Network Device LED Power Control via Periodic Action
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current network devices face challenges in achieving further power savings beyond conventional methods, particularly in reducing power consumption during idle or low-activity states without compromising communication status indication.
Innovation Solution
A network device configured with multiple performance states, including a first and second performance state, where the light emitting elements are controlled to minimize power consumption, with the light emitting element control unit enabling or disabling the LEDs based on the device's state, allowing for reduced power usage in the second state while maintaining communication status indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the network device is set in a power saving state with reduced LED emission, then power consumption is reduced, but the visibility of communication status indication is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by switching the LED between emission and non-emission states in a time-division manner. During communication periods, the LED emits light to indicate status; during idle periods, the LED remains off to save power. This periodic switching resolves the contradiction by providing illumination only when necessary for communication status indication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the LED emission state changeable based on communication status. The LED dynamically adjusts its emission behavior - emitting during active communication and remaining off during idle periods. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between power saving and visibility based on real-time communication conditions.
2Illumination intensity
If the LED is continuously emitted to indicate communication status, then the visibility of communication status is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by switching the LED between emission and non-emission states in a time-division manner. During communication periods, the LED emits light to indicate status; during idle periods, the LED remains off to save power. This periodic switching resolves the contradiction by providing illumination only when necessary for communication status indication.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED emission is automatically controlled based on the communication status without requiring external intervention. The system itself determines when the LED should emit based on whether communication is active, making the illumination service self-regulating and energy-efficient.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the network device switches between multiple performance states, then adaptability to different usage scenarios is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the network device to handle multiple performance states (first state with full LED emission, second state with reduced LED emission) within a single integrated control framework. The same control unit manages both states, making the control system multi-functional rather than requiring separate systems for each state, thus minimizing complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The network device achieves significant power savings by reducing power consumption in low-activity states while ensuring users can still confirm communication status through LED indicators, even in sleep modes, thereby enhancing energy efficiency without compromising functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a first light emitting element configured to indicate a first type of information concerning a communication of data via the network
Data Source
AI summary
A network device may be configured to connect with an external device over a network. The network device may be provided with a light emitting element configured to indicate information concerning network communications, and a control unit. The network device may be configurable to any of a plurality of performance states including a first performance state and a second performance state. Power consumption in the second performance state may be smaller than power consumption in the first performance state. The control unit may allow emission of the light emitting element when the network device is set in the first performance state, and may control the light emitting when the network device is set in the second performance state such that power consumption of the light emitting element in the second case is smaller than power consumption of the light emitting element in the first case.