Patent attributes
A mode-switching system, comprising plural switches, a timer, and a controller, is provided. The mode-switching system switches an operation mode of a first unit to one of normal and power-saving modes. The plural switches separately correspond to plural specific functions. Each of the specific functions is carried out when the corresponding switch is switched on. The timer clocks the elapsed time since the switching operation is carried out for any of the switches. The controller switches the operation mode to the power-saving mode from the normal mode when the elapsed time exceeds a threshold value determined for the switch for which the latest switching operation has been carried out. The threshold value is determined individually for each of the switches.
