Communication Processor Frequency Switching for Timed Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication apparatuses face challenges in completing authentication processing within a predetermined time when shifting from a normal power mode to a power saving mode, leading to potential failure, while always maintaining normal power mode results in increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The communication apparatus dynamically switches its power state based on the connection to an external apparatus requiring authentication, allowing it to adjust its power mode and operating frequency to ensure successful authentication without excessive power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the communication apparatus shifts from normal power mode to power saving mode, then power consumption is reduced, but authentication processing cannot be completed within the predetermined time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidauthentication time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The communication apparatus dynamically adjusts its power mode based on the authentication state. When authentication is required, the system transitions from power saving mode to normal power mode to ensure authentication completes within the predetermined time. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the power consumption level to the specific operational requirements at each moment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameters (power mode) based on the authentication state. By detecting when authentication is required and switching to normal power mode, the system ensures that processing speed and power consumption are optimized for the current task, preventing authentication timeout while managing overall power usage efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the communication apparatus always maintains normal power mode, then authentication processing can be completed successfully, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication success rateVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The communication apparatus periodically checks the authentication state and transitions between power modes accordingly. Instead of maintaining normal power mode continuously, the system switches to power saving mode when authentication is not required, and only activates normal power mode when authentication is detected as necessary, thus reducing overall power consumption while ensuring authentication success when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects authentication requirements and manages its own power state transitions without external intervention. By monitoring the authentication state and self-adjusting the power mode, the communication apparatus ensures authentication reliability when needed while minimizing power consumption during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4160357B1Communication apparatus, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 CANON KK
  • EP4160357B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4160357B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4160357B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A communication apparatus (300) comprises a shift unit configured to shift, based on a start of processing for connection between the communication apparatus (300) and a predetermined external apparatus supporting authentication processing by a predetermined authentication method using an authentication server in a state in which the communication apparatus (300) operates in a first state in which a processor of the communication apparatus (300) operates at a first operating frequency, the state of the communication apparatus (300) to a second state in which the processor of the communication apparatus (300) operates at a second operating frequency higher than the first operating frequency; and an authentication unit configured to execute authentication by the predetermined authentication method via the predetermined external apparatus in the state in which the communication apparatus (300) operates in the second state.