Data Storage Device Driver Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional data storage devices lack the ability to dynamically adjust power and performance settings based on the system's state, leading to inefficient power management and unpredictable reliability, especially when used in battery-powered systems where the need for adaptability is critical.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a data storage device driver that allows users to set and adjust power and performance settings through a user interface, using Vendor Specific Codes to communicate with the device and override default power management commands, enabling adaptive power management and performance optimization based on the system's state and application requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional data storage devices use internal power management settings, then power efficiency is improved, but the ability to adapt to system state changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to system state

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power management by allowing the storage device to transition between multiple power states (e.g., idle, active, suspended) based on real-time system state changes. The device can dynamically adjust its power consumption level according to whether the system is battery-powered or AC-powered, and based on detected application characteristics, thereby resolving the contradiction between fixed power efficiency and adaptability to system state changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where the host computer provides power state information (battery status, AC presence) to the storage device driver. The driver uses this feedback to automatically adjust power management settings, enabling the device to adapt to changing system conditions while maintaining energy efficiency through continuous monitoring and adjustment based on system state feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If drivers are used to manage storage operations, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unpredictability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of power managementVSAvoidstorage operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a power management intermediary layer that sits between the host operating system and the storage device driver. This intermediary component handles the complex power state transitions and communicates with the storage device through standardized interfaces, thereby simplifying power management operations for users while maintaining reliable communication with the storage hardware through controlled, predictable state changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system manages reliability by carefully controlling parameter changes in power state transitions. The driver modifies specific parameters (power state, performance level) in a controlled manner with defined transition protocols, ensuring that ease of operation is maintained through automated parameter adjustment while reliability is preserved through predictable and monitored parameter changes rather than arbitrary driver modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If power management settings are fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different power sources deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management complexityVSAvoidadaptability to power sources

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power management by allowing the storage device to transition between multiple power states (e.g., idle, active, suspended) based on real-time system state changes. The device can dynamically adjust its power consumption level according to whether the system is battery-powered or AC-powered, thereby resolving the contradiction between fixed power efficiency and adaptability to system state changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9195293B1User controlled data storage device power and performance settings

Publication Date: 2015.11.24 WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Adjusting power and/or performance settings of a data storage device (DSD) in a system including the DSD and a host in communication with the DSD. A driver executed on the host defines user settings for the DSD and determines a state of the system. The driver commands the DSD to adjust power and/or performance settings for the DSD based on the state of the system and the user settings.