Image forming apparatus

• US 9,179,015 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2012
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies Incorporated (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies Incorporated (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Funakawa, Hisataka
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMAS, ASHISH
• Application Number:
  US13/633,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20130083344A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9606 using one electrode only per touch switch
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960745 Capacitive differential; e.g. comparison with reference capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00384 Key input means, e.g. buttons or keypads electromechanical details of key input means in general H01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00411 the display also being used for user input, e.g. touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00896 using a low-power mode, e.g. standby
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

An image forming apparatus has, as operation modes, a normal mode and a power-saving mode with power consumption smaller than the normal mode. The image forming apparatus includes an operation unit for receiving an instruction from a user, having an operation area to which a prescribed instruction from the user is input. The image forming apparatus further includes: a first detection unit detecting an input from the user to the operation area in the normal mode; a power control unit controlling power supply in the normal mode and the power-saving mode, and turning off power supply to the first detection unit in the power-saving mode; and a second detection unit detecting an input from the user to the operation area in the power-saving mode.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus having, as operation modes, a normal mode and a power-saving mode with power consumption smaller than said normal mode, comprising:

an operation unit for receiving an instruction from a user,

said operation unit having an operation area to which a prescribed instruction from the user is input;

a first detection unit, arranged corresponding to said operation area, for detecting an input from the user to said operation area in said normal mode;

a power control unit controlling power supply in said normal mode and said power-saving mode, and turning off power supply to said first detection unit in said power-saving mode; and

a second detection unit for detecting an input from the user to said operation area in said power-saving mode;

wherein

said operation unit has a plurality of operation areas; and

said second detection unit is provided for each of said plurality of operation areas.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said second detection unit includes a detection antenna and a detection circuit connected to said detection antenna;

said detection antenna is provided close to and corresponding to each of said plurality of operation areas provided in said operation unit; and

said detection antenna detects an operating finger entering each of said plurality of operation areas of said operation unit.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said second detection unit includes a detection antenna and a detection circuit connected to said detection antenna;

said operation unit has a first operation area provided with a touch-panel, and a second operation area provided with a prescribed group of keys;

said detection antenna is arranged to surround outer peripheries of said first and second operation areas; and

said detection antenna detects an operating finger entering each of said first and second operation areas.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

said detection antenna is arranged such that said operating finger passes over said detection antenna, considering direction of the operating finger entering said operation area.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said second detection unit includes a detection antenna and a detection circuit connected to said detection antenna;

said operation unit has a first operation area provided with a first group of keys and a second operation area provided with a second group of keys; and

said detection antenna detects an operating finger entering said first and second operation areas.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said second detection unit includes a detection antenna and a detection circuit connected to said detection antenna;

said operation unit has a first operation area provided with a touch panel and a second operation area provided with a prescribed group of keys; and

said detection antenna has a first sub detection antenna arranged to surround an outer periphery of said first operation area, and a second sub detection antenna arranged to surround an outer periphery of said second operation area except for a side adjacent to said first operation area.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said second detection unit includes a detection antenna and a detection circuit connected to said detection antenna;

said operation unit has a first operation area provided with a touch panel and a second operation area provided with a prescribed group of keys; and

said detection antenna has a first sub detection antenna arranged to surround an outer periphery of said first operation area, and a second sub detection antenna arranged opposite to said first sub detection antenna so that said second operation area is positioned between these sub detection antennas.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein

the first operation area provided with said touch-panel is configured to be slidable.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said second detection unit includes a detection antenna and a detection circuit connected to said detection antenna;

and

said detection antenna is formed on the same printed circuit board as said first detection unit.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said second detection unit includes a detection antenna and a detection circuit connected to said detection antenna;

said detection antenna is formed of a wire-like conductive body; and

said detection antenna is arranged to be adhered to a resin case covering a printed circuit board on which said first detection unit is provided.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further having, as said operation mode, a second power-saving mode with power consumption smaller than said normal mode and larger than said power-saving mode;

said operation unit has a display unit for displaying information; and

said power control unit supplies power to said first detection unit and turns off power supply to said display unit, in said second power-saving mode.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said power control unit turns off power supply to said second detection unit in said normal mode.