Deferred Sensor Data Processing for Battery Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices face battery depletion issues, leading to inconvenience when users cannot recharge them in time, especially with power-hungry applications like cameras, which rapidly deplete battery charge, necessitating smarter power management to extend battery life and enhance user experience.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that allows electronic devices to switch between normal and low-power operation modes based on battery charge levels or predicted charging times, delaying post-processing of sensor data until the device is charged, thereby conserving power and extending battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If post-processing of sensor data is performed in real-time, then user experience is improved through immediate feedback, but battery charge depletes rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidbattery charge
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing and storing sensor data in memory before actual processing occurs. When battery charge drops below a threshold, the system has already accumulated data ready for later processing, allowing immediate display of captured data without real-time processing overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The processing operation is segmented into two distinct phases: data capture phase (low power) and data processing phase (can be deferred). This segmentation allows the system to separate the energy-intensive processing from the continuous data capture, enabling battery conservation while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If advanced image processing is performed continuously, then image quality is improved, but battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage processing qualityVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its processing behavior based on battery charge levels. When charge is sufficient, full advanced processing is performed. When charge drops below a threshold, the system transitions to a deferred processing mode, storing data for later processing while maintaining capture functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the processing parameter from 'real-time processing' to 'deferred processing' based on battery charge conditions. This parameter change allows the system to maintain image capture quality while adjusting the timing and intensity of processing operations to match available power resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the device operates in normal power mode, then processing capability is maximized, but battery charge depletes faster

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidbattery charge
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data capture and storage actions in normal mode, preparing data for later processing. This allows the system to maintain high productivity in data acquisition while deferring the energy-intensive processing to when power is available, effectively decoupling capture productivity from processing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3132329B1System and method for deferring power consumption by post-processing sensor data
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3132329B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3132329B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3132329B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for determining a battery-level of an electronic device and conserving the battery charge of the electronic device are disclosed. The battery consumption of an electronic device may be reduced when the user or the device learns via user input or determines via prediction that the battery will be depleted before the next possible charge cycle. Reducing battery consumption could be accomplished by accessing an application requiring less power consumption and/or delaying post-processing of sensor data related to that application, for example a camera application. Prediction of battery life could include determining the time to the next expected battery charge and delaying the processing of sensor data until the electronic device is plugged in and charging or has reached a predetermined charge level.