Image Forming Apparatus Power State Return Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power control methods for image forming apparatuses increase the number of signals transmitted via the interface when returning from a sleep state, affecting user operability and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a return notification unit that aggregates return factors and a control unit that returns to a higher power state based on these notifications, reducing the number of signals and enhancing user experience by minimizing noticeable transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an individual interrupt signal is transmitted to the main controller for each return factor, then the main controller can accurately identify each return factor, but the number of signals transmitted via the interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual interrupt signals into a single aggregated interrupt signal that contains information about multiple return factors. The sub-controller receives individual interrupt signals from various units, aggregates them into one signal with composite information, and transmits this to the main controller, thereby reducing the number of interface signals while preserving return factor information.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-controller acts as an intermediary between the individual units generating interrupt signals and the main controller. It collects, processes, and aggregates multiple return factor signals into a single composite signal before transmission to the main controller, reducing interface complexity while maintaining information integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the image forming apparatus returns from sleep state frequently to maintain operability, then user operability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power state management where the apparatus can transition between sleep and active states based on actual operational needs. The system monitors return factors and only wakes up when necessary, dynamically adjusting power consumption levels to match actual usage patterns rather than maintaining constant operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary aggregation of return factor signals at the sub-controller level before transmitting to the main controller. This preliminary processing allows the main controller to make informed decisions about whether waking from sleep state is necessary, enabling more intelligent power management that balances operability with power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus operable in a first power state and a second power state in which power consumption is lower than in the first power state includes a return notification unit that outputs a return notification aggregating return factors in a case where at least one of a plurality of predetermined return factors causing the image forming apparatus to return to the first power state from the second power state has occurred in the second power state, a retaining unit that retains a return factor, and a control unit that returns the image forming apparatus to the first power state from the second power state according to the return notification and acquires the return factor retained by the retaining unit.