Context-based power management
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computing system comprising:
- a non-transitory computer-readable medium; and
program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by at least one processor to;
cause a computing device to operate in a lower-power state, wherein data is received from a first input source while in the lower-power state;
while the computing device is in the lower-power state, determine, based on data received from the first input source, that at least a threshold probability exists that detection of a context of the computing device will improve by causing the computing device to operate in a medium-power state, wherein data is received from a second input source while in the medium-power state, and wherein power consumption of the second input source in the medium-power state is greater than power consumption of the first input source in the lower-power state;
responsively cause the computing device to operate in the medium-power state;
while the computing device is in the medium-power state, determine, based on data received from one or both of the first input source and the second input source, that at least an additional threshold probability exists that detection of the context of the computing device will improve by causing the computing device to operate in a higher-power state, wherein data is received from a third input source while in the higher-power state, and wherein power consumption of the third input source in the higher-power state is greater than power consumption of the second input source in the medium-power state; and
responsively cause the computing device to operate in the higher-power state.
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Abstract
In an embodiment, a computing system causes a computing device to operate in a lower-power state. Data received from a first tier of low-power input source(s) is used to determine user/environmental context and activate a second tier of input source(s) that operate in a higher power range. In each tier the system is running contextual detection to assess whether to engage higher power input sources or sensors to aid the user. With this mechanism, a user is able to have access to a broad range of services without having to explicit switch them on, while the system is able to intelligently manage power and battery life across input sources.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A computing system comprising:
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a non-transitory computer-readable medium; and program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by at least one processor to; cause a computing device to operate in a lower-power state, wherein data is received from a first input source while in the lower-power state; while the computing device is in the lower-power state, determine, based on data received from the first input source, that at least a threshold probability exists that detection of a context of the computing device will improve by causing the computing device to operate in a medium-power state, wherein data is received from a second input source while in the medium-power state, and wherein power consumption of the second input source in the medium-power state is greater than power consumption of the first input source in the lower-power state; responsively cause the computing device to operate in the medium-power state; while the computing device is in the medium-power state, determine, based on data received from one or both of the first input source and the second input source, that at least an additional threshold probability exists that detection of the context of the computing device will improve by causing the computing device to operate in a higher-power state, wherein data is received from a third input source while in the higher-power state, and wherein power consumption of the third input source in the higher-power state is greater than power consumption of the second input source in the medium-power state; and responsively cause the computing device to operate in the higher-power state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus comprising:
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a processor; a display element configured to receive information from the processor and to display the information; a wearable frame structure supporting the display element; a plurality of input sources, comprising; a first input source, wherein an average power consumption of the first input source places the first input source in a first power-consumption tier; and a second input source, wherein an average power consumption of the second input source places the second input source in a second power-consumption tier, wherein the second power-consumption tier is associated with greater power consumption than is the first power-consumption tier; a third input source, wherein an average power consumption of the third input source places the third input source in a third power-consumption tier, wherein the third power-consumption tier is associated with greater power consumption than is the second power-consumption tier; a power source configured to provide power to at least the processor, the display element, and the plurality of input sources, the power source comprising a battery power source; and a power controller configured to manage a power consumption of the plurality of input sources at least in part by (i) causing the first input source to remain in an always-on state, (ii) causing the second input source to transition from a second-input-source low-power state up to a second-input-source higher-power state responsive to detecting a first context trigger via the first input source, and (iii) causing the third input source to transition from a third-input-source low-power state up to a third-input-source higher-power state responsive to detecting a second context trigger via one or both of the first input source and the second input source. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus comprising:
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a processor; a display element configured to receive information from the processor and to display the information; a wearable frame structure supporting the display element; a plurality of input sources, comprising; a first input source, wherein an average power consumption of the first input source places the first input source in a first power-consumption tier, wherein the first power-consumption tier comprises input sources that each have an average power consumption of less than 10 milliwatts (mW); and a second input source, wherein an average power consumption of the second input source places the second input source in a second power-consumption tier, wherein the second power-consumption tier comprises input sources that each have an average power consumption of more than 10 mW but less than 200 mW; a power source configured to provide power to at least the processor, the display element, and the plurality of input sources, the power source comprising a battery power source; and a power controller configured to manage a power consumption of the plurality of input sources at least in part by (i) causing the first input source to remain in an always-on state, and (ii) causing the second input source to transition from a second-input-source low-power state up to a second-input-source higher-power state responsive to detecting a first context trigger via the first input source.
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Specification