Battery Power Management via Current Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices face challenges in managing power consumption due to the lack of reliable methods to determine the power usage of individual hardware and software components, leading to inefficient battery drainage when multiple functions are utilized, especially when battery charge is low.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device equipped with a battery monitoring circuit and a processor that determines the output current of the battery and calculates the power characteristic of accessory circuits, allowing for controlled power allocation to these circuits based on their power consumption, without the need for additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple power sensors are used to measure individual power consumption of each component, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power measurement functions into a single power sensor that measures the total power consumption of the battery. Instead of using separate sensors for each component, the system uses one sensor to capture overall power usage and then employs computational methods to decompose and attribute power consumption to individual components and functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a processor as an intermediary that acts as a computational mediator between the single power sensor and the power management decisions. The processor analyzes the total power consumption data, correlates it with function usage states, and calculates individual component power consumption through algorithms, eliminating the need for multiple direct sensors.
2Loss of energy
If battery charge is preserved by deactivating functions, then loss of energy is reduced, but loss of information about which functions to deactivate occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the processor continuously monitors total power consumption through the power sensor and uses this feedback to dynamically determine which functions should be deactivated. The system correlates power consumption data with function usage states, providing actionable information that enables intelligent power management decisions without losing knowledge about which functions consume power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of power consumption patterns and function states to pre-determine optimal power management strategies. By analyzing the relationship between function usage and power consumption in advance, the system can proactively make deactivation decisions that preserve battery charge while maintaining necessary functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device including a battery coupled to an accessory circuit, a battery monitoring circuit coupled to the battery, and a processor connected to the battery monitoring circuit and the accessory circuit. The battery monitoring circuit determines an output current of the battery, and the processor receives an indication of the output current. The processor determines, based on the indication of the output current of the battery, a power characteristic of the accessory circuit, and control a power that is to be provided to the accessory circuit based on the power characteristic of the accessory circuit.