram illustrating a timing chart in the
processing in a case where the false detection determination
processing illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is not
performed;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for describing an operation in a case
where the false detection determination processing is performed in
the image forming apparatus 10 according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing the details of the false
detection determination processing illustrated in step S201 of the
flowchart of FIG. 9;
[0018] FIGS. 11A-11D are a diagram illustrating a timing chart in
the case of non-false detection in a case where the false detection
determination processing is performed, and
[0019] FIGS. 12A-12D are a diagram illustrating a timing chart in
the case of false detection in a case where false detection
determination processing is performed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Next, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will
be described in detail with reference to drawings.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating the configuration of
an image forming system according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0022] An image forming system according to the exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure is configured with an image
forming apparatus 10 and a terminal device 20 mutually connected by
a network 30, as shown in FIG. 1. The terminal device 20 generates
print data and transmits the generated print data via the network
30 to the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus
10 receives the print data transmitted from the terminal device 20
and outputs an image corresponding to the print data on a sheet.
The image forming apparatus 10 is a so-called multifunction machine
having plural functions such as a printing function, a scanning
function, a copying function, and a facsimile function.
[0023] The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present
exemplary embodiment turns off the power of the main units and
enters a power saving mode (or standby mode) when an operation is
not performed for a predetermined time to save energy. Then, the
image forming apparatus 10 is set to supply power to each unit and
turn into a normal operation mode when a user performs a button
operation or print data is transmitted from the terminal device
20.
[0024] A distance measurement sensor 40 is provided on the front of
the image forming apparatus 10. The distance measurement sensor 40
has a function of measuring the distance to an object located in
front of the image forming apparatus 10. Then, in the image forming
apparatus 10 of the present exemplary embodiment, a human-body
detection system is realized by using the distance measurement
sensor 40.
[0025] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the image forming
apparatus 10 in the power saving mode detects the distance to the
user approaching the image forming apparatus 10 by the distance
measurement sensor 40 and the user closer than a preset distance is
detected, as shown in FIG. 2B, processing is performed in the state
of the normal operation mode.
[0026] By performing such processing, the image forming apparatus
10 enters the normal operation mode only when the user approaches
to use the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, when the user
arrives in front of the image forming apparatus 10, the normal
operation mode is already set, and the user can quickly perform
processing such as copying.
[0027] Next, the structure of the distance measurement sensor 40
will be described with reference to FIG. 3.
[0028] The distance measurement sensor 40 includes an LED 41 and a
position sensitive detector (PSD) 42. FIG. 3 is a diagram for
describing the operation principle and structure of the distance
measurement sensor 40, and the structure of an optical system such
as a lens will be omitted.
[0029] The LED 41 emits light to a measurement object 71 that the
user or the like wants to measure. The light emitted by the LED 41
is reflected by the measurement object 71 and enters the PSD 42.
Then, the spot position where the reflected light from the
measurement object 71 is incident on the PSD 42 changes according
to a distance D between the measurement object 71 and the distance
measurement sensor 40.
[0030] That is, this spot position changes in a case where the
position of the measurement object 71 is far from the distance
measurement sensor 40 and the distance D is long, and the case
where the position of the measurement object 71 is close to the
distance measurement sensor 40 and the distance D is short.
[0031] The PSD is configured such that output currents I1 and I2
change in accordance with the spot position where the reflected
light is incident. Therefore, the spot position is specified by
measuring the output powers I1 and I2 and the distance D to the
measurement object is calculated by triangulation from the spot
position, the distance between the PSD 42 and the LED 41, and the
like.
[0032] Here, the PSD 42 has a structure in which a resistor and a
photodiode are combined and elongated horizontally. The outline of
the structure of this PSD 42 is illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0033] The PSD 42 is configured with a photodiode 61 and a resistor
62, as shown in FIG. 4. When the reflected light is incident,
carriers are generated at the spot position and a current flows,
and the photodiode 61 is turned on. When turned on, the photodiode
61 is structured to be connected to the resistor 62 at this spot
position.
[0034] A state in which the photodiode 61 is turned on is shown in
FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the photodiode 61 is
connected to a position according to the spot position of the
resistor 62, and it is understood that the resistor 62 is divided
into two resistors of resistance values R1 and R2 with the
connection position as a boundary.
[0035] One end of the photodiode 61 is connected to a power supply
voltage Vcc of 5 V, and the output currents I1 and I2 are output
from both ends of the resistor 62.
[0036] With such a structure, when the photodiode 61 is turned on,
the output currents I1 and I2 from the distance measurement sensor
40 become current values inversely proportional to the division
ratio of the two resistance values R1 and R2.
[0037] Next, the system configuration of the human-body detection
system using the distance measurement sensor 40 will be described
with reference to FIG. 6.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 6, the distance measurement sensor 40 is
provided with a signal processing circuit 43, and the signal
processing circuit 43 receives the output currents I1 and I2 from
the PSD 42 and outputs an output voltage Vout. The output voltage
Vout is set such that the voltage value increases as the distance D
to the measurement object 71 illustrated in FIG. 3 decreases, and
the voltage value decreases as the distance D to the measurement
object 71 increases. That is, the distance measurement sensor 40
outputs a voltage corresponding to the distance to the measurement
object as the output voltage Vout.
[0039] The output voltage Vout from the distance measurement sensor
40 is input to a control unit 50 that controls the operation of the
image forming apparatus 10.
[0040] The control unit 50 detects the approach of the user to the
user's image forming apparatus based on the voltage value of the
output voltage Vout and performs control such that the power saving
mode is set to the normal operation mode.
[0041] Specifically, when the output voltage Vout from the distance
measurement sensor 40 becomes equal to or higher than a preset
threshold value, for example, 1 V or more, the control unit 50 sets
the power saving mode to the normal operation mode, that is,
performs control to turn on the power of the image forming
apparatus.
[0042] In the following description, setting the power saving mode
to the normal operation mode is expressed as turning the power on,
and setting the normal operation mode to the power saving mode is
expressed as turning the power off.
[0043] The distance measurement sensor 40 is supplied with the
power supply voltage Vcc from a 5 V power supply 51 via a switch
52. The control unit 50 controls the switch 52 to switch on/off the
power supply voltage Vcc to the distance measurement sensor 40.
[0044] It is not efficient from the viewpoint of power saving to
always supply the power supply voltage Vcc to the distance
measurement sensor 40. Therefore, the control unit 50 controls the
switch 52 to intermittently supply the power supply voltage Vcc to
the distance measurement sensor 40. For example, in the present
exemplary embodiment, in the power saving mode, the control unit 50
performs control such that the power supply voltage Vcc is supplied
to the distance measurement sensor 40 for 50 ms every 500 ms.
[0045] However, since the current generated on the above-described
PSD 42 is very fine, under the influence of external noise, false
detection may occur. That is, although the user is not approaching
the image forming apparatus 10, the output voltage Vout may be
output and the power of the apparatus may be turned on.
[0046] Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present
exemplary embodiment, even when the output voltage Vout from the
distance measurement sensor 40 becomes 1 V or more, which is the
preset threshold value, the control unit 50 performs false
detection determination processing to determine whether or not the
output voltage Vout exceeding the threshold voltage is a false
detection or not, instead of immediately turning on the power of
the image forming apparatus. When it is determined that the output
voltage Vout from the distance measurement sensor 40 is a falsely
detected output voltage, the control unit 50 does not perform
control to turn on the power of the image forming apparatus.
[0047] Then, the control unit 50 performs false detection
determination processing, and, when it is determined that the
output voltage Vout from the distance measurement sensor 40 is not
a falsely detected output voltage, performs control to turn on the
power of the image forming apparatus.
[0048] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 of the
present exemplary embodiment will be described in detail with
reference to drawings.
[0049] First, the operation in a case where the false detection
determination processing is not performed in the image forming
apparatus 10 of the present exemplary embodiment will be described
with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7.
[0050] In a case where the false detection determination processing
is not performed, the control unit 50 turns off the power supply
voltage Vcc in step S101, waits for 500 ms in step S102, and turns
on the power supply voltage Vcc in step S103. Then, after waiting
for 50 ms in step S104, the control unit 50 determines whether or
not the output voltage Vout from the distance measurement sensor 40
is 1 V or more in step S105.
[0051] Then, when the output voltage Vout is not 1 V or more, the
control unit 50 repeats the processing of steps S101 to S104.
[0052] Then, when it is determined in step S105 that the output
voltage Vout is 1 V or more, the control unit 50 determines that
the user is approaching the image forming apparatus and turns on
the power of the image forming apparatus 10 in step S106.
[0053] FIGS. 8A-8D illustrates a timing chart in the processing in
the case where the false detection determination processing
illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is not performed.
[0054] FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating the distance D to the
user, FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating the voltage value of the
power supply Vcc supplied to the distance measurement sensor 40,
FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating the voltage value of the output
voltage Vout from the distance measurement sensor 40, and FIG. 8D
is a diagram illustrating the power supply state of the image
forming apparatus 10.
[0055] In FIGS. 8A-8D, the control unit 50 performs control such
that the power supply voltage Vcc is supplied to the distance
measurement sensor 40 for 50 ms every 500 ms. In a case where the
user is not approaching the image forming apparatus 10, the voltage
of the output voltage Vout does not reach 1 V, and therefore, the
control unit 50 continues to intermittently supply the power supply
Vcc.
[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 8C, even in a case where the distance
D to the user is not short, any voltage is output as the output
voltage Vout. Then, after supplying the power supply voltage Vcc,
it is understood that the voltage value of the transient output
appears as the output voltage Vout and when a period of 50 ms
elapses and the operation of the PSD 42 and the signal processing
circuit 43 becomes stable, the voltage value of this output is
output as output voltage Vout.
[0057] As described above, the output voltage from the hardware
circuit is generally not stable immediately after being supplied
with the power supply voltage, and various control is performed by
using an output voltage which is output after a predetermined time
has elapsed after the power supply voltage is supplied.
[0058] Also in the present exemplary embodiment, the control unit
50 does not perform control using the output voltage Vout
immediately after supplying the power supply voltage Vcc to the
distance measurement sensor 40 and determines whether or not the
user is approaching the image forming apparatus based on the
voltage value of the output voltage Vout after 50 ms has
elapsed.
[0059] Then, the user approaches the image forming apparatus 10,
and the distance D to the user becomes short, and it is understood
that the voltage value of the output voltage Vout exceeds 1 Vat
time T1. Therefore, at time T1, the control unit 50 turns on the
power of the image forming apparatus.
[0060] Thereafter, when the distance D to the user increases and
the voltage value of the output voltage Vout is less than 1 V at
time T2, the control unit 50 turns off the power of the
apparatus.
[0061] Here, at time T3, although the user is not approaching the
image forming apparatus 10, the output voltage Vout is 1 V or more
due to the influence of external noise. Then, the control unit 50
causes the power supply voltage Vcc to be continuously supplied to
the distance measurement sensor 40 with the power of the image
forming apparatus turned on.
[0062] Then, when the voltage value of the output voltage Vout is
less than 1 V at time T4, the control unit 50 turns off the power
of the image forming apparatus.
[0063] That is, although the user is not approaching during the
period from time T3 to T4, the power of the image forming apparatus
10 is turned on, which indicates that the operation is false.
[0064] Next, false detection determination processing in the image
forming apparatus 10 of the present exemplary embodiment will be
described.
[0065] In the case of performing this false detection determination
processing, the control unit 50 supplies power to the distance
measurement sensor 40 at preset intervals. In a case where the
output voltage Vout from the distance measurement sensor 40 becomes
equal to or higher than the preset threshold value, when performing
control to determine that the user who is the measurement object
has approached the device, the control unit 50 stops the supply of
the power supply voltage Vcc to the distance measurement sensor 40
after the elapse of a preset first period during which the power
supply voltage Vcc is supplied to the distance measurement sensor
40. Then, the control unit 50 supplies the power supply voltage Vcc
again and stops the supply of the power supply voltage Vcc to the
distance measurement sensor 40 after a preset second period has
elapsed. Thereafter, when the output voltage Vout during the supply
of the power voltage Vcc to the distance measurement sensor 40 is
equal to or higher than the preset voltage, the control unit 50
performs control to determine that the output voltage Vout from the
distance measurement sensor 40 is a falsely detected output
voltage.
[0066] Specifically, in a case where the control unit 50 is
intermittently supplying the power supply voltage Vcc in the power
saving mode, even when the output voltage Vout is 1 V or more, the
control unit 50 stops the supply of the power supply voltage Vcc to
the distance measurement sensor 40 after the elapse of 50 ms which
is the first period. Then, the control unit 50 supplies the power
supply voltage Vcc again and stops the supply of the power supply
voltage Vcc to the distance measurement sensor 40 after the second
period 150 ms has elapsed. Thereafter, when the transient output of
the output voltage Vout immediately after the supply of the power
supply voltage Vcc to the distance measurement sensor 40 is 100 mV
or more, the control unit 50 performs control to determine that the
output voltage Vout from the distance measurement sensor 40 is a
false detection. That is, the control unit 50 does not make
switching to the normal operation mode with the image forming
apparatus 10 remaining in the power saving mode.
[0067] When the transient output of the output voltage Vout is less
than 100 mV after the power supply voltage Vcc is supplied in the
way as described above, the control unit 50 determines that the
output voltage Vout from the distance measurement sensor 40 is not
falsely detected but in a normal operation and executes processing
of changing the image forming apparatus 10 from the power saving
mode to the normal operation mode.
[0068] Here, 150 ms which is the second period described above is
set to be longer than 50 ms which is the first period. For example,
a period three or more times the first period is set as the second
period.
[0069] The supply of the power supply voltage Vcc to the distance
measurement sensor 40 during the second period of 150 ms will be
described hereinafter as pre-energization.
[0070] Then, the control unit 50 does not determine whether or not
the output voltage Vout is falsely detected after one time of
pre-energization as described above, but may determine whether or
not the output voltage Vout is falsely detected after performing
the pre-energization plural times.
[0071] Specifically, the control unit 50 stops the supply of the
power supply voltage Vcc to the distance measurement sensor 40
after repeating a power supply state during the second period
plural times. Thereafter, when the output voltage Vout during the
supply of the power voltage Vcc to the distance measurement sensor
40 is 100 mV or more, the control unit 50 may determine that the
output voltage Vout from the distance measurement sensor 40 is a
falsely detected output voltage.
[0072] Furthermore, the control unit 50 may set different power
voltage Vcc supply periods during plural second periods. That is,
when performing the pre-energization plural times, the control unit
50 may set different supply periods, such as 130 ms, 140 ms, and
260 ms, instead of setting all the periods of the pre-energization
as 150 ms.
[0073] Furthermore, the control unit 50 may set the voltage values
of the power supply voltage Vcc supplied to the distance
measurement sensors 40 in plural times of pre-energization as
different voltages. For example, the control unit 50 sets the
voltage value of the power supply voltage Vcc as different voltage
values such as 4.5 V, 5.0 V, and 5.5 V during each power supply of
plural times of pre-energization. However, in the circuit diagram
illustrated in FIG. 4, since the power supply voltage Vcc is 5 V
which is a constant voltage value, a circuit configuration
different from the circuit diagram illustrated in FIG. 4 is
required.
[0074] The control unit 50 may repeat the false detection
determination processing as described above plural times and
determine whether or not the detection of the measurement object by
the distance measurement sensor 40 is false detection based on the
results of plural times of determination.
[0075] Specifically, when the output voltage Vout from the distance
measurement sensor 40 becomes 1 V or more, the control unit 50
stops the supply of the power supply voltage Vcc to the distance
measurement sensor 40 after 50 ms has elapsed, stops the supply of
the power supply voltage Vcc to the distance measurement sensor 40
after the pre-energization of 150 ms, and thereafter, repeatedly
determines whether or not the output voltage Vout during the supply
of the power supply voltage Vcc to the distance measurement sensor
40 is 100 mV or more, plural times, and determines whether or not
the detection of the measurement object by the distance measurement
sensor 40 is false detection based on the results of plural times
of determination.
[0076] For example, when it is determined that the detection result
is false detection twice or more out of three times of
determination results, the control unit 50 finally determines that
the detection of the measurement object by the distance measurement
sensor 40 is false detection.
[0077] First, the operation in a case where the above-described
false detection determination processing is performed in the image
forming apparatus 10 of the present exemplary embodiment will be
described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9.
[0078] The flowchart in FIG. 9 is a flowchart in which steps S201
and S202 are added to the flowchart in a case where the false
detection determination processing illustrated in FIG. 7 is not
performed, and therefore, only the added steps will be
described.
[0079] In the case of performing the false detection determination
processing, the control unit 50 performs the false detection
determination processing in step S201 when the output voltage Vout
from the distance measurement sensor 40 is 1 V or more. Then, when
it is determined that the detection of an output voltage Vout of 1
V or more is false detection, the control unit 50 returns to the
processing of step S101 in step S202.
[0080] On the other hand, when it is determined that the detection
of an output voltage Vout of 1 V or more is not false detection,
the control unit 50 proceeds to the processing of step S106 in step
S202.
[0081] Then, in step S106, the control unit 50 turns on the power
supply of the image forming apparatus 10.
[0082] Next, the details of the false detection determination
processing illustrated in step S201 of the flowchart of FIG. 9 will
be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10.
[0083] First, in step S301, the control unit 50 turns off the power
supply voltage Vcc, and after waiting for 50 ms in step S302, turns
on the power supply voltage Vcc in step S303. Then, after waiting
for 150 ms in step S304, the control unit 50 turns off the power
supply voltage Vcc in step S305. The state in which the power
supply voltage Vcc is supplied for 150 ms is the pre-energization
described above.
[0084] Then, after waiting for 50 ms with the power supply voltage
Vcc turned on in step S306, the control unit 50 turns on the power
supply voltage Vcc again in step S307.
[0085] Then, in step S308, the control unit 50 determines whether
or not the output voltage Vout from the distance measurement sensor
40 is 100 mV or more.
[0086] Then, when the output voltage Vout from the distance
measurement sensor 40 is 100 mV or more, in step S309, the control
unit 50 determines that the output voltage Vout of 1 V or more is a
false detection.
[0087] Then, when the output voltage Vout from the distance
measurement sensor 40 is less than 100 mV, in step S310, the
control unit 50 determines that the output voltage Vout of 1 V or
more is not a false detection.
[0088] Next, timing charts in the case of performing the false
detection determination processing illustrated in the flowcharts of
FIGS. 9 and 10 are illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11D and FIGS.
12A-12D.
[0089] FIGS. 11A-11D are a timing chart in a case where the output
voltage Vout exceeding 1 V is not a false detection, and FIGS.
12A-12D are a timing chart in a case where the output voltage Vout
exceeding 1 V is a false detection.
[0090] First, a case where the output voltage Vout exceeding 1 V is
not a false detection will be described with reference to FIGS.
11A-11D.
[0091] When the user approaches the image forming apparatus 10 and
the distance D to the user becomes short, at time T5, the voltage
value of the output voltage Vout exceeds 1 V. Then, at time T6, the
control unit 50 turns off the power supply voltage Vcc. After 50
ms, at time T7, the control unit 50 turns on the power supply
voltage Vcc to perform pre-energization for 150 ms.
[0092] After the pre-energization, the control unit 50 turns off
power supply voltage Vcc at time T8. Then, the control unit 50
turns on the power supply voltage Vcc at time T9 after 50 ms has
elapsed.
[0093] Then, the control unit 50 measures the voltage value of the
transient response of the output voltage Vout immediately after
turning on the power supply voltage Vcc. In FIGS. 11A-11D, as the
voltage value of the transient response of the output voltage Vout,
a voltage value of several mV to several tens of mV is measured,
and it is understood that the output voltage Vout is less than 100
mV, which is a threshold value when determining that false
detection has occurred.
[0094] Therefore, the control unit 50 determines that the current
output voltage Vout of 1 V or more is normal detection and turns on
the power supply of the image forming apparatus 10.
[0095] Next, a case where the output voltage Vout exceeding 1 V is
a false detection will be described with reference to FIGS.
12A-12D.
[0096] Although the user has not approached the image forming
apparatus 10, the voltage value of the output voltage Vout exceeds
1 V at time T5 due to the influence of external noise. Then, at
time T6, the control unit 50 turns off the power supply voltage
Vcc. After 50 ms, at time T7, the control unit 50 turns on the
power supply voltage Vcc to perform pre-energization for 150
ms.
[0097] After the pre-energization, the control unit 50 turns off
power supply voltage Vcc at time T8. Then, the control unit 50
turns on the power supply voltage Vcc at time T9 after 50 ms has
elapsed.
[0098] Then, the control unit 50 measures the voltage value of the
transient response of the output voltage Vout immediately after
turning on the power supply voltage Vcc. In FIGS. 12A-12D, a
voltage value of about 800 mV is measured as the voltage value of
the transient response of the output voltage Vout, and it can be
seen that the output voltage Vout is equal to or higher than 100
mV, which is the threshold value, when it is determined that false
detection has occurred.
[0099] Therefore, the control unit 50 determines that the current
output voltage Vout of 1 V or more is a false detection and keeps
the power of the image forming apparatus 10 off without turning
on.
[0100] As a result, even though the distance measurement sensor 40
performs false detection, the control unit 50 can avoid a false
operation of turning on the power of the image forming apparatus
10.
Modification Example
[0101] In the above exemplary embodiment, a case where the present
disclosure is applied to the image forming apparatus 10 has been
described, but the present disclosure is not limited to such a
case, and the present disclosure can be similarly applied to an
information processing apparatus such as an automatic teller
machine (ATM) apparatus or a ticket vending machine where a user
approaches and performs an operation.
[0102] The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of
the present invention has been provided for the purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.
Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to
practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and
described in order to best explain the principles of the invention
and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in
the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and
with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be
defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *