Centralized Wake Service for Power-Constrained Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices in reduced power modes often conflict with 'always-on' network services, preventing communication when devices are in low power states, such as laptops, which hinders services like email and voice-over-IP from functioning effectively.
Innovation Solution
A centralized wake service is introduced that allows network applications to request and manage the waking of computing devices from reduced power modes based on power information, user preferences, and presence, ensuring continuous communication by forwarding wake requests to client-side communication services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If computing devices enter reduced power mode to conserve energy, then battery life is extended, but network services cannot communicate with the user
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by registering wake requests with the wake service before the device actually needs to wake up. Applications can subscribe to wake services and have wake requests queued in advance, so when the device wakes from reduced power mode, the communication can resume immediately without delay. This resolves the contradiction by preparing communication pathways beforehand while allowing the device to remain in low-power state.
Solution Approach 2:
The wake service acts as an intermediary between network services and computing devices in reduced power mode. It receives wake requests from applications, forwards them to client-side communication services when appropriate, and manages the coordination between power-saving state and communication needs. This intermediary layer enables both power conservation and communication availability by mediating between the two conflicting requirements.
2Loss of energy
If computing devices remain in reduced power mode to preserve battery life, then energy is conserved, but network services like email and voice-over-IP cannot function
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the device's operational state based on communication needs. The wake service monitors wake requests and determines when forwarding to client-side services is appropriate, allowing the device to transition between reduced power mode and active communication state as needed. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by optimizing both energy conservation and service functionality based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the computing device by controlling transitions between reduced power mode and active state. Power information, user contact preferences, and user presence information are used as parameters to determine when to wake the device. This parameter-based control resolves the contradiction by systematically managing when full functionality is needed versus when power conservation is prioritized.
3Reliability
If the device wakes up to respond to network communications, then communication availability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the wake service receives information about user presence, contact preferences, and power state, then determines whether to forward wake requests. This feedback loop ensures the device wakes up only when necessary and appropriate, resolving the contradiction by making power consumption dependent on actual communication needs rather than continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing and interacting with a centralized wake service. A server-side wake service is provided that is operable to allow applications to subscribe to the wake service. The wake service receives a wake request directed to a particular computing device from a particular one of the applications. The wake request is forwarded from the wake service to a client-side communication service on the particular computing device if forwarding is determined to be appropriate. When the client-side communication service on the particular computing device receives the wake request while in a reduced power mode, the computing device wakes up and an appropriate response is determined.