Mobile Device Timeout Control Module for Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication devices experience reduced battery life due to increased power consumption from features like backlight usage, leading to a poor user experience from frequent battery recharges.
Innovation Solution
A timeout control module dynamically updates application timeouts to reduce backlight usage by dimming or turning off the screen when user interaction ceases, customizing timeouts based on usage patterns and application types to balance power savings with user satisfaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the backlight is kept on for longer periods to improve user experience, then user satisfaction is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic timeout values that adjust based on application type and user behavior patterns. Different applications have different timeout settings (e.g., longer timeout for reading applications, shorter for utility applications), and the system learns from user interaction patterns to automatically adjust timeouts, making the power management adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the timeout parameter based on application category and learned user behavior. By categorizing applications and assigning different default timeout values, and then adjusting these parameters based on actual usage patterns, the system optimizes the balance between user experience and power consumption for each specific context.
2Ease of operation
If the backlight timeout is extended to prevent frequent screen dimming, then user satisfaction improves, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The timeout control module dynamically adjusts backlight timeout values based on application type and learned user behavior patterns. The system continuously monitors usage patterns and modifies timeout settings in real-time, creating a dynamic adaptation process that optimizes battery life while maintaining user satisfaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically learns from user interaction patterns and adjusts timeout settings without requiring manual user configuration. The timeout control module monitors usage behavior and self-adjusts the backlight timeout values, making the system self-optimizing for both battery life and user experience.
3Loss of energy
If the screen is dimmed quickly to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but user experience deteriorates due to frequent dimming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different timeout qualities to different applications based on their characteristics. Reading applications receive longer timeouts to prevent frequent dimming during content consumption, while utility applications receive shorter timeouts. This localized differentiation optimizes both power savings and user experience for each application type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors user interaction patterns and uses this feedback to adjust timeout settings. By continuously observing when users interact with the device and how they use different applications, the system refines its timeout predictions to minimize unnecessary dimming events while maintaining power efficiency.
4Ease of operation
If application-specific timeout settings are implemented to improve user experience, then user satisfaction increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments applications into different categories (e.g., reading, utility, media) and assigns different timeout characteristics to each category. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by grouping applications rather than handling each individually, while still providing customized timeout behavior for different usage scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile communication device includes executable instructions for carrying out a method including setting a time duration for an application, receiving a first input, receiving a second input, determining the elapsed time between the first and second inputs, modifying the time duration based upon the elapsed time, and dimming a screen of the mobile device when the elapsed time exceeds the time duration.