Network Controller Preventing Unintended MFP Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image control systems for printers and multifunction peripherals face issues with remote shutdown, where a user's termination of the print controller can inadvertently power off the connected multifunction peripheral, disrupting operations for other users who are actively using its functions like scanning or faxing.
Innovation Solution
An image control apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus through a network, equipped with processors and memories, determines whether the multifunction peripheral is connected to a secondary network and only issues a shutdown instruction if it is not connected, allowing the MFP to continue operating if it has a direct connection to another network, thereby preventing unintended power-offs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a remote shutdown instruction is transmitted to the print controller, then the print controller can be turned off to save energy, but the image forming apparatus may be inadvertently powered off disrupting operations for other users
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus proactively transmits connection information indicating its network connection status before the shutdown instruction is fully executed. This preliminary action allows the print controller to anticipate the shutdown and prevent it from being issued, thereby avoiding unintended power-off while still allowing energy savings when appropriate
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the image forming apparatus monitors its own connection status and provides this information back to the print controller. The print controller uses this feedback to make an informed decision about whether to issue the shutdown instruction, ensuring that shutdown only occurs when safe and energy-saving goals are met without compromising reliability
2Use of energy by stationary object
If the print controller issues shutdown instruction to the image forming apparatus, then power consumption is reduced, but operations for other users who are actively using the apparatus are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus transmits connection information in advance that indicates whether it is connected to other networks. This preliminary information allows the system to determine beforehand whether shutdown would affect other users, enabling power savings only when no other connections exist, thus avoiding disruption to ongoing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The connection status information acts as feedback that informs the print controller about the safety of issuing shutdown instructions. This feedback mechanism ensures that power consumption is reduced only when the image forming apparatus has no other active connections, thereby maintaining ease of operation for all users while achieving energy efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An image control apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus through a network includes one or more controllers having one or more processors and one or more memories. The one or more controllers are configured to receive, through a network, a shutdown instruction issued to the image forming apparatus, and determine whether the image forming apparatus is connected to a second network other than a first network through which the image forming apparatus is connected to the image control apparatus. When the one or more controllers determine that the image forming apparatus is connected to the second network other than the first network, the one or more controllers do not issue the shutdown instruction to the image forming apparatus even when the one or more controllers receive the shutdown instruction through the network.