Dynamic Standby Time Control for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses fail to minimize power consumption by not transitioning quickly into sleep mode when the number of printing jobs per unit time is high, leading to suboptimal power usage.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus determines a post-printing standby time based on current time and job history, allowing it to switch between standby and sleep modes efficiently, with the controller setting the standby time to balance power consumption and convenience by using a power consumption table and job execution history to decide when to shift to the sleep mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the standby time is set based on fixed operation times, then the control logic is simple, but the power consumption is not minimized when printing jobs are frequent
Solution Approach 1:
The standby time is made dynamic rather than fixed. The controller adjusts the standby time based on the number of printing jobs detected in recent history. When jobs are frequent, the standby time is shortened or sleep mode is skipped; when jobs are sparse, the standby time is extended. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the timing to actual usage patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses job execution history as feedback to continuously optimize standby time settings. The controller monitors the number of printing jobs over a predetermined period and uses this information to adjust future standby time decisions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to learn from past patterns and minimize power consumption without requiring complex manual configuration.
2Loss of energy
If the apparatus transitions quickly to sleep mode, then power consumption is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates during high job periods
Solution Approach 1:
The transition timing to sleep mode is made dynamic based on detected job patterns. When the system detects a high frequency of printing jobs, it dynamically adjusts by extending standby time or preventing sleep mode transitions, thereby maintaining user convenience. When jobs are sparse, it quickly transitions to sleep mode to reduce power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors its own job execution patterns and self-adjusts its power management strategy without user intervention. By tracking its own printing job history, the system autonomously determines the optimal balance between power savings and operational readiness, eliminating the need for users to manually configure timing parameters.
3Ease of operation
If the standby time is extended to ensure availability, then user convenience is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a fixed extended standby time, the system dynamically adjusts the standby duration based on actual job frequency. The standby time is extended only when job patterns indicate high likelihood of upcoming printing tasks, and shortened or eliminated when jobs are sparse, thus maintaining convenience only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the standby time parameter based on detected job patterns. Instead of maintaining a constantly extended standby time, the controller modifies this parameter dynamically - extending it during high-activity periods and reducing it during low-activity periods, thereby optimizing the balance between convenience and power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a printer and a controller. The controller is configured to control an operational mode of the image forming apparatus to be one of a plurality of modes including a standby mode in which warming up is not performed before the next printing, and a sleep mode in which power consumption of the image forming apparatus is lower than power consumption in the standby mode and warming up is performed before the next printing. The controller is configured to set a standby time that the image forming apparatus is required to wait in the standby mode before transitioning into the sleep mode, based on a job history including the number print jobs performed on a prior day during a predetermined time period corresponding to the current time of day.