Power Management Mechanism for Battery Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The power usage of host and accessory devices in a coupled configuration is not coordinated, leading to uneven battery life, where one device may run out of power before the other, disrupting the combined capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A power-management mechanism that determines the power state of both devices and adjusts power consumption to synchronize their power states, allowing for concurrent operation by managing power flow between them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If each device operates independently with its own power source, then device autonomy and operational flexibility are improved, but power availability becomes uncoordinated leading to premature system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The host device queries the accessory device for its power state information and uses this feedback to adjust its own power consumption. The system continuously monitors power states and dynamically adjusts operation to ensure both devices remain powered simultaneously, preventing premature system failure while maintaining independent operation.
2Productivity
If the host device operates at high power consumption to maintain performance, then operational capability is improved, but the accessory device may run out of power first
Solution Approach 1:
The host device dynamically adjusts its power consumption based on the accessory's power state. When the accessory has sufficient power, the host operates at high performance. When the accessory's power decreases, the host reduces its power consumption accordingly, ensuring both devices remain powered throughout operation.
3Power
If the accessory device operates at high power consumption to provide sufficient power to the host, then power transfer capability is improved, but the accessory battery depletes faster
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the power consumption parameter dynamically based on battery state. The accessory device adjusts its power output level according to its remaining battery capacity, providing high power when sufficient battery remains and reducing power output as battery depletes, thereby extending overall system operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device that can receive power from an internal power source (such as a battery) and/or a second portable electronic device is described. In order to coordinate the power availability in these portable electronic devices, a power-management mechanism in the portable electronic device (which may be implemented in hardware and/or software) may determine a power state of an internal power source in the second portable electronic device, and may accordingly adjust a power consumption by circuits in the portable electronic device and/or the power received from the second portable electronic device. In this way, the power-management mechanism may approximately synchronize the power consumption in the portable electronic devices and/or the power states of the internal power sources in the portable electronic devices. This approximate synchronization may facilitate concurrent operation of the portable electronic devices.