Image Forming Apparatus Power-On Status Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses using non-volatile memory for storage face issues where working data retained during power-off can cause a mismatch between the execution status of a program and the operation status of hardware devices, leading to abnormal hardware operation upon power-on.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a control section that includes a CPU and non-volatile memory, which determines the job execution status at power-off and matches it with the hardware device status at power-on, deleting working data if they do not match to ensure proper operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If working data is retained in non-volatile memory during power-off, then fast start-up and fast processing are achieved, but a mismatch between program execution status and hardware device status occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The control section performs preliminary actions by detecting the job execution status at power-off and recording it in non-volatile memory before power is completely lost. This allows the system to quickly resume operations after power-on without full initialization, achieving fast start-up while maintaining status consistency through the recorded status information.
Solution Approach 2:
The control section implements a feedback mechanism by detecting the job execution status at power-off, storing this status information in non-volatile memory, and then using this stored information at power-on to determine whether to resume the job or perform initialization. This feedback loop ensures that the program execution status matches the hardware device status, preventing mismatches while enabling fast start-up.
2Reliability
If working data is deleted at power-off, then status mismatch is prevented, but fast start-up capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deleting working data at power-off, the control section performs the preliminary action of detecting and recording the job execution status in non-volatile memory before power loss. This preserves the working data and status information, enabling fast resume capability while maintaining reliability through the recorded status that guides post-power-on behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the stored status information to make intelligent decisions after power-on. By reading the recorded job execution status, the control section can determine whether to resume the previous job or perform initialization, thus preventing status mismatches without losing the performance benefits of fast start-up.
3Productivity
If the apparatus resumes job processing from interrupted point, then productivity is improved, but hardware device abnormal operation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control section uses feedback from the stored job execution status to safely resume job processing. By detecting whether the job was actively executing or waiting at power-off, and using this information after power-on to determine the appropriate action, the system can resume productivity-improving job continuation while preventing hardware abnormalities through status-verified resume decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control section performs the preliminary action of recording the job execution status before power loss, which enables safe job resumption afterward. This preliminary status capture allows the system to improve productivity by resuming from the interrupted point while maintaining hardware operation safety through status-verified resume logic that prevents inappropriate job continuation.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a control section and a hardware device controlled by execution of a job execution program. The control section includes a CPU and a non-volatile memory which stores the job execution program and working data created by execution of the job execution program. The control section includes a program monitoring section that, in accordance with a status of execution of the job execution program, determines a job execution status at power-off of the apparatus; and a matching section that, on the basis of a result of determining the job execution status, determines whether an execution status of the job execution program and an operation status of the hardware device match at start-up of the apparatus. On determining that the execution status and the operation status do not match at the start-up, the matching section deletes the working data in the non-volatile memory.