Wireless Battery Charge Monitoring for Timely Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered devices face inconvenience due to unexpected battery depletion and uncertainty in locating replacement batteries, limiting their effectiveness and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for remotely determining battery characteristics using wireless communications, including a computing device that detects wireless signals from batteries, determines charge levels, and provides user interfaces for locating and purchasing replacement batteries, ensuring compatibility and availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If battery-powered devices are used to provide mobility and freedom from power chords, then device portability and user freedom are improved, but unexpected battery depletion occurs leading to inconvenience and device effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring battery charge levels and proactively notifying users before complete depletion occurs. The remote computing device receives wireless signals from the battery, determines charge levels, and sends advance notifications to mobile devices, allowing users to plan battery replacement before it becomes critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the battery continuously transmits charge level information wirelessly to remote computing devices, which then provide real-time feedback to users through mobile device notifications. This closed-loop feedback system enables users to monitor battery status and take timely action to maintain device operation.
2Reliability
If users carry replacement batteries to ensure continuous operation, then device availability is improved, but user burden and portability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically monitoring battery charge levels and providing intelligent notifications to users. Rather than requiring users to manually check batteries or carry multiple spares, the system autonomously tracks charge status and guides users on when and where to replace batteries, reducing user burden while ensuring availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary notification and planning actions by alerting users in advance of battery depletion and providing information about nearby replacement batteries. This allows users to plan their replacement strategy without needing to carry immediate spares, as the system provides lead time for preparation.
3Loss of time
If users manually monitor battery charge levels to determine when replacement is needed, then battery replacement timing is improved, but user time and effort are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The battery and remote computing device perform self-service monitoring by automatically tracking charge levels through wireless communication. The system eliminates the need for users to manually check batteries, as the automated monitoring and notification system handles the entire monitoring process independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical monitoring (users physically checking batteries) with wireless electronic communication. The battery transmits charge level data wirelessly to remote computing devices, substituting manual inspection with automated electronic sensing and communication.
4Reliability
If users search for replacement batteries when needed, then device operation continuity is improved, but time loss and uncertainty are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by providing advance notification of low battery status and pre-identifying nearby replacement batteries. When users receive notifications, replacement batteries are already identified and located information is prepared, eliminating the need for last-minute searching and enabling immediate replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote computing device acts as an intermediary between the battery and the user, receiving wireless signals from the battery, processing charge level information, and providing structured notifications with replacement battery locations. This intermediary system organizes information and reduces user search effort.
Data Source
AI summary
Included are embodiments for remotely determining a battery characteristic. Some embodiments include searching for a first wireless signal that identifies the energy storage device and, in response to receiving the first wireless signal, determining a current charge level of the energy storage device. Some embodiments include receiving a second wireless signal from the energy storage device, determining from the second wireless signal, whether the current charge level of the energy storage device reaches a predetermined threshold, and in response to determining that the current charge level of the energy storage device reaches the predetermined threshold, facilitating replacement of the battery.