Controller-Based Power State Segmentation in Image Forming Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in power management, particularly in transitioning between power states during operations like FAX data reception, print job processing, and copying, leading to suboptimal power usage and user experience.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a controller-based power management system that allows individual units to independently control power states, ensuring efficient power saving by prioritizing operations and synchronizing only necessary components during task execution, while maintaining user interface responsiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the apparatus returns all functions to the second power state simultaneously when transitioning from the third power state, then the system maintains synchronization and stability, but the power consumption cannot be optimized and the response time to user operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power state transition into separate segments: the display function transitions to the second power state independently and earlier than other functions, while image forming and image reading functions remain in the third power state until needed. This segmentation allows the display to be responsive to user operations without requiring all system functions to be fully powered up, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining acceptable response time for user interactions.
2Reliability
If the apparatus waits for paper information to be obtained before executing image forming operations, then paper availability is ensured and errors are avoided, but the operation execution time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by transitioning the display function to the second power state in advance when returning from the third power state, so that the user interface is ready to receive and display information about paper availability and operation status. Meanwhile, the actual paper information checking and image forming preparation can proceed in parallel, ensuring reliability of paper availability verification while minimizing the impact on operation execution speed.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes the following elements. An apparatus body implements plural functions including an image reading function, an image forming function, and a display function in accordance with operations requested by a user. A controller controls first, second, and third power states. An obtaining unit obtains information concerning paper. A first control unit controls the plural functions so that, when the plural functions are returned from the third to the second power state, the display function is returned to the second power state without being synchronized with the other functions and an operation requested by the user is received before the other functions are returned to the second power state. A second control unit controls the other functions so that, if the image forming function is required for executing an operation requested by the user, the operation is executed after the obtaining unit obtains the information concerning paper.