Selective Power Control for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, when a user designates a job via mobile terminal during sleep mode, unnecessary power consumption occurs as power is supplied to both used and unused devices due to the lack of precise control over device power supply during the transition from sleep mode to standby.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a detecting unit for user proximity, a communication unit for short-range wireless communication, and a controlling unit that selectively powers only the devices required for the designated job, ensuring power is supplied to the first device used for execution while stopping power to the second device not used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power is supplied to all devices when user is detected in sleep mode, then the image forming apparatus can respond to any job type, but unnecessary power is consumed by devices not needed for the actual job execution
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple controllable units, allowing individual devices to be powered on or off independently. When a job is received, only the specific devices needed for that job type are activated, while other devices remain powered off, thus reducing overall power consumption while maintaining readiness for different job types.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply configuration is made dynamic rather than static. The system automatically adjusts which devices receive power based on the actual job requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the apparatus to optimize power consumption in real-time while maintaining the capability to handle various job types as needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power is supplied only to devices needed for job execution, then power consumption is reduced, but the apparatus cannot quickly adapt to different job types when user approaches
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring power supply capabilities for different device types. When a job is received, the apparatus can quickly activate the appropriate devices that were previously configured but not powered. This allows the system to maintain low power consumption in idle state while being ready to rapidly adapt to different job types when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the apparatus returns from sleep mode upon NFC detection, then user convenience is improved, but power is supplied to unused devices during job execution
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the actual job type received and automatically adjust power supply to devices based on this feedback. After the apparatus wakes up from sleep mode upon NFC detection, it receives the job information and uses this feedback to determine which specific devices need power, activating only those devices and keeping others powered off, thus eliminating unnecessary power consumption while maintaining user convenience.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus that includes: a detecting unit configured to detect a user approaching the image forming apparatus; a communication unit configured to be capable of receiving the job from a mobile terminal via short-range wireless communication; and a controlling unit that controls a power supply such that electric power is supplied from the power supply to a first device and a second device in response to detection of the user by the detecting unit, and controls the power supply such that in response to designation of a job from the mobile terminal via the short-range wireless communication, the power supply continues supply of the electric power to the first device that is used for executing the designated job and the power supply stops supply of the electric power to the second device that is not used for executing the designated job.