Finisher Power Control for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face issues with incomplete finishing jobs due to power save mode activation during ongoing jobs, leading to unfinished tasks and resource wastage when resuming operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power control method that maintains power supply to the finisher during power save mode for ongoing jobs, stores initialization skip information, and allows user selection for power supply options to prevent job failures and ensure completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the image forming apparatus enters power save mode to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the finisher cannot complete ongoing jobs and performs initialization upon resupply, causing job failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply control by separating the finisher into two power states: maintained power state for ongoing jobs and shut-off state for idle periods. The controller determines whether to maintain power based on job status, creating a segmented power management strategy that prevents initialization failures while enabling power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the controller detect ongoing jobs before entering power save mode and proactively maintain power supply to the finisher in such cases. This preventive measure ensures the finisher remains operational and avoids initialization failures when power is restored, resolving the reliability issue before it occurs.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If power is shut off to the finisher during power save mode, then power consumption is reduced, but the finisher cannot maintain its state and initialization failures occur upon resupply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power supply state flexible rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the finisher's power state based on real-time job status detection, allowing the system to adapt between power savings mode and operation continuity mode as needed, thus resolving the contradiction between energy consumption and operational smoothness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the controller continuously monitor job status and use this information to determine whether to maintain power supply to the finisher. This closed-loop control ensures that power is maintained only when necessary (during ongoing jobs) and shut off when appropriate (during idle periods), balancing energy consumption with operational continuity.
3Reliability
If the finisher performs initialization upon power resupply, then the finisher is reset to default state, but ongoing jobs are interrupted and resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining power supply to the finisher during ongoing jobs, preventing initialization interruptions. This continuous power supply allows the finisher to maintain its operational state and complete jobs without interruption, eliminating resource wastage while ensuring finisher state reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus and a power control method thereof, the power control method of an image forming apparatus which includes a finisher to perform at least one of finishing jobs including arranging, sorting, grouping, folding, stapling, binding, and punching a print medium which is ejected after an image is formed thereon, the power control method including: determining whether or not a power mode of the image forming apparatus meets requirements for entering a power save mode in which power supplied to a part of elements of the image forming apparatus is shut off; determining whether or not the image forming apparatus has an ongoing job if the requirements for entering the power save mode are met; and entering the image forming apparatus in the power save mode while the power supply to the finisher is maintained if the image forming apparatus has the ongoing job.