# US 10,122,543 B2 · Methods and systems for power management in communication devices based on cable connectivity > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,122,543 B2 - Document ID: US10122543B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/037,955 - Filed: 2014-11-20 - Published: 2016-10-06 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-11-20 - Assignees: Entropic Communications, Inc. - Applicants: Entropic Communications, LLC - Inventors: Branislav Petrovic - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10122543B2 ## CPC - H04L 12/2861: {Point-to-multipoint connection from the data network to the subscribers} - G06F 1/266: {Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips} - G06F 1/3206: Monitoring of events, devices or parameters that trigger a change in power modality - G06F 1/3209: Monitoring remote activity, e.g. over telephone lines or network connections - G06F 1/3287: by switching off individual functional units in the computer system - G06F 1/3296: by lowering the supply or operating voltage - H04L 1/24: Testing correct operation - H04L 12/10: Current supply arrangements - H04L 12/12: Arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof - H04L 12/2801: {Broadband local area networks} - H04L 41/0833: for reduction of network energy consumption - H04L 43/0811: by checking connectivity - H04L 43/50: Testing arrangements - H04N 21/6118: {involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem} - H04N 21/6168: {involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem} - Y02D 10/00: Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management - Y02D 30/50: in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE ## Abstract Methods and systems are provided for power management in communication devices, particularly based on cable connectivity. A communication device that comprise a communication port, comprising a first connector and a signal path communicatively coupled between device components and the connector, may be operable, such as via a power management component in the communication device, to determine whether an external cable is mated to the first connector and to transition the communication device to a sleep mode if it is determined that an external cable is not mated to the first connector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A communication device, comprising: a communication port that comprises a connector and a signal path communicatively coupled to the connector; and a power management component configured to: determine whether an external cable is mated to the connector, wherein the power management component is configured to determine whether the external cable is mated to the connector based on launching a probe signal onto the signal path and measuring results of that launched signal on the signal path; and transition the communication device to a sleep mode when it is determined that the external cable is not mated to the connector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The communication device of claim 1, wherein the power management component comprises: a sensing component, and a power control component, wherein: the sensing component is configured to alert the power management component regarding whether the external cable is mated to the first conductor, and the power control component is configured to perform the operation of transitioning the communication device into the sleep mode when the external cable is not mated to the connector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The communication device of claim 1, further comprising a power supply and a plurality of electronic components configured to draw energy directly or indirectly from the power supply, and wherein the sleep mode comprises turning off some or all of the plurality of electronic components to reduce amount of energy drawn from the power supply. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The communication device of claim 1, wherein the power management component is configured to determine whether the external cable is mated to the connector based on probing the communication port to measure signal characteristics on the signal path. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The communication device of claim 1, wherein the power management component is configured to generate the probe signal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The communication device of claim 1, wherein the probe signal is generated by an electronic component of the communication device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The communication device of claim 1, wherein the probe signal is swept over a frequency range and the power management component is configured to compare measured results to corresponding references at various frequencies. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The communication device of claim 7, wherein the comparing comprises comparing the energy at one or more frequencies with reference energy values corresponding to those frequencies to determine whether a signal is present at one or more frequencies or within one or more frequency bands. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The communication device of claim 1, wherein the power management component comprises a cable presence circuit configured to determine whether the external cable is connected by measuring voltage or current at the communication port resulting from the probe signal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The communication device of claim 1, wherein the power management component is configured to determine whether the external cable is mated to the connector based on detecting presence or absence of a signal on the signal path. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The communication device of claim 1, wherein the power management component is configured to determine whether the external cable is mated to the connector based on evaluating signal characteristics of a signal present on the signal path. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The communication device of claim 1, wherein the power management component is configured to periodically determine whether the external cable is mated to the connector upon the initiation of the sleep mode. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The communication device of claim 1, wherein the power management component is configured to also enter a sleep mode for a predetermined period of time upon detecting that the external cable is not mated to the connector. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The communication device of claim 13, wherein the power management component is configured to periodically awaken from the sleep mode at least long enough to determine whether the external cable is mated to the connector. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The communication device of claim 1, wherein when the communication device enters the sleep mode at least part of the power management component is configured to remain awake and continue to determine whether the external cable is mated to the connector. ### Claim 16 A method, comprising managing power in a communication device that comprises a communication transceiver, the managing comprising: providing power to a sensing module; determining whether an external cable is mated to a connector that is electrically connected to the communication transceiver, wherein determining whether the external cable is mated to the connector comprises launching a probe signal onto the signal path and measuring results of that launched signal on the signal path; and transitioning the communication device to a sleep mode when it is determined that the external cable is not mated to the connector. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein the sleep mode comprises turning off some or all of a plurality of electronic components in the communication device to reduce an amount of energy drawn from a power supply of the communication device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein determining whether the external cable is mated to the connector comprises probing at a communication port that comprises the connector, to measure signal characteristics on the signal path. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein the probe signal is generated by a power management module. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein the probe signal is generated by an electronic component of the communication device. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, comprising: sweeping the probe signal over a frequency range, and comparing measured results to corresponding references at various frequencies. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method according to claim 21, comprising comparing energy at one or more frequencies with reference energy values corresponding to those frequencies to determine whether a signal is present at the one or more frequencies or within one or more frequency bands. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein determining whether the external cable is mated to the connector comprises determining whether the external cable is connected by measuring the voltage or current at a communication port that comprises the connector, resulting from the probe signal. ### Claim 24 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein determining whether the external cable is mated to the connector comprises detecting the presence or absence of a signal on the signal path. ### Claim 25 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein determining whether the external cable is mated to the connector comprises evaluating signal characteristics of a signal present on the signal path. ### Claim 26 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, comprising determining whether the external cable is mated to the connector on a periodic basis. ### Claim 27 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, comprising toggling at least connection sensing components of a power management module between a sleep mode and a sensing mode when the communication device is in the sleep mode so that the power management module can periodically check for the presence of the external cable. ### Claim 28 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, comprising transitioning a power management module to a sleep mode when transitioning the communication device to a sleep mode. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The method according to claim 28, comprising awakening the power management module from the sleep mode after a predetermined period of time to determine whether the external cable is mated to the connector. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The method according to claim 28, wherein transitioning the power management module to a sleep mode comprises leaving at least part of the power management module awake and periodically determining whether the external cable is mated to the connector. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein the predetermined period of time is of a duration varying between 0.1 seconds and 1 second.