US 11,942,815 B1
Method and device for power management in a solar-powered electronic device
Jonathan Bean, Arvada, CO (US); Joseph James Deppong, Vernon Hills, IL (US); and Andrew James Murfin, Denver, CO (US)
Assigned to Geotab Inc., Oakville (CA)
Filed by Geotab Inc., Oakville (CA)
Filed on Nov. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/508,628.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/540,415, filed on Sep. 26, 2023.
Int. Cl. H02J 7/35 (2006.01); H02J 7/00 (2006.01)
CPC H02J 7/35 (2013.01) [H02J 7/0032 (2013.01); H02J 7/007182 (2020.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method in an electronic device comprising a power management subsystem, a controller, and a plurality of peripherals, the electronic device powered by a solar panel and a rechargeable battery both connected at respective positive terminals thereof to the controller and the plurality of peripherals, the method comprising:
determining whether the solar panel is connected at a negative terminal thereof to a ground terminal;
in response to determining that the solar panel is connected at the negative terminal thereof to the ground terminal, disconnecting the negative terminal to the ground terminal;
reading a voltage at the negative terminal of the solar panel; and
in response to determining, based on the voltage, that the solar panel is generating sufficient electrical energy to power at least some of the plurality of peripherals:
connecting the negative terminal of the solar panel to the ground terminal.