Self-powered devices and methods

A networked system, comprising:

• a computing device;
• a self-powered device configured to selectively communicate with the computing device, the self-powered device comprising:
• a power circuit configured to convert an external energy source into a power signal that powers the self-powered device;
• a processor electrically coupled to the power circuit;
• a memory containing:
• instructions for selecting one of a plurality of modes of operation, wherein the plurality of modes of operation include a first mode of operation in which the self-powered device consumes less than a pre-determined or adaptively-determined amount of power and a second mode of operation in which self-powered device consumes more than the pre-determined or adaptively-determined amount of power;
• instructions for conserving power by alternating between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation, such that the self-powered device is in the second mode of operation during pre-determined or adaptively-determined time intervals, and wherein a duty-cycle of the second mode of operation relative to the first mode of operation is in accordance with a power budget for the self-powered device;
• and
• instructions for communicating with the computing device only during the second mode of operation.

A self-powered device configured to selectively communicate with a remote computing device, the self-powered device comprising:

• a means for converting an external energy source into a power signal for powering the self-powered device;
• a means for processing data;
• a means for storing data comprising:
• instructions for selecting one of a plurality of modes of operation, wherein the plurality of modes of operation include a first mode of operation in which the self-powered device consumes less than a pre-determined or adaptively-determined amount of power and a second mode of operation in which self-powered device consumes more than the pre-determined or adaptively-determined amount of power;
• instructions for conserving power by alternating between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation, such that the self-powered device is in the second mode of operation during pre-determined or adaptively-determined time intervals, and wherein a duty-cycle of the second mode of operation relative to the first mode of operation is in accordance with a power budget for the self-powered device;
• and
• instructions for communicating with the computing device only during the second mode of operation.