Modem energy management system and method

A system and method for modem energy management utilizing a controller that is responsive to both a user-configurable timing system and a data activity sensor. The disclosed technology provides a configurable interface that enables a user to specify the parameters governing the modem assuming a low-power or sleep state, as well as a monitor adapted to detect the occurrence and rate of user data, video, Wi-Fi, voice and other services. The parameters a user may specify include elapsed time since the last detected data use, the rate of data being transmitted/received by the modem, the time of day and/or the day of the week. The system and method also permit a user to manually initiate the assumption of a low-power or a full-power mode by a modem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The ever-increasing utilization of broadband data communication technology and the advent of the Internet-of-Things has led to the almost ubiquitous use of cable and optical modems to provide end user connectivity in both business and residential environments. These modems, which enable two-way data transmissions between service providers and end users, typically include sophisticated high-speed data controllers and processors.

Typically, once an optical or cable modem is installed and set-up within a particular environment, the modem remains in an always-on state, with the associated controllers/processors in an active mode prepared to modulate/demodulate or otherwise manage bidirectional data transmissions. This always-on state ensures that the modem will properly receive, transmit or otherwise manage any incoming or outgoing data. However, this also leads to the components within the modem being maintained at a fully-active state at all times and therefore continuously consuming power. As previously stated, optical and cable modem components include one or more high-speed processors/controllers, and consequently the amount of power required by a fully-active modem can be significant.

Although cable and optical modems are typically operated in a continuous, fully-active state, the transmission of data in most modem environments is sporadic. Peak data flows may occur during normal business hours in commercial environments, or perhaps during evenings or weekends in residential environments. Incoming data may surge during the downloading of a movie, and an increase in bidirectional data could occur during a video conference. Contrastingly, data usage could drop to near zero during overnight hours (for both residential and commercial environments), or during business hours for a residential environment. However, almost regardless of the particular data usage scenario, it is inherently inefficient to maintain a modem in an always-on state. Having a user power down a modem after a particular data use period, or power up a modem in anticipation of use is impractical and inconvenient for a host of reasons. For example, data usage can be unpredictable, modems are often situated in places that make manual control inconvenient, users do not want to wait for a modem to power-up and initialize prior to every data transmission/reception.

Present modem technology is ill-suited to provide for a modem that autonomously assumes a low-power state during periods of low data use, and switches to a full-power on state to support expected high data transmission and reception.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and method for modem energy management utilizing a controller that is responsive to both a user-configurable timing system and a data activity sensor. The invention includes a configurable interface that enables a user to specify the parameters governing the modem assuming a low-power or sleep state, as well as a monitor adapted to detect the occurrence and rate of user data, video, Wi-Fi, voice and other services. The parameters a user may specify include elapsed time since the last detected data use, the time of day and/or the day of the week. The system and method also permit a user to manually initiate the assumption of a low-power or a full-power mode by a modem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1is a functional block diagram of a modem power management system employing a user interface102. The system includes modem104, power module106, controller108, clock110. As shown, modem in connected to send data to and receive data from a service provider via bidirectional service provider line112. Line112is typically an RF, cable or optical line. Modem104is also connected to an end user network via user data line114. User data line114would typically be linked to an Ethernet, USB or Wi-Fi system at a user location. Modem104serves as the conduit between bidirectional service provider line112and user data line114, demodulate and modulated transmitted and received data streams as required for the service provider and user systems.

Controller108is communicatively linked to modem104so receive information indicative of the data activity being supported by the modem, and to provide control signals to modem104governing the modulation and demodulation processes within that component. Controller108comprises a programmable digital microprocessor, as well as associated software, memory and interface circuitry typically required for operation and support. Such microprocessor-based systems are well-known in the art and will not be discussed in detail.

Controller108is also connected to clock110and user interface102. Clock110is adapted to measure the duration of the period of time (TLOW) that the rate of data passing through modem104remains below a predetermined threshold value, RMIN. RMINcan be pre-programmed into controller108, or set by a user via user interface102. The user can, for example, set the value of RMINby entering a specific minimum threshold data rate, choosing from a menu of predetermined threshold data rates, or specifying a minimum threshold rate as a function of the present data rate measured by controller108or of previously attained system data rates stored in the memory associated with controller108. The user may also employ user interface102and controller108to set RMINas a function of the time of day, day of the week, or the date. For example, controller108may be programmed by the user to set RMINto a first value between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and to a second, different value between 5:00 PM and 9:00 AM, or to set RMINto a first value on weekdays and to a second, different value on weekends. A user may also choose to set RMINto zero. Upon the determination by controller108that the rate of data passing through modem104has fallen below RMIN, clock110is triggered and time during which the data rate remains below the threshold rate, TLOW, is measured.

The measured duration of TLOWis then compared to the duration of a predetermined minimum period of low data activity (PLOW). As with RMIN, PLOWcan be pre-programmed into controller108, or set by a user via user interface102. The user can also set the value of PLOWas a function of the time of day, day of the week, or the date. If duration of TLOWis found by controller108to exceed the period PLOW, controller108instructs modem104to enter into a low-power sleep state. In this low-power the modem ceases to modulate or demodulate and consequently draws a lower amount of power from power module106. Controller108will maintain modem104in the low-power sleep mode for a fixed period of time TSLEEP. TSLEEPcan be a fixed time, or the user can set the value of TSLEEPvia user interface102, the termination of the period of low-power modem operation can be a function of the time of day and/or the day of the week. In addition, the user, via user interface102, may manually instruct controller108to shift the modem in to or out of a low-power sleep mode regardless of the rate of data passing through modem104.

A method and process (200) wherein the detected data rate is described above for controlling the system ofFIG.1is illustrated inFIG.2. As shown, after initialization of the modem (step202), the rate of data being processed by modem104is compared by controller108to RMIN(step204). If the data rate is found to be below RMIN, then in step206the TLOWclock is started (or continued if it was already running), and any clocking of THIGHis reset to zero by controller108. Controller108then checks to see if TLOW, as measured by clock110, has exceeded duration PLOW(step208). If not, then the process continues with step204. However, if TLOWhas exceeded PLOW, controller108then determines if modem104is in sleep mode (step210). If the modem is already in sleep mode, the process continues with step204. In the event that modem104is not in sleep mode, it is placed in sleep mode at step212. Controller108then checks to see if the user has manually initiated a command instructing modem104to be placed into full-power mode (step214). Such a command could be initiated from user interface102, of by actuating a switch on the body of the modem itself (such as the Wi-Fi Protected Setup, WPS, switch which is commonly found on modems). If so, the process continues with step228. If not, then controller108determines if the user has manually issued a command to power down modem104(step216). If so, the modem is powered down (step218), and if not, the process continues with step204. If not, the process continues with step220and the controller checks to see if TLOWhas exceed the predetermined limit PSLEEP. If so, then the process continues with step228; if not, the process continues with step204.

If at step204the rate of data being processed by modem104is determined to be at or above RMIN(step204), then in step222the THIGHclock is started (or continued if it was already running), and any clocking of TLOWis reset to zero by controller108. Controller108then checks to see if THIGH, as measured by clock110, has exceeded duration PHIGH(step224). If not, then the process continues with step204. However, if THIGHhas exceeded PHIGH, controller108then determines if modem104is in full-power mode (step226). If the modem is in full-power mode, the process continues with step204. In the event that modem104is not in full-power mode, it is placed in sleep mode at step228. Controller108then checks to see if the user has manually initiated a command instructing modem104to be placed into sleep mode (step230). Such a command could be initiated from user interface102, of by actuating a switch on the body of the modem itself. If so, the process continues with step212. If not, then the process continues with step216.

The disclosed invention offers many advantages, including the ability to permit the user to configure the minimum data rate (RMIN) and the various threshold durations (PLOW, PHIGH), and to configure the controller to vary these thresholds and durations as a function of time, day, date, or other parameter(s) provided to the controller. The user is also provided a simple means of issuing a command to place the modem into a sleep or fully-powered state regardless of the present data processing rate. The invention also enables this configuration and to be performed via a user interface. This interface may be a device that is physically connected to the controller, or a networked device communicating with the controller via the Internet or a wireless or cellular network (i.e., a mobile device).

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. For example, the clock and the controller were depicted as separate devices, this depiction is in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Various functional aspects of the invention could be implemented via physical arrangements that might have varying degrees of integration. The entirety of the disclosed invention could be implemented within a monolithic circuit, or disparate discrete components without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.