Image Forming Apparatus Abnormality Detection and Function Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses experience increased downtime and risk of further failures when shifting to a power-saving sleep mode due to the execution of standard preparation operations during function restrictions, which can exacerbate existing abnormalities and lead to longer repair times.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a first and second control unit, an abnormality detection unit, a function restriction unit, and an execution unit to detect and restrict faulty functions, performing a modified preparation operation when power is turned on in a function restriction state, excluding steps that could worsen the existing failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the MFP shifts to sleep mode frequently to save power, then power saving performance is improved, but the risk of failure worsening or new failures occurring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of abnormality states before entering sleep mode. When an abnormality is detected, the system proactively determines to exclude preparation operations upon wake-up, preventing the harmful effect before it can occur during repeated sleep cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from abnormality detection to dynamically adjust wake-up behavior. When abnormality is detected, the system modifies its wake-up preparation operations to exclude steps that could worsen the failure, creating a closed-loop control that responds to system state
2Ease of operation
If the MFP executes standard preparation operations upon returning from sleep mode in function restriction state, then normal operation is restored, but the existing failure may worsen or new failures may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of abnormality states before entering sleep mode. When an abnormality is detected, the system proactively determines to exclude preparation operations upon wake-up, preventing the harmful effect before it can occur during repeated sleep cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and removes the harmful preparation operations from the wake-up sequence when abnormality is detected. By excluding specific preparation steps that could worsen failures, the system separates the necessary wake-up functions from the harmful ones
3Reliability
If the MFP suspends all functions when an E-code is generated, then service notification is ensured, but downtime increases and other functions cannot be executed
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments functions into those that can operate safely and those that must be restricted based on abnormality type. By dividing the function set, the system maintains productivity for unaffected functions while restricting only the problematic ones
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus capable of selectively executing a plurality of functions includes a first control unit for transmitting an image forming job, a second control unit for receiving the image forming job transmitted from the first control unit and controlling an image forming operation, an abnormality detection unit for detecting an abnormality of the image forming apparatus, a function restriction unit for restricting a function corresponding to the detected abnormality, and an execution unit for executing a first preparation operation if a power of the second control unit is turned on while the function is not restricted by the function restriction unit, and for executing, if the power of the second control unit is turned on while the function is restricted by the function restriction unit, a second preparation operation in which a preparation operation corresponding to the restricted function is excluded from the first preparation operation.