Patent ID: 6874091

Claim:
A method for reducing power consumption in a computer peripheral device, in at least one or more computer peripheral devices, each having a respective unique function, connected to a computer so as to operate in conjunction with the computer, the method comprising steps of: (a) determining whether or not the peripheral device has a first power save mode; (b) determining whether or not the computer is turned on, if it is determined that the peripheral device has the first power save mode, characterized in that it is determined that the computer is not turned on when the computer does not receive power, when the computer is in a second power save mode or when the connection between the computer and the peripheral device is cut off; (c) determining whether or not a predetermined time period has elapsed since the peripheral device has last performed its unique function, if it is determined that the computer is turned on; and (d) making the peripheral device enter into the first power save mode, if it is determined that the predetermined time period has elapsed, or that the computer is not turned on, wherein the first power save mode corresponds to a state in which the peripheral device consumes less power than when the peripheral device is in a normal operating state.