Portable Device Power Saving via OS Layer Bypass

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable exercise devices, such as smart watches, face power consumption issues during long-lasting exercises due to their limited battery capacity, leading to potential battery drain before the exercise is completed, which can result in incomplete data recording.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a power-saving mechanism that switches between normal and limited operation modes, where the device enters a limited operation mode to reduce power consumption by bypassing layers of the operating system and using low-level hardware access, thereby conserving battery life during extended physical activity sessions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the device operates in normal mode with full operating system functionality, then user experience and functionality are improved, but power consumption increases leading to battery depletion during long exercises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device dynamically switches between normal operation mode and limited operation mode based on exercise duration and battery status. The system adjusts its operational characteristics in real-time, transitioning from full OS functionality to streamlined hardware-access mode when power conservation becomes critical, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining versatility and reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the device operation into distinct modes: normal mode for short exercises with full functionality, and limited mode for long exercises with reduced functionality. This segmentation allows the device to optimize power consumption by activating only the necessary operational subset during extended physical activity, while preserving full adaptability when battery capacity permits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of moving object

If the device enters limited operation mode to reduce power consumption, then battery life is extended, but device functionality is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoiddevice functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts operational mode based on real-time monitoring of exercise duration and battery status. When an exercise exceeds a threshold duration or battery level drops below a threshold, the system transitions to limited operation mode, preserving battery life while maintaining core exercise tracking functionality. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making functionality reduction conditional rather than permanent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters (CPU frequency, memory access patterns, sensor sampling rates, display refresh rates) when transitioning to limited mode. These parameter adjustments reduce power consumption while preserving essential exercise monitoring capabilities, thereby extending battery life without completely sacrificing device functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the device uses full operating system layers for hardware access, then ease of programming and functionality are improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogramming easeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments hardware access into two pathways: standard OS-mediated access for normal operation providing programming ease, and direct hardware access for limited mode operation reducing power consumption. The system selectively activates the appropriate access pathway based on operational context, resolving the contradiction between programming convenience and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The operating system acts as an intermediary for hardware access during normal operation, providing ease of programming through standardized APIs and drivers. During limited operation mode, the system bypasses this intermediary layer and accesses hardware directly, eliminating the overhead of OS processing and reducing power consumption while maintaining essential functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3114542B1Device power saving during exercise

Publication Date: 2023.08.02 POLAR ELECTRO

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C

AI summary

There is provided a method, comprising: supporting a normal operation mode (210) during which functionalities of a portable apparatus (100) are available through an operating system (300) of the apparatus (100), wherein the operating system (300) comprises a plurality of layers including a kernel (302) and library functions-layer (304); supporting a limited operation mode (212) during which the apparatus (100) is configured to execute a physical activity algorithm (220) based on physical activity data corresponding to a physical activity session performed by a user (110) of the apparatus (100), wherein the physical activity algorithm (220) applies a direct low-level hardware access bypassing at least the layers above the kernel (302) and the library functions-layer (304); and switching between the normal operation mode (210) and the limited operation mode (212).