Control Device Power Gating with Sensor-Triggered Data Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices face challenges in reducing power consumption, especially in resting states, and improving efficiency and safety in data processing systems, particularly in devices like game controllers and consoles.
Innovation Solution
A control device with an arithmetic circuit, input unit, and power management unit, utilizing sensors to control power supply, and a register to store data during power shutdown, combined with oxide semiconductor transistors for efficient data processing and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If power supply is stopped to reduce power consumption in resting state, then power consumption is reduced, but data loss occurs and processing efficiency decreases upon resume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into two distinct parts: a first storage unit for temporary data storage during operation, and a second storage unit for persistent data retention during power shutdown. This segmentation allows the system to stop power supply to the arithmetic circuit for energy savings while maintaining data integrity in the second storage unit that remains powered or has non-volatile characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a second storage unit as an intermediary between the arithmetic circuit and permanent storage. This intermediary storage unit acts as a buffer that maintains data during power transitions, enabling the arithmetic circuit to be powered down without causing data loss, thus mediating between power consumption reduction and data retention requirements.
2Reliability
If power supply is continuously maintained to retain data, then data retention is ensured, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into a first storage unit connected to the arithmetic circuit and a second storage unit for persistent storage. The second storage unit is designed to retain data without continuous power supply, allowing the system to maintain data integrity while reducing power consumption by shutting down the arithmetic circuit and first storage unit during resting states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic power management where the arithmetic circuit and first storage unit are powered on during active processing periods and powered off during resting periods. The second storage unit maintains persistent storage capability across these periodic power cycles, enabling the system to alternate between high-power active state and low-power standby state while ensuring data retention.
3Productivity
If data is stored during power shutdown, then processing efficiency improves upon resume, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is segmented into a first storage unit for operational data and a second storage unit for persistent data retention. This segmentation enables the system to achieve fast resume processing by maintaining critical data in the second storage unit during power shutdown, while the added complexity is managed through a modular architecture where each storage unit has a specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing data in the second storage unit before power shutdown occurs. This preliminary data preservation ensures that when power is restored, the arithmetic circuit can quickly resume processing without data loss or lengthy reinitialization, thereby improving processing efficiency despite the increased storage system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The power consumption of a control device or a data processing system is reduced. Safety is enhanced. An electronic device is operated in a simple way. A control device includes an arithmetic circuit, an input unit, and a power management unit. The input unit includes a sensor element. The power management unit has a function of controlling supply and shutdown of power to the arithmetic circuit. The power management unit has a function of supplying power to the arithmetic circuit in response to a detection signal output from the sensor element. The sensor element includes one or more selected from an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, and a magnetic sensor. The arithmetic circuit includes a register. The register includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The register has a function of storing, in the second circuit, first data stored in the first circuit in a period during which the power management unit supplies power to the arithmetic circuit and retaining the first data, in a period during which the power management unit stops power supply to the arithmetic circuit. The arithmetic circuit has a function of generating second data with use of signal data output from the sensor element and the first data.