Storage Device Power Management via Host Behavior Commands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional storage devices lack granular control over power management and performance optimization, often favoring one aspect over the other, which is inadequate for the dynamic usage models of personal electronic devices that require balancing power conservation and performance based on user expectations.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of optimization logic within the storage device to actively manage power consumption, performance, and acoustic noise by receiving behavior commands from the host device, allowing for a spectrum of operational states that align with user expectations, including adjusting memory usage and drive speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the storage device operates in high performance mode, then user expectations for storage device performance are satisfied, but power consumption increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device dynamically transitions between operational states (power consumption levels) based on received behavior commands from the host device. The optimization logic selectively applies behavioral settings to adjust operational characteristics in real-time, allowing the system to adapt performance and power consumption to current usage needs rather than operating in a fixed state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters by applying behavioral settings that adjust one or more operational characteristics of the storage device. These parameter changes enable the storage device to operate at different performance levels and power consumption states, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high performance and reducing power usage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the storage device operates in low power mode, then battery longevity is extended, but storage device performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery longevityVSAvoidstorage device performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device dynamically adjusts its operational state based on host device behavior commands. By selectively applying behavioral settings, the system can transition to lower power consumption states when high performance is not required, thereby extending battery life while maintaining the capability to switch back to high performance modes when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system periodically evaluates behavior commands from the host device and adjusts operational states accordingly. This periodic adjustment allows the storage device to alternate between performance-optimized and power-optimized states based on actual usage patterns, balancing battery longevity with performance requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If granular control over power management is implemented, then power and performance trade-offs are optimized, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower management control granularityVSAvoidstorage device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device autonomously manages its own power consumption and performance by implementing optimization logic that processes behavior commands and selectively applies behavioral settings. This self-service approach allows granular control over power-performance trade-offs without requiring complex external management systems, as the storage device independently adjusts its operational state based on host device feedback

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2936276B1Method and apparatus for controlling a storage device
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 INTEL CORP
  • EP2936276B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2936276B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2936276B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mass storage device such as a disk drive or SSD (solid state drive) employs optimization logic for reduced power consumption in a host personal electronic device that identifies and prioritizes performance and power trade-offs by considering user expectations, user presence and application responsiveness. The storage device receives commands and information from the host device indicative of user expectations about application invocation, data freshness, and usage patterns, and determines a operational state indicative of behavior settings for reducing power consumption while maintaining the performance constraints required by the user expectations. The granularity of performance considerations communicated from the host device to the mass storage device is expanded to permit the storage device to determine, based on performance constraints from user expectations, appropriate and specific power reduction measures for maintaining the user experience.