Off-Screen Battery Charge Indication via Keyboard Backlights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile computing devices require booting into the operating system to display battery charge levels, which is time-consuming and power-intensive, and low power states like hibernate do not allow for visual battery status indicators without risking system shutdown and data loss.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an off-screen battery charge status indication system using keyboard backlights that respond to specific key combinations, allowing users to view battery levels without booting up the OS, with color-coded LEDs indicating charge levels and customizable patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the device boots into the operating system to display battery charge levels, then the battery status information is displayed, but the time consumption and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery status indication function from the operating system boot process. The embedded controller independently displays battery charge levels on the display device before the OS boots, separating this function from the full system initialization sequence. This allows users to view battery status without completing the time-consuming boot process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs battery status display as a preliminary action during the power-on self-test (POST) phase, before the operating system boots. The embedded controller initializes the display device and shows battery charge level information in advance, providing users with immediate feedback without requiring full system initialization.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If the device enters low power states like hibernate, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to display battery status without shutdown is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into two independent parts: the main processing system that enters low-power hibernate states, and the embedded controller that remains active with minimal power consumption. The embedded controller independently manages display device initialization and battery status indication, allowing the system to maintain display functionality while in low-power states without requiring the main system to stay fully operational.
3Loss of information
If the display device is activated to show battery charge levels, then the battery status is displayed, but additional power consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by activating only the minimum necessary display functionality through the embedded controller. Rather than fully initializing the display device with all its features, the system activates only the basic display capabilities needed to show battery charge level information, consuming minimal power while providing essential status visibility.
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 efficiently and powerfully view battery charge levels in low power states, preventing data loss and reducing power consumption by using keyboard backlights to display charge status through customizable patterns and color codes.
Implementation Method 1
color-coded LEDs indicating charge levels and customizable patterns
Implementation Method 2
keyboard backlights that respond to specific key combinations
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed that implement an off-screen indication of battery charge in mobile platforms. In an example, the apparatus includes a keyboard, an interface circuitry, and a processor circuitry. The example processor circuitry to instantiate remaining state of charge (RSOC) controller circuitry to detect a battery charge level display event on a mobile device, the mobile device in a pre-boot state. The example processor circuitry additionally to instantiate fuel gauge circuitry to determine a charge level of a battery of the mobile device and keyboard display circuitry to, after the battery charge level display event, cause a display of the charge level of the battery in the pre-boot state with ones of backlights of a second ones keys on the keyboard.