Portable Storage Device Power Management via Light and Gravity Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices with limited power sources face rapid discharge due to high energy consumption by microcontrollers and radio transceivers, necessitating energy-saving solutions for extended operation in short-range data transmission applications.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a photoelectric sensor and spatial orientation sensor to measure light intensity and gravitational orientation, awakening the microcontroller and activating the radio transceiver only when necessary, minimizing power consumption and ensuring efficient data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the microcontroller and radio transceiver are activated for data transmission, then data communication functionality is improved, but power consumption increases causing rapid battery discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The device activates the microcontroller and radio transceiver periodically only when needed for data transmission, rather than keeping them continuously active. The photoelectric sensor triggers periodic wake-up events based on light intensity changes, enabling the system to enter low-power sleep modes between communication events while maintaining the ability to quickly resume operation when communication is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The photoelectric sensor automatically detects light intensity changes and triggers microcontroller activation without requiring manual user intervention. The system self-regulates its power consumption by monitoring environmental light conditions and autonomously deciding when to wake from sleep mode and when to return to low-power state, eliminating the need for continuous user awareness or control.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the microcontroller operates in sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then battery life is extended, but the device cannot respond to communication requests
Solution Approach 1:
The photoelectric sensor serves as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the low-power sleep state and the active communication state. It continuously monitors light intensity with minimal power consumption and acts as a trigger mechanism that reliably wakes the microcontroller when specific light patterns are detected, ensuring the device responds to communication requests while spending most time in energy-saving mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The photoelectric sensor performs preliminary detection of light intensity changes before the actual communication event occurs. By detecting light patterns in advance (such as LED blinking patterns representing data), the system can wake up at the precise moment communication is needed, ensuring no communication requests are missed while minimizing the duration of high-power operation.
3Reliability
If the photoelectric sensor continuously monitors light intensity to trigger activation, then the device can respond to communication signals, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The photoelectric sensor operates in a periodic sampling mode rather than continuous monitoring. It checks light intensity at specific intervals or is triggered by specific light threshold changes, allowing it to detect communication signals while consuming minimal power during the majority of time when no communication is occurring. This periodic operation significantly reduces average power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
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 approach extends device activity time by optimizing power usage, enabling quick and energy-efficient short-range communication while maintaining minimal power consumption and ensuring effective data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the intensity of light incident on the reference surface
Implementation Method 2
a spatial orientation sensor defining the reference vector of the device
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5a~6b
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of short-range data transmission between a portable electronic device (1) for storage and short-range data transmission, comprising a power source (8), a microcontroller (5), a memory circuit (9), and a radio transceiver (6), and another device of this type or a stationary device. In order to reduce the energy consumption the portable electronic device (1) comprises a photoelectric sensor (3) irradiated by a reference surface (7) of the device (1), and a spatial orientation sensor (4) defining the reference vector (N) of the device (1), wherein the method comprises the steps of (a) measuring the intensity of the light incident on the reference surface (7); (b) awakening the microcontroller (5) if the light intensity measured in step (a) is lower than a predefined threshold (P) and determining the reference vector direction (N); (c) turning on the radio transceiver (6) if the reference vector (N) is inclined relative to the gradient vector of the gravitational field by an angle within a predefined range of inclination angles, and preferably substantially parallel to the gradient vector of the gravitational field; and (d) starting a data sending session from the memory circuit (9s) if the reference vector (NS) is pointing within a predefined range of first directions, or starting a data receiving session to the memory circuit (9r) if the reference vector (NR) is pointing within a predefined range of second directions, wherein said range of second directions is different, and preferably substantially opposite, to said range of first directions.