TW201118553A - Electronic device and power saving method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic device and a power saving method thereof are provided. The electronic device comprises a network module and a power saving module, wherein the network module connects to an access point (AP). The method comprises executing an AP searching operation by the network module at a predetermined time interval, and determining whether the electronic device is in a specific state by the power saving module. The method also comprises disabling the network module to execute the AP searching operation by the power saving module as long as the electronic device is in the specific state. As a result, the unnecessary AP searching operation can be avoided, and the purpose of saving power can be achieved.

Description

201118553

TP2009081 34251twf.doc/I VI. Description of the Invention: [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a power saving method for an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device having a function of connecting a network and a power saving method thereof . [Prior Art] The rapid development of the Internet has made the knowledge communication medium no longer limited to • newspapers and magazines and television media. Modern people can not only search for the information they need through the Internet, but also use the Internet for social, leisure, or Business transactions and other activities. With the advancement of wireless network technology, there is no longer any restriction on the time and place of use of the Internet through electronic products that can connect to the wireless network. Its wide wireless network interface card (Wireless Netw〇rk-e ar) is one of the indispensable components when electronic products are connected without a turnaround. 2 According to the wireless zone _ road standard specification, in the no-channel interface card has not been connected with any wireless network bridge (A··, each

Between (about 60 seconds in length) execution - the second time without C P. And ^^' to find a suitable wireless network bridge in the environment. It takes about a long time for the parent to perform a wireless network bridge search. Figure 1 After the 面ί face card is connected to a wireless network bridge, if it is executed - the preset time T1 (about 60 seconds in length) will still search for ^= :^,=Search action (eg wireless network bridge 30) ° In addition to the 'wireless network interface card in order to

201118553 34251twf.doc/I Ensuring that the link to the No. _ Duckman (3), (length is about 0.1 to 1 and,) is a good time from the fun of the younger brother a pre-attack time T2 (for example, the signal Bl, β2, less The time is issued - according to the wireless network bridge _ BACK ==: When the line is ten knives, no _ road bridge material does not need (four) power consumption. Now, the secret eve will be [invention] This 'the invention provides a province The electric method is to listen to the wireless network bridge s (Access Point, AP) search action to reduce the power loss. The electronic device is provided, and the wireless network bridge is less necessary. Searching for actions to save power. The present invention proposes a power saving method for a network module and a power saving 'M electric + device' in which a network connection is connected to a wireless secret bridge. Including the network module performs a wireless network j device search operation every preset time. 'Power saving mode _ broken electronic device is reduced to a specific. When the electronic device is maintained in a specific state, the power saving module prohibits the network Roller group performs wireless network bridge search action ^ 201118553 iy^uuyu81 34251 twf.d〇c/l In an embodiment of the present invention, the step of determining whether the electronic device is in an amnesty state comprises determining whether the electronic device is based on a connection quality between the network module and the wireless network bridge In an embodiment of the present invention, the step of determining whether the electronic device is in a specific state according to the quality of the connection includes: whenever the network module receives the signal from the wireless network, the bridge (b_n), Obtaining a signal strength value (RSI) for a wireless network bridge. When the signal strength value is greater than a first homing value, determining that the electronic device is in a specific state. In an embodiment of the present invention, According to the connection quality, the step of determining whether the electronic f^ is in a specific state includes: calculating the ratio of the wireless network bridge (Signalt〇N〇iseRate, SNR) whenever the transfer module receives: the signal of the network bridge When the signal noise ratio and the first threshold value are determined, it is determined that the electronic device is in a specific state. Specific ί Π — 实施 实施 实施 其中 ' Mode) ^includes when the electronic device enters the standby mode (idle, it determines that the electronic device is in a specific state. If not, the implementation of the power-saving method) includes the electronic device network connector search action Ο = Road module and province =: see 2 invention proposed - kind of electronic device 'including network seeking action. Inferior time to set up a wireless network bridge search 4 network, provincial dragon group (four) judge electronic

34251twf.doc/I 201118553 Whether the device is in the state of i, and in the f sub-installation l special time ' prohibits the network group to perform the non-road bridge search action. Whether it is in the present invention, the (four) electrical module determines the electronic device in a specific state according to the connection quality between the network module and the wireless network bridge. In the embodiment of the present invention, when the network module is connected to the network bridge, the network module obtains the signal strength value of the wireless network connection β, and the power saving module is in the signal. When the intensity value is equal to the L two threshold value, it is determined that the electronic device is in a specific state. In the embodiment of the present invention, each of the network modules receives the signal-to-noise ratio of the network-based bridge from the network bridge, and the power-saving module is in the signal-to-noise ratio bridge. In the case of Cong value, the electronic device is in the mosquito H, and the first one is in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the power saving module determines that the electronic device is in a specific state (in the electric-in standby mode), and is implemented in one of the present invention. In the example, the power saving module allows the network module to perform a \= network bridge search operation every preset time when the power is in a specific state. ..., based on the above, the present invention disables the network module from performing wireless network bridge search after the electronic device transmits the network module through the network, according to the quality of the connection and/or the use of the (4) sub-devices. action. In this way, by reducing unnecessary wireless network bridging, the search for power consumption reduces the power consumption. In order to make the frequency and superiority of the present invention more clear (four) understand, the following special 201118553

TP2009081 3425 ltwf.doc/I The embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device 200 includes a network module 210 and a power saving module 220 coupled to each other. In this embodiment, the electronic device 2 can be a notebook computer, a mobile phone, a PerSQnal Digital Assistant (PDA), a PDA phone, or a smart phone, etc., and is not limited thereto. The network module 210 includes a wireless network interface card, and the electronic device 200 connects to the wireless network bridge (Access p() int, AP) through the network module 210 to access the wireless network. The wireless network is, for example, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). The power saving module 220 is realized by, for example, a software component and/or a hardware component. The power saving module 220 is configured to execute a provincial motor system on the electronic device 200, thereby reducing unnecessary power loss when the electronic device 200 accesses the network through the network module 21. In an embodiment, when the power saving module is implemented by software, the software is directly executed in the operating system of the electronic device 200, and the present invention does not limit the storage location for storing the software. For example, it may be a built-in hard disk or an external hard disk stored in the electronic device 2 or the like. 3, FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a power saving method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and detailed steps of how to perform a power saving mechanism to reduce power consumption of the electronic device 200 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. . * 201118553

XX ^\J\t^\/S9 L 34251twf.doc/I After the power of the electronic device 200 is started, as shown in step 31, the network module 210 performs a wireless network bridge search operation (Background scan). It is connected to a wireless network bridge in the environment. Then, as shown in step 320, the power saving module 220 determines whether the electronic device 2 is in a specific state. For example, whether the electronic device 2 is in a special state depends on the quality of the connection between the network module 210 and the wireless network bridge and/or the usage mode of the electronic device 2〇〇. If the electronic device 200 is not in a specific state, the module 220 allows the network module 210 to perform a wireless network bridge search operation every preset time according to the original wireless network specification. On the other hand, if the electronic device 200 is in a specific state, the power saving module 220 prohibits the network module 21 from performing the wireless network bridge searching operation as shown in step 34. In general, the wireless network bridge search operation sends a command to the broom/search (sean) by sending a request to the network module 21 (m〇dule driver) via the system. When the network module 2 is connected to the benefit network bridge and the electronic device 2 (8) is in a specific state, the power saving module 220 causes the driver of the network module 210 to be omitted (dr〇= description / Search this command to avoid unnecessary energy loss. However, the operation of power saving 220 does not affect the connection between the original network module 21〇 and the wireless network bridge. The electric method will continually repeat the step name „340 shown in Fig. 3. During the period, once it is determined that the electronic device enters and ... in a specific state, the network module 21 is prohibited from performing wireless network bridging 201118553 TP2009081 34251twf.doc In the case of the electronic device 200, the electronic device 200 can save the search result of the network module 210 without the phase bridge (four), and can achieve the purpose of saving power. The other is the connection between the power saving method and the target & shooting 'provincial dragon group 22G surplus road module 210: the connection between the connected wireless network bridge: whether the device is in a specific state, It is further decided that the road module 21G performs a wireless network bridge. In the search operation of the connector, in the case of 1, the L is represented by the Signal Signal Indication (RSSI) received by the network module 21G from the bridgeless bridge. Please refer to Figure 4, first step 41 As shown in the figure, the network module 2i is configured to perform a wireless network bridge search operation, and then connected to the network bridge. ... and then in step 420, the network module 21 repeatedly determines whether it is received. The beacon from the currently connected wireless network bridge ((6) coffee). In detail, when the network module 21 is connected to the wireless network bridge, the network module 210 is approx. (u to leap seconds) (The invention is not limited thereto), an ack signal is sent to ensure a connection with the wireless network bridge, and the wireless network bridge receives the network module from each time. After the beacon, the corresponding message is sent back to the network module 21〇. β, after receiving the beacon from the currently connected wireless network bridge, as shown in step 430, the network mode Group 21 obtains a signal strength value for the no-network bridge accordingly. Next, in step 440, Power saving module

34251twf.doc/I 201118553 220 determines whether the signal strength value is greater than a first threshold. In the present embodiment, the first value of the first door is, for example, an actual measurement of the performance of the operation of the plurality of sets of network modules through experiments, and the values obtained by the statistics, such as the value 15, are obtained by statistics. It must be noted that the present invention does not limit the value of the first threshold. If the signal strength value is less than or equal to the first threshold, the power saving module 220 determines that the electronic device 200 is not in a specific state. Specifically, such a situation indicates that the electronic device 200 may be moving away from the wireless network bridge currently connected to the network module 21, and the network module 21 has the opportunity to search for other wireless networks that are more suitable for connection. Road bridge. Therefore, as shown in step 45, the power saving module 220 allows the network module 21 to perform a wireless network bridge search operation every predetermined time, thereby re-searching for the network bridge of the environmental towel, but if the signal strength value is More than the first threshold value, the power saving module 22 determines that the electronic device 2GG is in a specific state. This status indicates the quality of the network module 210, the connection stability, for example, the electronic installation f

It does not move and its distance from the currently connected bridgeless H is within the better signal coverage. Therefore, network module 21() does not need to search for other wireless network bridges in the environment. Therefore, if the step is biased = the power saving module 220 disables the network module 2! 〇 executes the wireless network bridge. The power saving method shown in this embodiment will repeat the steps of FIG. 4 "about the currently connected wireless network. The bridge's k gold value is greater than the first threshold value, then the electronic device is determined to be in special 10 201118553

TP2009081 34251twf.doc/I

The state, while the network mode is disabled, and 210 bots ~ do. Once the electronic device i 200 leaves the specific 2~_road bridge search, the wireless bridge module 210 is executed when the preset time is reached, and not only can the action be found at the electronic device 2G0. Knowing that the .l fl line, the road bridge searches for the power consumed by the action, and saves the wireless network bridge connected to the original connection when the electronic device is in such a state: when the green ϋ σ quality deteriorates 'There is no way to connect the simple scale network due to the f network bridge and the finder. ^:, '程Ξ The power saving method of the other embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 4 The process is similar, so the following is only a description of the differences between the two examples. In this embodiment, the power saving module 220 determines whether the electronic device 200 is in a specific state according to the connection quality between the network module 21 and the currently connected wireless network bridge. The connection quality is represented, for example, by a Signal to Noise Rate (SNR).

• In detail, after the network module 2i receives the wireless network bridge=signal, as shown in step 53, the network module 21 calculates the wireless network bridge connected to the target. Signal noise ratio. For example, the network module 210 can obtain the signal strength value of the wireless network bridge, and obtain the noise value generated by the electronic device 200 itself or due to external interference, and then use the ratio of the signal strength value to the noise value as the signal. Noise ratio. Then, as shown in step 540, the power saving module 220 determines whether the signal noise ratio is greater than the second threshold. Among them, the value of the second threshold can also be

34251twf.doc/I 201118553 Actual measurement and statistical methods are obtained. The invention does not limit the size of the second threshold. If the signal noise ratio is less than or equal to the second threshold, the power saving module 220 determines that the electronic device 200 is not in a specific state, and when the signal noise ratio is greater than the second threshold, the power saving module 22 determines the electronic The device 2 is in a specific state. Since the action taken by the power saving module 22 according to whether the electronic device 2 is in a specific state is the same as or similar to that of the foregoing embodiment, it is not described herein. FIG. 6 is still in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention. A flow chart showing the power saving method. In this embodiment, the power saving module 22 is determined according to the usage mode of the electronic device 2 to determine whether it is in a specific state. First, as shown in step 610, the wireless network bridge search action domain-wireless bridge connection H is performed by the network module 21, and then in step 620, the power save module 22 determines whether the electronic device 2 (8) is in standby. Mode (idlemode). The standby mode is, for example, a type in which the % is turned off, and the present invention is not limited thereto. - Ray: 置 2〇0 does not enter standby mode, power saving module 22 疋 疋 electronic device 2 〇〇 is not in a specific state. At this time, as shown in step 6, the power saving module 220 allows the scale touch 21G to set the time to bridge the hybrid seek operation, and the search network is the j-line network bridge. Nothing

However, when the electronic device 2 is put into the standby mode, it is determined that the electronic device is in a special state. So as the step JUG 201118553

TP2009081 34251twf.doc/I The electrical module 220 prohibits the network module 210 from performing a wireless network bridge search operation. In most cases, when the electronic device 2 enters the standby mode, indicating that the user does not operate the electronic device 200 at that time, the power saving module 220 can execute the wireless network bridge through the forbidden network module 21 Search for actions to save power. It should be particularly noted that the foregoing embodiments are based on the magnitude of the signal strength value, the size of the signal noise ratio, and whether or not the standby mode is entered as a basis for determining whether the electronic device is in a specific state, but in the present invention. In other embodiments, the above determination criteria may also be used in combination. For example, when it is determined that the electronic device 200 enters the standby mode, the power saving mode, and 220 disables the network module 21 to perform the wireless network bridge search, and determines that the electronic device 200 is restored to the working state (for example, After receiving an input signal from an input device such as a mouse, a touch screen or a keyboard, or when an external device is connected to the electronic device 200, the power saving module 22 further determines the bribe value and/or information obtained. _ _ size to determine Φ 疋 No ban network module 2! 〇 perform wireless network bridge search action. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the network module after connecting the wireless network bridge on S according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the network module in the electrical device performs a network bridge search action 710 between time point TI > a and time point Th, thereby connecting to a wireless network device. Then, the network module sends a message to the currently connected wireless network bridge every time interval τ (for example, the signals Βι, β2, 3 ···, Βη), and the wireless network bridge Will also correspond to the signal (not

201118553 34251twfd0C/I is shown) back to the electronic device. As shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the electronic device continues to be in a specific state between the time point Tpb and the time point TPC (for example, the signal strength value and/or the signal noise ratio of the currently connected wireless network bridge are greater than corresponding The threshold of the network module will not perform any wireless network bridge search action, thus saving power consumption and saving power. At the time point, the TPd 'network module sends a beacon Bn to the currently connected wireless network bridge, and obtains the signal strength value according to the corresponding backhaul signal (not shown) of the wireless network bridge and/or Signal noise ratio. Assuming that the power saving module in the electronic device determines that the signal strength value and/or the signal noise ratio does not exceed the corresponding threshold value, the power saving module then determines that the electronic device leaves the specific state. Therefore, the network module then performs a wireless network bridge search action 72 when it reaches a preset time (e.g., time point TPE) to find a more suitable wireless network bridge in the environment. In summary, the electronic device and the power saving method thereof according to the present invention prohibit the network module in the electronic device from performing a wireless network bridge search operation to reduce power consumption when the electronic device is in a specific state. According to this, it is possible to save power by not performing unnecessary wireless network bridge search when the electronic device has good connection quality and/or enters standby mode. 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.

201118553 irzwwSl 34251twf.doc/I [Simple diagram of the diagram] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the conventional wireless network interface card after connecting to the wireless network. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cooling diagram of a power saving method according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a power saving method according to another embodiment of the present invention. * Figure 5 is a flow chart of a power saving method in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a power saving method according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the network module after connecting the wireless network bridge according to an embodiment of the invention. [Main component symbol description] T1: first preset time T2: second preset time 110, 120, 130: wireless network bridge search operation Βι, B2, B3, Bn: beacon 200: electronic device 210: net Road module 15

34251twf.doc/I 201118553 220: power saving module step 310 to 340: power saving 410~460 according to an embodiment of the present invention: each step method of the provincial method according to another embodiment of the present invention Each of 510 to 560: each of the steps 610 to 640 of the power saving method according to still another embodiment of the present invention: each of the power saving methods according to still another embodiment of the present invention

Steps 710, 720: Wireless network bridge search action T: time interval TPa, TPb, TPC, TPd, TPe: time point

Claims (1)

201118553 i^uuy〇81 34251twf.doc^ VII. Application for patents: 1. A power saving method, an electronic device used, wherein the network module module and a power saving module (Access Point, AP) The wireless network bridge method includes: the network module searches for each ^1; the gate executes a wireless network bridge, and the power saving module determines whether the lightning early and the electronic device are in a specific If the electronic device is in the specific state, the electronic device is judged according to whether the electronic device is in the connection == _-connection according to the quality of the network module and the benefit line. 3. If you apply for the second paragraph of the patent scope; · ρ + L · : Whether the electronic device is in the = 2 = standard (====: 1 degree value (Received Signal Strength Indicati〇n J When the signal strength value is greater than the -th threshold value, it is placed in the specific state. j疋 The electronic 襞4. As claimed in the second application of the patent scope, the connection quality rides the The electronic device is money in the miscellaneous _step $ 17 34251twf.doc/I 201118553 Calculating a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the wireless network bridge whenever the network module receives a beacon from the wireless network bridge; and when the signal When the noise ratio is greater than the second homing value, it is determined that the electrical device is in the specific state. 5. The power saving method as recited in claim 2, wherein the step of determining whether the electronic device is in the specific state includes When the electronic device enters a human-standby mode (idlemGde), the electronic device is in the specific state. 疋6. The power saving method according to claim 1, wherein the method further includes: Allowing the network module to block the wireless network bridge search action by the pre-four. 7 - an electronic device, including: - network module 'after the network mode, every _ set _ execution - the transfer line bridge..., the line. The bridge search operation; and a power-saving module, whether the light device is in the -specific = road power-saving module determines that the power module performs the wireless Network bridge search move 8. If you apply for a patent 7 around the power module according to the home network module '... 1 wherein the depth ,, a bridge connection between the peripheral connectors 18 201118553 irzuuy〇81 34251twf.doc/I Quality Judgment whether the electronic device is in this particular state. 9. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the network module obtains information about the wireless network bridge whenever the network module receives a signal from the wireless network bridge. The signal strength value of the device, and the power saving module determines that the electronic device is in the specific state when the signal strength value is greater than a first threshold value. 10. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the network call module calculates the wireless network bridge whenever the network module receives a beacon from the wireless network bridge. The signal-to-noise ratio of the device, and the power-saving module determines that the electronic device is in the specific state when the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than a second threshold. 11. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the power saving module determines that the electronic device is in the specific state when the electronic device enters a standby mode. 12. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the power saving module allows the network module to execute the wireless network every predetermined time when the electronic device is not in the specific state. Road bridge search action.