Power Budget Allocation for User Device Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power control systems in user devices, such as smartphones, inadequately manage thermal cooling and current supply, leading to operational issues and reduced user experience due to lack of scalable global thermal power budget allocation and dynamic priority adjustments based on component usage scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A power supply controller that allocates a total power budget among user device components using a user experience model, prioritizing them based on performance/power models and weights, optimizing power distribution to enhance overall system performance and user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional thermal mitigation algorithms throttle component frequency based on temperature, then local component temperature is reduced, but overall system performance and user experience are not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent temperatureVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the thermal management problem by creating separate thermal budgets for different components (CPU, GPU, modem, display, etc.) rather than using a single global thermal threshold. Each component receives customized power allocation based on its specific thermal characteristics and usage priorities, allowing independent optimization of each component's temperature and performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts power allocation to components based on real-time usage scenarios, user preferences, and thermal conditions. The power budget distribution is not static but continuously adapts to changing device states, enabling optimal balance between temperature control and performance across different usage contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If high performance features are enabled in user devices, then device functionality and user experience improve, but thermal output and electrical current demand increase beyond sustainable levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidthermal output

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes power consumption parameters of individual components by adjusting their operational states (e.g., CPU frequency, GPU clock speed, display brightness) to control thermal output. By modifying these parameters dynamically, the system enables high-performance features when needed while maintaining sustainable power levels during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The power management system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it allocates power budgets, monitors thermal conditions, adjusts component performance, and optimizes user experience. This multi-functional approach allows the system to manage diverse device features under a unified power and thermal management framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If simple thermal mitigation algorithms are used to limit thermal power, then implementation complexity is reduced, but thermal cooling capability and device longevity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealgorithm complexityVSAvoiddevice longevity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback loops that monitor thermal conditions, power consumption, and usage patterns. This feedback enables the power management algorithm to learn from device behavior and adjust power allocation strategies accordingly, improving thermal management effectiveness and device longevity while maintaining manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Temperature

If conventional power control algorithms throttle additional components when device is too hot, then thermal power is reduced, but system-level power budget optimization and user experience consideration are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice temperatureVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary power budget allocation to components based on their priorities and usage scenarios before thermal issues arise. By pre-configuring power distribution strategies and component priorities, the system can respond to thermal conditions more effectively while maintaining optimal user experience, rather than reactively throttling components when overheating occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9229503B2Thermal power budget allocation for maximum user experience

Publication Date: 2016.01.05 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for allocating a total power budget among a plurality of components of a user device are provided. The apparatus prioritizes the plurality of components based on a user experience model (performance/power model) for each of the plurality of components. The user experience model (performance/power model) of a component includes a measure of component attribute as a function of component power consumption. The apparatus allocates portions of the total power budget among the user-device components based on priority established by the user experience model. The apparatus may further prioritize the components based on weights assigned to the components.