Power Supply Control Unit for Reducing Startup Time

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a trade-off between reducing startup time and conserving battery power in electronic devices like digital cameras and smartphones, as continuous power supply to volatile memory for faster initialization increases power consumption, while cutting off power supply increases startup time.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus with a power supply control unit that switches between battery power and radio wave-powered supply based on operation modes, preserving settings in volatile storage to reduce startup time without excessive power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If electric power continues to be supplied to volatile memories when the electronic apparatus is powered off, then the startup time period is reduced, but power consumption increases and battery duration decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestartup time periodVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the power supply state changeable based on operation mode. The power supply control unit dynamically switches between supplying power to volatile memories in the first operation mode (reducing startup time) and cutting off power in the second operation mode (saving battery), allowing the system to adapt its power supply strategy to different operational contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If power supply is cut off to devices when the electronic apparatus is powered off, then power-saving performance is improved, but the startup time period increases due to required initialization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower-saving performanceVSAvoidstartup time period

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the power supply state changeable based on operation mode. The power supply control unit dynamically switches between supplying power to volatile memories in the first operation mode (reducing startup time) and cutting off power in the second operation mode (saving battery), allowing the system to adapt its power supply strategy to different operational contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If settings are temporarily stored in nonvolatile memory and loaded at restart, then power consumption is reduced, but the startup time period is increased compared to continuous power supply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidstartup time period

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the power supply state changeable based on operation mode. The power supply control unit dynamically switches between supplying power to volatile memories in the first operation mode (reducing startup time) and cutting off power in the second operation mode (saving battery), allowing the system to adapt its power supply strategy to different operational contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces startup time while minimizing battery power usage by switching to radio wave power during low-power modes, thus balancing startup speed and power conservation.

Implementation Method 1

a power reception control unit configured to extract electric power from radio waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy extraction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12045115B2Electronic apparatus capable of reducing startup time period of devices, method of controlling same, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 CANON KK

AI summary

An electronic apparatus is capable of reducing the startup time period of a device requiring initialization while suppressing power consumption of a battery. The electronic apparatus includes a main controller, a sub controller, a battery, a power reception controller configured to extract electric power from radio waves, and a power supply controller configured to control supply of electric power from the battery or the power reception controller to the sub controller. The main controller controls supply of electric power to the power supply controller such that electric power is supplied from the battery in a power-on mode in which power consumption of the electronic apparatus is large, and switches the power supply source to the power reception controller when the electronic apparatus shifts to a power-off mode in which the power consumption is smaller than in the power-on mode.