Portable communication device with energy generation system

Abstract

Portable electronic devices and methods for powering portable electronic devices are disclosed herein. In one example, a portable electronic device includes a processor, at least one energy storage unit and a kinetic energy system. The kinetic energy system converts kinetic energy collected from motion of the portable electronic device to electrical energy, and distributes the electrical energy among the at least one energy storage unit and one or more other electrical components of the portable electronic device.

1 . A portable electronic device movable by a user comprising:
 a processor electrically coupled to a non-transitory memory, the processor executing computer-readable instructions stored in the non-transitory memory;   at least one energy storage unit electrically coupled to the processor; and   a kinetic energy system, electrically coupled to the processor and the at least one energy storage unit, the kinetic energy system configured to convert kinetic energy collected from motion of the portable electronic device to electrical energy utilized by one or more components of the portable electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication transponder electrically coupled to the processor and configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one external electronic device over a communication channel, wherein the communication transponder receives instructions from the processor to pass information between the portable electronic device and the external electronic device over the communication channel. 
     
     
         3 . The portable electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one external electronic device is a secured device and the portable electronic device communicates electronic credentials or acts as a digital key to gain access to the secured device. 
     
     
         4 . The portable electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein the secured device is a vehicle security system. 
     
     
         5 . The portable electronic device of  claim 2 , further comprising a motion sensor electrically coupled to the processor, wherein the motion sensor detects a motion of the user and the processor interprets the detected motion and outputs one or more predetermined commands to the at least one external electronic device. 
     
     
         6 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the kinetic energy system distributes the electrical energy among the at least one energy storage unit and one or more other electrical components of the portable electronic device based on at least one of a charge state of the at least one energy storage unit, a predetermined operation mode of the portable electronic device, and an operating state of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         7 . The portable electronic device of  claim 6 , wherein when the charge state of the at least one energy storage unit reaches a threshold charge state, the kinetic energy system deactivates and no additional kinetic energy is converted to electrical energy. 
     
     
         8 . The portable electronic device of  claim 6 , wherein the predetermined operation mode includes at least one of an identity verification mode, a digital wallet transaction mode, a secure access mode, a biometric tracking mode, a control mode for controlling a further electronic device, a communication mode, and an emergency response mode. 
     
     
         9 . The portable electronic device of  claim 6 , wherein the operating state is at least one of a standby mode or a communication mode, and when the portable electronic device is in communication mode, the kinetic energy system distributes more electrical energy at a time from the at least one energy storage unit to the one or more other electrical components than the electrical energy distributed when the portable electronic device is in standby mode. 
     
     
         10 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the motion of the portable electronic device is derived from movement of the user. 
     
     
         11 . An electronic device that utilizes energy derived from user movement comprising:
 at least one energy storage unit;   one or more electrical components in electrical communication with the at least one energy storage unit; and   a kinetic energy system in communication with the at least one energy storage unit and the one or more electrical components, wherein the kinetic energy system converts kinetic energy collected from motion of the electronic device to electrical energy, wherein the kinetic energy system includes a power management unit that selectively distributes the electrical energy among the at least one energy storage unit and the one or more electrical components of the electronic device.   
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one energy storage unit includes a primary energy storage unit and at least one secondary energy storage unit. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein the power management unit
 detects a current charge state of each of the primary energy storage unit and the at least one secondary energy storage unit, and   when the current charge state of the primary energy storage unit is below a predetermined threshold, the power management unit distributes the electrical energy to the primary energy storage unit, and   when the current charge state of the primary energy storage unit is at the predetermined threshold and the current charge state of the at least one secondary energy storage unit is below the predetermined threshold, the power management unit distributes the electrical energy to the at least one secondary energy storage unit, and   when both the current charge state of the primary energy storage unit is at the predetermined threshold and the current charge state of the at least one secondary energy storage unit is at the predetermined threshold, the power management unit prevents both the primary energy storage unit and the at least one secondary energy storage unit from receiving additional electrical energy.   
     
     
         14 . The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the power management unit distributes at least one of the electrical energy currently converted from the kinetic energy and previously stored electrical energy from the at least one energy storage unit to the one or more electrical components based on at least one of the predetermined operation mode, the current operating state, and predetermined energy specifications for each of the one or more electrical components. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the kinetic energy system comprises:
 an oscillating mass that converts the collected motion to rotational energy;   a generator that converts the rotational energy to the electrical energy; and   a gear train coupled to the oscillating mass and the generator, wherein the gear train comprises one or more mechanical gears configured to amplify rotational speed, and wherein the gear train transfers rotational energy between the oscillating mass and the generator.   
     
     
         16 . The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the power management unit
 determines whether a charge state of the at least one energy storage unit reaches a threshold charge state; and   when the charge state reaches the threshold state, diverts the electrical energy away from the at least one energy storage unit, disengages the gear train, or decouples the electromagnetic generator from the power management unit.   
     
     
         17 . A method of powering a portable electronic device by kinetic motion, the method comprising:
 converting motion of a user into kinetic energy, wherein the user is in contact with the portable electronic device;   converting the kinetic energy into electrical energy; and   selectively distributing the electrical energy among at least one energy storage unit and one or more electrical components of the portable electronic device.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein distributing the electrical energy is based on at least one of a charge state of the at least one energy storage unit, a predetermined operation mode of the portable electronic device, and an operating state of the portable electronic device, wherein the operating state of the portable electronic device is at least one of a standby mode or a communication mode. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one energy storage unit includes a primary energy storage unit and at least one secondary energy storage unit, and distributing the electrical energy among at least one energy storage unit comprises:
 detecting a current charge state of each of the primary energy storage unit and the at least one secondary storage unit, and   distributing the electrical energy among the primary energy storage unit and the at least one secondary energy storage unit according to each detected current charge state.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising operating the portable electronic device in a predetermined operation mode involving interaction of the portable electronic device with a connected electronic device, wherein, during the predetermined operation mode, information is passed between the portable electronic device and the connected electronic device according to the predetermined operation mode, via a communication transponder configured to wirelessly communicate with the connected electronic device over a communication channel.