Method and apparatus for saving power in an image production device

An image production device, comprising:

• a memory that stores predetermined values relating to saving power;
• a fuser temperature sensor that senses the temperature of a fuser system;
• one or more timers;
• a fuser fan that blows air in the vicinity of a fuser system to cool the fuser system;
• a fuser lamp that is capable of heating the fuser system to a desired temperature, the fuser system being heated to operate at a temperature that is at a first predetermined level;
• and
• a power saving unit that determines if the image production device has been inactive for a predetermined period of time, wherein if the power saving unit determines that the image production device has been inactive for a predetermined period of time, the power saving unit decreases the fuser fan's output by a predetermined amount, decreases the fuser lamp setting by a predetermined amount, sets one of the one or more timers, determines if the fuser system's temperature is at a second predetermined level using the fuser temperature sensor, wherein if the power saving unit determines that the fuser system's temperature is not at the second predetermined level, the power saving unit determines if the set timer has expired, wherein if the power saving unit determines that the set timer has expired, the power saving unit decreases the fuser lamp setting by the predetermined amount and resets the timer,
• wherein the second predetermined level is lower temperature than the first predetermined level and the power saving unit decreases the fuser lamp setting by the predetermined amount, resets the timer, and determines if the fuser system's temperature is at the second predetermined level, until one of the fuser system's temperature reaches the second predetermined level, the image production device is active, and the image production device is powered off.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for controlling a computing device for saving power in an image production device, the instructions comprising:

• determining if the image production device has been inactive for a predetermined period of time, wherein if it is determined that the image production device has been inactive for a predetermined period of time,
• decreasing a fuser fan's output by a predetermined amount, the fuser fan blowing air in the vicinity of a fuser system to cool the fuser system;
• decreasing a fuser lamp setting by a predetermined amount, the fuser lamp being capable of heating the fuser system to a desired temperature, the fuser system being heated to operate at a temperature that is at a first predetermined level;
• setting a timer;
• determining if the fuser system's temperature is at a second predetermined level, the second predetermined level being a lower temperature than the first predetermined level, wherein if it is determined that the fuser system's temperature is not at the second predetermined level,
• determining if the timer expired, wherein if it is determined that the timer expired,
• decreasing a fuser lamp setting by the predetermined amount and resetting the timer, wherein the steps of decreasing the fuser lamp setting by the predetermined amount, resetting the timer, and determining if the fuser system's temperature is at the second predetermined level, are performed until one of the fuser system's temperature reaches the second predetermined level, the image production device is active, and the image production device is powered off.