Mobile Device Power Management via Usage Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile electronic devices often face power depletion between charges due to high power consumption from applications like GPS and video usage, necessitating a method to extend battery life, especially in unpredictable schedules or travel scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A power management scheme is implemented in mobile devices that estimates usage patterns and adjusts settings such as data fetching rates, display brightness, and application usage to conserve power, while also dynamically modifying charging rates based on known and unknown charging locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the device uses high-power applications like GPS and video streaming, then user experience and functionality are improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by predicting future power needs based on historical usage patterns and calendar events before power depletion occurs. It proactively adjusts settings and schedules tasks to ensure sufficient battery life, preventing the need for frequent charging while maintaining application functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The power management system dynamically adjusts device characteristics based on real-time conditions. It modifies settings such as display brightness, audio volume, and application scheduling dynamically to balance user experience requirements with power conservation needs, adapting to changing usage patterns and battery charge levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of moving object

If the device operates longer between charges, then portability and convenience are improved, but power management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational time between chargesVSAvoidpower management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service power management by automatically analyzing usage patterns, predicting power needs, and adjusting settings without requiring user intervention. The device monitors its own battery status and autonomously makes optimization decisions, reducing the burden on users while extending operational time between charges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The power management system uses feedback loops to continuously monitor battery charge levels, usage patterns, and device performance. This feedback enables the system to learn from historical data, refine its predictions, and adjust power management strategies to maximize operational time while maintaining acceptable user experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If the device adjusts power settings to conserve battery, then power consumption is reduced, but user experience and performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by selectively optimizing power consumption for specific functions or time periods rather than uniformly reducing performance across the board. It maintains high performance for critical applications during appropriate times while conserving power for less essential functions, preserving user experience where it matters most.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by scheduling power-intensive tasks during periods when battery charge is sufficient or when users are likely to be available for recharging. This proactive approach ensures that performance-critical operations can execute at full capacity without compromising overall user experience, while still managing power consumption effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8793520B2Power management of electronic devices based on charging location

Publication Date: 2014.07.29 APPLE INC

AI summary

A method for modifying one or more characteristics of a mobile electronic device in order to save or reduce power consumption of the device. The method includes determining by, a processor of the mobile electronic device, an estimated use of the mobile electronic device during an upcoming time period; using the estimated use, determining, by the processor, whether an internal power source of the mobile electronic device has sufficient power to continue operation of the mobile electronic device in a first state during the upcoming time period; based on the estimated use and the internal power source, if the internal power source does not have sufficient power, adjusting the one or more characteristics to reduce a power consumption of the mobile electronic device during the upcoming time period.