Virtual Battery Power Allocation for Wireless Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication devices face battery exhaustion issues due to power-intensive collateral applications, which can inadvertently drain power from core communication applications, and existing solutions fail to provide sufficient flexibility in defining essential applications and power allocation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of virtual batteries on wireless communication devices, allowing users to configure and manage power budgets for specific applications, ensuring core communication applications like phone calls and text messaging are prioritized over non-essential ones, with continuous power monitoring and alerts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users run power-intensive collateral applications (digital photography, music, video, gaming), then entertainment and social functionality is improved, but battery power is exhausted and core communication applications cannot be used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication functionalityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single battery power supply into multiple virtual batteries, each dedicated to specific applications or application groups. This segmentation allows independent power management for different application categories, enabling core communication applications to have guaranteed power allocation separate from entertainment applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the power allocation parameter by dynamically adjusting power budgets assigned to different virtual batteries based on user-defined priorities. The system monitors power consumption and reallocates power resources to ensure core applications maintain operational power even when entertainment applications are running.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If prior approaches disable user preferences (display backlight) when battery power falls below threshold, then power consumption is reduced, but core communication applications are not adequately protected from battery drain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption reductionVSAvoidcore application protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments power management into application-specific virtual batteries, allowing core communication applications to be isolated from power consumption issues affecting entertainment applications. This segmentation provides targeted protection for critical applications rather than blanket power reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces virtual batteries as intermediary power management layers between the physical battery and applications. These virtual batteries act as mediators that enforce power allocation policies, ensuring core applications receive protected power allocations regardless of overall battery status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If prior approaches reserve battery power for core applications, then power availability for essential functions is improved, but users lack flexibility to define which applications are essential and their power budgets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower availability for essential functionsVSAvoiduser flexibility in defining essential applications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the power management system dynamic by allowing users to flexibly define which applications are essential and adjust their power budgets in real-time. The virtual battery configuration can be modified based on changing user needs and usage patterns, providing adaptability while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal power management framework where virtual batteries can serve multiple functions: protecting core applications, enabling user-defined application priorities, providing power allocation control, and offering real-time power status monitoring across different application scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If prior approaches do not inform users about power availability to essential and nonessential applications, then device complexity is reduced, but users cannot efficiently use available power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower usage efficiencyVSAvoidpower management system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor and display power availability status for different virtual batteries and applications. This feedback enables users to make informed decisions about application usage and power allocation, improving power usage efficiency without requiring complex manual power management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7583951B2Virtual batteries for wireless communication device

Publication Date: 2009.09.01 SHARP KK

AI summary

The present invention provides virtual batteries for a wireless communication device. Generally speaking, a virtual battery is a logical construct on a wireless communication device that powers a defined set of wireless communication device applications and has a defined power budget from one or more physical batteries on the device. Through judicious assignment of wireless communication device applications and power budgets to virtual batteries, a user of a wireless communication device can efficiently allocate power among competing wireless communication device applications.