Image Forming Apparatus Power Control by Usage Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently reducing power consumption by selectively turning on/off power supplies based on user usage status without requiring user-set authority, leading to inconvenient startup times for functions like copying.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with an operation panel unit, document reading unit, and image forming unit, along with a power control unit that determines and controls power supply based on usage status, allowing for automatic switching between energy saving and normal modes by assessing the presence of jobs, previous functions, initial screen settings, and primary function usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power is supplied to all functional units in normal mode, then all functions are available for immediate use, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply control by dividing functional units into groups based on their usage status. The power control unit selectively supplies power to specific functional units (printing unit, scanning unit, fax unit) independently, rather than controlling all units uniformly. This allows the system to maintain necessary functions while reducing overall power consumption by turning off unused units.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power is reduced to energy saving mode, then power consumption decreases, but startup time for functions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by predicting which functional units the user will need next based on usage history and job queue information. The power control unit proactively supplies power to these predicted units before the user actually requests them, so that when the user does request a function, it is already ready and does not need to wait for startup. This reduces perceived startup time while maintaining energy savings.
3Use of energy by moving object
If user authority settings are required to control power supply, then power can be controlled based on user permissions, but system complexity and user setup requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the power control unit to automatically determine which functional units should be powered based on objective criteria such as job queue content, usage history, and current system state. The system autonomously makes power supply decisions without requiring user configuration of authorities or permissions. This simplifies the system while achieving precise power control tailored to actual usage patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image forming apparatus that determines the usage status of a function by a user and improves power consumption efficiency. The image forming apparatus is capable of switching between an energy saving mode and a normal mode in which power consumption is larger than that of the energy saving mode. The power supply control unit determines whether or not power is supplied depending on the usage status of the function by the user. The power supply control unit controls the power supply of the operation panel unit, the document reading unit, and the image forming unit to be turned on or off, respectively, when returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode according to the determination.