Power gating in hazard detection systems
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hazard detection system, comprising:
- a DC power source;
a power bus coupled to the DC power source;
a first group of components that are operable to be power gated ON and OFF, wherein the first group of components comprises a first hazard sensor;
power gating circuitry that selectively couples and de-couples the first group of components to the power bus;
a second group of components that are not operable to be power gated ON and OFF, the second group of components coupled to the power bus, wherein the second group of components comprises a second hazard sensor; and
control circuitry operative to control the power gating circuitry by instructing the power gating circuitry to selectively couple and de-couple at least one component of the first group of components to the power bus.
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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.
19 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A hazard detection system, comprising:
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a DC power source; a power bus coupled to the DC power source; a first group of components that are operable to be power gated ON and OFF, wherein the first group of components comprises a first hazard sensor; power gating circuitry that selectively couples and de-couples the first group of components to the power bus; a second group of components that are not operable to be power gated ON and OFF, the second group of components coupled to the power bus, wherein the second group of components comprises a second hazard sensor; and control circuitry operative to control the power gating circuitry by instructing the power gating circuitry to selectively couple and de-couple at least one component of the first group of components to the power bus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A battery powered hazard detection system, comprising:
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a battery supplied DC power source; a plurality of power converters coupled to the DC power source, each power converter operative to provide power at a voltage level different than a voltage provided by the DC power source; a plurality of power busses, each power bus connected to a respective one of the power converters; a first component coupled to the power bus that is connected to a first one of the power converters, wherein the first power converter is operative to be selectively turned ON and OFF, and wherein the first component receives power when the first power converter is ON; a first group of components operable to be power gated ON and OFF, wherein each component of the first group of components is independently coupled and de-coupled to the power bus that is connected to a second one of the power converters, and wherein the second power converter is always ON; a first plurality of power gating circuits, wherein each power gating circuit is coupled between the power bus that is connected to the second power converter and one of the components of the first group of components, and wherein each one of the power gating circuits is operative to selectively couple and de-couple a respective one of the components in the first group of components to the power bus that is connected to the second power converter; a second group of components that are not operable to be power gated ON and OFF, wherein each component of the second group of components is coupled to the power bus that is connected to the second power converter; and control circuitry operative to control each one of the power gating circuits to independently selectively couple and de-couple at least one component of the first group of components to the power bus that is connected to the second power converter. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for selectively power gating components in a hazard detection system, the system comprising at least one power bus, a first group of components that are operable to be power gated ON and OFF, wherein the first group of components comprises a first hazard sensor, power gating circuitry that selectively couples and de-couples the first group of components to the at least one power bus, a second group of components that are not operable to be power gated ON and OFF, the second group of components coupled to the at least one power bus, wherein the second group of components comprises a second hazard sensor, the method comprising:
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selecting one of a plurality of different modes for the hazard detection system; identifying a first subset of components within the first group of components that require uninterrupted power so that the hazard detection system operates according to the selected mode; identifying a second subset of components within the first group of components that do not require power in order for the hazard detection system to operate according to the selected mode; identifying a third subset of components within the first group of components that require intermittent power so that the hazard detection system operates according to the selected mode; instructing the power gating circuitry to couple the first subset of components to the at least one power bus; instructing the power gating circuitry to de-couple the second subset of components from the at least one power bus; instructing the power gating circuitry to selectively couple and de-couple the third subset of components to and from the at least one power bus; and operating the hazard detection system according to the selected mode. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification