Printer Startup Control via Dynamic Initialization Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multifunctional printing apparatuses experience increased startup times due to complex systems, and existing techniques like DRAM energization startup may compromise image quality by skipping initialization, which cannot be dynamically switched with the controller's operation.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus that dynamically switches initialization processing based on the power switch-off time, allowing for fast startup when the time is longer than a predetermined period by skipping toner stirring and drum rotation, and performing normal startup with initialization when the time is shorter, using a control unit to manage power states and execute appropriate processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If initialization processing is skipped to reduce startup time, then startup speed is improved, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the initialization processing adaptive rather than static. The control unit dynamically determines whether to execute initialization processing based on the power-off duration detected from timing circuits. When power-off time exceeds a threshold, initialization is skipped for fast startup; when below the threshold, initialization is executed to ensure image quality. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between startup speed and image quality.
2Loss of time
If DRAM energization startup is used to reduce controller startup time, then system startup speed is improved, but printer apparatus startup must also be accelerated which compromises initialization quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the startup control into two independent parts: controller startup (DRAM energization) and printer apparatus startup (initialization processing). The controller uses DRAM energization for fast startup, while the printer apparatus independently determines whether to execute initialization based on power-off duration. This segmentation allows both to optimize their own startup processes without compromising each other's reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the control unit detect the power-off duration through timing circuits and use this information to determine whether initialization processing should be executed. The system continuously monitors power state transitions and adjusts initialization behavior based on the detected duration, ensuring reliable initialization when needed while enabling fast startup when appropriate.
3Productivity
If initialization is skipped for fast startup, then productivity is improved, but image quality and system reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of initialization execution from a fixed state to a variable state based on power-off duration. The control unit adjusts whether initialization processing is executed by comparing the detected power-off time against a predetermined threshold. This parameter change enables the system to optimize between productivity (fast startup when power-off is long) and image quality (proper initialization when power-off is short).
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a printer unit a shift unit that shifts the printing apparatus from a first power state to a second power state when a power supply switch is turned off, and an obtaining unit that obtains predetermined time from the printer unit, wherein, when the power supply switch is turned on, switch-off time from turning-off of the power supply switch is compared to turning-on of the power supply switch with the predetermined time to shift the printing apparatus from the second power state to the first power state with executing initialization processing of the printer unit when the switch-off time is longer than the predetermined time, and the printing apparatus shifts from the second power state to the first power state without executing the initialization processing of the printer unit when the switch-off time is shorter than or equal to the predetermined time.