Printer Power Control for USB Device Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers face challenges in adjusting power supply to connected USB devices based on their operation status, leading to potential power shortages during printing operations.
Innovation Solution
A thermal printer with a power control system that includes a USB Power Delivery compliant connector, a DC/DC converter, and a CPU-driven power adjustment unit, which adjusts the power output from 100 W to 10 W based on whether the printing unit is in operation, ensuring stable power supply to connected devices like mPOS terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the printer supplies maximum power (100 W) to USB devices, then the power availability to connected devices is improved, but the power supply becomes insufficient during printing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power allocation by switching between two power supply modes: a first power supply amount (100 W) when the printing unit is not operating, and a second power supply amount when the printing unit is operating. This dynamic adjustment ensures that power is allocated based on real-time operational needs, preventing power shortages during printing while providing maximum power during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power supply parameter (amount of power) based on the operational state of the printing unit. By detecting whether the printing unit is in a ready state or performing printing, the system adjusts the power delivery parameter to optimize both device availability and printing reliability.
2Reliability
If the printer adjusts power supply based on operation status, then the power supply reliability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power control system is segmented into distinct functional components: a power supply control unit that manages power allocation, a printing control unit that monitors printing operations, and a switching mechanism that transitions between power modes. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall system architecture while achieving reliable power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the printing control unit continuously monitors the operational state of the printing unit and provides this information to the power supply control unit. This feedback loop enables automatic, real-time adjustments to power supply levels without requiring complex manual intervention or sophisticated control algorithms.
Data Source
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AI summary
A printer (30) includes: a first connector (36) to be used to input electric power supplied from an outside; a second connector (37) to which a communication terminal (50) is to be connected, and which is to be used to output at least a part of the electric power to the connected communication terminal (50); a printing control unit (84) configured to control operation of a printing unit (70) configured to perform printing on recording paper; and an adjustment unit (86) configured to adjust a maximum amount of the electric power to be output from the second connector (37), of the electric power supplied from the outside, to a first amount of power when the printing unit (70) is not under a printing operation, and adjust the maximum amount of the electric power to be output from the second connector (37) to a second amount of power when the printing unit (70) is under the printing operation, the second amount of power being smaller than the first amount of power.