Apparatus and method for reducing power consumption in customer premises equipment

A power control apparatus for controlling power consumption in customer premises equipment (CPE) for use in a content and data distribution network, the apparatus comprising:

• a detector in the CPE that is operative to determine an operational status of a connection between the CPE and a headend in the content and data distribution network;
• a controller coupled with the detector, the controller being operative to place the CPE in a first mode of operation when a power failure event is not present and the operational status is indicative of a loss of connectivity between the CPE and the headend;
• and
• switching circuitry coupled with the controller, the switching circuitry being operative in the first mode to disable power to a first subset of functional modules in the CPE to thereby reduce power consumption in the CPE,
• wherein the detector is operative to determine whether a power failure event is present at the CPE, and when the power failure event is present and when the operational status is indicative of a presence of connectivity between the CPE and the headend, the controller is operative to place the CPE in a second mode of operation, wherein in the second mode of operation, power to a second subset of functional modules in the CPE is disabled, the first subset of functional modules being greater than the second subset of functional modules.