Image Forming Apparatus Ultrasonic User Detection Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses often unnecessarily light up their display units when anyone passes by, and users must wait for the device to warm up before starting a job, which is inefficient and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with an ultrasonic sensor that detects users specifically, allowing the device to activate its function units without turning on the display, and only powering up the display when instructed by the user, thus preventing unnecessary lighting and reducing wait time for job execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the UI touch panel lights up when the sensor detects a person, then the user can see the interface, but the display may light up even when a non-user passes by, causing unnecessary energy consumption and distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using the ultrasonic sensor to identify users before activating the display. The sensor detects users approaching the device and pre-activates the function units, but the display remains off until the user provides explicit input, thus preparing the system in advance while avoiding premature display activation
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic sensor acts as an intermediary between passive power-saving mode and active display state. It detects users and triggers function unit activation, but requires a second confirmation step (user input) before displaying, serving as a mediating layer that prevents direct display activation from mere presence detection
2Loss of energy
If the image forming apparatus waits for user input before warming up, then energy is saved, but the user experiences longer wait time before job execution
Solution Approach 1:
The function units are activated and begin warming up in advance when a user is detected by the ultrasonic sensor, before the user actually provides input. This preliminary activation reduces the warm-up time the user needs to wait, while the display remains off to save energy until the user confirms their intent to use the device
3Loss of energy
If the display unit remains off during power saving state, then energy is conserved, but the device cannot present information to users when they approach
Solution Approach 1:
The system preliminarily activates the function units and prepares the system for operation when users are detected, but delays display activation until the user provides explicit input. This ensures the device is ready to present information promptly while avoiding unnecessary display power consumption during mere presence detection
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
Prevents display unit activation when non-users pass by and reduces the wait time for users by allowing the device to begin powering up before the user is ready to start a job, enhancing efficiency and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
detection unit configured to detect a user of the image forming apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a detection unit that detects a user of the image forming apparatus, a power supply control unit that, when a person approaching the image forming apparatus is detected by the detection unit when the image forming apparatus is in a power saving state where power supply to a function unit included in the image forming apparatus is stopped, activates the function unit while maintaining the display unit in a non-display state, and a display control unit that, when the user of the image forming apparatus instructs the display unit to present display after power is supplied to the function unit by the power supply control unit, changes the display unit to a display state.