Printer Controller Power Mode Management for USB Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing devices consume power constantly while calculating waiting time for battery charging, reducing the power available for charging and increasing waiting time, especially when limited power is supplied through a USB standard cable.
Innovation Solution
A printing device with a controller that operates in multiple modes, comparing the total power required for battery charging and operating with the supplied power, and determining an optimal mode to reduce power consumption during charging, such as reducing CPU and clock signal intervals, to maintain efficient charging without extending charging time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the controller repeatedly obtains the charged amount of the secondary battery and calculates the waiting time while charging, then the waiting time can be monitored and displayed, but the controller constantly consumes power that reduces the power available for charging the battery
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs power consumption suppression processing at specific intervals (e.g., every 10 seconds) rather than continuously, obtaining charged amounts and calculating waiting times periodically. This reduces the frequency of controller operations while still providing charging status information to the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller calculates and stores the waiting time in advance based on the power required for printing and the charged amount of the secondary battery. This pre-calculated waiting time is then displayed without requiring continuous recalculation, reducing ongoing power consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If limited power is supplied through a USB standard cable, then the printing device can be charged portably, but the power consumed by the controller reduces the power needed to charge the secondary battery, increasing waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically adjusts its operation mode based on the power supply situation. When limited power is supplied (e.g., through USB cable), the controller suppresses unnecessary operations and reduces power consumption to maximize the power available for charging the secondary battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes operational parameters such as CPU clock frequency and operation interval based on the charging state. During charging, the controller reduces its operating frequency or enters low-power modes to minimize power consumption and maximize charging efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If the controller operates constantly to calculate and display waiting time, then accurate charging status information is provided, but the power consumption increases and charging efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller updates charging status information at predetermined intervals rather than continuously, reducing power consumption while maintaining sufficient accuracy for user information needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the power supply amplitude information obtained by the supplied power amplitude obtaining device to automatically determine appropriate operation modes, reducing the need for continuous controller intervention and optimization.
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
The device effectively suppresses the decrease in charging power and maintains efficient battery charging time by adjusting operation modes based on available power, ensuring timely charging even with limited power supply.
Implementation Method 1
a battery (71) configured to be charged by a supplied power which is an electrical power supplied from an external power source, the battery (71) being capable of supplying an electrical power to the print head (12)
Data Source
AI summary
A printing device includes a battery, a print head and a controller. The battery is charged by a charging power and supplies a power to the print head. The controller has multiple operation modes and is configured to operate in one of the multiple operation modes. The controller consumes an operating power corresponding to the operation mode. An external power source has multiple power profiles and outputs a supplying power corresponding to one of the power profiles to the printing device. The supplying power is used as the operating power for driving the controller. The controller obtains the multiple power profiles from the externa power source. The controller determines whether the supplying power is greater than a sum of the charging power to charge the battery and the operating power, and determine an operation mode when the battery is being charged.