Peripheral Power Segmentation for Low Power State Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices face challenges in recovering from very low power states without using the main power switch, as traditional interfaces are powered down, making it non-intuitive for users to wake the device from these states.
Innovation Solution
A new low power state is introduced where the peripheral device is powered up while the host controller is powered down, using a multiplexer to disconnect and reconnect the devices based on activity detection on the data line, allowing the system to return to a standard power state without requiring the main power switch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the computing device enters a very low power state to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but the device becomes unresponsive to external stimulus and requires the main power switch to recover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power management by separating the peripheral device power supply from the host controller power supply. The peripheral device can remain powered while the host controller is powered down, allowing independent power control and intuitive wake-up functionality without requiring the main power switch.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiplexer acts as an intermediary component between the peripheral device and the host controller. It enables the peripheral device to maintain power supply while disconnected from the host controller, and facilitates reconnection when needed, solving the contradiction between power saving and ease of recovery.
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional interfaces are powered down to save power in very low power states, then power consumption is reduced, but the interfaces become unresponsive to user input
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the interface power management by keeping the peripheral device (keyboard/mouse) powered while shutting down the host controller. This allows the interface to remain responsive to user input while the main computing operations are suspended, resolving the contradiction between power saving and interface responsiveness.
3Ease of operation
If the peripheral device and host controller are both powered up for normal operation, then the device is fully functional, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management where the system can transition between different power states by controlling the multiplexer and power supplies. The peripheral device can be powered independently of the host controller, allowing the system to adapt power consumption based on operational needs rather than maintaining a fixed power state.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for recovering from a low power state in a computing system is disclosed. In one embodiment of the method, the computing system enters the low power state from a standard power state after an activity detector indicates a user controlled peripheral device connected to the computer system has been inactive for a period of time. To enter the low power state, the method disconnects the user controlled peripheral device from a host controller, while continuing to supply power to the user controlled peripheral device and shutting off power to the host controller. The method returns the computer system to the standard power state when the activity detector indicates the user controlled peripheral device has become active. To return to the standard power state, power is restored to the host controller and the user controlled peripheral device is reconnected to the host controller.