Multifunction Printer Power Control via Usage History
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems face challenges in balancing user convenience and power saving effects during standby mode, as transitioning to power saving mode can result in increased waiting times for frequently used units or unnecessary power consumption for less frequently used units.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with an operation terminal unit, operating means, history information recording section, and power feed control section that authenticates user access, records job history, and administers login states to control power feed to functional units based on usage patterns, ensuring that high-probability units remain active while low-probability units enter power saving mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a functional unit is caused to switch over to the power saving mode, then power consumption during standby decreases, but response time increases and user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different functional units have different power states based on their individual usage characteristics. Each functional unit is independently controlled - some remain in normal mode while others enter power saving mode, based on their specific usage frequency and user needs, rather than applying a uniform power state to all units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the power state of functional units changeable and adaptive. The system dynamically adjusts whether each functional unit should be in normal mode or power saving mode based on real-time login states and historical usage patterns, allowing the power configuration to evolve with user behavior.
2Ease of operation
If a functional unit that is not used with high probability is not caused to switch over to the power saving mode, then user convenience is maintained, but useless power consumption occurs and power saving effect decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using historical usage information to inform future power state decisions. The system records and analyzes past usage patterns of each functional unit, then uses this feedback to predict future usage and appropriately set power states, creating a closed-loop system that continuously improves power management based on actual usage data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by proactively setting power states based on predicted usage patterns before users actually need the functional units. By analyzing historical data and login states, the system anticipates which units will be needed and pre-positions them in appropriate power states, preventing both unnecessary power consumption and potential user inconvenience.
3Loss of energy
If functional units are controlled to switch to power saving mode based on usage patterns, then power saving effect is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the power control function into independent, modular components. Each functional unit has its own power state management that can be independently controlled based on its specific usage characteristics. This modular approach allows complex power management to be broken down into manageable, independent decision units rather than a monolithic control system.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system contains a multifunctional printer that has a plurality of functional units and is capable of controlling transition to a power saving mode for each functional unit. Further, the image forming system includes personal computers and a server. The server, in the power saving mode, sets one or more functional units that are determined to be switched over to the power saving mode from among the plurality of functional units based on time entry, log-in states of users to the personal computers, and a history of past usage of the multifunctional printer.