Device controller with low power standby mode

Details Device controller with low power standby mode Device controller with low power standby mode

1998-12-31

2001-09-18

Kostak, Victor R. (Department: 2711)

Television

Receiver circuitry

Power supply

C455S343200, C307S064000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06292233

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to device controllers, such as television controllers, and more particularly, to device controllers with low power standby modes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When one considers energy production and consumption, conservation is of prime concern in order to protect our habitat and for economic reasons. In most commercial settings, lights are controlled to avoid wasting unused energy and other equipment is kept off when not needed.
Although many strides have been made in energy conservation, many more are needed, particularly in our homes. For example, most current television sets have a standby mode during which power consumption has been reduced to 5-13 W. When the television set is in standby mode, it is always ready to operate as soon as a remote control command button is pressed. This simplifies the television turn on sequence, which is especially convenient for people with disabilities of various sort, and also reduces wasted time waiting for the television to operate. Considering that just in the United States, if there is one television in standby mode for every ten people, then there are 25 million such television sets. If the average television set uses 8 W in standby mode, then there are 200 MW of power waste.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of the present invention is directed to a device controller for controlling access to a device, such as a television, having a power input for receiving power and a data input for receiving control data. When in standby mode, the device controller disconnects the device from a power source, such as the AC mains of the building in which the device is situated. As a result, in standby mode only the device controller is powered, which uses much less power than prior art devices in standby mode.
The device controller includes an input device structured to provide control data based on control instructions received from a user, a power switch coupled between a power source and the device power input, and a data coupler coupled to the device data input and structured to convert electrical data into non-electrical data and back to the electrical data for delivery to the device data input. The device controller also includes a controller coupled to the input device, power switch, and data coupler and being structured to cause the data coupler to provide the control data to the device data input, decode the control data, and if the control data indicates that the user desires to turn on the device when in standby mode, then causes the power switch to deliver power from the power source to the device power input.
A second embodiment is directed to a television controller for a television having a power input. The television controller includes an input device structured to provide control data based on control instructions received from a user, a power switch coupled between a power source and the television power input, a power supply stage coupled between the power supply and the power switch and coupled to the input device to supply power thereto during the standby mode. The power switch disconnects the television power input from the power source when in a standby mode. A controller coupled to the input device, power switch, and power supply stage is structured to decode the control data, and if the control data indicates that the user desires to turn on the television when in standby mode, then cause the power switch to deliver power from the power source to the television power input.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5175441 (1992-12-01), den Hollander
patent: 5414475 (1995-05-01), Trzyna et al.
patent: 5995384 (1999-11-01), Majid et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Device controller with low power standby mode does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Device controller with low power standby mode, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device controller with low power standby mode will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2472653