Base Station Power Saving via Function Pause Period Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in allowing a base station to enter a power saving state when incompatible slave units are connected, and the absence of nearby substitute base stations hinders power conservation efforts.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with a control section that sets and notifies a function temporary pause period for itself and other apparatuses, allowing for temporary pauses to reduce power consumption, even in the presence of incompatible units or without nearby substitutes, by acquiring and utilizing relevant information for dynamic adjustment of pause periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a base station enters a power saving state using existing protocols (NoA or PTL 1), then power consumption is reduced, but the base station cannot enter power saving state when incompatible slave units are connected or when no substitute base station exists

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcompatibility with slave units

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the slave units into two groups: compatible slave units that support the function temporary pause function and incompatible slave units that do not support it. The base station can independently manage power saving for different slave unit groups, allowing it to enter power saving state with compatible units even when incompatible units are connected. This segmentation enables selective application of power saving protocols based on slave unit compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dynamic function temporary pause period that can be adjusted based on the operational state and requirements of slave units. The base station can dynamically set and notify slave units of the function temporary pause period, allowing flexible control over when and how long the base station pauses its functions. This dynamic approach enables the base station to adapt its power saving behavior to current network conditions and slave unit requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If a base station enters a power saving state using PTL 1 method, then power consumption is reduced, but a substitute base station must exist in the surroundings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidrequirement for substitute base station

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the substitute base station requirement from the power saving mechanism. Instead of requiring another base station to act as a substitute, the invention allows the base station itself to independently enter and exit power saving states by controlling its own function temporary pause periods. This removes the complexity of needing external substitute infrastructure while achieving the same power saving goal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The base station performs self-service by autonomously managing its own power saving states without requiring external substitute base stations. The base station can independently set, notify, and execute function temporary pause periods based on its own operational needs and the compatibility status of its connected slave units, making the system self-sufficient for power management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a base station continuously operates to maintain compatibility with all slave units, then communication reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments slave units by compatibility status, allowing the base station to maintain reliable communication with incompatible units while independently entering power saving states when serving compatible units. The base station can switch between serving different slave unit groups, ensuring communication reliability for each group while optimizing power consumption through selective power saving activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base station dynamically adjusts its operational state based on the current active slave units. When compatible slave units are active, the base station can enter power saving mode with notified function temporary pause periods. When incompatible slave units require service, the base station remains fully operational. This dynamic state adjustment maintains communication reliability while reducing power consumption during appropriate periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10433247B2Information processing apparatus, communication system, information processing method and program

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a control section, and can temporarily pause at least some of its own functions. When the control section provided in the information processing apparatus is to temporarily pause at least some of its own functions, the control section performs control for setting a function temporary pause period within which at least some of functions of a different apparatus are to be temporarily paused. Further, the control section provided in the information processing apparatus performs control for notifying the different apparatus of the set function temporary pause period. Power consumption of the information processing apparatus can be reduced.