Power Saving Mode Transition Control for Volatile Storage Backup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Information processing apparatuses shift to power saving mode before battery charging is complete, leading to incomplete backup of volatile storage units.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a charging control system that monitors charging time and prevents the apparatus from shifting to power saving mode until the battery is fully charged, using a timer control circuit and charging control circuit to manage charging and power supply modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the information processing apparatus shifts to power saving mode when not used for a predetermined time, then power consumption is reduced, but the battery may not be fully charged leading to incomplete backup of volatile storage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging action by monitoring battery charge status before allowing transition to power saving mode. The charging control unit checks whether the battery is fully charged prior to mode switching, ensuring backup reliability is maintained before energy conservation takes effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging control unit implements feedback control by continuously monitoring battery charge status and using this information to control the charging unit. The system adjusts charging operations based on real-time battery status feedback, preventing mode switching until charging is complete.
2Device complexity
If the information processing apparatus charges the battery only in normal mode, then charging function is simple, but the apparatus may shift to power saving mode when the battery is not fully charged
Solution Approach 1:
The charging control unit performs self-service by autonomously monitoring battery charge status and controlling charging operations without requiring external intervention. The system automatically determines when charging is complete and prevents inappropriate mode transitions, maintaining reliability while keeping the control logic integrated and relatively simple.
3Reliability
If the apparatus monitors battery charge status to prevent mode switching, then backup reliability is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging control unit merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: it monitors battery charge status, controls charging operations, and determines mode transition timing. By combining these functions in one unit, the system improves reliability through comprehensive monitoring while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An information processing apparatus which operates in a normal mode or a power saving mode in which power consumption is lower as compared to the normal mode includes a volatile storage unit, a first supplying unit configured to supply power to the storage unit, a second supplying unit configured to supply, if the first supplying unit cannot supply power to the storage unit, power to the storage unit, a charging unit configured to charge, if the information processing apparatus is operating in the normal mode, the second supplying unit, a first measurement unit configured to measure an amount of time that the information processing apparatus operates in the normal mode after the information processing apparatus shifts to the normal mode; and a control unit configured to control the information processing apparatus not to shift to the power saving mode until an amount of time measured by the first measurement unit becomes greater than a first predetermined amount of time.