Power management of devices in a network

• US 9,459,682 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2012
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Rajkotia, Purva R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abbaszadeh, Jaweed A
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARRINGTON, CHERI L.
• Application Number:
  US13/686,410
• Publication Number:
  US 20140149758A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,407 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3234 Power saving characterised by the action undertaken
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/12 Arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2816 Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station; in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/283 Processing of data at an internetworking point of a home automation network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate

Abstract

A method includes receiving, at a first connectivity device, a first wake-up signal from an electronic device associated with a first class of devices. The first connectivity device is coupled to provide communications between the electronic device and a gateway device that provides access to an external network. The method includes determining a length of time that the first connectivity device is to remain in an active power mode based on a usage pattern defined for the first class of devices. The method includes updating the first connectivity device to be in the active power mode for at least the length of time.

Claims

1. A method for power management of devices, the method comprising:

receiving, at a first connectivity device associated with a first class of devices, a first wake-up signal from a first electronic device associated with a second class of devices, wherein

the first connectivity device is configured to provide communications in a first cascade of a cascade network between the first electronic device and a gateway device that provides access to an external network,

the cascade network comprises the first cascade and a second cascade, and

the first cascade includes the first connectivity device and the first electronic device and the second cascade includes a second connectivity device and a second electronic device;

determining a first length of time that the first connectivity device is to remain in an active power mode based, at least in part, on a first usage pattern defined for the first electronic device of the second class of devices and on the first electronic device being in the first cascade, wherein

the first usage pattern indicates a duration the first electronic device is expected to be in the active power mode, and

the first length of time is different than a second length of time associated with the active power mode of the second connectivity device of the second cascade, the second length of time based, at least in part, on a second usage pattern defined for the second electronic device of the second class of devices and on the second electronic device being in the second cascade; and

updating the first connectivity device to be in the active power mode for at least the first length of time.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a third connectivity device associated with a third class of devices is coupled between the first connectivity device and the gateway device to provide the communications between the gateway device and the first electronic device; and

transmitting, from the first connectivity device to the third connectivity device, a second wake-up signal to cause the third connectivity device to be in the active power mode for at least the first length of time.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second wake-up signal comprises a unique signature for identification of the first electronic device of the second class of devices.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wake-up signal comprises a unique signature for identification of the first electronic device of the second class of devices.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wake-up signal is transmitted over a power line that is configured to supply power to the first electronic device and the first connectivity device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the duration is based on at least one member selected from the group consisting of a time of when the first wake-up signal is received and a day when the first wake-up signal is received.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the duration is based on at least one member selected from the group consisting of identity of a user of the first electronic device when the first wake-up signal is received and a type of activity occurring at the first electronic device.

8. A method for power management of devices, the method comprising:

receiving, at a first connectivity device associated with a first class of devices, a communication from an external network, the communication destined for a first electronic device that is coupled to a gateway device through the first connectivity device in a first cascade of a cascade network, wherein

the first electronic device is associated with a second class of devices,

the cascade network comprises the first cascade and a second cascade, and

the first cascade includes the first connectivity device and the first electronic device and the second cascade includes a second connectivity device and a second electronic device;

in response to receiving the communication,

determining a first length of time that the first connectivity device is to remain in an active power mode based, at least in part, on a first usage pattern defined for the first electronic device of the second class of devices and on the first electronic device being in the first cascade, wherein

the first usage pattern indicates a duration the first electronic device is expected to be in the active power mode, and

the first length of time is different than a second length of time associated with the active power mode of the second connectivity device of the second cascade, the second length of time based, at least in part, on a second usage pattern defined for the second electronic device of the second class of devices and on the second electronic device being in the second cascade; and

updating the first connectivity device to be in the active power mode for at least the first length of time.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein a third connectivity device associated with a third class of devices is coupled between the first connectivity device and the first electronic device to provide the communication to the first electronic device, wherein the method comprises,

transmitting, from the first connectivity device to the third connectivity device, the communication to cause the third connectivity device to be in the active power mode for at least the first length of time.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the duration is based, at least in part, on at least one member selected from the group consisting of a time of when the communication is received and a day when the communication is received.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the duration is based, at least in part, on at least one member selected from the group consisting of identity of a user of the first electronic device when the communication is received and a type of activity occurring at the first electronic device.

12. A non-transitory machine-readable medium, having instructions stored therein, which when executed by one or more processors of a first connectivity device cause the first connectivity device to perform operations that comprise:

receiving, the first connectivity device associated with a first class of devices, a first wake-up signal from a first electronic device associated with a second class of devices, wherein

the first connectivity device is configured to provide communications in a first cascade of a cascade network between the first electronic device and a gateway device that provides access to an external network,

the cascade network comprises the first cascade and a second cascade, and

the first cascade includes the first connectivity device and the first electronic device and the second cascade includes a second connectivity device and a second electronic device;

determining a first length of time that the first connectivity device is to remain in an active power mode based, at least in part, on a first usage pattern defined for the second class of devices and on the first electronic device being in the first cascade, wherein

the first usage pattern indicates a duration the first electronic device is expected to be in the active power mode, and

the first length of time is different than a second length of time associated with the active power mode of the second connectivity device of the second cascade, the second length of time based, at least in part, on a second usage pattern defined for the second electronic device of the second class of devices and on the second electronic device being in the second cascade; and

updating the first connectivity device to be in the active power mode for at least the first length of time.

13. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise:

determining that a third connectivity device associated with a third class of devices is coupled between the first connectivity device and the gateway device to provide the communications between the gateway device and the first electronic device; and

transmitting, from the first connectivity device to the third connectivity device, a second wake-up signal to cause the third connectivity device to be in the active power mode for at least the first length of time.

14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the second wake-up signal comprises a unique signature for identification of the first electronic device of the second class of devices.

15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the first wake-up signal comprises a unique signature for identification of the first electronic device of the second class of devices.

16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the first wake-up signal is transmitted over a power line that is configured to supply power to the first electronic device and the first connectivity device.

17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the duration is based on at least one member selected from the group consisting of a time of when the first wake-up signal is received and a day when the first wake-up signal is received.

18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the duration is based on at least one member selected from the group consisting of identity of a user of the first electronic device when the first wake-up signal is received and a type of activity occurring at the first electronic device.

19. A first connectivity device associated with a first class of devices, the first connectivity device comprising:

a communication interface configured to receive, from a first electronic device associated with a second class of devices, a first wake-up signal, wherein

the first connectivity device is configured to provide communications in a first cascade of a cascade network between the first electronic device and a gateway device that provides access to an external network,

the cascade network comprises the first cascade and a second cascade, and

the first cascade includes the first connectivity device and the first electronic device and the second cascade includes a second connectivity device and a second electronic device;

a processor; and

a memory configured to store instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the first connectivity device to;

determine a first length of time that the first connectivity device is to remain in an active power mode based, at least in part, on a first usage pattern defined for the first electronic device of the second class of devices and on the first electronic device being in the first cascade, wherein

the first usage pattern indicates a duration the first electronic device is expected to be in the active power mode, and

the first length of time is different than a second length of time associated with the active power mode of the second connectivity device of the second cascade, the second length of time based, at least in part, on a second usage pattern defined for the second electronic device of the second class of devices and on the second electronic device being in the second cascade; and

update to the active power mode for the first connectivity device for at least the first length of time.

20. The first connectivity device of claim 19, wherein the instructions when executed by the processor further cause the first connectivity device to:

determine that a third connectivity device associated with a third class of devices is coupled between the first connectivity device and the gateway device to provide the communications between the gateway device and the first electronic device; and

transmit, from the first connectivity device to the third connectivity device, a second wake-up signal to cause the third connectivity device to be in the active power mode for at least the first length of time.

21. The first connectivity device of claim 20, wherein the second wake-up signal comprises a unique signature for identification of the first electronic device of the second class of devices.

22. The first connectivity device of claim 19, wherein the first wake-up signal comprises a unique signature for identification of the first electronic device of the second class of devices.

23. The first connectivity device of claim 19, wherein the first wake-up signal is transmitted over a power line that is configured to supply power to the first electronic device and the first connectivity device.

24. The first connectivity device of claim 19, wherein the duration is based on at least one member selected from the group consisting of a time of when the first wake-up signal is received and a day when the first wake-up signal is received.

25. The first connectivity device of claim 19, wherein the duration is based on at least one member selected from the group consisting of identity of a user of the first electronic device when the first wake-up signal is received and a type of activity occurring at the first electronic device.

26. A first connectivity device associated with a first class of devices, the first connectivity device comprising:

a communication interface configured to receive a communication from an external network, the communication destined for a first electronic device that is coupled to a gateway device through the first connectivity device in a first cascade of a cascade network, wherein

the first electronic device is associated with a second class of devices,

the cascade network comprises the first cascade and a second cascade, and the first cascade includes the first connectivity device and the first electronic device and the second cascade includes a second connectivity device and a second electronic device;

a processor; and

a memory configured to store instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the first connectivity device to;

in response to receipt of the communication,

determine a first length of time that the first connectivity device is to remain in an active power mode based, at least in part, on a first usage pattern defined for the first electronic device of the second class of devices and on the first electronic device being in the first cascade, wherein

the first usage pattern indicates a duration the first electronic device is expected to be in the active power mode, and

the first length of time is different than a second length of time associated with the active power mode of the second connectivity device of the second cascade, the second length of time based, at least in part, on a second usage pattern defined for the second electronic device of the second class of devices and on the second electronic device being in the second cascade; and

update the first connectivity device to be in the active power mode for at least the first length of time.

27. The first connectivity device of claim 26, wherein a third connectivity device associated with a third class of devices is coupled between the first connectivity device and the first electronic device to provide the communication to the first electronic device, wherein the instructions when executed by the processor further cause the first connectivity device to:

transmit, to the third connectivity device, the communication to cause the third connectivity device to be in the active power mode for at least the first length of time.

28. The first connectivity device of claim 26, wherein the duration is based on at least one member selected from the group consisting of a time of when the communication is received and a day when the communication is received.

29. The first connectivity device of claim 26, wherein the duration is based on at least one member selected from the group consisting of identity of a user of the first electronic device when the communication is received and a type of activity occurring at the first electronic device.