POWER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

• US 20080246439A1
• Filed: 03/24/2008
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tuen Solutions LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• Inventors: Cheng, Roger Shu Kwan, Murch, Ross David, Lau, Vincent Kin Nang, Mow, Wai Ho, Tsui, Chi Ying
• Granted Patent: US 8,786,246 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/137
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/001 Energy harvesting or scavenging
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00302 Overcharge protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/18 producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators for measurement devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

Systems and methods that recharge power supply units of portable electronic devices by leveraging energy harvesting or scavenging techniques. A recharge component accumulates energy from a plurality of sources, and supplies an electric current to the portable electronic device for a charge thereof. The sources of energy are based on routine user actions such as muscle movements (e.g., walking, movement of eye lashes, body heat), and can further consider environmental factors such as exposure to sunlight, temperature, as well as availability of external power sources.

Claims

1. A power management system, comprising:

a recharge component that employs energy harvesting based on activities of a user to supply an electrical current to a mobile electronic device; and

a regulator component that controls functions of the mobile electronic device to reduce a consumption of the electrical current.

2. The power management system of claim 1, the activities related to muscle movements or body temperature of the user.

3. The power management system of claim 1 further comprising a wiring arrangement to directly connect the recharge component to the mobile electronic device.

4. The power management system of claim 3 further comprising a contact free induction system for connection of the recharge component to the mobile electronic device.

5. The power management system of claim 4 further comprising a plurality of sensors attachable to a body of the user.

6. The power management system of claim 1 further comprising a spreading assembly of piezoelectric elements that derive the electrical current from mechanical energy.

7. The power management system of claim 6, the spreading assembly positioned in a shoe of the user.

8. The power management system of claim 1 further comprising an artificial intelligence component that facilitates energy harvesting.

9. The power management system of claim 1 further comprising a notification component that notifies the user regarding a power of the recharge component or the mobile electronic device.

10. The power management system of claim 4, the recharge component with at least one of a fuel cell, a capacitor, a super capacitor, and a rechargeable battery cell.

11. The power management system of claim 4 further comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding to facilitate induction processes.

12. The power management system of claim 4, the recharge component with a modular arrangement.

13. The power management system of claim 12, the modular arrangement with a plurality of flash cards, or smart cards, or communication cards that are changeable based on source of energy.

14. The power management system of claim 13 further comprising nano-generators.

15. A method of charging a portable unit comprising:

creating an electrical current via energy scavenging based on user activities;

supplying the electrical current to a mobile electronic device; and

regulating functions of the mobile electronic device to reduce consumption of the electrical current.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising creating a magnetic flux within a primary winding and a secondary winding to facilitate supplying the electrical current to the mobile electronic device as part of a contact free arrangement.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising determining available sources of energy for the creating act.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising detecting a trigger that initiates creating the electrical current.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising converting mechanical energy in to the electrical current.

20. A power management system, comprising:

means for accumulating energy based on user activities to power an electronic mobile device; and

means for regulating functions of the electronic mobile device to reduce a power consumption thereof.