Multi-Purpose Switch Activated System for Portable Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic systems face challenges with limited battery life due to current leakage and restricted user input controls as a result of reduced device size, with conventional power management solutions only addressing leakage without enhancing input control functionality.
Innovation Solution
A multi-purpose switch activated system that provides temporary power to enable system activation, followed by continuous power management, allowing the switch to be used for functions beyond power control, such as volume adjustment and scrolling, while reducing power leakage by decoupling the temporary power source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If battery size is reduced to enable smaller electronic systems, then device portability and size are improved, but total stored energy and battery life deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-charging capacitors and storing energy in temporary power control circuits before full system activation is needed. This allows the system to activate quickly without requiring a large battery, as the energy is prepared in advance in smaller storage elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action through multi-power mode operation (off, standby, fully activated) and temporary power delivery cycles. The battery operates in different modes at different times, delivering power only when needed rather than continuously, thereby extending effective battery life from smaller capacity cells.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of separate input controls is increased to improve user control functionality, then user input versatility is improved, but device area and size deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The switch is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple roles: power on/off control, volume adjustment, and scrolling/navigation. This single universal control element replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate controls, thereby maintaining full user input versatility while significantly reducing the area required for controls on the device surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a single switch element. By combining power control, volume regulation, and navigation scrolling into one physical control, the design achieves comprehensive user interaction capability without the space requirements of multiple distributed controls.
3Loss of energy
If conventional power management with multiple power modes is used to reduce current leakage, then battery life is improved, but user input control functionality remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The switch maintains its multi-functional capability across all power modes (off, standby, fully activated). Unlike conventional approaches where power mode selection and control functionality are separate, this universal switch provides both power management and user input control in a single element that operates effectively in all system states.
Solution Approach 2:
The design merges power management control and user input control into a single integrated switch mechanism. This combination allows the system to reduce energy loss through intelligent power mode management while simultaneously providing versatile user interaction capabilities through the same control element.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a system with a multi-purpose switch for providing a power on function and other functions to a user comprises a temporary power control circuit configured to be coupled to and decoupled from a power source by the multi-purpose switch. The system also comprises a continuous power control circuit to provide continuous power. As a result, the multi-purpose switch is capable of providing other functions when the continuous power is being provided. In one embodiment, a method for utilizing a multi-purpose switch to provide a power on function and other functions to a user comprises coupling a temporary power control circuit to a power source by the multi-purpose switch, triggering a continuous power control circuit to provide continuous power, decoupling the temporary power control circuit from the power source by the multi-purpose switch, and making the multi-purpose switch available to provide other functions.