Image Forming Apparatus Power Saving State Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses do not effectively reduce power consumption by putting both the main control unit and communication unit into a power saving state, leading to unnecessary energy usage when the communication unit waits for packets.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a receiving means for packets, a first canceling means for the communication unit's power saving state, and a second canceling means for the main control unit's power saving state, allowing both units to enter power saving modes and efficiently manage packet reception and response without waking the main control unit unnecessarily.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the communication unit is kept in a power saving state while waiting for packets, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to respond to incoming packets is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidresponse speed to packets

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two independent power management domains: the main control unit and the communication unit. Each can be controlled independently, allowing the communication unit to remain active in a low-power state while the main control unit sleeps, enabling packet reception without fully awakening the system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication unit is prepared in advance to receive packets while in a power saving state. It maintains the capability to detect incoming packets and trigger a wake-up signal to the main control unit, so that when a packet arrives, the system can respond quickly without having been fully powered on

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the main control unit is kept active to immediately process packets, then processing speed is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket processing speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the main control unit from the communication unit, allowing independent power management. The main control unit can enter a power saving state while the communication unit remains operational in a low-power mode, enabling packet reception and triggering main control unit activation only when necessary

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The main control unit alternates between active and power saving states based on packet reception events. Instead of remaining continuously active, it periodically transitions to a low-power state and is awakened by the communication unit when packets require processing, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining processing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Use of energy by moving object

If both the main control unit and communication unit are in power saving states, then power consumption is minimized, but the system cannot receive or respond to packets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpacket reception capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication unit acts as an intermediary between the external network and the sleeping main control unit. It receives packets, buffers them, and triggers a wake-up signal to the main control unit when activation is needed, ensuring reliable packet reception while maintaining power saving operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9444961B2Image forming apparatus, method for controlling image forming apparatus, and program, for reduced power consumption

Publication Date: 2016.09.13 CANON KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus including a main control unit and a communication unit includes a receiving unit configured to receive a packet via a network when the main control unit and the communication unit are in a power saving state, a first canceling unit configured to cancel the power saving state of the communication unit in response to receiving of the packet by the receiving unit, a first determination unit configured to determine whether to cancel the power saving state of the main control unit based on the packet received by the receiving unit when the first canceling unit has canceled the power saving state of the communication unit, and a second canceling unit configured to cancel the power saving state of the main control unit when the first determination unit has determined to cancel the power saving state of the main control unit.