GB2475902A

GB2475902A - Downloading a media element as part of entering a low power state on activation of a HID device.

Info

Publication number: GB2475902A
Application number: GB0921302A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Titchener Gunn
Original assignee: Invent Technology Solutions Ltd
Current assignee: Invent Technology Solutions Ltd
Priority date: 2009-12-04
Filing date: 2009-12-04
Publication date: 2011-06-08
Also published as: WO2011067611A3; WO2011067611A2; GB0921302D0

Abstract

A system for serving a media element to a device at a time when the device may not be connected to an external media server is provided. The computing device comprises a HID device (150) that can be activated by the user to place the device in a low power mode. The device initiates a program that downloads a media element, preferably to RAM, from the remote server prior to entering a sleep or low power mode. On reawaking to full power the media element is displayed, preferably as part of a splash screen, at a time when the computer may not be connected to the server. The selection of the media element downloaded may vary according to the location, demographics or preferences of the user or the supplier. The program may also continually poll the server during normal operation. The HID device may be a USB device. The program may also calculate an amount of money used, energy saved or carbon emissions for display on the splash screen.

Description

A System for Serving a Media Element to a Computing Device The present invention relates to a system for serving a media element to a computing device.

Particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a system for serving content to a personal computer at a time when that computer is not in communication with an external network.

The present applicant provides a successful system combining a USB peripheral and associated software that is run when the peripheral is actuated, in order to place an associated computer in an energy saving state, usually the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI), S3 or Si state, but can be subsequently reawakened and place the user back in the same position with the same programs running as before usage was suspended. In this way, a user can reduce energy consumption whilst they are, for example, leaving their desk to go to lunch. However, they do not have to spend significant time getting back to their work upon reawakening.

The applicant's software additionally logs the amount of time that the computing device has been placed in the energy saving state, in order to indicate how much money and carbon dioxide emissions have been saved both for a single incidence of being placed in the energy saving state and a cumulative total over multiple periods since the system has been operated.

This is displayed on a "splash screen" that is displayed when the computing device is re-awoken. The "splash screen" may be customised with a static image or logo.

The applicant has now recognised that this screen may, in addition, be used for other purposes and that this is particularly attractive because it will be seen by users on a regular basis whilst they are saving energy. The usage may be the display of changeable content such as news headlines, weather forecasts, e-mail messages, social networking updates, video clips, animations, various advertising messages, or a combination of these.

In order to enhance the user's experience, the splash screen containing this information needs to be displayed rapidly once the user indicates their desire to reawaken the computing device.

Otherwise the system represents an excessive interruption in their usage of that computing device and it will cease to be used, thereby negating the environmental benefits that the system provides.

One technical barrier to the rapid display of the splash screen incorporating this content is the ability of the computing device to establish a connection to an external network such as the internet in order to provide new media elements to the splash screen quickly.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a energy saving system capable of rapidly displaying variable media elements on a splash screen.

One aspect of the present invention provides a system for serving a media element to an electronic device at a time when the electronic device is not in external communication; the system comprising: a computing device including a processor for performing a plurality of processes; storage configured to store the media element; an output for the media element; a communication connection for connection to a remote media server; and a human interface device; a program executable on the computing device the computing device being selectively operable between a full power consumption state and an energy saving state; and whereby the program is configured to run on the computing device at least upon receipt of a predetermined input from the human interface device and upon receipt of the input to place the computing device into the energy saving state the program being further configured to download from the server the media element prior to the computing device entering the reduced energy consumption state; and outputting the media element as the computing device reawakens to the full power state, but when the external communication to the remote media server may not be available.

Advantageously, this enables rapid display of the media element Preferably the program is configured to download a predetermined media element based upon one or more of the following criteria; location; demographics of a user of the system; preferences of the user of the system; or supplier of the system. Advantageously this permits the media to be personalised of targeted for the user.

Further or alternatively, the program is configured to download at least two elements and output the media elements in a predetermined order.

The program may be configured to periodically poll the remote server for new media elements whilst the computing device is operable in the full power state and/or to poll the remote media server for download of a media element as part of the process for the computing device entering an energy saving state.

The program is preferably configured to load the media element to be output upon reawakening to the full power state into RAM prior to the device entering the power saving state. This makes particularly rapid display of the element possible if the energy saving state is the Si or S3 state.

More preferably, the program is configured to load the media element into RAM as part of the process for the computing device entering an energy saving state, this minimises RAM usage in the run-prior to initiating the energy saving state.

The system preferably further transmits usage information to a remote location in order that is may be analysed either to determine how much energy/money/CO2 is being saved or how effective the media display (particularly advertising) has been.

The human interface device is a preferably USB peripheral, more preferably a button. This acts as a visual reminder to use the system.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a program configured to run on a computing device operable in a full power consumption state and an energy saving state, the program being configured to run on the computing device at least upon receipt of a predetermined input from a human interface device and upon receipt of the input to place the computing device into the energy saving state the program being further configured to download from a remote server a media element prior to the computing device entering the reduced energy consumption state; and being further configured to output the media element as the computing device reawakens to the full power state, but when the external communication to the remote media server may not be available.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a method of serving a media element to an electronic device at a time when the electronic device is not in external communication; the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a computing device including a processor for performing a plurality of processes, storage configured to store the media element, an output for the media element, communication connection for connection to a remote media server, a human interface device, and a program executable on the computing device, wherein the computing device is selectively operable between a full power consumption state and an energy saving state b) running the program on the computing device; c) the program downloading from the remote server a media element d) a user actuating the human interface device to place the computing device into the energy saving state e) a user undertaking a further input to initiate reawakening of the device to the full power state; and f) outputting the media element as the computing device reawakens, but when external communication to the remote media server may not be available.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a program, provided on a computer readable medium for use in the system or method of any of the preceding paragraphs.

Embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a diagram of a computing device incorporating the system of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram of the system of the present invention; FIGURE 3 is a first part of a flow-chart illustrating functioning of the system of the present invention; FIGURE 4 is a second part of a flow-chart illustrating the functioning of the present invention; and FIGURE 5 is a schematic representation of a splash screen that forms part of the system of the present invention.

A computing device 100 incorporating the system 101 of the present invention is shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, device 100 is a desktop personal computer (PC) and comprises a computer base unit 102 containing the system memory / processors / hard drive and other known components. The base unit receives power from power line 104 plugged into socket 106. An operating system (OS) such as Windows XPRTM, Windows VistaRTM, Windows 7RTM Apple OS X or Linux is installed on the computer.

The computer device 100 further comprises a display 108 such as an LCD / CRT or the like.

The display receives data from the base unit 102 via display connection 110.

The computer device 100 further comprises peripheral devices 112, specifically mouse 114 and keyboard 116. The mouse 114 and keyboard 116 are connected to the base unit 102 via connections 118 and 120 respectively. In this instance, peripheral devices 112 are connected via USB (universal serial bus) connectors 122. Although this is the case, it should be noted that connections 118, 120 may not be wired, and as such may be infra-red / BluetoothRTM or any known connection that offers similar functionality to USB. In other embodiments the computer system may be a laptop.

The computer power saving system 101 in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 3.

The power saving system 101 additionally comprises a user input device 150 comprising a base 152 and a user input button 154 mounted thereto and actuable by depression. In this example, user input button 154 has lights 156 mounted thereon. The lights serve as a continuous reminder to the user to operate the user input device 150 when a period of inactivity commences.

The user input device 150 is connected to base unit 102 via a connection 158 and one of the USB connectors 122. The user input device is powered via the USB connection 158 from the computer.

The user input device 150 is a "plug and play" Windows device. It is capable of issuing a command to be interpreted by the OS of the system 100, as will be described below.

Turning to Figure 2, the power saving system 101 is shown schematically in more detail. The computer device 101 comprises, in addition to the components discussed above, a central processing unit CPU 124, random access memory (RAM) 126, and mass storage (e.g. a hard disc or solid state drive 128), speakers 130 and interface devices 132 including USB connections 122 and a network interface such as a wired or wireless LAN connection. The aforesaid components are all connected together for communication by a bus 134. The computing device 100 is therefore able to connect to the internet 136 in order to communicate with a remote media server 138 and a user database 142. Additionally, the media server 138 is able to obtain media content from further media sources 140 via the internet 136.

The software to be run on the device is preferably written in AdobeRTM Integrated Runtime (AIR) Framework, which has the advantages of enabling rich content to be generated easily and is cross-platform.

In other embodiments, similar programming frameworks such as MicrosoftRTM SilverlightRTM may be used The system functions as follow: A user obtains the input device 150 and installs the software program on their computing device 100 either from media supplied with the device 150 or by download from the internet.

As part of the installation process, the program either automatically determines the components of the computing device 100, and is therefore able to determine how much power it consumes both when fully operational and in an energy saving state, or the user inputs this information manually in order to determine power consumption. In addition, the user preferably registers the program and provides certain personal information which may include name, age, contact details, location, job, income, leisure interests, etcetera.

Alternatively, this information may be provided by the user at the point of download of the software. This information is stored in the mass storage 128 and transmitted securely via the internet 136 to the user database 142. A unique user code is preferably allocated to each user.

In addition, the personal information may be linked with further identifiers associated with the user input device 150 and/or the computing device 100 into which it is connected. In one embodiment, each user input device may be provided with a unique identification code that may be linked to the personal information provided. In other embodiments, certain batches of user input devices may be coded to indicate, for example, that they are a promotional gift from a particular source or have been provided by a particular utility company as part of their programme to reduce the energy usage of their customers. Furthermore, the personal information may be associated with a particular media access control (MAC) address of the network adaptor of the computing device 100 to which the user input device is connected.

The user's internet protocol (IP) address may also be used to provide an indication of their location. The particular advantages that this provides are discussed in greater detail below.

In certain embodiments where a computing device has multiple user accounts, more than one user code and associated profile may be associated with a particular input device.

Referring now to the flow chart illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the program forming part of the system 101 of the present invention runs as a background process and periodically polls the media server 138, for example, once every hour that the computing device 101 is operable, at step S212. As part of this polling operation, the program securely sends the MAC address, input device identifier, batch code and user code to the media server 138 and at step S214 the media server queries the user database to obtain the user profile associated with that particular MAC address and identifier.

The media server stores numerous media elements 166, either static images, animations, video clips or audible content. Such media elements may be advertisements, items of information (for example tips on how to save energy in the home or office) or notification that updates to the program are available, newsfeeds that the user has subscribed to, updates from social networking sites such as Facebook'TM' Twitter'TM' etcetera, or messages sent from other software users to the present user, calendar updates, e-mail updates, applets for various purposes, or the like. Certain of these media elements 166 may be selected by the user as part of the registration process, or in subsequent updates thereto, whereas others may not be user selectable.

An example of the latter case is, for example, if the software and input device 150 have been provided free of charge by a utility company, that company may wish to use the media serving system, at least for a period of time, to exclusively send advertising messages to that user, for example for new energy tariffs that user may be able to sign up to or special offers on other energy saving products that may be available to them. Such a utility company would not, for example, wish for their competitors to be able to feed competing advertising content to a user for whom they have supplied the software and device.

Further media elements 166 may be advertising targeted at a particular age, sex, location, income group, interest group, social category etc., or combinations of the above. The media server 138 may therefore use the information provided by the user, optionally with the other information that may be obtained from their IP/MAC addresses and/or input device code, to serve advertising matched and targeted specifically at that user.

In the background, media source servers 140 controlled by third party advertisers, etcetera, provide content to be stored centrally on media server 138 ready for feeding to individual users.

If at step S216 a new or updated media element 166, not previously downloaded to the local computer device is selected based on the user profile and preferences, the media server 138 sends this media element via the internet 136 to be stored in the mass storage 128 of the computing device at step S218. In addition the media server 138 may schedule media already downloaded to the computing device for a repeat display, without a further download.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the media server 138 alternatively pushes new media elements 166 to the device as and when they become available, or according to a predetermined schedule. Alternatively, the system may download elements as part of the entry of the device into the energy saving state. This may delay entry into the energy saving state to some extent, but may mean that media elements 166 are more up-to-date, and would mean that the program does not need to operate as a background process.

In addition, the media server may instruct the download of multiple elements along with instructions for these elements to be displayed in a particular order. In a further alternative embodiment, no transmission of personal data may take place. Instead, the program on the computing device may itself compare a catalogue of possible media elements 166 against the user data it holds, and call for matching media elements to be downloaded.

A second function provided by the program is to monitor for actuation of the user input device 150. In the present embodiment, in which the user input device 150 comprises a button 154, actuation of that button sends a signal via the USB connection to the interface devices 132 which in turn causes the program to initiate its routine for entry into an energy saving state. Thus, when at step S212, the button 154 is depressed, the program first, at step S222 logs a first system clock time and stores that time 1 in mass storage. The program then triggers the computer device to enter into its default "suspend to RAM" energy saving state.

In ACPI compliant desktops and laptops, this state is preferably the S3 state, in which the system context is stored in the device's RAM but all other non-essential components are shut down (display 108, mass storage 128, speakers 130) such that the typical power consumption of the device 100 is reduced. So whereas the computing device's 100 usual operating consumption is typically between 50 and 200 watts, in the S3 state that is typically reduced down to, for example, 5 watts or less.

In one embodiment, the program may additionally load the media elements to be displayed on the splash screen 160 from the mass storage 128 into the RAM 126 prior to entry into the energy saving state.

At step S226, the computing device 100 remains in this energy saving state until the user provides a second input at step S228. Depending upon the functionality of the user input device 150 and the settings of the computing device 100, inputs that may be able to cause the computing device to exit the energy saving state may include pressing a key on a part of the computing device 100, a short press on the power button of the computing device, moving a mouse connected to the computing device, pressing a mouse button or a second press on the button 154 of the user input device 150 itself.

With reference to the continuation of the flow chart of Figure 4, such appropriate input causes the computing device to commence return to a fully operable state at step S230.

When the computing device 100 has woken to the extent that program is again able to run, the program logs a second clock time at step S232 and then based on the difference between clock time 1 and 2 and the information about the particular PC configuration is able to calculate the carbon dioxide and money saving of the previous period of energy saving, and the cumulative total since the system of the present invention has been in operation on the computing device 100, at step S234.

At step S236 the program then displays the basic outline of a splash screen 160 (as shown in Figure 5, but without the savings data or media element). Typically, the splash screen background remains fixed permanently, or for an extended period of time. However, the program preferably provides for the ability to be fed updated backgrounds if this proves desirable at any point.

The most recent savings data 162 and cumulative savings data 164 are then overlain on the background at step S23 8 as illustrated in Figure 5 and the program then extracts the media element 166 from mass storage 128 or RAM 126 and displays this media element on the screen as shown in Figure 5. The advantage of loading the media elements into RAM 126 prior to entry into the energy saving state is that in the Si and S3 states, the RAM remains operable, and therefore the media element is ready for playback even more rapidly than if it is loaded from mass storage 128.

In alternative embodiments (not shown), the user input device 150 is provided with built-in non-volatile flash memory and the program stores the media elements on this memory, rather than using the computing device's own memory resources. Since USB connectivity is available quickly as the computing device reawakens, the display of media elements can be effected rapidly from this flash memory.

Alternatively, or simultaneously with the display of a visual media element 166, the program may play an audio media element. In this embodiment, if the media element is an animation or a video clip, playback is configured to occur automatically as soon as the program is able to achieve this. In other embodiments, media controls may be provided to give the user additional control.

At S242, the splash screen is, in this embodiment, configured to remain until the user actuates a further input (e.g. presses a key or actuates a mouse button) at step S244 causing the computing device 100 to revert to its fully operable state at step S246.

The media element 166 may in certain embodiments be configured as a hyperlink to, for example, the website of a company whose advertisement constitutes the media element.

Thus, at step S248, as an alternative to the computing device simply reverting to its previous state, the user may click on the media element, causing the program to open the hyperlink in the computing device default web browser at step S250. The user may then explore the advertiser's website before continuing to use the computing device 100.

Finally, the splash screen 160 further comprises a settings option 168 which can also be selected by the user in order to reconfigure the operation of the program and/or update their user details or computing device details. In a preferred embodiment, users are able to view their full profile of personal information which has been built-up from information they have submitted, as well as data that may have been inferred from their usage of the system.

In addition to serving media elements 166 to the splash screen, the program further comprises a logging function that is able to log the amount of time the splash screen remains on screen, which media elements have been displayed thereon, and click-throughs from the media element 166 to corresponding websites. Thus, the program is able to track the effectiveness of the media elements in advertising additional products or services, or providing information of a more general nature. In addition, the program may transmit details of the amount of money and energy saved through operation of the system 101, to consolidate this across a particular organisation, department, office, town, country or indeed, for all users of the system.

It will be appreciated that by downloading the media elements prior to shutdown, the technical problem of rapidly being able to display these when the computing device reawakens is overcome even when no network connection is available. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the splash screen provides a captive audience for the media elements being displayed thereon, because the user will inevitably have interacted with the computing device immediately prior to their display and will need to interact further in order to move from the screen to their work.

It will be understood that numerous changes may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the order in which clock time 2 is logged, comparison of the clock times takes place, the display of the splash screen, the display of money saving on the splash screen and the display of the media element on the splash screen may be altered within the scope of the present invention. The splash screen may be configured to time out after a predetermined period. Further media elements may be served to the splash screen "live" via the network connection after the initial media element has been extracted from memory, the splash screen may display more than one media element simultaneously or sequentially.

The user input device may be configured to receive signals from the computing device. The program may therefore signal the user input device to display certain conditions of the computing device, other programs, or applets that are running in conjunction with the program. For example, the user input device may be lighted a particular colour, or flashing if a user has received an email, an upgrade to th eprogram is available, or has achieved a certain level of savings.

Whilst the computing device is intended to normally be a standard desktop or laptop personal computer, it is envisaged that the technology may be applied to, for example, personal media players, mobile telephones, television set-top boxes and the like. The system may be operable without requiring a stand alone dedicated user input device. For example, it could be used in conjunction with any human interface device such as a "sleep" button provided on a keyboard, a particular key press combination, a particular mouse or touch gesture, or by detecting with a suitable camera or sensor that a user has left the vicinity of the computing device, in order to provide automatic energy saving.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for serving a media element to a computing device at a time when the computing device is not in external communication; the system comprising: a computing device including a processor for performing a plurality of processes; storage configured to store the media element; an output for the media element; a communication connection for connection to a remote media server; and a human interface device; a program executable on the computing device the computing device being selectively operable between a full power consumption state and an energy saving state; and whereby the program is configured to run on the computing device at least upon receipt of a predetermined input from the human interface device and upon receipt of the input to place the computing device into the energy saving state the program being further configured to download from the server the media element prior to the computing device entering the reduced energy consumption state; and outputting the media element as the computing device reawakens to the full power state, but when the external communication to the remote media server may not be available.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the program is configured to download a predetermined media element based upon one or more of the following criteria; location; demographics of a user of the system; preferences of the user of the system; or supplier of the system.
3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the program is configured to download at least two elements and output the media elements in a predetermined order.
4. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the program is configured to periodically poll the remote server for new media elements whilst the computing device is operable in the full power state.
5. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the program is configured to poii the remote media server for download of a media element as part of the process for the computing device entering an energy saving state.
6. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the program is configured to load the media element to be output upon reawakening to the full power state into RAM prior to the device entering the power saving state.
7. A system according to claim 6 wherein the program is configured to load the media element into RAM as part of the process for the computing device entering an energy saving state.
8. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the system is configured to output the media element to a splash screen.
9. A system according to any claim 8 wherein the splash screen further displays an indication of the amount of money and/or energy and/or CO2 emissions saved by operation of the system.
10. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the system further transmits usage information to a remote location.
11. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the human interface device is a USB peripheral, preferably a button.
12. A system according to claim 11 wherein the the media element is stored in memory associated with the USB peripheral.
13 A system according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the USB peripheral is configured to receive a signal from the computing device and display an output accordance with the signal.
14. A system according to any preceding claim further comprising a remote media server adapted to supply media elements to the computing device.
15. A program configured to run on a computing device operable in a full power consumption state and an energy saving state, the program being configured to run on the computing device at least upon receipt of a predetermined input from a human interface device and upon receipt of the input to place the computing device into the energy saving state the program being further configured to download from a remote server a media element prior to the computing device entering the reduced energy consumption state; and being further configured to output the media element as the computing device reawakens to the full power state, but when the external communication to the remote media server may not be available.
16. A method of serving a media element to an computing device at a time when the computing device is not in external communication; the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a computing device including a processor for performing a plurality of processes, storage configured to store the media element, an output for the media element, communication connection for connection to a remote media server, a human interface device, and a program executable on the computing device, wherein the computing device is selectively operable between a full power consumption state and an energy saving state b) running the program on the computing device; c) the program downloading from the remote server a media element d) a user actuating the human interface device to place the computing device into the energy saving state e) a user undertaking a further input to initiate reawakening of the device to the full power state; and 0 outputting the media element as the computing device reawakens, but when external communication to the remote media server may not be available.
17. A program provided on a computer readable medium for use in the system of any one of claims ito 14 or the method of claim 16.