Adaptive Standby Mode Scheduling Method Based on Analysis of Activation Pattern for Improving User Experience of Low-Power Set-Top Boxes

Abstract

The lowest power mode (passive-standby mode) was proposed for reducing the power consumption of set-top boxes in a standby state when not receiving content. However, low-power set-top boxes equipped with the lowest power mode have been rarely commercialized because of their low-quality user experience. In the lowest power mode, they deactivates almost all of operational modules and processes, and thus require dozens of seconds for activation latency (that is, the latency for activating all modules of the set-top boxes in a standby state). They are not even updated in a standby state because they deactivate their network interfaces in a standby state. This paper proposes an adaptive standby mode scheduling method for improving the user experience of such boxes. Set-top boxes using the proposed method can analyze the activation pattern and find the frequently used time period (that is, when the set-top boxes are frequently activated). They prepare for their activation during this frequently used time period, thereby reducing the activation latency and enabling their update in a standby state.