METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING BATTERY LIFE
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring battery life in a battery-powered input device for a processing system, the method comprising the acts of:
- repeatedly measuring a charge of one or more batteries removably and replaceably received in the device to generate a series of battery charge measurements, the measuring being performed by a measuring arrangement forming part of the input device;
recording a time value associated with each battery charge measurement in the series of battery charge measurements;
constructing a usage model based on the series of battery charge measurements and the associated time values; and
calculating an expected battery life based upon, at least, the series of battery charge measurements and the associated time values.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for monitoring battery life in a human input device powered by replaceable batteries includes repeatedly measuring battery charge by use of a measuring arrangement forming part of the input device. Battery charge is measured while the input device is in a relatively inactive condition and when it is in an active condition, and a time value is associated with each battery charge measurement. A usage model may be constructed based on the battery charge measurements, and calculation of an expected battery life may be based at least in part on the usage model.
20 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring battery life in a battery-powered input device for a processing system, the method comprising the acts of:
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repeatedly measuring a charge of one or more batteries removably and replaceably received in the device to generate a series of battery charge measurements, the measuring being performed by a measuring arrangement forming part of the input device; recording a time value associated with each battery charge measurement in the series of battery charge measurements; constructing a usage model based on the series of battery charge measurements and the associated time values; and calculating an expected battery life based upon, at least, the series of battery charge measurements and the associated time values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A wireless human input device for a processing system, the input device comprising:
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one or more replaceable batteries; control circuitry to control data input functions and data transmission functions of the input device; a power circuit connecting the one or more batteries and the control circuitry, the power circuit being operable in, at least, an active condition in which the one or more batteries provide electrical power to the control circuitry via the power circuit, and a relatively inactive condition in which the one or more batteries does not power the control circuitry; and a battery measuring arrangement to take repeated measurements of a charge of the one or more batteries, the battery measuring arrangement repeatedly to take battery charge measurements both while the power circuit is in the active condition and while the power circuit is in the relatively inactive condition. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer system comprising:
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one or more processors; a display; at least one machine-readable storage medium; and a human input device comprising; one or more replaceable batteries; control circuitry to control data input functions and data transmission functions of the input device; a power circuit connecting the one or more batteries and the control circuitry, the power circuit being operable in, at least, an active condition in which the one or more provide electrical power to the control circuitry via the power circuit, and a relatively inactive condition in which the one or more batteries do not power the control circuitry; a battery measuring arrangement to take repeated measurements of a charge of the one or more batteries, the battery measuring arrangement repeatedly to take battery charge measurements both while the power circuit is in its active condition and while the power circuit is in the relatively inactive condition; and an interface module to wirelessly transmit battery charge data to the one or more processors. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. At least one machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions that when implemented by one or more processors, perform operations comprising:
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receiving a series of repeatedly taken measurements of a charge of one or more batteries removably and replaceably received a human input device; receiving a time value associated with each battery charge measurement in the series of battery charge measurements; constructing a usage model based on the series of battery charge measurements and the associated time values; and calculating an expected battery life based at least in part on the series of battery charge measurements and the associated time values.
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Specification