Adaptive Charging Control Using Power Usage Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery charging systems charge batteries to full capacity, which can lead to increased wear and reduced battery life due to over-charging, as different batteries have optimal charge ranges that vary based on their characteristics and usage patterns.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a power usage pattern collector and a charging controller that monitors and analyzes the power usage behavior of a device, including consumption and charging patterns, to control the charging process, avoiding over-charging and optimizing battery health by considering individual battery characteristics and usage patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If batteries are charged to full capacity, then charging completeness is improved, but battery life deteriorates due to over-charging and increased wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging completenessVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the charging parameter (charge level target) from fixed full capacity to variable levels based on battery characteristics and usage patterns. The charging controller adjusts the charge level parameter to optimize between charging completeness and battery life extension by preventing over-charging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by monitoring battery usage patterns, state of charge, and charging history to dynamically adjust charging behavior. The charging controller receives feedback from the power usage pattern collector and adjusts charging parameters accordingly to balance charging completeness with battery health preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Duration of action of stationary object

If intelligent charging control is implemented, then battery life is improved, but device complexity increases due to monitoring and analysis components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidcharging system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging system performs self-service by automatically monitoring its own usage patterns and making charging decisions without external intervention. The power usage pattern collector and charging controller work autonomously to extend battery life, reducing the need for user configuration or manual optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the power usage pattern collection, analysis, and charging control functions into an integrated charging management system. By combining these functions, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate independent systems for monitoring and control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4422027A1A power usage pattern collector and charging controller
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 SONY MOBILE COMM INC
  • EP4422027A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP4422027A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4422027A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Present invention concerns charging of a power source of a device. A power usage pattern collector is configured to: collect data on power usage in a device, power source of which is chargeable, with regard to at least one particular criterion having influence on power usage in the device; and determine at least one power usage pattern by use of the collected data, said power usage pattern specifying power usage in the device with regard to at least one particular reoccurring criterion. A charging controller is configured to: acquire at least one power usage pattern; and control charging of a power source of a device by use of the at least one acquired power usage pattern. Present invention relates also to corresponding methods, correspondingly arranged computer program products, correspondingly arranged computer-readable recording media, and a system comprising the power usage pattern collector and the charging controller.