Information Processing Apparatus User Presence Detection Energy Save Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

When transitioning from an energy save mode to a normal operation mode, existing information processing apparatuses execute time-specified processing instructions scheduled for past times, hindering immediate user operations due to the inability to execute notifications from a stopped real-time clock during energy save mode.

Innovation Solution

The information processing apparatus detects user presence upon restoration and holds or executes time-specified processing instructions scheduled for past times, preventing interference with user operations by using a human sensor and real-time clock functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the information processing apparatus enters energy save mode to stop the processor and timer, then energy consumption is reduced, but time-specified processing instructions scheduled for past times are executed upon restoration which hinders user operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiduser operation responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of user presence using a human sensor before executing time-specified processing instructions upon restoration from energy save mode. This preliminary action allows the system to determine whether to execute or cancel scheduled instructions, preventing interference with user operations while maintaining energy savings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the human sensor to detect user presence and adjusts its behavior accordingly. When a user is detected, the system cancels time-specified processing instructions that would interfere with user operations. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the system responsive to user presence while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If the timer is stopped in energy save mode, then energy consumption is reduced, but the system cannot distinguish between user presence and absence upon restoration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiduser presence detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The human sensor serves multiple functions: it detects user presence for both security/authentification purposes and for determining whether to execute time-specified processing instructions. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain energy savings while recovering user presence detection capability without requiring the timer to remain active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The human sensor acts as an intermediary that provides user presence information to the control unit. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to make informed decisions about executing time-specified instructions without requiring the timer to be continuously active, thus maintaining energy efficiency while preventing information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11627230B2Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2023.04.11 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to, in a case where a time specified processing instruction to execute a specified process at a specified time is set, in response to detecting presence of a user near the information processing apparatus upon restoration from an energy save mode to a normal operation mode, hold a time specified processing instruction scheduled for a past specified time that is time before the restoration, the time specified processing instruction being held not to be executed upon the restoration.