Image Forming Apparatus Power Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face a drawback where the power saving advantage is deteriorated due to frequent selection of the normal mode over the power saving mode, leading to increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a system control unit that manages switching between different operation modes, including a power saving mode, by adjusting the operation clock and transfer speeds of the scanner and printer processors, allowing for efficient power management without degrading user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the apparatus frequently operates in normal mode, then user convenience is maintained, but power consumption increases and power saving advantage is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic mode switching between normal mode and power saving mode based on user input detection. The control unit dynamically adjusts the operation clock frequency and data transfer speeds according to the selected mode, making the system adaptable to different usage scenarios while optimizing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters including operation clock frequency and data transfer speeds between different modes. In power saving mode, these parameters are reduced compared to normal mode, enabling lower power consumption while maintaining basic functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the operation clock and transfer speeds are reduced in power saving mode, then power consumption is suppressed, but processing speed and productivity may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operation clock frequency and data transfer speeds based on the selected mode. When switching from power saving mode to normal mode, the clock frequency and transfer speeds are increased to restore full processing capability, ensuring that productivity is maintained when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables periodic switching between power saving mode and normal mode based on user interaction. The system can alternate between low-power operation and high-performance operation, allowing productivity to be restored periodically when user input indicates a need for normal mode operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8681388B2Image forming apparatus and printing method allowing the switching of operation modes including power saving mode

Publication Date: 2014.03.25 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

Certain embodiments provide an image forming apparatus including: a memory; a read unit; a scanner processor configured to transfer image data at a first transfer speed; an image processing unit; a print unit; a printer processor to transfer print image data at a second transfer rate; a main processor to cause the printer processor to switch the second transfer speed to another, and cause the scanner processor to switch the first transfer speed to another; and a switching controller to control operation of the print unit in a plurality of operation modes corresponding to the plurality of print speeds, cause the main processor to switch the operation clock, cause the scanner processor and the printer processor respectively to switch each transfer speed to another.