Printer Power Supply Control for External Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing devices that supply power to external devices may not provide sufficient power for printing operations, leading to potential damage and operational failures due to exceeding the capacity of the AC adapter's power supply.
Innovation Solution
A printing device with a controller that communicates with external devices to adjust power supply based on commands, allowing power to be allocated to external devices without affecting the printing device's operation by changing voltage levels, ensuring sufficient power is available for both the print mechanism and external devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If power is supplied to an external device connected to the printing device, then the external device can be charged and operated, but the printing device may not have sufficient power remaining for printing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power supply control by adjusting the power output to the external device based on the printing device's operational state. When printing operations are detected or power levels are monitored, the controller dynamically reduces or suspends power to the external device, ensuring sufficient power availability for printing while still enabling external device charging during idle periods
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes power supply parameters (voltage, current, or power level) based on detected printing operations. The system monitors operational parameters and adjusts the power delivery parameters to the external device accordingly, transitioning between different power supply modes to balance charging functionality with printing power requirements
2Productivity
If power supply to external device is increased, then external device charging speed improves, but printing device may experience power overload
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring power consumption, operational state, and power supply levels. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts the power supplied to the external device in real-time, preventing power overload conditions while maximizing charging speed when power availability is sufficient
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system dynamically adjusts its output based on real-time conditions, transitioning between different power delivery states. The controller modulates power to the external device according to the printing device's current power headroom, enabling high-speed charging when possible while preventing overload conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables the printing device to supply power to external devices without compromising its own operation, preventing power overload and ensuring continuous printing functionality while allowing external devices to charge and communicate effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a controller configured to process the first command received by the communicator, and control the power supply to change an amount of power supplied to the external device
Data Source
AI summary
A printing device that and a control method of the printing device enable supplying power to a connected external device without affecting operation of the printing device. A thermal printer 1 has a USB connector 15 that connects to a smart device 2; a power supply circuit 14; a print mechanism 17 that operates using power supplied from the power supply circuit 14; a communicator 16 that communicates with the smart device 2; and a controller 11 that receives a command to start or stop operation of the print mechanism 17 from the smart device 2 through the communicator 16, and controls the power supply to the smart device 2 from the power supply circuit 14 according to the timing when operation of the print mechanism 17 starts and stops.