Reconfigurable Power Modes for Medical Alert Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical alert devices, such as Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) devices, typically operate in fixed power modes, which can lead to battery life issues due to constant or intermittent communication interface usage, and are not easily reconfigurable by users, especially those with limited mental faculties.
Innovation Solution
Implementing reconfigurable power modes in communication devices, allowing them to switch between 'always connected' and 'airplane' modes, where the communication interface is intermittently powered, enabling remote power mode reconfiguration via a server, thereby optimizing battery life and user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the communication interface operates in always connected mode, then communication availability is improved, but battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power mode switching that allows the communication interface to transition between always connected mode and airplane mode based on operational needs. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the system to optimize between communication availability and battery consumption by adjusting the power mode rather than being fixed in one state.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the communication interface operates in airplane mode, then battery life is improved, but communication availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between power modes based on operational requirements. When communication is needed, the device transitions to always connected mode; when communication is not required, it switches to airplane mode to conserve battery, thus optimizing the trade-off between battery life and communication availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the communication interface by switching between different power modes (always connected vs. airplane mode). This parameter change allows the system to adapt its communication behavior and power consumption characteristics to match current operational needs.
3Device complexity
If fixed power modes are used, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal power mode reconfiguration system that allows a single device to perform multiple power mode functions (always connected, airplane mode, and intermediate modes). This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified reconfiguration mechanism that can switch between different operational states without requiring separate hardware configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static fixed power modes to dynamic reconfigurable power modes. The communication interface can be reconfigured between different power modes during operation, providing adaptability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through software-controlled switching.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method to reconfigure power modes of a communication device includes operating the communication device in a first power mode. The method includes receiving a power mode reconfiguration command from a server that instructs the communication device to operate in a second power mode that is different than the first power mode. The method includes, in response to receiving the power mode reconfiguration command, terminating operation of the communication device in the first power mode and operating the communication device in the second power mode. A communication device with reconfigurable power modes may include an MCU, a processor (e.g., CPU) communicatively coupled to the MCU, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium communicatively coupled to the processor. The non-transitory computer-readable medium has instructions stored thereon that are executable by the processor to perform or control performance of the foregoing method.