Battery voltage monitor

• US 20060043933A1
• Filed: 08/31/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Voltminder, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Voltminder, Inc.
• Inventors: Latinis, Gary R.
• Application Number:
  US10/929,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20060043933A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/132
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/16542 for batteries charge condition monitoring in G01R31/36
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3647 for determining the ability of a battery to perform a critical function, e.g. cranking
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3835 involving only voltage measurements

Abstract

A voltage monitor that is operable in two distinct modes. The first mode is the basic model without a transmitter or receiver. The only functions are battery voltage and audible alarm. The second mode is the Voltminder with a alarm and data transmission capability. The standard Voltminder placed in the second mode by adding a transmitter board to the vehicle located Voltminder and a receiver to the home located Voltminder. A programmable monitor reads and tracks a battery voltage, and indicates when a battery voltage drops below a predetermined value. A display shows battery status, and an audible signal is produced when the battery falls below a predetermined voltage.

Claims

1. A voltage monitor for monitoring a battery and indicating when the battery voltage discharges below a predetermined value, comprising:

a programmable monitor for reading and tracking a battery voltage, and indicating when a battery voltage drops below a predetermined value;

a transient protector connected between a battery and the programmable monitor;

a display for displaying battery status; and

an audible signal generator for producing a sound when a monitored battery falls below a predetermined voltage.

2. The voltage monitor according to claim 1, including a card holder for connecting one of a transmitter and received to the voltage monitor.

3. The voltage monitor according to claim 1, including a voltage regulator connected to the programmable monitor.

4. The voltage monitor according to claim 1, including a transmitter to transmit a signal when the monitored voltage falls below a predetermined value.

5. The voltage monitor according to claim 1, including a receiver to receive a signal from a voltage monitor, with a transmitter, when the monitored voltage falls below a predetermined value.

6. The voltage monitor according to claim 1, including a plurality of switches for programing the voltage monitor.

7. A voltage monitor for monitoring a battery and indicating when the battery voltage discharges below a predetermined value, comprising:

a programmable monitor for reading and tracking a battery voltage, and indicating when a battery voltage drops below a predetermined value;

a transient protector connected between a battery and the programmable monitor;

a display for displaying battery status;

an audible signal generator for producing a sound when a monitored battery falls below a predetermined voltage; and

a card holder for connecting one of a transmitter and received to the voltage monitor.

8. The voltage monitor according to claim 7, including a voltage regulator connected to the programmable monitor.

9. The voltage monitor according to claim 7, including a transmitter to transmit a signal when the monitored voltage falls below a predetermined value.

10. The voltage monitor according to claim 7, including a receiver to receive a signal from a voltage monitor, with a transmitter, when the monitored voltage falls below a predetermined value.

11. The voltage monitor according to claim 7, including a plurality of switches for programing the voltage monitor.

12. The voltage monitor according to claim 7, including a flash memory in which the value of the predetermine voltage is stored.

13. A voltage monitor for monitor a battery and indicating when the battery voltage discharges below a predetermined value, comprising:

a programmable monitor for reading and tracking a battery voltage, and indicating when a battery voltage drops below a predetermined value;

a transient protector connected between a battery and the programmable monitor;

a display for displaying battery status;

an audible signal generator for producing a sound when a monitored battery falls below a predetermined voltage; and

one of a receiver to receive a signal from a voltage monitor, and a transmitter to transmit a signal when the monitored voltage falls below a predetermined value.