Wearable device with power state control

• US 10,013,025 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2014
• Issued: 07/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Cowley, Nicholas P., Saraswat, Ruchir, Goldman, Richard, Palmer, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Amrany, Adi
• Application Number:
  US14/567,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20160170446A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,300 Days
• Field of Search: 307126, 307130
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3206 Monitoring of events, devices or parameters that trigger a change in power modality
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3215 Monitoring of peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/181 Circuits; Control arrangements or methods
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/30 with mechanical input and electrical output, e.g. functioning as generators or sensors

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques and configurations for a wearable device with power state control. In one instance, the device a functional module to operate in a first power state or in a second power state that is different from the first power state; a power source coupled with the functional module to provide operational power to the functional module; and a power state control module coupled with the functional module, to cause the functional module to transition from the first power state to the second power state in response to an input. The power state control module may comprise a power generating device to generate power responsive to the input, independent of the power source, and in response to the generated power, cause the functional module to transition from the first power state to the second power state. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

and

a power state control module disposed in the housing, wherein the power state control module includes;

a piezoelectric device that is responsive to an input, wherein the input comprises an external pressure to be applied to the piezoelectric device, wherein the piezoelectric device is to generate an electric charge in response to the input;

a rectification circuit coupled with the piezoelectric device, to limit a voltage level corresponding to the electric charge generated by the piezoelectric device;

a capacitor coupled with the rectification circuit, to store the electric charge supplied by the piezoelectric device, with the limited voltage level, wherein the rectification circuit includes a first diode provided in parallel to the capacitor, to establish the voltage level on the capacitor, and a second diode provided in series with the first diode, with a breakdown voltage corresponding to the voltage level to be established on the capacitor; and

a power state control interface circuitry coupled with the capacitor, wherein the power state control interface circuitry, after a voltage level has been established on the capacitor in response to the storage of the electric charge, is to generate a command to cause the apparatus to transition from a first power state to a second power state that is different from the first power state, wherein the power state control interface circuitry includes a comparator powered by the capacitor, and an arrangement of resistances, wherein at least one of the resistances is provided in series with the first diode, to cause the comparator to trigger the command when the voltage level has been established on the capacitor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a wearable device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wearable device further comprises a functional module coupled with the power state control module, wherein the functional module includes at least a processor and a memory to operate the apparatus in the first and second power states.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a power source to provide operational power to the functional module in accordance with the first or second power state.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first power state corresponds to a standby mode, in which a first number of components of the functional module are powered on, and wherein the second power state corresponds to an operational mode, in which a second number of the components of the functional module are powered on, wherein the second number is greater than the first number.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the functional module comprises a system on chip (SOC).

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a semi-rigid material, wherein the piezoelectric device is disposed on a rigid former directly underneath the semi-rigid material, wherein the input comprises an external pressure to be applied to a portion of a mounting feature of the housing above the piezoelectric device, to be transferred to the piezoelectric device via the semi-rigid material.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric device is disposed externally to the housing, wherein the input comprises an external pressure to be applied to the piezoelectric device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric device is a flexible piezoelectric sensor.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein piezoelectric device is formed from one of:

a monolithic piezoelectric material or macro fiber composite material, wherein the input comprises a tap.

11. A method, comprising:

placing a piezoelectric device in a housing of a wearable device, wherein the piezoelectric device is to generate an electric charge in response to an input;

coupling a rectification circuit with the piezoelectric device, to limit a voltage level corresponding to the electric charge generated by the piezoelectric device, including providing a first diode and a second diode in series with the first diode;

coupling a capacitor with the rectification circuit, to store the electric charge supplied by the piezoelectric device, including providing the capacitor in parallel to the first diode, to establish the voltage level on the capacitor, and providing the second diode in series with the first diode, wherein a breakdown voltage of the second diode corresponds to the voltage level to be established on the capacitor; and

connecting a power state control interface circuitry with the capacitor wherein the power state control interface circuitry, after a voltage level has been established on the capacitor in response to the storage of the electric charge, is to generate a command to initiate a transitioning of the wearable device from a first power state to a second power state, wherein the first power state is different from the second power state, wherein the connecting the power state control interface circuitry includes providing a comparator powered by the capacitor, and further providing an arrangement of resistances, including placing at least one of the resistances in series with the first diode, to cause the comparator to trigger the command when the voltage level has been established on the capacitor.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the piezoelectric device, the capacitor, and the power state control interface circuitry form, at least in part, a power state control module of the wearable device, wherein the method further comprises:

disposing a battery and a functional module in the housing;

providing a communicative connection between the functional module with the power state control module; and

providing a communicative connection between the battery and the functional module, to provide operational power to the functional module, wherein the functional module is to operate the wearable device in accordance with the first or second power state.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the functional module comprises a system on chip (SOC).