Power management in hazard detection systems

• US 9,244,474 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2014
• Issued: 01/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, Ian C., Warren, Daniel Adam, Mullins, Scott, Conner, Brian Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hung T
• Application Number:
  US14/333,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20150022368A1
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 340/628, 340/632, 340/636.1, 340/693.3, 340/693.6, 340/577
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/46 wherein the variable actually regulated by the final control device is dc G05F1/625 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/117 by using a detection device for specific gases, e.g. combustion products, produced by the fire G08B17/103, G08B17/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/06 Two-wire systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/008 Plural converter units for generating at two or more independent and non-parallel outputs, e.g. systems with plural point of load switching regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/0036 Means reducing energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier

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.

Claims

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.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of different modes comprises an idle mode, a log update mode, and an alarm mode.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of different modes further comprises a software update mode.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the mode-specified run-time constraint for the idle mode exceeds the run-time constraints of each of the other modes.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the mode-specified run-time constraint for the log update mode enables the second wireless communications circuitry to perform remote server access on a daily basis for the duration of the minimum operational lifetime.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each mode of the plurality of different modes has a different power consumption profile.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the minimum operational lifetime is at least 7 years.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second wireless communications circuitry is operative to communicate using an 802.11 protocol;

and

wherein the power budgeting scheme limits the relatively high power consumption activity by the second wireless communications circuitry to less than 0.1% of the minimum operational lifetime.

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:

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.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

monitoring operation of the system; and

updating the duty cycle of at least one of the modes of operation based on the monitoring.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein one of the modes of operation is an idle mode, and the idle mode is assigned a duty cycle that accounts for at least 99 percent of the minimum operational lifetime, and wherein the idle mode configures the system to consume the lowest amount of power of all the different modes from the DC power source over the specific duration of time.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein one of the modes of operation is a log update mode that uses the second wireless communications circuitry, wherein the first wireless communications circuitry is characterized by relatively low power consumption and configured to wirelessly communicate according to a first protocol characterized by relatively low data rates, and the second wireless communications circuitry is characterized by relatively high power consumption and configured to wirelessly communicate according to a second protocol characterized by relatively high data rates.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the log update mode is assigned a duty cycle that accounts for less than 0.05 percent of the minimum operational lifetime.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein one of the modes of operation is an alarm mode, and the alarm mode is assigned a duty cycle that accounts for less than 0.001 percent of the minimum operational lifetime, wherein the alarm mode configures the system to consume the highest amount of power of all the different modes.

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:

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.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the calculation of the run-time constraints is based on monitored system operations.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the calculation of the run-time constraints is based on measured battery power source values.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein one of the power consuming components includes wireless communications circuitry operative to communicate with a remote server via a wireless router, and wherein the calculation of the run-time constraints is based on data received from the remote server.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one sensor is a carbon monoxide sensor the uses an electrochemical sensor, which has a limited life, and wherein the minimum operational life equals or exceeds the limited life.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein one of the power consuming components includes wireless communications circuitry operative to communicate according to a 802.11 protocol, and wherein the battery power source is the sole power source of the system and is not rechargeable.

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:

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.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the power consuming event is an alarm notification event, wherein the at least two power consuming components comprise the speaker and the alarm, and wherein the method further comprises preventing the speaker from operating during the alarm notification event.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the power consuming event is an alarm notification event, wherein the at least two power consuming components comprise the low-power wireless communications circuitry and the high-power wireless communications circuitry, and wherein the method further comprises:

preventing both the low-power wireless communications circuitry and the high-power wireless communications circuitry from simultaneously communicating respective alarm notifications.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the low-power 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 wherein the high-power 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.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein limiting execution of the power consuming event to one of the at least two power consuming components comprises reducing peak current consumption demand on the DC power source.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the DC power source is a battery power source.

27. A battery powered hazard detection system, the system comprising:

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.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the power consuming event is an alarm notification event, wherein the at least two power consuming components comprise the speaker and the alarm, and wherein the at least one processor is further operative to prevent the speaker from operating during the alarm notification event.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the power consuming event is an alarm notification event, wherein the at least two power consuming components comprise the low-power wireless communications circuitry and the high-power wireless communications circuitry, and wherein the at least one processor is further operative to:

prevent both the low-power wireless communications circuitry and the high-power wireless communications circuitry from simultaneously communicating respective alarm notifications.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the low-power 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 wherein the high-power 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.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein the at least one processer is further operative to reduce peak current consumption demand on the battery power source.