Silent Wakeup Logic for Remote Computer Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Computing devices transitioning from sleep states to active states due to remote access can startle or inconvenience people nearby, as they immediately power up components like displays, hard disk drives, speakers, and CPUs, leading to increased noise and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a 'silent wakeup' logic that distinguishes between remote and local access events, allowing the device to transition into a partial wake state where components remain in low power or muted states until a local user interaction occurs, thereby minimizing disturbance and power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the computer transitions to a full wake state upon receiving a remote access indication, then the computer can respond to remote access requests, but components such as display, CPU, hard disk drive, and speakers power up completely causing noise and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote access responsivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wake state is segmented into two distinct modes: a partial wake state for remote access and a full wake state for local interaction. The system selectively activates only the necessary subsystems based on the access type, dividing the wake-up process into minimal necessary activation versus complete activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

For remote access scenarios, the system applies partial action by activating only the minimal necessary components (network interface, basic processing) while leaving other components (display, speakers, full CPU power) in a low-power state. This avoids excessive power consumption while maintaining remote accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If the computer transitions to a full wake state upon receiving a remote access indication, then the computer can respond to remote access requests, but the display lights up, speakers produce sound, and hard disk drive spins up causing disturbance to people nearby

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote access responsivenessVSAvoidnoise and visual disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the wake-up response into two levels: partial wake for remote access and full wake for local interaction. By detecting the access type, the system activates only the necessary subsystems, preventing unnecessary visual and auditory disturbances while maintaining remote functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different quality states are applied to different components based on the access type. For remote access, only network and basic processing components are activated with quiet operation, while display and audio components remain in a low-activity state, creating a localized quality difference that reduces disturbance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Use of energy by moving object

If the computer remains in sleep state to minimize power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the computer cannot respond to remote access requests

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidremote access responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on the type of access detected. It transitions to a partial wake state specifically for remote access scenarios, maintaining a dynamic balance between power consumption and remote responsiveness, rather than remaining statically in sleep or full wake states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial wake-up action for remote access, activating only the minimum necessary components to handle remote requests while keeping the system responsive. This partial activation maintains energy efficiency while ensuring remote accessibility is not compromised.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Ease of operation

If all components are powered up completely when transitioning from sleep state, then the computer is fully ready for any operation, but power consumption and noise increase unnecessarily for remote access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem readinessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments component activation based on operational needs. For remote access, only network interface and basic processing components are activated, while display, audio, and storage components remain in low-power states. This segmentation provides sufficient readiness for remote operations without unnecessary power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial activation for remote access scenarios, powering up only the necessary components to handle remote requests. This avoids excessive power consumption while maintaining adequate system readiness for the specific remote access operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9710286B2Enhanced wakeup mode

Publication Date: 2017.07.18 ACER INC

AI summary

A method of operating a computer that is in a sleep state and that is accessed remotely. The method includes receiving an indication that the computer should transition from a sleep state to a wake state, determining whether the indication was generated as a result of a remote access to the computer, and upon determining that the indication was generated as a result of a remote access to the computer, causing the computer to transition to a partial wake state.