Approach for managing power consumption of network devices
First Claim
1. 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, andwherein 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.
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Abstract
An approach for managing power consumption of network devices includes determining whether one or more state change criteria for a network device are satisfied. Examples of state change criteria include, without limitation, whether the network device needs to be operating in a different operational state to perform a specified function and whether a specified function has been completed. If the one or more state change criteria for the network device are satisfied, then the network device is signaled over a communications network to cause the network device to change operational states. According to one embodiment of the invention, the signaling causes the network device to change from a first operational state to a second operational state where the network device consumes a different amount of power when operating in the second operational state relative to when the network device is operating in the first operational state.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1. 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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer-readable medium for managing power consumption of a network device wherein the network devices is configured with a plurality of operational states, the computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:
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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 states 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. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. An apparatus for managing power consumption of a network device wherein the network devices is configured with a plurality of operational states, the apparatus comprising a memory carrying one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
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Specification