Display Mode Shift Control for Power Saving in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in balancing power consumption during standby modes, where immediate image formation is required in one mode but power savings are needed in another, without compromising security and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A display device and image forming apparatus with dual modes, where power consumption is managed through a mode shift control system that classifies user inputs into secure and non-secure settings, allowing the display screen to be turned off in a power-saving mode and restored upon user interaction, while storing settings for immediate recall in a standby mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the display screen is kept on in standby mode for immediate image formation, then image formation speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display device dynamically switches between two operational modes: a first mode where the display screen is on and immediate image formation is possible, and a second mode where the display screen is off to save power. The mode shift control unit monitors conditions and automatically transitions between modes, making the system adaptive to user needs while optimizing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Before transitioning to the power-saving second mode, the storage control unit stores the current display content in the storage section. This preliminary action enables the display control unit to quickly restore the display state when returning to the first mode, ensuring that image formation capabilities are immediately available again without loss of user context.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the display screen is turned off to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but user convenience and security decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The storage control unit performs preliminary storage of display content before mode transition. When the user returns from the second mode, the display control unit retrieves and restores the stored content, making the system appear continuously on without actually consuming power during the standby period. This maintains user convenience while achieving power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage section acts as an intermediary between the display control unit and the display screen during mode transitions. It temporarily holds display content, allowing the screen to be turned off while preserving information. This intermediary storage mechanism enables the system to switch between power-saving and user-accessible states without losing operational context.
3Reliability
If settings are cleared in power-saving mode, then security is improved, but loss of information occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The storage control unit performs preliminary storage of settings information in the storage section before transitioning to the second power-saving mode. This ensures that even if the display is cleared for security reasons, the settings data is preserved in storage and can be restored when the user returns, preventing information loss while maintaining security during the standby state.
Data Source
AI summary
The display device includes a mode shift control unit, a storage control unit, and a display control unit. The mode shift control unit performs such control that if a first condition is satisfied in a first mode, a display screen is not displayed and the first mode shifts to a second mode, and that if a second condition is satisfied in the second mode, the display screen is displayed and the second mode shifts to the first mode. The display control unit performs such control that when the second mode shifts to the first mode by the mode shift control unit, as information displayed on the display screen, an entry of the first setting stored in the storage section is displayed for the first setting and an entry of an initial setting is displayed for the second setting.