Backup Battery Control for Set-Top Box Firmware Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing media systems require users to wait and often interrupt the viewing experience for firmware updates, and they consume unnecessary power, leading to higher electric bills and inefficient power usage.

Innovation Solution

A media device equipped with a backup battery that can supply power during external power loss, allowing it to enter a low power mode and schedule firmware updates based on user viewing patterns to minimize disruption and conserve energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the media device performs firmware updates immediately when updates are available, then the firmware is kept up-to-date, but the user's viewing experience is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware currencyVSAvoidviewing experience continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by scheduling firmware updates in advance during predicted inactive periods. The processor analyzes viewing patterns to determine when the user is least likely to use the device, then pre-schedules updates for those times, ensuring firmware is updated before the user would notice any disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The update scheduling system is dynamic rather than static. It continuously monitors viewing patterns and adjusts update timing based on real-time user behavior data. This allows the system to adapt to changing usage patterns and optimize the balance between firmware currency and viewing experience continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the media device remains powered on continuously to receive firmware updates, then updates can be installed immediately, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous operation, the device employs periodic action by entering low power mode during scheduled inactive periods when updates are expected to be installed. The processor periodically wakes from low power mode to check for updates and perform installations, then returns to low power mode, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining update availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-scheduling updates during predicted inactive periods before the device enters low power mode. This ensures updates are ready to be installed when the device wakes, eliminating the need to remain continuously powered on while maintaining update availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the media device enters low power mode frequently to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but the device may miss firmware update opportunities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidfirmware update timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring viewing patterns and using this information to optimize low power mode scheduling. The processor analyzes user behavior data to predict inactive periods, then adjusts low power mode entry timing to coincide with these periods when updates are most likely to be installed, ensuring neither energy is wasted nor updates are missed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The low power mode scheduling is dynamic and adaptive rather than fixed. The system continuously adjusts when to enter and exit low power mode based on real-time analysis of viewing patterns and update availability, optimizing the balance between energy savings and update timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables seamless firmware updates without interrupting the user experience and reduces power consumption by scheduling updates during inactive periods, thus saving energy and lowering electric bills.

Implementation Method 1

The media device includes a battery that is electrically coupled to the port. The battery is configured to supply power to media device in the event that the media device is no longer receiving power from an external device.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS20250021151A1Dynamic battery back-up for set-top-boxes

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 ROKU INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a dynamic backup battery for updating the firmware of a media device. The media device includes a memory device that is electrically coupled to a port. The port of the media device is configured to receive a first power. The media device also includes a battery that is electrically coupled to the port and is configured to supply a second power to the port. The media device includes a processor electrically coupled to the battery and is configured to monitor the power level of the first power received and based on the power level of the first power received falling below a threshold value, the battery supplies a second power to the port of the media device. The processor is further configured to activate a low power mode, detect an event while in low power mode, deactivate low power mode, perform a task, and reactivate low power mode.