Power Button Depression Time Control for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face prolonged startup times due to increased data expansion in RAM, and existing power control methods using tact switches can lead to unintended power states, causing safety and power consumption issues when users incorrectly operate the power switch, especially when short-time depressions are misinterpreted.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a power control unit that distinguishes between short-time and long-time power button depressions to shift between power-off and high-speed startup standby states, accompanied by a display control unit that alerts users before shifting to the power-saving state for short-time depressions, ensuring accurate power state transitions and user awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the power switch uses a tact switch for software-based power control, then power control flexibility and startup time reduction are improved, but the risk of wrong operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of switch depression time to distinguish between different user intentions. By monitoring how long the power switch is held down, the system can differentiate between accidental short presses (intended to power on) and intentional long presses (intended to power off), thereby improving operation accuracy while maintaining flexible power control
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the power switch state and providing visual confirmation through LED indicators. The LEDs display the current power state and warn users when a long press is detected, allowing users to correct their operation before the power state changes, thus preventing wrong operations
2Speed
If the apparatus enters high-speed startup standby state with RAM energized, then startup speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by allowing the system to transition between different power states (power-off, high-speed startup standby, and normal operation) based on user needs. The high-speed startup standby state dynamically maintains RAM energization only when beneficial for startup speed, while allowing full power shutdown when energy conservation is prioritized
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power consumption parameter by offering users a choice between two power states with different energy characteristics. Users can select high-speed startup standby (higher power consumption, faster startup) or power-off state (lower power consumption, slower startup), allowing optimization based on specific usage scenarios
3Ease of operation
If the power switch depression time threshold is set low, then high-speed startup standby is more easily activated, but wrong operations are more likely to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback through LED indicators that warn users when their press duration approaches the threshold for entering high-speed startup standby state. This feedback mechanism allows users to adjust their press duration to match their intended action, preventing accidental activation while maintaining ease of intentional activation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a buffer mechanism by providing visual warning before the power state actually changes. When a long press is detected, the system first displays a warning on the LEDs, giving users a chance to release the switch before the state transition occurs, thus cushioning against wrong operations
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus having a power button for shifting the apparatus to either a power shutoff state where power supply is shut off or a power-saving state where power supply is limited, the image forming apparatus is shifted to the power-saving state when the press continuing time of the power button is shorter than a threshold, and shifted to the power shutoff state when it is longer than the threshold. When the press continuing time is shorter than the threshold, information indicating that the shift will occur is displayed on a display unit before the image forming apparatus is shifted to the power-saving state.