Printing Apparatus Power Storage Charging Time Notification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing apparatuses do not accurately account for the power supply status during charging, leading to discrepancies between calculated and actual printing time.

Innovation Solution

The printing apparatus acquires and utilizes power supply information to calculate and display accurate printing time, taking into account the charging status and power consumption for each operation type.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the printing apparatus calculates printing time based on stored power capacity alone, then the calculation is simple, but the printing time estimate becomes inaccurate due to not considering power supply status during charging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting time estimation accuracyVSAvoidcalculation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit acquires power supply information in advance before calculating printing time. By obtaining data about the power supply status (including charging speed and expected charging completion time) beforehand, the system can make more accurate printing time estimates that account for both current stored power and upcoming power replenishment, rather than simply reacting when power runs low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors and acquires power supply information feedback, including the status of the power storage portion during charging. This feedback loop allows the control unit to adjust printing time calculations dynamically based on actual charging performance and power supply conditions, improving accuracy over static calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the printing apparatus stops printing operation to charge the power storage portion when stored power falls below a threshold, then the power storage is maintained, but printing productivity is reduced due to interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidprinting operation continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By acquiring power supply information in advance, the system can predict when charging will complete and plan printing operations accordingly. This allows the system to maintain printing operations longer by anticipating power availability, rather than conservatively stopping at fixed power thresholds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The printing operation control becomes dynamic rather than static. Instead of using a fixed power threshold to trigger charging interruptions, the system adaptively adjusts printing operations based on real-time power supply status and predicted charging completion, optimizing the balance between power reliability and printing productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the printing apparatus uses a fixed power threshold to trigger charging, then the control logic is simple, but the printing time calculation does not reflect actual power supply conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol logic simplicityVSAvoidpower supply status information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit acquires comprehensive power supply information before making control decisions. This preliminary acquisition of data about charging status, power supply capacity, and expected charging time enables the system to make informed decisions without complex real-time calculations during printing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback from power supply status monitoring into the control logic. By continuously acquiring information about the power storage portion's charging state and power supply conditions, the system maintains simple control structures while avoiding information loss about actual power availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4550109A1Printing apparatus, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 CANON KK
  • EP4550109A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4550109A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4550109A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A technique capable of acquiring printing time according to the status of power supply to a power storage portion is provided. A printing apparatus that comprises a power storage unit (302) capable of storing power supplied via a USB cable and can operate using the power supplied from the power storage unit, the printing apparatus (10) includes: a printing unit (206) configured to perform printing on a printing medium; and a notification unit (216) configured to provide notification of charging time in which the power storage unit is charged with power supplied from the USB cable and time based on printing time in which the printing medium is printed by the printing unit.