Volatile Memory Self-Refresh for TV Standby Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital-television-enabled devices face significant time delays when transitioning from stand-by mode to active mode due to the need for a cold boot, which increases power consumption and contradicts energy efficiency standards.
Innovation Solution
A processor configures volatile memory to enter a self-refresh mode during stand-by, preserving the software state and prioritizing the loading of high-priority audio and video instructions, allowing for rapid reactivation upon entering active mode, with lower-priority functions loaded in parallel or during idle times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the control device is powered off during stand-by mode to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the time delay between active mode actuation and image appearance increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by keeping the volatile memory powered on during stand-by mode so that the software state is preserved in advance. When the user activates the device, the memory already contains the necessary software instructions, eliminating the need for a cold boot and significantly reducing the time delay while maintaining low power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the power management by differentiating between the control device (powered off) and the volatile memory (powered on during stand-by). This segmentation allows the memory to maintain software state without requiring the entire control device to be powered on, thus reducing time delay while controlling overall power consumption.
2Ease of operation
If a cold boot is performed to transition from stand-by mode to active mode, then the system can be reactivated, but the time delay increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The volatile memory maintains the software state in advance during stand-by mode, so when reactivation is needed, the system can quickly resume operation without performing a cold boot. This preliminary preservation of software state enables fast reactivation with minimal time delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The volatile memory acts as an intermediary between the powered-off control device and the powered-on display system. It preserves the software state and provides it during transition, enabling smooth reactivation without the time delay associated with cold boots.
3Ease of operation
If a cold boot is performed to transition from stand-by mode to active mode, then the system can be reactivated, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The volatile memory is kept powered on during stand-by mode to preserve software state, eliminating the need for a cold boot during reactivation. This approach reduces the power consumption spike that would otherwise occur during a cold boot while maintaining easy system reactivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The volatile memory serves as an intermediary that maintains software state without requiring full system power-up. This allows the control device to remain powered off (saving energy) while the memory maintains enough state to enable quick, low-power reactivation.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for rapidly instituting an active mode of a digital-television enabled system, the system including a first, volatile memory configured to load and store software instructions, includes: an input configured to receive first digital audio and video information; a first output configured to convey second audio and information toward a display regarding the first audio and video information; at least one second output configured to convey commands to, and receive information from, the first memory; and a processor configured to perform functions in accordance with software instructions stored in first and second memories and to cause the first memory to load software instructions for provision to the processor such that first instructions for processing at least one of the first audio information and the first video information are loaded and stored by the first memory with a higher priority than second instructions for performing other functionality.