Predictive External Device Power Mode Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Satellite television systems lack access to local sub-channels, which are important for users seeking local news and weather information, due to customer interest, business, and regulatory challenges, and existing set-top boxes do not efficiently manage power modes of external devices.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for an external device to be removed from low power mode by generating a prediction signal in response to inputs, allowing either the host device or external device tuner to be taken out of low power mode predictively, ensuring the lowest power tuner is used first.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the external device enters low power mode to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but the device cannot respond quickly when local content is needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by predictively removing the external device from low power mode before actual use is needed. The controller monitors inputs and generates prediction signals to anticipate when local content will be required, proactively activating the external device tuner in advance to eliminate delays while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the external device remains active to ensure quick access to local content, then response time is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the power state of the external device based on real-time conditions and predictive algorithms. Rather than maintaining a static active or sleep state, the controller continuously monitors inputs and transitions the device between power modes optimally, balancing responsiveness and energy consumption adaptively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tuners are available in both host and external devices, then content access flexibility is improved, but power management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent access flexibilityVSAvoidpower management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by having the external device autonomously manage its own power state transitions based on prediction signals from the host. The external device monitors its own usage patterns and inputs, making independent decisions about when to exit low power mode, thereby simplifying the overall power management architecture while maintaining flexibility across multiple tuners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8291247B1Method and system for predicting use of an external device and removing the external device from a low power mode

Publication Date: 2012.10.16 DIRECTV LLC

AI summary

A system and method for removing a portion of a system such as an external device from lower power mode includes a host device and an external device in communication with the host device. The external device is in a low power mode. The host device includes a controller generating a prediction signal in response to an input to an external device and commands the external device from low power mode in response to the prediction signal.