Battery Authentication via Voltage Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery authentication methods require an AC adapter to function, which is not viable in situations where access to electricity is limited, and may damage devices if an unauthorized battery is used, as they often rely on system boot-up for authentication.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a safe voltage filtering mechanism that allows authentication of batteries without booting the system, using a battery voltage monitoring circuit, switch, and constant voltage source regulator to provide a filtered voltage only to authentication circuitry, ensuring the battery is legitimate before powering the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If battery authentication is performed without voltage filtering, then the authentication process is simpler and faster, but the system may be damaged by unauthorized batteries providing unsafe voltage levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem safetyVSAvoidauthentication system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by filtering the battery voltage before it reaches the authentication circuitry. The voltage filtering is performed in advance to ensure safe operating conditions are established before authentication begins, preventing potential damage from unauthorized batteries while enabling the authentication process to proceed safely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary voltage filtering mechanism between the battery and the authentication logic. This intermediary component conditions the voltage to safe levels, allowing the authentication process to occur without direct exposure to potentially harmful voltage levels from unauthorized batteries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an AC adapter is required for battery authentication, then authentication can be performed with stable power, but the device cannot be authenticated in remote locations without electricity access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication availabilityVSAvoidauthentication operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the battery authentication system to be self-sufficient by using the battery's own voltage (after filtering) to power the authentication logic. This eliminates the need for an external AC adapter, allowing authentication to be performed anywhere the battery can provide power, including remote locations without electricity access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the power requirements by separating the authentication logic power supply from the main system power supply. The authentication logic is powered only by the filtered battery voltage, while the rest of the system remains unpowered during authentication, enabling portable authentication without full system boot requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If full system power is provided during authentication, then all authentication logic can be executed, but unauthorized batteries may cause damage by powering up the entire system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication completenessVSAvoidpotential damage from unauthorized batteries

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing power selectively - the filtered battery voltage is provided only to the authentication logic circuitry, while the rest of the system remains unpowered during the authentication process. This localized power distribution enables complete authentication execution without exposing the entire system to potential damage from unauthorized batteries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary voltage filtering before the battery voltage is supplied to the authentication logic. This preliminary conditioning ensures that even if an unauthorized battery is present, the voltage reaching the authentication circuitry is filtered to safe levels, preventing damage while allowing the authentication process to complete fully.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 secure and safe battery authentication without an AC adapter, preventing damage from unauthorized batteries and ensuring the system only boots with a legitimate power source, reducing the risk of equipment damage and enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

a battery voltage monitoring circuit to monitor a voltage of the battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage monitoring: Ohm's Law

Implementation Method 2

a voltage source regulator to filter the voltage of the battery and provide the filtered voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage regulation: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS11281764B2Safe battery authentication

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 INTEL CORP

AI summary

In some examples, an apparatus to authenticate a battery includes a battery voltage monitor to monitor a voltage of the battery. The apparatus to authenticate the battery also includes a voltage source regulator to filter the voltage of the battery and provide the filtered voltage to turn on circuitry to be used to authenticate the battery.