Engine Control Unit State Change Storage for Power Saving Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses operating in power saving mode, communication interruptions between the engine control unit and video controller make it difficult to detect state changes, such as the attachment or detachment of paper feeding cassettes, leading to synchronization challenges.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a storage unit within the engine control unit to store state change information during communication interruptions, allowing the engine control unit to notify the video controller of state changes upon resumption of communication, enabling the detection and synchronization of state changes even in power saving mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If the image forming apparatus operates in power saving mode to reduce standby power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but communication between the engine control unit and video controller is interrupted, making it difficult to detect state changes
Solution Approach 1:
The engine control unit performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring state changes during power saving mode and storing them in a storage unit. When communication is restored, the stored state change information is transmitted to the video controller, ensuring no state changes are missed despite communication interruptions during power saving operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A storage unit acts as an intermediary between the engine control unit and video controller during communication interruptions. The storage unit temporarily holds state change information that cannot be transmitted in real-time, allowing the system to maintain data integrity and synchronize state information once communication is restored.
2Reliability
If communication between the engine control unit and video controller is continuously maintained to ensure real-time state change sharing, then state change detection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous communication, the system uses periodic communication where the engine control unit transmits state change information to the video controller at specific intervals or when communication is restored after power saving mode. This periodic transmission approach maintains state change detection capability while significantly reducing power consumption during standby periods.
3Loss of information
If the engine control unit stores state change information during communication interruptions, then state change information is preserved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage unit for state change information is merged with the existing memory resources of the engine control unit. By utilizing available memory capacity and integrating the storage function into the existing control unit architecture, the system preserves state change information without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A state change of a status occurred during a communication interrupted state is stored as a state change status. Thus, a video controller 102 can recognize the change of the status during a period when communication between the video controller 102 and an engine control unit 103 is interrupted, based on the state change status.