Low-Battery Display Buffer for Power-Off Information Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable devices become completely useless when the battery capacity runs low, as they enter a power-off mode and cease displaying any information to the user.
Innovation Solution
A device with a power management system that includes a buffer to store information and a backup power management unit to power the display, allowing it to display stored information even in power-off mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the device enters power-off mode when battery capacity is low, then power consumption is reduced and battery life is extended, but the device becomes completely useless and cannot display any information to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system is segmented into multiple power management units with different functions. The first power management unit manages power for normal device operations, while the second power management unit specifically manages power for the display and buffer during power-off mode. This segmentation allows the device to maintain basic display functionality even when the main system is powered down, thus extending battery life while preserving limited usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer is pre-configured to store information that needs to be displayed during power-off mode. When the device transitions to power-off mode, this pre-stored information is immediately available for display without requiring active processing or additional power consumption for data retrieval. This preliminary action enables the display to continue showing useful information while consuming minimal power.
2Loss of energy
If the device powers down completely when battery capacity is low, then energy consumption is minimized, but information display capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The display and buffer functions are extracted from the main device system and placed under the control of a separate second power management unit. This extraction allows the display subsystem to operate independently with minimal power consumption during power-off mode, maintaining information display capability while the rest of the device remains powered down to minimize energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system changes operational parameters by switching between different power management units based on battery capacity thresholds. When battery capacity drops below a threshold, the system transitions from the first power management unit (full operation) to the second power management unit (display-only mode), effectively changing the operational state to balance energy consumption with information display needs.
3Ease of operation
If the device maintains full functionality until battery depletion, then user access to information is maximized, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically adjusts its functionality based on remaining battery capacity. When battery capacity is sufficient, the first power management unit enables full device functionality. When battery capacity drops below a threshold, the system dynamically transitions to the second power management unit, which maintains only the essential display and buffer functions. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to maximize functionality when possible while preserving battery life when capacity is low.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In implementations of the subject matter described herein, a device is provided. The device comprises a power source and a display. The device also comprises a buffer in communication with the display. The buffer is configured to store information to be displayed on the display. The device further comprises a power management unit. In a power-off mode of the device where remaining capacity of the power source is below a threshold, the power management unit powers the display and the buffer, so that the display can display the information stored in the buffer. In this way, even if the device is in the power-off mode due to the low capacity of the power source, the display can still present useful information to the user.