Patent ID: 7209805

Claim:
A method for managing power consumption of a network device wherein the network devices is configured with a plurality of operational states, the method comprising: determining whether the network device should change from a first operational state in the plurality of operational states to a second operational state in the plurality of operational states based on a request for the network device to perform a first function, wherein the plurality of operational states reflects a hierarchy of operational states wherein the network device consumes a different amount of power in each operational state in the hierarchy of operational states; receiving, over a communications network, a request to change from a first operational state to a second operational state in the plurality of operational states; transitioning from the first operational state to the second operational state in response to receiving the request; wherein in the first operational state, power is provided to one or more electronic components in the network device to allow the one or more electronic components to process the request to change from the first operational state to the second operational state and power is not provided to a mechanical module in the network device, and wherein in the second operational state, power is provided to the one or more electronic components in the network device to allow the one or more electronic components to perform one or more additional functions and power is not provided to the mechanical module in the network device; and sending a message after transitioning from the first operational state to the second operational state.