External Storage Power Mode Selector for Data Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
External data storage devices face functionality and data integrity issues due to insufficient power, leading to disconnection, data corruption, and potential physical damage.
Innovation Solution
Enabling users to select a reduced power mode for external data storage devices, which reduces power consumption by limiting hardware resources and activity, allowing the device to operate without disconnecting and minimizing disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the external data storage device operates with limited power from a battery-powered host device, then power consumption is reduced, but the device may experience disconnection, data corruption, or functionality loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a power mode selector that allows dynamic switching between different operational states (first power mode with full functionality and second power mode with reduced functionality). This enables the device to adapt its power consumption and performance characteristics based on available power supply conditions, maintaining reliability across varying power scenarios by appropriately selecting the operational mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters by defining distinct power modes with different functional characteristics. The first power mode enables full device functionality while the second power mode reduces functionality to maintain operation under limited power. This parameter change approach allows the device to optimize between power consumption and data integrity by selecting the appropriate mode based on power availability.
2Productivity
If the external data storage device uses full hardware resources and activity, then performance is maximized, but power consumption increases leading to potential disconnection and data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing a second power mode that provides a subset of the full device functionality. Instead of requiring all hardware resources to operate at full capacity, the device can function with reduced capabilities when power is limited. This partial operation approach allows the device to maintain essential functions while consuming less power, avoiding disconnection and data corruption risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The power mode selector enables dynamic adjustment of device performance characteristics. Users can switch between first and second power modes depending on power availability conditions, allowing the device to optimize its resource usage and performance output to match the available power supply, thereby preventing power insufficiency-related failures.
3Loss of energy
If the external data storage device reduces power consumption by limiting hardware resources, then power sustainability is improved, but functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality through the power mode selector, which provides multiple operational capabilities within a single device. The device can operate in first power mode with full functionality or second power mode with reduced functionality, making it adaptable to different power supply conditions and user needs. This universal design allows the same hardware to serve multiple functional requirements based on available resources.
Data Source
AI summary
An external data storage device, without a battery, provides a user-selectable low power mode. The external data storage device includes storage media for storing data and a data port for receiving power and transmitting data to a host device. The external storage data device includes control circuitry configured to negotiate delivery of a first amount of power from the host device in response to connecting the external data storage device to the host device, receive the first amount of power from the host device, receive a selection, via an input device, of a reduced power mode from a user, and reduce power consumption from the host device to a second amount of power lower than the first amount of power in response to receiving the selection of the reduced power mode.