Image Forming Apparatus Power Management During Outages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multifunction printers with integrated server functions face challenges in managing power failures, as existing systems lack efficient control mechanisms to prioritize and manage the operation of various functions during a power outage, potentially leading to disruptions in critical services.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a power storage device and a controller that receives user-defined setting information to determine which functions to stop or maintain during a power failure, utilizing the stored electricity to extend the operational time of essential services while conserving energy by shutting down high-consumption functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all functions are operated during power failure, then service continuity is maintained, but energy consumption exceeds power storage capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments functions into critical and non-critical categories, allowing selective operation during power failure. The controller divides the function set to prioritize essential services (e.g., server functions) while shutting down non-essential ones (e.g., printing, scanning), resolving the contradiction between maintaining service continuity and limiting energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different functions are assigned different operational priorities based on their criticality. The system applies local quality by allowing critical functions to continue operating with higher energy allocation while restricting or shutting down non-critical functions, thereby maintaining essential services within power storage limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Duration of action of moving object

If power storage device is added, then operational time is extended, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational timeVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power storage device serves multiple functions: it provides backup power during outages, enables selective function operation, and extends operational time for critical services. By integrating this single component to handle multiple requirements, the system achieves extended operational time while managing complexity through a multi-functional solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If user setting input is required, then function prioritization is customized, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprioritization flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to independently configure function prioritization through an intuitive setting input interface. Users can specify which functions are critical and should be maintained during power failures, allowing customized prioritization while maintaining ease of operation through self-service configuration without requiring complex setup or expert intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution enables the apparatus to maintain critical server functions during a power failure by prioritizing energy usage, ensuring continuity of essential services and extending the operational time by selectively shutting down high-energy functions like printing and scanning.

Implementation Method 1

a power storage device that is capable of supplying electricity to the image forming apparatus in a case where electricity is not supplied from an external power source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS11146706B2Image forming apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium storing program, and image forming system

Publication Date: 2021.10.12 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a section that provides plural functions which include an image forming function and one or more server functions; a power storage device that is capable of supplying electricity to the image forming apparatus in a case where electricity is not supplied from an external power source; a reception section that receives and holds an input of setting information, which defines a stop target function or a work target function in a case where the electricity is supplied from the power storage device, from a user; and a controller that performs control to cause the stop target function, which is defined in the setting information, to be stopped among the plural functions, or performs control to cause the work target function, which is defined in the setting information, to be worked in the case where the electricity is supplied from the power storage device.