Multi-Sensor Power State Transition for Presence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing devices, such as image forming apparatuses, face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption based on user presence, often shifting between operational and sleep modes without precise control over sensing areas, leading to inefficient energy usage.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus equipped with first and second sensor units to detect user presence within specific distances, a shifting unit to toggle between standard and sleep modes, and a receiving/modifying unit to adjust sensing areas based on user instructions, allowing for precise power management by sensing user proximity and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the apparatus uses a single sensor unit with a fixed sensing distance to detect user presence, then the device structure is simple, but the power management precision is insufficient leading to inefficient energy usage
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is divided into multiple sensor units (first sensor unit with first sensing distance, second sensor unit with second sensing distance) that operate independently at different detection ranges. This segmentation allows the apparatus to use only the necessary sensor units based on operational context, improving power consumption efficiency while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing distances of the sensor units are made dynamically adjustable through the receiving unit and modifying unit, which allow users to modify the first sensing distance and second sensing distance based on actual usage scenarios. This dynamic adaptability enables optimal power management by adjusting sensing ranges to match actual needs, preventing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining system complexity at an acceptable level.
2Loss of energy
If the apparatus switches to sleep mode quickly to save power, then energy waste is reduced, but the user experience deteriorates due to delayed operational resumption
Solution Approach 1:
The first sensor unit with its longer first sensing distance performs preliminary detection of user approach before the second sensor unit with shorter second sensing distance confirms actual presence. This preliminary action allows the apparatus to prepare for mode transitions in advance, reducing energy waste by entering sleep mode more accurately while maintaining smooth user experience through proactive readiness detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple sensor units at different sensing distances to make informed decisions about mode transitions. The first sensor unit provides feedback on user approach, and the second sensor unit provides feedback on user presence, enabling the shifting unit to optimize the timing of sleep mode entry and operational resumption, thereby reducing energy waste while maintaining excellent user experience.
3Measurement precision
If the apparatus uses multiple sensor units with different sensing distances, then the power management precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection space is segmented into different zones corresponding to the first sensing distance and second sensing distance, with each sensor unit responsible for a specific detection range. This spatial segmentation improves user presence detection accuracy by providing multi-layered detection information while managing device complexity through clear functional division of the sensor units.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensor units serve universal power management functions but at different detection ranges. The first sensor unit and second sensor unit both contribute to user presence detection and mode control, allowing the system to achieve high measurement precision through their combined functionality while maintaining relatively simple individual unit designs that reduce overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a first sensor unit that senses a person within a first distance from the information processing apparatus, a second sensor unit that senses a person within a second distance set closer to the information processing apparatus than the first distance, a shifting unit that sets the information processing apparatus to a first mode when a person is sensed by the first sensor unit, and shifts the information processing apparatus from the first mode to a second mode that consumes power less than in the first mode when the person is no longer sensed within the second distance by the second sensor unit, a receiving unit that receives an instruction to modify the first distance or the second distance, and a modifying unit that modifies the first distance or the second distance in response to the instruction received by the receiving unit.