Image Forming Apparatus with Trigger-Based Selective Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses lack efficient mechanisms to transition seamlessly between activation and energy-saving modes, often requiring user intervention and causing inefficiencies in power consumption and usability.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a scanner control system, plotter control system, relay system, operation module, detector, energy-saving circuitry, activation circuitry, and display circuitry to automatically detect triggers and switch between modes, activating relevant systems and displaying appropriate applications on the panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the controller cuts off power supply to most systems to enter energy-saving mode, then power consumption is reduced, but the time required for system activation and user readiness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting triggers (cover opening/closing, document placement, sheet setting) and pre-activating the minimum necessary systems before full operation is required. This allows the system to maintain an energy-saving state while being prepared for rapid activation, reducing both power consumption during idle periods and activation time when triggered.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on detected triggers, transitioning between energy-saving mode and activation mode. The controller selectively activates only the systems associated with the detected trigger rather than all systems, creating a dynamic, adaptive power management strategy that optimizes both energy consumption and activation speed.
2Ease of operation
If the controller activates all systems when exiting energy-saving mode, then system readiness is improved, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary activation of only the systems associated with the detected trigger before full operation begins. This preliminary selective activation ensures the necessary systems are ready while avoiding unnecessary power consumption in systems that remain inactive, resolving the contradiction between system readiness and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different operational states to different subsystems based on their relevance to the detected trigger. Instead of uniformly activating all systems, the controller selectively activates only those systems locally associated with the specific trigger event, maintaining high readiness for the required function while minimizing overall power consumption.
3Measurement precision
If the system requires user intervention for mode transitions, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting triggers through various sensors (cover opening/closing detection, document presence detection, sheet setting detection) and autonomously determining which systems to activate. This eliminates the need for explicit user commands while maintaining precise control, as the system's own operational states serve as the triggers for mode transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors system states and operational conditions, using this feedback to automatically determine when to transition between energy-saving mode and activation mode. The feedback loop ensures precise trigger detection while automating the response, eliminating manual user intervention and improving ease of operation without sacrificing control precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a scanner control system, a plotter control system, an operation module including a panel, a detector detecting a trigger generated in one of the above systems and the module, energy-saving circuitry, activation circuitry, and display circuitry. The energy-saving circuitry shifts an operation mode of one or more systems of the above systems and the module from an activation mode to an energy-saving mode in response to a receipt of a shift command to shift the operation mode. The activation circuitry receives the trigger from the detector, activates the one or more systems that are associated with the trigger in advance, and shifts the one or more systems from the energy-saving mode to the activation mode. The display circuitry receives the trigger from the detector and controls the panel to display an application associated with the trigger in advance.