Power management in hazard detection systems
First Claim
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1. A battery powered hazard detection system, the system operative to function according to any one of a plurality of different modes, the system comprising:
- a DC power source; and
a plurality of power-consuming components operative to consume power supplied by the DC power source, the power-consuming components comprising at least one processor, at least one sensor for detecting at least one of smoke, heat, and carbon-monoxide, first wireless communications circuitry characterized by relatively low power consumption and configured to wirelessly communicate according to a first protocol characterized by relatively low data rates, and second wireless communications circuitry characterized by relatively high power consumption and configured to wirelessly communicate according to a second protocol characterized by relatively high data rates;
wherein at least one of the power consuming components is operative to enforce a power budgeting scheme so that the DC power source can power the system for a minimum operational lifetime, wherein the power budgeting scheme enables the system to operate according to any one of a plurality of different modes for a mode-specified run-time constraint during the minimum operational lifetime.
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Abstract
Hazard detection systems according to embodiments described herein are operative to provide failsafe safety detection features and user interface features using circuit topology and power budgeting methods that minimize power consumption. The safety detection features can monitor environmental conditions (e.g., smoke, heat, humidity, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, radon, and other noxious gasses) in the vicinity of the hazard detection system associated and alarm occupants when an environmental condition exceeds a predetermined threshold.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A battery powered hazard detection system, the system operative to function according to any one of a plurality of different modes, the system comprising:
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a DC power source; and a plurality of power-consuming components operative to consume power supplied by the DC power source, the power-consuming components comprising at least one processor, at least one sensor for detecting at least one of smoke, heat, and carbon-monoxide, first wireless communications circuitry characterized by relatively low power consumption and configured to wirelessly communicate according to a first protocol characterized by relatively low data rates, and second wireless communications circuitry characterized by relatively high power consumption and configured to wirelessly communicate according to a second protocol characterized by relatively high data rates; wherein at least one of the power consuming components is operative to enforce a power budgeting scheme so that the DC power source can power the system for a minimum operational lifetime, wherein the power budgeting scheme enables the system to operate according to any one of a plurality of different modes for a mode-specified run-time constraint during the minimum operational lifetime. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for operating a battery powered hazard detection system, the system comprising a DC power source and a plurality of power-consuming components operative to consume power supplied by the DC power source, the power-consuming components comprising at least one processor, at least one sensor for detecting at least one of smoke, heat, and carbon-monoxide, first wireless communications circuitry, and second wireless communications circuitry, the method comprising:
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defining a plurality of different modes of operation, each mode of operation configures the system to consume different amounts of power from the DC power source, wherein the DC power source is the sole source of power for the system; setting a minimum operational lifetime for the system; and enforcing a power budgeting scheme so that the DC power source can power the system for the minimum operational lifetime, wherein the power budgeting scheme assigns a duty cycle to each mode of operation such that each mode of operation is budgeted an operational percentage of the minimum operational lifetime; and operating the system according to the duty cycle assigned to each mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A battery powered hazard detection system, the system operative to function according to any one of a plurality of different modes, the system comprising:
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a battery power source; a plurality of power-consuming components operative to consume power supplied by the battery power source, the power-consuming components comprising at least one processor, at least one sensor for detecting at least one of smoke, heat, and carbon-monoxide; and a power budgeting module operative to manage power consumed by the system by assigning run-time constraints to each one the plurality of different modes, wherein the run-time constraints limit how long the system can operate in each mode, and wherein the power budgeting module calculates the run-time constraints for each mode based at least on power consumption values of the power consuming components and a minimum operational life of the system. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for conserving power in a battery powered hazard detection system, the system comprising a DC power source and a plurality of power-consuming components operative to consume power supplied by the DC power source, the power-consuming components comprising at least one processor, at least one hazard sensor, a speaker, an alarm, low-power wireless communications circuitry, and high-power wireless communications circuitry, the method comprising:
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receiving an instruction to execute a power consuming event; determining if the power consuming event is able to be independently executed by each one of at least two power consuming components of the plurality of power consuming components; and when the power consuming event has been determined to be able to be independently executed by each one of the at least two power consuming components of the plurality of power consuming components, limiting execution of the power consuming event to one of the at least two power consuming components. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A battery powered hazard detection system, the system comprising:
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a battery power source; a plurality of power-consuming components operative to consume power supplied by the battery power source, the power-consuming components comprising at least one processor, at least one hazard sensor, a speaker, an alarm, low-power wireless communications circuitry, and high-power wireless communications circuitry; wherein the at least one processor is operative to enforce a peak power limiting scheme, the at least one processor further operative to; receive an instruction to execute a power consuming event; determine if the power consuming event is able to be independently executed by each one of at least two power consuming components of the plurality of power consuming components; and when the power consuming event has been determined to be able to be independently executed by each one of the at least two power consuming components of the plurality of power consuming components, limit execution of the power consuming event to one of the at least two power consuming components. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification