Printer Energy Management via Threshold-Based Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers consume excessive energy, especially when used continuously, leading to high operational costs and environmental impact, and existing solutions do not effectively manage energy usage based on consumption patterns.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that tracks energy consumption and switches to energy-saving modes when a predetermined threshold is reached, redirecting print jobs to printers with lower energy consumption ratings when a group of printers exceeds energy limits, and adjusting energy limits based on previous consumption surpluses or deficits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the printer operates continuously to meet printing demands, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring of energy consumption at defined intervals (e.g., hourly, daily) and alternates between normal operation and energy-saving modes based on accumulated consumption patterns. This allows the printer to maintain high productivity during low-consumption periods while reducing energy usage during peak consumption intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The printer dynamically adjusts its operational state based on real-time energy consumption data. When energy thresholds are exceeded, the system automatically transitions to energy-saving modes (such as sleep mode or reduced functionality modes), and can redirect print jobs to alternative printers in a network, creating a flexible, adaptive energy management system.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the printer enters energy-saving mode frequently, then energy consumption is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors energy consumption and provides feedback to the control logic, which adjusts operational modes accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that energy-saving modes are activated only when necessary (when thresholds are exceeded) and that the system can recover to full productivity mode when energy consumption returns to acceptable levels, optimizing both energy efficiency and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an energy management intermediary system that includes software agents and network print servers. These intermediaries coordinate between multiple printers and manage job redistribution, allowing individual printers to enter energy-saving modes without significantly impacting overall system productivity, as other printers can handle the redistributed workload.
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple printers are used to distribute print jobs, then energy consumption is reduced through load balancing, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each printer in the network is equipped with embedded energy management software that autonomously monitors its own energy consumption, determines when to enter energy-saving modes, and participates in job redistribution decisions. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex centralized management and simplifies the overall system architecture while still achieving aggregate energy reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling printer energy consumption. The method includes identifying, during a first time interval, a quantity of energy consumed by a printer since commencement of the first time interval; generating a comparison by comparing the quantity of energy with a first energy threshold for the first time interval; and invoking an energy saving mode of the printer based on the comparison.