TW201338591A - Method for power saving and communication apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for power saving and a communication apparatus using the same method are provided. The method includes the following steps: detecting and determining whether a wireless module of the communication apparatus sets up at least one connection with at least one specified destination through at least one wireless network protocol; switching the wireless module to a high efficiency working mode if the wireless module sets up the at least one connection with part or all of the at least one destination; and switching the wireless module to a power saving mode if the wireless module cannot set up any connection with the at least one destination.

Description

Power saving method and communication device thereof

The invention relates to a method for saving electricity and a communication device therefor.

Due to the rapid development of technology, current handheld electronic devices such as laptop computers, tablet personal computers, smart phones and other devices have built-in wireless Internet access capabilities, and "always boot, always The use of "Always on, and always connected (AOAC)" has become a habit of the average user. Generally, when the handheld electronic device enters the sleep mode, and the user still keeps the handheld electronic device in the state of "always on, ready to connect", the wireless network module in the handheld electronic device continues to maintain the network. Connect to keep users up to date with the latest information or notifications. However, such a mode of operation allows the handheld electronic device to consume a considerable amount of power even during sleep, which further shortens the life cycle of the battery in the handheld electronic device.

In the existing power saving method for AOAC, the working mode of setting the wireless network module is mainly used to adjust the time of connecting the wireless network module in the handheld electronic device, for example, setting a power saving polling (Power Save Polling, The PSP mode periodically turns off the wireless network receiving capability, and only maintains the basic service set (BSS) network connection capability to achieve power saving. The problem with this mode is that the wireless network module is still in a state of being connected and transmitting data at any time, and cannot effectively reduce power consumption. Another approach is to monitor the activity of the wireless network module to control the power output to the wireless network module. However, in some connection situations, the wireless network module only works with wireless access points (APs), such as wireless wireless access points that comply with the Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) standard. Once the connection is established, the application in the handheld electronic device cannot be connected to the remote application server. At this point, the application cannot contact and transfer information to the remote application server, but the wireless network module still maintains the connection of the wireless network access point and consumes a lot of power. Therefore, how to save more power consumption in the AOAC state in a more precise manner has become one of the urgent problems to be solved in the field.

The invention provides a power saving method and a communication device thereof for determining whether a wireless network module is connected to one or more designated destinations to switch an operating mode of the wireless network module.

The invention provides a power saving method suitable for a communication device, comprising the following steps. First, it is detected and determined whether the wireless network module of the communication device is connected to one or more designated destinations through one or more wireless network protocols. Then, when the wireless network module is connected to one or more designated destinations, the wireless network module is switched to a high-performance mode of operation. In addition, when the wireless network module cannot connect to any of the specified destinations, the wireless network module is switched to the power saving mode.

The invention provides a communication device comprising a wireless network module. The wireless network module provides the wireless network function of the communication device, wherein the wireless network module operates when the wireless network module is connected to one or more designated destinations through one or more wireless network protocols. Switch to the high-performance mode, and when the wireless network module cannot be connected to any of the specified destinations, the wireless network module's working mode is switched to the power-saving mode.

Based on the above, the present invention utilizes the connection of a wireless network module to one or more designated destinations to switch the operating mode of the wireless network module. When the wireless network module is still connected to one or more designated destinations, the wireless network module is switched to a high-performance mode. When the wireless network module is not connected to any specified destination, the working mode of the wireless network module is switched to the power saving working mode to achieve power saving effect.

The above described features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the steps of a power saving method according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, first, in step S101, it is detected and determined whether the wireless network module of the communication device is connected to one or more designated destinations through one or more wireless network protocols. Then, in step S102, when the wireless network module is connected to some or all of the one or more specified destinations, the wireless network module is switched to the high-performance working mode. In addition, in step S103, when the wireless network module cannot connect to any of the designated destinations, the wireless network module is switched to the power saving operation mode.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the communication device 20 includes a wireless network module 210, wherein the wireless network module 210 provides wireless network functions of the communication device 20. When the wireless network module 210 is connected to some or all of the one or more designated destinations DES through one or more wireless network protocols, the operating mode of the wireless network module 210 is switched to the high performance mode of operation. When the wireless network module 210 cannot be connected to any of the designated destinations, the working mode of the wireless network module 210 is switched to the power saving mode. The relationship between the wireless network module 210 and one or more designated destinations will be described below.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a wireless network module and one or more designated destinations according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the wireless network module 210 is connected to one or more designated destinations (eg, the network device 330) in the network through one or more wireless network protocols, wherein one or more wireless networks The agreement includes a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) protocol, a Third Generation Wireless Protocol (3G) or a Bluetooth protocol, etc., but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned network protocol. The wireless network module 210 can simultaneously establish multiple connections using one or more wireless network protocols, or can establish a connection with one or more designated destinations using a single wireless network protocol, depending on the actual implementation. The present invention is not limited to the above setting method.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the embodiment, the wireless network module 210 is to be connected to the network device 330, but before establishing the connection with the network device 330, the wireless network module 210 must first The wireless network access point 300 and the Domain Name System (DNS) server 310 establish a connection (connection C1 and connection C2) and resolve the address information of the network device 330 before passing through the external network 320. (Connection C3) Connect to network device 330 (connection C4). Therefore, if any of the above connections are unreachable, such as failing to connect to the Domain Name System Server 310 or connecting to the external network 320, the wireless network module 210 cannot be successfully connected. Network device 330.

In this embodiment, the wireless network module 210 can be switched to the power-saving working mode when one of the connection lines C1 to C4 cannot be connected according to the implementation. Even if the current connection is to be connected to the network device 330, the designated destination can be advanced to any of the network devices C1 to C4, such as the wireless network access point 300, the domain name system server 310, or the outside. The network 320 determines and switches the operating mode of the wireless network module 210 more quickly.

It is worth mentioning that FIG. 3 is only one embodiment of the present invention, and the foregoing specified destination may also include: a third generation wireless communication protocol base station (corresponding to the wireless network access point 300), a gateway device. (gateway), Windows operating system Internet Service Server (WINS Server) or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol Server (DHCP Server) (corresponding to Domain Name System Server 400) The present invention is not limited to the above, depending on the network type and the implementation manner. In addition, the network device described in FIG. 3 can be a network-enabled printer, hard disk drive, display, projector, digital television, game platform server or application remote server, etc., or even Another communication device (for example, a standard protocol such as Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth standard is used as the wireless network protocol), but the present invention is not limited to the above. The above communication device can be any electronic device with network communication function, such as a smart phone, a tablet or a laptop.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a communication device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the communication device 40 includes a wireless network module 410 and a central processing unit 420. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the wireless network module 410 is used to provide the network function of the communication device 40. The central processing unit 420 is coupled to the wireless network module 410 to execute an operating system in the communication device 40.

Generally, when the operating system operates in the normal working mode, the operating system issues a work command OD for receiving information, transmitting information, or sleeping to the wireless network module 410, but when the operating system executed by the central processing unit 420 is In the operating system power saving mode, the work order is not issued to the wireless network module 410. In the Always on, and always connected (AOAC) mode, when the wireless network module 410 receives notification from one or more designated destinations DES, or is interested in the data of the user. When the information is received, the wireless network module 410 transmits a wake-up notification NF to the central processing unit 420 to wake up the operating system.

In this embodiment, the operating system is in the operating system power saving mode, so the wireless network module 410 detects and determines whether it can be connected to one or more specified destination DES, or can not connect to any one of the specified Destination DES. When the wireless network module 410 is connected to at least one designated destination, the wireless network module 410 switches its operating mode to the high efficiency mode of operation. When the wireless network module 410 cannot be connected to any of the specified destination DES, the wireless network module 410 switches its working mode to the power saving mode.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a communication device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 50 includes a wireless network module 510, a central processing unit 520, and an embedded controller 530. The central processing unit 520 is coupled to the wireless network module 510 to execute the operating system of the communication device 50, and the operating system is in the operating system power saving mode, and the wireless network module 510 cannot be controlled. The wireless network module 510 includes a processing unit 511, a memory unit 512, and an antenna unit 513. The embedded controller 530 is coupled to the wireless network module 510 for switching the working mode of the wireless network module 510. In some embodiments, the embedded controller 530 can be further configured to detect whether the wireless network module 510 is successfully connected to one or more designated destinations.

In this embodiment, the wireless network module 510 or the embedded controller 530 detects and determines whether the wireless network module 510 is connected to one or more designated destinations through one or more wireless network protocols. Connect to any of the specified destinations. When the wireless network module 510 is connected to one or more designated destinations, the wireless network module 510 or the embedded controller 530 can switch the working mode of the wireless network module 510 to a high-performance mode, and when the wireless network When the road module 510 cannot be connected to any designated destination, the wireless network module 510 or the embedded controller 530 can switch the working mode of the wireless network module 510 to the power saving working mode.

The power saving mode may include turning off the power supply of the wireless network module 510, reducing the operating voltage of the wireless network module 510 (eg, reducing the operating voltage of the processing unit 511), and reducing the operation of the wireless network module 510. Frequency (eg, reducing the operating frequency of the processing unit 511 therein), turning off part of the circuitry of the wireless network module 510 (eg, turning off the processing unit 511), or turning off some of the functions of the wireless network module 510 (eg, transceiving capabilities of the antenna unit 513) Wait. The implementation of the power saving operation mode may be one of the above operations or a combination of the plurality of operations described above, and an embodiment in which the power saving operation mode is set according to actual conditions, and the present invention is not limited to the above. The high-performance mode does not have the above-mentioned energy-saving actions, and can maximize the performance of the wireless network module 510.

In summary, the present invention provides a power saving method and a communication device thereof, which can be based on a connection between a wireless network module and a specified destination such as an external network or a remote application server, or Any connection that must be connected before the destination is connected to switch the working mode of the wireless network module to save power. When the wireless network module or the embedded controller in the communication device detects that the wireless network module is not currently connected to any specified destination, the wireless network module or the embedded controller switches the wireless network module. The working mode is a power saving mode to save power. In this way, when, for example, the wireless network module is connected to a network access point without external connection capability, the communication device can also determine that the current connection cannot be connected to the designated destination, and then switches to the power-saving working mode. To reduce unnecessary power consumption.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

20, 40, 50. . . Communication device

210, 410, 510. . . Wireless network module

511. . . Processing unit

512. . . Memory unit

513. . . Antenna unit

420, 520. . . CPU

530. . . Embedded controller

300. . . Wireless network access point

310. . . Domain name server

320. . . External network

330. . . Network device

DES. . . Designated destination

OD. . . Work order

NF. . . Wake up notification

C1～C4. . . Connection

S101～S103. . . step

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the steps of a power saving method according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a wireless network module and one or more designated destinations according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a communication device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a communication device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

S101~S103. . . step

Claims (9)

A power saving method, applicable to a communication device, comprising: detecting and determining whether a wireless network module of the communication device is connected to at least one specified destination through at least one wireless network protocol; when the wireless network module Switching the wireless network module to a high-performance mode when the group is connected to part or all of the at least one specified destination; and when the wireless network module is unable to connect to the at least one designated destination, Switch the wireless network module to a power saving mode. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication device further comprises a central processing unit and an embedded controller, the central processing unit executing an operating system of the communication device, the operating system being in a working system power saving mode The power saving method is performed by the wireless network module and/or the embedded controller. The power saving method of claim 1, wherein the designated destination is a wireless network access point, a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server, a gateway, and a window operating system network. a network name service server (WINS Server), a domain name system server (DNS Server), an external network, a network device or another communication device; and the wireless network protocol is wireless fidelity (WiFi) Agreement, third generation wireless communication protocol (3G) or Bluetooth protocol. The power saving method of claim 1, wherein the step of switching the wireless network module to the power saving working mode comprises: turning off the power supply of the wireless network module, and lowering the wireless network module. The operating voltage, lowering the operating frequency of the wireless network module, turning off part of the circuitry of the wireless network module, or turning off some of the functions of the wireless network module. A communication device includes: a wireless network module for providing a wireless network function of the communication device, wherein the wireless network module is connected to at least a specified destination portion through at least one wireless network protocol Or all of the time, the working mode of the wireless network module is switched to a high-performance working mode; and when the wireless network module cannot be connected to the specified destination, the working mode of the wireless network module is switched to A power saving mode of operation. The communication device of claim 5, further comprising: a central processing unit coupled to the wireless network module for executing an operating system of the communication device, wherein the operating system is in an operating system In the electrical mode, the wireless network module detects and determines whether the wireless network module works by connecting to the at least one specified destination through the at least one wireless network protocol or cannot be connected to the designated destination. The mode is switched by the wireless network module itself. The communication device of claim 5, further comprising: a central processing unit coupled to the wireless network module for executing an operating system of the communication device, wherein the operating system is in an operating system And an embedded controller coupled to the wireless network module, wherein the wireless network module or the embedded controller detects and determines whether the wireless network module is connected through the at least one wireless network protocol The mode of operation of the wireless network module is switched by the wireless network module or the embedded controller to the at least one designated destination or to the designated destination. The communication device of claim 5, wherein the power saving working mode comprises: turning off a power supply of the wireless network module, reducing an operating voltage of the wireless network module, and lowering the wireless network module. The operating frequency, turning off part of the circuitry of the wireless network module, or turning off some of the functions of the wireless network module. The communication device of claim 5, wherein: the designated destination is a wireless network access point, a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server, a gateway, and a window operating system network. a name service server (WINS Server), a DNS server, an external network, a network device, or another communication device; and the wireless network protocol is a wireless fidelity (WiFi) protocol. Third-generation wireless communication protocol (3G) or Bluetooth (Bluetooth) agreement.