Low power detection and power loss management for devices with limited available power

A method of power management in a device including a display and configured to be operable for power stealing from a system, the method comprising:

• automatically detecting a loss or inadequate level of power stealing from the system, the detection including determining that available power stealing from the system is inadequate for full operational capability of the device;
• automatically turning off power to the display in response to detection of the loss or inadequate level of power stealing from the system;
• wherein in response to detection of the loss or inadequate level of power stealing from the system, the method includes:
• automatically shutting off power to the display as a first-priority action, such that the display becomes completely dark without illuminated user indicia;
• automatically shutting off power to a backlight of the device as a second-priority action;
• automatically shutting off a Wi-Fi radio of the device as a third-priority action, only after determining that continued Wi-Fi operation would otherwise compromise system control;
• and
• after the display is completely dark, sending a notification to a cloud server indicating that the display has been turned off.

A method of power management in a thermostat including a display and configured to be operable for power stealing from an HVAC system, the method comprising:

• automatically detecting a loss of power stealing and/or inadequate power stealing by the thermostat from the HVAC system, the detection including determining that available power stealing by the thermostat from the HVAC system is inadequate for full operational capability of the thermostat;
• the thermostat automatically turning off power to its display in response to detection of a loss of power stealing and/or inadequate power stealing by the thermostat from the HVAC system, whereby the display of the thermostat is completely dark, blank, and/or without any illuminated user message or other indicia left on the display;
• in response to detection of the loss of power stealing and/or inadequate power stealing by the thermostat from the HVAC system, the method includes:
• automatically shutting off power to the display as a first-priority action, such that the display becomes completely dark without illuminated user indicia;
• automatically shutting off power to a backlight of the thermostat as a second-priority action;
• automatically shutting off a Wi-Fi radio of the thermostat as a third-priority action, only after determining that continued Wi-Fi operation would otherwise compromise HVAC control;
• and
• after the display is completely dark, sending a notification to a cloud server indicating that the display has been turned off.

A device comprising a display and configured to be operable for power stealing from a system, the device configured to be operable for:

• automatically detecting a loss of power stealing and/or inadequate power stealing by the device from the system, the detection including determining that available power stealing by the device from the system is inadequate for full operational capability of the device;
• automatically turning off power to its display in response to detection of a loss of power stealing and/or inadequate power stealing by the device from the system, whereby the display of the device is completely dark, blank, and/or without any illuminated user message or other indicia left on the display;
• in response to detection of the loss or inadequate level of power stealing by the device from the system, the device is configured to be operable for:
• automatically shutting off power to the display as a first-priority action, such that the display becomes completely dark without illuminated user indicia;
• automatically shutting off power to a backlight of the device as a second-priority action;
• automatically shutting off a Wi-Fi radio of the device as a third-priority action, only after determining that continued Wi-Fi operation would otherwise compromise system control;
• and
• after the display is completely dark, sending a notification to a cloud server indicating that the display has been turned off.

A thermostat comprising a display and configured to be operable for power stealing from an HVAC system, the thermostat configured to be operable for:

• automatically detecting a loss of power stealing and/or inadequate power stealing by the thermostat from the HVAC system, the detection including determining that available power stealing by the thermostat from the HVAC system is inadequate for full operational capability of the thermostat;
• automatically turning off power to its display in response to detection of a loss of power stealing and/or inadequate power stealing by the thermostat from the HVAC system, whereby the display of the thermostat is completely dark, blank, and/or without any illuminated user message or other indicia left on the display;
• in response to detection of the loss of power stealing and/or inadequate power stealing by the thermostat from the HVAC system, the thermostat is configured to be operable for:
• automatically shutting off power to the display as a first-priority action, such that the display becomes completely dark without illuminated user indicia;
• automatically shutting off power to a backlight of the thermostat as a second-priority action;
• automatically shutting off a Wi-Fi radio of the thermostat as a third-priority action, only after determining that continued Wi-Fi operation would otherwise compromise HVAC control;
• and
• after the display is completely dark, sending a notification to a cloud server indicating that the display has been turned off.