Network Filter Unit for Low-Power Packet Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing apparatuses face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to respond to network packets, as they require significant resources to recover and reprocess incomplete packets upon transitioning from energy conservation mode to normal mode, leading to increased power consumption and delayed responses.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a packet retaining function unit and a packet list area in the RAM to store incomplete packets, associating them with complete packets, allowing for quick recovery and response by referencing the packet list upon CPU activation, thereby reducing memory capacity and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the CPU is set in energy conservation mode to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the CPU cannot respond to network packets requiring response

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidresponse capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network control unit is segmented into multiple functional blocks: a filter function unit that operates independently in energy conservation mode to filter packets, and a CPU that is activated only when necessary. This segmentation allows the system to maintain basic network functionality with minimal power consumption while preserving the ability to respond to important packets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter function unit acts as an intermediary between the network and the CPU. It receives and filters packets, identifying which ones require CPU response, and only activates the CPU when such packets are detected. This intermediary enables the system to maintain low power consumption while ensuring reliable response capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the CPU is activated to respond to packets, then response capability is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically transitions between energy conservation mode and active mode based on packet requirements. The filter function unit continuously monitors packets and dynamically activates the CPU only when packets requiring response are detected, rather than maintaining the CPU in a constant active state. This dynamic operation optimizes the balance between response capability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If incomplete packets are reprocessed upon CPU activation, then complete packet processing is achieved, but response time is delayed and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket processing completenessVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The filter function unit performs preliminary packet filtering and identification before CPU activation. It pre-identifies which packets require response and prepares them for processing, so that when the CPU is activated, it can immediately process complete packets without delay from packet reception or identification. This preliminary action reduces response time while maintaining processing completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If the filter function is always active to identify response-required packets, then packet filtering accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket filtering accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter function operates periodically or continuously at low power to monitor packets, and the CPU is activated intermittently only when response-required packets are detected. This periodic operation of the filter with intermittent CPU activation maintains filtering accuracy while minimizing overall power consumption compared to having the full processing system continuously active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8670462B2Information processing apparatus, information processing method and information processing program

Publication Date: 2014.03.11 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a receiving part receiving a packet from a communication line; an arithmetic processing part configured to stop an operation in an energy conservation mode, a filter part configured to allow a response required packet to pass through the filter part; a packet retaining part retaining the packet passing over the filter part; and a power source administrating part activating the arithmetic processing part by supplying electric power when the packet is received by the receiving part, wherein if the packet retaining part retains an incomplete packet at a time of activating the arithmetic processing part, the arithmetic processing part generates a packet information piece associating the incomplete packet and a corresponding complete packet as a list and stores the packet information piece to a list storing part.