Signal Processing Task Execution with Dynamic Energy Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Energy sources with varying energy levels pose uncertainty in powering electronic circuitry, making it challenging to execute signal processing tasks as the availability of energy is unpredictable, and existing technologies lack efficient methods to manage and prioritize tasks based on available energy.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus determines the available energy and selectively executes pre-determined signal processing tasks by prioritizing tasks based on energy requirements, using an energy control component to connect or disconnect the energy source, and maintaining a history log or priority system to optimize task execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If energy scavenging technologies are used to power electronic devices, then the devices can operate autonomously for extended periods, but the available energy varies unpredictably making task execution unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational durationVSAvoidtask execution reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts task execution decisions based on real-time energy availability assessments. The electronic circuitry continuously monitors energy levels and adapts which signal processing tasks are executed, when they are executed, and at what priority level, transforming a static energy consumption model into a dynamic one that responds to varying energy supply conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (task selection, execution timing, priority levels) based on energy availability. When energy levels are high, higher-priority or more computationally intensive tasks are executed; when energy levels are low, the system prioritizes essential tasks or delays non-critical operations, thereby maintaining reliability despite variable energy input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the system executes all pre-determined signal processing tasks, then complete signal processing functionality is achieved, but energy consumption exceeds available energy from the energy source

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal processing capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs partial action by selectively executing only those signal processing tasks that can be completed with the currently available energy. Rather than attempting to execute all pre-determined tasks regardless of energy constraints, the system identifies and executes a subset of tasks that provides maximum value within the energy budget, accepting that not all tasks will be executed in every operational cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The signal processing workload is segmented into multiple pre-determined tasks that can be independently selected and executed. This segmentation allows the system to choose specific tasks based on energy availability, prioritizing critical signal processing functions while deferring or omitting less critical ones, thereby matching productivity output to energy input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If the system monitors energy levels continuously to make informed task execution decisions, then task selection accuracy improves, but additional energy is consumed by the monitoring process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy level detection accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The energy monitoring system is integrated into the existing electronic circuitry, allowing the system to monitor its own energy levels using resources already allocated for operation. The same power management circuits that control task execution also perform monitoring, eliminating the need for separate dedicated monitoring hardware and reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2502126B1Execution of signal processing tasks
Publication Date: 2018.04.18 AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT
  • EP2502126B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2502126B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2502126B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for executing a plurality of pre-determined signal processing tasks includes an energy source for powering a signal processing system. The energy source supplies an amount of energy that varies over the service life of the energy source. The signal processing system determines an amount of energy available from the energy source and selects for execution a specific one of the pre-determined signal processing tasks in dependence on the amount determined.