Smart Speaker Power Control With Dynamic Shutdown Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart speaker systems lack effective power management features, leading to suboptimal operation and user experience due to inefficiencies in power handling and shutdown processes.
Innovation Solution
A smart speaker system with a power controller that manages power modes by communicating power modes to components, determining current limits and shutdown thresholds, and using switching devices to safely shut down the system, while an audio power supply controller adjusts voltage based on upcoming audio signal energy requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the smart speaker operates without dynamic power management, then the system structure remains simple, but power usage efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by adjusting the operating mode of the smart speaker based on incoming power characteristics. The system transitions between different power modes (first power mode with higher performance and second power mode with lower performance) to optimize power usage efficiency, directly applying the dynamics principle of making the system adaptable rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters based on power mode detection. When operating in the second power mode, the system modifies parameters such as audio output levels, processing performance, and component activation states to match the available power, thereby improving power usage efficiency through parameter adaptation.
2Reliability
If the smart speaker uses fixed shutdown voltage threshold, then the shutdown process is simple, but system reliability deteriorates under varying power modes
Solution Approach 1:
The shutdown voltage threshold is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system determines the appropriate shutdown threshold based on the current power mode (first or second power mode), allowing the threshold to adapt to varying power conditions. This dynamic adjustment improves shutdown safety and system reliability under different power scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback-based shutdown control by continuously monitoring the incoming power characteristics and adjusting the shutdown threshold accordingly. The power mode detection mechanism provides feedback that informs the shutdown controller what threshold to use, ensuring reliable shutdown behavior adapted to current power conditions.
3Productivity
If the smart speaker operates in high performance mode continuously, then audio performance remains high, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts audio performance based on available power. When operating in the second power mode (lower power availability), the system reduces audio output levels and modifies audio processing to consume less power, thereby reducing energy loss while adapting performance to match power constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
Audio processing parameters are changed based on power mode. The system adjusts parameters such as gain levels, signal processing intensity, and output power to optimize the balance between audio performance and power consumption, reducing energy loss when operating under power constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart speaker power controller may be configured to receive power conforming to one of a plurality of power modes from an input power source. The power controller may be further configured to communicate the power mode to at least one component of a processing system or at least one component of an audio system for operating the smart speaker according to the received power mode, including determining a current limit of a power converter; determining a shutdown voltage threshold and safely shutting down the smart speaker if the input voltage falls below the threshold, and/or modifying audio operation of the smart speaker in response to the power mode. The smart speaker can further include an audio power supply controller configured to monitor energy required to reproduce an audio signal and to servo a power supply voltage provided to an audio amplifier in response to this energy level.