Shutdown Alarm Clock Implementation in Mobile Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile phones running Android systems do not have the capability to implement a shutdown alarm clock function, limiting user experience and battery life due to the inability to wake up an alarm in a shutdown state.

Innovation Solution

A method and mobile terminal implementation that acquires a set time for the alarm, determines the time difference, and wakes the system to perform a boot operation when necessary, allowing the alarm to ring even in a shutdown state, using a system control module, timer, determination module, and performing module to monitor and initiate the alarm ringing operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the mobile phone shuts down to save battery, then battery life is extended, but the alarm clock function cannot be implemented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidalarm clock function
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two independent timing mechanisms: a system-level timer that operates during shutdown state and an application-level alarm manager that operates during active state. The system timer monitors time passage and triggers system wake-up, while the alarm manager handles alarm logic and user interface, allowing the alarm function to work independently of the main system state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The alarm time is set and recorded in advance during the active state, and the system timer is configured to monitor for the alarm time even when the system is shut down. This preliminary setup allows the alarm to trigger automatically at the designated time without requiring the system to remain active.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the system remains active to support alarm clock, then alarm function is available, but battery consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealarm clock functionVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system operates in periodic cycles: during shutdown state, only the minimal system timer runs at very low power consumption to monitor for alarm time; when alarm time is reached, the system periodically wakes up, executes the alarm function, and then returns to shutdown state. This periodic activation dramatically reduces average battery consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system timer automatically monitors the passage of time and self-triggers the system wake-up when the alarm time is reached, without requiring continuous system operation or external intervention. The alarm manager then handles the alarm execution and automatically returns the system to shutdown state, making the entire process autonomous and energy-efficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If a specialized RTC chip is added for timing, then alarm accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system timer is designed to serve multiple functions: it monitors system operation during active state, tracks time passage during shutdown state, triggers alarm wake-up, and manages other system timing events. This multi-functional timer eliminates the need for dedicated RTC hardware while maintaining adequate time accuracy for alarm functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system timer acts as an intermediary between the shutdown state and the alarm trigger mechanism. Instead of directly implementing complex RTC hardware, the timer mediates by monitoring time passage through software-based clock counting and triggering system wake-up when the predetermined alarm time is reached, simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2871825B1Method for enabling shutdown alarm clock and mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2022.12.28 XIAOMI INC
  • EP2871825B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2871825B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2871825B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for enabling shutdown alarm clock and a mobile terminal. The method comprises: obtaining set ring time of alarm clock; determining the size of the time difference between the monitored current time and the set ring time of the alarm clock and a first set time difference; when the time difference between the monitored current time and the set ring time is less than the first set time difference, waking up the system to perform starting operation; determining the current time as the ring time of the alarm clock, when obtaining the signaling identification corresponding to boot-strap promulgated when the system is starting; and starting alarm to perform ringing operation according to the determined ring time of the alarm clock. The present invention can improve the function for achieving alarm clock ringing in the shutdown state, and improve the user experience.