I/O Controller Power Mode Switching for SD Card Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image processing apparatuses, such as printers and scanners, face increased development time, labor costs, and power consumption when switching between normal and power saving modes due to the need for software drivers and extensive memory usage in sub CPUs to detect changes in detachable media and communication devices during low power consumption modes.
Innovation Solution
A power supplying mode switching controller with an I/O controller that includes attaching change detecting circuits to notify the main controller of changes in detachable media and communication devices, allowing the system to switch to normal mode and update memory information without requiring extensive software or data communication, thereby reducing the software amount and memory requirements on the sub CPU.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sub CPU provides device drivers and extensive software to detect changes in detachable media and communication devices during power saving mode, then the detection capability is improved, but the power consumption and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the CPU functionality into two segments: main CPU for normal operation and sub CPU for power saving mode. The sub CPU is equipped with minimal necessary functions (attach/detach detection, communication device detection, mode switching) rather than full software stacks, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining detection capabilities during low-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential detection functions from the main CPU software stack and implements them in the sub CPU hardware or minimal firmware. Specifically, the sub CPU handles attach/detach detection, communication device detection, and mode switching without requiring full device drivers or extensive software, thus reducing power consumption while preserving detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If the sub CPU provides device drivers and extensive software to detect changes in detachable media and communication devices during power saving mode, then the detection capability is improved, but the development time and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the software development burden by assigning only minimal detection functions to the sub CPU rather than requiring full device drivers. This segmentation reduces the development time and labor costs while maintaining the necessary detection capability for attach/detach events and communication device changes during power saving mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential detection logic from the main CPU software stack and implements it in the sub CPU with minimal firmware or hardware logic. This extraction eliminates the need to port extensive device drivers to the sub CPU, significantly reducing development time and labor costs while preserving detection capability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the main CPU enters idle mode or power cutoff mode during power saving mode, then the power consumption is reduced, but the ability to detect changes in detachable media and communication devices is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection functions between main CPU and sub CPU based on operational modes. During power saving mode, the sub CPU handles attach/detach detection and communication device detection while the main CPU remains in low-power state. This segmentation enables the system to maintain detection capability without requiring the main CPU to remain active, thus reducing power consumption while preserving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub CPU acts as an intermediary between the low-power main CPU and the external environment (detachable media, communication devices). The sub CPU detects changes and manages mode switching, enabling the main CPU to remain in power cutoff mode while still maintaining detection capability through the sub CPU's monitoring functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supplying mode switching controller is disclosed. The power supplying mode switching controller includes a main controller which controls an image forming apparatus, a power supply circuit which has a normal mode and a power saving mode, an I/O controller which switches the power supply circuit to the normal mode when a factor returning to the normal mode is generated in the power saving mode, and an SD interface to which an SD card is attached. The I/O controller includes a first attaching change detecting circuit which detects an attaching change of the SD card to the SD interface, and when the first attaching change detecting circuit detects the attaching change of the SD card to the SD interface in the power saving mode, the I/O controller switches the power supply circuit to the normal mode and informs the main controller of the attaching change of the SD card.