Athletic activity monitoring device with energy capture
Aspects relate to an energy harvesting device adapted for use by an athlete while exercising. The device may utilize a mass of phase-change material to store heat energy, the stored heat energy subsequently converted into electrical energy by one or more thermoelectric generator modules. The energy harvesting device may be integrated into an item of clothing, and such that the mass of phase change material may store heat energy as the item of clothing is laundered.
1. An activity monitoring device, comprising:
an activity monitoring circuit coupled to a support structure;
at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules configured to generate and transfer electrical energy to a processor and the activity monitoring circuit; and
a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor perform at least:
obtaining sensor data from the activity monitoring circuit; and
determining that the sensor data is indicative of a threshold level of athletic movement, and in response, causing the activity monitoring device to enter into an active state,
wherein the at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules are configured to generate electrical energy in response to a thermal gradient between a first side of the support structure and a second side of the support structure, and
wherein when the electrical energy generated by the at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules is below a threshold level, the activity monitoring circuit operates in a first power configuration, and when the electrical energy is above the threshold level, the activity monitoring circuit operates in a second power configuration.
2. The activity monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the activity monitoring circuit comprises an optical sensor.
3. The activity monitoring device of claim 1 , further comprising a second activity monitoring circuit comprising an optical sensor.
4. The activity monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the activity monitoring circuit comprises an accelerometer.
5. The activity monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform at least:
altering capture of athletic measurements from the activity monitoring device based upon a threshold quantity of energy being produced by the series-connected thermoelectric generator modules.
6. The activity monitoring device of claim 5 , wherein the altering of the capture comprises reducing a sampling rate from at least one sensor.
7. The activity monitoring device of claim 6 , wherein the altering of the capture comprises ceasing capturing data from at least one sensor.
8. The activity monitoring device of claim 1 , further comprising a second support structure coupled to the support structure.
9. The activity monitoring device of claim 8 , wherein the support structure comprises a first series-connected thermoelectric generator module of the at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules and the second support structure comprises a second series-connected thermoelectric generator module of the at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules.
10. The activity monitoring device of claim 9 , wherein the support structure is connected to the second support structure along a first axis.
11. An activity monitoring device, comprising:
an activity monitoring circuit coupled to a support structure;
at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules configured to generate and transfer electrical energy to a processor and the activity monitoring circuit, wherein the at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules are configured to generate electrical energy in response to a thermal gradient between a first side of the support structure and a second side of the support structure;
a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor perform at least:
obtaining sensor data from the activity monitoring circuit;
based upon the sensor data, calculating athletic measurements for a user; and
a transceiver configured to automatically transmit the calculated athletic measurements to a mobile device,
wherein when the electrical energy generated by the two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules is below a threshold level, the activity monitoring circuit operates in a first power configuration, and when the electrical energy is above the threshold level, the activity monitoring circuit operates in a second power configuration.
12. The activity monitoring device of claim 11 , further comprising an optical sensor.
13. The activity monitoring device of claim 11 , further comprising a second activity monitoring circuit comprising an optical sensor.
14. The activity monitoring device of claim 11 , wherein the activity monitoring circuit comprises an accelerometer.
15. The activity monitoring device of claim 11 , wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform at least:
altering capture of athletic measurements from the activity monitoring device based upon a threshold quantity of energy being produced by the series-connected thermoelectric generator modules.
16. The activity monitoring device of claim 15 , wherein the altering of the capture comprises reducing a sampling rate from at least one sensor.
17. The activity monitoring device of claim 15 , wherein the altering of the capture comprises ceasing capturing data from at least one sensor.
18. The activity monitoring device of claim 11 , further comprising a second support structure coupled to the support structure.
19. The activity monitoring device of claim 18 , wherein the support structure comprises a first series-connected thermoelectric generator module of the at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules and the second support structure comprises a second series-connected thermoelectric generator module of the at least two series-connected thermoelectric generator modules.
20. The activity monitoring device of claim 19 , wherein the support structure is connected to the second support structure along a first axis.