Image Forming Apparatus Power Saving Mode Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses cannot perform authentication operations in power saving mode, leading to unnecessary power consumption when receiving printing commands from unauthenticated devices, as they wake up the main CPU and operate all non-volatile memories, even for simple printing operations.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus is designed to maintain a power saving state and control the operation mode of non-volatile memories, performing authentication before switching to a normal mode only when an authenticated command is received, using a controller to manage the power state and authentication processes, including first and second authentication steps if necessary, to prevent unnecessary wake-ups and power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If authentication operation is performed in power saving mode, then power consumption is reduced, but authentication capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system is segmented into two parts: a lightweight authentication check that can run in power saving mode using minimal resources, and a full authentication process that runs in normal mode. This allows the system to perform basic authentication verification even when in low-power state, resolving the contradiction between power consumption and authentication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Authentication parameters and verification data are pre-loaded into memory before the system enters power saving mode. This preliminary action enables the system to perform authentication checks without needing to wake up the main CPU, thus maintaining authentication capability while consuming minimal power.
2Reliability
If main CPU is woken up for authentication, then authentication can be performed, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary authentication mechanism is introduced that operates independently of the main CPU. This intermediary system can handle authentication requests using pre-loaded data and minimal processing resources, allowing authentication to proceed without waking up the main CPU and thus avoiding unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing the complete authentication process that requires full CPU operation, the system performs a partial authentication check using only the essential verification steps. This partial action is sufficient to determine whether to wake up the main CPU, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining authentication reliability.
3Reliability
If all non-volatile memories are operated, then data access is ensured, but power consumption increases for simple operations
Solution Approach 1:
The memory system is organized with different quality levels: frequently accessed authentication data is stored in faster, higher-power memory that remains active, while less frequently accessed data is stored in slower, lower-power memory that can be powered down. This local quality differentiation allows the system to access necessary data while minimizing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Required authentication data is pre-loaded into active memory before the system enters power saving mode. This preliminary loading ensures that when authentication is needed, the data is already in accessible memory, eliminating the need to power up all non-volatile memories during authentication operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a communication interface unit which communicates with an external apparatus, a controller which, if a job performance command is received from the external apparatus when an operation mode of the image forming apparatus is a power saving mode, performs authentication of the external apparatus while maintaining the power saving mode, and a function unit which converts an operation mode of the image forming apparatus according to the authentication result and performs a function corresponding to the job performance command.