Scanner–Plotter Energy-Saving Recovery Using Application History
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently recovering from energy-saving modes, leading to increased user wait times and inefficient power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a scanner control system, a plotter control system, and a relay system that determines which system to recover based on the time since the last sheet was set in the plotter and the use history of applications, ensuring timely activation of frequently used systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the controller recovers all systems from energy-saving mode upon detecting a trigger, then the system responsiveness is improved, but the power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary analysis of the trigger type and use history before system recovery, determining which systems need to be activated. This allows the controller to prepare and execute selective recovery of only necessary systems rather than recovering all systems uniformly, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining responsive service for frequently used functions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the controller waits for user input to determine which system to activate, then the power consumption is reduced, but the user wait time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller utilizes feedback from use history data and trigger type analysis to predict which system the user is most likely to use. By continuously monitoring usage patterns and incorporating this feedback into the recovery decision-making process, the controller can proactively activate the most probable system immediately upon trigger detection, thereby minimizing user wait time while avoiding the activation of unnecessary systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the controller recovers the plotter system when only scanner is needed, then the system availability is improved, but the energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller applies local quality by making differentiated recovery decisions based on the specific trigger type and use history. Instead of applying a uniform recovery policy to all triggers, the controller analyzes the local context (which system was last used, what type of trigger occurred) and activates only the locally relevant system. This ensures system availability for the needed function while avoiding energy waste from activating unnecessary systems.
4Measurement precision
If the controller uses multiple determination criteria (time since sheet setting and use history), then the system recovery accuracy is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements partial action by selectively applying determination criteria based on the specific situation. Rather than always executing the full multi-criteria analysis for every trigger, the controller can use simplified decision logic for certain trigger types while applying the complete analysis (including time since sheet setting and use history) only when necessary. This approach maintains high recovery accuracy for critical decisions while reducing control complexity for routine operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a scanner, a plotter, an operation panel, and circuitry. The circuitry controls the scanner and the plotter and relays a request from an external device. The circuitry detects a setting of a document on the scanner, a setting of a sheet in the plotter, and an opening and a closing of each of the scanner cover and the plotter cover. The circuitry determines which of the scanner or the plotter is to be recovered from an energy-saving mode, based on a time that has passed since the setting of the sheet to obtain a first determination result, and based on a use history of an application to obtain a second determination result, and recover the scanner or the plotter from the energy-saving mode based on at least one of triggers and at least one of the first determination result or the second determination result.