Abstract:
Electronic device communication systems and methods are operable to decrease power consumption in an electronic device during user defined power conservation periods. An exemplary embodiment identifies an occurrence of a start of a user defined power conservation period, maintains power to a first group of components in the electronic device, and shuts off a second group of components in the electronic device in response to the occurrence of the start of the user defined power conservation period.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices, such as a set top box, a stereo, a television, a computer system, a game system, or the like, are often located at a user&#39;s premises. At those times when the user is not actively using the electronic device, the electronic device may be consuming power so as to remain in a readiness state in the event that the user begins to use the electronic device. Accordingly, when the user begins to use the electronic device, undesirable start up delays are avoided. However, electrical power consumed by these electronic devices while operating in the readiness state may be an unnecessary expense that is paid for by the user. 
     In view that it is desirable to reduce energy costs for the user, there is a need in the arts to reduce power consumption in electronic devices during periods that the user will not be using the electronic device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Systems and methods of decreasing power consumption in an electronic device during user defined power conservation periods are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment identifies an occurrence of a start of a user defined power conservation period, maintains power to a first group of components in the electronic device, and shuts off a second group of components in the electronic device in response to the occurrence of the start of the user defined power conservation period. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred and alternative embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a power manager implemented in an electronic device; and 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an exemplary power manager implemented in an exemplary media-type electronic media device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a power manager  100  implemented in an electronic device  102 . The electronic device  102  comprises a first group of components  104 , a second group of components  106 , and a power supply  108 . Examples of the electronic device  102  include, but are not limited to, set top boxes (STB), stereos, surround-sound receivers, radios, televisions (TVs), digital video disc (DVD) players, digital video recorders (DVRs), game playing devices, or personal computers (PCs). The power supply  108  may be an energy source, such as a battery, a generator, a fuel cell, a solar cell, or another electrical power generating device. Alternatively, or additionally, the power supply  108  may be a power connection interface configured to electrically couple the electronic device  102  to a power grid or the like (not shown). 
     Operating in a “readiness state” enables the electronic device  102  to quickly respond to a user&#39;s input without the need for a lengthy startup process that would otherwise occur as various components of the electronic device  102  “warm up” and become operational. However, when the electronic device  102  is operating in the readiness state, the electronic device  102  is not responding to any particular user instructions, and is likely not performing any useful tasks. Further, the electronic device  102  is consuming power. During such times, the cost of the consumed power may be a needless expense since the electronic device  102  is not likely to be used. 
     Embodiments of the power manager  100  place the electronic device  102  into a power conservation mode of operation during user defined power conservation periods. Since the user knows with reasonable certainty when they will likely not be using the electronic device  102 , the user specifies the date and/or times for one or more power conservation periods based upon their anticipated electronic device  102  use schedule. 
     Components of the electronic device  102  that perform essential functions are defined as members of the first group of components  104 . When operating in the power conservation mode, the electronic device  102  continues to provide power to the first group of components  104  so that essential functions of the electronic device  102  are maintained. 
     Components of the electronic device  102  that do not perform essential functions are defined as members of the second group of components  106 . When operating in the power conservation mode, the electronic device  102  shuts off or otherwise disables the second group of components  106  so that the total power consumption of the electronic device  102  is reduced during the power conservation period. Since the selected components are not consuming power, the cost of power consumed by the electronic device  102  is reduced. Further, embodiments of the power manager  100  reduce energy consumption and increase attendant environmental quality benefits realized through energy conservation. 
     For example, power might by provisioned to a processor or the like so that a clock and/or calendar function is maintained during the power conservation period. Here, the end time of the power conservation period must be tracked so that the electronic device  102  may resume full functionality after the conclusion of the power conservation period. Thus, tracking the end time of the power conservation period is an exemplary essential function. Accordingly, the processor or the like performing the function of monitoring for occurrence of the end time of the power conservation period is an essential component that is predefined as a member of the first group of components  104 . 
     Essential functions may be identified based on design considerations of the electronic device  102  and/or may be identified based on intended functionality of the electronic device  102  with respect to its operating environment. Any particular component of the electronic device  102  may be defined as either a member of the first group  104  or the second group  106 . 
     For example, a media-type electronic device  102  may be configured to receive information from a remote source. In one application where receipt of information from the remote source may be delayed, information receiving components of the electronic device  102  may be defined as members of the second group of components  106  that are shut off or otherwise disabled during the power conservation period. On the other hand, a different application may require that the media-type electronic device  102  be capable of receiving at least some information from the remote source, such as an emergency “wake up” notification that terminates the power conservation period. In this application, the information receiving components may be essential, and therefore, may be defined as members of the first group of components  104 . 
     The user defines the power conservation period by specifying a date and/or day, and a time period, that defines when the electronic device  102  will be operating in the power conservation mode. The user may define a power conservation period that spans multiple days, weeks, or even months. 
     The power conservation period may be defined in terms of calendar days (month and date of day) or may be defined by specification of particular days of the week. The power conservation period may be defined by a specified start time and a specified end time. Alternatively, the power conservation period may be defined by a specified start time and a duration. When the duration of the power conservation period is specified, the end time may be determined based on the specified start time plus the duration. 
     For example, the user may know with reasonable certainty that they will not be using the electronic device  102  from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. during the work week (e.g.: Sunday night through Thursday). The user may also know with reasonable certainty that they will not be using the electronic device  102  from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. during the weekend (e.g., Friday and Saturday). Further, the user may know with reasonable certainty that they will not be using the electronic device  102  from 2:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. on holidays and/or specified vacation dates. 
     In the example above, the user may specify a first power conservation period for Sunday through Thursday, by specifying a start time at 11:00 p.m., and by specifying an end time at 6:00 a.m. for the following morning. Embodiments of the power manager  100  define the first power conservation period to occur on Sundays through Thursdays, where the start time of the power conservation period is 11:00 p.m. and the end time of the power conservation period is 6:00 a.m. 
     The user may specify a second power conservation period for Saturday and Sunday, by specifying a start time at 1:00 a.m. and a duration of four hours. Embodiments of the power manager  100  define the second power conservation period to occur on Saturday and Sunday, where the start time of the power conservation period is 1:00 a.m. and the end time of the power conservation period is 5:00 a.m. 
     The user may specify a third power conservation period for selected holidays and selected dates corresponding to the holidays and/or the scheduled vacation days by specifying a start time at 2:00 a.m. and by specifying an end time at 6:30 a.m. Embodiments of the power manager  100  define the third power conservation period to occur on specified dates of the holidays and/or vacation days, where the start time of the power conservation period is 2:00 a.m. and the end time of the power conservation period is 6:30 a.m. 
     Embodiments of the power manager  100  monitor the current date (or day) and time. Upon the occurrence of the date (or day) and the time for the start of a predefined power conservation period, the process of operating in the power conservation mode is initiated. When the power conservation period starts, the second group of components  106  is shut off or is otherwise disabled so that they do not consume power. At the conclusion of the power conservation period, the second group of components  106  is re-powered. The second group of components  106  are then active so that they are ready for operation in the event that the user begins to use the electronic device  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the electronic device  102  may be communicatively coupled to a communication network  110  via a connection  112 . A remote device manager  114  may then send communications to and/or receive communications from the electronic device  102  via the communication network  110 . 
     An exemplary embodiment of the remote device manager  114  comprises a processor system  116  and a memory  118 . The memory  118  is configured to store electronic device information  120  and a plurality of power conservation periods  122 . 
     The electronic device information  120  is information that is communicated at some point to the electronic device  102 . For example, the electronic device information  120  may include software updates, information updates, or other information of interest that is used by the receiving electronic device  102 . 
     In applications where the electronic device  102  communicates with the remote device manager  114 , the electronic device  102  may advise the remote device manager  114  of its scheduled power conservation period(s). The remote device manager  114  stores the scheduled power conservation period information into a particular one of the power conservation periods  122 . Further, the remote device manager  114  stores an identifier of that particular electronic device  102  into the power conservation period  122 . 
     From time to time, the remote device manager  114  may need to communicate the electronic device information  120  to the electronic device  102 . However, the electronic device  102  may not be able to receive the electronic device information  120  when operating in its power conservation mode. Since the remote device manager  114  has previously stored the times of the scheduled power conservation period for that particular electronic device  102 , the remote device manager  114  may then buffer or continue to store the electronic device information  120  for later communication to the electronic device  102 . When the power conservation period concludes and the electronic device  102  exits operation from the power conservation mode, the remote device manager  114  may then communicate the buffered or stored electronic device information  120  to the electronic device  102 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic device information  120  may be automatically communicated at the conclusion of the power conservation period. Alternatively, the electronic device information  120  may be held for some predefined duration after the conclusion of the power conservation period, and then may be communicated to the electronic device  102 . In some embodiments, the remote device manager  114  may notify the electronic device  102  that the electronic device information  120  is available, and that the electronic device information  120  will be communicated after the electronic device  102  responds or otherwise request the information from the remote device manager  114 . 
     The remote device manager  114  may be communicatively coupled to a plurality of other electronic devices  102 . For example, the electronic device information  120  may be intended to be communicated to many different ones of the plurality of other electronic devices  102 . The remote device manager  114  may communicate the electronic device information  120  to those electronic devices  102  not operating in a power conservation mode. For any of the electronic devices  102  that are operating in a power conservation mode, the electronic device information  120  may be buffered or stored for later communication to those electronic devices  102 . 
     Further, the remote device manager  114  may be communicatively coupled to one or more information devices  124  that may have electronic device information  120  that needs to be communicated to the plurality of other electronic devices  102 , or to a particular one of the electronic devices  102 . The information device  124  may cooperatively operate with the remote device manager  114  so that their particular electronic device information  120  is eventually received by those electronic devices  102  that are operating in the power conservation mode. 
     For example, the electronic device information  120  may be communicated from the information devices  124  directly to the remote device manager  114 . The remote device manager  114  may then manage transfer of the information to the plurality of electronic devices  102 . 
     Alternatively, or additionally, the electronic device information  120  may be communicated from the information devices  124  to the plurality of electronic devices  102  and to the remote device manager  114 . Since the remote device manager  114  is configured to determine which ones of the plurality of electronic devices  102  are operating in a power conservation mode, the remote device manager  114  may buffer or store the electronic device information  120  for later communication to the electronic devices  102  after their respective power conservation periods conclude. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, the electronic device information  120  may be communicated from the information devices  124  to the plurality of electronic devices  102 . In some situations, the information device  124  may determine that the communicated electronic device information  120  has not been received or processed by some of the electronic devices  102  (such as when the non-receiving or non-responding electronic devices  102  are operating in a power conservation mode). For example, but not limited to, the electronic device  102  operating in a power conservation mode may return a message or notification that the electronic device information  120  was not received. For such non-responsive electronic devices  102 , the information device  124  may communicate the electronic device information  120  to the remote device manager  114 . The remote device manager  114  may buffer or store the electronic device information  120  for later communication to the electronic devices  102  after the non-receiving or non-responding electronic devices  102  conclude their respective power conservation periods. Alternatively, or additionally, the information device  124  may resend the electronic device information  120  to the non-responsive electronic devices  102  at a later time. 
     In some instances, the electronic device  102  may request authorization from the remote device manager  114  to implement a scheduled power conservation period. The remote device manager  114  may then compare the start time and the end time of the power conservation period for that particular electronic device  102  with other scheduled events. If there is a conflict, the remote device manager  114  may refuse or otherwise deny authorization of the power conservation period. 
     Embodiments of the power manager  100  may be implemented in media devices that present content  126  on a display  128  for viewing by the user. For example, the electronic device  102  may be communicatively coupled to a television  130  and/or have its own display  128 . 
     Embodiments that are communicatively coupled to the display  128  may be configured to present a power conservation period (PCP) electronic program guide (EPG)  132  to assist the user in specifying a power conservation period. The PCP EPG  132  is a type of a user interface that presents a menu, or a series of menus, that use a combination of text and symbols to indicate information that may be selected by the user to specify the date, the day, the start time, the end time, and/or the duration of a power conservation period. 
     The PCP EPG  132  has the look and feel of a table with information describing available selection options. The PCP EPG  132  is interactive with the user. The user, via a remote control  134  that is in communication with the electronic device  102  that is controlling presentation of the PCP EPG  132  on the display  128 , is able to “scroll” or “navigate” about the PCP EPG  132  to specify the information that is used to define the power conservation period. When the user highlights the portion of the PCP EPG  132  corresponding to selected information using their remote control  134 , the user may actuate one or more actuators  136  to cause the electronic device  102  to specify the information for the power conservation period. For example, if the user is specifying the start time, the user may interactively scroll through a clock or other timer. When the desired start time is indicated on the PCP EPG  132 , the user may actuate one of the actuators  136  to specify the indicated time as the start time for the power conservation period. The end time may be similarly specified by the user. A calendar or the like may be displayed on the PCP EPG  132  for specifying the date and/or day of the power conservation period. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, the user may specify the date, the day, the start time, the end time, and/or the duration of a power conservation period using any suitable user interface. For example, the user may specify the date, the day, the start time, the end time, and/or the duration of a power conservation period directly by operating the actuators  136  on the remote control  134 . Actuators may be included on the electronic device  102  that may be used to specify the date, the day, the start time, the end time, and/or the duration of a power conservation period. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an exemplary power manager  100  implemented in an exemplary media-type electronic device  102 . The exemplary electronic device  102  illustrated in  FIG. 2  corresponds to a set top box (STB) that is configured to process received video and/or audio content. Embodiments of the power manager  100  may be implemented in other various media-type electronic devices  102  such as, but not limited to, a stereo, a surround-sound receiver, a radio, a television (TV), a digital video disc (DVD) player, a digital video recorder (DVR), a cellular phone equipped with video functionality, a personal device assistant (PDA), a game playing device, or a personal computer (PC). 
     The non-limiting exemplary media-type electronic device  102  comprises a program content stream interface  204 , a processor system  206 , an optional first memory  208 , a second memory  210 , a program buffer  212 , an optional digital video recorder (DVR)  214 , a presentation device interface  216 , a remote control interface  218 , and an optional remote device manager interface  220 . The memory  210  comprises portions for storing the media device logic  222 , the power conservation engine  224 , and one or more power conservation periods  226 . Other electronic devices  202  may include some, or may omit some, of the above-described media processing components. Further, additional components not described herein may be included in alternative embodiments. 
     Processes performed by the electronic device  102  are generally implemented by the processor system  206  while executing the media device logic  222 . In some embodiments, the media device logic  222  and the power conservation engine  224  may be integrated together, and/or may be integrated with other logic. 
     The exemplary electronic device  102 , here the exemplary STB, is configured to provide video and/or audio content that is received in one or more program content streams  228 . The program content stream  228  typically comprises a plurality of programs multiplexed together into a transport channel. The one or more program content streams  228  are communicated to the electronic device  102  from a media system sourced from a remote head end facility (not shown) operated by a media provider. Non-limiting examples of such media systems include satellite systems, cable system, and the Internet. For example, if the program provider provides programming via a satellite-based communication system, the electronic device  102  is configured to receive one or more broadcasted satellite signals detected by an antenna (not shown). Alternatively, or additionally, the program content stream  228  can be received from one or more different sources, such as, but not limited to, a cable system, a radio frequency (RF) communication system, or the Internet. 
     The one or more program content streams  228  are received by the program content stream interface  204 . One or more tuners  204   a  in the program content stream interface  204  selectively tune to one of the program content streams  228  in accordance with instructions received from the processor system  206 . The processor system  206  parses out program content associated with the program of interest based upon a request for a program of interest specified by a user. The program of interest is then assembled into a stream of video and/or audio information which may be stored by the program buffer  212  such that the program content can be streamed out to the media presentation device, such as a television (not shown), via the presentation device interface  216 . Alternatively, or additionally, the parsed out program content may be saved into the DVR  214  for later presentation. 
     The processor system  206  may perform a variety of functions, including maintaining a clock, a calendar, and/or a timer that is used by embodiments of the power manager  100  for scheduling power conservation periods. The processor system  206  retrieves and executes the power conservation engine  224  so that, at predefined or specified dates, days, times, and/or durations, the electronic device  102  operates in the power conservation mode. Accordingly, the processor system  206  in this exemplary embodiment is an essential component, and is therefore predefined to be a member of the first group of components  104 . 
     When the electronic device  102  is operating in a power conservation mode, the processor system  206  monitors real time to identify the occurrence of the end time of the power conservation period. At least the end time of the power conservation period must be stored in the memory  208 . Accordingly, the memory  208  in this exemplary embodiment is an essential component, and is therefore predefined to be a member of the first group of components  104 . 
     Other components are predefined to be members of the second group of components  106 . For example, the program content stream interface  204 , and the one or more tuners  204   a , are consuming power when receiving the program content stream  228 . However, since the user is not likely going to be using the electronic device  102  during the power conservation period, the program content stream interface  204 , and the one or more tuners  204   a , could be shut off or otherwise disabled to conserve power. Accordingly, the program content stream interface  204 , and the one or more tuners  204   a , in this exemplary embodiment are not essential components, and are therefore predefined to be members of the second group of components  106 . 
     Since the program content stream interface  204 , and the one or more tuners  204   a , will not be operational during the power conservation period, the program buffer  212 , the DVR  214 , and the presentation device interface  216  will not be processing received program content. Accordingly, these components are not essential, and are therefore predefined to be members of the second group of components  106 . 
     The remote control interface  218  is configured to detect incoming wireless radio frequency signals and/or infrared signals transmitted to it by the remote control  134 . The remote control interface  218  consumes power when monitoring for reception of wireless signals from the remote control  134 . Since the user is not likely to be using the electronic device  102  during the power conservation period, the remote control interface  218  will likely not be receiving any wireless signals from the remote control  134 . Accordingly, the remote control interface  218 , in this exemplary embodiment is not an essential component, and is therefore predefined to be a member of the second group of components  106 . 
     The remote device manager interface  220  is configured to receive incoming electronic device information  120  from the remote device manager  114  and/or the information devices  124 . Accordingly, the remote device manager interface  220  includes a transceiver, receiver, or the like (not shown). The remote device manager interface  220  also consumes power when monitoring for reception of electronic device information  120 . Since the user is not likely to be using the electronic device  102  during the power conservation period, power may be optionally conserved by shutting off or otherwise disabling the remote device manager interface  220 . Accordingly, in this exemplary embodiment, the remote device manager interface  220  is not an essential component, and is therefore predefined to be a member of the second group of components  106 . 
     Depending upon the type of memory media that the memory  210  is implemented on, the memory  210  may consume power. For example, the memory  210  may be implemented as a disk drive type memory. Since the user is not likely to be using the electronic device  102  during the power conservation period, the media device logic  222  will not need to be accessed by the processor system  206 . Here, power may be optionally conserved by shutting off or otherwise disabling the memory  210 . Accordingly, the memory  210 , in this exemplary embodiment is not an essential component, and is therefore predefined to be a member of the second group of components  106 . 
     Summarizing the above-described example implementation of the embodiment of the power manager  100 , the first group of components  104  comprises the processor system  206  and the memory  208 . The second group of components  106  comprises the program content stream interface  204 , the tuners  204   a , the program buffer  212 , the DVR  214 , the presentation device interface  216 , the remote control interface  218 , the remote device manager interface  220 , and the memory  210 . A list of components defined as members of the first group of components  104  and as members of the second group of components  106  may be stored in the memory  208 , in the memory  210 , or in another suitable memory media. The members of the first group of components  104  and/or the second group of components  106  may be defined based on user specifications or may be predefined, such as, but not limited to, manufacturer or vendor specifications. 
     In practice, the processor system  206  retrieves and executes the power conservation engine  224 . The start dates/days and the start time of any predefined power conservation periods are stored in the corresponding power conservation periods  224  stored in the memory  210 , or alternatively, are stored in the memory  208 . When the occurrence of the start of one of the power conservation periods is determined, the processor system  206  causes the second group of components  106  to become shut off or otherwise disabled. Power consumption by the exemplary electronic device  102  decreases since the program content stream interface  204 , the tuners  204   a , the program buffer  212 , the DVR  214 , the presentation device interface  216 , the remote control interface  218 , the remote device manager interface  220 , and the memory  210  are no longer consuming power. 
     The end time of the power conservation period is stored in the memory  208  (or alternatively, is stored in the memory  210  in embodiments where the memory  210  is a member of the first group of components  104 ). The processor system  206  monitors real time to identify the end of the power conservation period. Upon the occurrence of the end of the power conservation period, the processor system  206  repowers the second group of components  106 . Accordingly, the program content stream interface  204 , the tuners  204   a , the program buffer  212 , the DVR  214 , the presentation device interface  216 , and the memory  210  are operational such that program content may be received and processed. The remote control interface  218  becomes operational such that signals may be received from the remote control. Further, the remote device manager interface  220  becomes operational such that signals may be received from the remote device manager  114 . 
     The components that are members of the second group of components  106  may be shut off or otherwise disabled in any suitable manner. For example, but not limited to, switches or the like (not shown) may be used to disconnect the component from the power supply  108 . 
     Some embodiments may be configured with multiple second groups of components  106 . Accordingly, different levels of power conservation may be implemented based upon user defined instructions. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the power manager  100  are merely possible examples of implementations of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.