Image Forming Device Power Saving Control via Filtering Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming devices face increasing power consumption due to added functions and communication facilities, necessitating a more effective power-saving mechanism beyond existing control methods that stop power to all function units except the main control unit.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power-saving control method that shifts the device from a power-saving state to a minimum power state by stopping power to the main control unit, using a separate filtering unit to detect communication signals and return to the power-saving state upon detection of an image formation request, while allowing user configuration and notification of impossibility to shift to the minimum power state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If power supply is stopped to all function units except main control unit in power-saving state, then power consumption is reduced, but device response time increases when returning from power-saving mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power-saving state into two distinct levels: power-saving state (where power is stopped to all function units except main control unit) and minimum power state (where power is stopped to main control unit as well). This segmentation allows the device to offer multiple power-saving tiers, enabling users to balance between power consumption reduction and response time based on their needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic power management by allowing the device to transition between different power states (standby, power-saving, minimum power) based on user requirements and operational conditions. The system can dynamically adjust the power state to optimize between energy savings and response speed, rather than being locked into a single fixed power-saving mode.
2Loss of energy
If device transitions to minimum power state to further reduce power consumption, then power saving effect increases, but complexity of power management system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the filtering unit detect communication signals during the minimum power state before the main control unit is fully activated. This allows the system to prepare for upcoming operations by detecting incoming communications in advance, so when the main control unit wakes up, it can respond more quickly without requiring full initialization from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering unit serves as an intermediary component that operates independently during minimum power state. It receives power separately from the main control unit and performs communication signal detection without requiring the main control unit to be active. This intermediary approach enables the system to monitor for wake-up conditions while maintaining minimal power consumption, adding functionality without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If filtering unit operates separately during minimum power state to detect communication signals, then ability to detect return factors improves, but power consumption of filtering unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different power supply characteristics to different components during minimum power state. The filtering unit receives separate power supply that remains active during minimum power state, while the main control unit receives stopped power supply. This localized power provision ensures that communication detection functionality is maintained with minimal overall power consumption, as only the filtering unit consumes power rather than the entire system.
Data Source
AI summary
In a power-saving control method of an image forming device, the image forming device is set in a power saving state when an input operation is not performed by a user over a predetermined time. The image forming device in the power saving state is shifted to a minimum power state. Prior to shifting of the image forming device to the minimum power state, a filtering unit is activated to detect communication between an external device and the image forming device in the minimum power state. When a detected communication signal indicates an image formation request from the external device, the image forming device is caused to return from the minimum power state through the power saving state to a standby state so that the image forming device is ready for performing image formation.