Image Processing Power Control for Wake-on-LAN Energy Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing apparatuses face high power consumption when using Wake-on-LAN settings, as they often activate unused applications and hardware, leading to inefficient energy usage.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a detection unit to determine the validity of power states and a control unit that restricts electric power supply to only necessary components, ensuring that the image processing unit is brought into a valid state while minimizing power consumption by restricting electric power to unused hardware and applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image processing apparatus activates all applications and hardware components when Wake-on-LAN settings are enabled, then the apparatus can respond to network start-up instructions, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent power supply units, each corresponding to different functional components. The control unit can selectively activate only the necessary power supply units based on the received start-up instruction type, rather than activating all components simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to maintain Wake-on-LAN functionality while minimizing power consumption by activating only required components.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply configuration is made dynamic through the control unit that adjusts power distribution in real-time based on operational requirements. When a start-up instruction is received, the control unit dynamically determines which components need power and activates only those specific power supply units. This dynamic power management resolves the contradiction by adapting the system's power state to actual needs rather than maintaining a static high-power state.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the apparatus supplies full electric power to all components, then all functions are available, but energy is wasted on unused hardware and applications
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by activating only the necessary subset of power supply units required for the specific function being performed. Instead of supplying excessive power to all components, the control unit calculates and activates only the minimum required power for the current operation. For example, when only network functionality is needed, only the network-related power supply units are activated, reducing energy waste while maintaining full adaptability for different operational scenarios.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the apparatus uses volatile storage for valid state data, then power consumption is reduced, but data is lost when power is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two storage approaches by implementing both volatile storage (for active operations) and non-volatile storage (for data retention). The valid state data is maintained in volatile storage during normal operation to minimize power consumption, while periodic backups or critical data are stored in non-volatile storage to ensure data retention during power interruptions. This combination resolves the contradiction by leveraging the advantages of both storage types simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes an image processing unit configured to process an image; an input unit configured to input a start-up instruction to the image processing unit; a detection unit configured to detect that a first electric power is supplied in a case where a supply cable is connected to an electrical outlet in a state of separation of the cable from the outlet; a first non-volatile storage unit and a second volatile storage unit configured to store first and second values, respectively, the first and second values indicating whether being in a valid state for receiving the start-up instruction; a determination unit configured to determine whether the first value indicates the valid state and is different from the second value; and a control unit configured to restrict a second electric power supplied to the image processing unit, and to bring the image processing apparatus into the valid state.