41234 results about "Power consumption" patented technology

Network architecture, computer system and/or server, circuit, device, apparatus, method, and computer program and control mechanism for managing power consumption and workload in computer system and data and information servers. Further provides power and energy consumption and workload management and control systems and architectures for high-density and modular multi-server computer systems that maintain performance while conserving energy and method for power management and workload management. Dynamic server power management and optional dynamic workload management for multi-server environments is provided by aspects of the invention. Modular network devices and integrated server system, including modular servers, management units, switches and switching fabrics, modular power supplies and modular fans and a special backplane architecture are provided as well as dynamically reconfigurable multi-purpose modules and servers. Backplane architecture, structure, and method that has no active components and separate power supply lines and protection to provide high reliability in server environment.

The invention generally concerns systems and methods for monitoring and controlling the power consumption of a power-consuming device. The system and method may connect to a power source and a power-consuming device, connecting the power-consuming device to the power source. The power usage of the power-consuming device may then be measured and monitored. This monitoring data may then be stored and optionally sent to a controlling device on a data network. The location of the power-consuming device may also be determined, recorded, and sent to a controlling device. The system may also control the power usage of the power-consuming device. In some cases, a remote server may connect multiple energy monitoring systems in order to gain additional efficiencies and foster a community-based social network.

A power supply rail controller operates on an analog component having a signal input, a power input and a signal output. A voltage controller provides a control output responsive to the signal output. A power supply generates a voltage for the power input, where the voltage is responsive to the control output. The voltage is reduced in magnitude to reduce power dissipation and increased in magnitude to avoid signal distortion.

A system for providing handoff for a mobile devices comprising a mobile phone programmed to automatically handover between differing data bearers and to optimally detect those bearers in a roaming environment keeping power consumption to a minimum. Repeating means for these mobile devices to extend the range of coverage and the protocol for that coverage.

A pulse oximeter adaptively samples an input signal from a sensor in order to reduce power consumption in the absence of overriding conditions. Various sampling mechanisms may be used individually or in combination, including reducing the duty cycle of a drive current to a sensor emitter, intermittently powering-down a front-end interface to a sensor detector, or increasing the time shift between processed data blocks. Both internal parameters and output parameters may be monitored to trigger or override a reduced power consumption state. In this manner, a pulse oximeter can lower power consumption without sacrificing performance during, for example, high noise conditions or oxygen desaturations.

A method and system for efficiently managing power consumption in a mobile device controls power consumption with an adjustable sleep period or listening interval that may be user-specified and automatically tuned based on recent detected usage. With an adjustable sleep period, a receiver conserves power by leaving a sleep mode only at predefined and adjustable periods, which may be selected by the user to balance connectivity and power saving and which may be automatically incremented when the device activity is low.

A method and a circuit for driving light emitting diodes (LEDs) in multiphase are provided. A string of LEDs divided into groups connected to each other in series is provided. Each group is coupled to ground through separate conductive paths. A phase switch is provided in each conductive path. Increasing the input voltage turn on the string of LEDs, group by group in the sequence downstream the string. To reduce power dissipation, the phase switch of an upstream group is turned off when next downstream group is turned on.

An HVAC system comprises a programmable wireless thermostat and a remote receiver unit. The thermostat includes a user interface having one or more displays, user input devices, such as buttons, sliders, or a touch screen, and a backlight. The thermostat may include a proximity sensor, wherein the user interface is controlled based on a user's presence near the thermostat. A thermostat controller enters into a reduced energy consumption mode and switches the user interface to an idle state when the proximity sensor indicates a lack of user proximity for a predetermined duration. When the proximity sensor indicates user proximity, the controller exits the reduced energy consumption mode and switches the user interface to an active state. During the reduced energy consumption mode, the user interface may be concealed when the user interface is in a housing which is transparent when backlit but is opaque otherwise.

An automated processor design tool uses a description of customized processor instruction set extensions in a standardized language to develop a configurable definition of a target instruction set, a Hardware Description Language description of circuitry necessary to implement the instruction set, and development tools such as a compiler, assembler, debugger and simulator which can be used to develop applications for the processor and to verify it. Implementation of the processor circuitry can be optimized for various criteria such as area, power consumption, speed and the like. Once a processor configuration is developed, it can be tested and inputs to the system modified to iteratively optimize the processor implementation. By providing a constrained domain of extensions and optimizations, the process can be automated to a high degree, thereby facilitating fast and reliable development.

A system for actively monitoring a patient includes at least one body-worn monitoring device that has at least one sensor capable of measuring at least one physiologic parameter and detecting at least one predetermined event. At least one intermediary device is, linked to the body-worn monitoring device by means of a first wireless network and at least one respondent device is linked to said at least one intermediary device by a second wireless network wherein the respondent device is programmed to perform a specified function automatically when the at least one predetermined event is realized. The monitoring device operates to periodically transmit patient status data to the intermediary device but the system predominantly operates in a quiet state, providing very low power consumption.

Methods and systems are disclosed for controlling energy consumption at a facility, or a group of facilities, using current and future energy prices, and seasonal and environmental information to control a load shedding scheme.

A method comprises collecting utilization data for a resource, and predicting by a power management system, based on the collected utilization data, future utilization of the resource. The method further comprises controlling, by the power management system, power to the resource, based at least in part on the predicted future utilization of the resource. In one embodiment, the utilization data is collected for a plurality of resources that are operable to perform tasks, and the method further comprises determining, by the power management system, how many of the resources are needed to provide a desired capacity for servicing the predicted future utilization of the resources for performing the tasks. The method further comprises configuring, by the power management system, ones of the resources exceeding the determined number of resources needed to provide the desired capacity in a reduced power-consumption mode.

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for reducing power consumption. One method includes detecting the presence of an object, identifying whether the object is a valid device and restricting power if its not a valid device. Another method includes temporarily applying a low amount of power to the primary unit to detect a load, supplying more power to determine if its a valid secondary device, and restricting power if its not. An apparatus for reducing power consumption includes two power inputs, where the lower power input powers a sense circuit. A switch selectively decouples the higher power input from the primary subcircuit during detection mode and couples the higher power input to the primary subcircuit during power supply mode.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling the charging of onboard energy storage systems of a plurality of plug-in vehicles using a remote command center. A system for directing the charging of a plurality of remotely located plug-in vehicles is provided. The system includes a communication system configured to transmit charging authorizations to charge each of the plurality of plug-in vehicles and to receive data related to power consumption from each of the plurality of plug-in vehicles. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the communication system and configured to receive the data related to power consumption and to direct the charge authorizations based thereon. A database is also included in the system and is communicatively coupled to the controller, with the database configured to store the data related to power consumption.

A method and apparatus for power throttling in a microprocessor. A voltage source supplies voltage to the microprocessor, and a clock source operates the microprocessor at a desired frequency. In one embodiment, a power monitor is configured to measure the short term power consumption of the microprocessor. In another embodiment, a temperature sensor measures the temperature of the microprocessor. Control logic is coupled to the voltage source and the clock source. The control logic receives an indication of the power consumption or temperature, as applicable, and compares it to a predetermined value. In response to the comparison, the control logic varies the supply voltage and the frequency.

Methods and apparatus of the present invention include multiple flash storage devices that are configured to form a single storage device that is flexible and scalable. Reliability and performance are improved while keeping the power consumption benefits compared to conventional hard disk drives.

An thermostat 10 includes an improved user interface, including automatic scheduling, remote control, system failure warning messages, and Energy Star compliance messages. Diagnostics can be provided without additional communication links to the thermostat. A sub-base accepts multiple thermostats and uses color coded terminals to ease installation. Glow-in-the-dark features reduce power needs. In one embodiment, thermostats are coupled to AC power sources and communicate using wireless communications to control an HVAC system. A dampered system can be effected through a thermostat that communicates directly with zoned dampers.

The invention provides improved devices for processing data from one or more physiological sensors based on parallel processing. The provided devices are small, low power, and readily configurable for use in most physiological monitoring applications. In a preferred embodiment, the provided devices are used for ambulatory monitoring of a subject's cardio-respiratory systems, and in particular, process data from one or more respiratory inductive plethysmographic sensors.

A method and system for controlling electric power consumption using a computer to create a forecast and then controlling devices that use power based on the forecast. An automatic reader device is used to gather power consumption data from a point of utility service. The power consumption data is then provided to a computer. The computer is used to create a forecast of energy use for instantaneous demand and time-based usage. The computer then provides alerts based on the forecast for the manual or automatic control of devices that consume electricity. The system may be managed locally or remotely by a computer, PDA, cell phone or other network enabled device.

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing power consumption in a data storage device. An audit module monitors a power consumption rate of the data storage device relative to a power consumption target. A throttle module adjusts execution of one or more operations on the data storage device in response to the power consumption rate of the data storage device failing to satisfy the power consumption target. A verification module verifies whether the power consumption rate of the data storage device satisfies the power consumption target in response to adjusting the execution of the one or more operations.

A method, terminal device, network element, system and computer program product for controlling discontinuous reception or transmission at a terminal device of a communication network are disclosed. A regular discontinuous reception or transmission cycle of a regular discontinuous reception or transmission scheme is set by using a first control layer, and in addition thereto a shorter temporary discontinuous reception or transmission cycle of an interim discontinuous reception or transmission scheme can be set by using a second control layer. This arrangement provides long discontinuous reception or transmission cycles for power consumption improvements while at the same time ensuring that the network can easily and flexibly shorten these cycles for increased data throughput, if needed.

A robotic device can provide power management and other functionality for various electronic devices. An electronic device and the robotic device can communicate information such as device charge level, relative position and rate of power consumption and can determine an appropriate time at which the robotic device should cause the electronic device to be charged, either by charging the device directly or transporting the device to an appropriate charger. The robotic device can also cause other functions to be performed as well, such as to enable high-bandwidth data transfer or perform resource-intensive activities when in communication with the electronic device. The robotic device can transport the electronic device to specific locations or to specific users, or as otherwise appropriate.

An energy controller (10) as a communication device for transmitting and receiving data by transmitting a signal for establishing transmission and reception of the data to network-connected home appliances (11a to 11c), the energy controller (10) including: a power saving control unit which determines a transmission period such that the transmission period during which the signal is transmitted is increased as a power value difference increases, which is a value obtained by subtracting the total power consumption value of a power consumption appliance from available power supply value to the power consumption appliance including the network-connected home appliances (11a to 11c); and wireless communication IF (22) for transmitting the signal containing the information indicating the transmission period to the network-connected home appliances (11a to 11c) in order to set the network-connected home appliances (11a to 11c) in an active state with a period according to the transmission period.

Methods and apparatuses for circuit design to reduce power usage, such as reducing temperature dependent power usage, and/or to improve timing, such as reducing temperature dependent delay or transition time. At least one embodiment of the present invention reduces the power dissipation and improves the timing of an integrated circuit to optimize the design. A thermal analysis is used to determine the temperature dependent power dissipation of a circuit and the temperature distribution of the circuit resulting from dissipating the heat created by the temperature dependent power dissipation. Then, the components of the design are selectively transformed to reduce the power dissipation and to improve timing based on the temperature solution. The transformation may include placement changes and netlist changes, such as the change of transistor threshold voltages for cells or for blocks of the circuit chip.

A pattern detecting apparatus has a plurality of hierarchized neuron elements to detect a predetermined pattern included in input patterns. Pulse signals output from the plurality of neuron elements are given specific delays by synapse circuits associated with the individual elements. This makes it possible to transmit the pulse signals to the neuron elements of the succeeding layer through a common bus line so that they can be identified on a time base. The neuron elements of the succeeding layer output the pulse signals at output levels based on a arrival time pattern of the plurality of pulse signals received from the plurality of neuron elements of the preceding layer within a predetermined time window. Thus, the reliability of pattern detection can be improved, and the number of wires interconnecting the elements can be reduced by the use of the common bus line, leading to a small scale of circuit and reduced power consumption.

A back-illuminated type MOS (metal-oxide semiconductor) solid-state image pickup device 32 in which micro pads 34, 37 are formed on the wiring layer side and a signal processing chip 33 having micro pads 35, 38 formed on the wiring layer at the positions corresponding to the micro pads 34, 37 of the MOS solid-state image pickup device 32 are connected by micro bumps 36, 39. In a semiconductor module including the MOS type solid-state image pickup device, at the same time an image processing speed can be increased, simultaneity within the picture can be realized and image quality can be improved, a manufacturing process can be facilitated, and a yield can be improved. Also, it becomes possible to decrease a power consumption required when all pixels or a large number of pixels is driven at the same time.

An electro-optic display includes an electro-optic medium, a pixel electrode for applying an electric field to the medium and a column electrode associated with the pixel electrode. To reduce power consumption, when it is necessary to change the voltage on the column electrode from a first value to a second value to change the optical state of the electro-optic medium, the column electrode voltage is first changed to a third value intermediate the first and second values to permit charge to flow to or from the column electrode, and thereafter the column electrode voltage is changed from the third voltage to the second voltage.

A load management system controller employs a method for determining carbon credits earned as a result of a control event in which power is reduced to at least one service point serviced by a utility. The controller is located remotely from the service point(s) and determines power consumed over time by at least one device located at the service point(s) to produce power consumption data. The controller stores the power consumption data. At some later point in time, the controller initiates a control event and determines an amount of power reduced during the control event based on the stored power consumption data. The controller also determines a generation mix for power that would have been supplied to the service point(s) if the control event had not occurred. The controller then determines a quantity of carbon credits earned based at least on the amount of power reduced and the generation mix.

The present invention pertains to a wireless audio-video doorbell monitoring system, wherein a portable monitoring device administrates a doorbell device and detective devices. After initiation, the monitoring device calls other nearby devices to form a wireless network via a wireless broadcasting way, and then the monitoring device administrates each device to perform the doorbell or detection function. Via the automatic setup and simple operating interface, the present invention enables a general family to be free from a complex operational procedure. In the present invention, the detective device can sense the image and sound of the monitored regions, which is sent to a display panel and a speaker of the monitoring device without a time lag. Accordingly, the present invention provides an instantaneously-displaying and easy-operated wireless audio-video doorbell monitoring system, which is easy installed, automatically set up, highly securing, able to reduce the power consumption efficiently and suitable for a general family usage.

A new system and method is described, utilizing a scheduler based on a transmission power consumption calculation and prioritizing algorithm. The system utilizes the (APSD) protocol specified in the 802.11e draft for saving power in wireless local area networks. The system comprises an access point having a priority queue, one or more stations, an APSD frame comprising an association ID for identifying one of the stations and a scheduled wake-up time for the identified station. An algorithm is employed for calculating the total transmission power consumption of downlink data for the stations. The AP originates and transmits to the one or more stations the APSD frame of the scheduled activation delay time. The current data to be transmitted to each station is accessed by the algorithm to determine the total transmission power consumption to each station. A priority queue in the AP is ordered from the lowest to the highest receiving power consumption, assigning the highest priority to the lowest power consumption transmission to minimize total power consumption to the PS stations in the AP queue.