Wireless Communication Unit Power Switch State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication apparatuses, such as digital cameras, face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption during wireless communication with external devices like smartphones and remote controls, particularly when transitioning between sleep and normal states, leading to unnecessary power usage and limited functionality.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with a power source, power switch, and wireless communication unit that selectively establishes connections with external devices based on the power switch state, allowing Bluetooth communication with one device while in sleep mode and both devices when powered on, enabling controlled power management and functionality changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the digital camera maintains Bluetooth communication with multiple external apparatuses in sleep state, then communication functionality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication functionality by dividing external apparatuses into different groups based on communication priority. The communication selection unit selectively establishes Bluetooth connections with only specific external apparatuses (e.g., remote control) while excluding others (e.g., smartphone) during sleep state, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining essential communication capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the digital camera establishes wireless communication with multiple external apparatuses simultaneously, then communication versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic communication management where the communication selection unit adaptively changes connection status based on power switch state and communication priority. During sleep state, the system dynamically maintains connections only with high-priority apparatuses, while in normal state it can establish connections with multiple apparatuses, thereby managing complexity through adaptive behavior rather than fixed configuration.
3Speed
If the digital camera returns from sleep state to normal state upon receiving communication request, then communication responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining Bluetooth communication connections with high-priority external apparatuses (such as remote control) even during sleep state. This allows the camera to remain responsive to communication requests without needing to fully wake up for each request, as the connection is already established. The camera only transitions to normal state when actually needed for operation, reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining responsiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus includes a power source, a power switch, a wireless communication unit that establishes a wireless communication with a selected external apparatus from among a plurality of external apparatuses including a first external apparatus and a second external apparatus, and a control unit that controls the communication apparatus. In a first state where an operation state of the power switch is OFF, the wireless communication unit establishes a wireless communication with the first external apparatus and does not establish a wireless communication with the second external apparatus. In a second state where the operation state of the power switch is ON and power supply from the power source to at least the control unit is limited, the wireless communication unit establishes a wireless communication with the first and the second external apparatuses.