Dynamic Power Supply Capability for USB PD Compliance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing apparatuses face challenges in efficiently supplying power to external devices while maintaining image processing capabilities, especially when the power supply capacity is limited, as the power requirements vary based on the device's state, making it difficult to comply with the USB PD standard uniformly.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and printing apparatus that include a determination unit to assess power supply capability based on the device's state, a presentation unit to communicate this capability to external devices, and a power supply unit to adjust power supply accordingly, ensuring that power is supplied in combinations of voltage and current that match the device's demands, even when the state changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the power supply capacity of the image processing apparatus is increased to ensure sufficient power for USB PD standard compliance, then the power supply capability to external devices is improved, but the costs and whole size of the apparatus significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power supply capability configurable and adjustable based on operational context. The control unit dynamically determines power supply parameters (voltage and current combinations) depending on the apparatus state (standby, operation, error conditions), allowing the system to adapt its power characteristics rather than requiring fixed high-capacity hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes power supply parameters (voltage and current values) based on the apparatus state. Instead of maintaining constant high power capacity, the system adjusts voltage-current combinations according to whether the apparatus is in standby, operation, or error state, thereby achieving USB PD compliance without requiring maximum power hardware throughout all conditions
2Power
If the number of recording elements is limited to ensure power for external devices, then power supply capability is improved, but image processing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes power supply capability dynamic rather than static. By adjusting power parameters based on apparatus state, the system can provide sufficient power to external devices during low-demand periods (standby, error states) while maintaining full image processing capability during operation states when power availability is confirmed
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs preliminary determination of power supply capability based on the current apparatus state before actually supplying power. This allows the system to proactively assess whether sufficient power is available and communicate appropriate voltage-current combinations to external devices, preventing power deficits before they occur
3Ease of operation
If a fixed power supply capability is notified to external devices, then communication simplicity is improved, but compliance with USB PD standard deteriorates due to varying power availability in different apparatus states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power capability notification where the control unit determines and communicates different voltage-current combinations based on apparatus state. This maintains communication simplicity through standardized USB PD protocols while ensuring reliability by only notifying external devices of power levels that are actually available at any given moment
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback by continuously monitoring apparatus state (standby, operation, error conditions) and adjusting power supply notifications accordingly. The control unit uses this feedback to determine appropriate power parameters to communicate to external devices, ensuring that notified capability matches actual available power
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus that achieves both power supply to an external device and information processing. Power supply capability to be presented to the external device is determined based on a state of the information processing apparatus. Power is supplied to the external device, based on a request from the external device as to the power supply capability to be presented to the external device. In a case where the state of the information processing apparatus has changed, the power supply capability to be presented to the external device is changed based on the changed state.