Dynamic Standby Timeout Adjustment for Electronic Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic payment terminals face challenges in reducing energy consumption without penalizing users, as existing techniques that put the terminal in standby mode result in prolonged wake-up times, which can be inconvenient for users.

Innovation Solution

A method that dynamically adjusts the standby timeout period based on predefined time categories and user tolerance, using statistics to determine optimal standby durations that balance energy savings with user convenience by modifying the timeout duration according to the frequency of use and user sensitivity to delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the terminal enters standby mode to reduce energy consumption, then energy consumption is reduced, but the wake-up time increases causing user inconvenience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidwake-up time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the timeout period adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically modifies the timeout duration based on temporal categories (time of day, day of week) and usage patterns, allowing the terminal to optimize between energy savings and responsiveness in real-time conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of timeout duration based on different conditions. By categorizing time into different temporal categories and analyzing usage frequency, the system adjusts the timeout parameter to be shorter during high-usage periods and longer during low-usage periods, resolving the contradiction between energy saving and wake-up speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a fixed timeout period is used for standby mode, then the terminal operation is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying usage patterns throughout the day

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimeout management complexityVSAvoidadaptability to usage patterns
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the day into different temporal categories (e.g., morning hours, afternoon hours, weekend vs. weekday) and applies different timeout strategies to each segment. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to varying usage patterns without requiring complex real-time analysis, maintaining relative simplicity while improving adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of usage patterns and pre-defines temporal categories with associated timeout periods. By preparing these categories in advance based on historical data or predefined rules, the terminal can quickly adapt to different situations without complex real-time computations, balancing simplicity and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2363781B1Method for reducing the power consumption of an electronic terminal, corresponding terminal and computer program
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 COMPAGNIE INDUSTRIELLE ET FINANCIERE D INGENIERIE INGENICO SA
  • EP2363781B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2363781B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2363781B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The method involves modifying timeout-before-standby duration for a terminal after action is performed by or on the terminal at a current instant based on membership of the current instant in a given temporal category, where the given temporal category is chosen from two predefined temporal categories. The temporal categories are defined by parameter, where the parameter belongs to a group comprising a time slot in a day or a week and the day in the week or a month. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) an electronic terminal comprising a modifying unit (2) a computer program product comprising program code instructions to implement a method for reducing consumption of energy by an electronic terminal.