Sensor device with persistent low power beacon
First Claim
1. A method, comprising steps of:
- (a) providing a first device comprising a sensor configured to sense a stimulus experienced by the first device, a controller configured to process data received from the sensor and thereby obtain processed sensor data, a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the processed data from the first device to a second device, and a battery configured to supply power to at least the controller and the transmitter;
(b) operating the first device in a first operational mode in which the sensor, the controller, and the transmitter are used at least occasionally to obtain and transmit processed data to the second device;
(c) determining whether the battery is in a low power condition; and
(d) when it is determined that the battery is in a low power condition, operating the first device in a second operational mode wherein the sensor, controller, and transmitter are not used to obtain and transmit processed sensor data to the second device, but wherein the first device at least occasionally transmits a signal to the second device that indicates a low power condition of the battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One disclosed method involves providing a first device comprising a sensor configured to sense a stimulus experienced by the first device, a controller configured to process data received from the sensor and thereby obtain processed sensor data, a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the processed data from the first device to a second device, and a battery configured to supply power to at least the controller and the transmitter. The first device is operated in a first operational mode in which the sensor, the controller, and the transmitter are used at least occasionally to obtain and transmit processed data to the second device. When it is determined that the battery is in a low power condition, the first device is operated in a second operational mode wherein the sensor, controller, and transmitter are not used to obtain and transmit processed sensor data to the second device, but wherein the first device at least occasionally transmits a signal to the second device that indicates a low power condition of the battery.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, comprising steps of:
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(a) providing a first device comprising a sensor configured to sense a stimulus experienced by the first device, a controller configured to process data received from the sensor and thereby obtain processed sensor data, a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the processed data from the first device to a second device, and a battery configured to supply power to at least the controller and the transmitter; (b) operating the first device in a first operational mode in which the sensor, the controller, and the transmitter are used at least occasionally to obtain and transmit processed data to the second device; (c) determining whether the battery is in a low power condition; and (d) when it is determined that the battery is in a low power condition, operating the first device in a second operational mode wherein the sensor, controller, and transmitter are not used to obtain and transmit processed sensor data to the second device, but wherein the first device at least occasionally transmits a signal to the second device that indicates a low power condition of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus, comprising:
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a sensor configured to sense a stimulus experienced by the apparatus; a controller configured to process data received from the sensor and thereby obtain processed sensor data; a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the processed sensor data from the apparatus to another device; and a battery configured to supply power to at least the controller and the transmitter; wherein the apparatus is configured to operate in a first operational mode when a determination is made that the battery is not in a low power condition, and to operate in a second operational mode when a determination is made that the battery is in a low power condition, and wherein, in the first operational mode, the sensor, the controller, and the transmitter are used at least occasionally to obtain and transmit processed sensor data to the other device, and, in the second operational mode, the sensor, controller, and transmitter do not obtain and transmit processed sensor data to the other device, but the apparatus at least occasionally transmits a signal to the other device that indicates a low power condition of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method, comprising steps of:
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(a) providing a first device comprising a sensor configured to sense a stimulus experienced by the first device, a controller configured to process data received from the sensor and thereby obtain processed sensor data, a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the processed data from the first device to a second device, a receiver configured to receive data transmitted wirelessly from the second device to the first device, and a battery configured to supply power to at least the controller, the transmitter, and the receiver; (b) operating the first device in a first operational mode in which the sensor, the controller, and the transmitter are used at least occasionally to obtain and transmit processed data to the second device, and in which the receiver is used at least occasionally to receive data transmitted wirelessly from the second device; (c) determining whether the battery is in a low power condition; and (d) when it is determined that the battery is in a low power condition, operating the first device in a second operational mode wherein the receiver is not used to receive data transmitted wirelessly from the second device, but wherein the transmitter is used at least occasionally to transmit a signal to the second device that indicates a low power condition of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification