Image Forming System Region-Based Power Mode Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses consume excessive power when shifting from a power saving mode to a startup mode in response to detecting any entity within a detection zone, leading to inefficient power management.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system equipped with a light sensor that divides a detection zone into multiple regions and a processor that sets regions with low expected usage values as 'first regions', preventing the apparatus from switching to higher power consumption modes when an object enters these regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the apparatus shifts from power saving mode to startup mode in response to detecting any entity in the detection zone, then the apparatus can respond to potential users quickly, but power consumption increases excessively when persons or obstacles simply passing by are mistakenly determined to be users
Solution Approach 1:
The detection zone is divided into multiple regions (first region, second region, third region) based on spatial segmentation. Each region corresponds to different operational scenarios: the first region is for passing objects, the second region is for potential users, and the third region is for active users. This segmentation allows the system to differentiate between mere passersby and actual users, enabling selective mode transitions that reduce unnecessary power consumption while maintaining quick response to genuine users.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions within the detection zone are assigned different functional qualities and response characteristics. The first region (for passing objects) triggers only display activation without mode transition, the second region (for potential users) triggers startup mode transition, and the third region (for active users) triggers full operational mode. This local quality differentiation ensures that power consumption is optimized by applying appropriate response intensity to each spatial zone.
2Device complexity
If the apparatus uses a single detection zone without regional division, then the detection system is simple, but it cannot distinguish between passing objects and actual users leading to inefficient power management
Solution Approach 1:
The detection zone is segmented into multiple functional regions (first, second, and third regions) that correspond to different user interaction scenarios. This segmentation enables the system to distinguish between passing objects and actual users by detecting which region the object enters, thereby improving power consumption efficiency without requiring complex additional hardware beyond the existing light sensor capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If the apparatus transitions to startup mode upon detecting any object, then user access is facilitated, but power consumption increases due to unnecessary mode transitions when objects are not actively using the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The detection zone is divided into multiple regions with different response protocols. The first region is designated for passing objects and triggers only display activation without mode transition, while the second and third regions are designated for potential and active users respectively, triggering startup mode transitions. This segmentation ensures that user access is facilitated for genuine users while avoiding unnecessary power consumption from misidentifying passing objects as users.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions are assigned different operational qualities: the first region has a low-power response (display only), the second region has a medium-power response (startup mode), and the third region has a high-power response (full operational mode). This local quality assignment optimizes the balance between ease of operation for genuine users and power consumption by applying the appropriate level of system activation to each detection scenario.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces power consumption by preventing unnecessary transitions to higher power modes, ensuring efficient energy management even when objects pass by or are not actively using the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a light sensor enabled to detect, on a per divided region basis, a presence of an object in a detection zone
Data Source
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AI summary
An information processing system includes a light sensor enabled to detect, on a per region basis, a presence of an object in a detection zone divided into multiple regions; and a processor configured to: set to be a first region each of the regions having an expected value lower than a predetermined threshold, the expected value calculated in accordance with a use count at which an information processing apparatus is used during a predetermined period of time from the detection of the object in the region in the detection zone; and if the object enters the first region with the information processing apparatus in a first power consumption mode, cause the information processing apparatus not to shift from the first power consumption mode to a second power consumption mode higher in power consumption than the first power consumption mode.