Logical Power Source Segmentation for Dual-Mode Battery Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable computing devices used for both personal and corporate purposes face challenges in managing battery power effectively, leading to insufficient battery life for corporate use due to combined personal and corporate usage, which is inconvenient and costly for enterprises.
Innovation Solution
The system logically divides the rechargeable power source into separate logical power sources for personal and corporate usage modes, allowing for intelligent power management and allocation based on usage modes, with modules to detect power consumption, forecast power needs, and adjust charging priorities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single mobile phone is used for both personal and corporate usage with a shared battery, then device versatility and convenience are improved, but battery life for corporate usage deteriorates due to personal usage consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single shared battery into two separate logical power sources through software management. The power management module allocates battery capacity to different usage modes (personal and corporate), creating virtual power source partitions that can be independently monitored and controlled. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing each usage mode to have dedicated battery capacity while physically sharing one battery pack.
2Ease of operation
If personal usage consumes battery power from the shared battery, then personal functionality is enabled, but corporate usage battery availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The power management module performs preliminary allocation of battery capacity to different usage modes before actual usage occurs. When the device is charged, the system pre-allocates a guaranteed minimum battery capacity for corporate usage and allows personal usage to consume the remaining capacity. This preliminary action ensures corporate usage reliability is protected in advance while still enabling personal functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the power management module continuously monitors battery consumption by each usage mode and adjusts power allocation dynamically. When corporate usage battery capacity approaches depletion, the system can alert the user or automatically limit personal usage to ensure corporate usage availability is maintained. This feedback loop resolves the contradiction by balancing both usage types based on real-time battery status.
3Ease of manufacture
If frequent recharging is required for corporate usage, then battery capacity management is simplified, but productivity and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system provides self-service functionality by automatically tracking, allocating, and managing battery capacity for different usage modes without requiring user intervention. The system autonomously monitors power consumption, forecasts battery needs, and manages charging priorities, eliminating the need for users to manually track battery usage or make decisions about power allocation. This self-service approach simplifies battery management while maintaining high productivity by ensuring corporate usage is always powered.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for managing rechargeable power in a portable computing device (“PCD”) having two or more usage modes. One embodiment method involves logically dividing a rechargeable power source in the PCD into a first logical power source and a second logical power source. The first logical power source is assigned to a first usage mode. The second logical power source is assigned to a second usage mode. The first and second logical power sources are managed according to the respective first and second usage modes.