Power management in a data-capable strapband
View Patent ↗Embodiments of the invention relates generally to electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and computing devices, and more specifically to structures and techniques for managing power generation, power consumption, and other power-related functions in a data-capable strapband. Embodiments relate to a band including sensors, a controller coupled to the sensors, an energy storage device, a connector configured to receive power and control signals, and a power manager. The power manager includes at least a transitory power manager configured to manage power consumption of the band during a first power mode and a second mode. The band can be configured as a wearable communications device and sensor platform.
1. A band comprising:
a subset of sensors;
a controller coupled to the subset of sensors;
an energy storage device;
a connector configured to receive power and control signals, the connector coupled to the energy storage device;
a power manager comprising:
a transitory power manager configured to manage power consumption of the band during a first power mode in which no power is applied to the subset of sensors; and
a power clock controller configured to modify a clock rate of a clock signal for application to the controller as a function of a mode of operation of the band
wherein the transitory power manager is configured further to manage the power consumption of the band during a second power mode in which power is applied to the subset of sensors, the second power mode being subsequent to the first power mode,
wherein the transitory power manager is configured to detect an application of power to the connector, and, responsive to the application of power, the transitory power manager switches the band from the first power mode to the second power mode;
wherein the first power mode and the second power mode coincide with a first interval of time and a second interval of time, respectively; and
wherein the first interval of time comprises an amount of time during which the orientation of the band is shared with other bands in one orientation and the second interval of time comprises another amount of time during which the orientation of the band is independent of the other bands.
2. A band comprising:
a subset of sensors;
a controller coupled to the subset of sensors;
an energy storage device;
a connector configured to receive power and control signals, the connector coupled to the energy storage device;
a power manager comprising:
a transitory power manager configured to manage power consumption of the band during a first power mode in which no power is applied to the subset of sensors; and
a power clock controller configured to modify a clock rate of a clock signal for application to the controller as a function of a mode of operation of the band
wherein the transitory power manager is configured further to manage the power consumption of the band during a second power mode in which power is applied to the subset of sensors, the second power mode being subsequent to the first power mode,
wherein the transitory power manager is configured to detect an application of power to the connector, and, responsive to the application of power, the transitory power manager switches the band from the first power mode to the second power mode;
wherein the first power mode and the second power mode coincide with a first interval of time and a second interval of time, respectively; and
wherein the first interval of time comprises an amount of time during which the band is shipped from a first geographic location to a second geographic location with the subset of sensors in an inoperable state and the second interval of time comprises another amount of time during which the subset of sensors in an operable state.
3. A method comprising:
receiving a first signal to enter a first power mode for a band including a subset of sensors including one or more accelerometers, the first power mode electrically isolating the subset of sensors from a battery during transit from a first geographic location to a second geographic location;
receiving a second signal into the band to exit the first power mode;
coupling internal to the band the battery to the subset of sensors responsive to receiving the second signal; and
entering a second power mode responsive to coupling the battery to the subset of sensors.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein entering the second power mode comprises:
maintaining electrical isolation between the battery and a sensor not within the subset of sensors; and
detecting whether to enter an operation power mode; and
coupling internal to the band the battery to the sensor upon detecting to enter the operation power mode.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein entering the second power mode comprises:
coupling internal to the band the battery to other sensors.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein receiving the second signal further comprises:
receiving a power signal via a connector; and
detecting the power signal at a power manager.
7. The method of claim 3 further comprising:
determining an activity in which a user wearing the band is engaged;
receiving data from the subset of sensors associated with the activity; and
adjusting a frequency of a clock signal to achieve a threshold amount of throughput for the data received from the subset of sensors.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein adjusting the frequency of the clock signal comprises:
modifying operation of a voltage controlled oscillator (“VCO”) to generate the frequency.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein modifying the operation of the voltage controlled oscillator comprises:
determining a priority of one or more of the subset of sensors relative to other priorities of other sensors.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein modifying the operation of the voltage controlled oscillator comprises:
determining a priority of an application that is executing relative to other priorities of other applications.
11. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
detecting an event after which a sensor in the subset of sensors produces an amount of sensor data in a unit of time; and
adjusting a size of a buffer to match the amount of the sensor data.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein detecting the event comprises:
monitoring motion associated with an activity in which a user wearing the band is engaged;
comparing the motion associated with the activity to motion pattern data to identify precursor motion associated with a subsequent motion; and
establishing the size of the buffer for the amount of sensor data generated by the subsequent motion.
13. The method of claim 3 , further comprising initially entering the first power mode.
14. The method of claim 3 , further comprising generating the second signal in response to detecting a physical displacement between a first end portion of the band and a second end portion of the band.
15. The method of claim 3 , further comprising generating the second signal in response to a user depressing a button on the band.
16. The method of claim 3 , further comprising generating the second signal in response to a change in location-related data received from the subset of sensors.
17. The method of claim 3 , further comprising generating the second signal in response to a change in movement-related data received from the subset of sensors.
18. The method of claim 3 , further comprising generating the second signal in response to a change in medical-related data received from the subset of sensors.
19. The method of claim 6 , further comprising recharging the energy storage device with the power signal.
20. The method of claim 7 , wherein adjusting the frequency of the clock signal comprises multiplexing one of a plurality of oscillating signals of varying frequency onto the clock signal.