Authentication Device Power Control for Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatus with authentication units suffer from wasteful power consumption as they maintain continuous operation of the authentication unit even when it is not required for user authentication.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus selectively supplies power to the authentication device based on whether the stored job requires user authentication, allowing the device to conserve power by turning it off when authentication is not needed and turning it on when required, using a control device to manage this process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the authentication unit maintains continuous operation to ensure user authentication availability, then authentication convenience is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication unit dynamically changes its operational state based on job requirements. The control device switches the authentication unit between active and inactive states, making the system adaptable to different authentication needs rather than maintaining a fixed continuous operation mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (power supply state) of the authentication unit based on the authentication requirement parameter of the job. When authentication is not required, the power supply parameter is changed to off state, reducing energy consumption while maintaining authentication capability when needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the authentication unit is turned off to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but authentication availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary analysis of the job data to determine whether authentication is required before the authentication process is actually needed. This allows the system to proactively activate the authentication unit only when necessary, ensuring authentication availability is maintained precisely when required while avoiding unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from job analysis to control the authentication unit's power state. The control device continuously monitors job requirements and adjusts the authentication unit's operational state accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that balances power consumption with authentication availability based on real-time needs.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a memory, an image forming device, an authentication device, and a control device. The authentication device performs user authentication. The control device determines whether the stored job requires user authentication. The control device permits the image forming unit to form an image based on the stored job when the job requires user authentication and the authentication device successfully performs user authentication for the job. The control device permits the image forming unit to form an image based on the stored job without user authentication when the job does not require user authentication. The control device selectively supplies power to the authentication device based on whether the stored job requires user authentication.