Dynamic Power State Transition for Battery Margin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing apparatuses face challenges in quickly returning to a normal operating state from low power states due to standardized conditions for transitioning from modern standby to hibernation, leading to inefficient power management and battery usage.

Innovation Solution

The information processing apparatus is configured to switch among normal, first low power, and second low power states, with a power supply circuit that determines a setting value for battery capacity decrease, increasing the setting value as battery capacity increases, and transitioning to the second low power state when the first low power state continues until the battery capacity decrease reaches the setting value.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the information processing apparatus enters a second low power state (hibernation) with extremely low power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the return time to normal operating state increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidreturn time to normal state
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic transition thresholds that adapt based on battery remaining capacity. When battery capacity is high, the threshold for transitioning to hibernation is set higher (allowing longer stay in modern standby). When battery capacity is low, the threshold is set lower (prompting earlier transition to hibernation). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing the balance between power consumption and return time based on real-time battery status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transition threshold parameter based on battery remaining capacity. The threshold is not fixed but varies as a parameter according to battery status, allowing the system to adaptively balance between maintaining modern standby (faster return) and transitioning to hibernation (lower power consumption) based on available battery reserves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If standardized conditions are used for transition from modern standby to hibernation, then the control logic is simple, but the apparatus cannot quickly return to normal operating state when battery capacity is sufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol logic complexityVSAvoidreturn to operation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the transition threshold dynamic rather than fixed. The threshold automatically adjusts based on battery remaining capacity, creating a responsive control system that optimizes performance without requiring complex user configuration or multiple predefined rule sets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system self-adjusts its transition behavior based on its own battery status. No external input or complex decision-making is required - the apparatus automatically determines the optimal transition point by monitoring its own remaining capacity and applying the appropriate threshold.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If the apparatus maintains modern standby state for extended periods, then return time to normal state remains short, but power consumption increases when battery capacity is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereturn time to normal stateVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the transition threshold parameter based on battery remaining capacity. When battery capacity is low, the threshold is set lower, prompting earlier transition to hibernation to conserve power. When battery capacity is high, the threshold is set higher, allowing the system to remain in modern standby longer for faster return capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4550086A1Information processing apparatus and control method
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
  • EP4550086A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4550086A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4550086A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

Provided are an information processing apparatus and a control method capable of increasing an opportunity to use a battery when there is a margin of a battery remaining capacity. A power supply circuit is configured to supply power supplied from an external power source or a battery to a computer system, and the computer system is configured to switch a system state among a normal state, a first low power state in which power consumption is lower than power consumption in the normal state, and a second low power state in which power consumption is lower than the power consumption in the first low power state. The computer system is configured to determine a setting value for a decrease in remaining capacity such that the setting value increases as the remaining capacity of the battery increases when starting the first low power state, and to change the system state to the second low power state when the first low power state continues until a decrease amount from the remaining capacity at the start of the first low power state reaches the setting value.