Time Display in Power-Off State Using Boot Loader Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable electronic devices face challenges in continuously providing information to users for an extended period while maintaining low power consumption, especially when the battery level drops below a certain threshold, as existing technologies often reduce functionality to conserve battery life but fail to display time information effectively in a power-off state.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device that enters a power-off state by powering off the processor when the battery level reaches a certain threshold, allowing the power management module to display current time information using a controller, thereby conserving battery life while still providing essential information to the user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the processor is kept on to display time information, then the time information can be displayed continuously, but the power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidtime information display continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the device into two operational modes: a low-power state where only essential functions (time display) are maintained, and a full-power state for complete functionality. The processor is selectively powered on or off based on battery level thresholds, allowing the device to provide time information even when the processor is off, thus extending battery life while maintaining essential information display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If the processor is powered off to conserve battery, then power consumption decreases, but the ability to display and update time information is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtime information accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the device to enter a low-power state with preserved time display capability before the battery is completely depleted. The system proactively monitors battery levels and transitions to power-saving mode at predetermined thresholds, ensuring time information remains accessible without requiring the processor to remain active, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If the device enters a power-off state to extend battery life, then energy conservation improves, but the display functionality is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery energy wasteVSAvoiddisplay functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the operational state of different device components. While the processor is powered off to conserve energy, the display module retains limited functionality specifically for showing time information. This selective functionality allocation allows the device to minimize overall energy loss while preserving essential display adaptability for time-related information, without requiring full display functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3291051B1Method for displaying time information in low power state and electronic device including the same
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3291051B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3291051B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3291051B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for displaying time information in an electronic device in a low power state is provided. The method includes transferring a power-off command and a reboot command to the electronic device if a power level of a battery is equal to or less than a first level, setting a power-off flag in a boot loader, entering into a power-off state, and displaying, on a display, current time related information for a predetermined time under the control of the boot loader if a specific event occurs in the power-off state.