Low-Power Processor Motion Detection for Fast Boot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current media devices, such as televisions, face challenges in meeting energy conservation standards due to high power consumption in standby modes, especially with increasing feature sets and long boot-up sequences, leading to user dissatisfaction with delayed startup times.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that toggles between power modes based on motion detection, using a low-power processor and motion sensor to initiate the central processing unit into a ready mode when user presence is detected, allowing for quick startup while conserving energy in standby modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the television enters a standby-state by powering down the main display while keeping the main CPU and chipsets powered, then the television can detect on-state requests, but the power consumption is too great to meet energy conservation standards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection of on-state requestVSAvoidpower consumption in standby-state
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The processing unit is segmented into two distinct components: a low-power standby processing unit and a main processing unit. The standby processing unit handles basic functions like detecting on-state requests with minimal power consumption, while the main processing unit is powered down during standby but can be quickly activated when needed. This segmentation allows the system to meet energy conservation standards while maintaining essential functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by stationary object

If the television powers down more components to meet energy standards, then power consumption is reduced, but the boot-up time increases due to long initialization sequences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumption in standby-stateVSAvoidboot-up time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The standby processing unit performs preliminary actions during the standby state by pre-loading essential data, initializing critical subsystems, and maintaining readiness states for components that will need to activate quickly. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces the boot-up time when the main processing unit is activated, as much of the initialization work has already been completed or prepared in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If the television keeps the main CPU powered to reduce boot-up time, then startup is faster, but the television cannot meet energy conservation standards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveboot-up timeVSAvoidpower consumption in standby-state
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The standby processing unit serves as an intermediary between the fully powered main processing unit and the completely powered-down state. It maintains a middle ground by staying partially active with minimal power consumption, handling background tasks, and preparing the system for quick activation. This intermediary role allows the system to achieve both energy efficiency and fast startup times without keeping the full main CPU powered continuously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2140333B1System and method for toggling between system power modes based on motion detection
Publication Date: 2013.03.27 TTE TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP2140333B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2140333B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

There is provided a system and method for toggling between system power modes based on motion detection. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a video unit (100), comprising a central processing unit (106), a low-power processor (108) coupled to the central processing unit (106), and a motion detector (118) coupled to the low-power processor (108), wherein the low-power processor (108) is configured to initiate the central processing unit (106) into a ready power mode as a result of motion detected by the motion detector (118).