Printer Power Saving Setting Value Backup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing apparatuses face challenges in power-saving operations, particularly when storing setting values and operation values, as they often require self-refreshing storage and may not allow access during idle modes, leading to user awareness of power-saving levels and potential operation faults.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus with a first and second control unit, where the first control unit performs normal operations and a first power-saving operation, while the second control unit performs a second power-saving operation, including a setting value backup system that stores and restores setting and operation values between power-saving levels, allowing user interface settings to be reflected immediately and non-user interface settings to be stable, even without self-refreshing storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the printing apparatus uses a single storage unit for setting values during power-saving operations, then the storage structure is simple, but the setting values are lost when the control unit stops operating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreservation of setting valuesVSAvoidstorage structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a backup copy of setting values from the first storage unit to a second storage unit before entering the second power-saving operation. This copying mechanism ensures that setting values are preserved even when the first control unit stops operating, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity by using a relatively simple copying approach rather than complex redundant storage systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Use of energy by moving object

If the printing apparatus enters a deep power-saving mode to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the apparatus cannot respond to external inquiries or perform operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidresponse capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides power-saving operations into two distinct levels: a first power-saving operation where the printing engine stops but the first control unit remains operational, and a second power-saving operation where only the second control unit operates. This segmentation allows the apparatus to select appropriate power-saving depth based on operational needs, maintaining response capability when necessary while maximizing energy efficiency when possible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second control unit acts as an intermediary that can operate independently in the second power-saving operation. It has direct access to setting values stored in the second storage unit, enabling it to handle external inquiries and perform operations without needing the first control unit to be active, thus maintaining adaptability while achieving deep power-saving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the printing apparatus uses volatile storage without self-refresh function to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but setting values cannot be maintained during idle modes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidmaintenance of setting values

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs a preliminary action of copying setting values from the first storage unit to the second storage unit before the printing apparatus enters the idle mode or second power-saving operation. This preliminary copying ensures that setting values are preserved in the second storage unit, which can maintain data without self-refresh, thereby maintaining reliability while using cost-effective volatile storage in the first control unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Speed

If the printing apparatus restores from idle mode to respond to host inquiries, then responsiveness is improved, but the operation interruption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidoperation interruption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The second control unit serves as an intermediary that can handle external inquiries and operations independently during the second power-saving operation. By having the second control unit directly access setting values in the second storage unit, the apparatus can respond to host inquiries without needing to fully restore the first control unit, thus improving response speed while minimizing operation interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8976404B2Printing apparatus for storing and loading setting values when transitioning power saving states

Publication Date: 2015.03.10 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing apparatus having a printing engine, a first control unit, and a second control unit, in which a normal operation is performed by at least the printing engine and the first control unit, a first power saving operation is performed by at least the first control unit while the printing engine is stopped, and a second power saving operation is performed by only the second control unit, the printing apparatus including: a first storage unit of the first control unit that stores a setting value reflecting a setting change performed while the printing apparatus is operated and an operation value not reflecting the setting change performed while the printing apparatus is operated; a second storage unit of the second control unit that stores the setting value and the operation value.