Controller Manages Battery Self-Discharge via Power Request
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information processing apparatuses with batteries, such as mobile printers and scanners, face a reduction in battery remaining amount due to self-discharge, as they often suspend power supply during charging, leading to inefficient energy management.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a controller that determines when a reduction in power supply is notified by an external device and requests a power amount greater than or equal to the energy consumed in self-discharge, ensuring continuous charging and minimizing battery depletion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the information processing apparatus suspends power supply to the battery during charging, then energy management is simplified, but the battery remaining amount decreases due to self-discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary action by determining whether to suspend power supply before actually suspending it, and by proactively requesting a new power amount from the external device that accounts for future self-discharge. This advance planning allows the system to maintain simple energy management while preventing battery depletion.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements feedback by continuously monitoring the power supply status from the external device and adjusting the power request accordingly. When the external device notifies of power supply suspension, the controller responds by requesting a new power amount that compensates for self-discharge, creating a closed-loop control system that balances simplicity with battery maintenance.
2Reliability
If the information processing apparatus requests a higher power amount from the external device, then self-discharge compensation is ensured, but the power consumption from the external device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller applies partial action by requesting only the necessary excess power amount needed to compensate for self-discharge, rather than requesting a fixed high power amount. This ensures battery charge maintenance while minimizing the additional power consumption burden on the external device.
3Quantity of substance
If the information processing apparatus continuously monitors power supply status, then battery self-discharge can be compensated, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses feedback by monitoring power supply status notifications from the external device and responding with appropriate power requests. This event-driven approach allows the system to compensate for self-discharge without implementing complex continuous monitoring, as the controller only acts when notified of power supply changes.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes: an interface; a battery; and a controller. The controller is configured to: determine whether a reduction notification indicating reduction in the electric power is received from an external device when the interface is receiving the electric power of a first power amount from the external device; and request the external device via the interface to supply the electric power of a second power amount that is less than the first power amount and greater than or equal to an amount of the electric power consumed in self-discharge of the battery.