Dynamic Display Brightness Control for Mobile Battery Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power-intensive internet meeting applications on mobile devices quickly drain battery life, as they require both video and voice capabilities, leading to potential early disconnection during meetings.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism that calculates remaining battery life and dynamically adjusts controllable factors such as screen brightness and background tasks to ensure the device can complete the meeting, including early warnings, power saving modes, and hibernation options, as well as the ability to reschedule meetings if necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If video and voice capabilities are used for internet meetings, then communication functionality is improved, but battery consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts display brightness based on real-time battery status and meeting context. The brightness level changes from maximum during adequate battery to reduced levels when battery becomes low, allowing the device to adapt its power consumption characteristics to current conditions while maintaining meeting functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the display brightness parameter in response to battery status changes. When battery level drops below thresholds or projected duration falls below meeting duration, the system modifies the brightness parameter to reduce power consumption, directly addressing the energy vs. functionality contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of moving object

If screen brightness is reduced to save power, then battery life is extended, but display quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoiddisplay quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial brightness reduction rather than complete dimming. It adjusts brightness to a level that provides sufficient display quality for meeting participation while consuming less power, avoiding excessive brightness reduction that would completely degrade display quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calculations of battery duration and compares it with meeting duration before adjusting brightness. This advance assessment allows the system to proactively adjust display quality to an acceptable level before battery depletion occurs, maintaining usability throughout the meeting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If background tasks are limited to save power, then energy consumption is reduced, but device functionality is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddevice functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments background tasks into different priority levels. Critical meeting-related functions continue to operate while non-essential background tasks are limited or suspended. This selective task management reduces overall power consumption while preserving essential device functionality needed for meeting participation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2486467B1Automated brightness control
Publication Date: 2018.06.13 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP2486467B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2486467B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2486467B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

In an example embedment disclosed herein is an apparatus, comprising a battery, a display, and logic coupled to the battery and display. The logic is configured to determine an amount of remaining energy in the battery, and a current power consumption rate of the apparatus. The logic determines whether the amount of remaining energy is sufficient to operate the apparatus for the duration of the predetermined time period based on the current power consumption rate of the apparatus. The logic is configured to adjust the brightness of the display to enable the device to operate for the duration of the predetermined time period responsive to determining the amount of remaining energy in the battery is insufficient to operate the apparatus for the duration of the predetermined time period based on the current power consumption of the apparatus.