Image Forming Apparatus Adaptive Power Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses consume excessive power during sleep mode due to frequent sampling of electric power consumption, leading to unnecessary energy usage and increased processing loads.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes an electric power measuring portion, a storage portion, and a control portion that reduces sampling frequency during sleep mode by using prestored predicted electric power information, thereby minimizing power consumption for data collection while maintaining accuracy in energy information generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electric power consumption is sampled in a predetermined cycle during sleep mode, then accuracy of consumed electric energy information is maintained, but electric power consumption increases due to excessive sampling times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sampling cycle adaptive rather than fixed. The control portion dynamically adjusts the sampling cycle based on the operation mode: using a first sampling cycle during active mode and a second, longer sampling cycle during sleep mode. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by reducing sampling frequency (and thus power consumption) during sleep mode while maintaining adequate measurement accuracy when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sampling cycle parameter based on operation mode. By switching between different sampling cycle values (first sampling cycle vs. second sampling cycle) depending on whether the apparatus is in active or sleep mode, the system optimizes the balance between measurement accuracy and power consumption. This parameter change allows longer intervals between samples during sleep mode, reducing power usage while still providing accurate energy information.
2Use of energy by moving object
If sampling frequency is reduced during sleep mode to save power, then electric power consumption decreases, but accuracy of consumed electric energy information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts sampling frequency based on operational context. During sleep mode, the sampling cycle is extended (lower frequency) to reduce power consumption, while during active mode, the sampling cycle is shortened (higher frequency) to ensure accurate energy measurement. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by matching sampling intensity to actual power consumption characteristics of different modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by switching between different sampling cycle values based on operation mode detection. The control portion identifies when the apparatus enters sleep mode and automatically applies a longer sampling cycle, thereby reducing sampling frequency and power consumption while maintaining adequate measurement accuracy through selective parameter adjustment.
3Measurement precision
If measured values are sampled frequently in sleep mode, then consumed electric energy information accuracy is maintained, but processing load increases resulting in unnecessary power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the processing load adaptive to operational modes. The control portion dynamically adjusts the sampling frequency based on whether the apparatus is in active or sleep mode, thereby reducing the number of measurements that require processing during sleep mode. This resolves the contradiction by matching processing intensity to the actual need for monitoring accuracy in different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the sampling cycle parameter to reduce processing load during sleep mode. By implementing a longer sampling cycle during low-power modes, the control portion performs fewer measurements and subsequent processing operations, thereby reducing computational burden and associated power consumption while maintaining adequate energy tracking accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus having an active mode of performing image formation and an electric power saving mode of reducing electric power consumption, the apparatus including: an electric power measuring portion configured to measure the electric power consumption of the apparatus; a storage portion configured to store electric power consumption information per unit time of the apparatus in the electric power saving mode; and a control portion configured to determine, based on the electric power consumption measured by the electric power measuring portion, consumed electric energy of the apparatus during a period in which the apparatus is in the active mode, and determine, based on a length of period in which the apparatus is in the electric power saving mode and the electric power consumption information stored in the storage portion, consumed electric energy of the apparatus during the period in which the apparatus is in the electric power saving mode.