Battery Warning Threshold Switching for External Power Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices using battery power face issues when connected to a power supply apparatus, leading to sudden shutdowns due to insufficient remaining battery power, especially when using USB Type-C connections, as they fail to adapt power supply thresholds effectively.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus with a power switching circuit that switches power supply from a removable battery to an external power supply when connected, and adjusts warning thresholds based on connection status, displaying tailored warnings to reduce shutdown risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the warning threshold is set low to reduce false warnings, then user annoyance is reduced, but the risk of shutdown when cable is disconnected increases
Solution Approach 1:
The warning threshold is dynamically adjusted based on the connection status with the power supply apparatus. When connected, a first (higher) threshold is used to prompt cable connection. When disconnected, a second (lower) threshold is used to provide adequate warning before battery depletion, thus adapting to different operational contexts to balance user annoyance and shutdown risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The warning threshold parameter is changed according to the power supply connection state. The system switches between different threshold values (first threshold when connected, second threshold when disconnected) to optimize the balance between reducing false warnings and preventing shutdowns based on the current operational context.
2Reliability
If the warning threshold is set high to ensure adequate warning, then shutdown risk is reduced, but false warnings increase causing user annoyance
Solution Approach 1:
The warning threshold adapts dynamically to the connection state. When the power supply apparatus is connected, a higher first threshold is applied to ensure adequate warning and prevent shutdowns. When disconnected, a lower second threshold is used to avoid false warnings, thus maintaining reliability while reducing user annoyance based on actual operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the warning threshold parameter based on whether the power supply cable is connected or disconnected. This parameter adjustment allows the system to provide appropriate warning levels for each scenario, preventing both false warnings and shutdowns by matching the threshold to the operational context.
3Device complexity
If a single warning threshold is used for both connected and disconnected states, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to adapt to different power supply conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic threshold selection based on connection detection. The control unit automatically switches between the first threshold (when connected) and second threshold (when disconnected), providing adaptability to different power supply conditions while managing complexity through automated context-aware selection rather than manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The warning threshold parameter is changed based on the power supply connection state detected by the control unit. This allows the system to adapt to different operational conditions (connected vs. disconnected) using appropriate threshold values, enhancing versatility while keeping the implementation relatively simple through automated parameter selection.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus obtains, from a battery, information about remaining power in the battery; detects a connection with a power supply apparatus, performs control to supply power from the power supply apparatus instead of from the battery, in a case where the connection with the power supply apparatus is detected; and displays a warning related to the remaining power in the battery when the remaining power in the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, in a case where the electronic apparatus operates using the power from the battery. In a case where the connection with the power supply apparatus is detected, the electronic apparatus displays the warning related to the remaining power in the battery when the remaining power in the battery is less than or equal to a second threshold.