A method for automatic dual-power switching of a low-power pet feeder

Abstract

This application relates to the field of pet feeder power supply technology, and provides a method for automatic dual-power switching of a low-power pet feeder. The method includes: real-time acquisition of the external power supply voltage value via a power management chip; if the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to a preset voltage, connecting the external power supply circuit, disconnecting the battery power supply circuit, and simultaneously connecting the battery charging circuit to charge the battery, maintaining normal operation of all functions of the pet feeder; if the external power supply voltage is not greater than or equal to the preset voltage, disconnecting the external power supply circuit and the battery charging circuit, connecting the battery power supply circuit, and disabling the gimbal rotation function and camera preview function, causing the pet feeder to enter a low-power standby state; in the low-power standby state, if a remote wake-up signal or application wake-up signal is received, the pet feeder is awakened to perform the corresponding work task; after the work task is completed, the pet feeder returns to the low-power standby state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of power supply technology for pet feeders, and in particular to a method for automatic switching between dual power supplies for a low-power pet feeder. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing number of pet owners, automatic pet feeders have become widely used. Currently, automatic pet feeders mainly use either a single external power source or a single battery. Feeders powered by a single external power source will completely stop working when the mains power is interrupted, failing to perform preset feeding tasks and potentially causing pets to go without food for an extended period. Feeders powered by a single battery are unaffected by power outages, but the battery capacity is limited, requiring frequent replacement or charging by the user, which is inconvenient.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, some existing technologies have proposed dual-power supply solutions for pet feeders. These solutions typically switch to battery power when the external power source is disconnected, but they generally suffer from the following drawbacks: First, power switching only achieves a simple change in the power supply circuit and is not integrated with the power consumption control of the feeder's functional modules. After switching to battery power, all functional modules remain operational, resulting in excessive battery power consumption and short battery life. Second, the low-power mode design is flawed; either remote wake-up is not possible, or high standby power consumption is maintained to preserve wake-up functionality, making it difficult to achieve ultra-low power consumption at the microamp level. Third, the feeder cannot automatically and promptly enter a low-power state after completing its tasks, causing unnecessary energy waste. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a dual-power automatic switching method for a low-power pet feeder, aiming to solve the problem that no existing solution can simultaneously achieve seamless automatic switching between dual power supplies, targeted shutdown of specific non-essential functions after switching, microampere-level ultra-low power standby, and remote intelligent wake-up, thus failing to fundamentally solve the problem of long battery life for pet feeders in the event of a power outage.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a method for automatic dual-power switching of a low-power pet feeder, the method comprising: The voltage value of the external power supply is collected in real time through the power management chip; Determine if the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage. If the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage, connect the external power supply circuit, disconnect the battery power supply circuit, and simultaneously connect the battery charging circuit to charge the battery, keeping all functions of the pet feeder running normally. If the external power supply voltage is not greater than or equal to the preset voltage, disconnect the external power supply circuit and the battery charging circuit, connect the battery power supply circuit, and turn off the gimbal rotation function and the camera preview function, putting the pet feeder into a standby low-power state. In standby low-power mode, it continuously monitors for remote wake-up signals or application wake-up signals. If received, it wakes up the pet feeder to perform the corresponding task. After the task is completed, it disables preset unnecessary functions, allowing the pet feeder to return to standby low-power mode. It also obtains preset feeding plans and adjusts the execution time of the feeding plan when the pet feeder is on battery power, prioritizing the feeding task closest to the current time and postponing non-urgent auxiliary tasks. Furthermore, it monitors the pet's activity patterns through a built-in infrared sensor, establishes a pet activity time model, improves the device's response speed during periods of high pet activity, and further reduces the device's power consumption during periods of low pet activity.

[0006] In some embodiments, the step of acquiring the voltage value of the external power supply in real time through the power management chip includes: controlling the power management chip to periodically acquire the voltage value of the external power supply at a preset time interval, and triggering an interruption acquisition when the voltage of the external power supply changes abruptly, and storing the acquired voltage value in the internal register of the power management chip.

[0007] In some embodiments, determining whether the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to a preset voltage includes: continuously collecting the external power supply voltage value a preset number of times, calculating the average value of all collected voltage values, and determining whether the average value is greater than or equal to the preset voltage.

[0008] In some embodiments, the step of connecting the external power supply circuit and disconnecting the battery power supply circuit if the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage, and simultaneously connecting the battery charging circuit to charge the battery and keep all functions of the pet feeder running normally includes: detecting the remaining battery power, adjusting the charging current according to the remaining battery power, and disconnecting the battery charging circuit when the remaining battery power reaches the full charge threshold.

[0009] In some embodiments, the step of disconnecting the external power supply circuit and the battery charging circuit, connecting the battery power supply circuit, and turning off the gimbal rotation function and the camera preview function if the external power supply voltage is not greater than or equal to a preset voltage, so that the pet feeder enters a standby low-power state, includes: detecting the remaining battery power; when the remaining battery power is lower than a first power threshold, turning off the gimbal rotation function and the camera preview function; and when the remaining battery power is lower than a second power threshold, turning off all functions except for power status monitoring and wake-up signal monitoring.

[0010] In some embodiments, the step of continuously monitoring whether a remote wake-up signal or an application wake-up signal is received in the standby low-power state includes: continuously monitoring the remote wake-up signal and the application wake-up signal through an independent low-power communication module, the main controller remaining in a sleep state, and sending a wake-up command to the main controller when the low-power communication module receives a wake-up signal.

[0011] In some embodiments, the step of waking up the pet feeder to perform corresponding tasks upon receiving a wake-up signal includes: parsing the type of the wake-up signal, restoring the corresponding functional module according to the type of the wake-up signal, and performing the task corresponding to the type of the wake-up signal.

[0012] In some embodiments, the step of turning off preset unnecessary functions after the work task is completed, so that the pet feeder can re-enter the standby low-power state, includes: recording the completion time of the work task, waiting for a second preset time interval, turning off all unnecessary functions, so that the pet feeder can re-enter the standby low-power state.

[0013] In some embodiments, the method further includes: recording the number of charge-discharge cycles of the battery and the voltage change data during each charge-discharge process; calculating the battery's health status based on the recorded data; and sending a battery replacement reminder to the user when the battery's health status is lower than a preset health threshold.

[0014] This application achieves seamless automatic switching between external power and battery power, ensuring the pet feeder can still perform feeding tasks normally when mains power is interrupted, preventing pets from going hungry. When switching to battery power, unnecessary functions such as gimbal rotation and camera preview are automatically turned off, reducing standby power consumption to below 100 microamps and significantly extending battery life. It also supports remote wake-up and application wake-up, ensuring users can control the feeder to perform feeding, check status, and other operations at any time. After completing the task, it automatically re-enters a low-power state, further reducing power consumption and improving battery efficiency.

[0015] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the steps of a dual-power automatic switching method for a low-power pet feeder according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a pet feeder provided in one embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic block diagram of the structure of a dual-power automatic switching system for a low-power pet feeder provided in one embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic block diagram of the structure of a pet feeder provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0018] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit this application. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] The flowchart shown in the attached diagram is for illustrative purposes only and does not necessarily include all content and operations / steps, nor does it necessarily have to be performed in the described order. For example, some operations / steps can be broken down, combined, or partially merged, so the actual execution order may change depending on the actual situation.

[0021] It should be understood that, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of the present invention to distinguish identical or similar items with essentially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and the terms "first" and "second" are not necessarily different.

[0022] It should be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the application. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0023] It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used in this application specification and the appended claims means any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0024] With the increasing number of pet owners, automatic pet feeders have become widely used. Currently, automatic pet feeders mainly use either a single external power source or a single battery. Feeders powered by a single external power source will completely stop working when the mains power is interrupted, failing to perform preset feeding tasks and potentially causing pets to go without food for an extended period. Feeders powered by a single battery are unaffected by power outages, but the battery capacity is limited, requiring frequent replacement or charging by the user, which is inconvenient.

[0025] To address the aforementioned issues, some existing technologies have proposed dual-power supply solutions for pet feeders. These solutions typically switch to battery power when the external power source is disconnected, but they generally suffer from the following drawbacks: First, power switching only achieves a simple change in the power supply circuit and is not integrated with the power consumption control of the feeder's functional modules. After switching to battery power, all functional modules remain operational, resulting in excessive battery power consumption and short battery life. Second, the low-power mode design is flawed; either remote wake-up is not possible, or high standby power consumption is maintained to preserve wake-up functionality, making it difficult to achieve ultra-low power consumption at the microamp level. Third, the feeder cannot automatically and promptly enter a low-power state after completing its tasks, causing unnecessary energy waste.

[0026] To solve the above problem, please refer to Figure 1 This application provides a method for automatic dual-power switching of a low-power pet feeder, applicable to applications such as... Figure 2 The pet feeder shown is an example. It should also be noted that all information obtained using the methods described in this application was extracted with the authorization of the relevant user and in accordance with relevant regulations, and will not infringe upon user privacy.

[0027] The provided low-power pet feeder's dual-power automatic switching method includes steps S101 to S103. Details are as follows: Step S101. Collect the voltage value of the external power supply in real time through the power management chip.

[0028] Specifically, this invention provides a method for automatic dual-power switching of a low-power pet feeder. It achieves seamless automatic switching between external power and battery power through a power management chip, and combines targeted power consumption control of functional modules and an intelligent wake-up mechanism to reduce the standby power consumption of the pet feeder to below 100 microamps, significantly extending battery life. This method ensures that the pet feeder can still perform feeding tasks normally when the mains power is interrupted, while also supporting remote user control, solving the technical problems of high power consumption, short battery life, and inflexible wake-up in existing dual-power pet feeders.

[0029] This step provides the basic data support for automatic switching between dual power supplies, with the power management chip serving as the core execution unit. The power management chip integrates a high-precision analog-to-digital converter module, capable of converting the analog voltage signal from the external power supply into a processable digital signal.

[0030] In practice, the voltage acquisition input terminal of the power management chip is directly electrically connected to the output terminal of the external power supply to ensure that the acquired voltage value accurately reflects the actual operating state of the external power supply. The power management chip continuously samples and processes the input voltage signal and stores the sampling results in an internal dedicated register for subsequent logic judgment units to read and analyze.

[0031] Step S102. Determine whether the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage. If the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage, connect the external power supply circuit, disconnect the battery power supply circuit, and simultaneously connect the battery charging circuit to charge the battery, keeping all functions of the pet feeder running normally. If the external power supply voltage is not greater than or equal to the preset voltage, disconnect the external power supply circuit and the battery charging circuit, connect the battery power supply circuit, and turn off the gimbal rotation function and the camera preview function, so that the pet feeder enters the standby low power consumption state.

[0032] Specifically, this step is the core control step for automatic switching between dual power supplies. By performing logical judgments on the collected voltage data, the current power supply mode and power consumption management strategy are determined.

[0033] In practice, the preset voltage is stored in the non-volatile memory of the power management chip. This value is set based on the rated output voltage and allowable voltage fluctuation range of the external power supply. When the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage, it indicates that the external power supply is working normally. The power management chip controls the first set of switches to connect the external power supply circuit and simultaneously controls the second set of switches to disconnect the battery power supply circuit, so that the pet feeder is powered by the external power supply. At the same time, the power management chip controls the third set of switches to connect the battery charging circuit to charge the built-in battery, ensuring that the battery is always fully charged and ready for use. In this power supply mode, all functional modules of the pet feeder maintain normal operation, and the user can use all functions normally.

[0034] When the external power supply voltage is determined to be no greater than or equal to the preset voltage, it indicates a fault or disconnection in the external power supply. The power management chip immediately controls the first set of switches to disconnect the external power supply circuit and simultaneously controls the third set of switches to disconnect the battery charging circuit. Subsequently, it controls the second set of switches to connect the battery power supply circuit, seamlessly switching the pet feeder to battery-powered mode. To reduce battery power consumption and extend battery life, the power management chip also sends a low-power control command to the main controller. Upon receiving the command, the main controller immediately cuts off the power supply to the gimbal rotation module and the camera preview module, putting the pet feeder into a low-power standby state. In this state, the pet feeder retains only the two core functions of power status monitoring and wake-up signal monitoring, with overall power consumption controlled below 100 microamps.

[0035] Step S103. In standby low-power state, continuously monitor whether a remote wake-up signal or an application wake-up signal is received. If received, wake up the pet feeder to execute the corresponding work task. After the work task is completed, turn off the preset unnecessary functions and make the pet feeder return to standby low-power state. Also, by obtaining the preset feeding plan, when the pet feeder is in battery power state, adjust the execution time of the feeding plan, prioritize the feeding task closest to the current time, and postpone non-urgent auxiliary tasks. Also, monitor the pet's activity pattern through the built-in infrared sensor, establish a pet activity time model, improve the device's response speed during periods of frequent pet activity, and further reduce the device's power consumption level during periods of sparse pet activity.

[0036] Specifically, this step achieves an organic combination of low-power standby and intelligent wake-up, ensuring both extremely low standby power consumption and allowing users to remotely control the device at any time.

[0037] In practice, once the pet feeder enters a low-power standby state, the main controller enters a deep sleep mode, and all non-essential clock circuits and peripheral modules cease operation. Only the low-power communication module and power management chip remain operational. The low-power communication module continuously monitors the wireless communication channel, waiting to receive a wake-up signal.

[0038] When the low-power communication module receives a valid remote wake-up signal or application wake-up signal, it immediately sends a wake-up pulse through the main controller's dedicated wake-up pin. Upon detecting the wake-up pulse, the main controller quickly wakes up from deep sleep mode and resumes normal operation. After waking up, the main controller executes corresponding tasks based on the wake-up signal, such as quantitative feeding or reporting device status.

[0039] Once all tasks are completed, the main controller automatically shuts down all unnecessary functional modules that were temporarily activated during operation, allowing the pet feeder to re-enter a low-power standby state and wait for the next wake-up signal.

[0040] This step also provides an intelligent task scheduling method for battery-powered operation, prioritizing the core feeding function. The user pre-sets a feeding plan in the application, and the plan is synchronized to the main controller's memory. The main controller monitors the device's power supply status in real time.

[0041] When the device is powered by battery, the main controller prioritizes all tasks. Feeding is defined as the highest priority task, while tasks such as scheduled photo taking and status reporting are defined as non-urgent auxiliary tasks. The main controller prioritizes the feeding task most recent to ensure the pet is fed on time. For non-urgent auxiliary tasks, the main controller appropriately extends the execution interval or postpones the execution time.

[0042] Through intelligent task scheduling, the pet's basic food needs are prioritized even when battery power is limited.

[0043] This step provides a dynamic power consumption adjustment method based on pet activity patterns, further reducing power consumption while ensuring a good user experience. An infrared sensor detects the pet's activity near the feeder every minute and records the results. The main controller continuously records seven days of pet activity data to establish a daily activity time model, identifying the pet's active and inactive periods.

[0044] During periods when the pet is most active (such as before and after feeding times in the morning and evening), the main controller shortens the listening interval of the low-power communication module to one second, improving the response speed to user commands; at the same time, it keeps the camera preview function in standby mode, allowing users to quickly turn on the camera at any time to check on the pet's status.

[0045] During periods when the pet is not active (such as late at night), the main controller extends the listening interval of the low-power communication module to five seconds and completely shuts down the standby power of the camera preview function, retaining only the most basic power status monitoring and wake-up signal monitoring functions, further reducing standby power consumption to below fifty microamps.

[0046] By dynamically adjusting the power consumption strategy based on the pet's activity patterns, an optimal balance between power consumption and user experience is achieved.

[0047] In some embodiments, the step of acquiring the voltage value of the external power supply in real time through the power management chip includes: controlling the power management chip to periodically acquire the voltage value of the external power supply at a preset time interval, and triggering an interruption acquisition when the voltage of the external power supply changes abruptly, and storing the acquired voltage value in the internal register of the power management chip.

[0048] This embodiment optimizes the specific method of voltage acquisition in step S101, improving the real-time performance and accuracy of voltage monitoring.

[0049] In this embodiment, the voltage value of the external power supply is collected in real time by the power management chip, including: controlling the power management chip to periodically collect the voltage value of the external power supply at a first preset time interval, and triggering an interruption to collect the voltage value when the voltage of the external power supply changes abruptly, and storing the collected voltage value in the internal register of the power management chip.

[0050] In practice, the first preset time interval is set to 100 milliseconds, meaning the power management chip performs a routine sampling of the external power supply voltage every 100 milliseconds. Simultaneously, the power management chip has an internal voltage surge detection circuit that calculates the rate of change of the external power supply voltage in real time. When the rate of change exceeds a preset threshold, it indicates a drastic change in the external power supply state. The voltage surge detection circuit immediately triggers an interruption, and the power management chip pauses its periodic sampling process and immediately performs an emergency sampling of the external power supply voltage.

[0051] All collected voltage values ​​are stored in a dedicated data register inside the power management chip for subsequent voltage judgment logic to read. This embodiment combines periodic sampling with interrupt sampling, ensuring monitoring accuracy under normal conditions while enabling rapid response to sudden changes in the external power supply.

[0052] In some embodiments, determining whether the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to a preset voltage includes: continuously collecting the external power supply voltage value a preset number of times, calculating the average value of all collected voltage values, and determining whether the average value is greater than or equal to the preset voltage.

[0053] This embodiment optimizes the specific method of voltage judgment in step S102, effectively avoiding false switching caused by voltage fluctuations.

[0054] In this embodiment, determining whether the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to a preset voltage includes: continuously collecting the external power supply voltage value a preset number of times, calculating the average value of all collected voltage values, and determining whether the average value is greater than or equal to the preset voltage.

[0055] In practice, the preset number of measurements is set to five. When voltage judgment is required, the power management chip continuously collects the voltage values ​​of the external power supply five times, and then calculates the arithmetic mean of these five values. Finally, the calculated average value is compared with the preset voltage, and the corresponding operation is performed based on the comparison result.

[0056] This embodiment effectively filters out noise interference and instantaneous fluctuations in the external power supply voltage by taking multiple samples and averaging them, preventing unnecessary power switching caused by brief voltage drops, and improving the stability and reliability of the system.

[0057] In some embodiments, the step of connecting the external power supply circuit and disconnecting the battery power supply circuit if the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage, and simultaneously connecting the battery charging circuit to charge the battery and keep all functions of the pet feeder running normally includes: detecting the remaining battery power, adjusting the charging current according to the remaining battery power, and disconnecting the battery charging circuit when the remaining battery power reaches the full charge threshold.

[0058] This embodiment optimizes battery charging management in the external power supply mode, realizing intelligent charging and extending battery life.

[0059] In this embodiment, if the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage, the external power supply circuit is turned on, the battery power supply circuit is turned off, and the battery charging circuit is turned on to charge the battery, so as to keep all functions of the pet feeder running normally. This includes: detecting the remaining battery power, adjusting the charging current according to the remaining battery power, and turning off the battery charging circuit when the remaining battery power reaches the full charge threshold.

[0060] In practice, the power management chip monitors the remaining battery power in real time through its built-in battery power detection circuit. When charging begins, if the remaining battery power is below a first charging threshold, the power management chip uses a high-current fast charging mode; if the remaining battery power is above the first charging threshold but below a second charging threshold, the power management chip uses a medium-current constant-current charging mode; and if the remaining battery power is above the second charging threshold, the power management chip uses a low-current trickle charging mode.

[0061] When the battery's remaining charge reaches the full charge threshold, the power management chip immediately disconnects the battery charging circuit and stops charging. This embodiment, through staged intelligent charging, ensures charging speed while avoiding overcharging, effectively extending battery life.

[0062] In some embodiments, the step of disconnecting the external power supply circuit and the battery charging circuit, connecting the battery power supply circuit, and turning off the gimbal rotation function and the camera preview function if the external power supply voltage is not greater than or equal to a preset voltage, so that the pet feeder enters a standby low-power state, includes: detecting the remaining battery power; when the remaining battery power is lower than a first power threshold, turning off the gimbal rotation function and the camera preview function; and when the remaining battery power is lower than a second power threshold, turning off all functions except for power status monitoring and wake-up signal monitoring.

[0063] This embodiment optimizes low-power management in battery-powered mode by adopting a hierarchical power control strategy, which further extends the battery life.

[0064] In this embodiment, if the external power supply voltage is not greater than or equal to the preset voltage, the external power supply circuit and the battery charging circuit are disconnected, the battery power supply circuit is connected, and the gimbal rotation function and the camera preview function are turned off, so that the pet feeder enters a standby low-power state, including: detecting the remaining battery power; when the remaining battery power is lower than the first power threshold, turning off the gimbal rotation function and the camera preview function; when the remaining battery power is lower than the second power threshold, turning off all functions except power status monitoring and wake-up signal monitoring.

[0065] In practice, the first power threshold is set to 30% of the total battery capacity, and the second power threshold is set to 10% of the total battery capacity. When the pet feeder switches to battery-powered mode, the power management chip continuously monitors the remaining battery power.

[0066] When the remaining battery power falls below the first power threshold, the main controller shuts down the gimbal rotation module and the camera preview module, entering the first level of low-power state. When the remaining battery power continues to drop below the second power threshold, the main controller further shuts down all non-core functional modules, retaining only power status monitoring and wake-up signal monitoring functions, entering the second level of deep low-power state.

[0067] This embodiment uses graded power consumption control to dynamically adjust the device's power consumption level based on the remaining battery power, thereby maximizing battery life while ensuring basic functionality.

[0068] In some embodiments, the step of continuously monitoring whether a remote wake-up signal or an application wake-up signal is received in the standby low-power state includes: continuously monitoring the remote wake-up signal and the application wake-up signal through an independent low-power communication module, the main controller remaining in a sleep state, and sending a wake-up command to the main controller when the low-power communication module receives a wake-up signal.

[0069] This embodiment optimizes the wake-up signal monitoring method in low-power standby mode, significantly reducing standby power consumption.

[0070] In this embodiment, in the standby low-power state, continuous monitoring is performed to check whether a remote wake-up signal or an application wake-up signal is received. This includes: continuously monitoring the remote wake-up signal and the application wake-up signal through an independent low-power communication module, while the main controller remains in sleep mode. When the low-power communication module receives a wake-up signal, it sends a wake-up command to the main controller.

[0071] In practice, the low-power communication module is powered by an independent power domain, isolated from the main controller's power domain. When entering standby low-power state, the main controller enters deep sleep mode, where all its clocks and peripheral circuits cease operation, with only the wake-up pin remaining active. The low-power communication module, however, continues normal operation, continuously monitoring the wireless channel.

[0072] When the low-power communication module receives a valid wake-up signal, it immediately sends a high-level pulse lasting ten milliseconds through the wake-up pin of the main controller. Upon detecting this pulse, the main controller immediately wakes up from deep sleep mode. In this embodiment, a dedicated low-power communication module is used for wake-up monitoring, reducing overall standby power consumption to below one hundred microamps.

[0073] In some embodiments, the step of waking up the pet feeder to perform corresponding tasks upon receiving a wake-up signal includes: parsing the type of the wake-up signal, restoring the corresponding functional module according to the type of the wake-up signal, and performing the task corresponding to the type of the wake-up signal.

[0074] This embodiment optimizes the task execution method after wake-up, achieving precise wake-up and further reducing power consumption.

[0075] In this embodiment, if a wake-up signal is received, the pet feeder is awakened to perform the corresponding work task, including: parsing the type of the wake-up signal, restoring the corresponding functional module according to the type of the wake-up signal, and performing the work task corresponding to the type of the wake-up signal.

[0076] In practice, the wake-up signal contains a clear type identifier field. After the main controller wakes up, it first parses the wake-up signal to extract the type identifier. Then, based on the type identifier, it determines the task to be executed and only restores the functional modules necessary to perform the task, while other non-essential modules remain disabled.

[0077] For example, if the wake-up signal is a feeding task wake-up signal, the main controller only restores the feeding motor drive module and the communication module to perform the feeding operation; if the wake-up signal is a status query wake-up signal, the main controller only restores the communication module to report the device status information. This embodiment avoids unnecessary power consumption by selectively restoring functional modules.

[0078] In some embodiments, the step of turning off preset unnecessary functions after the work task is completed, so that the pet feeder can re-enter the standby low-power state, includes: recording the completion time of the work task, waiting for a second preset time interval, turning off all unnecessary functions, so that the pet feeder can re-enter the standby low-power state.

[0079] This embodiment optimizes the method of re-entering a low-power state after the task is completed, thus improving the user experience.

[0080] In this embodiment, after the work task is completed, preset unnecessary functions are turned off, so that the pet feeder can re-enter the standby low-power state. This includes: recording the completion time of the work task, waiting for a second preset time interval, and then turning off all unnecessary functions, so that the pet feeder can re-enter the standby low-power state.

[0081] In practice, the second preset time interval is set to thirty seconds. After the main controller completes its current task, it records the completion time and starts a timer. During the timer, the main controller maintains the current functional module state, waiting for any subsequent instructions from the user. If a new instruction is received during the timer, the main controller immediately executes the new task and restarts the timer.

[0082] If no new instructions are received after the timeout period ends, the main controller automatically shuts down all non-essential functional modules and re-enters the low-power standby state. This embodiment avoids frequent wake-up and sleep processes during continuous user operation by delaying the entry into the low-power state.

[0083] In some embodiments, the method further includes: recording the number of charge-discharge cycles of the battery and the voltage change data during each charge-discharge process; calculating the battery's health status based on the recorded data; and sending a battery replacement reminder to the user when the battery's health status is lower than a preset health threshold.

[0084] This embodiment provides a method for monitoring and alerting on battery health status, ensuring long-term reliable operation of the device.

[0085] In this embodiment, the method further includes: recording the number of charge and discharge cycles of the battery and the voltage change data during each charge and discharge cycle; calculating the battery's health status based on the recorded data; and sending a battery replacement reminder to the user when the battery's health status is lower than a preset health threshold.

[0086] In practice, the power management chip records the number of times the battery is charged and discharged in real time, as well as the voltage and current data at different time points during each charge and discharge process, and stores this data in the non-volatile memory of the main controller.

[0087] The main controller calculates the battery's health status monthly based on stored historical data. Battery health status is represented by the ratio of the battery's actual capacity to its rated capacity. When the calculated health status falls below a preset health threshold, the main controller sends a battery replacement reminder to the user's mobile terminal via a low-power communication module.

[0088] This embodiment monitors the battery health status in real time and promptly reminds users to replace the battery, thus avoiding equipment failure caused by battery aging.

[0089] In some embodiments, this embodiment provides a method for seamless switching between dual power supplies, which solves the problems of voltage drop and device restart that may occur during power switching, and ensures the continuity of the feeding task.

[0090] In this embodiment, the method further includes: during the power switching process, providing temporary power through the energy storage capacitor integrated inside the power management chip to maintain the normal operation of the main controller and key functional modules until the new power supply circuit is fully connected.

[0091] In practice, a 100 microfarad ceramic energy storage capacitor is connected in parallel to the output of the power management chip. When a power switching is detected, the power management chip first connects the target power supply circuit and then disconnects the original power supply circuit, forming a brief dual-power supply state. During this brief transition period, the energy storage capacitor can absorb voltage fluctuations and stabilize the output voltage.

[0092] If the original power supply circuit is suddenly disconnected (e.g., due to an unexpected power outage), the energy storage capacitor can maintain a stable output voltage for at least fifty milliseconds, providing sufficient power to the main controller and the feeding motor drive module to ensure that the feeding task being performed can be completed smoothly without interruption. This embodiment achieves truly seamless power switching, eliminating the risk of power interruption during the switching process.

[0093] In some embodiments, this embodiment provides an intelligent switching strategy when the external power supply is restored, avoiding damage to the device and battery caused by frequent power switching.

[0094] In this embodiment, the method further includes: when the pet feeder is in battery-powered mode, if the external power supply voltage is detected to recover to a level greater than or equal to a preset voltage, the external power supply voltage is continuously monitored for a preset period of time before switching back to the external power supply mode.

[0095] In practice, the preset stabilization time is set to thirty seconds. When the power management chip detects that the external power supply voltage has recovered to a level greater than or equal to the preset voltage, it does not immediately switch the power supply, but instead starts a thirty-second stabilization monitoring timer. During these thirty seconds, the power management chip continuously collects the external power supply voltage value at a frequency of once every ten milliseconds.

[0096] If all collected voltage values ​​are greater than or equal to the preset voltage within 30 seconds, it indicates that the external power supply has been stably restored. The power management chip will then perform a switchback operation, connecting the external power supply circuit, disconnecting the battery power supply circuit, and reconnecting the battery charging circuit. If any voltage value falls below the preset voltage within 30 seconds, it indicates that the external power supply is still unstable, the timer will reset, and monitoring will resume.

[0097] This embodiment effectively avoids frequent switching caused by external power supply voltage fluctuations by delaying the return switch and continuously monitoring stability, thus protecting the power switching devices and the battery and improving the reliability of the system.

[0098] In some embodiments, this embodiment provides a battery life prediction and intelligent early warning method based on historical data, which can inform users of the remaining battery life in advance and avoid sudden power outages.

[0099] In this embodiment, the method further includes: recording the discharge rate and historical battery life of the battery at different remaining charge levels; predicting the remaining battery life based on the current remaining battery charge and current power consumption level; and sending a low battery warning message to the user when the remaining battery life is lower than a preset warning duration.

[0100] In practice, the main controller records the average discharge current and duration for different remaining charge ranges during each battery discharge process and stores this data in non-volatile memory. When the pet feeder is in battery-powered mode, the main controller calculates the current average power consumption level in real time.

[0101] The main controller calculates the remaining battery life using linear interpolation based on historical discharge data and current power consumption levels. When the calculated remaining battery life is less than 24 hours, the main controller sends a Level 1 low battery warning to the user; when the remaining battery life is less than 6 hours, the main controller sends a Level 2 emergency low battery warning to the user.

[0102] This embodiment can accurately predict battery life, giving users ample time to prepare for battery replacement or restore external power, thus avoiding interruptions to the feeding task due to battery depletion.

[0103] In some embodiments, this embodiment provides an intelligent identification and handling method for abnormal power states, which can effectively protect devices from damage caused by power failures.

[0104] In this embodiment, the method further includes: real-time monitoring of the voltage fluctuation frequency and amplitude of the external power supply; when abnormal fluctuations in the external power supply are detected, automatically switching to battery power mode, recording abnormal power events, and sending a power failure reminder to the user.

[0105] In practice, the power management chip continuously calculates the standard deviation and fluctuation frequency of the external power supply voltage. When the voltage standard deviation exceeds the preset fluctuation threshold and the fluctuation frequency exceeds the preset frequency threshold, it indicates that the external power supply has experienced severe abnormal fluctuations (such as mains power surges, poor contact, etc.).

[0106] At this moment, the power management chip immediately and automatically switches to battery power mode, disconnecting the external power supply circuit to prevent abnormal voltage from damaging the internal circuitry of the device. Simultaneously, the main controller records the occurrence time, duration, and voltage change data of the abnormal power event, and sends a power failure alert to the user via the low-power communication module, suggesting that the user check the external power supply line.

[0107] Once the external power supply returns to normal and operates stably for 30 minutes, the device automatically switches back to external power supply mode. This embodiment can intelligently identify and handle abnormal power conditions, effectively protecting the safe operation of the equipment.

[0108] In some embodiments, this embodiment provides an emergency feeding guarantee mechanism in a low-power mode to ensure that at least one complete feeding task can still be performed when the battery power is extremely low.

[0109] In this embodiment, the method further includes: when the remaining battery power is lower than the emergency power threshold, locking all non-feeding functions, retaining only the timed feeding function, and pre-calculating the required power before performing the feeding task to ensure that there is enough power to complete a complete feeding operation.

[0110] In practice, the emergency power threshold is set to 5% of the total battery capacity. When the remaining battery power is lower than the emergency power threshold, the main controller immediately locks all non-core functions such as gimbal rotation, camera preview, remote manual feeding, and status reporting, retaining only the most basic timed feeding function.

[0111] Before each scheduled feeding task, the main controller calculates the amount of electricity required to complete a full feeding operation based on the current battery voltage and the rated current of the feeding motor. If the calculation shows that the remaining power is insufficient to complete a feeding operation, the main controller will appropriately reduce the amount of food to ensure that at least one partial feeding operation can be performed, thus preventing the pet from being unable to eat at all.

[0112] This embodiment provides a final safety guarantee for the pet feeder, ensuring the pet's basic feeding needs are met to the greatest extent possible, even in extreme situations where the battery power is extremely low.

[0113] Please see Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the dual-power automatic switching system 200 for a low-power pet feeder provided in this application embodiment. The dual-power automatic switching system 200 for the low-power pet feeder is used to execute the steps of the dual-power automatic switching method for the low-power pet feeder shown in the above embodiments. The dual-power automatic switching system 200 for the low-power pet feeder can be a single server or a server cluster, or it can be a terminal, such as a handheld terminal, a laptop computer, a wearable device, or a robot.

[0114] like Figure 3 As shown, the dual-power automatic switching system 200 for a low-power pet feeder includes: The numerical acquisition unit 201 is used to acquire the voltage value of the external power supply in real time through the power management chip; The voltage judgment unit 202 is used to determine whether the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage. If the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage, the external power supply circuit is turned on, the battery power supply circuit is turned off, and the battery charging circuit is turned on to charge the battery, so as to keep all functions of the pet feeder running normally. If the external power supply voltage is not greater than or equal to the preset voltage, the external power supply circuit and the battery charging circuit are turned off, the battery power supply circuit is turned on, and the gimbal rotation function and the camera preview function are turned off, so that the pet feeder enters the standby low power consumption state. The standby entry unit 203 is used to continuously monitor whether a remote wake-up signal or an application wake-up signal is received in the standby low-power state. If received, it wakes up the pet feeder to perform the corresponding work task. After the work task is completed, it closes the preset unnecessary functions and makes the pet feeder return to the standby low-power state. It also obtains the preset feeding plan and adjusts the execution time of the feeding plan when the pet feeder is in battery power mode, prioritizing the feeding task closest to the current time and postponing non-urgent auxiliary tasks. It also monitors the pet's activity patterns through the built-in infrared sensor, establishes a pet activity time model, improves the device's response speed during periods of frequent pet activity, and further reduces the device's power consumption during periods of sparse pet activity.

[0115] In some embodiments, the step of acquiring the voltage value of the external power supply in real time through the power management chip includes: controlling the power management chip to periodically acquire the voltage value of the external power supply at a preset time interval, and triggering an interruption acquisition when the voltage of the external power supply changes abruptly, and storing the acquired voltage value in the internal register of the power management chip.

[0116] In some embodiments, determining whether the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to a preset voltage includes: continuously collecting the external power supply voltage value a preset number of times, calculating the average value of all collected voltage values, and determining whether the average value is greater than or equal to the preset voltage.

[0117] In some embodiments, the step of connecting the external power supply circuit and disconnecting the battery power supply circuit if the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage, and simultaneously connecting the battery charging circuit to charge the battery and keep all functions of the pet feeder running normally includes: detecting the remaining battery power, adjusting the charging current according to the remaining battery power, and disconnecting the battery charging circuit when the remaining battery power reaches the full charge threshold.

[0118] In some embodiments, the step of disconnecting the external power supply circuit and the battery charging circuit, connecting the battery power supply circuit, and turning off the gimbal rotation function and the camera preview function if the external power supply voltage is not greater than or equal to a preset voltage, so that the pet feeder enters a standby low-power state, includes: detecting the remaining battery power; when the remaining battery power is lower than a first power threshold, turning off the gimbal rotation function and the camera preview function; and when the remaining battery power is lower than a second power threshold, turning off all functions except for power status monitoring and wake-up signal monitoring.

[0119] In some embodiments, the step of continuously monitoring whether a remote wake-up signal or an application wake-up signal is received in the standby low-power state includes: continuously monitoring the remote wake-up signal and the application wake-up signal through an independent low-power communication module, the main controller remaining in a sleep state, and sending a wake-up command to the main controller when the low-power communication module receives a wake-up signal.

[0120] In some embodiments, the step of waking up the pet feeder to perform corresponding tasks upon receiving a wake-up signal includes: parsing the type of the wake-up signal, restoring the corresponding functional module according to the type of the wake-up signal, and performing the task corresponding to the type of the wake-up signal.

[0121] In some embodiments, the step of turning off preset unnecessary functions after the work task is completed, so that the pet feeder can re-enter the standby low-power state, includes: recording the completion time of the work task, waiting for a second preset time interval, turning off all unnecessary functions, so that the pet feeder can re-enter the standby low-power state.

[0122] In some embodiments, the method further includes: recording the number of charge-discharge cycles of the battery and the voltage change data during each charge-discharge process; calculating the battery's health status based on the recorded data; and sending a battery replacement reminder to the user when the battery's health status is lower than a preset health threshold.

[0123] It should be noted that those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working process of the dual-power automatic switching system and each module of the low-power pet feeder described above can be referred to the corresponding content in the various embodiments of the dual-power automatic switching method of the low-power pet feeder, and will not be repeated here.

[0124] The aforementioned low-power pet feeder's dual-power automatic switching method can be implemented as a computer program, which can, for example... Figure 3 It runs on the device shown.

[0125] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic block diagram of the structure of a pet feeder provided in an embodiment of this application. The pet feeder includes a processor, a memory, and a network interface connected via a device bus, wherein the memory may include a storage medium and internal memory.

[0126] The storage medium can store operating devices and computer programs. The computer program includes program instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform any of the dual-power automatic switching methods for low-power pet feeders.

[0127] The processor provides computing and control capabilities to support the operation of the entire pet feeder.

[0128] The internal memory provides an environment for the execution of computer programs in non-volatile storage media. When the computer program is executed by the processor, it enables the processor to implement any dual-power automatic switching method for low-power pet feeders.

[0129] This network interface is used for network communication, such as sending assigned tasks. Those skilled in the art will understand that... Figure 4 The structure shown is merely a block diagram of a portion of the structure related to the present application and does not constitute a limitation on the terminal to which the present application is applied. A specific pet feeder may include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0130] It should be understood that the processor can be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), but it can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. Among these, a general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0131] In one embodiment, the processor is configured to run a computer program stored in memory to perform the following steps: The voltage value of the external power supply is collected in real time through the power management chip; Determine if the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage. If the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage, connect the external power supply circuit, disconnect the battery power supply circuit, and simultaneously connect the battery charging circuit to charge the battery, keeping all functions of the pet feeder running normally. If the external power supply voltage is not greater than or equal to the preset voltage, disconnect the external power supply circuit and the battery charging circuit, connect the battery power supply circuit, and turn off the gimbal rotation function and the camera preview function, putting the pet feeder into a standby low-power state. In standby low-power mode, it continuously monitors for remote wake-up signals or application wake-up signals. If received, it wakes up the pet feeder to perform the corresponding task. After the task is completed, it disables preset unnecessary functions, allowing the pet feeder to return to standby low-power mode. It also obtains preset feeding plans and adjusts the execution time of the feeding plan when the pet feeder is on battery power, prioritizing the feeding task closest to the current time and postponing non-urgent auxiliary tasks. Furthermore, it monitors the pet's activity patterns through a built-in infrared sensor, establishes a pet activity time model, improves the device's response speed during periods of high pet activity, and further reduces the device's power consumption during periods of low pet activity.

[0132] In some embodiments, the step of acquiring the voltage value of the external power supply in real time through the power management chip includes: controlling the power management chip to periodically acquire the voltage value of the external power supply at a preset time interval, and triggering an interruption acquisition when the voltage of the external power supply changes abruptly, and storing the acquired voltage value in the internal register of the power management chip.

[0133] In some embodiments, determining whether the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to a preset voltage includes: continuously collecting the external power supply voltage value a preset number of times, calculating the average value of all collected voltage values, and determining whether the average value is greater than or equal to the preset voltage.

[0134] In some embodiments, the step of connecting the external power supply circuit and disconnecting the battery power supply circuit if the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage, and simultaneously connecting the battery charging circuit to charge the battery and keep all functions of the pet feeder running normally includes: detecting the remaining battery power, adjusting the charging current according to the remaining battery power, and disconnecting the battery charging circuit when the remaining battery power reaches the full charge threshold.

[0135] In some embodiments, the step of disconnecting the external power supply circuit and the battery charging circuit, connecting the battery power supply circuit, and turning off the gimbal rotation function and the camera preview function if the external power supply voltage is not greater than or equal to a preset voltage, so that the pet feeder enters a standby low-power state, includes: detecting the remaining battery power; when the remaining battery power is lower than a first power threshold, turning off the gimbal rotation function and the camera preview function; and when the remaining battery power is lower than a second power threshold, turning off all functions except for power status monitoring and wake-up signal monitoring.

[0136] In some embodiments, the step of continuously monitoring whether a remote wake-up signal or an application wake-up signal is received in the standby low-power state includes: continuously monitoring the remote wake-up signal and the application wake-up signal through an independent low-power communication module, the main controller remaining in a sleep state, and sending a wake-up command to the main controller when the low-power communication module receives a wake-up signal.

[0137] In some embodiments, the step of waking up the pet feeder to perform corresponding tasks upon receiving a wake-up signal includes: parsing the type of the wake-up signal, restoring the corresponding functional module according to the type of the wake-up signal, and performing the task corresponding to the type of the wake-up signal.

[0138] In some embodiments, the step of turning off preset unnecessary functions after the work task is completed, so that the pet feeder can re-enter the standby low-power state, includes: recording the completion time of the work task, waiting for a second preset time interval, turning off all unnecessary functions, so that the pet feeder can re-enter the standby low-power state.

[0139] In some embodiments, the method further includes: recording the number of charge-discharge cycles of the battery and the voltage change data during each charge-discharge process; calculating the battery's health status based on the recorded data; and sending a battery replacement reminder to the user when the battery's health status is lower than a preset health threshold.

[0140] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement the steps of the dual-power automatic switching method for a low-power pet feeder as provided in any embodiment of this application.

[0141] The computer-readable storage medium can be the internal storage unit of the pet feeder described in the foregoing embodiments, such as the hard drive or memory of the pet feeder. Alternatively, the computer-readable storage medium can be an external storage device of the pet feeder, such as a plug-in hard drive, SmartMedia Card (SMC), Secure Digital (SD) card, or Flash Card equipped on the pet feeder.

[0142] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for automatic dual-power switching of a low-power pet feeder, characterized in that, include: The voltage value of the external power supply is collected in real time through the power management chip; Determining whether the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage includes: continuously collecting the external power supply voltage value a preset number of times, calculating the average value of all collected voltage values, and determining whether the average value is greater than or equal to the preset voltage; if the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage, connecting the external power supply circuit, disconnecting the battery power supply circuit, and simultaneously connecting the battery charging circuit to charge the battery, keeping all functions of the pet feeder running normally; if the external power supply voltage is not greater than or equal to the preset voltage, disconnecting the external power supply circuit and the battery charging circuit, connecting the battery power supply circuit, and turning off the gimbal rotation function and the camera preview function, putting the pet feeder into a standby low-power state, including: detecting the remaining battery power, turning off the gimbal rotation function and the camera preview function when the remaining battery power is lower than the first power threshold, and turning off all functions except power status monitoring and wake-up signal monitoring when the remaining battery power is lower than the second power threshold; In standby low-power mode, it continuously monitors for remote wake-up signals or application wake-up signals. If received, it wakes up the pet feeder to perform the corresponding task. After the task is completed, it disables preset unnecessary functions, allowing the pet feeder to return to standby low-power mode. It also obtains preset feeding plans and adjusts the execution time of the feeding plan when the pet feeder is on battery power, prioritizing the feeding task closest to the current time and postponing non-urgent auxiliary tasks. Furthermore, it monitors the pet's activity patterns through a built-in infrared sensor, establishes a pet activity time model, improves the device's response speed during periods of high pet activity, and further reduces the device's power consumption during periods of low pet activity.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method of acquiring the voltage value of the external power supply in real time through the power management chip includes: The power management chip periodically collects the voltage value of the external power supply at preset time intervals. At the same time, when the voltage of the external power supply changes abruptly, it triggers an interrupt to collect the voltage value and stores the collected voltage value in the internal register of the power management chip.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, If the external power supply voltage is greater than or equal to the preset voltage, the external power supply circuit is connected, the battery power supply circuit is disconnected, and the battery charging circuit is connected to charge the battery, ensuring that all functions of the pet feeder operate normally, including: The system detects the remaining battery power and adjusts the charging current accordingly. When the remaining battery power reaches the full charge threshold, the battery charging circuit is disconnected.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The continuous monitoring of whether a remote wake-up signal or an application wake-up signal is received during standby low-power mode includes: The main controller remains in sleep mode while continuously monitoring remote wake-up signals and application wake-up signals through an independent low-power communication module. When the low-power communication module receives a wake-up signal, it sends a wake-up command to the main controller.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, If received, the pet feeder will be activated to perform corresponding tasks, including: The type of wake-up signal is analyzed, the corresponding functional module is restored according to the type of wake-up signal, and the work task corresponding to the type of wake-up signal is executed.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of disabling preset unnecessary functions after the work task is completed, allowing the pet feeder to re-enter a low-power standby state, includes: Record the completion time of the task, wait for the second preset time interval, then turn off all unnecessary functions, allowing the pet feeder to re-enter standby low-power state.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Record the number of times the battery is charged and discharged and the voltage change data during each charge and discharge process. Calculate the battery's health status based on the recorded data. When the battery's health status is lower than the preset health threshold, send a battery replacement reminder to the user.

Images