Image Forming Apparatus Idle Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses, such as printers and scanners, waste power when in standby mode, and existing auto power shut off functions can inconvenience users by turning off devices during tasks or error processes, leading to lost jobs and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system that allows users to extend the turn-on time before auto power shut off, by displaying a notice screen when idle state time reaches a threshold, enabling users to select time extension or shut off, using a timer unit and controller to manage power supply based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the auto power shut off function is applied to reduce power consumption, then power saving is improved, but user convenience deteriorates because the device turns off before the user is aware
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by notifying the user in advance before the auto power shut off occurs. A notice screen is displayed indicating that the device will be turned off after a predetermined time, giving the user opportunity to extend the operation time if needed. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining power saving functionality while preventing user inconvenience through advance notification.
2Loss of energy
If the image forming apparatus is automatically turned off during job preparation, then power consumption is reduced, but job processing is delayed because the device must be turned on again
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects when a job is being prepared and performs preliminary action by extending the operation time automatically. When job preparation is detected, the device prevents auto power shut off from occurring, ensuring the job can be processed without interruption or delay while still maintaining power saving mode for other idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the device state to detect job preparation activities. When job preparation is detected, the system responds by adjusting the power management behavior to extend operation time, creating a feedback loop that balances power saving with job processing requirements.
3Loss of energy
If the image forming apparatus is automatically turned off when an error occurs, then power consumption is reduced, but printing jobs are lost because they are stored in volatile memory
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors error states and provides feedback to the power management control. When an error is detected, the system responds by preventing auto power shut off from occurring, maintaining operation to preserve jobs in volatile memory. This feedback mechanism ensures reliability by keeping the device running during error recovery periods while still enabling power saving during normal idle states.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus and a host apparatus. The image forming apparatus counts an idle state time during which the image forming apparatus is not in use, and, when the idle state time reaches a predetermined threshold time, transmits a notice screen display command to the host apparatus. The host apparatus displays a notice screen, and, when a turn on time extension menu is selected on the notice screen, transmits a turn on time extension command to the image forming apparatus. When the turn on time extension command is received, the image forming apparatus resets a timer unit and recounts the idle state time, and, when the turn on time extension command is not received for a predetermined time, is automatically turned off.