Motion-Based Device Activation for Battery Conservation

Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices without a physical ON/OFF button, often installed in inaccessible locations, face reduced battery life due to continuous operation during non-use periods, leading to premature battery replacement and unnecessary costs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a spatial orientation detection unit and a timer circuit within the device, coupled with a controller, to detect and respond to specific spatial orientations and time periods, allowing the device to switch on only when necessary, thereby conserving battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the electronic device is kept in default switched ON state to enable operation, then the device can be activated without a physical button, but the battery life is reduced due to continuous operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice activationVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the predetermined sequence of motions before activating the device. The spatial orientation detection unit continuously monitors for the specific motion pattern, and only when the sequence is detected does the controller switch the device from default OFF state to ON state, thereby enabling easy activation while conserving battery life during non-operation periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses its own spatial orientation detection capabilities to automatically detect the activation sequence and trigger its own power-on state. The controller monitors the detection unit's output and autonomously decides when to switch the device ON or OFF based on the detected motion sequence, eliminating the need for external physical buttons while managing power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a physical ON/OFF button is provided for user activation, then the device can be controlled manually, but the device cannot be installed in inaccessible locations within machines

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual controlVSAvoidinstallation location

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical physical button with a motion-based activation system. The spatial orientation detection unit detects specific movement sequences of the device housing, and the controller translates these mechanical motions into electronic activation commands. This substitution allows the device to be activated without any physical buttons, making it suitable for installation in inaccessible locations within machines while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive motion-based control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Duration of action of moving object

If the device remains in default OFF state to conserve battery, then battery life is extended, but the device cannot be easily activated without a physical button

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoiddevice activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the predetermined sequence of motions before activating the device. The spatial orientation detection unit continuously monitors for the specific motion pattern, and only when the sequence is detected does the controller switch the device from default OFF state to ON state, thereby enabling easy activation while conserving battery life during non-operation periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses its own spatial orientation detection capabilities to automatically detect the activation sequence and trigger its own power-on state. The controller monitors the detection unit's output and autonomously decides when to switch the device ON or OFF based on the detected motion sequence, eliminating the need for external physical buttons while managing power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution enables electronic devices to conserve battery life by switching on only when needed, extending the battery's usable life and reducing the frequency of replacements, while allowing users to easily activate the device without a physical button.

Implementation Method 1

a spatial orientation detection unit installed within the housing. The spatial orientation detection unit generates signals indicative of spatial orientation of the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10620688B2Spatial orientation control system

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 CATERPILLAR INC

AI summary

An electronic device includes a housing having a battery installed within. A spatial orientation detection unit installed within the housing generates signals indicative of spatial orientation of the housing. The electronic device further includes a timer circuit, and a controller. The controller is communicably coupled with the battery, the spatial orientation detection unit, and the timer circuit. The controller periodically receives signals indicative of spatial orientation of the housing through the spatial orientation detection unit. The controller periodically determines spatial orientation of the housing based on the received signals. The controller determines whether spatial orientation of the housing corresponds to particular spatial orientation profiles at particular periodic intervals, and switches on the electronic device accordingly for a pre-determined time period.