Communication Interface Power State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication apparatuses consume excessive power as they maintain both the controller and RF transmission-reception units in an active state regardless of the IC card's status, leading to inefficient power management.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with multiple interfaces (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC) that dynamically adjusts its power states based on received signals from external devices, switching to lower power consumption modes when specific information is not required, thereby optimizing power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If both the controller and RF transmission-reception unit are turned ON when an IC card is detected, then communication capability is ensured, but power consumption increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the interface states changeable based on external conditions. The first interface dynamically transitions between first state (higher power) and second state (lower power) according to signals received from external apparatus, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption to actual communication needs rather than maintaining a fixed high-power state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the interfaces by introducing multiple states with different power consumption levels. The first interface has at least two states (first state and second state) with different power characteristics, and the system selects appropriate states based on communication requirements, thereby optimizing the balance between communication reliability and power efficiency
2Productivity
If the first interface is maintained in the second state (higher power consumption), then communication performance is improved, but power savings are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic assessment of communication needs by receiving specific signals from external apparatus and transitioning the first interface between states accordingly. Rather than maintaining continuous high-power operation, the interface periodically switches to lower power state (second state) when full communication performance is not required, while still maintaining the capability to quickly transition back to first state when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using the second state (lower power consumption) as the default state when full communication performance is not required. The system provides sufficient communication capability through the second state for many scenarios, and only activates the more power-intensive first state when specific signals indicate that full performance is necessary, thereby avoiding excessive power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus may perform: receiving a specific signal from a first external apparatus via a second interface; changing a state of a first interface from a first state to a second state, in a case where the specific signal including predetermined information is received via the second interface while the state of the first interface is the first state; maintaining the state of the first interface in the first state, in a case where the specific signal not including the predetermined information is received while the state of the first interface is the first state; and performing a communication of target data with the first external apparatus via the first interface being in the second state, after the state of the first interface has been changed to the second state.