Wireless Operation Unit Power Management for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the maintenance mode often requires the wireless operation unit to remain in a state where the display is ON, leading to potential battery drain issues due to the assumption of continuous operation, which can result in earlier battery depletion than expected.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a wireless operation unit that shifts from a normal mode with an ON display to a power-saving mode with an OFF display after a predetermined time of inactivity, except in maintenance mode where it remains ON as long as the battery level is sufficient, and only shifts to power-saving mode when the battery level falls below a certain threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the wireless operation unit does not shift to power-saving mode in maintenance mode, then the display remains ON for repairmen to perform maintenance work, but the battery depletes earlier than expected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power-saving mode transition behavior adaptive rather than fixed. The wireless operation unit dynamically adjusts its power-saving behavior based on the operational mode (normal vs. maintenance) and battery status. In maintenance mode, the unit remains in first mode longer or does not transition to second mode at all, whereas in normal mode it transitions after a shorter period, thus adapting the power consumption pattern to the specific operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the time parameter for power-saving mode transition based on operational mode. In normal mode, the unit transitions to power-saving mode after a first predetermined time of inactivity. In maintenance mode, this time parameter is extended or disabled, allowing the display to remain ON longer without depleting the battery prematurely. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining display visibility and preserving battery life.
2Loss of energy
If the wireless operation unit shifts to power-saving mode after first predetermined time in normal mode, then power consumption is reduced, but the display may turn OFF during ongoing user operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of operation status to determine whether to transition to power-saving mode. Instead of a simple timer-based transition, the system periodically checks for ongoing operations and only transitions to second mode when no operations are detected for the predetermined time period. This periodic verification ensures that power-saving mode is not activated during ongoing user operations, maintaining operational reliability while still achieving power reduction during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from operation status detection to control the power-saving mode transition. The wireless operation unit continuously monitors whether operations are being performed and uses this feedback information to decide whether to shift from first mode to second mode. This feedback mechanism ensures that the display remains ON during active operations while transitioning to power-saving mode during genuine idle periods, thus resolving the contradiction between energy reduction and operational continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
In a normal mode that is a mode when a user performs a printing work, a wireless operation unit shifts to a second mode when the wireless operation unit is not operated for a first predetermined time in a first mode. In a maintenance mode when a repairman performs a maintenance work, the wireless operation unit does not shift to the second mode even if the wireless operation unit is not operated for the first predetermined time in the first mode. In addition, in the maintenance mode, if the remaining amount of a battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount in the first mode, the wireless operation unit does not shift to the second mode, and if the remaining amount of the battery is less than the predetermined amount, the wireless operation unit shifts to the second mode.