# US 2009/0153107 A1 · Method and apparatus for regulating electrical power from a non-perpetual power source > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0153107 A1 - Document ID: US20090153107A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/956,281 - Filed: 2007-12-13 - Published: 2009-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2007-12-13 - Inventors: Marcellus Chen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090153107A1 ## CPC - G05F 1/66: Regulating electric power - G05F: SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES ## Abstract A method and system for regulating electrical power from a non-perpetual power source. In one implementation, the method includes receiving a variable power output from the non-perpetual power source, wherein a power amplitude of the variable power output substantially varies over time; and generating a regulated current output or a regulated voltage output based in part on the variable power output received from the non-perpetual power source. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for regulating electrical power from a non-perpetual power source, the method comprising: receiving a variable power output from the non-perpetual power source, wherein a power amplitude of the variable power output substantially varies over time; and generating a regulated current output or a regulated voltage output based in part on the variable power output received from the non-perpetual power source. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the non-perpetual power source comprises one or more of an energy receiver, a light energy converter system, a physical motion energy-to-power converter system, or a heat energy-to-power converter system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein generating a regulated current output or a regulated voltage output further comprises generating a regulated current output or a regulated voltage output based in part on a voltage amplitude associated with the regulated current output or the regulated voltage output. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a non-varying power output from a perpetual power source, wherein generating a regulated current output or a regulated voltage output includes generating a regulated current output or a regulated voltage output also based in part on the non-varying power output from the perpetual power source. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the perpetual power source comprises one or more of an electrical outlet or a battery. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the regulated current output or the regulated voltage output to an output of a power regulator or an output of a battery. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the regulated current output or the regulated voltage output to an electronic device function. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the electronic device function comprises a component of an electronic device that requires power to operate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the component comprises an analog-to-digital converter, a switching regulator, a linear regulator, a power amplifier, or a transceiver. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising: receiving a control signal from the electronic device function, wherein generating a regulated current output or a regulated voltage output includes generating a regulated current output or a regulated voltage output also based in part on the control signal from the electronic device function. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising: calculating a total amount or a partial amount of power being consumed based on the variable power output from the non-perpetual power source; and providing the total amount or the partial amount of power being consumed to the electronic device function. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: comparing a voltage amplitude of the variable power output from the non-perpetual power source with a predetermined threshold voltage; and in response to the voltage amplitude of the variable power output being greater than the predetermined threshold voltage, directing electrical current from the non-perpetual power source to ground (GND) to lower the voltage amplitude of the variable power output below the predetermined threshold voltage. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: comparing a voltage amplitude of the variable power output from the non-perpetual power source with a predetermined under voltage; and in response to the voltage amplitude of the variable power output being lower than the predetermined under voltage, ceasing to generate the regulated current output or the regulated voltage output. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising storing electrical charge associated with the variable power output from the non-perpetual power source in a capacitor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein generating a regulated current output or a regulated voltage output comprises safely ramping up the regulated current output or the regulated voltage output. ### Claim 16 An electronic system comprising: a non-perpetual power source configured to generate a variable power output, wherein a power amplitude of the variable power output substantially varies over time; and a power controller configured to generate a regulated current output or a regulated voltage output based in part on the variable power output received from the non-perpetual power source. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The electronic system of claim 16, wherein the power controller comprises one or more of a current regulator, a voltage regulator, or a battery charger. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The electronic system of claim 16, further comprising: a perpetual power source configured to generate a non-varying power output, wherein the power controller is further configured to generate a regulated current output or a regulated voltage output based in part on the non-varying power output from the perpetual power source. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The electronic system of claim 16, wherein the non-perpetual power source comprises one or more of an energy receiver, a light energy converter system, a physical motion energy-to-power converter system, or a heat energy-to-power converter system. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The electronic system of claim 16, wherein the power controller is integrated onto an integrated circuit (IC) module including one of an analog-to-digital converter, a switching regulator, a linear regulator, a power amplifier, or a transceiver.