Embedded Controller Accident Detection in Low-Power IHS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile Information Handling Systems (IHSs) face challenges in diagnosing and handling accidents, such as drops or falls, which can result in hidden damage and increased support burdens for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an Embedded Controller (EC) within the IHS that receives power state indications and associates them with accident indications, allowing for the detection and recording of accidents, even when the IHS is in a low-power state. This system stores accident data in Non-Volatile Memory and notifies the host Operating System or backend services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the IHS enters low-power states to conserve energy, then energy efficiency is improved, but the ability to detect and record accidents is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the IHS into two functional segments: a low-power host operating system that enters sleep states to conserve energy, and a separate always-on Embedded Controller that maintains power to detect and record accidents. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both energy efficiency and reliable accident detection by assigning different power states to different components based on their functional requirements.
2Device complexity
If the IHS lacks accident detection capabilities in low-power states, then device complexity is reduced, but diagnostic accuracy and support efficiency are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The Embedded Controller autonomously performs accident detection, data collection, and recording without requiring host OS intervention or complex external monitoring systems. The EC self-manages the accident detection process by monitoring sensor data, determining accident occurrence, storing contextual information in non-volatile memory, and generating notifications, thereby improving diagnostic efficiency without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If contextual accident data is not collected, then data storage requirements are reduced, but the quality of troubleshooting and warranty evaluation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system collects and stores only the specific contextual data elements relevant to accident analysis, such as power state information, accident type, severity level, and diagnostic data. By focusing on these locally relevant quality attributes rather than capturing all possible system data, the system achieves high troubleshooting accuracy while minimizing data storage requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for handling contextual accident data in an Information Handling System (IHS) are described. In some embodiments, an IHS may include an Embedded Controller (EC), and a memory coupled to, or integrated into, the EC, where the memory comprises program instructions that, upon execution by the EC, cause the EC to receive a power state indication and associate the power state indication with an accident indication.