Notification Management for Wearable Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices, such as smart watches and smart glasses, face battery drain issues due to frequent notifications, leading to reduced usage time and inefficient battery consumption.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a power saving method where electronic devices communicate using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to reduce unnecessary notifications based on user wear status and notification limiting times, allowing devices to enter power saving modes when battery levels are low or when not in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If frequent notifications are sent to portable electronic devices, then users can stay informed about events and messages, but battery consumption increases and operational time decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification deliveryVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a notification management system that acts as an intermediary between the notification source and the portable device. This system monitors device state (wearing status, battery level) and selectively blocks notifications based on these conditions, thereby reducing unnecessary battery consumption while still delivering important information when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the notification delivery parameter based on device state. When the device is not being worn or battery level is low, notification delivery is restricted. When the device is being worn and battery level is sufficient, normal notification delivery resumes. This conditional parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between information delivery and energy conservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of moving object

If notifications are restricted based on wearing status and battery level, then battery life is extended, but users may miss important information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidinformation delivery
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The notification restriction system is dynamic rather than static. It continuously monitors device state (wearing status via sensors, battery level via power management circuit) and adjusts notification delivery in real-time. This dynamic approach ensures that information is not lost permanently, but temporarily withheld only when energy conservation is prioritized, resolving the contradiction between battery life extension and information delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the notification management module receives continuous feedback about device state (wearing status, battery level) and adjusts its behavior accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that notification delivery is optimized based on current conditions, preventing information loss while managing battery consumption effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If devices continuously check wearing status and battery levels to manage notifications, then notification delivery is optimized, but additional processing increases power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification management efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous monitoring, the system uses periodic checks at predetermined intervals to assess wearing status and battery level. This periodic action reduces the processing burden and associated power consumption compared to continuous monitoring, while still maintaining effective notification management. The system balances the need for timely notification decisions with the cost of continuous processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3108328B1Electronic device and power saving method thereof
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3108328B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3108328B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3108328B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device includes a communication unit and processing circuitry. The communication unit is configured to receive information on whether a user wears other electronic device. The processing circuitry configured to, responsive to a predetermined event occurring, determine whether the other electronic device is worn by the user. The processing circuitry also configured to control the communication unit to transmit a notification message to the other electronic device based on whether the other electronic device is in a worn state or an unworn state.