Image Forming Apparatus Task Control for Power-Off and Setting Overlaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network device management systems fail to properly execute power-off and device setting tasks, especially when these tasks are scheduled to overlap, leading to potential device failures due to improper shutdowns and incomplete settings.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a task control unit that designates and controls power-off and setting tasks, allowing for flexible scheduling and execution, ensuring that power-off tasks are completed even if they overlap with setting and restart processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power-off and setting tasks are scheduled to execute immediately or according to a schedule setting, then the device can be managed flexibly, but the power-off may interfere with proper changing of device setting or the device may be left powered on when it should be powered off
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting task overlaps before execution and preemptively adjusting the schedule. When a power-off task is detected to overlap with a setting task, the system shifts the power-off task to a non-overlapping time slot before either task executes, preventing interference and ensuring reliable task completion.
2Productivity
If the power-off task is executed during device setting, then the power-off can be performed according to schedule, but the device setting cannot be properly changed
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring task execution status and detecting overlaps between power-off and setting tasks. When an overlap is detected, the system provides feedback by shifting the power-off task to a different time slot, ensuring that setting tasks complete successfully before power-off occurs, thus maintaining both efficiency and precision.
3Loss of time
If the power-off task time passes during restart, then the power-off can be executed timely, but the device is left powered on when it should be powered off
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of task overlaps between power-off tasks and restart tasks before execution. When an overlap is detected, the system preemptively shifts the power-off task to a time slot that does not conflict with the restart operation, ensuring the power-off executes reliably at the appropriate time without being left pending.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a first designation unit configured to designate a power-off task of shutting down the image forming apparatus in a designated period, a second designation unit configured to designate a setting task of executing a setting process for setting a setting item of the image forming apparatus in a designated period and a restart process for restarting the image forming apparatus after the setting process, and a task control unit configured to control execution of the designated power-off task and the designated setting task. The task control unit is configured to, if the power-off task is designated, perform control to change processing of the power-off task and the setting task according to which of the processes of the setting task a period that an end of the designated period of the power-off task reaches corresponds to.