Powering devices using low-current power sources

1. A method of providing electric power to a component in a device, the method comprising:

charging an intermediate storage unit with a first electric current from one or more low current power sources;

dynamically determining a threshold value of a voltage of the intermediate storage unit based on at least one of a function or a task assigned to the device or the component;

discharging varying quantities of a second electric current from the intermediate storage unit at varying time intervals to a primary storage unit based on the at least one of the function or the task assigned to the device or the component and the threshold value of the voltage of the intermediate storage unit; and

providing a third electric current from the primary storage unit to the component.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate storage unit transmits the second electric current to the primary storage unit based on the voltage exceeding the threshold value.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a printer and wherein the component comprises a printing mechanism.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the component receives electrical power solely from the primary storage unit.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate storage unit comprises at least one capacitor and/or at least one supercapacitor.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the primary storage unit comprises a rechargeable battery.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold value comprises a voltage range of the intermediate storage unit, the voltage range being between a lower voltage sufficient for efficiently discharging current to the primary storage unit and an upper voltage sufficient for charging of the intermediate storage unit to be inefficient, wherein the threshold value depends upon an efficiency factor of the primary storage unit and the intermediate storage unit.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the component receives intermittent use at time intervals matching or exceeding a positive multiple of a time constant based on a resistance of charging the intermediate storage unit multiplied by a capacitance of the intermediate storage unit, and wherein the intermediate storage unit is configured to accumulate a voltage over the positive multiple of the time constant that exceeds a charge consumed by an instance of use of the component.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate storage unit comprises a plurality of capacitors and/or supercapacitors in series.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate storage unit comprises a plurality of capacitors and/or supercapacitors in parallel.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein a quantity of discharge of power from the intermediate storage unit to the primary storage unit depends on a history of energy consumed by the device or the component for the function or the task.

12. An apparatus for providing electric power to a component in a device, the apparatus comprising:

an intermediate storage unit configured to:

receive a first electric current from one or more low current power sources, the first electric current from the one or more low current power sources at least partially charging the intermediate storage unit and

discharge varying quantities of a second electric current at varying time intervals to a primary storage unit based on the at least one of a function or a task assigned to the device or the component and a threshold value of a voltage of the intermediate storage unit, wherein the threshold value is based on at least one of the function or the task assigned to the device or the component; and

the primary storage unit configured to:

receive the second electric current from the intermediate storage unit; and

provide a third electric current to the component.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the intermediate storage unit transmits the second electric current to the primary storage unit based on the voltage exceeding the threshold value.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the device comprises a printer and wherein the component comprises a printing mechanism.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the intermediate storage unit comprises at least one capacitor and/or at least one supercapacitor.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the primary storage unit comprises a rechargeable battery.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the threshold value comprises a voltage range of the intermediate storage unit, the voltage range being between a lower voltage sufficient for efficiently discharge current to the primary storage unit and an upper voltage sufficient for charging of the intermediate storage unit to be inefficient, wherein the threshold value depends upon an efficiency factor of the primary storage unit and the intermediate storage unit.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the component receives intermittent use at time intervals matching or exceeding a positive multiple of a time constant based on a resistance of charging the intermediate storage unit multiplied by a capacitance of the intermediate storage unit, and wherein the intermediate storage unit is configured to accumulate a voltage over the positive multiple of the time constant that exceeds a charge consumed by an instance of use of the component.

19. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the intermediate storage unit comprises a plurality of capacitors and/or supercapacitors, at least a portion of the plurality of capacitors and/or supercapacitors being arranged in series and/or in parallel.

20. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein a quantity of discharge of power from the intermediate storage unit to the primary storage unit depends on a history of energy consumed by the device or the component for the function or the task.