Storage Power Control for Information Processing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information processing apparatuses face challenges in reducing power consumption without damaging storage units due to frequent ON/OFF cycles, which can lead to premature failure, and existing systems struggle to efficiently stop power supply to storage units within the product lifetime.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a determination unit that decides on a power saving mode based on elapsed time and a reference time, using a control unit to gradually decrease power supply to storage units, thereby extending the product lifetime and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electric power supply to storage unit is frequently stopped and restarted to reduce power consumption, then power saving is improved, but storage unit reliability deteriorates due to increased ON/OFF cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting future job requirements and pre-keeping the storage unit powered on before actually needed, based on job queue analysis and access pattern recognition. This avoids frequent power cycling while still achieving power savings during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply control system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on real-time conditions including job queue status, predicted access patterns, and elapsed time since last access. The decision to power on/off is not static but adapts to changing system states, optimizing both power consumption and reliability.
2Reliability
If standby time is extended to prevent excessive ON/OFF cycles, then storage unit reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring job queue status, access patterns, and time elapsed since last storage unit access. This feedback informs dynamic decisions about when to power on/off the storage unit, optimizing the standby time to balance reliability and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including standby time duration, power supply timing, and access prediction thresholds based on system conditions. These parameter adjustments allow the system to adapt to different workloads and environmental conditions, optimizing both reliability and power efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If simple restrictive power supply control is used, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to inability to efficiently manage power supply timing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing job queues, predicting access patterns, and making power supply decisions without user intervention. The controller autonomously optimizes power consumption based on system state, maintaining simplicity while achieving high power saving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical power control mechanisms with intelligent software-based prediction and control systems. This substitution enables sophisticated power management algorithms to optimize timing decisions, achieving high productivity in power saving while keeping the user interface simple.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store data, a supply unit configured to supply electric power to the storage unit, a determination unit configured to determine whether to cause the information processing apparatus to operate in a power saving mode, a measuring unit configured to measure an elapsed time after a power source of the information processing apparatus is turned on and until the determination unit determines to cause the information processing apparatus to operate in a power saving mode, and a control unit configured to control the supply unit to decrease electric power supplied from the supply unit to the storage unit at a timing determined based on the elapsed time and a predetermined reference time, in case that the determination unit determines to cause the information processing apparatus to operate in a power saving mode.