US 11,973,357 B1
Device and method 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. 18/508,646.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/540,415, filed on Sep. 26, 2023.
Int. Cl. H02J 7/00 (2006.01); H02J 7/35 (2006.01)
CPC H02J 7/00038 (2020.01) [H02J 7/0036 (2013.01); H02J 7/0047 (2013.01); H02J 7/35 (2013.01); H02J 2300/24 (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 with the controller and the plurality of peripherals via an unregulated voltage bus, the method comprising:
reading a voltage of the unregulated voltage bus; and
in response to determining that the rechargeable battery is connected to the unregulated voltage bus:
in response to determining, based on the voltage of the unregulated voltage bus, that the rechargeable battery is fully charged:
in response to determining that the solar panel provides sufficient electric energy, disconnecting the rechargeable battery from the unregulated voltage bus;
wherein the solar panel provides sufficient electric energy when current flows from the solar panel to the rechargeable battery.