Dual Processor Power Segmentation for Operation Panel Readiness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional information processing apparatuses require a long start-up time for all units, including image fixing units, and controlled units, leading to increased power consumption and delayed user operation readiness.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a first processor controlling the predetermined controlled unit and a second processor managing other units, operating in multiple modes to optimize power supply, allowing the operation panel to become operational before other units, reducing start-up time and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all units including image fixing unit are activated together, then system reliability is improved, but start-up time increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the processor activation into segments: the first processor (operation panel control) is activated separately and earlier than the second processor (image fixing unit control). This segmentation allows the operation panel to become operational independently before the image fixing unit, reducing overall start-up time while maintaining system reliability through staged activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The first processor is activated in advance before the second processor and image fixing unit. This preliminary action allows the operation panel to be ready for user input earlier, improving user-friendliness without requiring all system components to be fully activated simultaneously.
2Reliability
If all units including image fixing unit are activated together, then system reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments power supply activation between two processors: the first processor receives power and becomes operational before the second processor. This staged power activation reduces overall power consumption during system startup while ensuring the operation panel is ready for use, maintaining reliability through progressive system initialization.
3Ease of operation
If the operation panel is activated early, then user-friendliness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses segmentation by dividing control functions between two processors: the first processor handles operation panel control while the second handles image fixing unit control. This functional segmentation enables early operation panel activation improving user-friendliness, while the modular processor architecture manages system complexity through clear functional separation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In the invention, a first processor (115) that controls operation of a predetermined controlled unit (114) and a second processor (103) are operated in a first mode (S1), a second mode (S2), and a third mode (S3), in the first mode (S1) the first processor and second processor (115, 103) are operable respectively, in the second mode (S2) respective amounts of power supplied to the first and second processors (115, 103) are lower than that in the first mode S1), in the third mode (S3) respective amounts of power supplied to the first and second processors (115, 103) are an amount between that in the first mode (S1) and that in the second mode (S2) and at least the predetermined controlled unit (114) is operable, and in the second mode (S2), the first processor (115) puts a process related to the first processor (115) before a process related to the second processor (103) until the second mode (S2) is transited to the third mode (S3).