Abstract: A method of transitioning between a sleep mode for a storage device to reduce power consumption and to increase responsiveness includes collecting one or more recent parameters related to host-storage device workload. The host-storage device workload is correlated to project a next host idle time. A transition between a storage sleep mode is determined.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of fax communication and a method of controlling the image processing apparatus are described. The image processing apparatus has a user interface capable of accepting from a user, in advance of receiving by a network interface a shutdown request, a setting of whether or not to perform shutdown processing based on the received shutdown request when the image processing apparatus is in a state of being connected to a fax line and when fax communication is possible. The image processing apparatus executes, in accordance with the setting accepted in advance from the user by the user interface, the shutdown processing of the image processing apparatus based on the shutdown request received from the external apparatus.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an inductor selectively connected to a power supply voltage and configured to store and release energy; a first transistor connected between the power supply voltage and the inductor and configured to provide the power supply voltage to the inductor; a second transistor connected to the first transistor in series, connected between the inductor and a ground voltage, and configured to provide the ground voltage to the inductor; a modulator configured to provide a modulation signal to a control circuit configured to control the first and second transistors by performing pulse width modulation (PWM); a current sensor configured to sense an amount of current passing through the first transistor and generate a first output signal based on the sensed amount of current; and a first overcurrent protection output generator configured to generate a second output signal based on the first output signal and a first reference signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic device that includes a display device. A first panoramic image capturing device is movably configured on the display surface of the display device. A second panoramic image capturing device is movably configured on a back panel relative to the display surface. A drive unit is configured to push the first panoramic image capturing device out of the electronic device along a first direction perpendicular to the display surface and push the second panoramic image capturing device out of the electronic device along a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, when receiving a first signal. The drive unit is configured to pull the first panoramic image capturing device back to the electronic device along the second direction and pull the second panoramic image capturing device back to the electronic device along the first direction when receiving a second signal.

Abstract: A transitory idle state is established for a memory sub-system that can be transitioned from an active state to one or more idle states including the transitory idle state and a deep idle state. A power consumption metric and transition time for each idle state is identified. A transitional energy metric is determined for each idle state based on the corresponding power consumption metric transition time. An energy target time is determined for the transitory idle state. Based on the energy target time, an idle state optimization time is determined for the transitory idle state. The memory sub-system is maintained in the transitory idle state for a duration of the idle state optimization time.

Abstract: A space active optical cable (SAOC) includes a cable including one or more optical fibers, and two or more electrical transceivers on opposing ends of the cable and interconnected by the cable. Each of the electrical transceivers includes an enclosure that encloses one or more light sources, one or more light detectors, and control electronics. Also included in the enclosure are a coupling medium to couple light into and out of the one or more optical fibers. The coupling medium can be reflecting surface or an on-axis mount. The enclosure provides a suitable heat propagation and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and the cable and the two or more electrical transceivers are radiation resistant. SAOC features optionally support a health check algorithm that allows trending optical performance in the absence of an optical connector and a potential surface treatment to increase nominally low emissivity of an EMI conductive surface.

Abstract: A method for live migration of a virtual machine includes receiving a data packet that is sent to a migrated virtual machine on the source physical machine in a stage when the migrated virtual machine is suspended, and caching the received data packet; and sending the cached data packet to the migrated virtual machine on the destination physical machine after it is sensed that the migrated virtual machine is restored at the destination, to speed up restoration of a TCP connection inside the virtual machine. The apparatus of the present disclosure includes a caching unit and a data restoration unit. The method and apparatus of the present disclosure improve a restoration speed of the TCP connection, make live migration of a virtual machine more imperceptible for users, and improve user experience.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus, a control method, and a program can more accurately distinguish a vibration added to a chassis from the detected vibration. The information processing apparatus includes a first chassis in which at least one first vibration detecting unit is provided; a second chassis in which at least one second vibration detecting unit is provided, a face of the second chassis overlapping with a face of the first chassis; and a controller. The controller determines a contact state of the first chassis based on relative characteristics of a first vibration that is a vibration detected by the first vibration detecting unit with respect to a second vibration that is a vibration detected by the second vibration detecting unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an inter-processor communication (IPC) link between two (or more) independently operable processors. In one aspect, the IPC protocol is based on a “shared” memory interface for run-time processing (i.e., the independently operable processors each share (either virtually or physically) a common memory interface). In another aspect, the IPC communication link is configured to support a host driven boot protocol used during a boot sequence to establish a basic communication path between the peripheral and the host processors. Various other embodiments described herein include sleep procedures (as defined separately for the host and peripheral processors), and error handling.

Abstract: Standby power entry can be performed without latency tolerance information. The embodiments disclosed herein enable a power delivery system of a computing system to enter the requested low power state while ignoring any latency tolerance information throughout the platform. For example, an operating system (OS) can request a Forced Cx state (also known as a Forced C state), such as a Forced C10 state, allowing the system to ignore any latency tolerance information throughout the platform. This Forced Cx state can be used as a test mechanism to determine if a problematic device or integrated circuit is blocking entry into the low power state.

Abstract: Messaging between a companion device and an accessory device is controlled such that different modes of communication may be utilized. The different modes can implement different messaging strategies, each of which is intended for efficient power management, in view of the limited electrical power that is typically available at the accessory device. A received request message for sending from the companion device to the accessory device is sent if predetermined conditions apply, and similarly for messages from the accessory device to the companion device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a monitoring report generation method where the method includes: receiving a monitoring parameter broadcast by a base station; monitoring energy of each discovery resource in a resource pool within a discovery time domain; determining a busy resource and an idle resource; and generating a monitoring report when a proportion of the busy resource or the idle resource in a predetermined quantity of consecutive discovery time domains meets a reporting condition corresponding to the busy resource or the idle resource, and sending the monitoring report to the base station. This resolves a problem in the related technology that: because D2D user equipment cannot accurately obtain a quantity of resource collision times in a cell, the base station cannot accurately learn a resource status in the cell, and it is ensured that the base station can accurately learn the resource status in the cell.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a communication interface configured to communicate with a portable terminal capable of receiving a signal from a transmitter in a detection area. A processor of the apparatus is configured to determine whether to shift to an operable state from a sleep state based on user information contained in proximity information when the proximity information, containing the user information indicating that a user enters the detection area, is received by the communication interface from the portable terminal receiving a signal from the transmitter.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for dynamically managing the power usage and/or performance of an artificial intelligence (AI) hardware accelerator may include (1) receiving an instruction stream that includes one or more instructions for performing at least one AI-specific computing task, (2) identifying a plurality of special-purpose, hardware-based functional units configured to perform AI-specific computing tasks, (3) predicting, based on an analysis of at least a portion of the instruction stream, a power-usage requirement for at least one of the functional units when executing the instruction stream, and then (4) modifying, based on the power-usage requirement, the power supplied to at least one of the functional units. Various other methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A communication device may detect a disconnection of a first communication link in spite of a communication interface executing a communication for maintaining a state of the first communication link with an external device being established by using a power saving method. The communication device may supply a prohibition instruction for prohibiting a use of the power saving method to the communication interface in a case where the disconnection of the first communication link is detected. The communication interface may maintain a state of a second communication link, which is different from the first communication link, being established by using a normal method without using the power saving method in a case where the communication interface establishes the second communication link with the external device after acquiring the prohibition instruction in response to the disconnection of the first communication link.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a communication interface configured to communicate with a portable terminal capable of receiving a signal from a transmitter in a detection area. A processor of the apparatus is configured to determine whether to shift to an operable state from a sleep state based on user information contained in proximity information when the proximity information, containing the user information indicating that a user enters the detection area, is received by the communication interface from the portable terminal receiving a signal from the transmitter.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus of the invention includes a main system and a sub system, and executes activation processing on the basis of a boot image. The information processing apparatus includes: a saving unit configured to save the boot image which is developed in a first area of a storage unit in the sub system, in a second area which is different from the first area in the storage unit, in the activation processing of the sub system, in a case where the information processing apparatus is activated from a power off state; a restoration unit configured to restore the boot image which is saved in the second area to the first area in a case where the information processing apparatus is transitioned to a power saving state from a normal power state; and a holding unit configured to hold the restored boot image.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for reducing chiplet interrupt latency are disclosed. A system includes one or more processing nodes, one or more memory devices, a communication fabric coupled to the processing unit(s) and memory device(s) via link interfaces, and a power management unit. The power management unit manages the power states of the various components and the link interfaces of the system. If the power management unit detects a request to wake up a given component, and the link interface to the given component is powered down, then the power management unit sends an out-of-band signal to wake up the given component in parallel with powering up the link interface. Also, when multiple link interfaces need to be powered up, the power management unit powers up the multiple link interfaces in an order which complies with voltage regulator load-step requirements while minimizing the latency of pending operations.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, an electronic device includes a housing configured to house a battery; a display configured to be disposed in the housing, to be exposed through a portion of the housing, and to be electrically connected to the battery; a motion detection sensor circuit configured to be disposed in the housing and to be electrically connected to the battery; a power management circuit configured to be disposed in the housing and to be electrically connected to the battery; and a processor configured to be functionally or electrically connected to the motion detection sensor circuit and the display and to be electrically connected to the power management circuit through a switch that is turned on when the processor is in a first mode and turned off when the processor is in a second mode, wherein, in the second mode, the motion detection sensor circuit detects a motion associated with the electronic device, and provides image data to the display in response to the detection of the motion.

Abstract: Micro-idle power in a subsystem of a portable computing device may be actively managed based on client voting. Each client vote may include a client activity status indication and a client latency tolerance indication. Votes are aggregated to provide an aggregate client latency tolerance, which may be used to obtain a set of micro-idle time values. Micro-idle timers in the subsystem may be set to associated micro-idle time values. The micro-idle timers determine whether one or more of the micro-idle time values have elapsed. A power management policy associated with each micro-idle time value determined to have elapsed may be applied to a portion of the subsystem.

Abstract: A power delivery system of a computing system that is on alternating current (AC) power limits software administrative tasks to a system-controlled and tunable broadcast window. This window limitation allows a computing system to enter and stay in low-power states without variable disturbances from administrative functions that can be relegated to the window. For example, maintenance is restricted until the computing system broadcasts a notification. Legacy software and devices that do not understand these notifications can be told the AC power is not present nominally, and then be notified of AC power presence during maintenance intervals.

Abstract: The CPU of an image processing apparatus (MFP), when the MFP shifts to a first sleep mode, sets a time until, in the first sleep mode, the storage device stops rotation of a spindle motor to shift to a power saving mode. The CPU controls the storage device to shift to the power saving state at a timing at which the set time has elapsed after the MFP shifts to the first sleep mode.

Abstract: A method for adaptive OOS scan for modem power optimization in a wireless communication system. The method includes establishing, by a source wireless device, a direct communication connection to a target wireless device and requesting wireless communication system information to be sent from the target wireless device and activating an adaptive OOS scan on the target wireless device if the source wireless device and target wireless device are connected to the same wireless communication system and using the same RAT. The method also includes instructing the adaptive OOS scan on the target wireless device to pause the standard OOS scan when both the source wireless device and target wireless device are OOS, and the adaptive OOS scan on the target wireless device to resume the standard OOS scan after the source wireless device has performed the standard OOS scan and finds an acceptable communication connection.

Abstract: An interface circuit in an electronic device (such as an access point) may provide a group wake-up packet to a group of recipient electronic devices in a set of recipient electronic devices. During operation, the interface circuit may select the group in the set of recipient electronic devices, where the group includes at least one of the recipient electronic devices. Then, the interface circuit may provide the group wake-up packet for the recipient electronic devices in the group with information that specifies that a subset of the recipient electronic devices in the group transition from a low-power mode. For example, the information may include a bitmap that specifies the subset and an identifier of the group. Note that the electronic device may dynamically define the group. Alternatively, the recipient electronic devices in the group may be static.

Abstract: This document relates to power consumption of computing devices. One example is a face detection circuit that includes a camera interface, a processing component, and a power management interface. The camera interface can be configured to communicate with a camera. The processing component can be configured to instruct the camera to provide image data at multiple levels of resolution, and perform multiple stages of analysis on the image data obtained from the camera to detect the presence of a face in the image data. The power management interface can be configured to output an indication when the face is detected in the image data.

Abstract: An arithmetic processing device includes a plurality of arithmetic processing units each including, an internal circuit that, in an instruction processing state in which an instruction is processed, processes the instruction and that, in an instruction processing stopped state in which instruction processing is stopped, transitions to a state of power save operation, and a power control circuit that disables the power save operation; and a monitoring circuit that monitors the instruction processing stopped state of the plurality of arithmetic processing units and counts the number of the arithmetic processing units in the instruction processing stopped state. The power control circuit of each of the plurality of arithmetic processing units disables the power save operation of the arithmetic processing unit in the instruction processing stopped state, in a case where the number of the arithmetic processing units in the instruction processing stopped state exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: An electrical appliance control device for controlling power supplied to an electrical appliance, comprises: an output unit configured to output a predetermined event for each predetermined period during an operation mode; a determination unit configured to determine whether predetermined information is inputted by a user in response to the predetermined event; and a control unit configured to control power supplied to the electrical appliance corresponding to whether the predetermined information is inputted.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor integrated circuit includes the following configuration. A arithmetic processing circuit includes a first processor core performing arithmetic processing and a common unit containing a cache memory storing data and programs, and the first processor core or the common unit is divided into a first circuit and a second circuit. The first clock gating circuit supplies or stops a clock to the first circuit. The first power switch supplies or cuts off a power supply voltage to the first circuit. The second clock gating circuit supplies or stops the clock to the second circuit. The second power switch supplies or cuts off the power supply voltage to the second circuit. The controller controls the clock gating circuits and the power switches.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enabling quantification and categorization of levels of user engagement of a user while wearing a head mounted display (HMD) and being presented virtual reality (VR) content. A computer-implemented method includes presenting a VR scene to an HMD user via display of the HMD and capturing one or more images of an eye of the HMD user while the HMD user is wearing the HMD and being presented with the VR scene. The method also includes operations for analyzing the one or more images for obtaining a pupil size measurement of the eye of the HMD user and for obtaining pupil size indicators usable to correlate pupil size measurements with user engagement. The method may also determine a level of user engagement based on the pupil size measurement and the pupil size indicators.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a processor having a plurality of cores and a cache memory coupled to the cores and including a plurality of partitions. The processor can further include a logic to dynamically vary a size of the cache memory based on a memory boundedness of a workload executed on at least one of the cores. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and a device are disclosed. An embodiment of a method for performing physical layer operations in a communications network is disclosed. The method involves determining a value of a digital signal processor (DSP) parameter for a receiver at a first network node, at the first network node, embedding the value of the DSP parameter into a protocol data unit (PDU), and transmitting the PDU from the first network node.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an operation portion, an operation sensing portion, a human detecting portion, and a sensing period adjusting portion. The operation portion accepts operation by a user. The operation sensing portion senses operation on the operation portion. The human detecting portion detects the presence of a human body within a previously set detection distance. The sensing period adjusting portion adjusts a operation sensing period of the operation sensing portion based on the detection distance of the human detecting portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor circuit of the disclosure includes a first circuit that is able to generate, on the basis of a voltage at a first node, an inverted voltage of the voltage at the first node, and apply the inverted voltage to a second node, a second circuit that is able to generate, on the basis of a voltage at the second node, an inverted voltage of the voltage at the second node, and apply the inverted voltage to the first node, a first transistor that is turned ON to couple the first node to a third node, a second transistor that is turned ON to supply a first direct-current voltage to the third node, and a first storage section that is coupled to the third node and includes a first storage device that is able to take a first resistance state or a second resistance state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting a frequency of a processor is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method includes inhibiting one or more processor cores from exiting an idle state. The method further includes determining a number of processor cores requesting exit from the idle state and a number of non-idle processor cores. The method also includes selecting a maximum frequency for the inhibited processor cores based on the number of inhibited processor cores requesting exit from the idle state and the number of non-idle processor cores. The method includes setting the maximum frequency for the inhibited processor cores, and then uninhibiting the processor cores requesting exit from the idle state.

Abstract: The program directs a computer processor to implement a method that dynamically operates one or more appliances. The method estimates a time period for a user to arrive at a location, wherein the estimated time period is based on one or more time constraints, and identifies one or more appliances needed based on at least an instruction set. The method further generates and sends one or more operating commands to the identified one or more appliances based on the estimated time period, updates the estimated time period based on a change in the one or more time constraints, and generates and sends one or more updated operating commands to the identified one or more appliances, based on the updated estimated time period. The method may further detect a current location of the user and receive travel data that corresponds to the one or more time constraints.

Abstract: A transceiver, TX/RX PHY, arranged for bi-directional data communication of a node with a counterpart node connected to a point-to-point network using differential mode signaling over a single twisted-pair cable is disclosed. The transceiver, TX/RX PHY, includes a common mode choke arranged between of the TX/RX PHY and the single twisted-pair cable and provided for common mode current suppression. Further included is a switching arrangement arranged between the TX/RX PHY, the common mode choke and the single twisted-pair cable and configured to switchably change a polarity of one of the windings of the common mode choke. A detection section is included and coupled via the switching arrangement to the common mode choke and configured to detect a common mode signal on the single twisted-pair cable in response to a transmission of a test signal by the counterpart node.

Abstract: A patient care device includes an attachment element configured to physically attach the device to a patient, such that the device can be worn around the patient's neck as a pendant. The device may further comprise a communication system configured to enable voice and visual communication through the device, and an emergency activation system configured to indicate a potential emergency situation of the patient. The emergency activation system may comprise at least one of a mechanical trigger system, a virtual trigger system, a fall detection system, a location tracking system, a bio monitoring system or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for environmentally monitoring electronics devices. Each electronics device has an environmental sensor configured to monitor an environmental state. Environmental control logic, including computer instructions stored in the memory, is configured to simultaneously query, with respect to a global clock, at least a subset of the electronics devices to read the respective sensors and thereby obtain a set of environmental data points, and to map the set of environmental data points in relation to the sensor locations forming a transmissibility mode profile (TMP).

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, a storage medium and an electronic device for processing an application of a mobile terminal are provided. The method includes the following acts. It is detected whether the mobile terminal is currently in standby state. All available sensor connection interfaces are traversed in responding to detecting that the mobile terminal is currently in standby state. It is determined whether an application corresponding to each of the available sensor connection interfaces is in accordance with a filtering condition. The application is exited in responding to determining that the application corresponding to each of the available sensor connection interfaces is not in accordance with the filtering condition, and the application is restrained from holding a corresponding sensor connection.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a main hardware processor capable of controlling a first snapshot data acquisition process of storing to-be-saved information regarding the image forming apparatus as first snapshot data in a non-volatile storage device in response to a turn-off operation of a main power switch, and a sub hardware processor capable of monitoring an operating state of the main power switch in a power-saving state of the image forming apparatus. After the turn-off operation is detected in the power-saving state, the main hardware processor starts a return process of causing the state of the image forming apparatus to return from the power-saving state. When a turn-on operation of the main power switch is detected after the turn-off operation is detected in the power-saving state and before the return process is completed, the sub hardware processor resets the main hardware processor in response to the turn-on operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptable phase training of high frequency clock signaling for data capture is provided. A state machine synchronizes a first selection signal to a delay multiplexer and a second selection signal to a digital block demultiplexer to sequentially select a targeted pair of the static storage elements for each of a plurality of phase-delayed data strobe clock signals. Read back data from an external memory captured by the static storage elements is compared to known valid data. The state machine determines which of the plurality of phase-delayed data strobe clock signals resulted in known valid data being captured by the static storage elements based on the comparison. The state machine selects one of the plurality of phase-delayed data strobe clock signals that resulted in valid data being captured as a read clock signal for a memory controller to capture subsequent read data from the external memory.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting touch events with an accelerometer are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes measuring first accelerometer data at a first rate, detecting a first touch event based on the first accelerometer data, in response to detecting the first touch event, measuring second accelerometer data at a second rate, determining whether a second touch event is detected based on the second accelerometer data, measuring third accelerometer data at the first rate in response to an absence of the second touch event being detecting in the second accelerometer data over a predetermined threshold period of time.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and a device are disclosed. A method for performing operations in a communications network is disclosed. The method involves, determining, at a first network node in a communications network, that a DSP of a receiver of a network node in the communications network can operate at a reduced functionality level, and communicating the determination from the first network node to a second network node in the communications network in a protocol data unit (PDU), wherein the DSP of a receiver of a network node that can operate at a reduced functionality level is a DSP of a receiver of one of the first network node and the second network node.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a memory device and a power reduction method of the same memory device. In an aspect, the disclosure is directed to a memory device which includes not limited to a plurality of memory banks, each having a power switch, a plurality of functional blocks for reading and writing to the plurality of memory banks and include a plurality of power switches as each functional block of the plurality of function blocks has a different power switch which turns on or turns off the functional block, a mode register circuit having a plurality of mode registers which determines whether one or more of the plurality of memory banks would maintain data storage or not, and a control logic circuit for either powering on or powering off each of the plurality of memory banks and each of the plurality of the functional blocks.

Abstract: A protocol transparent retimer circuit monitors certain link layer control signals, detects far-end receiver parameters of the link partners, and detects attributes of the data signal on the link to determine the link status and operate the retimer in accordance with the determined link status. By combining and reducing host and device system states into a few retimer states, the retimer circuit is largely simplified and yet still serves its purpose. The retimer includes a controller that employs a state machine to interpret the monitored and detected signals to determine the link state and operate the retimer in an operational state corresponding to the determined link state. The approach enables the retimer to restore signal integrity and forward data it receives in both downstream and upstream directions of the link without frequency alteration.

Abstract: A distribution board includes: a pack housing unit which houses a battery pack and includes a connecting unit; and a charge control unit. The battery pack includes a connecting terminal unit for charge and discharge of power and can supply power to the distribution board and another device different from the distribution board. The connecting unit is connectable to and disconnectable from the connecting terminal unit. The charge control unit converts AC power supplied from a power system into DC power, and supplies the DC power to the battery pack housed in the pack housing unit to charge the battery pack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a charging device comprising: a main body capable of being connected to a mobile terminal; a charging unit for charging the mobile terminal in a first connection mode; a backup unit for receiving data stored on the mobile terminal in a second connection mode, which is capable of data communications, and performing a backup function; and a control unit for changing the first connection mode to the second connection mode, on the basis of the storage status of new data stored on the mobile terminal, while connected to the mobile terminal.

Abstract: Embodiments are generally directed to automatic waking of power domains for graphics configuration requests. An embodiment of an apparatus an interface to receive a graphics configuration request, wherein the graphics configuration request is directed to a target graphics register in a graphics domain; registers for storage of data, the registers including one or more configuration registers that are accessible for storage of the graphics configuration request; automatic power domain determination logic to determine a power domain for the target graphics register based on shared information accessed by the automatic power domain determination logic; and wake indication logic to determine whether the power domain for the target graphics register is in a reduced power state and, upon making a reduced power state determination, to generate a wake indication for the power domain.

Abstract: In a communication system, ECUs are connected to a bus. A relay apparatus receives data that was transmitted by one of the ECUs via the bus, and determines, based on the content of the reception, whether or not the power supply from a battery to a transmission source that transmitted the data is to be cut off. If the relay apparatus determines that the power supply to the transmission source is to be cut off, the relay apparatus cuts off the power supply from the battery to the transmission source.

Abstract: System, method and computer-readable storage medium including a first communications device including a host processor to wake up upon receipt of a message and stream audio directly to another device via wireless communication, a second communications device including circuitry to control the streaming of the audio by sending messages to the first communications device and to control a display. The host processor of the first communications device enters a sleep state during audio streaming while a state of the display is off. Reduction in the number of messages sent by the second communications device, or offloading of message handling by the host processor, allows the host processor to remain in a sleep state for longer periods.