Home Network Energy Control via Service Unit Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current home network remote control systems, such as those using UPnP, do not support energy consumption control for individual devices, leading to unnecessary energy usage even when only necessary components are operational.
Innovation Solution
A home network client and server system with an energy-away control element (ECE) that defines and controls energy consumption for each service unit using a user policy, context-aware, or service-based method, including an ECE driver, client protocol module, client manager, server protocol module, server manager, and user interface to manage and monitor energy states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a control point is used to search client terminal information and provide remote control service, then service functionality is improved, but energy consumption increases because unnecessary elements remain operational
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the client terminal into multiple energy-consuming elements (ECEs), each corresponding to a specific service unit. This allows individual control of each element's energy state rather than controlling the entire terminal as a single unit. The ECE manager can selectively activate or deactivate specific ECEs based on service requirements, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining necessary service functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic energy state management where each ECE can transition between different energy states (active, standby, sleep) based on real-time service demands. The ECE manager dynamically adjusts the energy states of individual elements rather than maintaining a static power configuration, allowing the system to adapt energy consumption to actual service needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all client terminal elements are kept operational to support any service, then service availability is improved, but energy waste occurs on unnecessary elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the ECE manager autonomously monitors service requests and automatically adjusts the energy states of corresponding ECEs without user intervention. When a service is requested, the manager activates only the necessary ECEs; when services are not needed, the manager deactivates them to prevent energy waste, making the system self-regulating regarding energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where the ECE manager continuously monitors service availability requirements and uses this information to adjust ECE energy states. The system receives feedback about which services are currently needed and responds by optimizing the energy states of relevant ECEs, thereby preventing energy waste on elements that are not currently required for service delivery.
3Extent of automation
If energy control is implemented at the terminal level, then energy management capability is improved, but granularity of control is insufficient for individual service units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the client terminal into multiple discrete ECEs, each representing a specific service unit with its own energy state. This segmentation provides fine-grained control over individual service elements rather than treating the terminal as a monolithic unit. Each ECE can be independently managed, allowing precise control at the service-unit level while maintaining automated energy management through the ECE manager.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a home network client and server including an energy-away control element (ECE), and a control method thereof. A client advertises an ECE serving as a functional block of each service unit. The advertisement is recognized and the ECE is registered by a plug and play method. An ECE to be controlled is searched and selected among registered ECEs. State checking and management are performed on the selected ECE. The ECE is defined by each service unit in the home network server and client, and energy is controlled for each ECE, so that the energy consumption can be reduced.