Image Forming Apparatus Quick-Off Power State
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing power consumption during standby modes to meet increasingly stringent energy-saving regulations, with existing power-saving states consuming more power than necessary and requiring lengthy activation times when shut down.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a 'quick-off' state that completely powers down the apparatus, except for essential memory, allowing for rapid reactivation and reduced power consumption, by using a power control system that transitions the device to a 'quick-off' state after a predetermined period of inactivity, rather than a traditional power-saving state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the image forming apparatus shifts to a power-saving state, then power consumption is reduced, but the apparatus cannot be shut down completely and consumes more power than necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between three power states (power-saving state, shutdown state, and quick-off state) based on inactivity duration. The controller automatically selects the appropriate state by monitoring elapsed time since last operation, enabling the apparatus to optimize power consumption while maintaining operational readiness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the power supply parameter from a binary choice (power-saving or shutdown) to a three-level system by introducing the quick-off state. This intermediate state maintains minimal power supply to the controller for rapid activation while cutting power to all other components, achieving a parameter optimization between energy saving and activation speed.
2Loss of energy
If the image forming apparatus is shut down to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is minimized, but activation processing takes a long time
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between three power states (power-saving state, shutdown state, and quick-off state) based on inactivity duration. The controller automatically selects the appropriate state by monitoring elapsed time since last operation, enabling the apparatus to optimize power consumption while maintaining operational readiness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the power supply parameter from a binary choice (power-saving or shutdown) to a three-level system by introducing the quick-off state. This intermediate state maintains minimal power supply to the controller for rapid activation while cutting power to all other components, achieving a parameter optimization between energy saving and activation speed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the image forming apparatus remains in a power-saving state with network and facsimile powered-on, then jobs and messages can be received, but power consumption is higher than required
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between three power states (power-saving state, shutdown state, and quick-off state) based on inactivity duration. The controller automatically selects the appropriate state by monitoring elapsed time since last operation, enabling the apparatus to optimize power consumption while maintaining operational readiness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of inactivity duration before transitioning to shutdown or quick-off states. By monitoring the elapsed time since last operation, the controller predicts future usage patterns and proactively transitions to the appropriate power state, ensuring that the apparatus is in the optimal state before actual usage occurs.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
The present invention is directed to an image forming apparatus including a switch configured to shift the image forming apparatus from a power-off state to a first power state.