Patent Publication Number: US-11641108-B2

Title: Systems, apparatus, and methods for power management

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 16/817,521, filed on Mar. 12, 2020, which in turn is a continuation of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 15/858,161, filed on Dec. 29, 2017 (now U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/594,140), which in turn is a continuation of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 15/090,444 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,858,717), which in turn is a continuation of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/412,683 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,306,416), which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/450,814, filed on Mar. 9, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Disclosed embodiments relate generally to power management for electronic devices. More specifically, disclosed embodiments relate to reducing power consumption in remote-controlled electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Recently, the cost of energy has risen and the environmental impact of energy consumption has become better understood. As a result, it is desirable to reduce energy consumption in order to save money and protect the environment. However, conventional electronic devices, including, e.g., digital devices such as amplifiers, radios, televisions, audio/video receivers, video cassette recorders (VCRs), digital versatile disc (DVD) players, digital video recorders (DVRs), game consoles, etc., consume energy even when they are powered “off.” 
     For example, when conventional electronic devices are powered off, specific components in the devices remain powered on and therefore continue to consume energy and draw power from a power source, such as an outlet. The conventional electronic devices may keep these components powered on in order to ensure that the device may quickly respond to a user powering on the device, for example, by pressing a power button on the device or on a remote control. For instance, remote control sensors in conventional electronic devices are often integrated into a circuit that provides power to specific components when the device is powered off, and thus allow the specific components to draw power while the device is in a power-off mode. 
     This setup in conventional electronic devices has a dramatic effect on energy consumption. For example, because both the specific components and the remote control sensor continue to draw power even when the device is powered off, the conventional electronic devices tend to consume approximately 45% of their rated energy consumption while powered off, wasting a large amount of energy. 
     SUMMARY 
     Systems and methods consistent with disclosed embodiments may provide a first power component capable of providing power to a first component and a second power component capable of providing power to a second component. A power mode selection receiving component may be capable of receiving an indication of a selected power mode. A switching component may control the two power components based on the received selected power mode. The power mode selection receiving component and the switching component may be powered independently of the first and second power components, so that in an off power mode power is blocked from the main component and the standby component, while the power mode selection receiving component and the switching component receive power. 
     In some embodiments, an input such as a remote control provides a user with three choices for managing the power of the electronic device. A first choice may be an on mode. In response to the user&#39;s choice of an on mode, the switching component may control the power components to provide power to both the main and standby component. A second choice may be a standby mode. In a standby mode, the switching component may control the power components to provide power to the standby component and block power from the main component. A third choice may be an off mode. In an off mode, the switching component may control the power components so that power is blocked from both the main component and the standby component. In all three modes, power is supplied independently to the power mode selection receiving component and the switching component. 
     Additional objects and advantages of disclosed embodiments will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosed embodiments. The objects and advantages of the embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is an exemplary diagram of an electronic system consistent with disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG.  2    is an exemplary embodiment of an input device, consistent with disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG.  3    is a power mode selection circuit, consistent with disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG.  4    is an exemplary block diagram of a switching component, consistent with disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG.  5    is an exemplary power mode selection process, consistent with disclosed embodiments; and 
         FIG.  6    is another exemplary power mode selection process, consistent with disclosed embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Disclosed embodiments may provide a capability for reducing almost all power consumed by an electronic device when powered off. Systems and methods consistent with disclosed embodiments provide power to a power mode selection receiving component, e.g., a sensor that receives a command from an input device. The power mode selection receiving component receives the command independently of other components in the electronic device, allowing one or more of the other components to receive no power while the power mode selection receiving component receives power. Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
       FIG.  1    is a diagram of an electronic system  100  consistent with disclosed embodiments. Electronic system  100  may include input device  110  connected to one or more electronic devices  120  via network  130 . Input device  110  may communicate with one or more of the electronic devices  120  via network  130  to change various settings on electronic devices  120 , such as power settings, for example. 
     In some embodiments, electronic system  100  may be a home entertainment system. In this example, electronic devices  120   a ,  120   b ,  120   c ,  120   d , and  120   e  may be a television, an audio/visual receiver, a DVD player, a VCR, and a DVR, respectively. In one embodiment, other types of electronic devices may be implemented in system  100  such as set top boxes, video game consoles, music playback devices, etc. Input device  110  may communicate with electronic devices  120  via network  130 , allowing a user to interact with the electronic devices  120 . For example, in some embodiments, input device  110  may allow a user to choose a current power mode for each of the electronic devices  120 . The power modes may include an on mode, a standby mode, and an off mode, for example. 
     When a device is in an on mode, the device may be functional from the standpoint of the user. For example, in an on mode, most or all of the components in the device may receive power. When a device is in a standby mode, the device may not be functional from the standpoint of the user, but some of the components in the device may receive power so that the device can become functional quickly in response to a user switching the device into the on mode. For example, in a standby mode, the device may power a subset of its components, but may not supply power to other components. When a device is in an off mode, the device may not be functional from the standpoint of the user. Further, in an off mode, the device may supply power to a smaller subset of components than are powered in the standby mode. For example, in one embodiment, in the off mode, the device may only provide power to the components necessary to receive an input from input device  110 . 
     Electronic devices  120  may each have various components (not shown). In some embodiments, these components may be divided into two or more groups. For example, in certain embodiments, electronic devices  120  may each have one or more main components and one or more standby components. Main components may include electronic components that can be powered on and off relatively quickly, while standby components may include electronic components that take a longer time to become operational after they are powered on. For example, standby components may include bootable electronic devices that require additional time to boot before becoming operational. As discussed in greater detail below, the main components may receive power in an on mode, but may riot receive power in either an off or standby mode. Likewise, the standby components may receive power in an on and a standby mode, but may not receive power in an off mode. 
     Network  130  may include any one of or combination of wired or wireless communication mechanisms. For example, network  130  may include a wireless network such as infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF), microwave, cellular and/or wireless network employing, for example, Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11 protocols. Likewise, network  130  may include a wired network such as twisted pair wire, coaxial cable, optical fiber, and/or a digital network. Additionally, network  130  may be integrated into any local area network, wide area network, campus area network, or the Internet and may allow for communication between input device  110  and electronic devices  120  when input device  110  is in a different location than electronic devices  120 . 
     While one input device  110  is shown in  FIG.  1   , system  100  may use any number of input devices  110 . For example, in some embodiments, one input device  110  may control multiple electronic devices  120 . In other embodiments input device  110  may control a single electronic device  120 , such as electronic device  120   a , for example. Similarly, while  FIG.  1    shows five electronic devices  120   a - 120   e , system  100  may include any number of electronic devices. 
     Similarly, input device  110  may be any type of device that a user may use to send an input to one or more of the electronic devices  120 . For example, in some embodiments, input device  110  may be a remote control that allows a user to communicate wirelessly with electronic devices  120 . However, input device  110  is not limited to a remote control and may include, e.g., a keyboard, mouse, personal computer, cellular telephone, smart phone, personal digital assistant, tablet, an input for receiving voice commands, a video game console controller, etc. 
       FIG.  2    is an exemplary embodiment of input device  110  that is configured as a remote control, consistent with certain disclosed embodiments. Input device  110  includes an output component  210  and a front face  220  that may include multiple buttons such as buttons  230 ,  240 ,  250  and  260 , for example. A user may select one or more of buttons  230 - 260  in order to change settings on one or more of electronic devices  120 . In response to the user&#39;s selection of a button, input device  110  may send an electronic signal to one or more of electronic devices  120  via output component  210 , the signal indicating the selected setting change. The configuration, format, design, and “look and feel” of input device  110  is not limited to that shown in  FIG.  2    and such features may vary consistent with disclosed embodiments. 
     In some embodiments output component  210  may include IR light emitting diodes (LEDs) capable of sending an IR signal via network  130  to an electronic device, such as electronic device  120   a . The IR signal may be modulated, for example, to encode data, and the signal may be received by electronic device  120   a . Other communications protocols and components may also be used, such as Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, etc. 
     In one embodiment, input device  110  may include power buttons that may allow a user to place an electronic device into different power states. For example, input device  110  may include on button  230 , standby button  240 , and off button  250 . In some embodiments, on button  230  and standby button  240  may be combined to a single button that toggles between the two power states when selected. A user may select on button  230  to place an electronic device into on mode, standby button  240  to place an electronic device into standby mod and off button  250  to place an electronic device into off mode. The different power modes will be discussed in greater detail below. 
     Buttons  260  may include various other setting options for an electronic device. The arrangement, number, and selection of buttons  260  may vary, e.g., depending on the type of electronic device(s) being controlled. 
     Buttons  230 - 260  may be any input mechanism capable of receiving a user&#39;s input. For example, in some embodiments, buttons  230 - 260  may be physical buttons that a user depresses to indicate a choice as shown in  FIG.  2   . In other embodiments, one or more buttons  230 - 260  may be incorporated into an electronic display, such as a touch screen, for example, and the one or more buttons  230 - 260  may be displayed as icons on the screen for the user to select. In certain embodiments, buttons  230 - 260  may incorporate both physical buttons and a touch screen. In certain embodiments, input device  110  may use voice recognition and/or gesture recognition instead of buttons in to receive inputs from the user. 
       FIG.  3    is an exemplary powermode selection circuit  300 , consistent with disclosed embodiments. In one embodiment, power mode selection circuit  300  includes power input  310 , stabilizing diode  320 , transformer  330 , power mode selection receiving component  340 , switching component  360 , main switch  370 , standby switch  375 , power lines  391 ,  393 ,  394 ,  397 , and  398 , and communications lines  392 ,  395 , and  396 . These components are described in greater detail below with respect to  FIG.  3   . 
     Power mode selection circuit  300  may be included in an electronic device, such as one or more of electronic devices  120 , for example, to provide power to various components in the electronic device based on a specified power setting. For example, an electronic device may include one or more main components  380  and one or more standby components  385 , which are both powered by power mode selection circuit  300 . The identification of electrical components as either main components  380  or standby components  385  may vary among different electronic device  120  and among different embodiments. 
     For example, a DVD player may include several components, such as a microprocessor, video encoder and decoder, DVD tray motor, audio systems, DVD lens reader, internet connection, RAM, flash memory, etc. In one embodiment, key electrical components, such as the microprocessor and RAM, may be main components  380  and all other components may be standby components  385 . 
     In another embodiment, main components  380  may include one or more electronic components that can be powered off and powered on relatively quickly, while standby components  385  may include one or more electronic components that take a longer time to become operational after they are powered on. In the DVD player example, main components  380  may include the microprocessor, RAM, and a clock, and standby components  385  may include all other components. 
     In another embodiment, main components  380  may include certain key components and components that allow an electrical device to perform certain functionalities even in an off mode. In the DVD player example, the microprocessor, main components  380  may include RAM, clock, DVD tray motor, and components that enable network connections (e.g. the Internet), and standby components  385  may include all other components included in the DVD player. Thus, even in an off mode, a user may still be able to open and close the DVD tray and the DVD player may maintain an Internet connection. 
     In some embodiments, power mode selection circuit  300  may allow a user to selectively power on and power off the main components  380  and the standby components  385 . However, in other embodiments, power mode selection circuit  300  may allow a user to selectively power the main components  380  and/or the standby components  385  in a lower-power consumption mode. For example, in the DVD player example discussed above, power mode selection circuit  300  may provide power to components such that a clock is fully operational, but not enough power to enable to DVD tray to open. 
     While not shown in  FIG.  3   , in some embodiments main components  380  and/or standby components  385  may be communicatively connected to a network, e.g., the Internet. Main components  380  and/or standby components  385  may obtain information via the network in order to become operational faster after being powered on. For example, main components  380  and/or standby components  385  may obtain date, time, and location information from the network. In some embodiments, main components  380  and standby components  385  may be connected to the network via a network connection that is integrated into electronic device  120  separate from power mode selection circuit  300 . In other embodiments, main components  380  and standby components  385  may be connected to the network via switching component  360 . In such embodiments, switching component  360  may obtain the information from the network and send the information to main components  380  and/or standby components  385  via a wired or wireless connection between switching component  360  and main components  380  and/or standby components  385 . 
     Power mode selection circuit  300  may allow selective power control in response to user or other forms of input to power on and power off main components  380  and standby components  385  independently. In one embodiment, the selective power control may be performed via separate switches, such as main switch  370  and standby switch  375 , for example. Switches  370  and  375  may each be implemented using any type of switching device such as solid state switching devices, e.g., analog switches, solid state relays, metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), etc. 
     Further, while two switches  370  and  375  are shown in  FIG.  3   , any number of switches may be used. In some embodiments, switches  370  and  375  may be combined into a single switch, having any number of inputs and outputs. For example, in one embodiment, the switch may include two inputs that may correspond to communications lines  395  and  396  and two physical outputs with three different output modes, each output mode corresponding to one of the on, off, and standby modes. In another embodiment, an additional switch may be located on power line  394  in a location such that the additional switch is capable of blocking the power to both main components  380  and main components  385 . Switching component  360  may also control this additional switch, for example. In this embodiment, when switching component  360  switches into an off mode, switching component  360  may open the switch on power line  394  in order to block power to main components  380  and standby components  385 . 
     Power mode selection circuit  300  may include a power input  310  that draws power from a power source. For example, power input  310  may include a utility plug that connects to a standard 110/120 volt power outlet, a 12 volt power source, or any other type of external power source. The current may be stabilized by diode  320  and fed into transformer  330 . Transformer  330  may convert the alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), for example, so that it can be used by electronic devices. While one diode  320  and one transformer  330  are shown in  FIG.  3   , any number and different types of diodes and transformers may be used. Further, in certain embodiments, diode  320  and/or transformer  330  may not be included in power mode selection circuit  300 . 
     Transformer  330  may output the DC current to other components of power mode selection circuit  300 . For example, transformer  330  may provide power to a power mode selection receiving component  340  via power line  391 , to switching component  360  via power line  393 , and to main switch  370  and standby switch  375  via power line  394 . In this configuration, power mode selection receiving component  340  and switching component  360  may be powered via a separate circuit than main components  380  and standby components  385 . This may enable power mode selection receiving component  340  and switching component  360  to be powered independently of main components  380  and standby components  385 . 
     Power mode selection receiving component  340  may be capable of receiving an input regarding a power mode selection for an electronic device that includes power mode selection circuit  300 . For example, a user may select a specific power mode for the electronic device by selecting a power mode button (e.g. buttons  230 ,  240 ,  250 ) on input device  110 . Input device  110  may send information via network  130  that may be received by power mode selection receiving component  340 . For example, in embodiments where input device  110  sends information via IR, power mode selection receiving component  340  may include photodiodes capable of receiving the IR pulses and transforming them into electronic signals. As discussed above, in some embodiments, other communication protocols may be used, e.g., Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, etc. In these embodiments, power mode selection receiving component  340  may include a receiver capable of receiving information from input device  110  via one or more of these protocols and transforming them into electronic signals usable by circuit  300 . In other embodiments, a user may provide input to power mode selection receiving component  340  via other mechanisms, such as manually selecting buttons or the like on the electronic device, or providing input remotely via the Internet. In the latter example, power mode selection receiving component  340  may receive input from the Internet from a user remotely located from the electronic device, such as a user who is traveling and uses known Internet mechanisms to provide input via a web service or smart phone applications that provide or relay the user&#39;s selections to power mode selection receiving component  340  via Internet communication mechanisms. 
     Power mode selection receiving component  340  may be communicatively coupled to switching component  360  via communications line  392 . Power mode selection receiving component  340  may send one or more commands to switching component  360  based on the input received, e.g., from input device  110 . For example, power mode selection receiving component  340  may instruct switching component  360  to enter an on mode, an off mode, or a standby mode based on an input received from an external source such as a remote control. 
     In response to the input received from power mode selection receiving component  340 , switching component  360  may direct main switch  370  and/or standby switch  375  to open and/or close. Switching component  360  may control main switch  370  via main control line  395  and may control standby switch  375  via standby control line  396 . 
     For example, input device  110  may send a signal representing an on mode to power mode selection receiving component  340 . Responsive to the signal, power mode selection receiving component  340  may instruct switching component  360  to place the electronic device in an on mode. In response, switching component  360  may send a first control signal to main switch  370  via main control line  395 . The first control signal may direct main switch  370  to close and to provide power to main components  380  via main power line  397 . Switching component  360  may also send a second control signal to standby switch  375  via standby control line  396 . The second control signal may direct standby switch  375  to close and to provide power to standby components  385  via standby power line  398 . 
     Similarly, input device  110  may send a signal representing a standby mode to power mode selection receiving component  340 . Responsive to the signal, power mode selection receiving component  340  may instruct switching component  360  to place the electronic device in a standby mode. Switching component  360  may send a first control signal to main switch  370  via main control line  395 . The first control signal may direct main switch  370  to open and block power to main components  380 . Switching component  360  may send a second control signal to standby switch  375  via standby control line  396 . The second control signal may direct standby switch  375  to close and provide power to standby components  385  via standby power line  398 . 
     Similarly, input device  110  may send a signal representing an off mode to power mode selection receiving component  340 . Responsive to the signal, power mode selection receiving component  340  may instruct switching component  360  to place the electronic device in an off mode. Switching component  360  may send a first control signal to main switch  370  via main control line  395 . The first control signal may direct main switch  370  to open and block power to main components  380 . Switching component  360  may send a second control signal to standby switch  375  via standby control line  396 . The second control signal may direct standby switch  375  to open and block power to standby components  385 . Thus, in the off mode, main components  380  and standby components  385  do not receive any power. However, because power mode selection receiving component  340  and switching component  360  are powered by circuits separate from that powering main components  380  and standby components  385 , power mode selection receiving component  340  and switching component  360  may still draw power. 
     Power mode selection receiving component  340  and switching component  360  are shown in  FIG.  3    as separate components. However, in some embodiments, they may be incorporated in a single component. Further, switching component  360  may include any type of hardware and/or software capable of receiving an input regarding a power mode and controlling the power provided to various components based on that input. In some embodiments, switching component  360  may include hardwired circuitry, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). In other embodiments, switching component  360  may include a memory storing software that stores instructions executed by a processor. 
     As discussed above, switching component  360  may be implemented using various technologies.  FIG.  4    is an exemplary block diagram of one embodiment of a switching component  360  that may include processing and memory capabilities, consistent with disclosed embodiments. As shown, switching component  360  may include input  410 , main output  420 , standby output  430 , power input  440 , processor  450 , and memory  460 . Input  410  may be any input component capable of receiving a control signal indicating a power mode. For example, input  410  may receive a control signal from power mode selection receiving component  340 , In some embodiments, power mode selection receiving component  340  and switching component  360  may be combined in a single component, and input  410  may receive a control signal from input device  110  via network  130 , for example. In embodiments where input device  110  is a remote control, input  410  may include photodiodes to receive input from the remote control. 
     Main output  420  may be any output component capable of sending a control signal to control the power provided to one or more main components in an electronic device. For example, processor  450  may control the status of main switch  370  by directing main output  420  to send a control signal via main control line  395 . Similarly, standby output  430  may be any output component capable of sending a control signal to control the power to one or more standby components in an electronic device. For example, processor  450  may control the status of standby switch  375  by directing standby output  430  to send a control signal via standby control line  396 . 
     Power input  440  may receive power for switching component  360 . For example, power input  440  may receive power via a circuit that is separate from the circuit powering main components  380  and standby components  385 , so that switching component  360  may be powered independently of the main components  380  and standby components  385 . 
     Processor  450  may be one or more known processing devices, such as a microprocessor from the Pentium™ or Xeon™ family manufactured by Intel™, the Turion™ family manufactured by AMD™, or any other type of processor. Memory  460  may be one or more tangible storage devices configured to store information used by processor  450  to perform certain functions related to disclosed embodiments. In some embodiments, memory  460  may include one or more power mode selection programs that, when executed by processor  450  of switching component  360 , perform various procedures, operations, or processes consistent with disclosed embodiments. 
     In one embodiment, memory  460  may also store information used by processor  450  to select various power modes for different electronic devices. For example, memory  460  may include information regarding power-on events to deters pine whether it is appropriate to place an electronic device into an off mode or a standby mode. A power-on event may be a time in the future that the electronic device must be powered on, is scheduled to be powered on, etc. For example, in embodiments where the electronic device is a DVR, memory  460  may store information regarding scheduled DVR recordings. If a user attempts to turn the electronic device completely off, switching component  360  may instead turn the electronic device into a standby mode, so that the recordings can be made as scheduled. Further, in some embodiments, memory  460  may store information regarding scheduled DVR recordings, and processor  450 , executing programs stored in memory  460 , may generate commands that automatically switch a DVR from off mode to standby mode based on the scheduled recordings. 
     In the embodiments discussed above, memory  460  may store the entire DVR recording schedule or may store a subset of information related to the DVR recording schedule. For example, the DVR may include a separate memory, which may be included in main components  380  or standby components  385 , for example, that stores the DVR recording schedule. In some embodiments, switching component  360  may obtain information related to the DVR recording schedule from the separate memory. For example, instead of obtaining the entire schedule, switching component may obtain the next power-on event, the next two power-on events, or any number of the next power-on events. This information may be obtained at any time, such as before switching component  360  sends commands to block power to main components  380  and/or standby components  385  or every time there is a power mode change. For example, switching component  360  may receive a control signal from power mode selection receiving component, e.g., indicating a command to change from one power mode to another. Responsive to receiving the control signal with the command, switching component  360  may obtain information related to the DVR recording schedule (e.g., one or more of the next power-on events), e.g., by making a query for this information to the DVR&#39;s memory or to any other device such as a database storing the DVR recording schedule located remotely from the DVR via a network such as the Internet. The information related to the DVR recording schedule may then be stored in memory  460 . As discussed above, this information may be used to determine whether switching component  360  should enter a standby mode instead of an off mode and whether to automatically switch the device from an off mode to an on mode. 
     Memory  460  may also store information used to help components, such as standby components  385 , become operational more quickly after transitioning from an off mode to an on mode. For example, memory  460  may include information such as date, time, and location and may provide this information to the standby components  385  as they transition from an off mode. 
       FIG.  5    shows an exemplary power mode selection process  500 , consistent with disclosed embodiments. In one embodiment, process  500  may be performed by, e.g., power mode selection circuit  300 . The process may begin at step  510  where power mode selection receiving component  340  receives an input regarding a power state. For example, power mode selection receiving component  340  may receive an input from input device  110  via network  130 . Power mode selection receiving component  340  may send a command based on the input to switching component  360 , for example. However, as discussed, power mode selection receiving component  340  and switching component  360  may also be a single component. 
     At step  520 , switching component  360  determines whether the received input indicates an off, on, or standby mode. If the input indicates an on mode, switching component  360  may provide power to main components  380  and standby components  385  as shown in step  530 . For example, switching component  360  may send a first control signal to main switch  370  via main control line  395 . The first control signal may direct main switch  370  to close and to provide power to main components  380  via main power line  397 . Switching component  360  may also send a second control signal to standby switch  375  via standby control line  396 . The second control signal may direct standby switch  375  to close and to provide power to standby components  385  via standby power line  398 . 
     If, at step  520 , switching component  360  determines that the input indicates a standby mode, switching component  360  may provide power to standby components  385  but may block power to main components  380  as shown in step  540 . For example, switching component  360  may send a first control signal to main switch  370  via main control line  395 . The first control signal may direct main switch  370  to open and block power to main components  380 . Switching component  360  may send a second control signal to standby switch  375  via standby control line  396 . The second control signal may direct standby switch  375  to close and provide power to standby components  385  via standby power line  398 . 
     If, at step  520 , switching component  360  determines that the input indicates an off mode, switching component  360  may block power to both main components  380  and standby components  385  as shown in step  550 . For example, switching component  360  may send a first control signal to main switch  370  via main control line  395 . The first control signal may direct main switch  370  to open and block power to main components  380 , Switching component  360  may send a second control signal to standby switch  375  via standby control line  396 . The second control signal may direct standby switch  375  to open and block power to standby components  385 . Thus, in the off mode, main components  380  the standby components  385  do not receive any power. However, because power mode selection receiving component  340  and switching component  360  are powered by circuits separate from the circuit powering the main and standby components, power mode selection receiving component  340  and switching component  360  may still draw power. 
     At step  560 , switching component  360  and/or power mode selection receiving component  340  may determine if another input has been received. If switching component  360  and/or power mode selection receiving component  340  have not received another input, switching component  360  maintains the current power state, as shown in step  570 . If, at step  560 , switching component  360  and/or power mode selection receiving component  340  receive another input, the process may return to step  520  where switching component  360  again determines which power mode has been selected. 
       FIG.  6    shows another exemplary power anode selection process  600 , consistent with disclosed embodiments. In one embodiment, process  600  may be performed by exemplary embodiments of switching component  360 , such as the exemplary embodiment disclosed in  FIG.  4    where switching component  360  includes processor  450  and memory  460 . For example, software stored in memory  460  may include instructions that, when executed by processor  450 , cause processor  450  to perform one or more of the steps in process  600 . 
     Process  600  may begin at step  610  where processor  450  receives an input regarding a power state via input  410 . For example, processor  450  may receive an input from power mode selection receiving component  340  via input  410 . In embodiments where power mode selection receiving component  340  and switching component  360  are a single component, processor  450 , via input  410 , may receive an input from input device  110  over network  130 . 
     At step  620  processor  450  determines if the input received through input  410  indicates an off, on, or standby mode. If the input indicates an on mode, processor  450  may control the outputs at main output  420  and standby output  430  to provide power to main components  380  and standby components  385 , as shown in step  630 . For example, processor  450  may direct main output  420  to send a first control signal to main switch  370  via main control line  395 . The first control signal may direct main switch  370  to close and provide power to main components  380  via main power line  397 . Processor  450  may also direct standby output  430  to send a second control signal to standby switch  375  via standby control line  396 . The second control signal may direct standby switch  375  to close and provide power to standby components  385  via standby power line  398 . 
     If, at step  620 , processor  450  determines that the input received through input  410  indicates a standby mode, processor  450  may control the outputs at main output  420  and standby output  430  to provide power to standby components  385  but block power to main components  380 , as shown in step  640 . For example, processor  450  may direct main output  420  to send a first control signal to main switch  370  via main control line  395 . The first control signal may direct main switch  370  to open and block power to main components  380 . Processor  450  may also direct standby output  430  to send a second control signal to standby switch  375  via standby control line  396 . The second control signal may direct standby switch  375  to close and provide power to standby components  385  via standby power line  398 . 
     If, at step  620 , processor  450  determines that the input received through input  410  indicates an off mode, processor  450  may determine whether there are any power-on events, as shown in step  650 . For example, as discussed above, if processor  450  is part of a power mode selection circuit in a DVR, processor  450  may query the DVR&#39;s memory to determine whether there is a scheduled recording in the future. If, at step  650 , the processor determines that there is a power-on event, the process proceeds to step  640 , where processor  450  controls the outputs at main output  420  and standby output  430  to provide power to standby components  385  but block power to main components  380 . Thus, processor  450  returns to a standby mode, as described above with regard to step  640 . 
     If, at step  650 , processor  450  determines that there are no power-on events, processor  450  controls the outputs at main output  420  and standby output  430  to block power to both main components  380  and standby components  385  as shown in step  660 . For example, processor  450  may direct main output  420  to send a first control signal to main switch  370  via main control line  395 . The first control signal may direct main switch  370  to open and block power to main components  380 . Processor  450  may also direct standby output  430  to send a second control signal to standby switch  375  via standby control line  396 . The second control signal may direct standby switch  375  to open and block power to standby components  385 . 
     At step  670 , processor  450  determines whether another input has been received at input  410 . If processor  450  has not received another input via input  410 , processor  450  maintains the current power state, as shown in step  680 . However, if input  410  has received another input, processor  450  returns to step  620 , where processor  450  determines whether the input indicates an off, on, or standby mode, and the process, discussed above, repeats. 
     Process  600  is an exemplary process and may be varied consistent with disclosed embodiments. For example, at step  650  of process  600 , if processor  450  determines that there are power-on events, processor  450  proceeds to standby mode as shown in step  640 . However, in one embodiment, processor  450  may store the next power-on event in memory  460 . In this embodiment, processor  450 , in response to an input indicating an off mode, may control main output  420  and standby output  430  in accordance with an off mode, discussed above with regard to step  660 . Processor  450  may stay in off mode until either receiving another input or until determining that the time of the power-on event occurs. If input  410  receives another input, processor  450  may determine whether the input indicates an on, off, or standby mode, as discussed with regard to step  420 . However, if the time of the power on event occurs before input  410  receives another input, processor  450  may automatically proceed to an on mode, controlling main output  420  and standby output  430  as discussed above with regard to step  630 . 
     Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of embodiments disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments being indicated by the following claims. For example, any type of electronic device including the components disclosed herein consistent with the described embodiments may be used.