Battery Charge Indicator Using Double-Tap Motion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems face issues with false battery charge level readings due to prone capacitive sensors, leading to unnecessary power usage and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
An information handling system incorporating an accelerometer and embedded controller that detects a double tap gesture to request a battery charge level, using a battery management unit to provide a relative state of charge indication, and a battery charge indicator to visually display the charge level, minimizing false triggers and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If capacitive sensors are used to detect battery charge requests, then the system can detect user input, but false triggers occur leading to unnecessary power usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the capacitive sensor (electrical field-based detection) with an accelerometer (mechanical motion detection). The accelerometer detects physical tapping gestures on the device housing, which are then processed by logic to determine battery charge requests. This mechanical substitution eliminates false triggers caused by capacitive sensitivity to environmental factors while maintaining user interaction capability.
2Speed
If capacitive sensors continuously monitor for charge requests, then responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic sampling of the accelerometer data rather than continuous monitoring. The embedded controller checks for tapping gestures at specific intervals defined by a sampling rate, allowing the system to maintain responsiveness to user input while consuming significantly less power compared to continuous sensor activation. This periodic action enables the system to balance responsiveness with energy efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If false charge requests are detected, then the system responds to user input, but battery life is reduced due to unnecessary operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the embedded controller analyzes accelerometer data patterns to distinguish valid tapping gestures from false triggers. The logic evaluates multiple parameters including tap strength, duration, and temporal patterns to confirm genuine user intent before initiating battery charge operations. This feedback-based validation prevents unnecessary power consumption while maintaining accurate detection of legitimate charge requests.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system includes an motion sensor, an embedded controller, and a battery charge indicator. The motion sensor detects a battery charge request, and provides a trigger signal in response to the battery charge request being detected. The embedded controller receives the trigger signal from the motion sensor, and requests a relative state of charge of a battery in response to the trigger signal. The embedded controller then receives the relative state of charge of the battery, and provides a relative state of charge indication signal. The battery charge indicator receives the relative state of charge indication signal, and outputs an indication of the relative state of charge of the battery based on relative state of charge indication signal.