Image Forming Apparatus Power Saving Mode Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses return to normal mode unnecessarily when a document is left set during power saving mode, causing the operation panel to display a setting screen even when the user does not intend to execute a job, leading to inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a control portion that stores flag data indicating whether a document is set, shifting to power saving mode regardless of the document set signal level during normal mode, and maintains or switches power supply to the operation panel based on this data during power saving mode, preventing unnecessary screen display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the image forming apparatus returns to normal mode when any sensing portion detects a status change during power saving mode, then the apparatus responds to user operations (e.g., cassette attachment/detachment), but the operation panel unnecessarily displays a setting screen when a document is left set, causing user inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The control portion stores flag data in advance indicating whether a document is set on the document set portion before returning from power saving mode. When a status change is detected during power saving mode, the control portion retrieves this pre-stored flag data to determine whether to display the setting screen, preventing unnecessary displays while maintaining proper response to user operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The flag data acts as an intermediary element between the document set status and the setting screen display control. The control portion uses this intermediate flag to mediate the decision-making process: when the flag indicates a document is set, the setting screen is suppressed even if other sensing portions detect status changes, thus preventing unnecessary displays while still responding to user operations.
2Ease of operation
If the operation panel displays a setting screen whenever a status change is detected during power saving mode, then the apparatus is responsive to user operations, but power consumption increases due to unnecessary screen updates
Solution Approach 1:
The control portion stores flag data in advance indicating whether a document is set on the document set portion before returning from power saving mode. When a status change is detected during power saving mode, the control portion retrieves this pre-stored flag data to determine whether to display the setting screen, preventing unnecessary displays while maintaining proper response to user operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The flag data acts as an intermediary element between the document set status and the setting screen display control. The control portion uses this intermediate flag to mediate the decision-making process: when the flag indicates a document is set, the setting screen is suppressed even if other sensing portions detect status changes, thus preventing unnecessary displays while still responding to user operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus has a power supply portion, an operation panel, a document set portion, a plurality of sensing portions including a document set sensing portion that outputs a document set signal at a first level if the document is set, and control portions. The control portions, at transition to the power saving mode, stores flag data if the document set signal is at the first level, and when the level of any of the status signals from the plurality of sensing portions changes while in the power saving mode, even if the level of the document set signal is the first level, if the flag data is stored, the control portion maintains the electric power supply to the operation panel as the electric power supply expected in the power saving mode.