Usage-Dependent Battery Life Indication for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile device battery level indicators lack standardization and accuracy, leading to user confusion due to varying power consumption rates of different applications and environmental factors, which can mislead users about their battery life and discourage usage of high-value services like mobile television.
Innovation Solution
A mobile telecommunications device provides a usage-dependent battery level indication by determining specific usage types and applying corresponding profiles to battery level measurements, incorporating historical data and real-time updates to estimate battery life for each application or usage scenario, including location and battery age considerations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single battery level indicator is used, then the device structure is simple, but the accuracy of battery life indication deteriorates due to varying power consumption rates of different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single battery level indicator into multiple indicators, each corresponding to a specific usage type (e.g., talk time, text messaging, internet usage). Each indicator is calculated using usage-type profiles that contain application-specific power consumption rates, providing accurate battery life predictions for different scenarios without requiring a complex overall system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of indication detail for different usage scenarios. Each usage type receives a customized battery life indication based on its specific power consumption characteristics, rather than applying a uniform indication method across all applications. This ensures high precision for each local usage context.
2Speed
If battery level is based on current drain rate estimation, then the indication responds quickly to changes, but user confusion increases due to dramatic variations across different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing usage-type profiles containing application-specific power consumption rates before they are needed. When a user launches an application, the system immediately retrieves the corresponding profile and provides an accurate battery life indication without needing to calculate or estimate during runtime, ensuring both quick response and high reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single battery indicator is used, then the device is easy to operate, but adaptability to different usage scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a multi-functional battery indication system where a single set of battery means and calculation means serves multiple usage types simultaneously. Each usage type is handled through standardized profiles that follow the same calculation framework, allowing the system to adapt to different scenarios while maintaining operational simplicity through consistent interface design.
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement and technique for providing an educated indication of battery consumption for any particular mobile terminal usage type. This allows the user to be provided with an accurate indication of the battery life remaining for the current usage type and also the battery life that is remaining for any other possible use of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal preferably uses historical and/or statistical profiling for the different usage types to provide a meaningful indication of remaining battery life for at least one different usage type at any one time. In particular, the indication preferably includes a time representation that is specific to a usage type. The different usage types may include mobile television, game playing and voice calls.