Apparatus for scheduled low power autonomous data recording
DCFirst Claim
1. An apparatus for autonomous data recording comprising:
- a programmable timer having a programming interface and an alarm output;
a power regulator having an enable input coupled to the alarm output, a power input and a power output;
a power source coupled to the power input of the regulator;
a controller coupled to the power output of the power regulator and to the programming interface of the programmable timer; and
a data recorder coupled to the power output of the power regulator;
wherein the regulator has an operating state in which power is provided at the power output and an idle state; and
wherein the power regulator is activated into the operating state by activation of the alarm output and deactivated into the idle state by deactivation of the alarm output.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for powering a device, such as a data recorder or other device, according to an adjustable schedule. One example of the apparatus includes a programmable timer having an alarm output, a power regulator having an enable input coupled to the alarm output, a controller coupled to the power regulator and to the programmable timer, the controller being configured to receive operating power from the power regulator, and a powered device coupled to the power regulator and configured to receive power from the power regulator. The regulator has an operating state in which the operating power is provided to the powered device and an idle state in which the operating power is not provided to the powered device. The regulator is configured to be activated into the operating state by activation of the alarm output and deactivated into the idle state by deactivation of the alarm output, under the control of the controller.
31 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for autonomous data recording comprising:
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a programmable timer having a programming interface and an alarm output; a power regulator having an enable input coupled to the alarm output, a power input and a power output; a power source coupled to the power input of the regulator; a controller coupled to the power output of the power regulator and to the programming interface of the programmable timer; and a data recorder coupled to the power output of the power regulator; wherein the regulator has an operating state in which power is provided at the power output and an idle state; and wherein the power regulator is activated into the operating state by activation of the alarm output and deactivated into the idle state by deactivation of the alarm output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of controlling a data recorder including a controller, a power regulator and a timer, the method comprising:
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programming the timer to activate the power regulator for a predetermined recording time period; providing power from the power regulator to the controller during the predetermined recording time period; and powering down the controller when the predetermined recording time period expires by deactivating the power regulator. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus comprising:
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a programmable timer having a programming interface and an alarm output; a power regulator having an enable input coupled to the alarm output, a power input and a power output; a power source coupled to the power input of the regulator; a controller coupled to the power output of the power regulator and to the programming interface of the programmable timer, the controller being configured to receive operating power from the power regulator; and a powered device coupled to the power output of the power regulator and configured to receive power from the power regulator; wherein the regulator has an operating state in which the operating power is provided at the power output and an idle state in which the operating power is not provided at the power output; wherein the power regulator is activated into the operating state by activation of the alarm output and deactivated into the idle state by deactivation of the alarm output; and wherein the controller is configured to program the programmable timer, via the programming interface, to deactivate the alarm signal for a predetermined period of time.
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17. A method of powering a device including a controller, a power regulator and a timer, the method comprising:
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programming the timer with the controller to activate the power regulator for a predetermined active time period; providing power from the power regulator to the controller during the predetermined active time period; providing power from the power regulator to the device during the predetermined active time period; and powering down the controller and the device when the predetermined active time period expires by deactivating the power regulator. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification