Staged Power Supply for Image Forming Apparatus Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing electric power consumption and maintaining security, as they consume significant power when waking up from sleep mode and lack effective authentication methods, allowing unauthorized use.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with a motion sensor to detect users, an authentication device controller, and a power supply controller that stages power supply to components based on user authentication, using an ID card reader to validate user credentials before activating the device, thereby reducing power consumption and enhancing security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image forming apparatus uses an IC tag reader/writer to detect users and authenticate credentials, then user authentication capability is improved, but electric power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply to component devices into stages based on authentication results. The IC tag reader/writer is activated only when needed for authentication, and other component devices are activated selectively after successful authentication. This segmentation allows the system to maintain authentication capability while reducing overall power consumption by not activating all devices simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power supply control where the power supply controller adjusts power distribution to component devices based on real-time authentication status. The system transitions from a static all-or-nothing power supply mode to a dynamic mode where power is allocated selectively, reducing consumption while maintaining security functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the image forming apparatus remains in normal mode once it wakes up from sleep mode, then ease of operation is improved, but electric power consumption cannot be reduced effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operation mode into multiple levels: sleep mode, authentication mode (intermediate), and normal mode. The system can remain in sleep mode and only transition to authentication mode when needed, then to normal mode only after successful authentication. This segmentation allows the system to maintain ease of operation through automatic wake-up while reducing energy loss by avoiding unnecessary full system activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic mode transition control where the system automatically adjusts its operational state based on detected conditions. The power supply controller dynamically manages transitions between sleep, authentication, and normal modes, enabling the system to balance ease of operation with effective energy reduction by activating only the necessary components at each stage.
3Ease of operation
If any user can use the image forming apparatus once authenticated, then ease of operation is improved, but security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments user access rights into different levels based on authentication results. After authentication, the system determines the user's authority level and selectively activates only the necessary component devices for that user's authorized functions. This segmentation maintains ease of operation for authorized users while improving security by preventing unauthorized access to all device functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality control by tailoring the level of device activation to individual user authentication results. Different users receive different levels of access and device activation based on their authority. This localized approach to quality control ensures that security measures are applied selectively, allowing ease of operation for authorized users while maintaining strong security barriers for unauthorized access.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces power consumption by staged power activation and improves security by ensuring only authorized users can access the device, minimizing unauthorized use and energy wastage.
Implementation Method 1
a detector that detects a user near the image forming apparatus
Implementation Method 2
an image forming apparatus that has a built-in IC tag reader/writer and determines whether or not a user approaches the image forming apparatus by detecting an IC tag held by the user
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a detector that detects a user near the image forming apparatus, an authentication device controller that controls an authentication device that the user owns, an authentication unit that authenticates the user, and a power supply controller that controls supplying electric power to component devices of the image forming apparatus, and the power supply controller supplies electric power to component devices of the image forming apparatus in stages upon detecting the user, determining the validity of the authentication device, and authenticating the user.