Portable Electronic Power Management Using Frame Refresh and Suspension Timers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices face increased power consumption and display delays due to enhanced visual effects and animation functions, which reduce standby time and user satisfaction, leading to negative product evaluations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a power management method that uses a frame refresh timer and a suspension timer to control image processing and backlight usage, suspending these timers during standby periods to conserve power and reduce display delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If animation playing function and enhanced visual effects are added to portable electronic devices, then the man-machine-interface becomes more attractive and user interest is aroused, but power consumption increases and standby time is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveman-machine-interface functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by implementing a frame refresh timer that periodically wakes up the processor to display animation frames only when necessary (when suspension timer expires or user touches the screen). Between these periodic intervals, the processor remains in low-power state. This allows the device to provide attractive animation functionality while consuming minimal power during standby periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Illumination intensity

If the portable electronic device turns on the backlight and returns to standby state, then the display becomes visible, but frame displaying delay occurs making the user feel the device is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacklight visibilityVSAvoidframe displaying delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the frame refresh timer to be suspended during standby state, and setting up the suspension timer to automatically wake up and resume the frame refresh timer after a predetermined period. This preliminary setup ensures that when the device needs to return to active display state, the transition is smooth and timely, preventing user-perceived delays while maintaining power savings during standby.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7463255B2Portable electronic apparatus and power management method thereof

Publication Date: 2008.12.09 TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD

AI summary

A power management method applied in a portable electronic device is provided. When the portable electronic device enters a standby state, the method starts a frame refresh timer, wherein a timing period of the frame refresh timer is a frame refresh timing period; and starts a suspension timer, wherein a timing period of the suspension timer is a suspension timing period. When the portable electronic device is in the standby state, and when a frame refresh timing period of the frame refresh timer is completed, the portable electronic device displays one of the frames and sets the frame refresh timer to begin another frame refresh timing period for consecutively displaying the frames. When a suspension timing period of the suspension timer is completed, the portable electronic device suspends the frame refresh timer and enters a power saving state.