Unpowered Charging Device Detection and Alert System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often fail to realize that a charging device is unpowered when initially engaging it with an electronic device, leading to unexpected lack of recharging, as they expect immediate charging.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a detection unit and processing device in electronic devices to detect the power state of a charging device upon engagement, providing alerts via alert units such as audio, visual, or haptic signals if the charging device is unpowered or underpowered.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electronic device is engaged with a charging device, then the electronic device expects to be recharged, but the charging device may be unpowered and unable to supply power
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the charging device's power state immediately upon engagement, before the user expects charging to occur. The detection unit checks whether the charging device is powered on, and if not, triggers an alert to inform the user of the potential charging failure before it happens.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the user about the charging device's power state through alert units (visual, audio, or haptic). This feedback loop allows the user to know whether the charging device is properly powered and capable of charging, preventing false expectations about charging functionality.
2Loss of time
If the charging device is unpowered, then the electronic device cannot be recharged, but the user may not realize the charging device is unpowered until after a period of time
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit performs preliminary checking of the charging device's power state immediately upon engagement, rather than waiting for a charging failure to occur. This early detection prevents the user from wasting time waiting for a charge that will never happen.
Solution Approach 2:
The system rushes through the detection process immediately upon engagement, quickly determining whether the charging device is powered before the user can form an expectation of charging. This rapid detection and alerting skips the time the user would otherwise waste waiting for a non-functional charging process.
3Ease of operation
If the electronic device provides no alert about the charging device's power state, then the device remains simple, but the user experiences disappointment when charging does not occur
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device uses its existing alert units (display, speaker, haptic motor) that are already part of the device for their primary purposes, to also provide charging status alerts. This multi-functionality approach improves user experience without significantly increasing device complexity, as the same hardware components serve dual purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may be configured to detect an external charging device when the external charging device is initially engaged with, or connected to, the electronic device. The electronic device, or an alert unit operably connected to the electronic device, can produce one or more alerts for the user if the charging device is in an unpowered state. The alert or alerts can be provided to the electronic device engaged with the charging device and/or to another electronic device or alert unit that is in communication with the electronic device that is engaged with the charging device.