Image Forming Apparatus Snapshot Acquisition During Sleep State

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Solution Overview

Problem

In image forming apparatuses, the snapshot acquisition process during a sleep state can result in incomplete snapshot data due to power supply limitations, leading to adverse effects on the next startup, such as the operation panel failing to display normal screens.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus executes a first snapshot acquisition process for a first device group during a ready state and a second snapshot acquisition process for a narrowed-down second device group during a sleep state, ensuring that the initialization and data acquisition times fall within the power supply continuing period, thereby avoiding incomplete data creation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the MFP reinitializes all processing circuits and performs snapshot acquisition in sleep state, then the snapshot data accuracy is improved, but the power supply period is exceeded and incomplete snapshot data is created

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnapshot data accuracyVSAvoidpower supply period

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the device group into two categories: devices requiring reinitialization (first device group) and devices not requiring reinitialization (second device group). Snapshot acquisition is performed only for the second device group during sleep state, which has shorter acquisition time that fits within the capacitor's power supply period, thus ensuring complete snapshot data without exceeding power availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of reinitializing all processing circuits before snapshot acquisition, the patent applies partial reinitialization only to specific devices that require it. This reduces the total time needed for reinitialization and snapshot acquisition, ensuring the process completes within the limited power supply period while still maintaining sufficient snapshot data accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If the MFP reinitializes processing circuits in sleep state, then the snapshot data completeness is improved, but the startup time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnapshot data completenessVSAvoidstartup time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the device group into those requiring reinitialization and those that do not. By performing snapshot acquisition only for devices in the second group (not requiring reinitialization) during sleep state, the system obtains necessary snapshot data without the time overhead of reinitializing all circuits, thus maintaining reliability while minimizing startup time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs snapshot acquisition for the second device group during sleep state as a preliminary action before the main startup process. This allows the system to have snapshot data ready in advance without delaying the overall startup sequence, as the narrowed-down acquisition process completes within the available power supply period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the MFP performs full snapshot acquisition in sleep state, then the data accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides devices into two groups based on their reinitialization requirements. Snapshot acquisition is performed only for the second device group (devices not requiring reinitialization) during sleep state. This segmented approach reduces the number of devices needing snapshot acquisition, thereby lowering power consumption while still obtaining accurate snapshot data for the necessary devices within the available power supply period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial snapshot acquisition only to the second device group rather than all devices. This partial action reduces the total power consumption during sleep state while maintaining sufficient data accuracy for devices that do not require reinitialization, fitting within the capacitor's power supply capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10139769B2Image forming apparatus and program with two snapshot acquisition processes

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

An image forming apparatus that avoids adverse effects after the next start-up when the snapshot acquisition process is performed in a power saving state. The image forming apparatus executes a first snapshot acquisition process storing save target information for a first device group, and executes a second snapshot acquisition process storing save target information for a second device group.