Power Management Module Pausing Requests for Power Saving Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery-powered electronic devices face inefficiencies in power mode switching, often consuming excessive power when idle due to inability to seamlessly transition from active to power saving modes, especially when applications with dynamic content are involved.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for power mode switching that involves sending pausing requests to applications, determining acceptance, and configuring the electronic system into power saving mode based on idle triggers or user requests, with a power management module coordinating hardware components to reduce power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the electronic system enters power saving mode during idle time, then power consumption is reduced, but application execution is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidapplication execution continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting idle conditions and sending pausing requests to applications before actually entering power saving mode. The application is given advance notice and opportunity to prepare for pausing, ensuring smooth transition and minimizing disruption to application execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the power management module monitors idle time conditions, sends pausing requests to applications, receives pausing accepted signals, and only then transitions to power saving mode. This feedback loop ensures applications are properly prepared and notified before mode switching occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If the system switches to power saving mode based on idle time threshold, then power saving is achieved, but user experience may be affected due to unexpected mode changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system sends pausing requests to applications in advance before entering power saving mode, giving users and applications time to prepare. This preliminary notification mechanism prevents sudden mode changes that would disrupt user experience, while still enabling power saving based on idle time conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The power management module receives feedback from applications through pausing accepted signals before confirming mode transition. This feedback mechanism ensures applications are ready for pausing, preventing unexpected interruptions and maintaining better user experience while achieving power saving goals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Duration of action of stationary object

If applications are paused without proper coordination, then power saving mode can be entered quickly, but application state management becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower saving mode durationVSAvoidapplication state management

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power management module serves as an intermediary between the power management unit and applications. It coordinates the pausing process by sending pausing requests to applications, receiving pausing accepted signals, and only then triggering the actual mode transition. This intermediary role simplifies state management by centralizing coordination logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Applications are given advance notice through pausing requests before the actual pausing occurs. This allows applications to perform necessary state management preparations in advance, reducing the complexity of coordinating application states during the actual mode transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If the system remains in active mode continuously, then application operations are uninterrupted, but power consumption increases significantly during idle periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication execution continuityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its power mode based on idle time conditions. When idle conditions are detected and applications accept pausing requests, the system transitions to power saving mode. When activity is detected, the system can resume active mode. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between power consumption and application continuity based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8543854B1Method and system for power configuration

Publication Date: 2013.09.24 MARVELL ISRAEL (M L S L) LTD

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for power mode switching. The method includes sending a pausing request to an application executed in an electronic system. The pausing request informs the application of an intent to switch the electronic system from an active mode to a power saving mode that causes the electronic system to pause executing the application. Then, the method includes determining that the application accepts the pausing request, and configuring the electronic system into the power saving mode, such that the application pauses at a pausing point determined in response to the pausing request.