Image Forming Apparatus USB Interface Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in balancing power consumption and user convenience, particularly when in sleep mode, as the USB interface consumes more power than the network interface, leading to increased energy usage and reduced functionality when both are powered down.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a power control unit that switches between sleep and normal modes, continuing power supply to the USB interface if continuation setting information is stored, allowing it to detect connection and receive communication-related information, thereby enabling efficient power management and user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operating power is supplied to both network interface and USB interface in sleep mode, then user convenience is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating power supply status between different communication interfaces. Specifically, the network interface is maintained in an operative state with power supply during sleep mode, while the USB interface is stopped. This selective power management approach allows the system to optimize power consumption for each interface based on its specific operational characteristics and user access patterns, resolving the contradiction between user convenience and power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If operating power is stopped to USB interface in sleep mode, then power consumption is reduced, but the apparatus cannot receive print job via USB
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by detecting USB device connection status before transitioning to sleep mode. When a USB device is detected as connected, the system stores continuation setting information that indicates the USB interface should be maintained in an operative state during subsequent sleep mode transitions. This advance preparation ensures that the USB interface can immediately receive print jobs without requiring full system wake-up, thus maintaining functionality while optimizing power consumption.
3Reliability
If USB interface performs automatic communication for connection confirmation, then connection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing automatic, regular communication checks by the USB interface to confirm device connection status. This periodic communication maintains reliable connection detection while allowing the system to transition to sleep mode with optimized power settings. The periodic nature of this communication ensures that connection reliability is maintained without requiring continuous full-power operation, thus balancing reliability with power consumption efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The power supply unit supplies operating power for operating the image forming unit and the first communication interface. The setting control unit stores continuation setting information in the storage unit when a setting condition set in advance is satisfied. The power control unit causes the power supply unit to continue to supply operating power to the first communication interface if the continuation setting information is stored in the storage unit in a sleep mode and causes the power supply unit to stop the supply of the operating power to the first communication interface unless the continuation setting information is stored in the storage unit in the sleep mode. The switching control unit causes the power control unit to perform a normal mode when the first communication interface obtains first communication-related information in the sleep mode.