Image Forming Apparatus Sleep Mode Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with data breakdown and storage unit damage during movement and power cord disconnection in sleep mode, as they cannot detect and prevent such events effectively.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a power supply unit, movement detection unit, operation panel, storage unit, and control unit that temporarily restarts power supply during data reading or writing in sleep mode, performs an interception preprocess to protect data, and displays warnings when movement is detected to prevent power disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the image forming apparatus enters sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the storage unit may be damaged or data may be broken when the power cord is disconnected during reading or writing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs an interception preprocess to stop or complete storage unit operations before the power cord is disconnected. This preliminary action ensures that no reading or writing operations are in progress when power is cut, preventing data corruption or storage unit damage while maintaining sleep mode power savings.
2Productivity
If the image forming apparatus operates in normal mode with continuous power supply to enable quick job start, then job start speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply state is dynamically adjusted between normal mode and sleep mode based on operational needs. The apparatus transitions to sleep mode when jobs are not active to save power, and can quickly wake up when needed, optimizing the balance between productivity and energy consumption rather than maintaining a fixed power state.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution prevents data breakdown and storage unit damage by ensuring safe power management and user awareness during movement and power cord disconnection, maintaining data integrity and apparatus functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The movement detection unit includes an acceleration detection unit having an acceleration sensor and detects movement of the image forming apparatus based on an output of the acceleration sensor
Data Source
AI summary
When performing a specific process accompanied with reading or writing a storage unit in a sleep mode, the power supply control unit control a control unit and the storage unit to temporarily return. When detecting movement in a period from start to end of the temporary return, the power supply control unit restarts power supply to a display panel. The control unit controls to display warning informing that the storage unit is working and urging to be careful so that the power is not disconnected.