Mobile Device Emergency Power Management via Dynamic Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

During emergencies like hurricanes or floods, mobile devices face limited power access, necessitating a system to manage power consumption effectively to ensure continuous communication and data exchange.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that automatically enable power saving modes on mobile devices by receiving emergency alerts, limiting communication component activity, and switching to a simplified display mode with a black background to conserve energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mobile device operates normally with all functions active, then communication and data exchange capabilities are maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts device functionality based on emergency conditions. When an emergency alert is detected, the system automatically transitions from full functionality to power-saving mode, selectively disabling non-essential features while maintaining critical communication capabilities. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the device's operational state flexible rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments device functions into essential and non-essential categories. Critical communication functions (SMS, emergency calls) are maintained while non-essential functions (continuous data synchronization, background app updates, high-resolution display) are disabled during emergencies. This segmentation allows the device to maintain reliability for critical operations while reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If power saving mode is enabled to reduce power consumption, then energy is conserved, but device functionality and communication capability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddevice functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic adaptability by automatically adjusting its functionality based on detected emergency conditions. The device can switch between full functionality and power-saving modes as needed, maintaining versatility through automated state transitions rather than manual user configuration. This resolves the contradiction by making the limitation of functionality conditional and reversible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device autonomously manages its own power consumption by detecting emergency alerts and automatically enabling power-saving features without user intervention. The system self-adjusts its functionality based on environmental conditions, maintaining adaptability through automated decision-making rather than requiring user input or configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If continuous data transmission is performed to maintain communication, then communication reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidenergy for data transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous data transmission, the system implements periodic communication checks during emergency mode. The device transmits data at scheduled intervals rather than continuously, maintaining essential communication reliability while significantly reducing the energy expended on data transmission. This periodic action allows the device to stay connected while conserving power for critical operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11343775B1Method and system for managing power consumption of a mobile device in an emergency

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)

AI summary

A system and method for managing power consumption in a mobile device during an emergency is disclosed. The system includes an emergency management system running on a mobile device. The emergency management system can automatically enable one or more power saving modes when an emergency alert is received by the mobile device. The power saving modes may include a reduced communication mode. In the reduced communication mode the mobile device only communicates for brief periods at recurring intervals. The power saving modes may also include a simplified display mode. The simplified display mode may display content on the display of a mobile device in a way that reduces power consumption.