Application-Specific Battery Status Display for User Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of multi-application battery-operated user terminals are not effectively informed about the deactivation of individual applications due to the battery status display, which does not differentiate between application-specific charge states, leading to unexpected shutdowns.

Innovation Solution

A display device and method that show application-specific battery charge states, considering battery-dependent deactivation priorities, allowing users to adjust their behavior and influence application deactivation, with features for runtime determination, battery usage display, and priority setting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a single battery status display is used to show overall battery charge level, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the user cannot understand when individual applications will be deactivated leading to information loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication-specific battery status informationVSAvoiddisplay device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single battery status display into multiple segments, each representing a different application's battery status. The display shows both the overall battery charge level and individual application-specific charge levels, allowing users to see which applications will be deactivated first without adding complex external monitoring devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension to the battery status display by incorporating application-specific information alongside the overall battery status. This is achieved by displaying multiple charge level indicators corresponding to different applications, transforming the single-dimension overall status into a multi-dimensional view that includes both global and application-specific states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If application-specific battery charge states are displayed for multiple applications, then information completeness is improved, but the display device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery status information completenessVSAvoiddisplay device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is designed to serve multiple functions: it displays the overall battery charge level, individual application-specific charge levels, and provides visual indicators for upcoming deactivations. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be multiple separate displays into a single integrated display system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining information completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the overall battery status display with application-specific status displays into a single integrated display interface. By combining these functions in one display device with a unified control system, the patent avoids the complexity of multiple separate display systems while providing comprehensive battery status information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the terminal switches off automatically at a predetermined threshold value to avoid deep discharge, then battery reliability is improved, but the user experiences unexpected shutdowns without adequate warning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery discharge protectionVSAvoiduser awareness of application deactivation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The display device performs preliminary action by showing warning indicators before applications are actually deactivated. When the battery charge level approaches the deactivation threshold for a specific application, the display shows a corresponding visual warning (such as a flashing icon or color change), giving users advance notice before the application is automatically deactivated or the terminal shuts down.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring battery charge levels and providing real-time visual feedback to the user about the status of each application. The display updates dynamically to reflect current charge levels and impending deactivations, creating a closed-loop information system that keeps users informed about the relationship between battery status and application availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2270528B1Battery status display in connection with display of remaining time
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 VODAFONE HOLDING GMBH
  • EP2270528B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The device (44) has a detection device (30) for detecting battery charge status (32) of a user terminal device (10), and a display (26) for displaying the application-specific battery charge status. A charging state arrangement (34) is provided for determining and displaying the application-specific battery charge status by utilizing a predetermined deactivation priority of an application. A runtime determination arrangement is provided for determining and displaying a remaining runtime depending on the application-specific battery charge status and power consumption of the application. An independent claim is also included for a method for displaying a battery charge status of a user terminal device.