Image Forming Apparatus Function-Specific Sleep Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses with both copying and printing functions require cumbersome operator settings for power-saving sleep mode transitions, leading to inefficient power control as a single time setting cannot effectively manage sleep mode for each function independently.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a reception unit, acquisition unit, image forming unit, setting unit, and control unit that allows for separate power state management for copying and printing functions, enabling automatic shifts to a low-power state based on user-set times, thereby providing user-friendly operation and fine power-saving control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single time setting is used for sleep mode transition, then the operation is simple, but fine power saving control for each function cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sleep mode transition time setting into separate settings for each function (copying function and printing function). The control unit independently manages the elapsed time for each function and determines sleep mode transition based on function-specific time settings, enabling fine-grained power control without requiring complex operator input for each scenario.
2Loss of energy
If separate time settings are made for each function, then fine power saving control is achieved, but the operator needs to perform cumbersome operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically tracks the elapsed time for each function independently and autonomously determines when to transition to sleep mode based on the function-specific time settings. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for the operator to manually track or set different times for each function, reducing operational complexity while maintaining fine-grained power control.
3Loss of energy
If the apparatus shifts to sleep mode after a predetermined period, then power saving is achieved, but the start-up time for the next operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sleep mode transition by setting different elapsed time thresholds for different functions. The control unit adjusts when to transition to sleep mode based on which function is active, allowing optimization of the balance between power saving and start-up time for each specific function rather than using a fixed predetermined period for all operations.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides an image forming apparatus which performs sleep control for a shift to the sleep mode for each function and provides a user-friendly operation system, and a method of controlling the same. To accomplish this, the image forming apparatus sets a shift time until a power state of the image forming apparatus shifts to the low-power state after execution of image formation; and performs control to shift the power state of the image forming apparatus to the low-power state, when the shift time is not more than the predetermined time, before an elapse of the shift time after execution of image formation by the printing function, while shifting the power state of the image forming apparatus to the low-power state, in response to an elapse of the shift time after execution of image formation by the copying function.