Image forming apparatus and image forming apparatus control method
An image forming apparatus is operable at least in a first power state and in a second power state, in which electric power consumption in the second power state is less than electric power consumption in the first power state. The apparatus includes a detection unit formed by a plurality of elements disposed to detect the temperature of an object, and a control unit configured to control the image forming apparatus in such a way as to shift from the second power state to the first power state based on a detection result obtained by the detection unit at first timing and a detection result obtained by the detection unit at second timing.
1. An image forming apparatus at least having a first power state and a second power state different from the first power state, the image forming apparatus comprising:
a sensor having a plurality of elements which output a value corresponding to an input to the element; and
a controller which shifts a power state of the image forming apparatus to the first power state from the second power state based on a number of a plurality of elements outputting a value that is greater than a predetermined value and corresponding to a target.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is disposed in such a way as to face an obliquely upward direction.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the controller shifts the power state of the image forming apparatus to the first power state from the second power state in a case where (a) a first number of the plurality of elements outputting a value that is greater than the predetermined value and corresponding to the target is larger than predetermined number and then (b) a second number of the plurality of elements outputting a value that is greater than the predetermined value and corresponding to the target is larger than the first number of the plurality of elements.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller shifts the power state of the image forming apparatus to the first power state from the second power state in a case where (a) one or more elements, which correspond to lower end of detection area of the sensor, outputs a value that is greater than the predetermined value and (b) the number of the plurality of elements outputting a value that is greater than the predetermined value and corresponding to the target is greater than a threshold.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elements of the sensor is an infrared ray receiving element.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller has a CPU,
wherein, in the second power state, electric power supply to the CPU is stopped and, in the first power state, electric power is supplied to the CPU.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a display,
wherein, in the second power state, the display is not lighted up and, in the first power state, the display is lighted up.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a printing unit.
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elements is arranged in a reticular pattern.
10. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus which at least has a first power state and a second power state different from the first power state and includes a sensor including a plurality of elements which output a value corresponding to an input to the element, the method comprising:
receiving a plurality of values output from the plurality of elements; and
shifting a power state of the image forming apparatus to the first power state from the second power state based on a number of a plurality of elements outputting a value that is greater than a predetermined value and corresponding to a target.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the sensor is disposed in such a way as to face an obliquely upward direction.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the shifting is that a shifting the power state of the image forming apparatus to the first power state from the second power state in a case where (a) a first number of the plurality of elements outputting a value that is greater than the predetermined value and corresponding to the target is larger than predetermined number and then (b) a second number of the plurality of elements outputting a value that is greater than the predetermined value and corresponding to the target is larger than the first number of the plurality of elements.
13. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the shifting is that shifting the power state of the image forming apparatus to the first power state from the second power state in a case where (a) one or more elements, which correspond to lower end of detection area of the sensor, outputs a value that is greater than the predetermined value and (b) the number of the plurality of elements outputting a value that is greater than the predetermined value and corresponding to the target is greater than a threshold.
14. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the plurality of elements of the sensor is an infrared ray receiving element.
15. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the controller has a CPU,
wherein, in the second power state, electric power supply to the CPU is stopped and, in the first power state, electric power is supplied to the CPU.
16. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the image forming apparatus includes a display,
wherein, in the second power state, the display is not lighted up and, in the first power state, the display is lighted up.
17. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising a printing an image on a media.
18. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the plurality of elements is arranged in a reticular pattern.