Decrease in the energy consumption of a network device

Abstract

A method for managing electrical energy consumption of a network device configured to generate a wireless network, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining first data indicating an electrical energy consumption associated with the network device at least at one time instant, from an electrical unit related to the supply of electrical energy to the network device; obtaining second data indicating a plurality of functions executed by the network device at least at one time instant, wherein said plurality of functions includes a use of one or more wireless communication bands for the transmission and / or reception of signals; determining at least one of said functions as a function to be disabled, on the basis of an estimated electrical energy consumption associated with each function to be disabled, wherein the estimated consumption is obtained on the basis of a correlation between the first data and the second data corresponding to a same time instant; and disabling in the network device the at least one determined function.

Description

[0001] Decrease in the energy consumption of a network device

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a method, a network device and an electrical unit for decreasing the energy consumption of the network device.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] There are network devices to generate a wireless network to which user devices are connected, for example to access a communication network such as the Internet. These network devices, sometimes called wireless routers, execute functions such as providing and / or managing the wireless network. Each of these functions uses the resources of the network device (e.g. a processor, a memory, a circuit for generating electromagnetic waves or electrical signals towards other devices) which involves the use of electrical energy.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Although some functions can be disabled in a network device, disabling is based only on an arbitrary choice (e.g. a user's choice).

[0008] The inventors have found that disabling the functions executed in the network device can be improved.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to improve the use of electrical energy as much as possible and at the same time to provide the user with an informed choice on the functions to be disabled in the network device.

[0010] The object is achieved by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined by the dependent claims. Furthermore, aspects are provided for explanatory purposes as follows:

[0011] Al. Method for managing an electrical energy consumption of a network device configured to generate a wireless network, the method comprising the steps of:

[0012] obtaining first data indicating an electrical energy consumption associated to the network device for at least one time instant from an electrical unit related to the supply of electrical energy to the network device;

[0013] obtaining second data indicating a plurality of functions executed by the network device at least at one time instant, wherein said plurality of functions includes a use of one or more wireless communication bands for the transmission and / or receptionof signals;

[0014] determining at least one of said functions as a function to be disabled, on the basis of an estimated electrical energy consumption associated with each function to be disabled, wherein the estimated consumption is obtained on the basis of a correlation between the first data and the second data corresponding to a same time instant; and

[0015] disabling in the network device the at least one determined function.

[0016] A2. Method according to aspect Al wherein one or both of the steps of obtaining first data and determining at least one function to be disabled is executed on the network device.

[0017] A3. Method according to aspect Al or A2, wherein at least the step of determining the at least one function to be disabled is executed on a second network device interfacing with the network device,

[0018] wherein the second network device receives the first data and the second data and provides to the network device a notification indicating the at least one determined function.

[0019] A4. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A3, wherein the first data are obtained on the basis of at least one measurement of electrical current consumption,

[0020] wherein, preferably, the first data corresponding to each measurement are obtained separately or the first data corresponding to a plurality of successive measurements are obtained together.

[0021] A5. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A4, wherein the first data are transmitted from the electrical unit to the network device via a dedicated data transmission connection that is wired or wireless or via the power supply connection.

[0022] A6. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A5, wherein a respective time period is determined for each of the at least one function to be disabled and each function is disabled during the respective time period,

[0023] wherein, preferably, the time period is determined on the basis of an expected decrease in the use of the function during the time period.

[0024] A7. Method according to aspect A6, wherein the respective time period determined for each of the at least one function to be disabled corresponds to a daily, weekly, monthly and / or yearly period.A8. Method according to aspect A7, wherein the time period corresponds to a night period.

[0025] A9. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A8, wherein the network device disables the at least one determined function whilst continuing to execute one or more other functions of the plurality of functions.

[0026] A10. Method according to anyone of aspects Al to A9, wherein the at least one function to be disabled is the one with a higher estimated electrical energy consumption relative to an estimated electrical energy consumption for another of the functions executed by the network device, and

[0027] wherein, preferably, the determining the at least one function to be disabled is based at least in part on a data processing by an artificial intelligence system that receives the first data and the second data as inputs and outputs an indication of the at least one function to be disabled.

[0028] All. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A10, wherein at least one first Wi-Fi connection band is disabled, preferably one of the 2.4GHz band, the 5GHz band and the 6GHz band,

[0029] wherein, preferably, the disabling the at least one function comprises disabling at least one hardware component of the network device, preferably at least one antenna and / or a signal generator for the antenna.

[0030] A12. Method according to aspect All, wherein the network device continues to use a second Wi-Fi connection band while the at least one first band is disabled.

[0031] A13. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A12, wherein the first data are obtained on the basis of measurements of the electrical current consumption performed periodically.

[0032] A14. Method according to aspect A13, wherein the duration of a first time interval between two successive measurements of the electrical current consumption is configurable, preferably from 1 to 60 minutes.

[0033] A15. Method according to aspect A14, wherein the first data are obtained for each of a plurality of first time intervals, preferably a plurality of successive intervals.A16. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A15, wherein the step of obtaining the first data occurs periodically at a second time interval and / or upon the occurrence of a first predetermined event.

[0034] A17. Method according to aspect A16, wherein the duration of the second time interval between two successive obtainments of the first data is configurable, preferably from 15 to 60 minutes.

[0035] A18. Method according to aspect A16 or aspect A17, wherein the first predetermined event comprises at least one of: a restoration of a communication connection, the reaching of a predetermined threshold for electrical energy consumption, and a reception of an instruction for a data collection.

[0036] A19. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A18, wherein the second data are associated with an identifier of the network device.

[0037] A20. Method according to aspect A19, wherein the identifier is a unique identifier, preferably a MAC address.

[0038] A21. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A20, wherein the second data indicating functions executed by the network device during at least one time instant in a third time interval.

[0039] A22. Method according to aspect A21, wherein the second data are obtained for each of a plurality of third time intervals, preferably a plurality of successive intervals.

[0040] A23. Method according to aspect A21 or A22, wherein the duration of the third time interval is configurable.

[0041] A24. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A23, wherein the step of obtaining the second data occurs periodically at a fourth time interval and / or upon the occurrence of a second predetermined event.

[0042] A25. Method according to aspect A24, wherein the duration of the fourth time interval is configurable.

[0043] A26. Method according to aspect A24 or aspect A25, wherein the second predetermined eventcomprises at least one of: a state change of at least one function, the execution of a predetermined number of functions in parallel, and a reception of an instruction for a data collection.

[0044] A27. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A26, wherein the second data indicate a respective state for each of the plurality of functions executed by the network device.

[0045] A28. Method according to aspect A27, wherein the second data differentiate between a first state in which the function is in active mode and a second state in which the function is in standby mode, wherein, in the stand-by mode, the function has a lower electricity consumption than in the active mode.

[0046] A29. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A28, wherein the use of one or more wireless connection bands comprises at least one of transmission of signals on the connection band, reception of signals on the connection band, and listening to the connection band for signals transmitted by other devices.

[0047] A30. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A29, wherein each of said signals corresponds to at least one of: a signal that carries user data, a control signal, a signal transmitted to a plurality of devices, preferably a broadcast or a multicast.

[0048] A31. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A30, comprising the obtaining of first data at each measurement of electrical current consumption, or at a number of two or more successive measurements.

[0049] A32. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A31, wherein the network device is a device intended for a user's premises.

[0050] A33. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A32, further comprising the step of generating third party data by associating the disabling of said at least one function with an estimated decrease in the consumption of electrical current or of a resource (for example, the kilograms of CO2 released into the environment) linked to the consumption of electrical current.

[0051] A34. Method according to aspect A33, wherein the method comprises the generation or transmission of signals to generate a visualization of said third data.A35. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A34, wherein the electrical unit is configured to provide electrical energy to the network device.

[0052] A36. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A35, wherein the electrical unit is external to the network device, wherein preferably the electrical unit is comprised in a charger of the network device.

[0053] A37. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A36, wherein the network device comprises the electrical unit, wherein preferably the electrical unit is comprised in a component for controlling the supply of electrical energy in the network device, preferably an electrical energy converter or rectifier.

[0054] A38. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A37, wherein the at least one of said functions to be disabled is determined on the basis of an estimated electrical energy consumption associated with each function.

[0055] A39. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A38, wherein the estimated consumption is obtained on the basis of a correlation between the first data and the second data corresponding to a fifth time interval.

[0056] A40. Method according to aspect A39, wherein said fifth time interval comprises at least one of: a first time instant at which the first data are obtained and a second time instant at which the second data are obtained.

[0057] A41. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A40, wherein the disabling in the network device of the at least one determined function is for decreasing the consumed electrical energy.

[0058] A42. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A41, wherein the step of disabling in the network device the at least one determined function comprises the transmission of one or more control signals to the network device to cause the network device to disable the at least one function.

[0059] A43. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A42, wherein the step of disabling the at least one determined function comprises the step of interrupting or blocking in the network device an operation associated with the function.A44. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A43, wherein the second data indicate which functions are executed by the network device at least at one time instant.

[0060] A45. Method according to any one of aspects Al to A44, wherein the method comprises the step of obtaining the estimated electrical energy consumption on the basis of a correlation between the first data and the second data corresponding to a same time instant.

[0061] A46. Network device (10) configured to generate a wireless network (14A; 14B), comprising: data communication means (120; 12A; 12B) for communicating data via one or more wireless connection bands;

[0062] processing means (130) for obtaining second data indicating a plurality of functions (fl, f2) executed by the network device at least at one time instant, wherein said plurality of functions includes a use of said one or more wireless communication bands for the transmission and / or reception of signals;

[0063] control means (110) for obtaining an indication that at least one (fl) of said functions is to be disabled, and for disabling said at least one of said functions,

[0064] wherein the at least one of said functions to be disabled is determined on the basis of an estimated electrical energy consumption associated with each function to be disabled, wherein the estimated consumption is obtained on the basis of a correlation between the second data and the first data corresponding to a same time instant,

[0065] wherein the first data indicates an electrical energy consumption associated with the network device for at least one time instant and are obtained from an electrical unit related to the supply of electrical energy to the network device.

[0066] A47. Network device according to aspect A46 configured to execute the method according to any one of aspects Al to A45.

[0067] A48. Network device according to aspect A46 or A47, wherein the second data indicate which functions are executed by the network device at least at one time instant.

[0068] A49. Network device according to any one of aspects A46 to A48, wherein an estimated electrical energy consumption is obtained for at least some of the functions executed by the network device on the basis of a correlation between the first data and the second data corresponding to a same time instant.

[0069] A50. Electrical unit for supplying electrical energy to a network device, wherein the electricalunit comprises:

[0070] a power supply connection for receiving electrical energy from an electrical source and for providing electrical energy to the network device;

[0071] measuring means for measuring an electrical energy consumption by the network device at least at one time instant;

[0072] memory means for memorising (first) data indicating an association between the measured consumption and the time instant; and

[0073] transmission means for transmitting the (first) data to another device.

[0074] A51. Electrical unit according to aspect A50, wherein the electrical unit further comprises reception means for receiving at least one of:

[0075] an indication of a duration for a first interval between successive measurements, wherein the measuring means are configured to measure consumption according to the first interval, and an indication of a duration for a second interval between successive data transmissions, wherein the transmission means are configured to transmit the data according to the second interval.

[0076] A52. Electrical unit according to aspect A50 or A51, wherein the transmission means are configured to transmit the data via a dedicated data transmission connection that is wired or wireless or via the power supply connection.

[0077] A53. Electrical unit according to any one of aspects A50 to A52, wherein the memory means are configured to memorise the data obtained in an immediately elapsed period, preferably the data obtained in the last 24 or 48 hours.

[0078] A54. Electrical unit according to aspect A53, wherein the memory means are configured to memorise the obtained data until transmission of the data to another device (e.g. the data are deleted or the memory is indicated as clear for overwriting, e.g. after transmission).

[0079] A55. Electrical unit according to any one of aspects A50 to A54, wherein the memory means are configured, in case of exhaustion of memory space, to overwrite the data associated with the oldest time instant.

[0080] A56. Electrical unit according to any one of aspects A50 to A55, wherein the supplied electrical energy is from an electrical source.A57. Electrical unit according to aspect A56, wherein the electrical source comprises at least one of an electrical network, an electrical generator and a battery.

[0081] A58. Electrical unit according to any one of aspects A50 to A57, wherein the dedicated data transmission connection that is wired or wireless comprises at least one of a Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-F, Ethernet, Near Field Communication connection.

[0082] A59. Electrical unit according to any one of aspects A50 to A58, wherein the transmission means are for transmitting the first data to another device for obtaining an estimated electrical energy consumption for at least some of a plurality of functions executed by the network device on the basis of a correlation between the first data and second data corresponding to a same time instant, said second data indicating which of the plurality of functions are executed by the network device at least at one time instant.

[0083] A60. System comprising the network device according to any one of aspects A46 to A49, and the electrical unit according to any one of aspects A50 to A59.

[0084] A61. System according to aspect A60, further comprising the second network device.

[0085] A62. System according to aspect A61, wherein the second network device is configured to interface with a plurality of network devices to obtain respective first data and respective second data from each of the plurality of network devices and to transmit to each of the plurality of network devices the same notification indicating the at least one function to be disabled, preferably to be disabled for the same time period.

[0086] LIST OF FIGURES

[0087] Figure 1 depicts a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 depicts a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0088] Figure 3 depicts a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0089] Figure 4 depicts a block diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0090] Figure 5 depicts a block diagram of an electrical unit connected to an electrical source according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0091] Figure 6A depicts an example of second data indicating a plurality of functions executed by thenetwork device during an interval;

[0092] Figure 6B depicts an example of first data indicating an electrical energy consumption associated with the network device during the interval depicted in figure 6A;

[0093] Figures 7A and 7B depict, respectively, in the same interval as Figure 6A, an example of the disabling in the network device of a function executed by the network device and a decrease in the electrical energy consumed by the network device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0094] Figure 8 depicts a block diagram of a data processing device capable of implementing the present invention according to an embodiment.

[0095] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0096] A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figure 1, in which a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.

[0097] The method is preferably executed in a situation where a network device configured to generate a wireless network receives electrical energy via an electrical unit and executes a plurality of functions. The method can be executed at least in part by the network device, by the electrical unit, and / or by another network device connected to the network device and / or the electrical unit.

[0098] As will be explained in detail below, each of the functions executed on the network device contributes to the total electrical energy consumption of the device. Disabling at least one of these functions decreases the electrical energy consumption of the network device.

[0099] The wireless network is based on at least one wireless communications connection such as WLAN / Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and / or Near-Field Communication (NFC). In the wireless network, transmissions are made using one or more connection bands, for example a Wi-Fi connection band as described in an IEEE 802. llx standard. Although some examples below will be described using the Wi-Fi, a person skilled in the art will understand that the invention is not limited to a certain type of wireless network.

[0100] The method comprises obtaining (SI) first data indicating an electrical energy consumption associated to the network device for at least one time instant (tl; ... ; tl5) from an electrical unit (20) related to the supply of electrical energy to the network device.The first data can include, for each of said at least one time instant, a value of the electrical energy consumed in the time instant by the network device, for example a value in Watts, or a value of the electrical energy consumed in a time interval corresponding to the time instant (for example, the interval can be the last 5 or 10 seconds preceding the time instant, or the time interval between two time instants for which the first data are obtained). Said first data are obtained via an electrical energy supply line for the network device (for example via one or more sensors connected to the line) and collected by the electrical unit.

[0101] In some cases, the first data are obtained at several time instants. In other words, the method can repeat step SI several times, i.e. the step of repetitively obtaining said first data. In such cases, the interval between successive time instants can in some cases be variable (for example if they are obtained at each occurrence of a predetermined event) or constant (for example the first data can be obtained every minute, every 15 minutes or every hour, etc.). However, it is understandable that in some cases the collection of said first data at a single time instant is sufficient for the execution of the method. For example, the first data obtained at the time instant could indicate a high electrical energy consumption and the second data obtained at the same time instant indicate a first function in stand-by mode and a second function in active mode. If the second function is a function that has a low energy consumption (which can be determined on the basis of a type of the function, or on the basis of the second data if they indicate that the function is only executing an operation with a low energy consumption at that time instant), then the high electrical energy consumption can be associated with the first function in stand-by mode.

[0102] Obtaining said first data can comprise the reception of said first data (e.g. via a wireless communication connection (link) (WiFi, Bluetooth, BLE, NFC, 3G / 4G / LTE / 5G, 6G, NFC, etc.) and / or a wired communication connection (serial transmission (RS232, SPI, I2C), fibre optic cable, Ethernet, etc.), the retrieval of said first data from a sensor, etc.

[0103] The electrical unit connected to the supply of electrical energy can be external to the network device, for example a unit comprised in a power supply (or charger) of the network device and can be configured to receive the electrical energy from a source and power supply the network device (in other words to supply the electrical energy to the network device). In other cases, the electrical unit can be part of the network device (in other words, the network device comprises the electrical unit), for example be part of orcomprised in a power supply module of the network device for distributing the electrical energy to various electrical components of the network device via an AC / DC or DC / DC converter, an electrical energy rectifier, a power bus, etc. Inparticular, the electrical unit can be comprised in a component for controlling the supply of electrical energy in the network device such as an electrical energy converter or rectifier. The electrical unit, whether internal or external, can be configured to supply the electrical energy to the network device or not be part of the power supply itself. In the second case, the electrical unit can instead be connected to the power supply without the electrical energy that will be consumed by the network device flowing through the electrical unit. For example, the electrical unit can comprise a magnetic sensor configured to be positioned in the vicinity of an electrical cable for measuring the electrical current supplied to the network device, without said electrical current flowing in the electrical unit. The electrical source can be an electrical network, an electrical generator, a battery, or a combination of two or more of these.

[0104] The method comprises the step of obtaining (S2) second data indicating a plurality of functions (fl, f2) executed by the network device at least at one time instant, wherein said plurality of functions includes a use of one or more wireless communication bands for the transmission and / or reception of signals.

[0105] The functions executed by the network device can be associated with the wireless network, for example functions associated with the transmission of signals in the wireless network (from the network device towards other devices, or vice versa), the processing of data for the signals, the forwarding of data received from the wireless network towards another communication network (or vice versa), the control of radio resources in the wireless network, the recording of data relating to the signals transmitted in the wireless network and / or to the devices connected to the wireless network.

[0106] The executed functions can also be associated with other services provided by the network device. For example, the network device can execute one or more functions associated with the indication of a state associated with the network device and / or the wireless network. Said state could indicate, for example, whether the wireless network is operational, whether the network device is operational, whether a connection between the network device and an external network is working properly, or other information for the user. The state can be indicated to a user via visual signals (e.g. via a screen and / or one or more LED lights present on the surface of the network device) and / or audio (e.g. via a speaker), or via information transmitted to another device for visualization. The network device can also execute one or more functions associated with a data protection service such as a firewall applied on the data received from an external network before forwarding the data via the wireless network, one or more functions associated with a collection of statistics on the wireless network use, etc.The second data indicate which functions are executed by the network device in each of said at least one time instant. In some cases, they can also indicate a respective state for each function, e.g. whether the function is active, in stand-by mode, etc. Each state can indicate a level of electrical energy consumption (e.g. a higher consumption can be associated with the function when it is active compared to when it is in stand-by mode).

[0107] As explained above, at least one of said plurality of functions can be associated with the generation of the wireless network and more particularly the use of one or more wireless communication bands for the transmission and / or reception of signals. This function can correspond, for example, to a function of transmitting data to one or more devices connected to the wireless network, a function of listening to the one or more wireless communication bands to detect the presence of signals transmitted by another device on the wireless network, whether they are signals with a payload (for example with data to be forwarded to other devices) or not (for example signals to establish a connection with the network device via the wireless network, or to modify an existing connection, etc.). Such functions involve the transmission or reception of signals via electromagnetic waves in the wireless network and consequently constitute a category of functions with a generally higher electrical energy consumption than other functions, for example functions involving only a collection or a processing of data within the network device.

[0108] The method comprises the step of determining (S3) at least one (fl) of said functions as a function to be disabled, on the basis of an estimated electrical energy consumption associated with each function to be disabled, wherein the estimated consumption is obtained on the basis of a correlation between the first data and the second data corresponding to a same time instant.

[0109] Said at least one time instant at which the second data are obtained can be identical to said at least one time instant at which the first data are obtained. In other words, steps SI and S2 can be executed at the same time instant (or at the same time instants). In such cases, for each time instant, the first data indicate the electrical energy consumed and the second data indicate which functions are executed. It is therefore possible to associate with the executed functions indicated by the second data the electrical energy consumption indicated by the first data.

[0110] In other cases, the second data can be obtained for a time instant for which there are no first data (or vice versa). Also in such cases, the first data and the second data can be used to estimate an electrical energy consumption associated with a specific function. More specifically, the firstdata can be obtained for at least one first time instant (e.g., instants til, tl2, ... , tlN, with N > 1) and the second data can be obtained for at least one second time instant (e.g., instants t21, t22, ..., t2M, with M > 1). Each of said at least one second time instant can correspond to a respective one of said first time instants, for example, ifthere isa predetermined time relationship between a first time instant and a corresponding second time instant.

[0111] Specifically, even if there is a difference between the second time instant and the first time instant, it can be estimated that the functions executed during the second time instant have an electrical energy consumption close to that indicated by the first data until the second time instant occurs during a time period close to the corresponding first time instant, for example using an interpolation and / or extrapolation based on the first data and / or on the second data.

[0112] For example, if the first data indicate an electrical energy consumption for a first time instant tl C(tl) = Cl, and the second data are obtained for a time instant t2 = tl+At, then the electrical energy consumption at the time instant t2 can be estimated as Cl as long as At remains below a predefined threshold.

[0113] In a second example, if the first data indicate for two time instants til and tl2, a consumption value Cl and C2 respectively, and that the second data are obtained at a time instant t21 such that tll<t21<tl2, then the electrical energy consumption at the time instant t21 can be estimated on the basis of an interpolation and / or an extrapolation using Cl, C2 and the intervals tll-t21 and t21-tl2. For the sake of brevity, the details on the interpolation and extrapolation of functions based on sampled points that could be apparent to a person skilled in the art are omitted here. Such interpolation and / or extrapolation can be used in the correlation between the first data and the second data.

[0114] In summary, the estimated consumption can be obtained on the basis of a correlation between the first data and the second data corresponding to a fifth time interval where the fifth time interval comprises at least one of: a first time instant at which the first data are obtained and a second time instant at which the second data are obtained.

[0115] Preferably, at least one of the first data and the second data are obtained for a plurality of time instants corresponding to a same time interval. In other words, a second time instant at which the second data are obtained is between two first time instants at which the first data are obtained, and / or vice versa. That is, if the first data are obtained for two or more first time instants, then the second data are obtained for at least one second time instant included in atime interval defined by the two or more first time instants. Conversely, if the second data are obtained for two or more second time instants, then the first data are obtained for at least one first time instant included in a time interval defined by the two or more second time instants. In general, the more the first time instants and second time instants at which the first data and the second data are respectively obtained, the more the electrical energy consumption corresponding to each of the functions can be accurately determined; it should be noted that however the method can be based on an estimate of the electrical energy consumption and therefore not necessarily on the basis of a plurality of time instants.

[0116] In the method, the consumption is estimated for at least some of the functions executed by the network device, but not necessarily for all of the functions. For example, some functions may not be disabled, such as essential functions (e.g. safety functions, control functions, etc.), or functions that are known to always have low energy consumption. The determination in step S3 is therefore made on the basis of the estimated electrical energy consumption associated with each function to be disabled, but not necessarily on the basis of an estimated consumption for each of the plurality of functions executed by the network device.

[0117] Once a consumption is estimated for at least one function (that can be disabled), it is determined whether the function itself must be disabled.

[0118] For example, in applications in which the total electrical energy consumption is to be limited, the determination in step S3 may consider that each function that is consuming (or that consumes) more than a certain electrical energy threshold is a function to be disabled.

[0119] In other cases, the determination in step S3 can also be based on other function-related data. For example, the determination can depend on the use of each function in correlation with the energy consumption, for example by determining a function with a high energy consumption but a low usage rate as a function to be disabled (wherein various threshold values can be predefined and / or dynamically defined, both for energy consumption and for usage rate). In another example, the use of the wireless network can be different during a first time period and a second time period, for example a night period, a day period, a working hours period, a vacation day period, etc. In such cases, the determination in step S3 can depend on which one of a plurality of time periods corresponds to said at least one first time instant and / or said at least one second time instant.

[0120] The method comprises the step of disabling (S4) in the network device the at least onedetermined function. In other words, of disabling the at least one function determined in step S3 as a function to be disabled.

[0121] Disabling a determined function (or determined functions) may refer to the network device that disables the function upon reception of a signal indicating this disabling, orto the network device that itself determines the function(s) to be disabled.

[0122] Disabling a function may involve a software disabling, for example by interrupting or blocking an operation associated with the function such as blocking the start of a program running on a data processor (e.g. a processor, CPU, GPU, microcontroller), and / or a hardware disabling, for example by disconnecting or short-circuiting a hardware component of the network device used by the function (e.g. an antenna, a signal generator, a network interface for the wireless network, or towards another network).

[0123] Disabling a function results in a decrease in most or all of the electrical current consumed by the function, and it thus allows to decrease the electrical energy consumption of the network device.

[0124] While the at least one determined function is disabled, the network device continues to execute one or more other functions.

[0125] The network device can execute a plurality of functions having a very similar functionality, i.e. alternatives. For example, the network device can generate a wireless network over a plurality of different communication bands, where devices can use any communication band to connect to a network. In this way, even if a function for generating the network in one of the communication bands is disabled, the devices can use another communication band. Preferably, therefore, each of the at least one function determined as a function to be disabled is an alternative to another function executed by the network device (and where one of the alternatives is not disabled). In this way, the network device does not lose a functionality when the function(s) is(are) disabled.

[0126] Optionally, one or both of the steps of obtaining (SI) first data and determining (S3) at least one function to be disabled is executed on the network device.

[0127] In other words, the network device can in some cases obtain the first data from the electrical unit, via a direct communication connection (link) between the network device and the electrical unit or via at least one third device in communication with both the electrical unit and thenetwork device. The at least one third device can comprise, for example, a second network device interfacing via respective communication connections, with the electrical unit and the network device. Since the network device is set up to obtain also the second data indicating the functions it executes, this allows the network device to have both the first data and the second data and therefore to determine the correlation between the data to estimate the electrical energy consumption associated with functions without requiring the transmission of the second data. The network device can, on the basis of this correlation, make the determination of step S3.

[0128] The network device can also transmit the second data to the third device and receive in response an indication of the estimated electrical energy consumption associated with each of a plurality of the functions indicated in the second data. On the basis of the indication of the estimated electrical energy consumption, the network device can execute the determination of step S3.

[0129] At least the step of determining (S3) the at least one function to be disabled can be executed on a second network device interfacing with the network device. The second network device receives the first data and the second data and provides to the network device a notification indicating the at least one determined function. The network device upon receiving the notification can disable the at least one function as detailed in the present description.

[0130] In other cases, the step of disabling the at least one function can comprise a transmission of one or more control signals to the network device to cause the network device to disable the at least one function. For example, the at least one third device (or in particular the second network device) can generate the control signal (or signals) for transmitting the notification to the network device.

[0131] Optionally, the first data are obtained on the basis of at least one measurement of electrical current consumption. For example, the electrical unit can measure an electrical current consumption in the supply of electrical current to the network device, by using one or more sensors (e.g. electrical current and / or voltage ones), and generate the first data for a number of time instants.

[0132] Optionally, the first data corresponding to each measurement are obtained separately or the first data corresponding to a plurality of successive measurements are obtained together.

[0133] In the first case, each time the electrical unit measures the electrical current consumption, the electrical unit can generate the first data and optionally transmit the first data to another device(the network device and / or another device such as the second network device), in which case each transmission of first data corresponds to a single measurement. Specifically, the electrical unit can perform a measurement at intervals, for example every minute (or every X minute where X is a number within 1 and 60) and at the measurement, also transmit everytime a measurement is executed, the first data obtained from the last measurement. In this way, the first data are obtained more frequently and therefore the electrical energy consumption can be estimated more accurately.

[0134] In the second case, the generation of the first data and optionally the transmission of said first data can correspond to a plurality of measurements. Following the example where the electrical unit performs the measurement every minute, the electrical unit can generate the first data every five measurements (or any other number of plurality of measurements). In this way, the first data can be obtained using less processing (and if the first data are transmitted, fewer transmissions).

[0135] Optionally, the first data are transmitted from the electrical unit to the network device via a dedicated data transmission connection that is wired or wireless or via the power supply connection. The dedicated data transmission connection can include, for example, an Ethernet connection, a serial transmission connection, a Bluetooth connection, BLE, Wi-Fi, etc., which connects the electrical unit and the network device for transmitting the first data. In some cases, the wireless connection can be generated by connecting the electrical unit to the wireless network generated by the network device.

[0136] In other examples, the first data can be transmitted via the power supply connection, i.e. the electrical connection through which the electrical current is provided to the network device. The first data can be inserted into the electrical signal that provides the electrical energy to the network device, for example by using a modulator, and transmitted to the network device together with the electrical signal. The network device can separate the electrical signal from the first data, for example by using a demodulator that executes the reverse process from the modulator. The expression power supply connection can also be defined as conveyed waves (i.e. a power line communication).

[0137] In some cases, the electrical unit can be interfacing with the network device using more than one connection (even of different types).

[0138] Optionally, a respective time period is determined for each of the at least one function to be disabled and each function is disabled during the respective time period. At the end of therespective time period, the disabling of the function ends (in other words, it is (re-)enabled) and the function can be executed again when necessary. For example, a first period of one hour can be determined for a first function, and a second period of five hours can be determined for a second function. In this case, if the two periods have the same start, the first function can be restarted or executed if necessary after one hour, even if the second function continues to be disabled.

[0139] Optionally, the time period is determined on the basis of an expected decrease in the use of the function during the time period. For example, a period where the presence of users is not expected such as a night period, a work daily period, or a vacation day period, can coincide with a lower expected use of the function. In this way, the function can be disabled during the period without a major decrease in the usefulness of the network device for the user.

[0140] Optionally, the respective time period determined for each of the at least one function to be disabled corresponds to a daily, weekly, monthly and / or yearly period. Depending on the application of the wireless network, or on the network device, different usage cycles can be preset. For example, a network device used as a Wi-Fi router in a home can have a daily period where a function is not used for example during the night or during working hours during which the user is not at home. In another example, if the network device is located in a work environment, the function may not be used during days off, a monthly and / or yearly period of business closure. In all of these examples, a daily, weekly, monthly, and / or yearly period can be either pre-established or determined on the basis of a period of use of the network device (e.g., a three-month period to determine a daily / weekly or monthly period where the function can be disabled to decrease the electrical energy consumption).

[0141] Optionally, the time period corresponds to a night period. Thanks to the typical circadian cycles, it can easily be established that this period is a period in which the functions are unlikely to be used and therefore they can be deactivated.

[0142] Optionally, the network device disables the at least one determined function whilst continuing to execute one or more other functions in the plurality of functions. In other words, the network device remains operational even when the at least one function is disabled, and does not for example switch to a stand-by mode of the entire device itself.

[0143] Optionally, the at least one function to be disabled is the one with a higher estimated electrical energy consumption relative to an estimated electrical energy consumption for another of thefunctions executed by the network device.

[0144] In one example, a group of functions that includes two or more of the functions executed by the network device can be defined for functions that are alternatives to each other. In such a case, the determination can be based on an order of the estimated electrical energy consumption for each function in the group (e.g. from the highest to the lowest consumption). The determination can lead to the disabling of the function having the electrical energy consumption estimated as the highest, leading to the greater decrease in the electrical energy consumption without losing a capacity of the network device.

[0145] In general, even without groups of functions, disabling the function with the highest estimated consumption leads to a further decrease in the electrical energy consumed even with a lower number of disabled functions.

[0146] Optionally, the determining the at least one function to be disabled is based at least in part on a data processing by an artificial intelligence system that receives the first data and the second data as inputs and outputs an indication of the at least one function to be disabled. The artificial intelligence system can be a system trained on the basis of a training dataset collected from a plurality of network devices in order to determine the functions with greater accuracy. Each training set can include, for example, first data, second data (which indicate a list of functions), a decision made to disable a function, and a consequent modification in the electrical current (which can be indicated by the first data or provided as separate data).

[0147] Preferably, the artificial intelligence system is executed on a core network device interfacing with the network device and at least another network device. In this way, the core network device can obtain the first data and the second data, and be updated on the basis of information collected from each of the network devices.

[0148] Optionally, at least one first Wi-Fi connection band is disabled. The network device can consequently avoid the electrical energy consumption connected to the generation of the wireless network on the disabled connection band. The Wi-Fi bands are divided into communication channels. The devices typically communicate via a limited number of channels (1 or 2) in the Wi-Fi connection band. With the described method, when a Wi-Fi connection band is disabled, all channels of the band are disabled. This can correspond to a block that prevents their use.Optionally, the first connection band is one of the 2.4GHz band, the 5GHz band, and the 6GHz band. There are a number of bands defined by the set of IEEE 802.11 standards for the generation of WLAN (Wireless LAN, i.e. Local Area Network) networks. A network device can be configured to generate the wireless network over one or more bands defined by these standards in which the 2.4GHz bands, the 5GHz band, and the 6GHz band are those most commonly supported by the user devices. It will be understood that the network device is not limited to disabling one of these three bands and that the device can instead disable a band defined by other, more recent versions of IEEE 802.11 (or another similar standard).

[0149] Optionally, the disabling the at least one function comprises disabling at least one hardware component of the network device, preferably at least one antenna and / or a signal generator for the antenna. In the network device, a plurality of software functions can use the same hardware resources. In this way, disabling a hardware component is easier than listing all the software functions that use the hardware component in order to be able to disable all the listed functions.

[0150] Optionally, the network device continues to use a second Wi-Fi connection band while the at least one first band is disabled. In this way, the wireless network continues to be generated, and different devices can still communicate with the network device, even if one of the bands is disabled.

[0151] Optionally, the first data are obtained on the basis of measurements of the electrical current consumption performed periodically. For example, the measurements of the electrical current consumption can be obtained at an interval defined in seconds, minutes or hours (e.g. 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours), to generate the first data.

[0152] Optionally, the duration of a first time interval between two successive measurements of the electrical current consumption is configurable, preferably from 1 to 60 minutes. In other words, the interval is not fixed and can be modified on the basis of the use of the network device, a user choice, etc. For example, a network device with low use can have a low electrical energy consumption and thus a low potential benefit in determining the function(s) to be disabled. In fact, the determination of the functions could lead to a higher increase in electrical energy consumption rather than a possible decrease. In this case, increasing the interval between two successive measurements leads to decreasing the electrical energy consumption linked to obtaining the first data and consequently also to the step of determining the function to be disabled and the disabling of the function.In another example, the user can decide, based on an expected use of the network device, to choose between increasing or decreasing a predefined interval between successive measurements.

[0153] Optionally, the first data are obtained for each of a plurality of first time intervals, preferably a plurality of successive intervals. With first data obtained for each first interval, an electrical energy consumption can be associated with each of the most accurately executed functions.

[0154] Optionally, the step of obtaining the first data occurs periodically at a second time interval and / or upon the occurrence of a first predetermined event. For example, the first data can be obtained whenever an electrical current measurement is executed, or whenever a higher number of measurements are executed (e.g. 3 or 4 measurements).

[0155] Optionally, the duration of the second time interval between two successive obtainments of the first data is configurable, preferably from 15 to 60 minutes. In this way, the frequency of the transmissions for the first data can be controlled, so that it can be opted to have fewer transmissions (for example when the electrical energy consumption of the network device is low, or when one or more functions of the network device are already disabled).

[0156] Optionally, the first predetermined event comprises at least one of: a restoration of a communication connection, the reaching of a predetermined threshold for electrical energy consumption, and a reception of an instruction for a data collection. The first data can also be obtained when the measured electrical current exceeds a predefined threshold (e.g. 1A), when an amount of information saved in a memory (e.g. a buffer of the electrical unit) exceeds a threshold (e.g. lOOkB), when the electrical unit receives a notification or request for the first data from the network device or another device, etc.

[0157] Optionally, the second data are associated with an identifier of the network device. In this way, it is possible to differentiate between the data obtained from a network device and other network devices.

[0158] Optionally, the identifier is a unique identifier, preferably a MAC address. This avoids, in the event that a central network device collects data from a large number of network devices that the data from different network devices merge with each other.Optionally, the second data indicate functions executed by the network device in at least one time instant in a third time interval. Optionally, the second data are obtained for each of a plurality of third time intervals, preferably a plurality of successive intervals. With the second data obtained at several successive intervals the consumption of each of the functions can be estimated more accurately and comparing an increase in electrical energy consumption with the start of a function (or a decrease in electrical energy consumption with the non-execution of a function during one of the intervals) becomes possible.

[0159] Optionally, the duration of the third time interval is configurable. As for the interval of the first data, the configuration of the third interval allows to avoid an electrical energy consumption in the determination of the function (or of the functions) to be disabled when the electrical energy consumption is already low.

[0160] Optionally, the step of obtaining the second data is executed periodically at a fourth time interval and / or upon the occurrence of a second predetermined event. The duration of the fourth time interval can in some cases be configurable. As explained for the interval of the first data, this allows a control on both the amount of data processing and the frequency of the transmissions for the second data, so that it can be opted to have fewer transmissions (for example when the electrical energy consumption of the network device is low, or when one or more functions of the network device are already disabled). The second predetermined event can comprise at least one of: a state change of at least one function, the execution of a predetermined number of functions in parallel, and a reception of an instruction for a data collection.

[0161] As indicated above, the second data can, in addition to the indication of the functions executed, indicate a respective state for each of the plurality of functions executed by the network device. For example, in order to differentiate between a first state in which the function is in active mode and a second state in which the function is in stand-by mode. In the stand-by mode, the function has a lower electricity consumption than in the active mode.

[0162] In the method, the use of one or more wireless connection bands can comprise at least one of transmission of signals on the connection band, reception of signals on the connection band, and listening to the connection band for signals transmitted by other devices. Generally, the wireless network allows the exchange of data among devices, for example between two devices connected to the wireless network between them, or between a device connected to the wireless network is a remote location, for example a network (e.g. Internet) in which the network device acts as an intermediary among devices and thus receives and / or transmits signals. In thegeneration of a wireless network, the network device must also identify whether a new network device is trying to access the wireless network, typically done by listening to the bands for transmissions.

[0163] In other words, each of said signals can correspond to at least one of: a signal that carries user data, a control signal, a signal transmitted to a plurality of devices, preferably a broadcast or a multicast.

[0164] Optionally, the method can further comprise the step of generating third party data by associating the disabling of said at least one function with an estimated decrease in electrical energy consumption (i.e. electrical energy) ora resource linked to electrical energy consumption.

[0165] In this way, the effectiveness of the method in decreasing the electrical energy consumption can be indicated in the third data. The third data can be taken into account in further executions of the method for estimating a potential decrease in electrical energy consumption, for example in the step of determining the at least one function to be disabled. The third party data can also be collected in a central network device to verify the effectiveness of the network device in decreasing its electrical energy consumption, and if necessary to update the algorithm used to determine the functions to be disabled. In particular, the third data can be used in the training of an artificial intelligence system as explained herein.

[0166] Once the third data are obtained, signals can be generated or transmitted to generate a visualization of such third data. This allows, for example, a user controlling the network device to see to what extent the electrical energy consumption has been decreased. The third party data can also indicate a decrease in another resource linked to electrical energy consumption. For example, on the basis of a predetermined proportionality between the electrical energy consumed by the network device and a resource used to generate the electrical energy (e.g., an amount in kilograms of coal, a surface of solar panels, and a necessary time interval), or a byproduct of the generation of the electrical energy (e.g., an amount in kilograms of CO2 released into the environment), an estimated amount of the resource saved or of the decrease of the byproduct generated can be defined.

[0167] An example of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figure 2. The method described with reference to figure 1 can be implemented in the system depicted by figure 2.The system comprises a network device 10, an electrical unit 20 and a second network device 30. The network device 10 and the electrical unit 50 are connected via a direct connection 50. In addition, the network device 10, the electrical unit 20 and the second network device 30 have respective connections 51, 52 and 53, with a communication network 40 (e.g. the Internet). Each connection can be a wireless communication connection such as WLAN / Wi-Fi, a mobile phone data connection such as LTE / 5G, Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), or a wired communication connection such as DSL, fibre optic cable, Ethernet, etc. The direct connection between the electrical unit and the network device 10 can also be a conveyed wave connection (i.e. a power line communication).

[0168] However, not all of these connections are necessary. For example, the electrical unit can be connected only to the network device 10 (thus the connection 52 can be omitted) or in other cases only to the network device 30 (thus the connection 50 can be omitted).

[0169] In the example of figure 2, the electrical unit 20 receives electrical energy from an electrical source 200 and transmits this electrical energy to the network device 10. However, it should be noted (as is moreover apparent) that the network device 10 could be connected directly to the electrical source 200. In this case, the electrical unit can be connected to the electrical line in order to be able to measure the electrical energy consumption at least at one time instant. In general, it is sufficient for the electrical unit 20 to be connected to the supply of electrical energy to the network device 10.

[0170] Although figure 2 illustrates the electrical unit 20 as external to the network device 10, it should be noted that the invention is not limited in this respect and that the electrical unit 20 may form part of the network device 10.

[0171] The network device 10 comprises two data communication means 12A and 12B for generating a wireless network 14A and 14B. The data communication means use two different frequency bands. In a specific example, the data communication means 12A comprises an antenna configured to communicate with other devices (i.e. transmit and / or receive electromagnetic waves carrying a signal) in a Wi-Fi frequency band, such as the 2.4GHz band, the 5GHz band, or the 6GHz band. The data communication means 12B also comprise an antenna configured to communicate in another Wi-Fi frequency band.

[0172] It should be noted that the communication means 12A and / or 12B can be configured to communicate in more bands, and / or that the network device comprises other communicationmeans, in order to be able to communicate on more than two different bands.

[0173] In the example illustrated in figure 2, the network device 30 obtains (SI) from the electrical unit 20 the first data indicating an electrical energy consumption associated with the network device 10 at least at one time instant, via the communication network 40 (and the connections 52 and 53).

[0174] The network device 30 obtains (S2) from the network device 10 the second data indicating a plurality of functions (fl, f2) executed by the network device at least at one time instant, via the communication network 40 (and the connections 51 and 52).

[0175] The network device 30 determines the at least one function to be disabled on the basis of the first data and the second data, and in particular the network device 30 obtains an estimated electrical energy consumption associated with each of the functions on the basis of a correlation between the first data and the second data and bases the determination of the at least one function to be disabled on the basis of this estimated electrical energy consumption.

[0176] The network device 30 then generates a notification included in a control signal and transmits the control signal to the network device 10. The notification indicates that the wireless network 14B must be deactivated. Upon reception of the notification, the network device 10 deactivates the communication means 12B to disable the generation of the wireless network 14B. Meanwhile, the wireless network 14A continues to be active.

[0177] An example of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figure 3. The method described with reference to figure 1 can be implemented in the system depicted by figure 3.

[0178] In the example of figure 2, the network device 30 determines the function(s) to be disabled. However, in some cases, the second network device 30 can be omitted (and thus also the connections 51, 52, 53 and the communication network 40). Instead, the network device 10 can execute all steps SI to S4 of the method.

[0179] In particular, the network device 10 obtains (SI) from the electrical unit 20 the first data indicating an electrical energy consumption associated with the network device 10 at least at one time instant, via the connection 50 (not illustrated in figure 3).1

[0180] The network device 10 obtains (S2) the second data indicating a plurality of functions executed on the network device 10 and determines (S3) the at least one function to be disabled. The network device 10 then disables the at least one function and in particular interrupts transmission and / or reception via the wireless network 14B.

[0181] An example of a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figure 3. The method described with reference to figure 1 can be implemented at least in part by the network device depicted by figure 3.

[0182] The network device 10 is a device configured to generate a wireless network 14A or 14B and comprises data communication means 120, processing means 130 and control means 110. The network device 10 further comprises two antennas 12A and 12B configured to communicate via one or more wireless connection bands. The antenna 12A and / or the antenna 12B may refer to a plurality of antennas, e.g. configured for the use of Ml MO (multiple-input and multiple-output).

[0183] The communication means 120 allows data to be communicated via one or more wireless connection bands. The communication means 120 can comprise various components in the wireless communication, e.g., a signal modulator / demodulator, a baseband processor, etc. The communication means 120 controls the antennas 12A and 12B in the communication via the wireless network. More specifically, the communication means 120 receive from the antenna 12A and the antenna 12B signals received via the wireless network and process the received signals to obtain data comprised in the signals. The communication means 120 also generates signals to cause the antenna 12A or the antenna 12B to generate electromagnetic waves to communicate data to another device.

[0184] In the example illustrated in figure 4, the electrical unit 20 transmits the first data via the wireless network 14A to the network device 10. The first data are then processed by the communication means 120. For example, the communication means 120 can obtain the first data every 5 minutes, and transmit these to the processing means 130.

[0185] The processing means 130 are configured to obtain the second data indicating a plurality of functions executed by the network device at least at one time instant. The executed functions include a use of said one or more wireless communication band for the transmission and / or reception of signals, for example via the communication means 120 and the antennas 12A and / or 12B. The processing means can include a processor and a memory for saving the second data at the time instant (or time instants).In addition, in the example illustrated in figure 4, the processing means 130 are configured to obtain from the communication means 120 the first data received from the electrical unit, and to determine a correlation between the second data and the first data corresponding to a same time instant. On the basis of this correlation, the processing means 130 are configured to determine an estimated electrical energy consumption associated with each of the functions and to determine at least one of the functions executed by the network device 10 as a function to be disabled. The processing means 130 then transmit to the control means 110 an indication about which of the functions is to be disabled.

[0186] The control means 110 are configured to obtain the indication that at least one of said functions is to be disabled, and to disable said at least one of said functions.

[0187] An example of an electrical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figure 5. The method described with reference to figure 1 can be implemented at least in part by the electrical unit depicted by figure 5.

[0188] The electrical unit 20 is configured to supply electrical energy to a network device.

[0189] The electrical unit 20 comprises a power supply connection 22 for receiving electrical energy from an electrical source 200 and forsupplying electrical energy to the network device. The connection 22 can comprise a cable or other electrical conductor suitable for the electrical energy source (and in particular the nominal voltage and electrical current of the source). For example, the connection 22 can be configured to receive electrical energy with a network voltage at 110V / 60Hz or 230V / 50Hz. Although figure 5 illustrates the connection 22 as a single line, it would be understandable that the connection would allow to create a closed circuit with the network device 10 and thus to have two terminals for connection to the network device and two terminals for connection to the source.

[0190] In some cases, the electrical unit can be comprised in the network device and in particular in an electrical energy distribution component in the network device. In such a case, the connection 22 can comprise elements for transforming the received electrical energy (for example with a transformer, a rectifier or a converter).

[0191] The electrical unit 20 also comprises measuring means 24 for measuring an electrical energy consumption by the network device at least at one time instant. The measuring means 24 cancomprise an electrical current sensor positioned on the connection 22 to obtain a value of the electrical current transmitted towards the network device 10, or a voltage sensor connected between the connection 22 is an electric earth, to obtain a value of a voltage in the connection that indicates the electrical current transmitted to the network device 10.

[0192] The electrical unit 20 also comprises memory means 26 for memorising data indicating an association between the measured consumption and the time instant. These data are also defined as first data. Memorising in the means 26 can be temporary, e.g. end of data transmission or overwriting from other more recent data, in which case the memory means 26 can include a volatile memory, such as a cache memory, RAM, etc. Memorising in the means 26 can also be more permanent, e.g. in a non-volatile memory so as not to lose data even in the event of a power outage. In such a case, the means 26 can include a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory.

[0193] The electrical unit 20 also comprises transmission means 28 for transmitting data to another device. Said other device can be the network device 10 illustrated in figures 2, 3 and 4 or the network device 30 illustrated in figure 2. The transmission means 28 comprise an interface to a connection with said other device.

[0194] Optionally, the electrical unit further comprises reception means for receiving at least one of:

[0195] an indication of a duration for a first interval between successive measurements, wherein the measuring means are configured to measure consumption according to the first interval, and

[0196] an indication of a duration for a second interval between successive data transmissions, wherein the transmission means are configured to transmit the data according to the second interval.

[0197] The reception means can have elements in common with the transmission means 28, and the indication can be received via one of the connections 50 and 52. In such a case, the duration for the first interval and / or for the second interval can be saved in the memory means 26 and the measuring means 24 can rely on this updated duration (or these durations) to obtain the first data.

[0198] More generally, the frequency with which the electrical unit measures the consumed electrical energy and the frequency with which the electrical unit transmits the first data can be independently controlled.As described above, the transmission means can be configured to transmit the data via a dedicated data transmission connection that is wired or wireless (e.g., at least one of a Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Near Field Communication connection, or other types of connections described) or via the power supply connection (a conveyed wave connection, for example).

[0199] Optionally, the memory means are configured to memorise the data obtained in an immediately elapsed period, preferably the data obtained in the last 24 or 48 hours. The memory means are configured to memorise the data obtained until transmission of the data to another device.

[0200] Once the data are transmitted to another device, the data in the memory can be deleted (or the position occupied by the data in the memory is indicated as clear for overwriting).

[0201] In case of running out of memory space, the memory means can, in some cases, overwrite the data associated with the oldest time instant. In this way, the first most recent data are saved for transmission to other devices.

[0202] An example of the first data and of the second data and of a disabling of a function according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figures 6 and 7.

[0203] Figure 6A illustrates an example of first data indicating an electrical energy consumption associated with the network device at least at one time instant. These first data are obtained from the electrical unit, such as the one illustrated in figures 2, 3 and 5.

[0204] In the example of figure 6A, a measurement of the electrical current C(A) is performed for each of the time instants from tl to tl5, with a first time interval T1 between two successive measurements.

[0205] The first data are obtained (e.g. from the network device 30 or the network device 10) periodically at a second interval T2, which corresponds to five measurements of the consumed electrical energy. The first data can also be obtained when a first predetermined event El occurs even if the second interval T2 has not elapsed since the last time the first data were obtained. For example, the first predetermined event El can correspond to a request from the network device 10 for the first data.Figure 6B illustrates an example of second data indicating two functions fl and f2 executed by the network device at least at one time instant. In the example of figure 6B, it is indicated for each function whether at that time instant the function is active (A), switched on but in stand-by mode (S), or is not executed.

[0206] For at least one time instant in a third time interval T3, the state of the functions is detected. In the example of figure 6B, the second data are obtained forthe central time instant of every third time interval T3. The second data are then transmitted at a fourth time interval T4 or upon the occurrence of a second predetermined event E2. The second predetermined event can comprise at least one of: a state change of at least one function, execution of a predetermined number of functions in parallel, and a reception of an instruction (e.g. originating from the network device 30) for a data collection.

[0207] In the example of figure 6B, the second data are obtained at each of the time instants from tl to tl5 as for the first data. However, it would be understandable that the second data can be obtained at one or more time instants different from those for which the first data was obtained. For example, instead of the time instants from tl to tl5, the second data can be obtained for an instant (or a plurality of instants) when a function changes its state, so for example: a time instant tx between tl and t2 when the function fl is started (and thus switches from a switched-off state to become active; thus, when the function is active or activated), an instant ty between t3 and t4 when the function f2 changes its state to become active, an instant tz between t4 and t5 when the function fl switches to stand-by mode, etc.

[0208] In this way, it can be determined that between the instant tx and the instant tz, the function fl remains in stand-by mode. Therefore, forthe time instants t2, t3 and t4 comprised between tx and tz, a correlation between the first data and the second data can be determined in order to estimate a consumption of the function fl. Or, an electrical current consumption at the instant tx can be defined using an interpolation of the consumption values obtained at the instants tl and t2.

[0209] In the example of figure 6B, also non-executed functions are detected. However, it is understood that in other cases only the executed functions (therefore in active or stand-by mode) could be indicated. In the same way, the differentiation of the state of the functions between active and stand-by mode is not necessarily indicated. In other cases, other modes can be indicated (e.g. data processing, data transmission, data memorising, etc.). Each mode could have a respective predetermined level of electrical energy consumption.In the examples of figures 6A and 6B, the first data and the second data are obtained again at every time instant. However, it is understood that the first data could instead only indicate a change in the consumption value relative to the previous measurement. In the same way, the second data could only indicate which of the functions was started or stopped with respect to the previous time instant. This type of reference to the data obtained before can decrease the size of the first data and / or the second data.

[0210] On the basis of the first data and the second data, it is determined that the function fl should be disabled during a time period W1 that corresponds from the time instant t7 to the time instant tl3. In this way, if the same situation is detected (for example if the time instants tl to tl5 represent a whole day, the same situation could happen on the next day or on a day of the next week).

[0211] Each of the first to fourth time interval (Tl to D4) can be configured separately and modified by a respective pre-defined value for the time interval.

[0212] Referring to figure 7B, when it is determined that the same situation as figures 6A-7B is occurring, for example on the basis of the first data and second data obtained at the time instants tl to t5, the function fl is disabled during the time period Wl, then from the time instant t7 to tl3. Instead of remaining in stand-by mode, the function fl remains switched-off (non-executed). Upon this disabling, a decrease in the consumed electrical current occurs as seen in figure 7A.

[0213] In a second embodiment, a network device configured to execute the method according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to figure 11.

[0214] The device 80 is a network device and represents an example of the device 10 in the example illustrated in figures 2, 3 or 4. The device 80 can be a router or similar device intended fora user's premises.

[0215] In one embodiment, the device 80 includes at least one data processor 81, an I / O interface 82, and a memory 83. The interface 82 receives and transmits data for example via one of the connections 50 or 51 illustrated in figure 2.

[0216] The processor 82 is configured to execute instructions comprised in a computer program memorised in the memory 83. In executing the instructions, the processor 82 executes themethod steps and controls the interface in the transmission / reception of data according to the method steps, as described above. The memory 83 is configured to memorise the computer program and can also memorise additional information, such as the first data, the second data, the time intervals T1 to T4, the time periods for each function to be disabled, etc.

[0217] In light of the above explanation, the invention can be realized by a computer program comprising instructions set up to execute, when said program is executed on one or more data processors.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Method for managing an electrical energy consumption of a network device (10) configured to generate a wireless network (14A; 14B), the method comprising the steps of:- obtaining (SI) first data indicating an electrical energy consumption associated to the network device for at least one time instant (tl; ... ; tl5) from an electrical unit (20) related to the supply of electrical energy to the network device;- obtaining (S2) second data indicating a plurality of functions (fl, f2) executed by the network device at least at one time instant, wherein said plurality of functions includes a use of one or more wireless communication bands for the transmission and / or reception of signals;- determining (S3) at least one (fl) of said functions as a function to be disabled, on the basis of an estimated electrical energy consumption associated with each function to be disabled, wherein the estimated electrical energy consumption is obtained on the basis of a correlation between the first data and the second data corresponding to a same time instant; and- disabling (S4) in the network device the at least one determined function.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the steps of obtaining (SI) first data and determining (S3) at least one function to be disabled is executed on the network device (10).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least the step of determining (s3) the at least one function to be disabled is executed on a second network device (30) interfacing with the network device (10),wherein the second network device receives the first data and the second data and provides to the network device a notification indicating the at least one determined function.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first data are obtained on the basis of at least one measurement of electrical current consumption,wherein, preferably, the first data corresponding to each measurement are obtained separately or the first data corresponding to a plurality of successive measurements are obtained together.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first data are transmitted from the electrical unit (10) to the network device (30) via a dedicated datatransmission connection that is wired or wireless (50) or via the power supply connection (22).

6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a respective time period (Wl) is determined for each of the at least one function to be disabled (fl) and each function is disabled during the respective time period,wherein, preferably, the time period is determined on the basis of an expected decrease in the use of the function during the time period.

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the network device disables the at least one determined function whilst continuing to execute one or more other functions (f2) of the plurality of functions.

8. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one function to be disabled (fl) is the one with a higher estimated electrical energy consumption relative to an estimated electrical energy consumption for another (f2) of the functions executed by the network device, andwherein, preferably, the determining the at least one function to be disabled is based at least in part on a data processing by an artificial intelligence system that receives the first data and the second data as inputs and outputs an indication of the at least one function to be disabled.

9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least a first Wi-Fi connection band (14B) is disabled, preferably one of the bands of 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz,wherein, preferably, the disabling the at least one function (fl) comprises disabling at least one hardware component of the network device, preferably at least an antenna (12B) and / or a signal generator for the antenna.

10. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second data indicate which functions (fl, f2) are executed by the network device at least at one time instant.

11. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the method comprises the step of obtaining the estimated electrical energy consumption on the basis of a correlation between the first data and the second data corresponding to a same time instant.

12. Network device (10) configured to generate a wireless network (14A; 14B), comprising:data communication means (120; 12A; 12B) for communicating data via one ormore wireless communication band;processing means (130) for obtaining second data indicating a plurality of functions (fl, f2) executed by the network device at least at one time instant, wherein said plurality of functions includes a use of said one or more wireless communication band for the transmission and / or reception of signals;control means (110) for obtaining an indication that at least one (fl) of said functions is to be disabled, and for disabling said at least one of said functions,wherein the at least one of said functions to be disabled is determined on the basis of an estimated electrical energy consumption associated with each function to be disabled, wherein the estimated consumption is obtained on the basis of a correlation between the second data and first data corresponding to a same time instant,wherein the first data indicate an electrical energy consumption associated with the network device for at least one time instant (tl; ... ; tl5) and are obtained from an electrical unit (20) related to the supply of electrical energy to the network device.

13. Electrical unit (20) for supplying electrical energy to a network device (10), wherein the electrical unit comprises:a power supply connection (22) for receiving electrical energy from an electrical source (200) and for providing electrical energy to the network device;measuring means (24) for measuring an electrical power consumption by the network device at least at one time instant;memory means (26) for memorising first data indicating an association between the measured consumption and the time instant; andtransmission means (28) for transmitting the first data to another device (10; 30).

14. Electrical unit (20) according to claim 13, wherein the first data are for obtaining an estimated electrical energy consumption associated with at least some of a plurality of functions (fl, f2) executed by the network device on the basis of a correlation between the first data and second data corresponding to the same time instant, said second data indicating which of the plurality of functions (fl, f2) are executed by the network device at least at one time instant.

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