Wearable Device Notification Mode Switching via Periodic BLE

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Solution Overview

Problem

In small electronic devices like wristwatches, power consumption for data communication is high, necessitating reduced communication frequency and time to extend battery life, yet existing methods do not allow for timely user notifications without continuous data exchange.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a communication module that transmits a communication start request to an external device with greater battery capacity, switching operation modes from a basic timekeeping mode to a notification mode upon receiving notification information, using BLE for data exchange, and displaying notifications on a digital display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If data communication with external device is performed frequently to enable timely user notifications, then notification timeliness is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenotification delayVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic device performs data communication periodically at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. The communication control unit is configured to perform data communication with the external device at specific timing, which reduces power consumption while still enabling timely notifications. This periodic communication approach balances the need for notification timeliness with battery conservation in the small electronic device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If continuous data communication is performed to ensure timely notifications, then notification responsiveness is improved, but battery life deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenotification responsivenessVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic data communication at predetermined intervals instead of continuous communication. This allows the small electronic device to maintain notification responsiveness by checking for notifications periodically while conserving battery life by avoiding unnecessary continuous data exchange with the external device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The communication frequency is made dynamic rather than static. The communication control unit adjusts the timing of data communication based on operational needs, performing communication at predetermined intervals when notifications are expected while reducing communication activity during periods when notifications are less critical, thus optimizing battery life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If data communication is limited to extend battery life, then power consumption is reduced, but notification timeliness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidnotification delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic device performs data communication periodically at predetermined intervals, which reduces power consumption compared to continuous communication while still maintaining acceptable notification timeliness. The periodic nature ensures that notifications are checked at regular intervals without requiring constant communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an intermediary approach where the communication control unit acts as a mediator between the small electronic device and the external device. It manages data communication by transmitting communication start requests at predetermined intervals and receiving notification information, thereby reducing direct continuous communication requirements while maintaining notification capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Duration of action of moving object

If communication frequency is reduced to conserve battery, then battery life is extended, but communication responsiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidcommunication responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system operates periodically at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This extends battery life by reducing overall communication frequency while maintaining communication responsiveness within acceptable bounds by ensuring regular communication cycles that can quickly respond when notifications are needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12112671B2Electronic device, control method of electronic device, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2024.10.08 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device includes a communication module configured to communicate with an external device having a battery capacity greater than a battery capacity of the electronic device, a display, and at least one processor. The processor is configured to control the communication module to transmit a communication start request to the external device, and in a case where the electronic device receives notification information from the external device, change an operation mode of the electronic device from a first mode to a second mode. The display performs displaying a normal operation of the electronic device in the first mode, and the display performs displaying based on the notification information in the second mode.