Smart Device Energy Saving Mode via Communication Parameter Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smart devices face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining user performance demands, as high performance leads to increased power consumption, potentially causing overheating and affecting normal operation.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that start an energy saving mode by acquiring communication parameters with a gateway device to determine the device's idle state, reducing communication frequency, and closing lower-priority applications, thereby reducing power consumption without compromising user performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If multiple applications are started in the background in advance to improve starting speed, then application starting speed is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication starting speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-loads and keeps frequently used applications in memory during idle states so that when users need these applications, they can be launched immediately without waiting for loading. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by preparing applications in advance during periods when power consumption is less critical, enabling fast startup while managing overall power usage through intelligent timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of background applications based on device state (idle vs. active) and user behavior patterns. During idle periods, more applications are maintained in memory; when the device is actively being used, the system reduces background application loading. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing the balance between startup speed and power consumption according to real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If high performance configuration is used to meet user demands, then device performance is improved, but power consumption increases causing overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice performanceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses high-performance processing only when necessary (when users are actively interacting with the device) and reduces processing activity during idle periods. By applying partial action - using full performance only when needed rather than continuously - the system maintains high device performance when required while significantly reducing power consumption and heat generation during idle states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system periodically monitors device state and user activity patterns, switching between high-performance and energy-saving modes based on detected idle periods. This periodic adjustment of performance levels allows the device to maintain high productivity when needed while managing power consumption and heat through regular cycles of high and low performance states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3133874B1Method and apparatus for starting energy saving mode
Publication Date: 2018.08.01 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3133874B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3133874B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3133874B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The present disclosure refers to a method and an apparatus for starting an energy saving mode, which belongs to an electronic device field. The method comprises: acquiring (101) a communication parameter related to communication with a gateway device, the communication parameter comprising at least one of a communication quality parameter and a preset idle period; determining (102) a current running state according to the communication parameter; starting (103) the energy saving mode when it is determined that the running state is an idle state.