Adaptive Thermal Mitigation Threshold for Portable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices employ a fixed thermal mitigation limit, which reduces performance and user experience, especially in high ambient temperatures, as it initiates thermal mitigation too soon and results in unpleasantly hot device surfaces, impacting high-performance users who are willing to tolerate higher temperatures for better performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that adjust portable electronic device operation based on ambient temperature by setting a device temperature mitigation threshold value based on the ambient temperature and desired performance mode, allowing for adaptive thermal mitigation to extend usability and comfort, with options for performance and comfort modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed temperature mitigation limit is used, then device surface temperature is controlled to prevent unpleasant heat, but device performance is reduced too early especially in high ambient temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic thermal mitigation by adjusting the temperature limit threshold based on ambient temperature conditions. Instead of a fixed threshold, the system dynamically adapts the mitigation limit to match environmental conditions, allowing higher operating temperatures in hot environments while maintaining comfort in cooler settings. This resolves the contradiction by making the temperature control adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter threshold based on ambient temperature measurements. When ambient temperature is high, the mitigation threshold is raised to allow better performance; when ambient temperature is low, the threshold is lowered to maintain surface comfort. This parameter adjustment strategy directly addresses the contradiction between performance and thermal comfort.
2Ease of operation
If thermal mitigation is initiated at a fixed temperature limit, then device surface comfort is maintained for typical ambient temperatures, but device speed and performance are reduced quicker at elevated ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the thermal mitigation threshold based on real-time ambient temperature measurements. In elevated ambient conditions, the threshold is raised to maintain operation speed, while in comfortable ambient conditions, the threshold is lowered to enhance surface comfort. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between speed and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from ambient temperature sensors to continuously adjust the thermal mitigation threshold. This closed-loop control ensures that the device adapts its performance and thermal characteristics based on environmental conditions, maintaining both speed and comfort across varying operating environments.
3Reliability
If a fixed temperature mitigation limit is applied, then thermal shutdown is triggered earlier to protect the device, but usability and battery life are reduced in high ambient temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature threshold parameter based on ambient temperature conditions. In high ambient environments, the mitigation threshold is raised to extend usability duration, while in low ambient environments, the threshold is lowered to maintain thermal protection. This adaptive parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between reliability and usability duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic threshold adjustment that adapts to environmental conditions. The thermal protection mechanism remains reliable by continuously monitoring ambient temperature and adjusting the shutdown threshold accordingly, allowing extended operation in hot environments while maintaining protection in cooler settings.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method comprises receiving, by a computing device, a first user input indicating a desired performance mode of the computing device, estimating an ambient temperature in an environment surrounding the computing device, determining a device temperature mitigation threshold value based on the estimated ambient temperature and based on the desired performance mode, determining, by the computing device and in response to determining that a current temperature of the computing device differs from an expected temperature for the estimated ambient temperature, an ambient temperature value, adjusting the device temperature mitigation threshold value based on the determined ambient temperature value, and adjusting, in response to determining that the temperature of the computing device has exceeded the adjusted device temperature mitigation threshold value, operation of the computing device. A computing device is also disclosed.