Intelligent Battery Pack Communication via Intermittent Clock

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing UART communication technology in mobile phone terminals continuously operates communication clocks, leading to high power consumption, which reduces the battery life of mobile phones when an intelligent battery pack is incorporated, as the terminals consume more current in standby mode and during communication with the battery pack.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an intermittent receiving processor that shares the clock for both receiving call signals and communicating with the intelligent battery pack during standby operation, allowing for periodic activation of the battery pack and data communication, thereby reducing current consumption by utilizing the clock for both operations simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If communication clocks are continuously operated in the mobile phone terminal for UART communication with the intelligent battery pack, then data communication between the terminal and battery pack is maintained, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata communication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by using the intermittent receiving clock to activate the UART communication processor only at specific intervals during standby mode, rather than continuously operating the communication clock. The processor is activated when the intermittent receiving clock is active, and deactivated when the clock is inactive, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining necessary communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by making the intermittent receiving clock serve multiple functions: it is used both for receiving call signals from the base transceiver station and for activating the UART communication processor to communicate with the intelligent battery pack. This shared clock resource eliminates the need for a separate continuous communication clock, significantly reducing power consumption during standby mode.

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

2Measurement precision

If an intelligent battery pack is incorporated in the mobile phone terminal, then battery status monitoring is improved, but current consumption in standby mode increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery status monitoringVSAvoidstandby current consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the intermittent receiving clock serve dual purposes: it activates both the radio signal receiving function and the battery status monitoring function through the UART processor. By sharing this clock resource, the system monitors battery status without requiring a separate continuous operation clock, thereby reducing standby current consumption while maintaining measurement precision.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic activation of the UART communication processor synchronized with the intermittent receiving clock cycles. The processor is activated periodically to exchange battery status data with the intelligent battery pack, and deactivated between cycles. This periodic operation reduces average current consumption during standby mode while still providing adequate battery status monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If the mobile phone terminal communicates with the intelligent battery pack at frequent intervals, then battery status data is updated accurately, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery status data accuracyVSAvoidcommunication power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by synchronizing battery status communication with the intermittent receiving clock cycles. The UART processor is activated only during periods when the intermittent receiving clock is active to exchange data with the battery pack. This approach updates battery status data at regular intervals sufficient for accurate monitoring while minimizing communication power consumption by keeping the processor deactivated during other periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2059011B1Mobile phone terminal and communication system
Publication Date: 2015.03.25 SONY MOBILE COMM INC
  • EP2059011B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2059011B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2059011B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a mobile phone terminal (1) with a battery pack (4) containing a retraceable battery (42) as power supply, and transmitting and receiving radio-signals to and from a mobile phone system base transceiver station. The mobile phone terminal (1) includes a data communication terminal (35b) communicating data with the battery pack (4), an intermittent receiving processor (11) periodically carrying out intermittent receiving processing via the base transceiver station when the mobile phone terminal (1) is in a standby operation, and a battery status determining unit transmitting, while the intermittent receiving processor (11) is carrying out intermittent receiving processing, an activating signal to the battery pack (4) via the data communication terminal (35b) and reading battery status data from the activated battery pack (4).