Peripheral Power State Control via User Proximity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Peripheral devices such as printers and copiers often remain powered on for extended periods, leading to energy wastage, as they transition to a lower power state after inactivity, causing unsatisfactory warm-up times when needed again.
Innovation Solution
A method to control the power state of peripherals by monitoring network communications, detecting user proximity through network traffic, wireless terminal discovery, or scheduled events, allowing the device to switch between power states accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the peripheral device transitions to a lower power sleep state after a period of non-use, then energy consumption is reduced, but the warm-up time increases when the device is needed again
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting user proximity through network communications before the user actually needs the peripheral device. When a user is detected approaching or logging into their computer, the system proactively transitions the peripheral from sleep state to operational state in advance, eliminating the warm-up delay when the user arrives at the device.
2Loss of time
If the peripheral device remains powered on for extended periods, then warm-up time is eliminated, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic power state management by continuously monitoring user proximity and network communications. The peripheral device dynamically transitions between sleep state and operational state based on real-time user presence detection, rather than remaining statically powered on. This dynamic approach optimizes the balance between energy consumption and readiness by being powered on only when users are detected nearby.
3Measurement precision
If the peripheral device uses network monitoring to detect user proximity, then power state control accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses network communications as an intermediary to detect user proximity indirectly, rather than requiring direct sensors or complex proximity detection hardware at the peripheral device. By monitoring network traffic, login events, and wireless communications, the system infers user presence through existing network infrastructure, avoiding the need for additional complex detection mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method of controlling the power state of a peripheral device, the peripheral is changed from a first power state to a second power state in response to communications across a network connected to the peripheral indicating that a user is proximately located to the peripheral. A user may be determined to be proximately located to the peripheral by monitoring communications across the network to detect traffic that is associated with a user logging onto a computer that can utilize the peripheral, by discovering a wireless terminal that is associated with a user and which is proximately located to the peripheral, by receiving information from a cellular communication network across the network that indicates that a user of the peripheral is proximately located to the peripheral, and/or in response to a time of day and/or day of week/month schedule.