Wireless Device Power Sharing for Extended Service Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable wireless devices often face battery power limitations, especially in continuous operation scenarios like healthcare sensors, leading to reduced service time or lifetime when operating as a single system.

Innovation Solution

A power sharing method between wireless devices, involving scanning to detect neighboring devices, determining power sharing necessity based on battery levels and lifetimes, and adjusting roles and transmission schemes to optimize energy transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If portable wireless devices operate as a single system, then device functionality is maintained, but service time and lifetime are limited due to battery power constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice timeVSAvoidbattery power
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple wireless devices into a power sharing system where devices with sufficient battery power transfer energy to devices with low battery power. This merging of power resources across devices extends the service time of the group without requiring each individual device to have large battery capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates virtual power extensions by allowing a device with sufficient power to act as a power source for another device. This enables the powered-off or low-power device to continue functioning by receiving power through wireless power sharing, effectively copying the power availability of the source device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Duration of action of stationary object

If portable wireless devices operate as a single system, then application functionality is maintained, but lifetime is reduced due to lack of battery power

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelifetimeVSAvoidbattery power
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power resources of multiple devices into a shared pool, where the total available power determines the system lifetime rather than individual device battery capacity. This allows the system to maintain operation as long as at least one device has sufficient power to share.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables devices to serve multiple functions: they can operate independently or join power sharing groups dynamically. Devices can switch between being power consumers and power sources based on their battery status, providing universal adaptability that extends overall system lifetime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Duration of action of moving object

If power sharing is implemented between wireless devices, then service time is extended, but device complexity increases due to scanning and coordination requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice timeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where devices automatically scan for power sharing opportunities, negotiate power transfer parameters, and execute power sharing without user intervention. This automation reduces the perceived complexity for users while extending service time through continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary scanning and device discovery before initiating power sharing. By pre-identifying suitable power source devices and establishing connection parameters in advance, the system reduces the complexity of real-time power management and enables seamless power transfer that extends service time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2560356B1Apparatus and method for sharing energy in wireless device
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2560356B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2560356B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2560356B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus to share energy in a wireless device are provided. A power sharing method between a wireless device and at least one neighboring wireless device, includes scanning, by the wireless device, the at least one neighboring wireless device. The power sharing method further includes determining to share power with the at least one neighboring wireless device. The power sharing method further includes sharing power with the at least one neighboring wireless device.