Power Mode Switching in Information Processing Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information processing apparatuses face challenges in effectively reducing electric power consumption, particularly in sleep mode, due to limited memory capacity and the need to cover various network protocols and services, making it difficult to set multiple determination conditions.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a communication unit, determination unit, power mode setting unit, and registration unit that switch power modes based on received communication packets meeting specific determination conditions, with the ability to register and enable/disable communication protocols to optimize determination conditions for the environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple determination conditions are registered to cover various network protocols and services, then the reliability of power mode switching is improved, but the device complexity and memory usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower mode switching accuracyVSAvoiddetermination condition management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments determination conditions into multiple categories including communication protocol types, service types, packet source/destination information, and packet content characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to manage complex determination conditions in an organized manner, breaking down the overall determination process into manageable segments that can be independently configured and evaluated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic determination conditions that can be flexibly configured, enabled or disabled based on operational needs. The system dynamically adjusts which determination conditions are active, allowing adaptation to different network environments and service requirements without fixed static configurations, thereby managing complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple determination conditions are registered to cover various network protocols and services, then the reliability of power mode switching is improved, but the memory capacity requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower mode switching accuracyVSAvoidmemory capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a mechanism where not all determination conditions need to be simultaneously active in memory. Instead, the system evaluates multiple potential conditions but only maintains the necessary subset in active memory based on current operational context, enabling partial evaluation of determination conditions to reduce memory requirements while preserving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs determination conditions with universal structures that can evaluate multiple aspects of network packets using a unified framework. This multi-functional determination condition structure allows a single condition entry to cover multiple evaluation criteria (protocol type, service type, packet characteristics), reducing the total number of separate condition entries needed in memory

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the apparatus remains in sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the response time to network events increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric power consumptionVSAvoidresponse time to network packets

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent configures determination conditions in advance during system setup or operation, storing pre-defined criteria for power mode transitions. This preliminary configuration allows the sleep mode controller to quickly evaluate incoming network packets against pre-set conditions without requiring complex real-time analysis, enabling fast response from sleep mode while maintaining energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a streamlined evaluation process that allows the system to rapidly assess whether incoming network packets meet determination conditions for wake-up. The system can quickly skip through the determination condition checks using efficient matching algorithms, rushing through the evaluation process to minimize the time spent in sleep mode while still ensuring accurate power mode switching decisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS11405519B2Information processing apparatus and information processing method

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a communication unit, a determination unit, a power mode setting unit, an input process unit, and a registration unit. The communication unit receives a communication packet. The determination unit determines whether the communication packet received by the communication unit in a second power mode of first and the second power modes meets at least one of a plurality of determination conditions included in determination condition information. The second power mode is lower in electric power consumption than the first power mode. The power mode setting unit switches a power mode from the second power mode to the first power mode on the basis of a result of determination performed by the determination unit. The input process unit receives user operation. The registration unit registers the determination conditions in the determination condition information on the basis of the user operation received by the input process unit.