Wearable Power Management via Event Prioritization and Deferral
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable computing devices face challenges in power management due to the need to balance processing events such as network communications, display updates, user interactions, and sensor updates while conserving energy, especially when connected to host or remote computing devices.
Innovation Solution
A power management method for wearable computing devices that involves a processor identifying and prioritizing events, determining whether to process them, and deferring processing when necessary, along with efficient communication protocols through a host computing device to manage energy usage effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the wearable device processes all events (network communications, display updates, sensor updates, user interactions) in real-time, then the device functionality and responsiveness are improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts event processing behavior based on power management policies. The processor selectively processes or defers events based on current power conditions, allowing the system to adapt its productivity level to available energy resources. This is achieved through the power management module that monitors power levels and adjusts event handling accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring power consumption and battery status, then using this information to make real-time decisions about event processing. The system receives feedback from power sensors and adjusts its behavior by deferring or processing events based on current power conditions, creating a closed-loop control system.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the wearable device defers processing of low-priority events to conserve energy, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the device responsiveness and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different processing qualities to different events based on their priority. High-priority events (such as user interactions and critical sensor updates) are processed immediately with full responsiveness, while low-priority events (such as non-critical notifications) are deferred. This localized quality adjustment ensures that critical functions maintain high responsiveness while overall energy efficiency improves.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the processing parameter (immediacy) based on event priority and power conditions. By adjusting the timing parameter of event processing - processing some events immediately and others after a delay - the system optimizes the balance between responsiveness and energy efficiency. The processor dynamically modifies processing parameters based on current operational context.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wearable device maintains continuous connectivity with host and remote computing devices, then the device functionality and data synchronization are improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic communication cycles with host and remote devices rather than continuous connectivity. The processor establishes communication sessions at specific intervals, processes events during these sessions, then enters lower-power states between communications. This periodic action maintains data synchronization and device functionality while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication functionality is segmented into discrete event-based communication sessions rather than continuous operation. The system divides communication into separate, manageable units - processing network communications, display updates, and sensor data in distinct sessions. This segmentation allows the device to maintain full functionality when needed while minimizing active communication time, thereby reducing energy loss.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to manage power on a wearable computing device, a processor of the wearable computing device identifies one or more events. The processor determines a priority of each of the one or more events. Based on the priority of each of the one or more events, the processor determines whether to process the event. When the processor determines that the event is to be processed, the processor determines whether to defer processing of the event.