Separable Mobile Device Control Module and Docking Station
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices are heavy and bulky due to large-sized components and heavy batteries, necessitating a technology that separates the device into a lightweight wireless control module and a docking station module with short-range and long-range radio communication capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A modular communication system comprising a control module with small, low-power components and a docking station module with larger, higher-power components, where the control module communicates wirelessly with the docking station using short-range radios, enabling access to long-range communication capabilities and leveraging the functionality of the docking station's components while minimizing the control module's size and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing mobile devices use large-sized components and heavy batteries to provide robust electronic system functions, then communication capabilities and battery life are improved, but device weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device is divided into two separate modules: a lightweight control module containing only essential components (processor, display, camera, microphone, speaker) and a docking station module containing the heavy battery and long-range communication components. This segmentation allows the control module to be portable while the docking station provides robust communication capabilities when docked.
Solution Approach 2:
The heavy battery and long-range communication system are extracted from the control module and placed in the docking station module. This extraction removes the weight burden from the portable device while maintaining full communication functionality through the docking station's wireless connection.
2Use of energy by moving object
If existing mobile devices use large-sized components and heavy batteries, then power supply capacity and communication range are improved, but device portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a portable control module with minimal power requirements and a stationary docking station with high-capacity battery. The control module can operate independently on small batteries for short periods, while full power availability is achieved when docked with the station.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module is designed to be self-sufficient for basic operations using small batteries, allowing it to function independently when undocked. When docked, it automatically accesses the docking station's power supply and communication resources without requiring manual intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing mobile devices integrate all components into a single unit, then device functionality is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device functionality is segmented between the control module (display, camera, audio, basic processing) and the docking station (long-range communication, additional processing power, power supply). Both modules can function independently or together, providing versatility without requiring full integration in one unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module is designed to work independently as a basic mobile device and also functions as a remote control when docked with the station. The docking station can operate as a standalone communication base or paired with the control module, providing multiple usage scenarios and universal functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution results in a sleek, lightweight control module with full functionality, miniaturization through smaller batteries, and a sealed structure, while the docking station module handles larger batteries and connectivity, providing efficient and versatile communication capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
communicate with each other wirelessly using short-range radios
Implementation Method 2
communicate with external networks using long-range radios
Data Source
AI summary
The technology provides a mobile communication device having separable components, including a control module configured for only short-range wireless communication and a docking station module configured for both long-range wireless communication and short-range wireless communication. The control module includes a touch-sensitive display, a short-range wireless transceiver and a processor that electrically couples the touch-sensitive display and the short-range wireless transceiver. The docking station module includes a docking area that receives the control module, a docking short-range wireless transceiver configured to communicate with the control module, a long-range wireless transceiver that is configured to communicate with a long-range network and a docking processor that electrically couples the docking short-range wireless transceiver and the long-range wireless transceiver. The technology provides a sleek light-weight control module having full functionality of the docking station module.