Dynamic Power Throttling Controller for Portable Devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional protection circuits for batteries are inflexible and do not adequately consider changing battery characteristics, leading to inadequate protection and inefficient energy usage in portable devices.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic power throttling method and controller that adjusts the available power range based on multiple battery characteristics, such as voltage, temperature, and capacity, to ensure safe operation and improve system performance and energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fixed thresholds are used for battery protection, then the protection circuit is simple and easy to implement, but the protection is inadequate and energy usage efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery protection adequacyVSAvoidprotection circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power throttling by continuously monitoring battery characteristics (voltage, temperature, capacity) and adjusting the available power range in real-time based on current battery state, transforming the static fixed-threshold protection into a dynamic adaptive system that responds to changing battery conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the protection approach by monitoring multiple battery parameters (voltage, temperature, capacity) simultaneously and using these parameter changes to dynamically adjust the power range, moving from single-threshold voltage checking to multi-parameter-based adaptive power management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If fixed power ranges are used for system operation, then the system operation is simple and stable, but the system performance and energy usage efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidenergy usage efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the available power range for system operation based on real-time battery characteristics, enabling the system to operate at optimal performance levels when battery state allows while conserving energy when battery state degrades, thus improving both productivity and energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where battery characteristics are continuously monitored and fed back to adjust the available power range, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes system performance and energy usage based on actual battery state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If multiple battery characteristics are monitored dynamically, then the battery protection precision is improved, but the system complexity and measurement difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery state detection precisionVSAvoidbattery characteristic measurement difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: monitoring voltage, temperature, and capacity simultaneously, and using this multi-parameter data to dynamically adjust power ranges, providing comprehensive battery protection through a single multi-functional device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3036600B1Method and controller for power throttling system on portable device, corresponding portable device, and corresponding computer program product
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 MEDIATEK INC
  • EP3036600B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3036600B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3036600B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for power throttling upon a system includes: obtaining at least one characteristic information of a power source that is used for providing energy for the system; and, determining an available power range for the system according to the at least one characteristic information, so as to make the system control a behavior of the system according to the available power range.