Image Forming Apparatus High-Speed Startup Snapshot Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face uncertainty in determining when a multi-functional peripheral (MFP) will become operable after a power-on operation during high-speed startup processes, as existing technologies struggle to accurately provide information on the transition to an operable state, especially when the first high-speed startup process is performed.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with a hardware processor that obtains and stores snapshot data during a power supply continuation period, determining whether to perform a first high-speed startup process, and displaying an advance notice screen during the hardware initialization process to inform the user of the impending operable state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the first high-speed startup process is performed using snapshot data, then the startup speed is improved, but the user cannot accurately determine when the MFP will become operable
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to the user through an advance notice screen that displays information about the upcoming transition to the operable state. The screen shows a countdown or time indication of when the MFP will be ready, allowing users to understand the startup progress and expected completion time while the first high-speed startup process is executing in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by displaying the advance notice screen before the MFP actually becomes operable. This screen provides users with advance information about the impending transition, allowing them to prepare for the upcoming operable state without interrupting the ongoing first high-speed startup process.
2Productivity
If power supply is continued after turn-off operation to store snapshot data, then the high-speed startup capability is improved, but power consumption increases during the power supply continuation period
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by limiting power supply continuation to a specific, predetermined time period after the turn-off operation. The power supply is maintained only long enough to complete the snapshot data storage process, then is automatically interrupted. This periodic approach ensures that power is consumed only when necessary for high-speed startup preparation, not indefinitely.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by pre-storing snapshot data during the power supply continuation period before the next power-on operation. This preparation in advance creates a cushion that enables the first high-speed startup process to occur quickly when power is restored, reducing the energy that would otherwise be needed during the actual startup phase.
3Loss of energy
If the snapshot data obtaining process is interrupted by unplugging AC power, then power consumption is reduced, but valid snapshot data cannot be generated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by completing the snapshot data storage process during the predetermined power supply continuation period before power is interrupted. This ensures that valid snapshot data is already stored and saved before any potential power unplugging occurs, making the high-speed startup capability reliable even if power is subsequently disconnected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by ensuring snapshot data is fully obtained and stored during the power supply continuation period before any power interruption. This creates a cushion of valid data that protects against the reliability issue of incomplete snapshot generation, allowing the system to maintain high-speed startup capability even when power is unplugged during or after this period.
Data Source
AI summary
A hardware processor of an image forming apparatus is able to obtain saving target information from a time of a power-off operation to a time of power supply interruption and to save the saving target information, in a nonvolatile storage of the image forming apparatus, as first snapshot data (for restoring a state at a predetermined time after firmware is activated). When a power-on operation is performed after the time of the power-off operation, the hardware processor determines whether to perform a first high-speed startup process using the first snapshot data as an apparatus startup process with respect to the image forming apparatus. When a determination is made to perform the first high-speed startup process, the hardware processor causes the display of the image forming apparatus to display, in a period in which a hardware initialization process in response to the power-on operation is being performed or immediately after the hardware initialization process is completed, an advance notice screen to be displayed before completion of startup in response to the power-on operation, the advance notice screen giving an advance notice that a transition to a user operable state following the power-on operation will be completed.