Information Processing Apparatus Power Saving Mode Packet Discarding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing apparatuses cannot maintain a power saving mode when new status requests are introduced, leading to increased power consumption due to the need for hardware changes in the communication unit, which is costly and impractical for existing devices.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with a receiving unit, storage unit, and setting unit that allows for the use of a discard pattern to maintain the power saving mode by discarding newly-added status requests, enabling users to select packet discarding mode settings via a user interface, thereby preventing mode shifts to normal power mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the communication unit responds to newly-added status requests, then the information processing apparatus can maintain power saving mode, but the power consumption increases and the apparatus shifts to normal power mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to respond to newly-added status requestsVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the packet processing function into two parts: the communication unit handles packet reception and initial pattern matching, while the main control unit handles complex response generation. This segmentation allows the communication unit to operate independently in power saving mode for basic status requests, while the main control unit remains powered down.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication unit performs partial processing of status requests by matching packets against stored patterns. For newly-added status requests that don't match existing patterns, the system performs excessive action by shifting to normal power mode to ensure compatibility, but this is minimized through the discard pattern mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the hardware of the communication unit is changed to add new status request patterns, then the apparatus can respond to all status requests in power saving mode, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of status request patternsVSAvoidhardware change cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses software-based pattern storage and matching instead of hardware-based pattern recognition. The communication unit stores status request patterns in memory and performs software matching, allowing new patterns to be added through firmware updates without any hardware changes to the communication unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of pattern storage from fixed hardware configuration to flexible software storage. This allows the number and type of status request patterns to be modified by changing software parameters rather than hardware architecture, significantly reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the apparatus shifts to normal power mode to respond to newly-added status requests, then compatibility is maintained, but power consumption increases and power saving benefits are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with external apparatusVSAvoidpower saving benefit

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing known status request patterns in the communication unit's memory before power saving mode is activated. This allows the communication unit to independently handle these pre-known requests without needing the main control unit, enabling power saving mode to be maintained for these requests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies discarding and recovering by introducing the discard pattern mechanism. When a newly-added status request doesn't match any stored patterns, the system can choose to discard the packet (maintain power saving mode) or recover by shifting to normal power mode to process it. This provides flexible energy management based on the importance of compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS10248185B2Information processing apparatus control method of information processing apparatus and storage medium

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 CANON KK

AI summary

Whether to enable a packet discarding mode is designated and, if an information processing apparatus operates in a power saving mode and the packet discarding mode is enabled, the information processing apparatus determines processing for a received packet based on a proxy response pattern, a WOL pattern, and a discard pattern, and, if the information processing apparatus operates in the power saving mode and the packet discarding mode is disabled, the information processing apparatus determines processing for the received packet based on the proxy response pattern and the WOL pattern without using the discard pattern.