Power-Gating Media Decoders via Dynamic Buffer Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power-management techniques in portable electronic devices are inflexible and struggle to accommodate dynamically varying power consumption due to user-defined conditions and interactions between applications, leading to inefficiencies in energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A system that selectively enables and disables memory and media decoders based on the amount of data in memory buffers, using control logic to manage power consumption by disconnecting power or clock signals to unused components, optimizing power usage based on pre-determined thresholds and dynamic parameters such as data amount, decoding rate, and playback mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing power-management techniques are implemented using a small number of inflexible rules, then power consumption can be reduced through simple control, but the system cannot accommodate dynamically varying power consumption based on user-defined conditions and application interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system dynamically adjusts the operational state of media decoder components based on real-time buffer status. Control logic continuously monitors decoded data buffer levels and transitions decoder components between active and low-power states according to dynamically changing conditions, enabling the system to adapt to varying power consumption requirements while maintaining operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-monitoring control logic that automatically detects buffer status and autonomously makes power management decisions without external intervention. The control logic evaluates buffer levels and independently determines when to transition decoder components to low-power states, enabling the system to self-regulate power consumption based on actual operational needs
2Use of energy by moving object
If decoder components are kept active to ensure immediate data processing, then processing speed is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring of decoded data buffer levels by control logic, which rhythmically checks buffer status and adjusts decoder component states accordingly. This periodic action enables the system to transition components to low-power states when buffers are sufficient, reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to quickly resume processing when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-filling decoded data buffers to sufficient levels before transitioning decoder components to low-power states. This preliminary buffering ensures that when components are activated again, data processing can resume immediately without delay, maintaining productivity while enabling power savings during idle periods
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a system that reduces power consumption by power-gating media decoders are described. During operation of the system, a decoder circuit receives encoded audio data and outputs corresponding decoded audio data to a memory, which is electrically coupled to the decoder circuit. Moreover, control logic, which is electrically coupled to the memory and the decoder circuit, provides commands to the memory and the decoder circuit that selectively disable at least a portion of the memory based on an amount of decoded audio data in the memory.