Image Forming Apparatus Power State Transition Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses fail to accurately update paper settings when paper is changed in a manual bypass tray during a power-saving state, leading to potential print quality issues and wasteful paper usage due to incorrect paper types being printed.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus transitions from a power-saving state to a normal state based on specific detection factors, such as paper presence, and determines whether to display a setting screen for manually inserted paper, ensuring accurate configuration even if paper is changed during the power-saving state by distinguishing between different sensor signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a logical sum of sensor signals is supplied to the CPU to reduce the number of input pins, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of the returning factor is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection function by introducing an intermediate detection unit (OR circuit) that processes sensor signals before they reach the CPU. This segmentation allows the CPU to receive a simplified logical sum signal while the OR circuit maintains the ability to distinguish individual sensor states, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing input pins and maintaining detection precision.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the apparatus transitions to power-saving mode to reduce energy consumption, then the use of energy is improved, but the reliability of paper setting detection is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting and storing paper setting information before the apparatus transitions to power-saving mode. This ensures that even when sensors are deactivated during power-saving mode, the paper setting information is already captured and preserved, maintaining detection reliability while enabling energy savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary storage mechanism that holds paper setting information independently of the power-saving state. This intermediary storage acts as a buffer between the sensor detection system and the main processing system, ensuring that paper setting data remains accessible and accurate regardless of whether the apparatus is in power-saving or normal operation mode.
3Productivity
If the setting screen is not displayed when returning from power-saving state, then the productivity is improved by reducing unnecessary operations, but the loss of information occurs regarding paper type changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring sensor signals even during power-saving mode to detect paper changes. When paper is detected in the manual bypass tray during power-saving state, the system generates a signal that triggers the display of the setting screen upon returning to normal operation, ensuring that paper type information is not lost while minimizing unnecessary operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus has a first electric power state and a second electric power state in which power consumption is smaller than that in the first electric power state. It is determined whether or not to display a screen for setting information of a sheet held in a sheet holding unit on a display unit, in accordance with whether a factor in a transition is a first factor that is detection of the sheet being held in the sheet holding unit or a second factor that is different from the first factor, after the image forming apparatus is caused to transition from the second electric power state to the first electric power state.