Image Processor Synchronizing Server Wake-Up Intervals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image processing devices fail to achieve full power-saving effects due to the need to periodically wake up from deep sleep mode to maintain connections with multiple servers on the cloud, as each server requires different communication intervals, leading to frequent mode changes and reduced power conservation.

Innovation Solution

The image processing device includes a storage for multiple types of screen data corresponding to various screen sizes, a screen information obtaining part to determine the display size, a screen data selecting part to choose the appropriate screen data, and an output part to display the selected data, allowing for optimized periodic communication intervals with servers by synchronizing the wake-up times based on the stored intervals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the image processing device enters deep sleep mode to save power, then energy consumption is reduced, but the connection with servers may be terminated and communication reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidconnection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary actions by buffering outgoing data before entering deep sleep mode and setting up wake-up triggers based on scheduled communication intervals. This allows the device to maintain communication reliability without staying fully awake, as the buffered data and pre-configured wake-up schedules ensure seamless resumption of communications after sleep.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device implements periodic wake-up cycles to maintain server connections while spending most time in deep sleep mode. By calculating optimal wake-up intervals based on communication schedules with multiple servers, the device periodically activates to send buffered data and maintain connections, then returns to sleep, achieving both power savings and connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If the image processing device maintains constant connections with multiple servers, then communication reliability is improved, but the frequency of wake-ups increases and power-saving effect deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges multiple communication schedules from different servers into a unified wake-up schedule. By calculating the least common multiple (LCM) of various communication intervals, the device determines optimal wake-up times that satisfy all server connection requirements simultaneously, rather than waking up separately for each server, thereby reducing overall wake-up frequency while maintaining all connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs preliminary calculation of optimized wake-up intervals that accommodate multiple server communication schedules. By pre-computing the LCM of various intervals and buffering data before wake-up events, the device prepares in advance to handle multiple communications efficiently in single wake-up cycles, reducing power consumption while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the image processing device wakes up frequently to maintain server connections, then connection reliability is improved, but the power-saving effect deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidenergy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The device implements periodic wake-up cycles optimized through LCM calculation of multiple server communication intervals. This ensures the device wakes up only when necessary to satisfy the least frequent communication schedule, maintaining all server connections reliably while minimizing wake-up frequency and associated energy loss compared to waking up for each server individually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs preliminary data buffering and schedule calculation before entering sleep mode. By preparing data buffers and computing optimized wake-up intervals in advance, the device minimizes the duration and frequency of active states, reducing energy loss during wake-up cycles while ensuring all communication requirements are met.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10122879B2Image processing device, image processing system and non-transitory readable recording medium

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

An image processing device that communicates with a first server and a second server includes a main controller and a power controller. The main controller establishes a connection that enables communication with the first and second servers, establishes a periodic communication with the first and second servers to maintain the connection, manages a first time interval between the periodic communication with the first server, manages a second time interval between the periodic communication with the second server, and changes one or both of the first time interval and the second time interval. The power controller stops and starts power supply to the main controller.