Sensor-Based Power State Transition for Computing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management techniques in computing devices lead to user inconvenience by requiring users to wait for the device to resume from hibernation or suspend states before it is ready for use, as these techniques do not efficiently respond to changes in the physical environment or user intent.
Innovation Solution
A computing device equipped with sensors (gyrometer, accelerometer, light sensor, temperature sensor, and location sensor) monitors changes in orientation and ambient conditions, activating a controller to transition between hibernation, suspended, and active power states based on detected changes, thereby reducing wait times for user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the computing device performs system suspend or hibernation operation to reduce power consumption, then power savings are achieved, but the device requires longer time to resume and is not ready for immediate use
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by monitoring sensor data (accelerometer, gyrometer, light sensor, temperature sensor, location sensor) before the user actually needs to use the device. When the system detects that the user is approaching or has arrived at the device based on sensor inputs, it proactively transitions from hibernation/suspend state to active state in advance, so the device is already ready when the user interacts with it.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts power states based on real-time sensor data and environmental conditions. Instead of static power management, the system continuously evaluates sensor inputs (motion detection, light levels, temperature changes, location data) to determine the optimal power state, transitioning between hibernation, suspend, and active states according to detected user presence and environmental context.
2Ease of operation
If the computing device remains in active power state to be immediately ready for use, then user convenience is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of sensor data to predict when the user will need the device. By detecting user approach through accelerometer, gyrometer, light sensor, temperature sensor, and location sensor data, the system activates before the user actually interacts with the device, providing immediate responsiveness without requiring the device to remain continuously active.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple sensors (accelerometer, gyrometer, light sensor, temperature sensor, location sensor) to continuously monitor environmental conditions and user presence. This feedback loop enables the system to make intelligent decisions about power state transitions, activating only when sensor data indicates user presence or approach, thus balancing power consumption with user convenience.
3Extent of automation
If the computing device uses multiple sensors to detect environmental changes for automatic wakeup, then responsiveness to user intent is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multiple sensor types (accelerometer, gyrometer, light sensor, temperature sensor, location sensor) that serve universal purposes - each sensor can detect various environmental changes that may indicate user presence or intent. Rather than using specialized sensors for each function, the system leverages the multi-functionality of these sensors to gather comprehensive environmental data for power state decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges data from multiple independent sensors (accelerometer, gyrometer, light sensor, temperature sensor, location sensor) into a unified power management decision process. By combining information from these diverse sensor sources, the system achieves robust automatic wakeup capability without requiring each sensor to independently trigger separate functions, thereby managing complexity through integrated processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for controlling power states in a computing device, and apparatus for performing such methods are disclosed. An example method includes monitoring a plurality of sensors included in a computing device. The method further includes detecting, based on the monitoring, occurrence of at least one of a change in physical orientation of the computing device and one or more changes in an ambient environment of the computing device and, responsive to a detected change, activating a controller of the computing device. The method also includes providing, from the sensors to the controller, data corresponding with the at least one of the detected changes. The method still further includes selecting, by the controller, based on the data provided by the sensors, a power state for the computing device and transitioning the computing device to the selected power state.