Image Former Warm-Up Control for Low-Noise, Low-Power Standby

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image-forming apparatuses consume unnecessary power and generate noise during warm-up actions due to motor driving, even when users only perform setting changes, leading to discomfort.

Innovation Solution

An image-forming apparatus with a human detecting sensor and operation acceptor that distinguishes between print execution and non-print execution operations, performing motor-driven and non-motor-driven preparatory actions at appropriate times, allowing for separate warm-up actions to reduce power consumption and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the motor is driven to perform warm-up action when human detecting sensor detects a user, then the apparatus is prepared for image formation, but power is unnecessarily consumed and noise occurs when user only wants to change settings

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUser-friendlinessVSAvoidPower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the preparatory actions into two distinct types: motor-driven preparatory actions (second preparatory action) and non-motor-driven preparatory actions (first preparatory action). The controller selectively executes only the necessary action based on the operation type detected after returning from sleep state. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by avoiding unnecessary motor-driven actions when only setting changes are needed, thereby reducing power consumption and noise while maintaining ease of operation for both setting changes and image formation tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the motor is driven to perform warm-up action when human detecting sensor detects a user, then the apparatus is prepared for image formation, but noise is generated causing user discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveReadiness for image formationVSAvoidNoise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides preparatory actions into motor-driven and non-motor-driven segments. The controller determines the appropriate segment to execute based on whether a print execution instruction is detected. When only setting operations are detected, only non-motor-driven preparatory actions are performed, eliminating noise generation while maintaining apparatus reliability. When print execution is detected, motor-driven preparatory actions are executed to ensure proper image formation readiness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic selection of preparatory action types based on real-time detection of user operations. The controller adapts the warm-up behavior by switching between non-motor-driven and motor-driven preparatory actions according to the detected operation type. This dynamic approach ensures the apparatus maintains reliability for image formation when needed while minimizing noise generation during setting-only operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If the motor is driven to perform warm-up action every time a person passes near the apparatus, then the apparatus is ready for immediate use, but power is wasted on unnecessary preparatory actions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveReadiness speedVSAvoidPower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments preparatory actions into immediate non-motor-driven actions (first preparatory action) and motor-driven actions (second preparatory action). The controller executes the non-motor-driven preparatory action immediately upon detecting user operations after sleep state, providing quick readiness for setting changes. Motor-driven preparatory actions are executed only when print execution instructions are detected, ensuring proper image formation readiness. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing immediate readiness for common operations while avoiding energy waste on full motor-driven warm-up when unnecessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs non-motor-driven preparatory actions in advance as a preliminary step when user operations are detected after sleep state. This preliminary action provides immediate readiness for setting changes and other non-print operations. The motor-driven preparatory action is performed as a preliminary step only when print execution is detected, ensuring the apparatus is fully ready for image formation. This preliminary action approach resolves the contradiction by providing appropriate readiness speed for different operation types while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12510851B2Image-forming apparatus that consumes less power and generates less noise during executing a warm-up action

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 SHARP KK

AI summary

An image-forming apparatus includes a human detecting sensor, an operation acceptor, an image former, one or more controllers, and one or more power supply controllers, and the controller determines whether the operation acceptor accepted an operation other than a print execution instruction after a sleep state returned to a standby state, causes the image former to execute a predetermined first preparatory action not involving driving of a motor when the operation acceptor accepted the operation other than the print execution instruction, and then, when the operation acceptor accepted the operation of the print execution instruction, causes the image former to execute a predetermined second preparatory action involving driving of the motor and then start image formation.