Low Power Wallet Mode for Mobile Payment Transactions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices often cannot perform payment transactions when the battery is in a low charge state, as they shut down to conserve energy, leaving users stranded without the ability to make necessary payments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a low power wallet mode that allows near-field communication systems to operate by reserving battery capacity for payment transactions, shutting down non-essential subsystems, and providing a limited current to the NFC system to detect and initiate payment transactions, even when the device is in a low battery state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the device shuts down to conserve battery energy in low charge state, then battery energy is preserved, but payment transaction capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments power allocation by creating a dedicated low-power wallet mode that separates payment transaction functionality from other device operations. When battery charge is at or below the threshold, only the NFC field detector and minimal subsystems receive power, while other subsystems are shut down. This segmentation allows payment capability to be preserved independently of overall device power state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes power consumption parameters by implementing duty cycling for the field detector, providing power only during specific time intervals when payment transactions are needed. The power management system dynamically adjusts the second power signal based on transaction requirements, reducing average power consumption while maintaining transaction capability.
2Duration of action of moving object
If multiple subsystems are powered down to extend battery life, then battery duration is extended, but device functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic power management where the wallet mode threshold and active subsystems are adjusted based on battery charge state. When charge is above the threshold, full functionality is available. When at or below the threshold, the system dynamically transitions to wallet mode with selective subsystem activation, allowing the device to adapt its functionality to extend battery duration while maintaining essential payment capability.
3Measurement precision
If a higher power signal is provided to the field detector during transactions, then detection sensitivity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system implements periodic action by providing the second power signal to the field detector only during specific duty cycles when payment transactions are detected or initiated. The field detector receives higher power temporarily when needed for detection and transaction processing, then returns to minimal power state, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining detection sensitivity during active periods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to perform payment transactions when the device is in a low power state, allowing for continued functionality in critical situations by conserving battery life and ensuring multiple transactions can be made without full device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a field detector of a near-field communication (NFC) system of the computing device
Data Source
AI summary
This application relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for using a computing device to perform payment transactions while the computing device is operating in a low power wallet mode during a low battery state of the computing device. During a low power wallet mode, various subsystems are prevented from receiving current from a battery of the computing device, while a near field communication (NFC) system of the computing device is provided with an operating current for detecting target systems. A target system and the NFC system can communicate during the low power wallet mode of the computing device, thereby allowing a user of the computing device to conduct payment transactions when the computing device is in a low power wallet mode. Such payment transactions can be useful if the user is ever stranded without enough power to fully operate the computing device and needs to pay for transportation.