Solid State Switch Monitoring with Sensing IC Auto-Restart

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mechanical user input keys in electronic devices are prone to reliability issues due to wear and tear, especially power keys which are frequently used, and errors in sensing integrated circuits can leave devices inoperable when in a low power or unpowered state.

Innovation Solution

A solid state switch monitoring system that includes a sensing component coupled to a solid state switch, which periodically generates a clocked pulse to determine the actuated state of the switch, and a supervisory controller to restart the sensing component if it becomes inoperative, ensuring reliable operation even when other components are powered down or in a low power state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mechanical actuation keys are used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to wear and tear from repeated use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical actuation keys with solid state keys that detect changes in electrical characteristics (resistance, capacitance, or inductance) instead of physical movement. This substitution eliminates moving parts and mechanical wear, thereby improving reliability while maintaining the operational function of user input controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If solid state keys are used, then reliability is improved by eliminating moving parts, but device complexity increases due to sensing integrated circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supervisory controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors the operational status of the sensing integrated circuit, detects when the sensing IC becomes inoperative, and initiates restart sequences. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate components into a single controller, managing both the solid state key detection and the fault recovery processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service through automatic fault detection and recovery. When the supervisory controller detects that the sensing IC is inoperative, it automatically initiates a restart sequence without requiring external intervention. The system serves itself by identifying and correcting its own operational failures, thereby maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If sensing integrated circuits are used to detect solid state switch actuation, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates when the sensing IC becomes inoperative

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The supervisory controller continuously monitors the operational status of the sensing integrated circuit by detecting whether it is providing valid input signals. This feedback mechanism allows the system to identify when the sensing IC has failed and triggers appropriate recovery actions, ensuring that measurement precision is maintained through automatic fault correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of the sensing IC's operational status before complete failure occurs. The supervisory controller is constantly checking the health of the sensing circuit, enabling early detection of inoperative states and initiating restart sequences before the device enters a failed condition, thus preventing reliability issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Use of energy by moving object

If the device is in a low power or unpowered state, then energy consumption is reduced, but reliability deteriorates as errors in the sensing IC can leave the device inoperable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The supervisory controller and sensing integrated circuit are merged into a closely integrated monitoring system where the supervisory controller directly oversees the sensing IC's operation even during low power states. This integration ensures that fault detection and recovery mechanisms remain active or can be quickly activated, maintaining reliability while the device operates in energy-saving modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11340296B2Electronic device with solid state switch monitoring

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC

AI summary

A solid state switch (SSS) monitoring system of an electronic device includes a SSS sensing component that is electrically coupled to a solid state switch. The SSS sensing component periodically generates a clocked pulse that polls the solid state switch. The SSS sensing component determines whether an electrical characteristic of an output of the solid state switch indicates that the solid state switch is actuated. The SSS sensing component generates a switch state signal to indicate a corresponding one of an actuated and an unactuated state of the solid state switch. A controller is communicatively coupled to the SSS sensing component. The controller restarts the SSS sensing component in response to determining that the SSS sensing component is in an inoperative state.