Printer LAN Controller Power Management for Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication apparatuses face challenges in reducing power consumption during power saving modes, as they continue to supply power to non-essential components, and existing NICs do not effectively implement power cutoffs to portions other than those detecting mode return conditions.
Innovation Solution
The communication apparatus reduces power consumption by cutting off power supply to non-essential components and adjusts communication speeds before entering power saving mode, using a LAN controller to set lower communication speeds and a power supply unit to manage power distribution, ensuring only necessary components remain active.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the communication apparatus enters power saving mode to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the apparatus cannot detect factors for returning to normal power mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power management into two distinct modes: a power saving mode where most components are powered down, and a detection mode where only the detection portion remains active. This segmentation allows the system to minimize power consumption while maintaining the essential detection capability needed to trigger mode transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection portion operates autonomously in the detection mode, continuously monitoring for mode return factors without requiring power to other components. When a mode return factor is detected, the detection portion automatically triggers the transition back to normal power mode, enabling the system to self-manage its power states.
2Ease of operation
If power is supplied to all portions including non-essential components in power saving mode, then the apparatus can maintain full functionality, but power consumption is not sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management where the system transitions between different operational states based on activity levels. In the power saving mode, only the detection portion is active, while in normal power mode, all portions are active. This dynamic adjustment of power supply to match actual operational needs resolves the contradiction between maintaining functionality and reducing power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the communication speed is reduced before entering power saving mode, then power consumption is reduced, but the communication efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by reducing the communication speed before transitioning to power saving mode. This preparatory step ensures that data transmission is completed or buffered at an acceptable rate before the system enters the low-power state, thereby minimizing the impact on communication efficiency while achieving power savings.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer has a controller configured to give an instruction to a LAN controller, the instruction specifying which one of communication speeds the LAN controller should communicate at. When it is determined that the mode of the printer is changed from a power mode in which power is supplied to the controller to a power mode in which power is not supplied to the controller, the controller instructs the LAN controller to reduce the communication speed. After the instruction to reduce the communication speed is given, a power supply unit cuts off power supply to the controller.