Power Saving Control Advance Notification for Image Forming Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of application programs on image forming devices leads to a longer time required to determine whether to transition to a power-saving mode, resulting in delays and reduced power-saving efficiency due to the need to query multiple objects.

Innovation Solution

A device with a storage unit, advance notification unit, transition determining unit, and transition control unit that sends advance notifications and queries programs about power-saving mode transitions, allowing for earlier termination processes and reduced response times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all installed application programs are queried to determine whether to transition to power-saving mode, then the reliability of preventing program malfunction is improved, but the time necessary to determine whether to switch increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of preventing program malfunctionVSAvoidtime necessary to determine whether to switch to power-saving mode

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by sending advance notifications to programs before actually transitioning to power-saving mode. This allows programs to prepare for the transition (e.g., saving data, releasing resources) in advance, so that when the transition does occur, the overall time required is reduced while still maintaining reliable program protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the device transitions to power-saving mode quickly, then power-saving efficiency is improved, but the risk of program malfunction and data damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower-saving efficiencyVSAvoidrisk of program malfunction and data damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By sending advance notifications before transition, the system enables programs to perform preliminary protective actions (data saving, resource release) before power is actually reduced. This resolves the contradiction by allowing quick transition while maintaining program reliability through advance preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system queries programs to obtain their responses regarding power-saving mode transition. Based on these feedback responses, the control unit determines whether to proceed with transition, ensuring that programs indicating potential issues can prevent transition, thus maintaining reliability while enabling efficient power-saving when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of application programs is increased to enhance device functionality, then the adaptability of the device is improved, but the time required to query all programs for power-saving determination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidtime required to query all programs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The advance notification mechanism allows the system to initiate program preparation activities before the actual power-saving transition. This preliminary action reduces the overall time impact when transitioning, even as the number of programs increases, because programs can start preparing in advance rather than being queried and processed all at once during transition decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9261947B2Device and power saving control method for selectively transitioning to one or more low power modes depending on whether all of the programs on the device have been interrupted or terminated

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A device having at least one power-saving mode includes a storage unit configured to store a program; an advance notification unit configured to send, to the program, an advance notice of transition to the power-saving mode prior to transition start timing at which the transition to the power-saving mode is started; a transition determining unit configured to query the program, at the transition start timing, whether the transition to the power-saving mode is acceptable; and a transition control unit configured to cause the device to transition to the power saving mode if the transition to the power-saving mode is acceptable for the queried program.