Computer System Power Saving Reading Mode

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional computer systems waste energy by maintaining the processor in a normal mode even when the user is only reading documents without interacting with the system, as they continuously monitor for new commands.

Innovation Solution

A computer system with a normal mode and a reading mode, where the system end enters a suspend mode after converting data into multiple frames, allowing the display end to operate continuously and store these frames in an image buffer, enabling page navigation through input device signals without waking the system end, thus reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the processor continuously monitors for user commands in normal mode, then the system can respond immediately to user operations, but the system consumes excessive power during reading operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidresponse to user commands
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between normal mode and suspend mode based on the reading state. When the reading mode is detected, the processor transitions to suspend mode to save power, and can be quickly awakened when user input is detected through the input device, thus balancing power consumption and responsiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates the monitoring function from the processing function. The input device continues to monitor for user commands in a low-power state, while the processor enters suspend mode. When user input is detected, the processor is awakened to handle the command, dividing the system into active and inactive segments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If the system enters suspend mode to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but the system cannot immediately process new user commands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommand processing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The input device is kept in a ready state to preliminarily detect user commands even when the processor is in suspend mode. This preliminary detection allows the system to quickly awaken and process commands without delay, as the input device has already identified the need for processor intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The input device acts as an intermediary between the user and the processor in suspend mode. It monitors for user commands and triggers processor awakening when needed, serving as a low-power mediator that maintains system responsiveness without requiring the full processor to remain active

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2416230B1Computer system with power saving function
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC
  • EP2416230B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2416230B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A computer system capable of showing documents for users to read in a power saving mode is disclosed. The computer system includes a system end and a display end. The system end operates normally in a normal mode, when in a reading mode, the system end converts the data in processing to N pieces of frame data, and then the system end enters a suspend mode. The display end operates continuously in the reading mode. It includes an image buffer connecting to the system end, the image buffer temporarily storing N pieces of the frame data sent by the system end, an input device generating a control signal; a display panel; and an image transmitter connected to the image buffer, the display panel and the input device. The image transmitter displays the frame data on the display panel. When in the reading mode, the image transmitter receives the control signal generated by the input device, and retrieves the specific frame data from the image buffer and sends it to the display panel for displaying.