GPS Power Control for Portable Imaging Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic apparatuses with GPS devices face high power consumption during positioning operations, especially when the device is not in use, leading to inefficient battery life in portable imaging devices.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus with a reception unit, determination unit, and control unit that dynamically controls the GPS device's operation mode based on user input, transitioning between power-intensive and low-power modes to conserve energy, and only activating the GPS when necessary for positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the GPS device operates continuously to maintain positioning capability, then positioning speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the GPS operation mode changeable based on device state. The control unit dynamically switches between continuous operation mode (for fast positioning) and intermittent operation mode (for power saving), allowing the system to adapt its behavior to current needs rather than maintaining a fixed operational state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the GPS device from continuous to intermittent based on usage conditions. When the imaging apparatus is turned off or not in use, the GPS switches to intermittent mode with longer intervals, thereby changing the power consumption parameter while maintaining positioning capability when needed
2Use of energy by moving object
If the GPS device performs intermittent positioning operations, then power consumption is reduced, but positioning reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the operational state of the imaging apparatus and uses this feedback to determine GPS operation mode. When the apparatus is turned off or not in use, the system switches to intermittent GPS operation, and when the apparatus is active, it switches to continuous operation, ensuring positioning reliability matches actual usage needs
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of whether the imaging apparatus is in use before activating GPS continuous operation. This preliminary check prevents unnecessary continuous GPS operation when the apparatus is not in use, thereby reducing power consumption while ensuring GPS is activated in advance when positioning is actually needed
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the imaging apparatus power is turned off to save energy, then battery life is extended, but positioning capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power management into two independent parts: imaging apparatus power and GPS device power. The imaging apparatus can be turned off to save energy, while the GPS device maintains separate operational modes (continuous or intermittent) that can be independently controlled based on usage conditions, allowing positioning capability to be preserved even when the main apparatus is powered down
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes: a reception unit that receives positioning information necessary for a positioning process from the outside; a determination unit that determines whether or not a process on the basis of an operation input is a predetermined process that uses the positioning information in a case where the operation input is received from a user; and a control unit that performs control of an operation of the reception unit based on a result of the determination performed by the determination unit and a content of the operation of the reception unit.