Image Forming Apparatus Shutdown Job Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with safely turning off during scheduled shutdown times, particularly when operations are in progress, leading to potential data loss or equipment damage due to delayed shutdowns caused by ongoing jobs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a controller module within the image forming apparatus that monitors shutdown times and prioritizes completion of local jobs while canceling network jobs, ensuring safe shutdown by managing power supply states and notifying operators of impending shutdowns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image forming apparatus waits to complete all jobs before shutdown, then job completion reliability is improved, but shutdown timing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments jobs into two categories: locally input jobs and network received jobs. This segmentation allows differential handling where local jobs are completed for reliability while network jobs are canceled to maintain shutdown timing, resolving the contradiction between job completion reliability and shutdown timing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively completing only local jobs rather than all jobs before shutdown. This partial completion approach ensures sufficient reliability for user-initiated tasks while avoiding excessive delay that would compromise shutdown timing accuracy.
2Loss of energy
If the image forming apparatus shuts down at the specified time, then power saving is improved, but operational safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by notifying the operator in advance before shutdown and selectively completing local jobs beforehand. This preliminary preparation ensures operational safety is maintained while enabling timely shutdown for power saving.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through operator notification mechanisms that provide advance warning before shutdown. This feedback loop allows operators to take necessary precautions, maintaining operational safety while enabling the system to shut down at the specified time for power saving.
3Productivity
If the apparatus processes all received jobs before shutdown, then productivity is improved, but shutdown timing control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the job queue into local jobs and network jobs, applying different processing strategies to each segment. Local jobs are processed to maintain productivity, while network jobs are canceled to preserve shutdown timing control, resolving the contradiction between productivity and timing control.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a first reception unit configured to receive a first type job via a network, a second reception unit configured to receive a second type job generated based on a user's operation received by an operation unit of the image forming apparatus, a setting unit configured to set a time at which shutdown processing for turning off the image forming apparatus is to be performed, and a control unit configured to, in a case where there is the first type job when the time set by the setting unit is reached, perform the shutdown processing without executing the first type job, and to, in a case where there is the second type job when the time set by the setting unit is reached, perform the shutdown processing with executing the second type job.