Haptic Power Management via Dynamic Parameter Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Haptic-enabled wearable devices face significant challenges in managing power consumption, as haptic effects can consume a substantial portion of their limited battery life, necessitating efficient power management to extend charging intervals.

Innovation Solution

A power management system that monitors energy consumption and implements energy-saving functionalities by modifying haptic effect parameters such as magnitude, duration, and frequency based on usage patterns, battery level, and activity levels, allowing for dynamic adjustment of haptic effects to optimize power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If haptic effects are provided to alert users of events, then user notification capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser notification capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts haptic effect parameters including magnitude, duration, and frequency based on real-time monitoring of battery power levels and device activity states, transitioning from static to adaptive haptic delivery to optimize power consumption while maintaining notification effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system modifies specific haptic parameters (magnitude, duration, frequency) based on monitored conditions such as battery power levels and activity states, changing the physical characteristics of haptic effects to reduce power consumption during low-power states while preserving essential notification functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If haptic effects are provided with high intensity to ensure user awareness, then notification effectiveness is improved, but battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification effectivenessVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial haptic action by reducing magnitude and duration parameters when full-intensity haptic feedback is not necessary, delivering only the minimum effective haptic stimulus required for user notification, thereby extending battery life while maintaining adequate notification effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic monitoring of battery power levels and activity states to determine when to adjust haptic parameters, implementing time-based and condition-based adjustments that extend battery life by avoiding continuous high-intensity haptic delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If haptic effects are continuously provided to keep user engaged, then user engagement is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser engagementVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors device activity states and battery power levels, using this feedback to dynamically adjust haptic effect delivery, reducing or suspending haptic effects during low-activity periods when user engagement is less critical, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining engagement during active periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from continuous static haptic delivery to dynamic adaptive haptic delivery that responds to changing device states and user interaction patterns, adjusting haptic parameters in real-time to maintain engagement efficiency while reducing power consumption during low-engagement periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2911039B1Haptic power consumption management
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 IMMERSION CORP
  • EP2911039B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2911039B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A haptically-enabled system retrieves a haptic effect definition in response to a request for a haptic effect and receives a power consumption management mode. The system modifies the haptic effect definition based at least in part on the power consumption management mode and converts the modified haptic effect definition into a haptic effect signal. The system then applies the haptic effect signal to a haptic output device.