Independent Power-Saving Controller for Communication Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional communication control apparatuses fail to effectively reduce power consumption during power-saving modes, as they rely on improving the efficiency of a single control unit that handles both normal and power-saving operations, leading to higher energy usage due to the need for maintaining full functionality.

Innovation Solution

A communication control apparatus with a separate power-saving controller that independently manages power consumption by shifting to a power-saving mode, monitoring packets and external device connections to minimize operation and return to normal mode only when necessary, thereby reducing power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single control unit is used to handle both normal and power-saving operations, then device complexity is reduced, but power consumption increases due to the need for maintaining full functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol unit structureVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is divided into two independent controllers: a normal-operation controller for full-functionality operations and a power-saving controller for minimal operations. This segmentation allows each controller to be optimized for its specific function, with the power-saving controller consuming less energy while the normal-operation controller maintains full capabilities when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power-saving control function is extracted as a separate controller from the normal-operation controller. This extraction enables the power-saving controller to operate independently with minimal power consumption, while the normal-operation controller can be fully powered down or placed in a lower-power state when power-saving mode is active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If the normal-operation controller is optimized for efficiency, then operational performance is improved, but power consumption in power-saving mode remains high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption in power-saving mode

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the control functions into separate controllers, the power-saving controller can be optimized specifically for low-power operation without compromising the operational efficiency of the normal-operation controller. Each controller can be tuned independently for its operational characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by switching between two distinct control modes: full-functionality mode controlled by the normal-operation controller and minimal-functionality mode controlled by the power-saving controller. This parameter change enables significant power reduction while maintaining operational capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If power-saving mode is activated frequently, then energy efficiency is improved, but responsiveness to external events may be degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidresponsiveness to external events

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power-saving controller independently monitors external events and autonomously determines when to activate the normal-operation controller. This self-service capability ensures that the system responds reliably to external events without requiring continuous operation of the main controller, thus maintaining energy efficiency while ensuring responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The power-saving controller continuously monitors external events and provides feedback to determine when mode switching is necessary. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system maintains reliability by activating the normal-operation controller in response to relevant external events while spending maximum time in power-saving mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7555662B2Two controller communication control apparatus with power-saving control and power-saving control method

Publication Date: 2009.06.30 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A communication control apparatus having a function for shifting a mode to a power-saving mode that suppresses the power consumption to the level thereof lower than that in a normal mode upon satisfying a given condition includes a normal-operation control mechanism and a power-saving control mechanism. The normal-operation control mechanism controls the operation in a normal mode. The power-saving control mechanism controls the operation at the minimum level thereof given as the operation in the power-saving mode with the power consumption lower than that in the normal mode. In this configuration, the power saving control mechanism is arranged independently of the normal-operation control mechanism.