Printer Power Management Interface for Signal Compatibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Midrange production printer systems face challenges in power management, as their printer engines, provided by third-party vendors, do not have power state signals compatible with printer controller communication, leading to inefficiencies in power usage during periods of inactivity.

Innovation Solution

A power management interface is introduced that receives engine and controller power status signals, generating a compatible power management signal to synchronize the power states of the printer engine and controller, using industry-standard formats like the PCI-defined PME signal, ensuring the controller powers down when not needed and powers up when required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the printer controller remains powered on to maintain readiness, then the controller can respond immediately to print jobs, but power consumption increases during periods of inactivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse readinessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically transitions the controller between powered-on and powered-off states based on engine activity. When the engine is off, the controller powers down to save energy; when the engine is on, the controller powers up to handle print jobs, creating an adaptive power management system that balances readiness with energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The power management interface continuously monitors the engine's power status signal and uses this feedback to control the controller's power state. The system receives real-time information about engine operation and adjusts controller power consumption accordingly, implementing a closed-loop control mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If the printer controller is powered down to reduce power consumption, then energy usage decreases during inactivity, but the controller cannot respond immediately to print jobs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidresponse readiness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary power-up action by transitioning the controller to a powered-on state in advance when the engine power status signal indicates the engine is on. This ensures the controller is ready to immediately process print jobs without delay, while still maintaining power savings during periods when the engine is off

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a custom power management signal format is used to control the printer controller, then precise control over power states is achieved, but compatibility with existing power controller implementations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower state control precisionVSAvoidcompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The power management interface acts as an intermediary between the engine's power status signal and the controller's power management system. It translates the engine's power state information into standardized PCI PME signals that the controller can universally understand, bridging the gap between different signal formats and ensuring compatibility while maintaining precise control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the power management signal format is standardized according to industry standards, then compatibility with existing implementations is improved, but control precision over power states may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidpower state control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter format of the power management signal from a custom format to a standardized PCI PME format. This parameter transformation maintains the essential control functionality while ensuring broad compatibility with existing power controller implementations that expect standard industry signals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7586637B2Power management in a printer system

Publication Date: 2009.09.08 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A printer system includes a printer engine that produces an engine power status signal and a printer controller that produces a controller power status signal. A power management interface receives the engine power status signal and the controller power status signal and alters the power status of the printer controller by generating a power management signal based on the power status of the printer controller and the printer engine. The interface preferably alters the power status of the printer controller such that the power status of the printer controller tracks the power status of the engine. The interface may assert the power management signal in response to a transition in the engine power status signal and may format the power management signal according to an industry stand such as the PCI defined PME signal. The interface may be implemented as a board inserted in a PCI connector of the printer controller.