Power Consumption Simulator for Multi-Function Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current office devices lack accurate measurement of energy consumption during state transitions, leading to inefficiencies and potential productivity losses due to inadequate power management strategies.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for simulating energy consumption using a processor and computer-readable medium to load job logs, apply strategies, and estimate power consumption by modeling device states and transitions, providing a detailed report on energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If energy saving mode is enabled to reduce power consumption, then energy costs are reduced, but productivity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by transitioning the device between multiple operational states (sleep mode, idle state, print mode) based on real-time activity detection. The system dynamically adjusts power consumption levels rather than maintaining a fixed energy-saving state, allowing optimization of both energy usage and productivity response
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-warming the fuser and pre-positioning components during idle state before print jobs are received. This preliminary preparation reduces the time penalty when transitioning from energy-saving mode to full operation, thereby maintaining productivity while still achieving energy savings during idle periods
2Use of energy by stationary object
If the device enters sleep mode to conserve energy, then power consumption is reduced, but the time to resume operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
During idle state, the system performs preliminary actions by pre-warming the fuser to a partial temperature and pre-positioning internal components. This intermediate preparation reduces the time required to fully resume printing operations when exiting sleep mode, balancing energy conservation with operational responsiveness
3Device complexity
If current energy consumption measurement methods are used, then monitoring is simple, but accuracy of energy usage data is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments energy consumption measurement into distinct components: energy used during specific tasks (printing, scanning) and energy used during state transitions (sleep to idle, idle to print mode). This segmentation allows precise tracking of energy distribution across different operational phases without requiring overly complex measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary simulation engine that models device behavior and energy consumption based on activity logs and state transition data. This intermediary layer processes raw operational data to generate accurate energy consumption estimates without requiring direct complex measurements at every hardware component
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure teaches a device and method for simulating energy consumption by a multi-functional printing device. The device includes a processor and a computer readable memory, the memory including instructions for causing the processor to perform the method. The method includes loading an activity log comprising a plurality of jobs, loading a first strategy from a plurality of strategies, simulating each of the plurality of jobs at the printing device according to the first strategy, determining a first amount of power required by the printing device to perform the plurality of jobs, determining a second amount of power consumed by the printing device between performing the plurality jobs, creating a report including estimated power consumption by the multi-functional printing device to complete the plurality of jobs according to the first strategy, and causing the report to be displayed.