Power Management for Portable Devices via Selective Wireless State Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable computing devices face challenges in maintaining wireless network connections while conserving power, as they often disconnect from networks when transitioning to low power states like sleep or hibernate modes.
Innovation Solution
A computing apparatus determines if it is connected to a preferred access point and transitions to a reduced power state, maintaining the wireless network connection by keeping wireless functionality in a higher power state when connected to a preferred access point, while reducing power consumption by entering a lower power state for non-preferred access points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the computing apparatus transitions to a reduced power state to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but the wireless network connection is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the computing apparatus into two operational states: a full power state where both processor and wireless functionality operate normally, and a reduced power state where only wireless functionality remains active to maintain network presence. This segmentation allows selective power management of different components based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the power state of the processor based on network activity and access point type. When connected to a preferred access point, the processor can transition to a reduced power state while the wireless functionality maintains the network connection. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing power savings without permanently losing network connectivity.
2Reliability
If the computing apparatus maintains wireless network connection in reduced power state, then network presence is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different power management strategies based on the type of access point. When connected to a preferred access point, only the processor enters reduced power state while wireless functionality remains active. When connected to non-preferred access points, both processor and wireless functionality enter reduced power states. This localized quality adjustment optimizes power consumption while maintaining network presence only when necessary.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the computing apparatus disconnects from network when changing power state, then power is conserved, but network services become unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining wireless functionality in an active state before the processor fully transitions to reduced power state. This allows the network connection to be preserved in advance, ensuring that network services remain available even when the processor is in a low power state, thus avoiding the need to completely disconnect from the network.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing apparatus receives data that corresponds to a wireless network connection established with an access point. The computing apparatus determines whether the access point corresponds to a predetermined access point type, and also determines that a device is to transition to a reduced power state. When the access point corresponds to the predetermined access point type and the determines that the device is to transition to the reduced power state, the computing apparatus transitions the device from a first power state to a reduced power state, and maintains the wireless network connection by using at least a subset of wireless functionality operatively coupled to the device.