Sensor-Triggered Functional Module Wake-Up for Low-Power Payments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Terminal devices face high power consumption and poor user experience due to constant activation of functional modules for functions like expense payment, necessitating a more efficient and user-friendly control method.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that uses inertial sensors to wake up functional modules, such as an ultrasonic receiver, only when specific conditions are met, reducing unnecessary power usage and improving user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the terminal device is kept in a receiving state all the time to implement functions like expense payment, then the function availability is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic wake-up detection where the functional module alternates between sleep mode and active detection mode. The module periodically wakes up to detect sensor data (acceleration, gravity, proximity) and only activates the full receiving function when specific conditions are met, such as detecting that the device is in a payment-ready position. This periodic action pattern reduces power consumption while maintaining function availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses sensor data detection (acceleration, gravity, proximity sensors) as a preliminary action before activating the full functional module. The system pre-detects whether the device is in the correct state for payment (e.g., held at specific angle, near the payment terminal) and only then wakes up the ultrasonic receiving module. This preliminary detection avoids unnecessary full activation and reduces power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the terminal device is manually processed to turn on a payment interface, then the power consumption is reduced, but the user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service automation where the system automatically detects when payment conditions are met using sensor data (acceleration, gravity, proximity) and autonomously activates the payment interface without requiring manual user input. The device monitors its own state and automatically wakes up the functional module when it detects the device is held in the correct position near a payment terminal, providing both low power consumption and excellent user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors sensor data (acceleration, gravity, proximity) as feedback about the device's physical state and environment. When the feedback indicates payment-ready conditions (specific acceleration patterns, proximity to terminal), the system automatically triggers the payment interface activation. This feedback mechanism enables automatic, context-aware operation that improves user experience while avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If the functional module is activated only when preset sensor conditions are met, then the power loss is reduced, but the response time may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower lossVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary detection of sensor conditions (acceleration, gravity, proximity) continuously or at frequent intervals even when the main functional module is in sleep mode. This preliminary action prepares the system by having sensor data already available, so when a payment event occurs, the system can quickly determine if activation conditions are met without waiting for full sensor initialization, thus reducing response time while maintaining low power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic wake-up detection at optimized intervals, balancing power consumption and response time. The periodic detection frequency is tuned so that the module wakes up often enough to catch payment events quickly (reducing response time) but not so frequently that power consumption becomes significant. This optimized periodic action resolves the contradiction between power loss and response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3933548B1Method and apparatus for controlling functional module, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3933548B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3933548B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3933548B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for controlling a functional module, and a storage medium. The method includes: sensor data information of a sensor is acquired (S11); and the functional module is waked up to receive an ultrasonic signal in response to the acquired sensor data information meeting a preset condition (S12). In the method for controlling the functional module provided by the present disclosure, the wake-up condition of the functional module is set, i.e., in a case where the preset condition is met, the corresponding functional module is waked up to be in a working state, thereby reducing the power loss of the terminal and improving the user experience.