Image Forming Apparatus Dynamic CPU Allocation Router Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatus configurations require separate routers and image forming apparatuses, leading to increased costs and complexity in establishing a network environment.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with built-in network functions, including a router, that dynamically allocates CPU utilization based on detected load processing rates to prioritize network functions, ensuring efficient resource distribution and simple network setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate router and image forming apparatus are installed to realize comfortable office environment, then network function reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the router function and image forming apparatus function into a single integrated device. The control unit executes both network routing functions and image processing functions, eliminating the need for separate router and image forming apparatus installations. This integration maintains network function reliability while reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions including network routing, image processing, and time-divisional function execution. By making the control unit universal and capable of executing diverse functions through time-divisional multiplexing, the system achieves both network reliability and simplified device architecture.
2Device complexity
If multiple functions are executed in time-divisional manner on single control means, then device complexity is reduced, but network function priority may be compromised when load is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic utilization allocation where the control unit adjusts the time-divisional allocation ratios based on detected load processing rates. When network function load increases, the system dynamically increases the allocation ratio for network functions, ensuring network reliability is maintained despite the integrated multi-functional design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes load state detecting means that continuously monitors the load processing rate of network functions, and management means that uses this feedback to adjust utilization allocation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that network function priority is automatically enhanced when load is high, preventing compromise of network reliability.
3Ease of operation
If fixed utilization allocation is used for multiple functions, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to load changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static to dynamic utilization allocation. The management means automatically adjusts allocation ratios based on real-time load detection, allowing the system to adapt to changing network conditions without requiring manual reconfiguration. This maintains ease of operation while significantly improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the allocation ratio parameter dynamically based on load processing rate detection. When network load increases, the system modifies the time-divisional allocation parameters to favor network functions. This parameter adaptation enables the system to maintain both ease of operation and high adaptability to load changes.
Data Source
AI summary
Whether or not allocation to router control is used up is determined. Whether or not CPU utilization allocated to the router control is used up is determined. If it is determined that the allocation for router control is used up, a sub-allocation changing process is executed for changing the CPU utilization. If it is determined that the allocation for router control is not used up, a router control allocation subtracting process is executed.