Image Forming Apparatus Power Control for Web Apps

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses struggle to minimize power consumption when using Web applications, as they lack mechanisms to determine and control power supply to hardware units effectively, leading to potential delays and increased energy usage.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus that communicates with a Web server, featuring a reading unit, printing unit, power supply unit, and control unit, which analyzes data from the Web server to determine whether to supply power to the reading or printing unit, ensuring efficient power usage and timely image processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If power supply to hardware units is halted to minimize power consumption, then energy usage is reduced, but image processing may be delayed when Web applications are used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidimage processing delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary actions by analyzing application information before the application executes, determining which hardware units will be needed and supplying power to them in advance. This prevents delays during actual image processing while avoiding continuous power supply to all units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where the control unit receives application information, analyzes it to determine hardware unit requirements, and adjusts power supply accordingly. This dynamic feedback mechanism ensures power is supplied at the right time based on actual needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of energy

If power is supplied to hardware units based on fixed application determination, then power consumption is minimized, but the system cannot adapt to Web applications with undetermined usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidadaptability to Web applications

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static, fixed application determination to dynamic adaptability by analyzing application information at runtime. The control unit can adjust power supply decisions based on the actual Web application being executed, making the system adaptable to various scenarios including those with undetermined hardware usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit changes the parameter of power supply timing by analyzing application information and determining optimal moments to supply power. Instead of using fixed schedules, the system dynamically adjusts power supply parameters based on the specific Web application and its hardware unit requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9350889B2Image forming apparatus capable of reducing power consumption, control method therefor, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2016.05.24 CANON KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus that uses a Web application and is capable of performing image processing without delay and reducing power consumption. The image forming apparatus communicates with a Web server. A scanner unit reads an image, and a printing unit prints the image. Power is supplied to at least one of the scanner unit and the printing unit. A user interface unit displays an operating screen based on data transmitted from the Web server, and based on the data, power is supplied selectively to the scanner unit or the printing unit.