diff --git a/drivers/power/pm.h b/drivers/power/pm.h
index b597fc4747a..2316e8ed21b 100644
--- a/drivers/power/pm.h
+++ b/drivers/power/pm.h
@@ -139,6 +139,10 @@ struct pm_domain_s
   /* stime - The time (in ticks) at the start of the current time slice */
 
   clock_t stime;
+
+  /* The power state lock count */
+
+  uint16_t stay[PM_COUNT];
 };
 
 /* This structure encapsulates all of the global data used by the PM module */
diff --git a/drivers/power/pm_activity.c b/drivers/power/pm_activity.c
index ea76bacd906..80d44cfa69b 100644
--- a/drivers/power/pm_activity.c
+++ b/drivers/power/pm_activity.c
@@ -149,4 +149,81 @@ void pm_activity(int domain, int priority)
     }
 }
 
+/****************************************************************************
+ * Name: pm_stay
+ *
+ * Description:
+ *   This function is called by a device driver to indicate that it is
+ *   performing meaningful activities (non-idle), needs the power at kept
+ *   last the specified level.
+ *
+ * Input Parameters:
+ *   domain - The domain of the PM activity
+ *   state - The state want to stay.
+ *
+ *     As an example, media player might stay in normal state during playback.
+ *
+ * Returned Value:
+ *   None.
+ *
+ * Assumptions:
+ *   This function may be called from an interrupt handler.
+ *
+ ****************************************************************************/
+
+void pm_stay(int domain, enum pm_state_e state)
+{
+  FAR struct pm_domain_s *pdom;
+  irqstate_t flags;
+
+  /* Get a convenience pointer to minimize all of the indexing */
+
+  DEBUGASSERT(domain >= 0 && domain < CONFIG_PM_NDOMAINS);
+  pdom = &g_pmglobals.domain[domain];
+
+  flags = enter_critical_section();
+  DEBUGASSERT(state < PM_COUNT);
+  DEBUGASSERT(pdom->stay[state] < UINT16_MAX);
+  pdom->stay[state]++;
+  leave_critical_section(flags);
+}
+
+/****************************************************************************
+ * Name: pm_relax
+ *
+ * Description:
+ *   This function is called by a device driver to indicate that it is
+ *   idle now, could relax the previous requested power level.
+ *
+ * Input Parameters:
+ *   domain - The domain of the PM activity
+ *   state - The state want to relax.
+ *
+ *     As an example, media player might relax power level after playback.
+ *
+ * Returned Value:
+ *   None.
+ *
+ * Assumptions:
+ *   This function may be called from an interrupt handler.
+ *
+ ****************************************************************************/
+
+void pm_relax(int domain, enum pm_state_e state)
+{
+  FAR struct pm_domain_s *pdom;
+  irqstate_t flags;
+
+  /* Get a convenience pointer to minimize all of the indexing */
+
+  DEBUGASSERT(domain >= 0 && domain < CONFIG_PM_NDOMAINS);
+  pdom = &g_pmglobals.domain[domain];
+
+  flags = enter_critical_section();
+  DEBUGASSERT(state < PM_COUNT);
+  DEBUGASSERT(pdom->stay[state] > 0);
+  pdom->stay[state]--;
+  leave_critical_section(flags);
+}
+
 #endif /* CONFIG_PM */
diff --git a/drivers/power/pm_checkstate.c b/drivers/power/pm_checkstate.c
index d08884165bc..207de1a3997 100644
--- a/drivers/power/pm_checkstate.c
+++ b/drivers/power/pm_checkstate.c
@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@ enum pm_state_e pm_checkstate(int domain)
   FAR struct pm_domain_s *pdom;
   clock_t now;
   irqstate_t flags;
+  int index;
 
   /* Get a convenience pointer to minimize all of the indexing */
 
@@ -132,6 +133,17 @@ enum pm_state_e pm_checkstate(int domain)
       (void)pm_update(domain, accum);
     }
 
+  /* Consider the possible power state lock here */
+
+  for (index = 0; index < pdom->recommended; index++)
+    {
+      if (pdom->stay[index] != 0)
+        {
+          pdom->recommended = index;
+          break;
+        }
+    }
+
   leave_critical_section(flags);
 
   /* Return the recommended state.  Assuming that we are called from the
diff --git a/include/nuttx/power/pm.h b/include/nuttx/power/pm.h
index 2f906ba5b28..2be7594f11a 100644
--- a/include/nuttx/power/pm.h
+++ b/include/nuttx/power/pm.h
@@ -267,6 +267,7 @@ enum pm_state_e
                     *
                     * PM_SLEEP may be following by PM_NORMAL
                     */
+  PM_COUNT,
 };
 
 /* This structure contain pointers callback functions in the driver.  These
@@ -439,6 +440,53 @@ int pm_unregister(FAR struct pm_callback_s *callbacks);
 
 void pm_activity(int domain, int priority);
 
+/****************************************************************************
+ * Name: pm_stay
+ *
+ * Description:
+ *   This function is called by a device driver to indicate that it is
+ *   performing meaningful activities (non-idle), needs the power kept at
+ *   last the specified level.
+ *
+ * Input Parameters:
+ *   domain - The domain of the PM activity
+ *   state - The state want to stay.
+ *
+ *     As an example, media player might stay in normal state during playback.
+ *
+ * Returned Value:
+ *   None.
+ *
+ * Assumptions:
+ *   This function may be called from an interrupt handler.
+ *
+ ****************************************************************************/
+
+void pm_stay(int domain, enum pm_state_e state);
+
+/****************************************************************************
+ * Name: pm_relax
+ *
+ * Description:
+ *   This function is called by a device driver to indicate that it is
+ *   idle now, could relax the previous requested power level.
+ *
+ * Input Parameters:
+ *   domain - The domain of the PM activity
+ *   state - The state want to relax.
+ *
+ *     As an example, media player might relax power level after playback.
+ *
+ * Returned Value:
+ *   None.
+ *
+ * Assumptions:
+ *   This function may be called from an interrupt handler.
+ *
+ ****************************************************************************/
+
+void pm_relax(int domain, enum pm_state_e state);
+
 /****************************************************************************
  * Name: pm_checkstate
  *
@@ -523,6 +571,8 @@ int pm_changestate(int domain, enum pm_state_e newstate);
 #  define pm_register(cb)             (0)
 #  define pm_unregister(cb)           (0)
 #  define pm_activity(domain,prio)
+#  define pm_stay(domain,state)
+#  define pm_relax(domain,state)
 #  define pm_checkstate(domain)       (0)
 #  define pm_changestate(domain,state)