Image Processing Power Control via State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing devices do not adequately address the scenario where users want to turn off the power while avoiding data loss or equipment damage, particularly when unprinted data is stored or protective sheets are not removed, leading to undesirable power switching states.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus with a power source section and controller that differentiates between general and special power control operations, restricting power switching to the image processing section through general operations when a special state is detected, allowing power control only via a special operation in such states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the power is turned off when unprinted data is stored in the page-image buffer, then power consumption is reduced, but data is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidunprinted data

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts power supply state based on the presence of unprinted data. When unprinted data exists in the page-image buffer, the system maintains power supply to preserve data; when no unprinted data exists, the system cuts power to reduce consumption. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between energy saving and data preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control section continuously monitors the state of the page-image buffer and provides feedback to the power supply control. When the buffer contains unprinted data, the system receives feedback to maintain power supply; when the buffer is empty or contains only printed data, feedback triggers power cutoff. This feedback mechanism ensures energy efficiency without data loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of energy

If the power is turned off when protective sheets are not removed, then power consumption is reduced, but equipment damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidequipment damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control section performs preliminary checking of the protective sheet removal state before allowing power cutoff. If protective sheets are detected as not removed, the system preemptively prevents power shutdown and notifies the user. This preliminary action avoids equipment damage before it can occur while still enabling power savings when safe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by blocking the power cutoff operation when protective sheets are present. The control section detects the protective sheet state and actively prevents the power supply from being turned off, countering the potential harmful effect before it manifests. This ensures equipment protection while maintaining power consumption efficiency when safe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If the power control operation is restricted in special states, then equipment protection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment protectionVSAvoidpower control operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control section acts as an intermediary between the user's power control operation and the actual power supply. It intercepts power control commands, checks the current system state (unprinted data presence, protective sheet status), and mediates whether to execute the power cutoff. This intermediary function protects equipment while maintaining user control when safe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The power control operation dynamically changes based on system state. In normal states, power control is fully accessible to users. In special states (unprinted data present, protective sheets not removed), the system dynamically restricts power control to prevent damage. This dynamic adjustment balances equipment protection with operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9060088B2Image processing apparatus with power supply/stop control

Publication Date: 2015.06.16 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

There is provided an image processing apparatus including an image processing section, a power source section, a power source operation section, and a controller. The controller may be configured to perform determining whether or not a state of the image processing apparatus is a special state when a power control operation is started, determining whether or not the power control operation is the special power control operation, and controlling the power source section to carry out an operation according to the power control operation when the state is not the special state, or when the state is the special state and when the power control operation is the special power control operation, but controlling the power source section not to carry out the operation when the state is the special state and when the power control operation is not the special power control operation.