Image Forming Apparatus Latch Circuit for Door State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses cannot detect whether replaceable units have been replaced when the main power is turned off or in a sleep mode, leading to prolonged activation times due to the need to read data from all memories upon startup, especially when multiple units with memories are involved.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a detector and latch circuit that can detect the open or closed state of replaceable unit doors even when the apparatus is not activated, allowing data to be read only when the unit is replaced, and using a battery to power these components, thus optimizing the activation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If data is read from all memories upon startup to ensure optimal image formation, then image formation quality is improved, but activation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs door open/closed state detection in advance during power-off or sleep mode, and stores the detection result in a latch circuit before activation. This preliminary action allows the controller to determine whether memory reading is necessary during startup, avoiding unnecessary reading operations and reducing activation time while ensuring image formation quality when unit replacement has occurred.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the door state detection function and separates it from the main activation process. By using a dedicated latch circuit to store door state information independently, the system can quickly determine whether memory reading is needed without performing full memory reading during activation, thus extracting the time-consuming operation only when necessary.
2Loss of time
If a dedicated communication line is provided for each memory to enable simultaneous data reading, then activation time is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latch circuit serves as an intermediary that stores door state information, allowing the controller to make informed decisions about memory reading without requiring simultaneous communication with all memories. This intermediary mechanism enables time optimization through selective reading rather than through complex parallel communication infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If door state detection is performed only when main power is on, then device complexity is reduced, but detection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door state detection is performed in advance during power-off or sleep mode, storing the result in a latch circuit that maintains the state information. This preliminary detection ensures reliable unit replacement detection regardless of when the power is turned on, while keeping the detection system simple by using basic latch circuitry rather than complex powered detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch circuit automatically maintains the door state information without requiring continuous power supply or active maintenance. The circuit self-preserves the detection result through its latching mechanism, providing reliable detection information when needed without adding complex power management or detection control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the activation time of the image forming apparatus by preventing unnecessary data reads from non-replaced units and maintaining the detection state even when the power is off, thereby optimizing the image forming process and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a battery configured to supply power to the detector and the latch circuit even in the state in which the image forming apparatus is not activated
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus, to which a replaceable unit with a nonvolatile memory is mounted, including: a storage portion configured to store data related to the replaceable unit read from the memory and hold stored contents even when the image forming apparatus is not activated; a door to be opened when the replaceable unit is replaced; a detector configured to detect whether the door is open or closed; a latch circuit configured to hold a specific state when the detector detects that the door is open when the image forming apparatus is not activated; and a controller configured to, when activating the image forming apparatus, read the data from the memory when the latch circuit is in the specific state, read the data from the storage portion when the latch circuit is not in the specific state, and perform an activation process based on the read data.