Thermal Power Management for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices face challenges in managing power consumption and heat generation during high-performance operations, such as video processing and gaming, which can lead to exceeding power and temperature limits, impacting user experience.
Innovation Solution
Adjusting operating parameters like frame rate and resolution based on user experience metrics to maintain devices within target power and temperature limits while minimizing the impact on user experience, using a thermal/power manager system that dynamically controls these parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high-power processors and high-performance operations are used to improve processing power and device capabilities, then user experience and performance are improved, but power consumption and heat generation increase causing the device to exceed power and temperature limits
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters (frame rate, resolution, processor frequency) based on real-time monitoring of power consumption and temperature levels. The thermal/power manager continuously adapts the device performance characteristics to maintain operation within thermal constraints while maximizing user experience, transforming static performance settings into dynamic, condition-responsive configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes physical operating parameters (frame rate, resolution, processor clock speed) in response to thermal conditions. By modifying these parameters, the system alters the power consumption and heat generation characteristics of the device, enabling it to operate within thermal limits while maintaining acceptable performance levels across varying thermal environments.
2Use of energy by moving object
If operating parameters are adjusted to reduce power consumption and heat generation, then power and temperature limits are maintained, but user experience and performance are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal/power manager implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors power consumption, temperature, and user experience metrics. Based on this feedback, the system intelligently determines the optimal operating parameters that satisfy thermal constraints while minimizing impact on user experience. The feedback loop enables adaptive adjustment rather than simple reduction, maintaining reliability within thermal bounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of operating parameters based on its own thermal state and performance metrics. The thermal/power manager autonomously monitors device conditions and modifies operating parameters without external intervention, enabling the device to self-regulate its power consumption and thermal output while maintaining acceptable user experience levels.
3Temperature
If operating parameters are adjusted to maintain power and temperature limits, then thermal constraints are satisfied, but the impact on user experience increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts operating parameters based on real-time thermal conditions and user experience metrics. Rather than applying static thermal throttling, the system continuously adjusts frame rate, resolution, and processor frequency to maintain temperature within limits while minimizing degradation of user experience. This dynamic approach allows the device to optimize the trade-off between thermal management and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal/power manager uses feedback from user experience metrics to guide thermal management decisions. By incorporating user experience data into the control loop, the system can distinguish between parameter adjustments that significantly impact user experience versus those that have minimal impact, enabling more intelligent thermal management that preserves reliability while satisfying temperature constraints.
Data Source
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AI summary
In an example, a method includes determining, by an electronic device, a user experience metric associated with content captured by at least one camera of the electronic device. The method also includes adjusting at least one operating parameter of the device to produce an operating characteristic target, wherein the adjustment is based on an estimated change to the determined user experience metric due to the adjustment.