Abstract: In response to a power-loss warning event occurring during data processing, a checkpointing process is performed to save a checkpoint of context data associated with the data processing to non-volatile data storage. In response to detection of a power recovery event occurring when the checkpointing process is still in progress, it is determined whether a checkpoint abort condition is satisfied, based at least on a checkpoint progress indication indicative of progress of the checkpointing process. If the checkpoint abort condition is unsatisfied, the checkpointing process can continue. If the checkpoint abort condition is satisfied, the checkpointing process is aborted to allow the data processing to resume.

Abstract: Smart labels, methods of operating smart labels, and associated contexts in which such smart labels may be used are disclosed. The smart label, for use in conjunction with consumer product packaging, comprises an energy harvester to capture ambient energy to provide a source of electrical energy and electronic circuitry powered by the electrical energy. A fuse provides an electrical connection between the energy harvester and the electronic circuitry and destruction of the fuse permanently disconnects the energy harvester from the electronic circuitry. Unnecessary continued operation of the electronic circuitry powered by the energy harvester can therefore be prevented, for example when the consumer product packaging is disposed of or recycled, which may be an undesirable heat source. Smart labelling, and a connected network of smart bins which can read the smart labelling, may also be used to promote consumer recycling of consumer product packaging.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for generating debug information. The apparatus has processing circuitry for executing a sequence of instructions that includes a plurality of debug information triggering instructions, and debug information generating circuitry for coupling to a debug port. On executing a given debug information triggering instruction, the processing circuitry is arranged to trigger the debug information generating circuitry to generate a debug information signal whose form is dependent on a control parameter specified by the given debug information triggering instruction. The generated debug information signal is output from the debug port for reference by a debugger. The control parameter is such that the form of the debug information signal enables the debugger to determine a state of the processing circuitry when the given debug information triggering instruction was executed.

Abstract: Circuitry comprises driver circuitry to control display of a prevailing display image by display elements of a display device, the driver circuitry generating a signal providing electrical charge for storage by display elements, in which an electrical charge stored by a display element controls a display output of that display element; detector circuitry to detect, for a display image transition from a current display image to a second, display image, a first set of one or more display elements which are in a respective first state controlled by a first stored electrical charge in the current display image and which are required to be in a respective second state controlled by a second electrical charge, in the second display image; switching circuitry, responsive to the detector circuitry, to divert electrical charge from the set of display elements to secondary charge store in response to initiation of the display image transition.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to wireless energy harvesting devices and may relate more particularly to system-on-a-chip testing for wireless energy harvesting devices.

Abstract: In response to a power-loss warning event occurring during data processing, a checkpointing process is performed to save a checkpoint of context data associated with the data processing to non-volatile data storage. In response to detection of a power recovery event occurring when the checkpointing process is still in progress, it is determined whether a checkpoint abort condition is satisfied, based at least on a checkpoint progress indication indicative of progress of the checkpointing process. If the checkpoint abort condition is unsatisfied, the checkpointing process can continue. If the checkpoint abort condition is satisfied, the checkpointing process is aborted to allow the data processing to resume.

Abstract: Wearable devices, systems of wearable devices, and methods of operating the same are disclosed. A first wearable device worn in contact with the user’s skin monitors the user and comprises a transmission electrode in contact with the user’s skin. A second wearable device comprises a reception electrode worn in contact with the user’s skin. The first wearable device can apply an alert signal to the transmission electrode and measures a transmission current at the transmission electrode. The second wearable device monitors an electrical status of the reception electrode and when the alert signal is detected applies an alert response signal to the receiver electrode. The first wearable device identifies application of the alert response signal to the receiver electrode by measurement of a variation of the transmission current at the transmission electrode whilst the alert signal is applied to the transmission electrode.

Abstract: A method for an intermittent computing apparatus includes performing processing operations with processing circuitry, starting a timer counter in response to a first power level threshold event occurring when a power level for powering the processing circuitry reaches a first threshold value, and signalling the first power level threshold event to the processing circuitry in response to the timer counter reaching a target value.

Abstract: According to one implementation of the present disclosure, a method for power management is disclosed. The method includes: computing, by a central processing unit, software instructions of a software workload in an active-mode operation corresponding to a first operating point on a performance curve of a performance mode; transitioning from instances of the active-mode operation to instances of standby-mode operation of the CPU, and recording, by a time tracking element, each of a plurality of standby entry data points; transitioning from the instances of the standby-mode operation to the instances of the active-mode operation of the CPU, and recording, by the time tracking element, each of a plurality of standby exit data points; and determining a second operating point on the performance curve of the performance mode based on the recorded standby entry data points and the recorded standby exit data points.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to multi-stage system. The system may include a first stage having a current bias generator that generates a biasing current. The system may include a second stage that is coupled to the first stage, and the second stage may include a load that utilizes the biasing current generated by the current bias generator.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to detecting wireless signals and/or signal packets and may relate more particularly to detecting wireless signals and/or signal packets at energy-harvesting devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and devices for varying operations of a transponder device based, at least in part, on an availability of energy and/or power that may be harvested and/or collected. In one particular implementation, operations to generate one or more signals from sensor circuitry and/or to perform computations may be varied based, at least in part, on an availability of harvestable and/or collectable energy and/or power.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to reconstructing wireless signal packets and may relate more particularly to reconstructing wireless signal packets from iterations of the wireless signal packets repeatedly transmitted by a transmitter device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprises generating computer executable code as one or more code portions; detecting a number of processing operations required to reach one or more predetermined stages in execution of each code portion; and associating with each code portion one or more progress indicators, each representing a respective execution stage of the one or more predetermined stages within execution of that code portion. The code portions are executed by a processor powered by an unpredictable power source. When the processor detects an energy condition indicating that no more than a reserve quantity of electrical energy is available, the progress indicators are used to determine whether or not to perform a checkpoint.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to detecting wireless signals and/or signal packets and may relate more particularly to detecting wireless signals and/or signal packets at energy-harvesting devices.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to wireless energy harvesting devices and may relate more particularly to system-on-a-chip testing for wireless energy harvesting devices.

Abstract: Circuitry comprises driver circuitry to control display of a prevailing display image by display elements of a display device, the driver circuitry generating a signal providing electrical charge for storage by display elements, in which an electrical charge stored by a display element controls a display output of that display element; detector circuitry to detect, for a display image transition from a current display image to a second, display image, a first set of one or more display elements which are in a respective first state controlled by a first stored electrical charge in the current display image and which are required to be in a respective second state controlled by a second electrical charge, in the second display image; switching circuitry, responsive to the detector circuitry, to divert electrical charge from the set of display elements to secondary charge store in response to initiation of the display image transition.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to reconstructing wireless signal packets and may relate more particularly to reconstructing wireless signal packets from iterations of the wireless signal packets repeatedly transmitted by a transmitter device.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are related to a device having energy harvesting circuitry that experiences power failures. The device may include computing circuitry having a processor coupled to the energy harvesting circuitry. The processor may be configured to reduce a number of write operations to a log structure having a hardware bit-vector used by the computing circuitry to boost computational progress even with the power failures.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein refer to an integrated circuit having a first stage and a second stage. The first stage has a step-down converter coupled to an oscillator between a first voltage supply and a second voltage supply. The second stage is coupled to the first stage, and the second stage has a current bias generator coupled to a diode-connected transistor between the first voltage supply and the second voltage supply. The second stage provides an intermediate voltage to the first stage.