Reducing idle power consumption in a networked battery operated device
US7230933B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 17, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 12, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 23, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/3203
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An improved method and system for reducing the power consumption of computing devices capable of communicating over a wireless network allows longer device operation and/or the use of smaller batteries. The wireless computing device supports a low power channel for receiving control signals during idle periods of operation. When the computing device is idle, the device is configured to power down all of its components with the exception of the circuitry required to power the low power channel. As such, the channel is maintained in an active state for receiving signals during both idle and non-idle periods, or in an embodiment, only during idle periods. When another device wishes to communicate with the wireless computing device, the low power channel passes a “wake-up” signal to the device indicating that the device be powered up from the idle mode of operation. A host RF component that is coupled to the network via a host computer generates this wake-up signal in an embodiment of the invention.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.