Electronic Device Power Outage Duration Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of electronic devices powered by AC sources face challenges in determining the exact duration of power outages, which is crucial for assessing food safety, recording media content, and preventing damage from lack of heating, as existing devices only indicate a power outage without providing duration information.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device records two times, calculates the time difference, and determines a power outage by verifying if the difference exceeds a threshold value, then displays notification messages regarding the outage duration and time, including automatic and user-input triggered displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If existing power outage indication devices are used, then users can determine that a power outage has occurred, but users cannot determine the exact duration of the power outage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by recording the first time when power is lost and the second time when power is restored, storing these time values in memory before calculating the duration. This preliminary time recording enables subsequent duration calculation and resolves the information loss about power outage duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that receives time signals from time signal sources, calculates the time difference between first and second times, and determines the power outage duration. This intermediary processing transforms raw time data into meaningful duration information for users.
2Measurement precision
If the electronic device records time sequences at fixed intervals, then the power outage duration can be accurately tracked, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device utilizes existing multi-functional components (processor, memory, time signal source interface) that serve multiple purposes. The time recording system leverages the device's existing time-keeping capabilities for other functions while adding power outage duration tracking, avoiding significant complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic device uses its own internal time signal source and processing capabilities to track power outage duration autonomously. The device self-services by utilizing its existing infrastructure rather than requiring external specialized equipment, thereby minimizing added complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the electronic device automatically displays power outage information, then users receive timely notifications, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by only activating the display function when a power outage event is detected. The processor periodically checks for power status changes and only triggers automatic display notifications when actual outages occur, rather than continuously displaying information, thus minimizing energy consumption while maintaining user convenience.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device records a first time and then a second time, each when connected to an AC power source. After the electronic device records the first and second times, the electronic device calculates a difference by subtracting the second time from the first and determines a power outage occurred by verifying that the difference is greater than a threshold. After determining that a power outage occurred, the electronic device may display one or more messages regarding the determined power outage either automatically or in response to user input received from the user input device. In some implementations, the first and second time may be part of a sequence of times that the electronic device regularly records at fixed interval of electronic device operation. In other implementations, the first time may be regularly recorded and the second time may be recorded upon the occurrence of an event.