Multi-function Peripheral Interface Power Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-function peripheral devices consume unnecessary power due to the lack of ability to selectively control power to unused interfaces, limiting immediate functionality in standby states and inefficient power management.

Innovation Solution

A multi-function peripheral device equipped with multiple interfaces, a monitoring unit, a display unit, an input unit, and a power control unit that allows users to selectively supply power to interfaces based on usage, enabling efficient power management and immediate functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple interfaces are provided in the multi-function peripheral device, then the adaptability and versatility are improved, but the power consumption increases because all interfaces cannot be selectively powered off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface selection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into individual controllable units for each interface. The power control unit can independently control power supply to each interface based on its operational status, allowing selective power management rather than powering all interfaces simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different power supply states are applied to different interfaces based on their specific usage conditions. Used interfaces receive power while unused interfaces are powered off, creating localized power management tailored to each interface's actual needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by moving object

If the functional block is changed to the standby state to save power, then the power consumption is reduced, but the function cannot be used immediately requiring operation to change it back to normal condition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtime to restore functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of interface usage status and proactively maintains used interfaces in a powered state. By anticipating power needs based on monitored usage, the system avoids the need to restore power later, eliminating the time delay associated with transitioning from standby to operational state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8090964B2Multi-function peripheral device

Publication Date: 2012.01.03 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A multi-function peripheral device includes: a plurality of interfaces that communicate data with an external devices; a power source for supplying the interfaces with power required for the respective interfaces to operate; a monitoring unit that monitors operational statuses of the respective interfaces; a display unit that displays a parameter indicating the operational status of each of the interfaces monitored by the monitoring unit; an input unit that is capable of inputting a command indicating whether or not power is to be supplied from the power source to each of the interfaces; and a power control unit that controls to supply power to an interface for which a command indicating that power is to be supplied is inputted by the input unit, and controls to shut off power to an interface for which a command indicating that power is not to be supplied is inputted by the input unit.