Image Forming Apparatus Sensor Sensitivity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in balancing power saving and user convenience, as they often require users to wait long times for the device to transition from a power-saving state to a normal state, especially when the human detection sensor's sensitivity is kept low, which can impair user experience.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a human detection sensor with adjustable sensitivity settings based on job data content, allowing it to transition from a rest state to a normal state more quickly while minimizing power consumption by selecting an intermediate state that consumes more power than the rest state but less than the normal state, thereby reducing user wait times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the human detection sensor's sensitivity is kept low to minimize power consumption, then power saving is improved, but user wait time increases when transitioning from rest state to normal state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sensitivity setting changeable based on operational context. The sensitivity setting portion adjusts the detection threshold dynamically - using lower sensitivity during power-saving rest state to minimize energy consumption, and switching to higher sensitivity when job data is received to quickly detect user presence and transition to normal state, thereby resolving the contradiction between power saving and user wait time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sensitivity parameter of the human detection sensor based on the state of the image forming apparatus. When in rest state, the sensitivity is set to a first value (lower) to save power; when job data is received, it switches to a second value (higher) to reduce detection time. This parameter change strategy allows the system to optimize both power consumption and user wait time under different operational conditions
2Use of energy by moving object
If the image forming apparatus transitions to power saving state to reduce energy consumption, then power saving is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to long activation times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the system for quick activation. When job data is received while in rest state, the sensitivity setting portion immediately switches to higher sensitivity before the user arrives, so that the human detection sensor is ready to detect user presence as soon as the user approaches. This preliminary adjustment of sensitivity ensures fast transition to normal state, maintaining user convenience while preserving power-saving benefits during idle periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on incoming job data. Upon receiving job data during rest state, the apparatus transitions to an intermediate state where sensitivity is increased, allowing rapid detection of user presence. This dynamic state transition enables the system to balance power consumption during idle periods with quick response when work is pending, thereby resolving the contradiction between power saving and user convenience
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a communication device, a received data processing portion, a human detection sensor, a sensitivity setting portion, a rest control portion, and a return control portion. The sensitivity setting portion sets, based on content of the job data, the sensitivity of the human detection sensor for a time when specific devices including the received data processing portion are in a predetermined rest state. The rest control portion causes the specific devices to transit to the rest state when a predetermined rest condition is satisfied. The return control portion causes the specific devices to transit from the rest state to a return state when the human detection sensor detects a human body in the situation where the specific devices are in the rest state, wherein larger power is consumed in the return state than in the rest state.