Ultra-low power environmental power generation electronic device equipped with an energy-efficient backup circuit

Abstract

An electrical energy storage system (20A) that stores electrical energy received from an environmental power generation power source and supplies the stored energy to an applied workload includes an input section (N21) that receives electrical energy from the environmental power generation power source. This system (20A) includes a first electrical energy storage section (24) having a first storage capacity and a second electrical energy storage section (25) having a second storage capacity larger than the first storage capacity. The system also includes an output section (N22) that provides electrical energy from the second electrical energy storage section (25) to the applied workload. When the control circuit section determines and determines that the timing when the first charging condition is satisfied is satisfied, the first electrical energy storage section (24) is electrically disconnected from the second electrical energy storage section (25), and the first electrical energy storage section (24) is electrically connected to the input section (N21), and electrical energy is passed from the input section (N21) to the first electrical energy storage section (24). When the control circuit section determines and determines that the timing when the second charging condition is satisfied is satisfied, the first electrical energy storage section (24) is electrically disconnected from the input section (N21), and the first electrical energy storage section (24) is electrically connected to the second electrical energy storage section (25), and electrical energy is passed from the first electrical energy storage section (24) to the second electrical energy storage section (25).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to ultra-low power energy harvesting circuit designs. [Background technology]

[0002] Real-time location systems (RTLS), also known as real-time tracking systems, are used to automatically identify and track the location of objects and people in real time. Unlike global positioning satellite (GPS) systems, RTLS typically operate within buildings or other controlled areas. Wireless RTLS tags are attached to physical objects or worn by people. In most RTLS systems, fixed reference points receive radio "beacon" signals from tags to determine their location. RTLS reference points may also transmit information to tags. Multiple reference points are placed throughout a building (or similar area of interest) to provide the desired tag detection range. Tag location accuracy depends on many variables. Examples of real-time location systems include tracking cars through an assembly line, locating pallets of goods in a warehouse, and locating medical equipment in a hospital.

[0003] RTLS designs published to date use a combination of at least one photovoltaic element (solar cell) and a battery to power the tag processing. When the battery becomes discharged, the tag (and, consequently, the asset to which the tag is attached) temporarily goes missing until the battery is sufficiently charged so that the tag can transmit a beacon signal. This can happen if the circuitry is not optimized or if ambient lighting levels are too low. While a larger battery or photovoltaic element would allow the tag to transmit a beacon signal constantly, such designs increase cost, require more maintenance (even rechargeable batteries eventually need to be replaced), and are larger in size. Therefore, the ideal tag design would be small, low-cost, and able to harvest energy to provide a beacon signal periodically regardless of energy-harvesting conditions.

[0004] As wireless RTLS tags, those that use sensors to transmit the information detected by the sensors to a determined reference point have been disclosed. Such sensor tags transmit both the position of the tag and at least one physically detected attribute (e.g., temperature, humidity, acceleration, etc.). When the tag is attached to a stationary object, the tag may not need to transmit position information.

[0005] Patent application US20180295466A1 discloses a wireless beacon for low-power and short-range radio frequencies, and an apparatus, system, and manufactured article for a beacon housing. The tag disclosed in US20180295466A1 uses a battery, but does not disclose a method of performing ambient power generation to supply power to the tag, nor does it disclose a circuit design optimized for ultra-low power consumption processing. Patent application US20100013639A1 discloses a system for providing asset tracking of mobile assets, but does not disclose a circuit design optimized for ultra-low power consumption processing. Patent applications US2019 / 0354824A1, US20180110012A1, US20210073153A1, US20190028089A1, US20110264293A1, US20130020880A1, US8264194B1, US8686681B2, US10211647B2, EP1751727B1, EP3787148A1, US20190265664A1, WO2011083424A1, EP3264785B1, and WO2016187019A1 disclose various tag devices used for detection purposes and tag location identification.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to realize various electronic devices that collect energy from ambient lighting and supply power to corresponding application workloads. When the collected energy becomes surplus, the surplus collected energy can be stored in a corresponding energy backup circuit. When the collected energy is insufficient, the energy stored in the aforementioned energy backup circuit is used to supply power to the corresponding application workload. The electronic devices disclosed in this specification are configured to optimize the power supply to the corresponding application workload in order to optimize the amount of useful work performed by themselves with the collected energy. By optimizing the amount of useful work performed with the collected energy, the overall power consumption of the electronic device is reduced.

[0007] Each electronic device of the present invention can be a tag device or included within a tag device. The electronic device can communicate information to a network of multiple wireless receivers via a wireless transmitter. This electronic device can communicate information that enables it to confirm its own position, or information regarding data acquired by one or more sensors corresponding to itself. Some aspects of the present invention disclose each electronic device that measures the level of ambient lighting and automatically optimizes the power supply to the corresponding application workload accordingly. When this electronic device is equipped with a wireless transmitter, the optimized power supply can optimize the data transmission speed by the wireless transmitter (that is, the circuit efficiency of the electronic device is optimized). By optimizing the power supply to the application workload, the circuit efficiency can be optimized, and as a result, the application workload can optimize the amount of useful work performed as the energy collected by the electronic device.

[0008] Each aspect of the present invention aims to miniaturize the electronic device and reduce costs while maintaining an acceptable circuit efficiency by optimizing the power supply to the application workload within the electronic device in order to reduce the overall power consumption compared to the prior art. In other words, the electronic devices of the present invention aim to obtain the advantages of low cost and miniaturization by performing more useful work than conventional electronic devices with the same amount of energy and having a higher circuit efficiency.

[0009] Each aspect of the present invention discloses a novel configuration of an ultra-low power environmental power generation electronic device having a corresponding energy backup circuit. Some aspects of the present invention reinforce previously disclosed ultra-low power consumption environmental power generation electronic devices with a novel energy backup circuit. The energy backup circuit enables efficient storage of energy when the collected energy is in surplus (i.e., the amount of energy wasted during the energy storage process is reduced). The energy backup circuit enables efficient supply of the stored energy to the applied workload even when the collected energy is insufficient (i.e., the amount of energy wasted during the energy supply process is reduced). As a result, efficient energy storage and efficient energy supply optimize the amount of useful work that the electronic device can perform.

[0010] Each aspect of the present invention utilizes an environmental power generation unit that can be a photovoltaic unit. Since each aspect of the present invention utilizes a photovoltaic unit that is smaller than those of the prior art, it is possible to reduce the size and cost while maintaining an acceptable circuit efficiency. Different from the prior art, some electronic devices according to the present invention do not use a battery or a rechargeable battery (i.e., only a capacitor or a supercapacitor is used to store energy), so it is possible to further reduce the size and cost while maintaining an acceptable circuit efficiency. The present invention is not limited to environmental power generation devices that are photovoltaic units. The environmental power generation unit of the present invention can collect energy from a light source (i.e., a photovoltaic unit), an electromagnetic wave source, a heat source, a wind source, a salinity gradient, a motion source / vibration source, or any combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0011] Aspects of the present invention disclose an energy backup circuit comprising a first energy storage unit and a second energy storage unit, wherein the second energy storage unit has an energy storage capacity greater than that of the first energy storage unit. A control circuit corresponding to the energy backup circuit can store surplus electrical energy collected by a corresponding electronic device in the energy backup circuit using a novel two-stage energy storage process. In the first stage of the energy storage process, the surplus collected energy is first stored in the first energy storage unit, and the second energy storage unit is electrically insulated from the first energy storage unit. In the second stage of the energy storage process, while the energy of the first energy storage unit is transferred to the second energy storage unit, the input of the energy backup circuit is electrically insulated from the corresponding electronic device. After the second stage of the energy storage process is completed, the first stage of the energy storage process can be repeated. The circuit conditions enabling the first stage of the energy storage process may be different from those enabling the second stage of the energy storage process. It has been found that by combining the novel electrical component arrangement within the energy backup circuit and the novel two-stage energy storage process, the energy efficiency of energy storage is particularly high.

[0012] Aspects of the present invention disclose a control circuit unit corresponding to an energy backup circuit that enables the energy stored in the energy backup circuit to be supplied to a corresponding application workload within an electronic device when the collected energy is insufficient. The novel electrical component arrangement within the energy backup circuit has been found to be particularly energy-efficient in supplying the stored energy to the corresponding application workload when the collected energy is insufficient.

[0013] Each aspect of the present invention discloses each energy backup circuit capable of performing an energy storage process (i.e., a charging process) in the case of a first group of circuit states. Each aspect of the present invention discloses each energy backup circuit capable of performing an energy supply process (i.e., a discharging process) in the case of a second group of circuit states. Each aspect of the present invention discloses an energy backup circuit capable of performing no process in the case of a third group of circuit states (i.e., neither a charging process nor a discharging process). The first group of circuit states may be different from both the second group of circuit states and the third group of circuit states. The second group of circuit states may be different from the third group of circuit states. No process may occur when neither a charging process nor a discharging process is performed (i.e., energy is not stored in the energy backup circuit and is not supplied from the energy backup circuit to the applicable workload). Usually, all electronic devices disclosed as examples in this specification include corresponding energy backup circuits, and these corresponding energy backup circuits can perform a charging process, a discharging process, and no process. Usually, all electronic devices described as examples in this specification may include corresponding energy storage units in addition to the energy backup circuits. Usually, all electronic devices described as examples in this specification may be ultra-low power consumption environmental power generation devices equipped with energy backup circuits.

[0014] One aspect of the present invention provides an electrical energy storage system that stores electrical energy received from an environmental power generation source and supplies the stored energy to an applied service load. The electrical energy storage system includes an input unit that receives electrical energy from the environmental power generation source, a first electrical energy storage unit having a first storage capacity, a second electrical energy storage unit having a second storage capacity larger than the first storage capacity, an output unit that supplies electrical energy from the second electrical energy storage unit to the applied service load, and a control circuit unit. When the control circuit unit determines the timing at which a first charging condition is satisfied and determines that the first charging condition is satisfied, the control circuit unit electrically disconnects the first electrical energy storage unit from the second electrical energy storage unit and electrically connects the first electrical energy storage unit to the input unit to transfer electrical energy from the input unit to the first electrical energy storage unit. When the control circuit unit determines the timing at which a second charging condition is satisfied and determines that the second charging condition is satisfied, the control circuit unit electrically disconnects the first electrical energy storage unit from the input unit and electrically connects the first electrical energy storage unit to the second electrical energy storage unit to transfer electrical energy from the first electrical energy storage unit to the second electrical energy storage unit.

[0015] The first charging condition of the electrical energy storage system of the present invention may be configured to at least partially depend on a first voltage level at a first position of the electrical energy storage system and / or the environmental power generation source, and at the same time, the second charging condition may be configured to at least partially depend on a second voltage level at a second position of the electrical energy storage system and / or the environmental power generation source. The first position and the second position may be the same position or different positions.

[0016] The electrical energy storage system of the present invention can be configured such that each of the first voltage level and the second voltage level is an input voltage from an environmental power generation source, and / or an output voltage of the first electrical energy storage unit, and / or a voltage at each position between the input unit from the environmental power generation source and the output unit of the first electrical energy storage unit, and / or an input voltage to the second electrical energy storage unit, and / or a voltage at each position between the output unit of the first electrical energy storage unit and the input unit to the second electrical energy storage unit.

[0017] The electrical energy storage system of the present invention can be configured such that the control circuit unit is composed of a voltage detector for determining the voltage level at the first position and / or the second position.

[0018] The electrical energy storage system of the present invention can be configured such that the first charging condition consists of the first voltage having a value equal to or less than a first threshold value, and the second charging condition consists of the voltage at the second position having a value equal to or greater than a second threshold value.

[0019] The electrical energy storage system of the present invention can be configured such that the second threshold value is higher than the first threshold value.

[0020] The electrical energy storage system of the present invention can include a control circuit unit configured to start detecting the first charging condition after electrically coupling the first electrical energy storage unit to the second electrical energy storage unit.

[0021] The electrical energy storage system of the present invention can include a control circuit unit configured to start detecting the second charging condition after electrically coupling the first electrical energy storage unit to the input unit.

[0022] The electrical energy storage system of the present invention can be configured such that the level of the output voltage of the second electrical energy storage unit being greater than the voltage of the first threshold value indicates that the charging of the second electrical energy storage unit is completed.

[0023] In the electrical energy storage system of the present invention, the control circuit unit may be configured to include one or more switches for electrically coupling and decoupling the first electrical energy storage unit to the input unit and to the second electrical energy storage unit.

[0024] In the electrical energy storage system of the present invention, the control circuit unit is configured to include a first switch between the input unit and the first electrical energy storage unit, and a second switch between the first electrical energy storage unit and the second electrical energy storage unit, and the control circuit unit is configured such that the first switch and the second switch are always in opposite states at least when the electrical energy storage system is in a charged state.

[0025] The electrical energy storage system of the present invention can be configured to switch between a charging state in which the first switch is in either an open state or a closed state and the second switch is in a state opposite to that of the first switch, and a discharging state in which both the first switch and the second switch are in a closed state or the first switch is in a closed state and the second switch is in an open state.

[0026] In the electrical energy storage system of the present invention, the first electrical energy storage unit may be configured to include at least one capacitor.

[0027] In the electrical energy storage system of the present invention, the second electrical energy storage unit may be configured to include at least one of a capacitor, a supercapacitor, or a rechargeable battery.

[0028] The electrical energy storage system of the present invention may include a DC-DC converter between the first electrical energy storage unit and the second electrical energy storage unit.

[0029] When it is determined that the first charging condition is satisfied, the electric energy storage system of the present invention may include a control circuit unit configured to electrically disconnect the DC-DC converter from at least one of the first electric energy storage unit and the second electric energy storage unit.

[0030] In the electric energy storage system of the present invention, the input part and the output part of the electric energy storage system may be configured to be provided by a common conductor.

[0031] The electric energy storage system of the present invention may include an asymmetric conductance part between the output part of the second electric energy storage unit and the shared conductor.

[0032] The electric energy storage system of the present invention may include an input isolation switch for disconnecting the first electric energy storage unit and / or the second electric energy storage unit from the input part, and / or an output isolation switch for disconnecting the first electric energy storage unit and / or the second electric energy storage unit from the output part. The input isolation switch and the output isolation switch may be a common switch or different switches.

[0033] The electric energy storage system of the present invention may include a resistor between the second electric energy storage unit and the output part for controlling the discharge rate of the second electric energy storage unit via the output part.

[0034] The electric energy storage system of the present invention may include a current regulator between the switch corresponding to the electric energy storage system and the environmental power generation source. The current regulator is configured to control the rate of receiving energy from the environmental power generation source and / or is configured to control the rate of supplying energy from the electric energy storage system to the applied service load.

[0035] One aspect of the present invention provides an electrical supply system configured to supply power to an applied service load, the electrical supply system comprising the electrical energy storage system and the environmental power generation source.

[0036] In the electrical supply system of the present invention, the environmental power generation source may be configured to consist of a photovoltaic part.

[0037] In the electrical supply system of the present invention, the environmental power generation source may be further configured to comprise an energy storage part, a load switch, and a voltage detector.

[0038] The electrical supply system of the present invention is configured to electrically connect and disconnect the applied service load to / from the output part of the environmental power generation source and / or electrically connect and disconnect the applied service load to / from the electrical energy storage system and / or electrically connect and disconnect the output part of the environmental power generation source to / from the electrical energy storage system, at least partially based on the voltage at a predetermined position within the electrical supply system, and may comprise a control circuit part.

[0039] The electrical supply system of the present invention may comprise a control circuit part configured to disconnect the applied service load from the electrical supply system when the voltage at the position transitions upward and reaches or exceeds a disconnection threshold value, the disconnection threshold value indicating that the second electrical energy storage part of the electrical energy storage system has reached a discharged state.

[0040] The electrical supply system of the present invention may comprise a control circuit part configured to switch the state of the electrical energy storage system from one of a charged state, a discharged state, and neither state to another of a charged state, a discharged state, and neither state, the above state switching being at least partially based on at least one of the voltage at a predetermined position within the electrical supply system, the output of a timer, or the output of a sunshine meter.

[0041] One aspect of the present invention provides a method executed by an electrical energy storage system for storing electrical energy received from an environmental power generation source and supplying the stored electrical energy to an applied business load. The electrical energy storage system includes an input unit for receiving energy from an environmental power generation source, a first electrical energy storage unit having a first storage capacity, a second electrical energy storage unit having a second storage capacity larger than the first storage capacity, and a control circuit unit for performing processing of electrical connection and disconnection of electrical connection. The method includes determining a timing when a first charging condition is satisfied and, when it is determined that the first charging condition is satisfied, electrically disconnecting the first electrical energy storage unit from the second electrical energy storage unit and electrically connecting the first electrical energy storage unit to the input unit to transfer electrical energy from the input unit to the first electrical energy storage unit; and determining a timing when a second charging condition is satisfied and, when it is determined that the second charging condition is satisfied, electrically disconnecting the first electrical energy storage unit from the input unit and electrically connecting the first electrical energy storage unit to the second electrical energy storage unit to transfer electrical energy from the first electrical energy storage unit to the second electrical energy storage unit.

[0042] The electrical energy storage system of the present invention may further include an output unit for supplying the stored energy to the applied business load. The method may further include determining a timing when a discharge condition is satisfied and, when it is determined that the discharge condition is satisfied, electrically connecting the first electrical energy storage unit and / or the second electrical energy storage unit to the output unit to transfer electrical energy from the electrical energy storage system to the applied business load.

[0043] One aspect of the present invention provides the electrical supply system disclosed herein. When the voltage at a predetermined position of the electrical supply system transitions from the lower side and reaches or exceeds a disconnection threshold value, the control circuit unit is configured to disconnect the applied service load from the output unit of the electrical energy storage system. The disconnection threshold value indicates that the environmental power generation source is generating sufficient power to adequately supply power to the applied service load.

[0044] One aspect of the present invention may provide the electrical supply system disclosed herein. When the voltage at a predetermined position of the electrical supply system transitions from the upper side and reaches or exceeds a connection threshold value, the control circuit unit is configured to connect the applied service load to the output unit of the electrical energy storage system and / or disconnect the applied service load from the environmental power generation source. The connection threshold value indicates that the environmental power generation source is not generating sufficient power to adequately supply power to the applied service load.

[0045] One aspect of the present invention provides the electrical supply system disclosed herein. When the voltage at a predetermined position of the electrical supply system transitions from the lower side and reaches or exceeds a connection threshold value, the control circuit unit is configured to connect the applied service load to the electrical supply system. The connection threshold value indicates a normal startup of the applied service load.

[0046] One aspect of the present invention provides the electrical supply system disclosed herein. When the output voltage of the energy storage unit transitions from the lower side and reaches or exceeds a connection threshold value, the control circuit unit is further configured to connect the input unit of the electrical energy storage system to the electrical supply system and connect the electrical supply system to the applied service load.

[0047] One aspect of the present invention can provide an electronic device disclosed herein configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A≧V2A≧V2B>V1B and a second voltage relationship of V3A>V3B>V1A. Each of these voltages can be within 30% of the values of V1A = 3.0V, V1B = 2.5V, V2A = 2.95V, V2B = 2.8V, V3A = 3.3V, and V3B = 3.15V.

[0048] One aspect of the present invention can provide an electronic device disclosed herein configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A≧V2A≧V2B>V1B, a second voltage relationship of V3A>V3B>V1A, and a third voltage relationship of V2B≧V4A≧V4B>V1B. Each of these voltages can be within 30% of the values of V1A = 3.0V, V1B = 2.5V, V2A = 2.95V, V2B = 2.8V, V3A = 3.3V, V3B = 3.15V, V4A = 2.6V, and V4B = 2.55V.

[0049] One aspect of the present invention can provide an electronic device disclosed herein configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A≧V2A≧V2B>V1B, a second voltage relationship of V3A>V3B>V1A, and a third voltage relationship of V2B≧V4A≧V1B≧V4B. Each of these voltages can be within 30% of the values of V1A = 3.0V, V1B = 2.5V, V2A = 2.95V, V2B = 2.8V, V3A = 3.3V, V3B = 3.15V, V4A = 2.6V, and V4B = 2.2V.

[0050] One aspect of the present invention can provide an electronic device disclosed herein configured to have a first voltage relationship of V2A≧V1A≧V2B>V1B and a second voltage relationship of V1A≧V3A>V3B>V1B. Each of these voltages can be within 30% of the values of V1A = 2.95V, V1B = 1.85V, V2A = 2.95V, V2B = 2.8V, V3A = 2.85V, and V3B = 2.7V.

[0051] One aspect of the present invention can provide an electronic device disclosed herein configured to have a first voltage relationship of V2A≧V1A≧V2B>V1B, a second voltage relationship of V1A≧V3A>V3B>V1B, and a third voltage relationship of V3B≧V4A≧V4B>V1B. Each of these voltages can be within 30% of the values of V1A = 2.95V, V1B = 1.85V, V2A = 2.95V, V2B = 2.8V, V3A = 2.85V, V3B = 2.7V, V4A = 2.5V, and V4B = 2.2V.

[0052] One aspect of the present invention can provide an electronic device disclosed herein configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A≧V2A≧V2B>V1B and a second voltage relationship of V1A≧V3A>V3B>V1B. Each of these voltages can be within 30% of the values of V1A = 2.0V, V1B = 1.1V, V2A = 1.8V, V2B = 1.7V, V3A = 1.6V, and V3B = 1.5V.

[0053] One aspect of the present invention can provide an electronic device disclosed herein configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A≧V2A≧V2B>V1B and a second voltage relationship of V3A>V3B≧V1A>V1B. Each of these voltages can be within 30% of the values of V1A = 4.0V, V1B = 3.0V, V2A = 3.8V, V2B = 3.65V, V3A = 4.35V, and V3B = 4.2V.

[0054] One aspect of the present invention can provide an electronic device disclosed herein configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A≧V2A≧V2B>V1B, a second voltage relationship of V3A>V3B≧V1A>V1B, and a third voltage relationship of V2B≧V4A≧V4B>V1B. Each of these voltages can be within 30% of the values of V1A = 4.0V, V1B = 3.0V, V2A = 3.8V, V2B = 3.65V, V3A = 4.35V, V3B = 4.2V, V4A = 3.2V, and V4B = 3.1V.

[0055] One aspect of the present invention may provide an electronic device disclosed herein configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A ≥ V2A ≥ V2B > V1B and a second voltage relationship of V1A ≥ V3A > V3B > V1B, where each of these voltages may be within 30% of the following values: V1A = 4.0 V, V1B = 2.8 V, V2A = 3.8 V, V2B = 3.65 V, V3A = 3.8 V, and V3B = 3.65 V.

[0056] One aspect of the present invention may provide an electronic device disclosed herein configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A ≥ V2A ≥ V2B > V1B, a second voltage relationship of V1A ≥ V3A > V3B > V1B, and a third voltage relationship of V2A ≥ V4A ≥ V4B > V1B, where each of these voltages may be within 30% of the following values: V1A = 4.0 V, V1B = 2.8 V, V2A = 3.8 V, V2B = 3.65 V, V3A = 3.8 V, V3B = 3.65 V, V4A = 3.0 V, and V4B = 2.9 V.

[0057] One aspect of the present invention may provide an electronic device disclosed herein configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A ≥ V2A ≥ V2B > V1B and a second voltage relationship of V3A ≥ V1A ≥ V3B > V1B, where each of these voltages may be within 30% of the following values: V1A = 3.0 V, V1B = 2.5 V, V2A = 2.9 V, V2B = 2.8 V, V3A = 3.05 V, and V3B = 2.95 V.

[0058] One aspect of the present invention may provide an electronic device disclosed herein configured to have a first voltage relationship of V2A ≥ V2B ≥ V1A > V1B, a second voltage relationship of V3A > V3B ≥ V1A > V1B, and a third voltage relationship of V2A ≥ V3A > V3B > V1B, where each of these voltages may be within 30% of the following values: V1A = 2.7 V, V1B = 2.4 V, V2A = 2.95 V, V2B = 2.8 V, V3A = 2.85 V, and V3B = 2.7 V. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0059] Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0060] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing three different environmental lux ranges (i.e., three different environmental lighting ranges). LXR1 represents the environmental lux value of the first range, with a lower lux value of LXR1L and an upper lux value of LXR1U. LXR2 represents the environmental lux value of the second range, with a lower lux value of LXR2L and an upper lux of LXR2U. LXR3 represents the environmental lux value of the third range, with a lower lux value of LXR3L and an upper lux value of LXR3U. The range of LXR1 and the range of LXR2 may partially overlap. The range of LXR2 and the range of LXR3 They may partially overlap. The range of LXR1 and the range of LXR3 do not overlap. The conditions of LXR1L < LXR2L < LXR3L and LXR1U < LXR2U < LXR3U are also met. For the sake of clarity in the description herein, LXR1 represents a range of low environmental lux values of less than about 200 lux. LXR1 may represent the level of lux measured in corridors, storage rooms, warehouses, stairways, elevators, etc. For the sake of clarity in the description herein, LXR2 represents a range of medium environmental lux values that may be in the range of about 200 lux to about 500 lux. LXR2 may represent the level of lux measured in classrooms, conference rooms, offices, etc. For the sake of clarity in the description herein, LXR3 represents a range of high environmental lux values that may exceed about 500 lux. LXR3 may represent the level of lux measured in kitchens, laboratories, workplaces, supermarkets, etc. LXR3 may represent the level of lux measured in rooms designated for medical procedures such as operating rooms. The ranges of low, medium, and high environmental lux values may include illumination from artificial light sources (e.g., LEDs, fluorescent lights, etc.), or from natural light sources (e.g., the sun, etc.), or any combination thereof.

[0061] This specification discloses examples of various electronic devices. These electronic devices are composed of an electrical supply system configured to supply power to an applied workload. This electrical supply system is composed of an environmental power generation source and an electrical energy storage system. This environmental power generation source can be composed of, but is not limited to, an environmental power generation unit that can collect energy from a light source (i.e., a photovoltaic section), an electromagnetic source, a heat source, a wind source, a salinity gradient, a motion source / vibration source, or any combination thereof. This electrical energy storage system can be a charge-discharge circuit as described in this specification, or an energy backup circuit as described in this specification. Usually, the applied workload can be any configuration consisting of components that require power to perform at least one function. The applied workload can have an operation sequence. Circuit efficiency is an indicator used to compare the performance of these electronic devices. For the purposes of this disclosure, circuit efficiency is defined as being proportional to the average repetition rate of the operation sequence at a given constant level of illumination. The operation sequence is a predetermined standard useful operation repeated by the applied workload. When the operation sequence includes information transmission to a wireless network, the average repetition rate of the operation sequence must not exceed the maximum value defined by a standardized protocol. For example, the maximum repetition rate of a non-connected (i.e., wireless) beacon signal is 10 Hz.

[0062] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a charge-discharge circuit 20A of a first embodiment, which includes a voltage detector 21, a load switch 22, a load switch 23, an energy storage unit 24, and an energy storage unit 25. The charge-discharge circuit 20A of the first embodiment may also include a current regulator 28. The current regulator 28 is drawn with a dashed line to indicate that it is optional. The current regulator 28 can at least partially control the charging speed of the charge-discharge circuit 20A. The charge-discharge circuit 20A can be an electrical energy storage system. Usually, all charge-discharge circuits disclosed in this specification can be electrical energy storage systems. In the case of the first group of circuit states, the charge-discharge circuit 20A can store the surplus energy collected from the corresponding environmental power generation unit (not shown), and this energy storage process can be known as a charging process. In the case of the second group of circuit states, the charge-discharge circuit 20A can supply the stored collected energy to the corresponding application workload (not shown), and this energy supply process can be known as a discharging process.

[0063] All voltage detectors disclosed in this specification may be known as "voltage monitors" and / or "voltage supervisors". The load switch 22 is coupled to N21 (Node 21) either directly or via the current regulator 28. The load switch 22 is connected to N23 (Node 23). The load switch 22 is also connected to the voltage detector 21 via SIG21. The load switch 23 is connected to N23 (Node 23) and the energy storage unit 25. The load switch 23 is also connected to the voltage detector 21 via SIG21. The energy storage unit 24 is connected to N23. The energy storage unit 25 is connected to the load switch 23 and N22 (Node 22). N21 and N22 are drawn outside the charge and discharge circuit 20A to facilitate understanding of subsequent circuit expansions. N21 can be regarded as the input part of the charge and discharge circuit 20A. N22 can be regarded as the output part of the charge and discharge circuit 20A. The voltage detector 21 controls the on and off states of both the load switch 22 and the load switch 23 via SIG21. Since the load switch 22 is configured to switch on when a low logic signal is supplied via SIG21, it is labeled "low active". The load switch 22 is also configured to switch off when a high logic signal is supplied via SIG21. Since the load switch 23 is configured to switch on when a high logic signal is supplied via SIG21, it is labeled "high active". The load switch 23 is also configured to switch off when a low logic signal is supplied via SIG21. The voltage detector 21 is configured to enable a high logic signal via SIG21 when the voltage it measures is equal to or higher than V3A. When enabled, the voltage detector 21 is configured to maintain the high logic signal as long as the voltage it measures remains greater than V3B. When the voltage it measures becomes equal to or lower than V3B, the voltage detector 21 is configured to return its logic signal to logic low via SIG21.SIG21, load switch 22, and load switch 23 are configured such that when load switch 22 is switched on by SIG21, load switch 23 is switched off by SIG21. SIG21, load switch 22, and load switch 23 are also configured such that when load switch 22 is switched off by SIG21, load switch 23 is switched on by SIG21. In all embodiments disclosed herein, when load switch 22 is switched on during the charging process, load switch 23 is switched off, and vice versa. In all embodiments disclosed herein corresponding to charge-discharge circuit 20A and charge-discharge circuit 20B, when load switch 22 is switched on during the discharging process, load switch 23 is switched off, and vice versa. When load switch 22 is switched on (and load switch 23 is switched off), electrical energy can be transferred from N21 and stored in energy storage unit 24 (i.e., charge-discharge circuit 20A can perform the first part of the energy storage process). When load switch 23 is switched on (and load switch 22 is switched off), electrical energy can be transferred from energy storage unit 24 to energy storage unit 25 (i.e., charge-discharge circuit 20A can perform the second part of the charging process). When load switch 22 is switched on (and load switch 23 is switched off), energy can be transferred from energy storage unit 24 to N21 and / or from energy storage unit 25 to N22 (i.e., charge-discharge circuit 20A can perform the discharging process). Alternatively, when load switch 23 is switched on (and load switch 22 is switched off), energy can be transferred from energy storage unit 24 and / or energy storage unit 25 to N22 (i.e., charge-discharge circuit 20A can perform the discharging process).

[0064] The energy storage unit 24 can be composed of at least one of a capacitor, a supercapacitor, a battery, and / or a rechargeable battery, or any combination thereof. The term "battery" can refer to a single battery cell or a plurality of battery cells. The energy storage unit 24 is preferably composed only of a capacitor-type energy storage unit (i.e., the energy storage unit 24 is not composed of a battery-type energy storage unit) in order to improve the efficiency of energy storage. The energy storage unit 25 can be composed of at least one capacitor, supercapacitor, battery, and / or rechargeable battery, or any combination thereof. The energy storage unit 24 can have a storage capacity in the range of 0.2 μF to 500 μF or 50 pAh to 150 nAh, preferably in the range of 2 μF to 50 μF or 500 pAh to 15 nAh. Experiments have shown that satisfactory performance is achieved when the energy storage unit 24 is a capacitor with a storage capacity of about 10 μF. The energy storage unit 25 can have a storage capacity in the range of 0.01 F to 1000 F or 2.5 μAh to 1 Ah, preferably in the range of 0.1 F to 10 F or 25 μAh to 2.5 mAh. Experiments have shown that satisfactory performance is achieved when the energy storage unit 24 is a supercapacitor with a storage capacity of about 1 F. The energy storage unit 25 is configured to always have a larger energy storage capacity than the energy storage unit 24.

[0065] The energy storage unit 25 can have an energy storage capacity that is at least 10 times larger than that of the energy storage unit 24. The energy storage unit 25 can have an energy storage capacity that is at least 75 times larger than that of the energy storage unit 24. The energy storage unit 25 can have an energy storage capacity that is at least 500 times larger than that of the energy storage unit 24. Experiments have shown that it is desirable for the energy storage unit 25 to have an energy storage capacity that is approximately three orders of magnitude larger than that of the energy storage unit 24.

[0066] Typically, the energy storage unit 24 can be the first energy storage unit, and the energy storage unit 25 can be the second energy storage unit. The energy storage unit 25 is larger than the energy storage unit 24 (i.e., can store more electrical energy). The control circuit unit corresponding to the energy backup circuit disclosed herein (which may include a load switch, a voltage detector, a logic gate, a resistor, etc.) enables the surplus electrical energy collected by the corresponding electronic device to be stored in the aforementioned energy backup circuit using a novel two-stage energy storage process. In the first stage of the energy storage process, the surplus collected energy is stored in the energy storage unit 24 (i.e., the first energy storage unit). In the first stage of the energy storage process, the energy storage unit 25 (i.e., the second energy storage unit) is electrically isolated from the energy storage unit 24. In the first stage of the energy storage process, the energy storage unit 25 may also be electrically isolated from the input part to the corresponding energy backup circuit disclosed herein. Thus, the energy storage unit 25 may be electrically isolated from the corresponding environmental power generation unit, such as a photovoltaic part, in the first stage of the energy storage process. In the second stage of the energy storage process, the energy stored in the first energy storage unit is transferred to the second energy storage unit. In the second stage of the energy storage process, the input part to the energy backup circuit disclosed herein is electrically isolated from the corresponding electronic device. Thus, the energy backup circuit may also be electrically isolated from the corresponding environmental power generation unit, such as a photovoltaic part, in the second stage of the energy storage process. After the second stage of the energy storage process is completed, the first stage of the energy storage process may be repeated. Usually, to shift the second energy storage unit from a discharged state to a charged state so that the charged state stores significantly more electrical energy than the discharged state, it may be necessary to complete multiple cycles of the novel two-stage energy storage process. The time required to complete one cycle of the novel two-stage energy storage process may be a function of the amount of surplus power generated by the environmental power generation unit corresponding to the energy backup circuit.The greater the amount of surplus power generated by the environmental power generation unit, the shorter the time required to complete one cycle of the novel two-stage energy storage process. The number of cycles of the novel two-stage energy storage process required to reach the aforementioned state of charge can be a function of the capacity of the energy storage unit 24. The greater the capacity of the energy storage unit 24, the fewer the number of cycles of the novel two-stage energy storage process required to reach the aforementioned state of charge.

[0067] The circuit conditions under which the first stage of the energy storage process can be implemented may be different from the circuit conditions under which the second stage of the energy storage process can be implemented. In both the first and second stages of the energy storage process, the energy storage unit 25 can be electrically insulated from the input section leading to the corresponding energy backup circuit. As a result, in both the first and second stages of the energy storage process, the energy storage unit 25 can be electrically insulated from the corresponding environmental power generation unit (for example, the photovoltaic power generation unit 51). The advantage of electrically insulating the energy storage unit 25 from the corresponding environmental power generation unit (for example, the photovoltaic power generation unit 51) in both the first and second stages of the energy storage process is to prevent a decrease in circuit efficiency. If the energy storage unit 25 is not electrically insulated from the input section leading to the corresponding energy backup circuit in both the first and second stages of the energy storage process, excessive power may flow around the corresponding applied service load (for example, the applied service load 55 disclosed in this specification) and into the energy storage unit 25. When excessive power bypasses and flows into the energy storage unit 25, the corresponding applied service load may not obtain sufficient power to operate, and the circuit efficiency may decrease. By using the current regulator 28, the amount of power flowing from the applied service load around and into the energy storage unit corresponding to the energy backup circuit can also be limited, so the current regulator 28 can also be used to prevent a decrease in circuit efficiency. By selecting the control circuit section (which may include a load switch, a voltage detector, a logic gate, a resistor, etc.) corresponding to the energy backup circuit disclosed in this specification, the cycle frequency of the novel two-stage energy storage process can be set to a sufficiently high state to prevent a decrease in circuit efficiency.

[0068] The energy storage capacity of the energy storage unit 24 is selected to prevent a decrease in circuit efficiency. If the energy storage capacity of the energy storage unit 24 is too large, excessive power may flow into the energy storage unit 24 bypassing the corresponding applied workload, and the circuit efficiency may decrease when there is not enough power for the corresponding applied workload. In other words, even if the collected energy is excessive, if the energy storage capacity of the energy storage unit 24 is too large, the excessive energy may bypass and flow into the energy storage unit 24, resulting in a possible decrease in circuit efficiency. When the collected energy is insufficient, the energy backup circuit can supply the previously stored energy to the corresponding applied workload to prevent a decrease in circuit efficiency. However, the energy storage capacity of the energy storage unit 24 is too small to be used as the sole backup energy source for the corresponding applied workload when the collected energy is insufficient. Therefore, the purpose of the energy storage unit 24 is to transfer electrical energy to the energy storage unit 25 when the collected energy is excessive. Combining the arrangement of each electrical component in the energy backup circuit, which is disclosed in this specification and is novel, with the two-stage energy storage process, which is also disclosed in this specification and is novel, it has been found that it is particularly energy-efficient for energy storage when the corresponding environmental power generation unit, such as a photovoltaic unit, performs excessive environmental power generation. The purpose of the energy storage unit 25 is to supply electrical energy to the corresponding applied workload when the collected energy is insufficient. The arrangement of each electrical component in the energy backup circuit, which is disclosed in this specification and is novel, has been found to be particularly energy-efficient in supplying the stored energy to the corresponding applied workload when the energy collected by the corresponding environmental power generation unit, such as a photovoltaic unit, is insufficient. Generally, the first purpose of the energy backup circuit disclosed in this specification is to store the collected surplus energy in an energy-efficient manner. Generally, the second purpose of the energy backup circuit disclosed in this specification is to supply the previously stored energy to the corresponding applied workload in an energy-efficient manner when the collected energy is insufficient.

[0069] The current regulator 28 can be a resistor or an integrated circuit that limits and / or adjusts the current. The current regulator 28 can be configured to control the charging rate of the corresponding energy backup circuit (i.e., the current regulator 28 can control the rate at which energy is transferred from the ambient power source to the corresponding energy backup circuit and stored therein). The current regulator 28 can be configured to control the charging rate of the corresponding energy backup circuit according to the amount of electric power generated by the corresponding ambient power source. The current regulator 28 can be configured such that a specific percentage and / or maximum percentage of the electric power generated by the ambient power source is stored in the corresponding energy backup circuit. The advantage of the current regulator 28 is that the range of ambient lighting conditions suitable for charging the corresponding energy backup circuit is widened. The disadvantage of the current regulator 28 is that the efficiency of the energy storage process can be reduced because some energy can be lost due to unproductive work within the current regulator 28. For example, if the current regulator 28 is composed of a simple resistor, Joule heat loss can occur and the efficiency of the energy storage process can be reduced. If the current regulator 28 is composed of an integrated circuit that limits and / or adjusts the current, Joule heat loss and / or leakage current can occur and the efficiency of the energy storage process can be reduced.

[0070] The charge and discharge circuit 20A of the first embodiment may also include a resistor 173. The resistor 173 is drawn with a dashed line to indicate that its incorporation is optional. The resistor 173 is connected to the node N171 and the ground 174. The resistor 173 may have a resistance value in the range of 10 kΩ to 100 MΩ. Preferably, the resistor 173 may have a resistance value in the range of 100 kΩ to 10 MΩ. Preferably, the minimum resistance value of the resistor 173 is 100 kΩ. The advantage of the resistor 173 is that it can prevent the unstable behavior of the circuit, especially when the voltage at the node N23 is below the minimum operating condition of the voltage detector 21 during the startup stage and / or the activation stage of the execution function. The disadvantage of the resistor 173 is that the circuit efficiency may be slightly reduced when the resistor 173 is incorporated because a small amount of energy may be lost due to useless work when the voltage detector 21 enables a "high" logic signal via SIG21.

[0071] FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a charge and discharge circuit 20B of a second embodiment including a voltage detector 21, a load switch 22, a load switch 23, an energy storage unit 24, an energy storage unit 25, a DC-DC converter 26, and a load switch 27. The charge and discharge circuit 20B of the second embodiment may also include a current regulator 28. The current regulator 28 is drawn with a dashed line to indicate that its incorporation is optional. The charge and discharge circuit 20B of the second embodiment may also include a resistor 173. The resistor 173 is drawn with a dashed line to indicate that its incorporation is optional. The resistor 173 is connected to the node N171 and the ground 174. The resistor 173 may have a resistance value in the range of 10 kΩ to 100 MΩ. Preferably, the resistor 173 has a resistance value in the range of 100 kΩ to 10 MΩ. Preferably, the minimum resistance value of the resistor 173 is 100 kΩ. The advantage of the resistor 173 is that it can prevent the unstable behavior of the circuit, especially when the voltage at the node N23 is below the minimum operating condition of the voltage detector 21 during the startup stage and / or the activation stage of the execution function. The disadvantage of the resistor 173 is that the circuit efficiency may be slightly reduced when the resistor 173 is incorporated because a small amount of energy may be lost due to useless work when the voltage detector 21 enables a "high" logic signal via SIG21.

[0072] The charge-discharge circuit 20B can be an electrical energy storage system. Under the first group of circuit conditions, the charge-discharge circuit 20B can store the surplus energy collected from the corresponding environmental power generation unit (not shown), and this energy storage process can be known as the charging process. Under the second group of circuit conditions, the charge-discharge circuit 20B can supply the stored collected energy to the corresponding applied service load (not shown), and this energy supply process can be known as the discharging process.

[0073] The charge-discharge circuit 20B can be the same as the charge-discharge circuit 20A, except that the DC-DC converter 26 and the load switch 27 are inserted between the load switch 23 and the energy storage unit 25. The output part of the load switch 23 is connected to the input part of the DC-DC converter 26. The output part of the DC-DC converter is connected to the input part of the load switch 27. The output part of the load switch 27 is connected to the input part of the energy storage unit 25. The load switch 27 is also connected to SIG21. The load switch 27 is set to be switched on via SIG21 when the load switch 23 is switched on. The load switch 27 is configured to be switched off via SIG21 when the load switch 23 is switched off. The DC-DC converter 26 can be a buck converter. The output voltage of the DC-DC converter can be configured to be less than V3A. The output voltage of the DC-DC converter can be configured to be equal to or higher than V3B. V3A can be in the range of 2V to 5V. V3B can have a value that is 0.5V to 0.02V lower than the value of V3A. Through experiments, satisfactory results were obtained when V3A = 3.3V and V3B = 3.15V. Through experiments, satisfactory results were also obtained when V3A = 3.6V and V3B = 3.5V.

[0074] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an energy backup circuit 30 according to a first embodiment including a charge and discharge circuit and an asymmetric conductance section 31. The charge and discharge circuit described above can be the charge and discharge circuit 20A of the first embodiment or the charge and discharge circuit 20B of the second embodiment. The energy backup circuit 30 can be an electrical energy storage system. Usually, all energy backup circuits disclosed in this specification can be electrical energy storage systems. As described above, the charge and discharge circuits 20A and 20B are connected to N21 and N22. The asymmetric conductance section 31 is also connected to N21 and N22. N21 is connected to N31. In FIG. 3, N21 and N31 are electrically equivalent, but these nodes are drawn in this specific way to make it easier to understand additional circuit extensions. N31 can be an input section to the energy backup circuit 30 during the charging process. N31 can be an output section of the energy backup circuit 30 during the discharging process. When the first group of circuit conditions is satisfied, electrical energy can be transferred from N31 to the energy backup circuit 30. When the second group of circuit conditions is satisfied, electrical energy can be transferred from the energy backup circuit 30 to N31. N22 is an input section to the asymmetric conductance section 31, and N21 is an output section of the asymmetric conductance section 31. When the voltage at N22 is lower than the voltage at N21, the asymmetric conductance section 31 does not conduct electricity, so electrical energy cannot be transferred from N22 to N21. The asymmetric conductance section 31 conducts electricity and electrical energy can be transferred from N22 to N31 via N21 when the value obtained by adding the threshold voltage δ to the voltage measured at N22 is equal to or higher than the voltage at N21. In other words, the asymmetric conductance section 31 conducts electricity and electrical energy can be transferred from N22 to N31 via N21 when V(N22)+δ≧V(N21). When the asymmetric conductance section 31 is composed of a diode, the threshold voltage δ can be equal to the threshold voltage of the aforementioned diode. The threshold voltage of the diode is also known as the "forward voltage" of the diode and can be the voltage that drops across both ends of the diode.

[0075] The asymmetric conductance section 31 can be a diode. The asymmetric conductance section 31 can be a silicon diode. The asymmetric conductance section 31 can be a Schottky diode. The asymmetric conductance section 31 can be an ideal diode (i.e., an integrated circuit). A silicon diode has the advantage that the reverse current is relatively small, but has the disadvantage that the voltage drop in the forward current is relatively large (i.e., a relatively large value for δ). An ideal diode has the advantage that the voltage drop in the forward current is relatively small (i.e., a relatively small value for δ), but has the disadvantage that a current (about 100 nA) needs to flow to ensure correct operation. A Schottky diode has a larger reverse current than a silicon diode, but the voltage drop is smaller than that of a silicon diode (i.e., the δ value of the Schottky diode is smaller than the δ value of the silicon diode). Since the Schottky diode can have the best compromise of characteristics regarding reverse current, voltage drop of forward current, and power consumption, the Schottky diode can be the most suitable for use as the asymmetric conductance section 31.

[0076] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an energy backup circuit 40 of a second embodiment including a charge / discharge circuit, an asymmetric conductance section 31, and a load switch 41. The charge / discharge circuit described above may be the charge / discharge circuit 20A of the first embodiment or the charge / discharge circuit 20B of the second embodiment. The energy backup circuit 40 may be an electrical energy storage system. As described above, the charge / discharge circuits 20A and 20B are connected to N21 and N22. The asymmetric conductance section 31 is also connected to N21 and N22. N31, N21, and SIG41 are connected to the load switch 41. The load switch 41 is switched on and off via the input SIG41. N31 may be an input section to the energy backup circuit 40 and / or N31 may be an output section of the energy backup circuit 40. When a first set of circuit conditions is satisfied, electrical energy may be transferred from N31 to the energy backup circuit 40. When a second set of circuit conditions is satisfied, electrical energy may be transferred from the energy backup circuit 40 to N31. The load switch 41 may at least partially control the charging process, discharging process, and no-process of the energy backup circuit 40. N22 is an input section to the asymmetric conductance section 31, and N21 is an output section of the asymmetric conductance section 31. When the voltage at N22 is lower than the voltage at N21, the asymmetric conductance section 31 does not conduct electricity, so electrical energy is not transferred from N22 to N21. As described above, when V(N22)+δ≧V(N21), the asymmetric conductance unit 31 conducts electricity, so electrical energy is transferred from N22 to N31 via N21. The quantity δ is a positive value corresponding to the voltage drop across both ends of the asymmetric conductance section 31. The asymmetric conductance section 31 may be a diode. The asymmetric conductance section 31 may be a Schottky diode. The asymmetric conductance section 31 may be an ideal diode (integrated circuit). When a third set of circuit conditions is satisfied, the load switch 41 is switched off, so the energy backup circuit 40 is electrically isolated (i.e., decoupled) from N31.In other words, when the load switch 41 is switched off, the energy backup circuit 40 cannot store the electrical energy generated by the components in the corresponding electronic device, nor can it supply electrical energy to the components in the corresponding electronic device.

[0077] The advantage of the energy backup circuit 30 over the energy backup circuit 40 is that the number of components is small, enabling cost reduction and miniaturization. The advantage of the energy backup circuit 40 over the energy backup circuit 30 is that under the circuit conditions of the third group, more useful operations can be performed by the applicable service load corresponding to the energy backup circuit 40 than by the applicable service load corresponding to the energy backup circuit 30. This advantage of the energy backup circuit 40 over the energy backup circuit 30 occurs when the circuit conditions of the third group occur and no processing (i.e., neither charging nor discharging) occurs, because the load switch 41 can electrically isolate the energy backup circuit 40 from both the corresponding environmental power generation unit (not shown) and the corresponding applicable service load (not shown). This no-processing can occur when the energy collected by the electronic device disclosed in this specification is the same as or approximately the same as the energy required to supply power to all the loads corresponding to the aforementioned electronic device. This no-processing can occur when the energy backup circuit is electrically isolated (i.e., decoupled) from other components in the corresponding electronic device. Usually, when the circuit conditions of the third group occur, the energy backup circuit disclosed in this specification can be electrically isolated from both the corresponding environmental power generation unit and the corresponding applicable service load, so more useful operations can be performed by the aforementioned applicable service load.

[0078] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic device 50 according to a first embodiment that can be an environment power generation device with ultra-low power consumption. The electronic device 50 according to the first embodiment includes a photovoltaic section 51 (that is, an environment power generation section), an energy storage section 52, a voltage detector 53, a load switch 54, an applied service load 55, and an energy backup circuit. This energy backup circuit can be the energy backup circuit 30 of the first embodiment or the energy backup circuit 40 of the second embodiment. Although the energy backup circuits 30 and 40 are connected to N31 (node 31), since only the energy backup circuit 40 is connected to SIG41 (signal 41), this connection is shown by a broken line. N31 (node 31) is a common position. Usually, all nodes are connection positions shared by at least two connections. The voltage detector 53 is connected to N31 to detect the voltage at N31. The voltage detector 53 is also connected to the load switch 54 via SIG41 (signal 41). The voltage detector 53 is configured to turn on the load switch 54 at a voltage equal to or higher than a first voltage V1A. The voltage detector 53 is further configured to turn off the load switch 54 at a voltage equal to or lower than a second voltage V1B, and the first voltage V1A is greater than the second voltage V1B (that is, V1A>V1B). The predetermined voltage V1A is in the range of VMP±20%, preferably in the range of VMP±10%, where VMP is the voltage at the maximum power position of the photovoltaic section 2I. The power line 56 supplies power to all components included in the applied service load 55. The applied service load 55 can supply power to any component (for example, a sensor, etc.) corresponding to the applied service load 55 using the power supplied by the power line 56. Usually, and under given circuit conditions of a group, the power line 56 supplies power to all components that are within or connected to the applied service load 55. The photovoltaic section 51 is connected to N31. The energy storage section 52 is connected to N31. The load switch 54 is connected to N31, the applied service load 55, and SIG41. The load switch 54 is switched on and off via the input SIG41. The photovoltaic section 51, the energy storage section 52, the voltage detector 53, and the energy backup circuits 30 and 40 are coupled to the input section of the load switch 54.Generally, the output of the load switch 54 is coupled to the applied service load 55 via the power line 56.

[0079] The photovoltaic section 51 may include at least one photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic section 51 may have a general structure, but when the electronic device is mainly installed indoors, it is preferably optimized according to the light spectrum generated by the indoor lighting conditions. The photovoltaic section 51 can generate a maximum power of 10 μW at 200 lux. The photovoltaic section 51 can generate a maximum power of 5 μW at 200 lux. The photovoltaic section 51 can generate a maximum power of 2 μW at 200 lux.

[0080] The voltage detector disclosed in this specification may have a hysteresis of less than 600 mV. The voltage detector disclosed in this specification may have a hysteresis of less than 400 mV. The voltage detector disclosed in this specification may have a hysteresis of less than 200 mV. The load switch disclosed in this specification may be an integrated load switch.

[0081] The photo-electric part 51 can collect energy from ambient lighting and store this energy in at least one of the energy storage parts 24, 25, and 52. Since there is no predetermined voltage threshold for activating the energy storage part 52, energy can be stored in the energy storage part 52 at all non-zero voltages at N31 or N141 (N141 is shown in subsequent embodiments). The electrical components in all the energy backup circuits disclosed in this specification are arranged such that the energy storage part 24 and the energy storage part 25 have a predetermined voltage threshold for activation. Therefore, energy is stored in the energy backup circuit disclosed in this specification only when the specified voltage (for example, the voltage at N31 or N131, where N131 is shown in subsequent embodiments) is above the activation threshold, and this activation threshold can be the same as V3A. V3A can be in the range of 2V to 5V. V3B can be a value 0.5V to 0.02V lower than the value of V3A. It has been found by experiments that satisfactory results are obtained when V3A = 3.3V and V3B = 3.15V. It has also been found by experiments that satisfactory results are obtained when V3A = 3.6V and V3B = 3.5V. As a result, the energy storage part 52 can start storing energy before energy is stored in the energy backup circuit disclosed in this specification. The amount of energy that can be stored in any one of the energy backup circuits disclosed in this specification may preferably be larger than the amount of energy that can be stored in the energy storage part 52. The purpose of the energy storage part 52 may be to optimize the power supply to the corresponding application workload and improve the circuit efficiency in a relatively short required time when the collected energy is insufficient. The purpose of all the energy backup circuits disclosed in this specification may be to optimize the power supply to the corresponding application workload and improve the circuit efficiency in a relatively long required time when the collected energy is insufficient. As a result, each electronic device of the embodiments disclosed in this specification and equipped with the corresponding energy backup circuit is more robust against relatively large fluctuations in ambient lighting than a similar electronic device not equipped with the corresponding energy backup circuit.

[0082] The ambient power generation power source (previously disclosed in the literature) is similar to the electronic device 50, but does not have a corresponding energy backup circuit as disclosed herein. Usually, the ambient power generation power source includes an ambient power generation unit such as a photovoltaic unit (for example, the photovoltaic unit 51). Usually, the ambient power generation power source may also include a power management circuit. This power management circuit may include at least one of an energy storage unit (for example, the energy storage unit 52), a load switch (for example, the load switch 54 or the load switch 142), and a voltage detector (for example, the voltage detector 53 or the voltage detector 141), but is not limited thereto.

[0083] The following description is for further emphasizing that an electronic device of an embodiment having a corresponding energy backup circuit as disclosed herein is superior to a similar electronic device without a corresponding energy backup circuit as disclosed herein. The following description is only for the purpose of explaining clearly. Assume that when the level of ambient illumination is within the medium lux range of LXR2, sufficient power supply and sufficient circuit efficiency are achieved for the electronic device. In other words, in the electronic device of the embodiment, neither energy shortage nor energy surplus occurs in the medium lux range of LXR2. Assume that for the electronic device of the embodiment described above, energy surplus occurs when the level of ambient illumination is within the high lux range of LXR3, and energy shortage occurs when the level of ambient illumination is within the low lux range of LXR1. When the level of ambient illumination is within the high lux range of LXR3, the electronic device of the embodiment having a corresponding energy backup circuit can store more energy than a similar electronic device without a corresponding energy backup circuit. Assume that an electronic device equipped with a corresponding energy backup circuit stores at least some energy in this corresponding energy backup circuit. Then, at a given level of ambient illumination within the low lux range of LXR1, the electronic device of the embodiment having a corresponding energy backup circuit can provide a satisfactory power supply and satisfactory circuit efficiency over a longer period than a similar electronic device without a corresponding energy backup circuit. Therefore, the electronic device of the embodiment having a corresponding energy backup circuit as disclosed herein is more robust against relatively large fluctuations in ambient illumination than a similar electronic device without a corresponding energy backup circuit.

[0084] The energy storage units 24, 25, and 52 may include at least one battery and / or one rechargeable battery and / or at least one capacitor and / or at least one supercapacitor. To reduce the power consumption, miniaturize, and lower the cost of the electronic device, it may be preferable that at least one of the energy storage units 24, 25, and 52 is composed only of capacitors. To further reduce the power consumption, further miniaturize, and further lower the cost of the electronic device, it may be preferable to configure all of the energy storage units 24, 25, and 52 to be composed only of capacitors. The energy storage unit 52 may have a storage capacity in the range of 10 μF to 1000 μF, preferably in the range of 50 μF to 200 μF. Experiments have shown that satisfactory performance is achieved when the storage capacity of the energy storage unit 52 is about 100 μF.

[0085] The energy storage unit 25 may store more electrical energy than the energy storage unit 24 (i.e., the energy storage unit 25 may have a larger capacity than the energy storage unit 24). The energy storage unit 25 may store more electrical energy than the energy storage unit 52 (i.e., the energy storage unit 25 may have a larger capacity than the energy storage unit 52). The energy storage unit 52 may store more electrical energy than the energy storage unit 24 (i.e., the energy storage unit 52 may have a larger capacity than the energy storage unit 24). As a result of the investigation, it has been found that favorable circuit performance can be achieved when the following inequality is followed with respect to the energy storage capacity: (energy storage unit 25) > (energy storage unit 52) > (energy storage unit 24). If at least one of the energy storage units 24, 25, and / or 52 includes at least one battery and / or one rechargeable battery, the capacity of the battery may be in the range of 50 pAh to 1 Ah, preferably in the range of 0.1 mAh to 10 mAh.

[0086] The energy storage unit 52 may have an energy storage capacity that is at least twice as large as that of the energy storage unit 24. The energy storage unit 52 may have an energy storage capacity that is at least four times as large as that of the energy storage unit 24. The energy storage unit 52 may have an energy storage capacity that is at least eight times as large as that of the energy storage unit 24. Through experiments, it has been found that it is desirable for the energy storage unit 52 to have an energy storage capacity that is approximately one order of magnitude larger than that of the energy storage unit 24.

[0087] The applicable service load 55 may include at least one control unit. The control unit may include at least one field programmable gate array (FPGA) and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one logic device. The applicable service load 55 may include a wireless communication unit (not shown) that may be a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless communication unit, an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) wireless communication unit, or a Zigbee wireless communication unit. The applicable service load 55 may correspond to at least one sensor. The applicable service load 55 may correspond to at least one sensor inside itself (i.e., an internal sensor not shown in FIG. 5 and similar figures), and / or the applicable service load 55 may correspond to at least one sensor outside itself but connected to itself (i.e., an external sensor not shown in FIG. 5 and similar figures). All sensors corresponding to the applicable service load (i.e., internal sensors and external sensors) may collect data related to at least one of the items of direction, acceleration, temperature, humidity, air pressure, light (illumination, lux), magnetic field, sound, infrared, ultraviolet, gas (e.g., CO, CO2, methane, etc.), proximity, image (i.e., camera, etc.). The applicable service load 55 may supply power to at least one corresponding sensor. When power is supplied to the applicable service load 55, the applicable service load 55 completes at least one operation sequence after completing the startup sequence. When the corresponding sensor is not in the applicable service load 55, the maximum current consumed by the applicable service load 55 during the startup sequence may be less than 50 mA, preferably less than 1 mA. When the corresponding sensor is not in the applicable service load 55, the maximum energy consumed by the applicable service load 55 to complete the startup sequence may be less than 100 μJ, preferably less than 10 μJ. When the corresponding sensor is not in the applicable service load 55, the maximum current consumed by the applicable service load 55 during the operation sequence is less than 50 mA, preferably less than 1 mA. When the corresponding sensor is not in the applicable service load 55, the maximum energy consumed by the applicable service load 55 to complete one operation sequence may be less than 50 μJ, preferably less than 20 μJ.The operation sequence may include transmitting a signal to a remote wireless receiver (not shown) via a wireless transmitter corresponding to the applied service load.

[0088] Generally, all energy backup circuits disclosed in this specification can perform a charging process (i.e., an energy storage process) under a first group of circuit conditions, a discharging process (i.e., an energy supply process) under a second group of circuit conditions, or no process under a third group of circuit conditions. The first group of circuit conditions may be different from both the second group of circuit conditions and the third group of circuit conditions. The second group of circuit conditions may be different from the third group of circuit conditions. When neither the charging process nor the discharging process is performed, no process may occur. Generally, all electronic devices of the embodiments disclosed in this specification include a corresponding energy backup circuit, and this corresponding energy backup circuit can perform the charging process and the discharging process. Generally, all electronic devices of the embodiments described in this specification may include a corresponding energy storage unit in addition to the energy backup circuit. Generally, all electronic devices of the embodiments described in this specification may be ultra-low power consumption environment power generation devices equipped with an energy backup circuit.

[0089] Energy storage can be achieved in a way that minimizes energy loss when there is an excess of the energy collected by the charging process (i.e., efficient energy storage). An excess of the energy collected can occur when the power generated by the photovoltaic section 51 of the electronic device of the embodiments disclosed herein is greater than the power consumed by all the loads corresponding to the electronic device of the foregoing embodiments. In other words, when the electronic device of the embodiments described herein generates more power than it consumes at a given point in time, the excess energy can be efficiently stored in the energy backup circuit corresponding to the electronic device of the foregoing embodiments. During the charging process, the excess energy generated by the photovoltaic section 51 can be stored in the energy storage section 24 and / or the energy storage section 25. The energy storage section 24 and the energy storage section 25 correspond to the energy backup circuit of the embodiments described herein. In the first part of the charging process, the excess energy generated by the photovoltaic section 51 is stored in the energy storage section 24. In the second part of the charging process, energy is transferred from the energy storage section 24 to the energy storage section 25.

[0090] When the collected energy is insufficient, the stored energy can be efficiently supplied to the loads in the electronic devices of the embodiments disclosed herein by the discharge process. The shortage of the collected energy may occur when the power generated by the photovoltaic unit 51 of the electronic device of the embodiments disclosed herein is less than the power consumed by all the loads corresponding to the electronic device of the foregoing embodiments. In other words, when the electronic device of the embodiments disclosed herein generates only less power than the power it consumes at a given time, the energy shortage is efficiently filled by the energy backup circuit disclosed herein, so that all the loads corresponding to the electronic device of the foregoing embodiments can operate correctly. During the discharge process, the energy stored in the energy storage unit 24 and / or the energy storage unit 25 is supplied to the loads corresponding to the electronic device of the embodiments disclosed herein. The energy storage unit 24 and the energy storage unit 25 correspond to the energy backup circuit of the embodiments described herein.

[0091] Generally, all the energy backup circuits disclosed herein can prevent the operation sequence from being aborted when the collected energy is insufficient. Therefore, the energy backup circuits disclosed herein can improve the circuit efficiency by preventing the operation sequence from being aborted.

[0092] In the long term, all the energy backup circuits disclosed herein can reduce the number of startup sequences executed by the corresponding application workload. By reducing the number of startup sequences executed by the corresponding application workload, more useful operations will be executed by the collected energy. Therefore, the energy backup circuits disclosed herein can improve the circuit efficiency by reducing the number of startup sequences executed in the long term.

[0093] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an electronic device 60 according to a second embodiment that can be an ultra-low power environmental power generation device. The electronic device 60 of the second embodiment can be identical to the electronic device 20 of the first embodiment, except that the electronic device 60 of the second embodiment includes an additional voltage detector 61. The voltage detector 61 is connected to N61 (node 61) to detect the voltage at N61. The voltage detector 61 is also connected to the applied service load 55 via SIG61 (signal 61). The second voltage detector 61 is configured to start (i.e., execute) at least one operation sequence at a voltage equal to or higher than the third voltage V2A (SIG61 = ACTIVE). Usually, in the electronic devices of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, each time an operation sequence is "started", the electronic device is configured to have sufficient energy to execute the operation sequence until completion. In other words, each time an operation sequence is "started", the electronic device is configured to execute a positive integer number of operation sequences. Completing a positive integer number of operation sequences contributes to the optimization of the useful work executed with the collected energy. The second voltage detector 61 is configured not to start an operation sequence at a voltage equal to or lower than the fourth voltage V2B. The third voltage V2A can be greater than the fourth voltage V2B. Usually, in the electronic devices of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if an operation sequence is "not started", no additional operation sequences are executed until a sufficient amount of energy is collected thereafter. Usually, in the electronic devices of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, even if an operation sequence is "not started", the completion of an operation sequence that has already started is not prevented. If each electronic device of the embodiments disclosed in this specification is configured such that all started operation sequences are completed, it can contribute to the optimization of the useful work executed with the collected energy. In other words, completing a positive integer number of operation sequences can contribute to the optimization of the useful work executed by the collected energy. The energy backup circuits 30 and 40 can prevent a decrease in circuit efficiency because the operation sequence does not start when the collected energy is insufficient.Generally, all the energy backup circuits disclosed in this specification can prevent the operation sequence from not starting when the collected energy is insufficient, so that a decrease in circuit efficiency can be prevented. In the electronic device 60 and all other electronic devices disclosed in this specification, the following general design rules have been found to contribute to the optimization of both power supply and circuit efficiency: V1A > V1B, V2A > V1B, V2B > V1B, and V2A ≥ V2B.

[0094] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an electronic device 70 of a third embodiment that can be an ultra-low power consumption environmental power generation device. The electronic device 70 of the third embodiment can be identical to the electronic device 60 of the second embodiment, except that the third embodiment 70 has a corresponding timer 71. The timer 71 and the applied service load 55 are connected by SIG71 (signal 71) and SIG72 (signal 72). FIG. 7 shows the timer 71 outside the applied service load 55. When the timer 71 is outside the applied service load 55, the applied service load 55 can supply power to the timer 71 via SIG71 and / or SIG72. Alternatively, the timer 71 can be an internal peripheral device, such as a real-time clock (RTC) timer, which is part of the applied service load 55 because it is an essential part of the control unit. Usually, the timer can correspond to the applied service load. The applied service load 55 is configured to send a signal (SIG72) to the timer 71 to start or resume a countdown sequence with the timer 71 during the startup sequence. The applied service load 55 is also configured to send a signal (SIG72) to the timer 71 to start or resume a countdown sequence with the timer 71 during the operation sequence. The duration of the countdown can be determined in advance and can be 60 seconds, preferably 30 seconds. When the countdown of the timer 71 is completed, the timer 71 is configured to send a signal (SIG71) to the applied service load 55 to start (i.e., execute) at least one operation sequence.

[0095] FIG. 8A is a flowchart 80A of the charging process of the energy backup circuit 30 of the first embodiment, and this energy backup circuit 30 corresponds to the electronic device of the embodiment disclosed in this specification. Usually, it is assumed that the voltage at N21 rises with time during the charging process. Although the voltage at N21 may slightly decrease during the charging process, as a whole tendency, the voltage at N21 rises with time. Item 81A of the flowchart indicates that the load switch 22 is switched on, the load switch 23 is switched off, the load switch 27 is switched off (if applicable), and the voltage at N21 becomes equal to the voltage at N23 (that is, V(N21)=V(N23)). Item 82A of the flowchart follows item 81A of the flowchart. Item 82A of the flowchart indicates that when the voltage detector 21 measures the voltage at N23 and the voltage at N23 is V3A or more (that is, V(N23)≧V3A), item 83A of the flowchart becomes valid, and in other cases, item 81A of the flowchart becomes valid. Usually, at the charging stage indicated by item 82A of the flowchart, the voltage at N23 rises until it becomes V3A or more. In other words, this charging condition is constituted by the voltage at N23 shifting from below and reaching or exceeding the threshold value. Item 83A of the flowchart indicates that the load switch 22 is switched off, the load switch 23 is switched on, the load switch 27 is switched on (if applicable), and the voltage at N23 is equal to the voltage at N22 (that is, V(N23)=V(N22)). Item 84A of the flowchart follows item 83A of the flowchart. Item 84A of the flowchart indicates that when the voltage detector 21 measures the voltage at N23 and the voltage at N23 is greater than V3B (that is, V(N23)>V3B), item 85A of the flowchart becomes valid, and in other cases, item 81A of the flowchart becomes valid. At the charging stage indicated by item 84A of the flowchart, the voltage at N23 can decrease from V3A until it becomes V3B or less, and this situation can occur when at least some energy has been transferred from the energy storage unit 24 to the energy storage unit 25 previously.Alternatively, in the charging stage indicated by item 84A of the flowchart, the voltage at N23 may start at a value of V3B or less, and this situation can occur when energy has not been transferred from energy storage unit 24 to energy storage unit 25 previously (i.e., when the energy backup circuit corresponding to 80A of the flowchart is manufactured for the first time). Therefore, by the process shown in item 84A of the flowchart, item 81A of the flowchart can be regarded as the default state of the overall charging process. Item 85A of the flowchart indicates that energy storage unit 25 is fully charged. Usually, the term "fully charged" with respect to storage unit 25 represents that the charging state of energy storage unit 25 has been completed to a sufficient extent. Item 84A of the flowchart follows item 85A of the flowchart. V3A can be in the range of 2V to 5V. V3B can be a value 0.5V to 0.02V lower than the value of V3A. Through experiments, satisfactory results were obtained when V3A = 3.3V and V3B = 3.15V. Through experiments, satisfactory results were also obtained when V3A = 3.6V and V3B = 3.5V.

[0096] FIG. 8B is a flowchart 80B of the discharge process of the energy backup circuit 30 of the first embodiment, and this energy backup circuit 30 corresponds to the electronic device of the embodiment disclosed in this specification. Usually, it is assumed that the voltage at N21 decreases with time during the discharge process. Although the voltage at N21 may slightly increase during the discharge process, as a whole trend, the voltage at N21 decreases with time. Item 81B of the flowchart indicates that the load switch 22 is switched on, the load switch 23 is switched off, and the load switch 27 is switched off (if applicable), and the voltage at N21 becomes equal to the voltage at N23 (that is, V(N21)=V(N23)). Item 82B of the flowchart follows item 81B of the flowchart. Item 82B of the flowchart indicates that if the voltage at N21 + δ is less than the voltage at N22 (that is, V(N21)+δ<V(N22)), item 83B of the flowchart becomes valid, and otherwise item 81B of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 83B of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N21 is equal to the value obtained by subtracting δ from the voltage at N22 (that is, V(N21)=V(N22)-δ). Item 84B of the flowchart follows item 83B of the flowchart. Item 84B of the flowchart indicates that the voltage detector 53 measures the voltage at N31, and if the voltage at N31 is less than or equal to V1B (that is, V(N31)≦V1B), item 85B of the flowchart becomes valid, and otherwise item 83B of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 85B of the flowchart indicates that the load switch 54 is switched off (via SIG41), and the voltage at N22 becomes equal to the voltage V1B + δ (that is, V(N22)=V1B+δ). When a silicon diode is used as the asymmetric conductance section 31, the quantity δ can be in the range of 200 mV to 1200 mV, and a typical value is about 700 mV. When a Schottky diode is used as the asymmetric conductance section 31, the quantity δ can be in the range of 50 mV to 1000 mV, and a typical value is about 300 mV. When an ideal diode is used as the asymmetric conductance section 31, the quantity δ can be in the range of 10 mV to 150 mV, and a typical value is about 50 mV.

[0097] FIG. 9A is a flowchart 90A of the charging process of the energy backup circuit 40 of the second embodiment, and this energy backup circuit 40 corresponds to the electronic device of the embodiment disclosed in this specification. Usually, it is assumed that the voltage at N31 rises with time during the charging process. Although the voltage at N31 may slightly decrease during the charging process, as a whole tendency, the voltage at N31 rises with time. Item 91A of the flowchart indicates that the voltage detector 53 measures the voltage at N31, and when the voltage at N31 is V1A or higher (i.e., V(N31)≥V1A), item 93A of the flowchart becomes valid, and otherwise item 92A of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 92A of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N31 is rising. Item 93A of the flowchart indicates that since SIG41 is valid, the load switch 54 is switched to on. Item 94A of the flowchart follows item 93A of the flowchart. Item 94A of the flowchart indicates that since the load switch 41 is switched to on (SIG41 becomes valid), energy can be transferred to the energy backup circuit 40. Item 95A of the flowchart follows item 94A of the flowchart. Item 95A of the flowchart indicates that the load switch 22 is switched to on, the load switch 23 is switched to off, and the load switch 27 is switched to off (if applicable), and the voltage at N21 becomes equal to the voltage at N23 (i.e., V(N21)=V(N23)). Item 96A of the flowchart follows item 95A of the flowchart. Item 96A of the flowchart indicates that the voltage detector 21 measures the voltage at N23, and when V(N23)≥V3A, item 97A of the flowchart becomes valid, and otherwise item 95A of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 97A of the flowchart indicates that the load switch 22 is switched to off, the load switch 23 is switched to on, and the load switch 27 is switched to on (if applicable), and the voltage at N23 becomes equal to the voltage at N22 (i.e., V(N23)=V(N22)). Item 98A of the flowchart follows item 97A of the flowchart.Item 98A of the flowchart indicates that when the voltage detector 21 measures the voltage at N23 and the voltage at N23 is greater than V3B (i.e., V(N23)>V3B), item 99A of the flowchart becomes effective; otherwise, item 95A of the flowchart becomes effective. Item 99A of the flowchart indicates that the energy storage unit 25 is fully charged. Item 98A of the flowchart follows item 99A of the flowchart.

[0098] FIG. 9B is a flowchart 90B of the discharge process of the energy backup circuit 40 of the second embodiment, and this energy backup circuit 40 corresponds to the electronic device of the embodiment disclosed in this specification. Usually, it is assumed that the voltage at N31 decreases with time during the discharge process. Although the voltage at N31 may slightly increase during the discharge process, as a whole trend, the voltage at N31 decreases with time. Item 91B of the flowchart indicates that the load switch 22 is switched on, the load switch 23 is switched off, and the load switch 27 is switched off (if applicable), and the voltage at N21 becomes equal to the voltage at N23 (that is, V(N21)=V(N23)). Item 92B of the flowchart follows item 91B of the flowchart. Item 92B of the flowchart indicates that if the voltage at N21 + δ is less than the voltage at N22 (that is, V(N21)+δ<V(N22)), item 93B of the flowchart becomes valid, and otherwise item 91B of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 93B of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N21 is equal to the value obtained by subtracting δ from the voltage at N22 (that is, V(N21)=V(N22)-δ). Item 94B of the flowchart follows item 93B of the flowchart. Item 94B of the flowchart indicates that the voltage detector 53 measures the voltage at N31, and if the voltage at N31 is less than or equal to V1B (that is, V(N31)≦V1B), item 95B of the flowchart becomes valid, and otherwise item 93B of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 95B of the flowchart indicates that the load switch 54 is switched off (via SIG41), and the voltage at N22 becomes equal to the value obtained by adding δ to the voltage V1B (that is, V(N22)=V1B+δ). Item 96B of the flowchart follows item 95B of the flowchart. Item 96B of the flowchart indicates that since the load switch 41 is switched off by SIG41 (SIG41 becomes invalid), electrical energy is not transferred to the energy backup circuit 40.

[0099] FIG. 10A is a block diagram of an energy backup circuit 100A according to a third embodiment, which includes a charge and discharge circuit and a load switch 101. This charge and discharge circuit can be the charge and discharge circuit 20A of the first embodiment or the charge and discharge circuit 20B of the second embodiment. The energy backup circuit 100A can be an electrical energy storage system. As described above, the charge and discharge circuits 20A and 20B are connected to N21 and N22. The load switch 101 is connected to N22, N31, and SIG71. The load switch 101 can at least partially control the discharge process of the energy backup circuit 100A. In FIG. 10A, N31 is depicted in two positions, but both positions are electrically equivalent. One of the positions of N31 is depicted outside the energy backup circuit 100A for ease of understanding subsequent circuit expansion. N21 is connected to N31. In FIG. 10A, N21 and N31 are electrically equivalent, but these nodes are depicted in this specific way for ease of understanding additional circuit expansion. N31 can be an input part to the energy backup circuit 100A during the charging process. N31 can be an output part of the energy backup circuit 100A during the discharging process. When the first group of circuit conditions is satisfied, electrical energy can be transferred from N31 to the energy backup circuit 100A. When the second group of circuit conditions is satisfied, electrical energy can be transferred from the energy backup circuit 100A to N31. The load switch 101 can control the timing at which energy is transferred from the energy backup circuit 100A to N31 (that is, the load switch 101 can control the timing at which energy is supplied to the corresponding applied service load). The flowchart 80A previously shown in FIG. 8A also shows the charging process of the energy backup circuit 100A according to the third embodiment, and this energy backup circuit 100A corresponds to the electronic device of the embodiments disclosed in this specification. In other words, the same charging flowchart 80A is applicable to both the energy backup circuit 30 of the first embodiment and the energy backup circuit 100A of the third embodiment.

[0100] Figure 10B is a block diagram of an energy backup circuit 100B according to a fourth embodiment, which includes a charging circuit, a load switch 101, and a resistor 102. This charge and discharge circuit can be the charge and discharge circuit 20A of the first embodiment or the charge and discharge circuit 20B of the second embodiment. The energy backup circuit 100B can be an electrical energy storage system. The energy backup circuit 100B is the same as the energy backup circuit 100A, except that the resistor 102 is now arranged between the load switch 101 and N31. The resistor 102 can reduce the flow of current during the discharge process and increase the total amount of energy that can be supplied from the corresponding energy backup circuit. As a result, the resistor 102 increases the efficiency of the energy backup circuit 100B, further optimizing the power supply to the corresponding application workload and optimizing the amount of useful work performed with the collected energy in the corresponding electronic device. The resistor 102 can be used in the energy storage unit 25 in the charge and discharge circuit 20A or 20B when there is a corresponding overcurrent limit. Exceeding the overcurrent limit can damage the components (such as batteries, supercapacitors, capacitors, etc.) that make up the energy storage unit 25. Since the resistor 102 ensures that the overcurrent limit is not exceeded, it can prevent damage to the energy storage unit 25. The resistor 102 can be used with an energy storage unit 25 having a "low" ESR (equivalent series resistor) or a "low" internal resistance to limit the current to a value such that Joule heat loss is reduced while maintaining a sufficient current level for the stable operation of the application workload. In other words, the resistor 102 can be used to maintain high circuit efficiency while preventing damage to the energy storage unit 25. The value of the resistor 102 can be in the range of 10 Ω to 100 kΩ. The value of the resistor 102 can preferably be in the range of 5 kΩ to 50 kΩ. In experiments / simulations, satisfactory circuit performance was achieved when the value of the resistor 102 was 50 kΩ. The flowchart 80A previously shown in Figure 8A also shows the charging process of the energy backup circuit 100B according to the fourth embodiment, and this energy backup circuit 100B corresponds to the electronic devices of the embodiments disclosed in this specification.In other words, the same charging current diagram 80A is applicable to both the energy backup circuit 30 of the first embodiment and the energy backup circuit 100B of the fourth embodiment.

[0101] FIG. 10C is a block diagram of an energy backup circuit 100C of a fifth embodiment including a charging circuit, a load switch 41, and a load switch 101. This charge and discharge circuit can be the charge and discharge circuit 20A of the first embodiment or the charge and discharge circuit 20B of the second embodiment. The energy backup circuit 100C can be an electrical energy storage system. The energy backup circuit 100C can be the same as the energy backup circuit 100A except that the load switch 41 is now arranged between N31 and N21. The load switch 41 is switched on and off by SIG41 when the energy backup circuit 100C corresponds to the electronic device 110A. Alternatively, the load switch 41 is switched on and off by SIG111 when the energy backup circuit 100C corresponds to the electronic device 110B. The load switch 41 can at least partially control the charging process and non-processing of the backup circuit 100C. The load switch 101 can at least partially control the discharging process and non-processing of the energy backup circuit 100C. The point where the energy backup circuit 100C is superior to the energy backup circuit 100A of the embodiment is that by using the combination of the load switch 41 and the load switch 101, the energy backup circuit 100C can be electrically insulated (i.e., decoupled) from N31, and the power supply and / or energy efficiency can be improved, so that more useful operations can be performed by the collected energy. When both the load switch 41 and the load switch 101 are switched off, the energy backup circuit 100C cannot store the electrical energy generated by the environmental power generation unit in the corresponding electronic device. When both the load switch 41 and the load switch 101 are switched off, the energy backup circuit 100C cannot supply electrical energy to the applicable service load in the corresponding electronic device.

[0102] FIG. 10D is a block diagram of an energy backup circuit 100D according to a sixth embodiment, including a charge / discharge circuit, a load switch 41, a load switch 101, and a resistor 102. This charge / discharge circuit can be the charge / discharge circuit 20A of the first embodiment or the charge / discharge circuit 20B of the second embodiment. The energy backup circuit 100D can be an electrical energy storage system. The energy backup circuit 100D is similar to the energy backup circuit 100C, except that the resistor 102 is now disposed between the load switch 101 and N31. Since the resistor 102 reduces the flow of current during the discharging process, it may increase the total amount of energy that can be supplied from the energy backup circuit. As a result, the resistor 102 improves the efficiency of the energy backup circuit 100D, further optimizing the power supply to the corresponding application workload and optimizing the amount of useful work performed with the collected energy in the corresponding electronic device. The resistor 102 can be used when the energy storage unit 25 in the charge / discharge circuit 20A or 20B has a corresponding overcurrent limit. Exceeding the overcurrent limit may damage the components (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors, capacitors, etc.) that make up the energy storage unit 25. Since the resistor 102 ensures that the overcurrent limit is not exceeded, it can prevent damage to the energy storage unit 25. The resistor 102 can be used with an energy storage unit 25 having a "low" ESR (equivalent series resistor) or a "low" internal resistance to limit the current to a value such that Joule heat loss is reduced while maintaining a sufficient current level for the stable operation of the application workload. In other words, using the resistor 102 can maintain high circuit efficiency while preventing damage to the energy storage unit 25.

[0103] FIG. 11A is a block diagram of an electronic device 110A according to a fourth embodiment, which is an environment power generator with ultra-low power consumption. The electronic device 110A according to the fourth embodiment may be the same as the electronic device 70 according to the third embodiment, except that SIG71 is also connected to N111 (node 111) and the energy backup circuit. The energy backup circuit corresponding to the electronic device 110A of the embodiment may be the energy backup circuit 100A, the energy backup circuit 100B, the energy backup circuit 100C, or the energy backup circuit 100D. The energy backup circuits 100C and 100D are connected to SIG41 (signal 41), but since SIG41 is not connected to the energy backup circuit 100A or the energy backup circuit 100B, the connection of SIG41 is shown by a broken line in FIG. 11A. The load switches 41 of the energy backup circuits 100C and 100D can be switched on and off via SIG41.

[0104] FIG. 11B is a block diagram of an electronic device 110B according to a fifth embodiment, which may be an environment power generator with ultra-low power consumption. The electronic device 110B according to the fifth embodiment may be the same as the electronic device 110A according to the fourth embodiment, except that the electronic device 110B also includes a lux sensor 72. The lux sensor 72 is connected to the applied service load 55 via an input section and an output section. Usually, the lux sensor 72 corresponds to the applied service load. The energy backup circuits 100C and 100D are connected to the lux sensor 72 via SIG111 (signal 111), but since SIG111 is not connected to the energy backup circuit 100A or the energy backup circuit 100B, the connection of SIG111 is shown by a broken line in FIG. 11B. The load switches 41 in the energy backup circuits 100C and 100D can be switched on and off via SIG111.

[0105] The flowchart 80A shown previously in FIG. 8A is also the charging process of the energy backup circuit 100A of the third embodiment and the energy backup circuit 100B of the fourth embodiment, and these energy backup circuits 100A and 100B may correspond to the electronic devices of the embodiments disclosed in this specification. The flowchart 90A shown previously in FIG. 9A is also the charging process of the energy backup circuit 100C of the fifth embodiment and the energy backup circuit 100D of the sixth embodiment, and these energy backup circuits 100C and 100D may correspond to the electronic devices of the embodiments disclosed in this specification.

[0106] FIG. 12 is a flowchart 120 of the discharge process of the energy backup circuit 100A of the third embodiment, the energy backup circuit 100B of the fourth embodiment, the energy backup circuit 100C of the fifth embodiment, and the energy backup circuit 100D of the sixth embodiment. These energy backup circuits 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D may correspond to the electronic devices of the embodiments disclosed herein. Usually, it is assumed that the voltage at N21 decreases with time during the discharge process. Although the voltage at N21 may slightly increase during the discharge process, overall, the voltage at N21 decreases with time. Item 121 of the flowchart indicates that the load switch 22 is switched on, the load switch 23 is switched off, and the load switch 27 is switched off (if applicable), and the voltage at N21 becomes equal to the voltage at N23 (i.e., V(N21)=V(N23)). Item 122 of the flowchart follows item 121 of the flowchart. Item 122 of the flowchart indicates that when the countdown of the timer 71 ends, item 123 of the flowchart becomes valid, and otherwise item 125 of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 123 of the flowchart indicates that because the countdown of the timer 71 has ended, SIG71 becomes valid for a predetermined time in the range of 1 millisecond to 150 milliseconds and typically has a value of about 15 milliseconds. When SIG71 becomes valid, the load switch 101 is switched on, and the voltage at N31 becomes equal to the voltage at N22 (i.e., V(N31 = V(N22)). Item 124 of the flowchart follows item 123 of the flowchart. Item 124 of the flowchart indicates that SIG71 becomes invalid after the aforementioned predetermined time. When SIG71 becomes invalid, the load switch 101 is switched off. Item 125 of the flowchart follows item 124 of the flowchart. Item 125 of the flowchart indicates that the voltage detector 53 measures the voltage at N31, and when the voltage at N31 is less than or equal to V1B (i.e., V(N31)≦V1B), item 126 of the flowchart becomes valid, and otherwise item 122 of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 126 of the flowchart indicates that since the load switch 54 is switched off, the voltage at N22 becomes equal to V1B (i.e., V(N22)=V1B).

[0107] FIG. 13A is a block diagram of an energy backup circuit 130A according to a seventh embodiment including a charge / discharge circuit and a load switch 131. This charge / discharge circuit can be the charge / discharge circuit 20A of the first embodiment or the charge / discharge circuit 20B of the second embodiment. The charge / discharge circuits 20A and 20B are connected to N21 and N22. The energy backup circuit 130A can be an electrical energy storage system. The load switch 131 is connected to N22, N131, and SIG131. The load switch 131 can at least partially control the discharge process of the energy backup circuit 130A. In FIG. 13A, N131 is depicted in two positions, but both positions are electrically equivalent. One of the positions of N131 is depicted outside the energy backup circuit 130A to facilitate understanding of subsequent circuit expansion. N21 is connected to N131. In FIG. 13A, N21 and N131 are electrically equivalent, but these nodes are depicted in this specific manner to facilitate understanding of additional circuit expansion. N131 can be an input part to the energy backup circuit 130A in the charging process. N131 can be an output part of the energy backup circuit 130A in the discharging process. When a first group of circuit conditions is satisfied, electrical energy can be transferred from N131 to the energy backup circuit 130A. When a second group of circuit conditions is satisfied, electrical energy can be transferred from the energy backup circuit 130A to N131.

[0108] FIG. 13B is a block diagram of an energy backup circuit 130B of an eighth embodiment including a charge / discharge circuit, a load switch 131, and a load switch 132. This charge / discharge circuit can be the charge / discharge circuit 20A of the first embodiment or the charge / discharge circuit 20B of the second embodiment. The energy backup circuit 130B can be the same as the energy backup circuit 130A except that the load switch 132 is now arranged between N131 and N21. The load switch 131 can at least partially control the discharge process and the no-process of the energy backup circuit 130B. The load switch 132 can at least partially control the charge process and the no-process of the energy backup circuit 130B. The energy backup circuit 130B can be an electrical energy storage system. The load switch 132 is switched on and off by SIG41. The advantage of the energy backup circuit 130B over the energy backup circuit 130A is that the load switch 132 can be used to isolate the energy backup circuit 130B from the corresponding electronic device of the embodiment, so the power supply and energy efficiency are improved, and more useful operations can be performed with the collected energy.

[0109] FIG. 14A is a block diagram of an electronic device 140A according to a sixth embodiment, which is an environment power generator with ultra-low power consumption. The electronic device 140A according to the sixth embodiment includes a photovoltaic unit 51 (i.e., an environment power generation unit), an energy storage unit 52, a voltage detector 53, a load switch 54, an applied service load 55, a voltage detector 141, a load switch 142, and an energy backup circuit. This energy backup circuit can be the energy backup circuit 130A of the seventh embodiment, the energy backup circuit 130B of the eighth embodiment, the energy backup circuit 170A of the ninth embodiment, the energy backup circuit 170B of the tenth embodiment, or the energy backup circuit 170C of the eleventh embodiment. The energy backup circuits 130A and 130B of the seventh embodiment and the energy backup circuit 130B of the eighth embodiment are disclosed above, and the energy backup circuit 170A of the ninth embodiment, the energy backup circuit 170B of the tenth embodiment, and the energy backup circuit 170C of the eleventh embodiment are disclosed below. The energy backup circuits 130A, 130B, 170A, 170B, 170C are connected to N131 (node 131) and SIG131, but only the energy backup circuits 130B, 170B, 170C are connected to SIG41 (signal 41), so this connection is shown by a broken line. N131 (node 131) is a common position. The voltage detector 53 is connected to N131 to detect the voltage at N131. The voltage detector 53 is also connected to the load switch 54 via SIG41 (signal 41). The voltage detector 53 is configured to turn on the load switch 54 at a voltage equal to or higher than a first voltage V1A. The voltage detector 53 is further configured to turn off the load switch 54 at a voltage equal to or lower than a second voltage V1B, and the first voltage V1A is greater than the second voltage V1B (i.e., V1A>V1B). The load switch 54 is connected to N131, the applied service load 55, and SIG41. The load switch 54 is switched on and off via the input SIG41. The photovoltaic unit 51 is connected to N141 (node 141). The energy storage unit 52 is connected to N141. The voltage detector 141 is connected to SIG131 and N141.The voltage detector 141 detects the voltage at N141. The voltage detector 141 uses SIG131 and turns the load switch 142 on or off according to the voltage detected at N141. The voltage detector 141 is configured to turn on the load switch 142 at a voltage of V4A or higher. The voltage detector 141 is further configured to turn off the load switch 142 at a voltage of V4B or lower. V4A can be greater than V4B. V1A can be greater than both V4A and V4B. V1B can be less than both V4A and V4B. The value obtained by subtracting V1B from V1A can be greater than the value obtained by subtracting V4B from V4A (that is, (V1A - V1B) > (V4A - V4B)). V4A and V4B can be in the range of 1.0V to 5.0V, preferably in the range of 1.7V to 3.1V. Through experiments, it has been found that satisfactory performance is achieved when V4A = 2.6V and V4B = 2.2V. The load switch 142 is connected to N131, N141, and SIG131. The load switch 142 is switched on and off via the input SIG131.

[0110] Figure 14B is a block diagram of the electronic device 140B of the seventh embodiment, which can be an ultra-low power consumption ambient power generation device. The electronic device 140B of the seventh embodiment has the same component arrangement as the electronic device 140A of the sixth embodiment. However, the significant difference is that the voltage detector 53 and the load switch 54 do not exist in the electronic device 140B of the seventh embodiment. What further differentiates the electronic device 140B of the seventh embodiment from the electronic device 140A of the sixth embodiment is that only the energy backup circuit 130A and the energy backup circuit 170A are compatible with the electronic device 140B of the seventh embodiment. The energy backup circuit 130B and the energy backup circuit 170B are not compatible with the electronic device 140B of the seventh embodiment because the voltage detector 53 and, inevitably, SIG41 do not exist in the electronic device 140B of the seventh embodiment.

[0111] FIG. 14C is a block diagram of an electronic device 140C according to an eighth embodiment that can be an ultra-low power consumption environmental power generation device. The electronic device 140C according to the eighth embodiment has the same component arrangement as the electronic device 140A according to the sixth embodiment, but the significant difference is that the energy storage unit 52 and the load switch 142 do not exist in the electronic device 140C according to the eighth embodiment. What further differentiates the electronic device 140C according to the eighth embodiment from the electronic device 140A according to the sixth embodiment is that only the energy backup circuit 130A and the energy backup circuit 170A are compatible with the electronic device 140C according to the eighth embodiment. The energy backup circuit 130B and the energy backup circuit 170B are not compatible with the electronic device 140C according to the eighth embodiment because the voltage detector 53 and, necessarily, SIG41 do not exist in the electronic device 140C according to the eighth embodiment.

[0112] As disclosed above, FIG. 8A shows a flowchart 80A for explaining the charging process of various energy backup circuits disclosed in this specification. The flowchart 80A also explains the charging process of the energy backup circuit 130A according to the seventh embodiment, and this energy backup circuit 130A corresponds to the electronic devices of the embodiments disclosed in this specification.

[0113] FIG. 15 is a flowchart 150 of the discharge process of the energy backup circuit 130A of the seventh embodiment and the energy backup circuit 130B of the eighth embodiment, and these energy backup circuits 130A and 130B may correspond to the electronic devices of the embodiments disclosed in this specification. Usually, it is assumed that the voltages at N141 and / or N131 decrease with time during the discharge process. Although the voltages at N141 and / or N131 may slightly increase during the discharge process, overall, the voltages at N141 and N131 decrease with time. Item 151 of the flowchart indicates that since the voltage at N141 is greater than V4B (i.e., V(N141)>V4B), SIG131 becomes effective. Item 151 of the flowchart also indicates that when the voltage at N131 is greater than V1B (i.e., V(N131)>V1B), SIG41 becomes effective (if applicable). Item 151 of the flowchart also indicates that the load switch 131 is switched off, the load switch 23 is switched off, the load switch 27 is switched off (if applicable), and the load switch 54 is switched on (if applicable). Item 152 of the flowchart follows item 151 of the flowchart. Item 152 of the flowchart indicates that the voltage detector 141 measures the voltage at N141, and when the voltage at N141 is less than or equal to V4B (i.e., V(N141)≦V4B), item 154 of the flowchart becomes effective, and otherwise, item 153 of the flowchart becomes effective. Item 153 of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N141 is decreasing. Item 151 of the flowchart follows item 153 of the flowchart. Item 154 of the flowchart indicates that SIG131 becomes ineffective. Item 154 of the flowchart also indicates that the load switch 142 is switched off (if applicable), the load switch 131 is switched on, and the voltage at N22 becomes equal to the voltage at N131 (i.e., V(N22)=V(N131)). Item 155 of the flowchart follows item 154 of the flowchart.Item 155 of the flowchart indicates that when the voltage detector 53 (if applicable) measures the voltage at N131 and the voltage at N131 is less than or equal to V1B (i.e., V(N131) ≤ V1B), item 157 of the flowchart becomes effective; otherwise, item 156 of the flowchart becomes effective. When the voltage detector 53 is not applicable, item 150 of the flowchart ends at item 154. Item 156 of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N131 is decreasing. Item 154 of the flowchart follows item 156. Item 157 of the flowchart indicates that when SIG41 becomes invalid (if applicable), the load switch 54 is switched off (if applicable). Item 158 of the flowchart follows item 157. Item 158 of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N22 is equal to V1B (i.e., V(N22) = V1B).

[0114] FIG. 16 is a flowchart 160 of the charging process of the energy backup circuit 130B of the eighth embodiment, and this energy backup circuit 130B may correspond to the electronic device of the embodiments disclosed herein. Normally, it is assumed that the voltage at N131 rises with time during the charging process. Although the voltage at N131 may slightly decrease during the charging process, overall, the voltage at N131 rises with time. Item 161 of the flowchart indicates that the voltage detector 53 measures the voltage at N131, and when the voltage at N131 is equal to or higher than V1A (i.e., V(N131)≧V1A), item 163 of the flowchart becomes valid, and otherwise, item 162 of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 162 of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N131 is rising. Item 161 of the flowchart follows item 162 of the flowchart. Item 163 of the flowchart indicates that since SIG41 is valid, the load switch 54 is switched on. Item 164 of the flowchart follows item 163 of the flowchart. Item 164 of the flowchart indicates that since the load switch 132 is switched on (SIG41 is valid), electrical energy can be transferred to the energy backup circuit 130B. Item 165 of the flowchart follows item 164 of the flowchart. Item 165 of the flowchart indicates that the load switch 22 is switched on (via SIG21), the load switch 23 is switched off (via SIG21), and the load switch 27 (if applicable) is switched off (via SIG21), so that the voltage at N21 becomes equal to the voltage at N23 (i.e., V(N21)=V(N23)). Item 166 of the flowchart follows item 165 of the flowchart. Item 166 of the flowchart indicates that the voltage detector 21 measures the voltage at N23, and when the voltage at N23 is equal to or higher than V3A (i.e., V(N23)≧V3A), item 167 of the flowchart becomes valid, and otherwise, item 165 of the flowchart becomes valid.Item 167 of the flowchart indicates that load switch 22 is switched off (via SIG 21), load switch 23 is switched on (via SIG 21), and load switch 27 (if applicable) is switched on (via SIG 21), such that the voltage at N23 becomes equal to the voltage at N22 (i.e., V(N23) = V(N22)). Item 168 of the flowchart follows item 167. Item 168 of the flowchart indicates that voltage detector 21 measures the voltage at N23, and if the voltage at N23 is greater than V3B (i.e., V(N23) > V3B), item 169 of the flowchart becomes valid; otherwise, item 165 of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 169 of the flowchart indicates that energy storage unit 25 is fully charged. Item 168 of the flowchart follows item 169.

[0115] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 11A, and 14B, the electronic devices 50, 60, 70, 110A, and 140B of the embodiments, excluding the energy backup circuits described herein, are those previously disclosed in the literature. In other words, by using the energy backup circuit 30, or the energy backup circuit 40, or the energy backup circuit 100A, or the energy backup circuit 100B, or the energy backup circuit 100C, or the energy backup circuit 100D, or the energy backup circuit 130A, or the energy backup circuit 170A to expand the previously disclosed electronic devices in the literature, a new ultra-low power consumption environmental power generation device can be realized. By this expansion, the electronic devices 50, 60, 70, 110A, and 140B of the embodiments are more robust against large fluctuations in environmental lighting conditions than each of the previously disclosed electronic devices that do not include the energy backup circuits 30, 40, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 130A, and 170A. This improvement in robustness allows the energy backup circuits 30, 40, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 130A, and 170A to efficiently store energy when the collected energy is surplus and to efficiently supply the stored energy to the applied workload 55 when the collected energy is insufficient, thereby improving the circuit efficiency. As a result, the energy backup circuits 30, 40, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 130A, and 170A can be used to improve the performance of the previously disclosed electronic devices in the literature, so that a new ultra-low power consumption environmental power generation device with a wide range of specific applications and improved robustness against fluctuations in environmental lighting conditions becomes possible.

[0116] FIG. 17A is a block diagram of an energy backup circuit 170A according to a ninth embodiment, which includes a voltage detector 21, a load switch 22, a load switch 23, an energy storage unit 24, an energy storage unit 25, and an XNOR logic gate 171. The energy backup circuit 170A according to the ninth embodiment may also include a current regulator 28. The current regulator 28 is depicted by a dashed line to indicate that its incorporation is optional. The current regulator 28 may at least partially control the charging speed and / or the discharging speed of the energy backup circuit 170A. The current regulator 28 may be configured to control the discharging speed of the corresponding energy backup circuit (i.e., the current regulator 28 may control the speed at which energy is transferred from the corresponding energy backup circuit to the applied service load). The load switch 22 is coupled to N131 (node 131) either directly or via the current regulator 28. The load switch 22 is connected to N23. The load switch 22 is also connected to the voltage detector 21 via SIG21. The load switch 23 is connected to N23 and the energy storage unit 25 via node N170. The load switch 23 is also connected to the output of XNOR171 via SIG171. The energy storage unit 25 is connected to the load switch 23 via node 170. SIG21 and SIG131 are input to XNOR171. SIG171 is output from XNOR171. N131 is depicted outside the energy backup circuit 170A to facilitate understanding of subsequent circuit expansion. N131 may be regarded as an input to the energy backup circuit 170A during the charging process. N131 may be regarded as an output of the energy backup circuit 170A during the discharging process. The voltage detector 21 controls the on and off states of both the load switch 22 and the load switch 23 via SIG21. When the load switch 22 is switched on and the load switch 23 is switched off, electrical energy is transferred from N131 and stored in the energy storage unit 24 (i.e., the energy backup circuit 170A is performing the first part of the charging process).When the load switch 23 is switched on and the load switch 22 is switched off, electrical energy can be transferred from the energy storage unit 24 to the energy storage unit 25 (that is, the energy backup circuit 170A is performing the second part of the charging process). Different from all the energy backup circuits disclosed so far in this specification, in the energy backup circuit 170A, a circuit condition may occur in which both the load switch 22 and the load switch 23 are in the same switch state simultaneously. When both the load switch 22 and the load switch 23 are switched on simultaneously, electrical energy can be transferred from the energy storage unit 24 and / or the energy storage unit 25 to N131 (that is, the energy backup circuit 170A is performing a discharging process). The energy backup circuit 170A of the ninth embodiment may also include a resistor 173. The resistor 173 is drawn with a dashed line to indicate that its incorporation is optional. The resistor 173 is connected to the node N171 and the ground 174. The resistance value of the resistor 173 can be in the range of 10 kΩ to 100 MΩ. Preferably, the resistance value of the resistor 173 can be in the range of 100 kΩ to 10 MΩ. Preferably, the minimum resistance value of the resistor 173 is 100 kΩ. The advantage of the resistor 173 is that it can prevent unstable circuit operation, especially when the voltage at the node N23 is below the minimum operating condition of the voltage detector 21 during the start-up stage and / or the startup stage of the execution function. The disadvantage of the resistor 173 is that when the voltage detector 21 enables a "high" logic signal via SIG21, a small amount of energy may be lost in useless work, so the circuit efficiency may decrease slightly when the resistor 173 is incorporated. The energy backup circuit 170A can be an electrical energy storage system.

[0117] Figure 17B is a block diagram of an energy backup circuit 170B according to a tenth embodiment, which includes a voltage detector 21, a load switch 22, a load switch 23, an energy storage unit 24, an energy storage unit 25, an XNOR logic gate 171, and a load switch 172. The charge-discharge circuit 170B of the tenth embodiment may also include a current regulator 28. The current regulator 28 is drawn with a dashed line to indicate that its incorporation is optional. The energy backup circuit 170B is the same as the energy backup circuit 170A, except that the load switch 172 is disposed between N131 and either the current regulator 28 (when the current regulator 28 is included) or the load switch 22 (when the current regulator 28 is not included). The load switch 172 is switched on and off by SIG41. The load switch 172 can at least partially control the charging process, discharging process, and no-process of the energy backup circuit 170B. The advantage of the energy backup circuit 170B over the energy backup circuit 170A is that the load switch 172 is used to insulate the energy backup circuit 170B from the corresponding electronic device, whereby the power supply and / or energy efficiency can be improved, so that more useful operations can be performed by the collected energy. The energy backup circuit 170B of the tenth embodiment may also include a resistor 173. The resistor 173 is drawn with a dashed line to indicate that its incorporation is optional. The resistor 173 is connected to the node N171 and the ground 174. The resistance value of the resistor 173 can be in the range of 10 kΩ to 100 MΩ. Preferably, the resistance value of the resistor 173 can be in the range of 100 kΩ to 10 MΩ. Preferably, the minimum resistance value of the resistor 173 is 100 kΩ. The advantage of the resistor 173 is that it can prevent unstable circuit operation, especially when the voltage at the node N23 is below the minimum operating condition of the voltage detector 21 during the start-up stage and / or activation stage of the execution function. The disadvantage of the resistor 173 is that the circuit efficiency may be slightly reduced when the resistor 173 is incorporated because a small amount of energy may be lost in useless work when the voltage detector 21 enables a "high" logic signal via SIG21.The energy backup circuit 170B can be an electrical energy storage system.

[0118] FIG. 17C is a block diagram of an energy backup circuit 170C according to an eleventh embodiment, which includes a voltage detector 21, a load switch 22, a load switch 23, an energy storage unit 24, an energy storage unit 25, an XNOR logic gate 171, and an XNOR logic gate 172. The energy backup circuit 170C according to the eleventh embodiment may also include a current regulator 28. The current regulator 28 is drawn with a dashed line to indicate that its incorporation is optional. The load switch 22 is coupled to N131 (node 131) either directly or via the current regulator 28. The energy backup circuit 170C is similar to the energy backup circuit 170B except that the output (SIG172) from the XNOR logic gate 172 now controls the on / off switching of the load switch 22. SIG21 and SIG41 are input parts to the XNOR logic gate 172. The energy backup circuit 170C according to the eleventh embodiment may also include a resistor 173. The resistor 173 is drawn with a dashed line to indicate that its incorporation is optional. The resistor 173 is connected between node N171 and ground 174. The resistance value of the resistor 173 can be in the range of 10 kΩ to 100 MΩ. Preferably, the resistance value of the resistor 173 can be in the range of 100 kΩ to 10 MΩ. Preferably, the minimum resistance value of the resistor 173 is 100 kΩ. The advantage of the resistor 173 is that it can prevent unstable circuit operation, especially when the voltage at node N23 is below the minimum operating condition of the voltage detector 21 during the startup stage and / or the activation stage of the execution function. The disadvantage of the resistor 173 is that when the voltage detector 21 enables a "high" logic signal via SIG21, a small amount of energy may be lost in useless work, so incorporating the resistor 173 may slightly reduce the circuit efficiency. The energy backup circuit 170C can be an electrical energy storage system.

[0119] FIG. 18A shows the truth table of the XNOR logic gate 171 used in the ninth energy backup circuit 170A, the tenth energy backup circuit 170B, and the eleventh energy backup circuit 170C. Since the XNOR logic gate 171 is a conventional design, the inputs (SIG21 and SIG131) and the result output (SIG171) follow the conventional logic rules corresponding to the conventional XNOR logic gate.

[0120] FIG. 18B shows the truth table of the XNOR logic gate 172 used in the eleventh energy backup circuit. Since the XNOR logic gate 172 is a conventional design, the inputs (SIG21 and SIG41) and the result output (SIG172) follow the conventional logic rules corresponding to the conventional XNOR logic gate.

[0121] As described above, when the load switch 22 and the load switch 23 correspond to the charge / discharge circuit 20A or the charge / discharge circuit 20B, the load switch 22 and the load switch 23 are always configured to be in opposite switch states (that is, when the load switch 22 is switched on, the load switch 23 is switched off, and vice versa). However, when both the load switch 22 and the load switch 23 correspond to any one of the energy backup circuit 170A, the energy backup circuit 170B, or the energy backup circuit 170C, the load switch 22 and the load switch 23 are not necessarily configured to be in opposite switch states (that is, a circuit state may occur in which both the load switch 22 and the load switch 23 are switched on simultaneously or switched off simultaneously). In the energy backup circuits 170A, 170B, and 170C, when both the load switch 22 and the load switch 23 are switched on simultaneously, the corresponding energy backup circuit may execute a discharge process (that is, energy is transferred from the energy backup circuits 170A, 170B, and 170 to N131).

[0122] FIG. 19A is a flowchart 190A of the charging process of the energy backup circuit 170A of the ninth embodiment, and this energy backup circuit 170A may correspond to the electronic device of the embodiments disclosed herein. Normally, it is assumed that the voltage at N141 rises with time during the charging process. Although the voltage at N141 may slightly decrease during the charging process, overall, the voltage at N141 rises with time. Item 191A of the flowchart indicates that the voltage detector 141 measures the voltage at N141, and when the voltage at N141 is equal to or higher than V4A (i.e., V(N141)≧V4A), item 193A of the flowchart becomes valid, and otherwise item 192A of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 192A of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N141 is rising. Flowchart 191A continues to item 192A of the flowchart. Item 193A of the flowchart indicates that SIG131 becomes valid and the logical state 1 is assigned. Item 193A of the flowchart also indicates that the load switch 142 is switched on. Item 194A of the flowchart follows item 193A of the flowchart. Item 194A of the flowchart indicates that the logical state 0 is assigned to SIG21, the logical state 1 is assigned to SIG131, and as a result, the logical state 0 is assigned to SIG171 (this is the case according to the truth table of the XNOR logic gate 171). Item 194A of the flowchart also indicates that the load switch 22 is switched on and the load switch 23 is switched off. Item 194A of the flowchart also indicates that the voltage at N131 is equal to the voltage at N23 (i.e., V(N131)=V(N23)). Item 195A of the flowchart follows item 194A of the flowchart. Item 195A of the flowchart indicates that the voltage detector 21 measures the voltage at N23, and when the voltage at N23 is equal to or higher than V3A (i.e., V(N23)≧V3A), item 196A of the flowchart becomes valid, and otherwise item 194A of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 196A of the flowchart indicates that the logical state 1 is assigned to SIG21, the logical state 1 is assigned to SIG131, and as a result, the logical state 1 is assigned to SIG171 (this is the case according to the truth table of the XNOR logic gate 171).Item 196A of the flowchart also shows that the load switch 22 is switched off and the load switch 23 is switched on. Item 196A of the flowchart also shows that the voltage at N23 is equal to the voltage at N170 (i.e., V(N23) = V(N170)). Item 197A of the flowchart follows item 196A of the flowchart. Item 197A of the flowchart shows that the voltage detector 21 measures the voltage at N23, and when the voltage at N23 is greater than V3B (i.e., V(N23) > V3B), item 198A of the flowchart becomes valid, and in other cases, item 194A of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 198A of the flowchart shows that the energy storage unit 25 is fully charged. Item 197A of the flowchart follows item 198A of the flowchart.

[0123] Figure 19B is a flowchart 190B of the discharge process of the energy backup circuit 170A of the ninth embodiment, and this energy backup circuit 170A may correspond to the electronic device of the embodiments disclosed herein. Usually, it is assumed that the voltage at N141 decreases with time during the discharge process. Although the voltage at N141 may slightly increase during the discharge process, overall, the voltage at N141 decreases with time. Item 191B of the flowchart indicates that when the voltage at N23 is less than V3B and the voltage at N141 is greater than V4B, a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG21, a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG131, and as a result, a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG171 (this is according to the truth table of the XNOR logic gate 171). Item 191B of the flowchart also indicates that the load switch 22 is switched on, the load switch 23 is switched off, and the load switch 142 is switched on (if applicable). Item 191B of the flowchart also indicates that the voltages at N131, N23, and N141 are all equal (i.e., V(N131)=V(N23)=V(N141)). Item 192B of the flowchart follows item 191B of the flowchart. Item 192B of the flowchart indicates that the voltage detector 141 measures the voltage at N141, and when the voltage at N141 is less than or equal to V4B (i.e., V(N141)≦V4B), item 194B of the flowchart becomes valid, and otherwise, item 193B of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 193B of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N141 is decreasing (i.e., V(N141) is decreasing). Item 191B of the flowchart follows item 193B of the flowchart. Item 194B of the flowchart indicates that SIG131 becomes invalid and a logical state 0 is assigned. Item 194B of the flowchart also indicates that the load switch 142 (if applicable) is switched off. Item 195B of the flowchart follows item 194B of the flowchart. Item 195B of the flowchart indicates that a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG21, a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG131, and as a result, a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG171 (this is according to the truth table of the XNOR logic gate 171).Item 195B of the flowchart also indicates that load switch 22 is switched on and load switch 23 is switched on. Item 195B of the flowchart also indicates that the voltages at N131, N23, and N170 are all equal (i.e., V(N131) = V(N23) = V(N170)). Item 196B of the flowchart follows item 195B of the flowchart. Item 196B of the flowchart indicates that voltage detector 53 (if applicable) measures the voltage at N131, and if the voltage at N131 is less than or equal to V1B (i.e., V(N131) ≤ V1B), item 198B of the flowchart becomes valid, and otherwise item 197B of the flowchart becomes valid. If voltage detector 53 is not applicable, flowchart 190B ends at item 195B of the flowchart. Item 197B of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N131 is decreasing. Item 195B of the flowchart follows item 197B of the flowchart. Item 198B of the flowchart indicates that SIG41 (if applicable) becomes invalid and load switch 54 (if applicable) is switched off. Item 199B of the flowchart follows item 198B of the flowchart. Item 199B of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N170 is equal to V1B (i.e., V(N170) = V1B).

[0124] Figure 20A is a flowchart 200A of the charging process of the energy backup circuit 170B of the tenth embodiment, and this energy backup circuit 170B may correspond to the electronic device of the embodiments disclosed herein. Usually, it is assumed that the voltage at N131 rises with time during the charging process. Although the voltage at N131 may slightly decrease during the charging process, as a whole tendency, the voltage at N131 rises with time. Item 201A of the flowchart indicates that the load switch 142 is switched on. Item 201A of the flowchart also indicates that the voltage at N141 is equal to the voltage at N131 and greater than V4B (i.e., V(N141)=V(N131)>V4B). Item 201A of the flowchart also indicates that SIG131 becomes valid (i.e., a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG131). Item 202A of the flowchart follows item 201A of the flowchart. Item 202A of the flowchart indicates that the voltage detector 53 measures the voltage at N131, and when the voltage at N131 is equal to or greater than V1A (i.e., V(N131)≧V1A), item 204A of the flowchart becomes valid, and otherwise item 203A of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 203A of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N131 is rising. Flowchart 201A follows item 203A of the flowchart. Item 204A of the flowchart indicates that the load switch 52 is switched on and SIG41 becomes valid. Item 205A of the flowchart follows item 204A of the flowchart. Item 205A of the flowchart indicates that the load switch 172 is switched on. Item 206A of the flowchart follows item 205A of the flowchart. Item 206A of the flowchart indicates that a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG21 and a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG131, and as a result, a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG171 (this is the case according to the truth table of the XNOR logic gate 171). Item 206A of the flowchart also indicates that the load switch 22 is switched on and the load switch 23 is switched off. Item 206A of the flowchart also indicates that the voltage at N131 is equal to the voltage at N23 (i.e., V(N131)=V(N23)). Item 207A of the flowchart follows item 206A of the flowchart.The item 207A of the flowchart indicates that when the voltage detector 21 measures the voltage at N23 and the voltage at N23 is equal to or higher than V3A (i.e., V(N23)≧V3A), the item 208A of the flowchart becomes valid; otherwise, the item 206A of the flowchart becomes valid. The item 208A of the flowchart indicates that a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG21, a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG131, and as a result, a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG171 (this is in accordance with the truth table of the XNOR logic gate 171). The item 208A of the flowchart also indicates that the load switch 22 is switched off and the load switch 23 is switched on. The item 208A of the flowchart also indicates that the voltage at N23 is equal to the voltage at N170 (i.e., V(N23)=V(N170)). The item 209A of the flowchart follows the item 208A. The item 209A of the flowchart indicates that when the voltage detector 21 measures the voltage at N23 and the voltage at N23 is greater than V3B (i.e., V(N23)>V3B), the item 2010A of the flowchart becomes valid; otherwise, the item 206A of the flowchart becomes valid. The item 2010A of the flowchart indicates that the energy storage unit 25 is fully charged. The item 209A of the flowchart follows the item 2010A.

[0125] Figure 20B is a flowchart 200B of the discharge process of the energy backup circuit 170B of the tenth embodiment, and this energy backup circuit 170B may correspond to the electronic device of the embodiments disclosed herein. Usually, the voltages at N141 and / or N131 are assumed to decrease with time during the discharge process. Although the voltages at N141 and / or N131 may slightly increase during the discharge process, overall, the voltages at N141 and / or N131 decrease with time. Item 201B of the flowchart indicates that when the voltage at N23 is lower than V3B (i.e., V(N23) < V3B), the voltage at N141 is greater than V4B (i.e., V(N141) > V4B), and the voltage at N131 is greater than V1B (i.e., V(N131) > V1B), a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG21, a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG131, and as a result, a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG171 (this is according to the truth table of the XNOR logic gate 171). Flowchart 201B also shows that SIG41 becomes valid, the load switch 142 is switched on, the load switch 22 is switched on, the load switch 172 is switched on, and the load switch 23 is switched off. Item 201B of the flowchart also shows that the voltages at N131, N23, and N141 are equal (i.e., V(N131) = V(N23) = V(N141)). Item 202B of the flowchart follows item 201B of the flowchart. Item 202B of the flowchart indicates that when the voltage detector 141 measures the voltage at N141 and the voltage at N141 is less than or equal to V4B (i.e., V(N141) ≤ V4B), item 204B of the flowchart becomes valid, and in other cases, item 203B of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 203B of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N141 is decreasing. Item 201B of the flowchart follows item 203B of the flowchart. Item 204B of the flowchart indicates that SIG131 becomes invalid and a logical state 0 is assigned. Item 204B of the flowchart also shows that the load switch 142 is switched off. Item 205B of the flowchart follows item 204B of the flowchart.In flow diagram item 205B, a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG21 and a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG131. As a result, a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG171 (this is in accordance with the truth table of the XNOR logic gate 171). Flow diagram item 205B also indicates that load switch 22 is switched on and load switch 23 is switched on. Flow diagram item 205B also indicates that the voltages at N131, N23, and N170 are equal (i.e., V(N131)=V(N23)=V(N170)). Flow diagram item 206B follows flow diagram item 205B. Flow diagram item 206B indicates that voltage detector 53 measures the voltage at N131, and if the voltage at N131 is less than or equal to V1B, flow diagram item 208B becomes effective; otherwise, flow diagram item 207B becomes effective. Flow diagram 207B indicates that the voltage at N131 is decreasing. Flow diagram item 206B follows flow diagram 207B. Flow diagram item 208B indicates that SIG41 becomes invalid, load switch 172 is switched off, and load switch 54 is switched off. Flow diagram item 209B follows flow diagram item 208B. Flow diagram item 209B indicates that the voltage at N170 is equal to voltage V1B (i.e., V(N170)=V1B).

[0126] FIG. 21A is a flowchart 210A of the charging process of the energy backup circuit 170C of the eleventh embodiment, and this energy backup circuit 170C may correspond to the electronic device of the embodiment disclosed herein. Normally, it is assumed that the voltage at N131 rises with time during the charging process. Although the voltage at N131 may slightly decrease during the charging process, overall, the voltage at N131 rises with time. Item 211A of the flowchart indicates that SIG131 becomes valid (i.e., a logical value 1 is assigned to SIG131). Item 211A of the flowchart also indicates that the voltage at N141 is equal to the voltage at N131 and the voltages at both N141 and N131 are greater than the voltage V4B (i.e., V(N141)=V(N131)>V4B). Item 211A of the flowchart also indicates that the load switch 142 is switched on. Item 211A of the flowchart also indicates that a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG21 and a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG131, and as a result, a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG171 (this is according to the truth table of the XNOR logic gate 171). Item 211A of the flowchart also indicates that the load switch 23 is switched off. Item 211A of the flowchart indicates that SIG41 becomes invalid and a logical value 0 is assigned. Item 211A of the flowchart also indicates that a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG21 and a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG41, and as a result, a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG172 (this is according to the truth table of the XNOR logic gate 172). Item 211A of the flowchart also indicates that the load switch 22 is switched off and the load switch 54 is switched off. Item 212A of the flowchart follows item 211A of the flowchart. Item 212A of the flowchart indicates that the voltage detector 53 measures the voltage at N131, and if the voltage at N131 is equal to or greater than V1A (i.e., V(N131)≧V1A), item 214A of the flowchart becomes valid, and otherwise, item 213A of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 213A of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N131 is rising. Item 211A of the flowchart follows item 213A of the flowchart.Item 214A of the flowchart indicates that SIG41 becomes valid and a logical value 1 is assigned. Flowchart 214A also indicates that load switch 54 is switched on. Item 215A of the flowchart follows item 214A of the flowchart. Flowchart 215A shows that a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG21 and a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG41, and as a result, a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG172 (this is the case according to the truth table of XNOR logic gate 172). Item 215A of the flowchart also indicates that load switch 22 is switched on. Item 215A of the flowchart shows that a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG21 and a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG131, and as a result, a logical state 0 is assigned to SIG171 (this is the case according to the truth table of XNOR logic gate 171). Item 215A of the flowchart also indicates that the voltage at N23 is equal to the voltage at N131 (i.e., V(N23)=V(N131)). Item 216A of the flowchart follows item 215A of the flowchart. Item 216A of the flowchart shows that voltage detector 21 measures the voltage at N23, and when the voltage at N23 is greater than or equal to V3A (i.e., V(N23)≧V3A), item 217A of the flowchart becomes valid, and in other cases, item 215A of the flowchart becomes valid. Flowchart 217A shows that a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG21 and a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG41, and as a result, a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG172 (this is the case according to the truth table of XNOR logic gate 172). Flowchart 217A also indicates that load switch 22 is switched off. Flowchart 217A shows that a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG21 and a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG131, and as a result, a logical state 1 is assigned to SIG171 (this is the case according to the truth table of XNOR logic gate 171). Flowchart item 217A also indicates that the voltage at N23 is equal to the voltage at N170 (i.e., V(N23)=V(N170)). Item 218A of the flowchart follows item 217A of the flowchart.The item 218A of the flowchart indicates that when the voltage detector 21 measures the voltage at N23 and the voltage at N23 is greater than V3B (i.e., V(N23)>V3B), the item 215A of the flowchart becomes effective, and in other cases, the item 219A of the flowchart becomes effective. The flowchart 219A indicates that the energy storage unit 25 is fully charged. The flowchart item 218A follows the flowchart item 219A.

[0127] Figure 21B is a flowchart 210B of the discharge process of the energy backup circuit 170C of the eleventh embodiment, and this energy backup circuit 170C may correspond to the electronic device of the embodiment disclosed in this specification. Usually, it is assumed that the voltage at N141 decreases with time during the discharge process. Although the voltage at N141 may slightly increase during the charging process, overall, the voltage at N141 decreases with time. Item 211B of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N23 is smaller than V3B, the voltage at N141 is larger than V4B, and the voltage at N131 is larger than V1B (that is, V(N23) < V3B and V(N141) > V4B and V(N131) > V1B). Item 211B of the flowchart also indicates that both SIG41 and SIG131 become valid and logical value 1 is assigned to both. Item 211B of the flowchart also indicates that the load switch 142 is switched on. Item 211B of the flowchart also indicates that logical state 0 is assigned to SIG21 and logical state 1 is assigned to SIG131, and as a result, logical state 0 is assigned to SIG171 (this is the case according to the truth table of the XNOR logic gate 171). Item 211B of the flowchart also indicates that logical state 0 is assigned to SIG21 and logical state 1 is assigned to SIG41, and as a result, logical state 0 is assigned to SIG172 (this is the case according to the truth table of the XNOR logic gate 172). Item 211B of the flowchart also indicates that the load switch 22 is switched on and the load switch 23 is switched off. Flowchart 211B also indicates that the voltages at N131, N23, and N141 are the same (that is, V(N131) = V(N23) = V(N141)). Item 212B of the flowchart follows item 211B of the flowchart. Item 212B of the flowchart indicates that the voltage detector 141 measures the voltage at N141, and when the voltage at N141 is less than or equal to V4B (that is, V(N141) ≤ V4B), item 214B of the flowchart becomes valid, and in other cases, item 213B of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 231B of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N141 is decreasing. Item 211B of the flowchart follows item 213B of the flowchart.Item 214B of the flowchart indicates that SIG131 becomes invalid and a logical value of 0 is assigned. Item 214B of the flowchart also indicates that load switch 142 is switched off. Item 215B of the flowchart follows item 214B of the flowchart. Item 215B of the flowchart indicates that a logical state of 0 is assigned to SIG21 and a logical state of 0 is assigned to SIG131, and as a result, a logical state of 1 is assigned to SIG171 (this is according to the truth table of XNOR logic gate 171). Item 215B of the flowchart also indicates that load switch 22 is switched on and load switch 23 is switched on. Flowchart 215B also indicates that the voltages at N131, N23, and N170 are the same (i.e., V(N131)=V(N23)=V(N170)). Item 216B of the flowchart follows item 215B of the flowchart. Item 216B of the flowchart indicates that voltage detector 53 measures the voltage at N131, and when the voltage at N131 is less than or equal to V1B (i.e., V(N131)≦V1B), item 217B of the flowchart becomes valid, and in other cases, item 218B of the flowchart becomes valid. Item 218B of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N131 is decreasing. Item 216B of the flowchart follows flowchart 218B. Item 217B of the flowchart indicates that SIG41 becomes invalid and a logical value of 0 is assigned. Item 217B of the flowchart also indicates that load switch 54 is switched off. Item 217B of the flowchart also indicates that a logical state of 0 is assigned to SIG21 and a logical state of 0 is assigned to SIG41, and as a result, a logical state of 1 is assigned to SIG172 (this is according to the truth table of XNOR logic gate 172). Item 217B of the flowchart also indicates that load switch 22 is switched off. Item 219B of the flowchart follows item 217B of the flowchart. Item 219B of the flowchart indicates that the voltage at N170 is equal to V1B (i.e., V(N170)=V1B).

[0128] Figures 22A to 22E and Figure 23 show various tables comparing the relative characteristics (cost, energy efficiency, and circuit efficiency) of each energy backup circuit disclosed in this specification and each electronic device disclosed in this specification. Evaluation "1" represents the highest performance in a given characteristic. The cost evaluation "1" represents the lowest cost (i.e., the least expensive energy backup circuit or the least expensive electronic device). The energy efficiency evaluation "1" represents the highest energy efficiency (i.e., the amount of energy wasted in unproductive work during the charging and discharging processes is minimized). The circuit efficiency evaluation "1" represents the highest circuit efficiency (i.e., since the amount of energy wasted in unproductive work is minimized, when the electronic device includes a wireless transmitter, the data transmission speed by the wireless transmitter can be optimized).

[0129] Figure 22A is a table comparing the relative cost and energy efficiency between energy backup circuit 30 and energy backup circuit 40. This energy efficiency relates to the efficient energy storage within the electronic devices (e.g., application workload 55) of the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the efficient supply of the stored energy to the load. Energy backup circuit 30 has the lowest cost (evaluation = 1, i.e., the least expensive), and energy backup circuit 40 has the highest energy efficiency (evaluation = 1).

[0130] Figure 22B is a table comparing the relative cost and energy efficiency of energy backup circuits 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D. Energy backup circuit 100A has the lowest cost (evaluation = 1), and energy backup circuit 100D has the highest cost (evaluation = 4). Energy backup circuit 100A has the lowest energy efficiency (evaluation = 4), and energy backup circuit 100D has the highest energy efficiency (evaluation = 1).

[0131] Figure 22C is a table comparing the relative costs and energy efficiencies of energy backup circuit 130A and energy backup circuit 130B. Energy backup circuit 130A has the lowest cost (evaluation = 1), and energy backup circuit 130B has the highest energy efficiency ((evaluation = 1).

[0132] Figure 22D is a table comparing the relative costs and energy efficiencies of energy backup circuit 170A, energy backup circuit 170B, and energy backup circuit 170C. Energy backup circuit 170A has the lowest cost (evaluation = 1), and energy backup circuit 170B has the highest energy efficiency (evaluation = 1). Energy backup circuits 170B and 170C have the same cost evaluation of 2, and energy backup 170C has the lowest energy efficiency (evaluation = 3).

[0133] Figure 22E is a table comparing the relative costs and energy efficiencies of energy backup circuits 30, 40, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 130A, 130B, 170A, 170B, and 170C. Energy backup circuit 30 has the lowest cost (evaluation = 1), and energy backup circuits 170B and 170C have the highest costs (evaluation = 8). The cost evaluations of energy backup circuits 100C and 130B are the same "tie 5". Energy backup circuit 170C has the lowest energy efficiency (evaluation = 11), and energy backup circuit 100D has the highest energy efficiency (evaluation = 1).

[0134] Figures 22A - 22D show a general trend that as the cost increases, the circuit efficiency increases. However, Figure 22E shows that although energy backup circuit 100D has the highest energy efficiency, it does not have the highest cost. Therefore, energy backup circuit 100D can be a preferable energy backup circuit as it can have particularly good relative characteristics.

[0135] FIG. 23 is a table comparing the relative costs and circuit efficiencies of electronic devices 50, 60, 70, 110A, 110B, 140A, 140B, 140C corresponding to energy backup circuits 30, 40, 40, 100D, 100D, 130B, 170B, 130A, respectively. The performance of the circuit efficiency is evaluated for each of the lighting ranges LXR1 (low lighting), LXR2 (medium lighting), and LXR3 (high lighting). Among the electronic devices disclosed in this specification, there may be cases where a large number of the energy backup circuits disclosed in this specification correspond, but in FIG. 23, for the purpose of easy explanation, each electronic device is made to correspond to only one energy backup circuit. The specific combination of the electronic device and the corresponding energy backup circuit shown in FIG. 23 was selected because this combination can show a preferable configuration for the energy backup circuit since it can achieve relatively good performance characteristics. The cost of the electronic device 140C is the lowest (evaluation = 1), and the cost of the electronic device 110B is the highest (evaluation = 8). At LXR1 (low illuminance), both the electronic devices 70 and 110A have the highest circuit efficiency (evaluation = 1), and the electronic device 140C has the lowest circuit efficiency ((evaluation = 6). At LXR2 (medium lighting), the electronic device 60 has the highest circuit efficiency (evaluation = 1), and the electronic device 140C has the lowest circuit efficiency (evaluation = 6). At LXR3 (high illuminance), the electronic device 110A has the highest circuit efficiency (evaluation = 1), and the electronic device 140C has the lowest circuit efficiency (evaluation = 8).

[0136] Referring to FIG. 23, it has been found that the overall relative advantage of the electronic device 110A of the fourth embodiment used in combination with the energy backup circuit 100D is particularly excellent in terms of the combination of circuit efficiency and cost. In other words, although the electronic device 110A of the fourth embodiment used in combination with the energy backup circuit 100D may not be the most expensive embodiment disclosed herein, it can perform more useful operations with the collected energy, so that better circuit efficiency can be obtained under a wider range of lighting conditions compared to other embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, it may be a preferable configuration that the electronic device 110A of the fourth embodiment includes its corresponding energy backup circuit 100D as an ultra-low power consumption environmental power generation device equipped with an energy-efficient backup circuit.

[0137] FIG. 24A is a table showing six embodiments (Embodiments 24.1 to 24.6) of a predetermined voltage configuration that can be used to configure the electronic device disclosed in this specification. FIG. 24B is a table showing another six embodiments (Embodiments 24.7 to 24.12) of a predetermined voltage configuration that can be used to configure the electronic device disclosed in this specification. Embodiments 24.1 to 24.12 show the relative relationships of predetermined voltages V1A, V1B, V2A, V2B, V3A, V3B, V4A, and V4B, and examples of the voltages of V1A, V1B, V2A, V2B, V3A, V3B, V4A, and V4B. The energy storage unit 25 corresponding to the embodiment disclosed in this specification can store energy via a capacitor and / or a supercapacitor (i.e., a capacitive storage unit). The energy storage unit 25 corresponding to the embodiment disclosed in this specification can store energy via a battery cell and / or a battery (i.e., a battery cell / battery storage unit). The energy storage unit 25 corresponding to the embodiment disclosed in this specification can store energy via any combination of a capacitive storage unit and / or a battery cell / battery storage unit. Various different capacitive devices and battery cell / battery devices for storing energy are available. It has been found that by using the predetermined voltage configuration as disclosed in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the energy efficiency and circuit efficiency in a given example of a capacitive storage device or a battery cell / battery storage device can be optimized. When combining Embodiments 24.1 to 24.12 with the following disclosure, it can be seen that various different components constitute the energy storage unit 25, thereby determining different relationships between the predetermined voltages and different voltage examples. Embodiments 24.1 to 24.12 also show different relationships between the predetermined voltages and different voltage examples that may be required when the corresponding electronic device is provided with the current regulator 28 as disclosed in this specification. When V3A is configured to be greater than V1A, it may be preferable to exclude the current regulator 28 from the corresponding electronic device as disclosed in this specification. When V3A is configured to be less than V1A, it may be preferable to provide the corresponding electronic device with the current regulator 28 as disclosed in this specification.

[0138] Typically, each configuration illustrated in FIGS. 24A and 24B can optimize the power supply and thus the useful work performed with the energy collected at a given level of ambient illumination. Typically, each configuration illustrated in FIGS. 24A and 24B can optimize the circuit efficiency at a given level of ambient illumination. Typically, with each configuration illustrated in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the surplus energy collected can be efficiently stored. Typically, with each configuration illustrated in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the energy stored in the energy backup circuit can be efficiently supplied to the corresponding applied workload. Typically, Examples 24.1 to 24.12 aim to realize an electronic device having beneficial features regarding energy efficiency and circuit efficiency.

[0139] Example 24.1 shows that the electronic device disclosed herein can be configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A ≧ V2A ≧ V2B > V1B and a second voltage relationship of V3A > V3B > V1A, and each voltage can be, for example, V1A = 3.0V, V1B = 2.5V, V2A = 2.95V, V2B = 2.8V, V3A = 3.3V, and V3B = 3.15V. Since each electronic device corresponding to Example 24.1 does not include a voltage detector 141, the values of V4A and V4B are not shown in Example 24.1.

[0140] Example 24.2 shows that the electronic device disclosed herein can be configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A ≧ V2A ≧ V2B > V1B, a second voltage relationship of V3A > V3B > V1A, and a third voltage relationship of V2B ≧ V4A ≧ V4B > V1B, and each voltage can be, for example, V1A = 3.0V, V1B = 2.5V, V2A = 2.95V, V2B = 2.8V, V3A = 3.3V, V3B = 3.15V, V4A = 2.6V, and V4B = 2.55V.

[0141] Example 24.3 shows that the electronic device disclosed in this specification can be configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A≧V2A≧V2B>V1B, a second voltage relationship of V3A>V3B>V1A, and a third voltage relationship of V2B≧V4A≧V1B≧V4B, and each voltage can be, for example, V1A = 3.0V, V1B = 2.5V, V2A = 2.95V, V2B = 2.8V, V3A = 3.3V, V3B = 3.15V, V4A = 2.6V, and V4B = 2.2V.

[0142] Example 24.4 shows that the electronic device disclosed in this specification can be configured to have a first voltage relationship of V2A≧V1A≧V2B>V1B and a second voltage relationship of V1A≧V3A>V3B>V1B, and each voltage can be, for example, V1A = 2.95V, V1B = 1.85V, V2A = 2.95V, V2B = 2.8V, V3A = 2.85V, and V3B = 2.7V. Since each electronic device corresponding to Example 24.4 does not include the voltage detector 141, the values of V4A and V4B are not shown in Example 24.4.

[0143] Example 24.5 shows that the electronic device disclosed in this specification can be configured to have a first voltage relationship of V2A≧V1A≧V2B>V1B, a second voltage relationship of V1A≧V3A>V3B>V1B, and a third voltage relationship of V3B≧V4A≧V4B>V1B, and each voltage can be, for example, V1A = 2.95V, V1B = 1.85V, V2A = 2.95V, V2B = 2.8V, V3A = 2.85V, V3B = 2.7V, V4A = 2.5V, and V4B = 2.2V.

[0144] Example 24.6 shows that the electronic device disclosed herein can be configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A ≧ V2A ≧ V2B > V1B and a second voltage relationship of V1A ≧ V3A > V3B > V1B, and each voltage can be, for example, V1A = 2.0V, V1B = 1.1V, V2A = 1.8V, V2B = 1.7V, V3A = 1.6V, and V3B = 1.5V. Since each electronic device corresponding to Example 24.6 does not include the voltage detector 141, the values of V4A and V4B are not shown in Example 24.6.

[0145] Example 24.7 shows that the electronic device disclosed herein can be configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A ≧ V2A ≧ V2B > V1B and a second voltage relationship of V3A > V3B ≧ V1A > V1B, and each voltage can be, for example, V1A = 4.0V, V1B = 3.0V, V2A = 3.8V, V2B = 3.65V, V3A = 4.35V, and V3B = 4.2V. Since each electronic device corresponding to Example 24.7 does not include the voltage detector 141, the values of V4A and V4B are not shown in Example 24.7.

[0146] Example 24.8 shows that the electronic device disclosed herein can be configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A ≧ V2A ≧ V2B > V1B, a second voltage relationship of V3A > V3B ≧ V1A > V1B, and a third voltage relationship of V2B ≧ V4A ≧ V4B > V1B, and each voltage can be, for example, V1A = 4.0V, V1B = 3.0V, V2A = 3.8V, V2B = 3.65V, V3A = 4.35V, V3B = 4.2V, V4A = 3.2V, and V4B = 3.1V.

[0147] Example 24.9 shows that the electronic device disclosed herein can be configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A≧V2A≧V2B>V1B and a second voltage relationship of V1A≧V3A>V3B>V1B, and each voltage can be, for example, V1A = 4.0V, V1B = 2.8V, V2A = 3.8V, V2B = 3.65V, V3A = 3.8V, and V3B = 3.65V. Since each electronic device corresponding to Example 24.9 does not include the voltage detector 141, the values of V4A and V4B are not shown in Example 24.9.

[0148] Example 24.10 shows that the electronic device disclosed herein can be configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A≧V2A≧V2B>V1B, a second voltage relationship of V1A≧V3A>V3B>V1B, and a third voltage relationship of V2A≧V4A≧V4B>V1B, and each voltage can be, for example, V1A = 4.0V, V1B = 2.8V, V2A = 3.8V, V2B = 3.65V, V3A = 3.8V, V3B = 3.65V, V4A = 3.0V, and V4B = 2.9V.

[0149] Example 24.11 shows that the electronic device disclosed herein can be configured to have a first voltage relationship of V1A≧V2A≧V2B>V1B and a second voltage relationship of V3A≧V1A≧V3B>V1B, and each voltage can be, for example, V1A = 3.0V, V1B = 2.5V, V2A = 2.9V, V2B = 2.8V, V3A = 3.05V, and V3B = 2.95V. Since each electronic device corresponding to Example 24.11 does not include the voltage detector 141, the values of V4A and V4B are not shown in Example 24.11.

[0150] Example 24.12 shows that the electronic device disclosed herein can be configured to have a first voltage relationship of V2A ≥ V2B ≥ V1A > V1B, a second voltage relationship of V3A > V3B ≥ V1A > V1B, and a third voltage relationship of V2A ≥ V3A > V3B > V1B, and each voltage can be, for example, V1A = 2.7V, V1B = 2.4V, V2A = 2.95V, V2B = 2.8V, V3A = 2.85V, and V3B = 2.7V. Since each electronic device corresponding to Example 24.12 does not include the voltage detector 141, the values of V4A and V4B are not shown in Example 24.12.

[0151] In Examples 24.1 to 24.12, each voltage value of V1A, V1B, V2A, V2B, V3A, V3B, V4A, and V4B can be within 30%, preferably within 15% of the voltage values described as examples, as long as the corresponding predetermined voltage relationships are maintained for each of Examples 24.1 to 24.12.

[0152] The energy storage unit 25 corresponding to Examples 24.1, 24.2, and 24.3 may include at least one capacitive storage device such as a capacitor or a supercapacitor. The energy storage unit 25 corresponding to Examples 24.1, 24.2, and 24.3 may preferably be a capacitor. The storage capacity of the energy storage unit 25 corresponding to Examples 24.1, 24.2, and 24.3 can be less than 100 mF. Example 24.1 may have a lower mounting cost than Examples 24.2 and 24.3.

[0153] The energy storage unit 25 corresponding to Examples 24.4 and 24.5 may be composed of at least one battery cell or battery. Specifically, the energy storage unit 25 corresponding to Examples 24.4 and 24.5 may preferably be a NiMH battery. It may be preferable to use the current regulator 28 corresponding to the electronic devices according with Examples 24.4 and 25.5.

[0154] The energy storage unit 25 corresponding to Example 24.6 can be composed of at least one battery cell or battery. Specifically, the energy storage unit 25 corresponding to Example 24.6 may preferably be a Ni-Cd battery cell. It may be preferable to use the current regulator 28 corresponding to the electronic device according to Example 24.6.

[0155] The energy storage unit 25 corresponding to Example 24.7 and Example 24.8 can be composed of at least one battery cell or battery. Specifically, the energy storage unit 25 corresponding to Example 24.7 and Example 24.8 may preferably be a Li-Po battery (lithium polymer battery).

[0156] The energy storage unit 25 corresponding to Example 24.9 and Example 24.10 can be composed of at least one battery cell or battery. Specifically, the energy storage unit 25 corresponding to Example 24.9 and Example 24.10 may preferably be a LiFePO4 battery (lithium iron phosphate battery). It may be preferable to use the current regulator 28 corresponding to the electronic device according to Example 24.9 or Example 24.10.

[0157] The energy storage unit 25 corresponding to Example 24.11 can be composed of at least one capacitive storage device such as a capacitor or supercapacitor. Specifically, the energy storage unit 25 corresponding to Example 24.11 may preferably be a supercapacitor of a single battery cell.

[0158] The energy storage unit 25 corresponding to Example 24.12 can be composed of at least one capacitive storage device such as a capacitor or supercapacitor. Specifically, the energy storage unit 25 corresponding to Example 24.12 may preferably be a double-layer supercapacitor. The storage capacity of the energy storage unit 25 corresponding to Example 24.12 can exceed 100 mF. It may be preferable to use the current regulator 28 corresponding to the electronic device according to Example 24.12.

[0159] In the power supply system disclosed in this specification, when the voltage at a predetermined position in this power supply system transitions from the lower side and reaches or exceeds the disconnection threshold, the control circuit unit is configured to disconnect the applied service load from the output unit of the electrical energy storage system, and the aforementioned disconnection threshold indicates that the environmental power generation power source generates sufficient power to sufficiently supply power to the aforementioned applied service load.

[0160] In the power supply system disclosed in this specification, when the voltage at a predetermined position in this power supply system transitions from the upper side and reaches or exceeds the connection threshold, the control circuit unit is configured to connect the applied service load to the output unit of the electrical energy storage system and / or disconnect the applied service load from the environmental power generation power source, and the aforementioned connection threshold indicates that the environmental power generation power source does not generate sufficient power to sufficiently supply power to the aforementioned applied service load.

[0161] In the power supply system disclosed in this specification, when the voltage at a predetermined position in this power supply system transitions from the lower side and reaches or exceeds the connection threshold, the control circuit unit is configured to connect the applied service load to this power supply system, and the aforementioned connection threshold indicates the normal startup of the aforementioned applied service load.

[0162] In the power supply system disclosed in this specification, when the output voltage of the energy storage unit transitions from the lower side and reaches or exceeds the connection threshold, the control circuit unit is further configured to connect the input unit of the electrical energy storage system to this power supply system and connect this power supply system to the applied service load.

Claims

1. An electrical energy storage system that stores electrical energy received from an energy harvesting power source and supplies the stored energy to applicable business loads, wherein the electrical energy storage system is The input section receives electrical energy from the energy harvesting power source, A first electrical energy storage unit having a first storage capacity, A second electrical energy storage unit having a second storage capacity larger than the first storage capacity, An output unit that provides electrical energy from the second electrical energy storage unit to the applicable workload, It comprises a control circuit section, The aforementioned control circuit unit is The timing at which the first charging condition is met is determined, and when it is determined that the first charging condition is met, the first electrical energy storage unit is electrically disconnected from the second electrical energy storage unit, the first electrical energy storage unit is electrically connected to the input unit, and electrical energy is transferred from the input unit to the first electrical energy storage unit. The timing for when the second charging condition is met is determined, and when it is determined that the second charging condition is met, the first electrical energy storage unit is electrically disconnected from the input unit, and the first electrical energy storage unit is electrically connected to the second electrical energy storage unit, thereby transferring electrical energy from the first electrical energy storage unit to the second electrical energy storage unit. An electrical energy storage system characterized by the following features.

2. The first charging condition depends at least partially on a first voltage level at a first position of the electrical energy storage system and / or the energy harvesting power source, while the second charging condition depends at least partially on a second voltage level at a second position of the electrical energy storage system and / or the energy harvesting power source, and the first position and the second position may be the same or different positions. An electrical energy storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that...

3. Each of the first voltage level and the second voltage level is the input voltage from the energy harvesting power source and / or the output voltage of the first electrical energy storage unit and / or the voltage at each position between the input from the energy harvesting power source and the output of the first electrical energy storage unit and / or the input voltage to the second electrical energy storage unit and / or the voltage at each position between the output of the first electrical energy storage unit and the input to the second electrical energy storage unit. The electrical energy storage system according to claim 2, characterized in that

4. The control circuit unit is comprised of a voltage detector for determining the voltage level at the first position and / or the second position. An electrical energy storage system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that...

5. The first charging condition consists of the first voltage being less than or equal to the first threshold, and the second charging condition consists of the voltage at the second position being greater than or equal to the second threshold. An electrical energy storage system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that...

6. The second threshold is higher than the first threshold. The electrical energy storage system according to claim 5, characterized in that...

7. The control circuit unit is configured to start detecting the second charging condition after electrically coupling the first electrical energy storage unit to the input unit. An electrical energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

8. The control circuit is configured to start detecting the first charging condition after electrically coupling the first electrical energy storage unit with the second electrical energy storage unit. An electrical energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

9. When the output voltage level of the second electrical energy storage unit is greater than the voltage of the first threshold, it indicates that charging of the second electrical energy storage unit is complete. An electrical energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

10. The control circuit unit consists of one or more switches for electrically coupling and uncoupling the first electrical energy storage unit to the input unit and the second electrical energy storage unit. An electrical energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

11. The control circuit unit includes a first switch between the input unit and the first electrical energy storage unit, and a second switch between the first electrical energy storage unit and the second electrical energy storage unit. The control circuit is configured such that the first switch and the second switch are always in opposite states, at least when the electrical energy storage system is in a charged state. An electrical energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

12. The electrical energy storage system can switch between a charging state in which the first switch is either open or closed and the second switch is in the opposite state to the first switch, and a discharging state in which both the first and second switches are closed, or the first switch is closed and the second switch is open. The electrical energy storage system according to claim 11, characterized in that

13. The first electrical energy storage unit consists of at least one capacitor. An electrical energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

14. The second electrical energy storage unit comprises at least one of a capacitor, a supercapacitor, or a rechargeable battery. An electrical energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

15. A DC-DC converter is provided between the first electrical energy storage unit and the second electrical energy storage unit. An electrical energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

16. The control circuit is configured to electrically disconnect the DC-DC converter from at least one of the first electrical energy storage unit and the second electrical energy storage unit when it determines that the first charging condition has been met. The electrical energy storage system according to claim 15, characterized in that

17. The input and output sections of the aforementioned electrical energy storage system are provided by a common conductor. An electrical energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

18. The output section of the second electrical energy storage unit and the shared conductor are provided with an asymmetric conductance section. The electrical energy storage system according to claim 17, characterized in that

19. The system is equipped with an input isolation switch for disconnecting the first electrical energy storage unit and / or the second electrical energy storage unit from the input unit, and / or an output isolation switch for disconnecting the first electrical energy storage unit and / or the second electrical energy storage unit from the output unit, wherein the input isolation switch and the output isolation switch may be a common switch or different switches. An electrical energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

20. A resistor is provided between the second electrical energy storage unit and the output unit for controlling the discharge rate of the second electrical energy storage unit via the output unit. An electrical energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

21. A current regulator is provided between the switch corresponding to the electrical energy storage system and the energy harvesting power source. The current regulator is configured to control the rate at which energy is received from the energy harvesting power source and / or to control the rate at which energy is supplied from the electrical energy storage system to the applicable workload. An electrical energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

22. An electrical supply system configured to supply power to the applicable workload, The aforementioned power supply system comprises the electrical energy storage system described in claim 1 and the environmental power source. An electrical supply system characterized by the following:

23. The aforementioned energy harvesting power source consists of a photovoltaic unit. The electrical supply system according to claim 22, characterized in that

24. The aforementioned energy harvesting power source further comprises an energy storage unit, a load switch, and a voltage detector. The electronic device according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that...

25. The system includes a control circuit configured to electrically couple and uncouple the applicable work load to the output unit of the energy harvesting power supply, and / or to the energy storage system, and / or to the energy harvesting power supply's output unit, at least partially based on the voltage at a predetermined location within the power supply system. The electrical supply system according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that...

26. The control circuit is configured to disconnect the applicable workload from the power supply system when the voltage at the aforementioned position changes from the upper side and reaches or exceeds the disconnection threshold. The aforementioned read / unread threshold indicates that the second electrical energy storage unit of the electrical energy storage system has reached a discharge state. The electrical supply system according to claim 25, characterized in that

27. ​​The electrical energy storage system comprises a control circuit configured to switch the state of the electrical energy storage system from one of a charging state, a discharging state, and a state that is neither to another state that is neither a charging state, and a state that is neither a charging state, The aforementioned state switching is at least in part based on at least one of the following at a predetermined location within the power supply system: voltage, timer output, or exposure meter output. The electrical supply system according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that...

28. A method performed by an electrical energy storage system, which stores electrical energy received from an environmental power source and supplies the stored electrical energy to the applicable business load, The electrical energy storage system comprises an input unit for receiving energy from an environmental power source, a first electrical energy storage unit having a first storage capacity, a second electrical energy storage unit having a second storage capacity larger than the first storage capacity, and a control circuit unit for performing electrical coupling and electrical coupling release processes. The method involves determining the timing when the first charging condition is met, and when it is determined that the first charging condition is met, electrically disconnecting the first electrical energy storage unit from the second electrical energy storage unit, electrically coupling the first electrical energy storage unit to the input unit, and transferring electrical energy from the input unit to the first electrical energy storage unit. The process includes determining the timing when the second charging condition is met, and when it is determined that the second charging condition has been met, electrically disconnecting the first electrical energy storage unit from the input unit, electrically connecting the first electrical energy storage unit to the second electrical energy storage unit, and transferring electrical energy from the first electrical energy storage unit to the second electrical energy storage unit. A method characterized by the following:

29. The electrical energy storage system of the present invention further comprises an output unit for supplying the stored energy to the applicable work load, The method further includes determining the timing when the discharge conditions are met, and when it is determined that the discharge conditions are met, electrically coupling the first electrical energy storage unit and / or the second electrical energy storage unit to the output unit to transfer electrical energy from the electrical energy storage system to the applicable work load. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that

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