Controller-Managed Communication Sleep Modes for Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in balancing power saving and usability, particularly in switching between multiple sleep modes to optimize power consumption while maintaining communication functionality.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a communication device and a controller that selectively operate in normal and sleep modes, with the controller managing the communication device's power states to transition between modes based on usage needs, ensuring power saving without compromising usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If the communication device enters sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then power saving is improved, but responsiveness to user inputs and communication requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device dynamically switches between sleep mode and active mode based on received commands from the controller. The device can enter sleep mode to save power and wake up when needed, creating a dynamic power management system that adapts to actual usage requirements rather than remaining static in one state
Solution Approach 2:
The communication device autonomously manages its own power state transitions by monitoring commands from the controller and independently switching between sleep and active modes. This self-service mechanism allows the device to optimize its own power consumption while maintaining system responsiveness
2Use of energy by stationary object
If multiple sleep modes are implemented to achieve deeper power saving, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system is segmented into two independent components: the controller that generates commands and the communication device that executes mode transitions. This segmentation allows the complex power management logic to be distributed, with the controller handling decision-making and the communication device handling execution, thereby reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A command-based intermediary mechanism is introduced between the controller and communication device. Instead of direct complex control logic in the communication device, simple commands act as intermediaries to trigger mode transitions, simplifying the communication device's internal complexity while achieving deep power savings
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus, a communication device is selectively operable in a communication device side normal mode and a sleep mode consuming less power than the communication device side normal mode. The controller is selectively operable in a controller side normal mode, a first sleep mode consuming less power than the controller side normal mode, and a second sleep mode consuming less power than the first sleep mode. The controller is configured to: transmit to the communication device a command instructing to transit to the sleep mode in response to transition to the second sleep mode; maintain the sleep mode regardless of return from the second sleep mode to the first sleep mode; and transmit to the communication device a command instructing to return from the sleep mode to the communication device side normal mode in response to return to the controller side normal mode.