Wireless Camera Power Save Mode for Energy Consumption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital cameras connected to computers via wireless LAN experience high electrical power consumption during image transfer, lacking effective measures to reduce this consumption.

Innovation Solution

The electronic camera employs a power save mode that switches between ON and OFF states based on operational status, with the wireless communication unit stopping operation when not transmitting radio waves and entering standby mode when not in use, and an image display unit that changes power save mode according to displayed screens and transfer status, along with sleep modes and auto power OFF controls to conserve battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wireless communication is performed continuously to transfer captured images to the computer, then the image transfer function is improved, but the electrical power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage transfer speedVSAvoidelectrical power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication unit operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. It alternates between active transmission periods and sleep periods, performing image transfer in intervals while consuming power only when necessary. This periodic operation maintains image transfer functionality while dramatically reducing overall power consumption during idle times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The power save mode is dynamically switched between ON and OFF states based on the operational state of the electronic camera. The system adapts its communication behavior in real-time, entering low-power mode when not transferring images and activating full functionality when image transfer is required, thus optimizing the balance between productivity and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If the wireless communication unit operates in standby state to maintain quick response, then the responsiveness is improved, but the electrical power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidelectrical power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of maintaining continuous standby operation, the wireless communication unit employs periodic wake-up cycles. It enters sleep mode to conserve power and periodically wakes up to check for transfer requests or transmit status updates. This approach maintains adequate responsiveness while avoiding the continuous power consumption of traditional standby modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Duration of action of moving object

If the power save mode is set to ON to reduce power consumption, then the battery life is extended, but the wireless communication responsiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidcommunication delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the power save mode based on operational context. During active image transfer operations, the power save mode is switched OFF to ensure rapid communication response. During idle periods between transfers, the power save mode is switched ON to extend battery life. This dynamic adaptation minimizes communication delays when needed while maximizing battery efficiency during idle times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8659699B2Electronic camera that wirelessly transfers data, which includes a power save mode
Publication Date: 2014.02.25 NIKON CORP
  • US8659699B2 patent drawing
  • US8659699B2 patent drawing
  • US8659699B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electronic camera comprises a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with a computer or a printer, and a power save mode changeover unit that changes over a power save mode to either an ON or an OFF state according to the operational state of the electronic camera, if the power save mode is changed over to ON by the power save mode changeover unit, the wireless communication unit stops its operation when radio waves are not being transmitted, and if the power save mode is changed over to OFF, the wireless communication unit operates in a standby state when radio waves are not being transmitted.