System and method for managing utilization of a battery
First Claim
1. A system for managing utilization of a power source within a camera having a plurality of power states each consuming a certain amount of power, comprising:
- a voltage sensor, responsive to at least one among a plurality of predetermined voltage levels of the power source, each of said levels corresponding to one of said power states, for generating an alert signal; and
a power manager coupled to the voltage sensor, responsive to said alert signal, for placing the camera into one of said power states.
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Abstract
A power supply provides a voltage to a digital camera. If the power supply voltage falls below a predetermined threshold, a voltage sensor generates a signal to a power manager. In response, the power manager configures the camera into a lower power consumption state. As the power source weakens further, the power manager continues to place the camera into a lower and lower power consumption state, until the power source is exhausted. The method of the present invention preferably comprises the steps of monitoring the power source'"'"'s voltage, generating a signal if that voltage falls below a pre-determined threshold, and reducing the camera'"'"'s power consumption in response to the signal.
72 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for managing utilization of a power source within a camera having a plurality of power states each consuming a certain amount of power, comprising:
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a voltage sensor, responsive to at least one among a plurality of predetermined voltage levels of the power source, each of said levels corresponding to one of said power states, for generating an alert signal; and
a power manager coupled to the voltage sensor, responsive to said alert signal, for placing the camera into one of said power states. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
a first one of said power states configures the camera for full power operation; and
a second one of said power states configures the camera for reduced power operation.
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3. The system of claim 1 wherein the voltage sensor continuously monitors the power source.
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4. The system of claim 1 wherein said power states take account of power consumed by a flash unit.
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5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
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an application unit for receiving the alert signal and waiting a predetermined amount of time before preparing for placing the camera in one of said power states; and
wherein the power manager is responsive to the alert signal via the application unit.
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6. A system for managing utilization of a power source within a camera having a plurality of power states each consuming a certain amount of power, comprising:
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a voltage sensor, responsive to at least one among a plurality of predetermined voltage levels of the power source, each of said levels corresponding to one of said power states, for generating an alert signal; and
a power manager coupled to the voltage sensor, responsive to said alert signal, for placing the camera into one of said power states;
wherein a first one of said power states configures the camera for full power operation;
a second one of said power states configures the camera for reduced power operation;
the power manager places the camera into a third one of said power states in response to said alert signal; and
the third power state configures the camera to consume less power than does the second power state.
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7. A method for managing utilization of a power source within a camera having a plurality of power consumption states corresponding to a plurality of voltage levels of the power source, comprising the steps of:
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detecting a voltage level among said plurality of voltage levels; and
allowing the camera to operate in a power consumption state corresponding to the detected voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for managing utilization of a power source within a camera having a plurality of power consumption states corresponding to a plurality of voltage levels of the power source, comprising the steps of:
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detecting a voltage level among said plurality of voltage levels;
allowing the camera to operate in a power consumption state corresponding to the detected voltage level;
waiting a predefined amount of time after performing the allowing step; and
if the voltage level of the power source has not risen above a threshold voltage level then shutting down the camera. - View Dependent Claims (12)
configuring the camera into a mid-level power state if the voltage level of the power source falls below the threshold voltage level; and
configuring the camera into a low-level power state if the voltage level of the power source falls below the threshold voltage level while the camera is in the mid-level power state.
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13. An apparatus for managing utilization of a power source within a camera having a plurality of power consumption states corresponding to a plurality of voltage levels of the power source, comprising:
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means for detecting a voltage level among said plurality of levels; and
means for allowing the camera to operate in a power consumption state corresponding to the detected voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for managing utilization of a power source within a camera having a plurality of power consumption states corresponding to a plurality of voltage levels of the power source, comprising:
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means for detecting a voltage level among said plurality of levels;
means for allowing the camera to operate in a power consumption state corresponding to the detected voltage level;
means for determining if the voltage level of the power source has fallen below a threshold voltage level, before enabling the means for allowing;
means for waiting a predefined amount of time, after enabling the means for allowing; and
means for executing a power failure shut-down sequence, if the voltage level of the power source has not risen above the threshold voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (18)
means for configuring the camera into a mid-level power state if the voltage level of the power source falls below the threshold voltage level; and
means for configuring the camera into a low-level power state if the voltage level of the power source falls below the threshold voltage level while the camera is in the mid-level power state.
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19. A system for managing utilization of a power source within a camera having a plurality of power states each consuming a certain amount of power, comprising:
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a voltage sensor, responsive to at least one among a plurality of predetermined voltage levels of the power source, each of said levels corresponding to one of said power states, for generating an alert signal; and
a power manager coupled to the voltage sensor, responsive to said alert signal, for placing the camera into one of said power states;
wherein the plurality of power states includes a first power state, a second power states and a third power state.
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20. A method for managing utilization of a power source within a camera having a plurality of power consumption states corresponding to a plurality of voltage levels of the power source, comprising the steps of:
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detecting a voltage level among said plurality of voltage levels; and
allowing the camera to operate in a power consumption state corresponding to the detected voltage level;
wherein the plurality of power consumption states includes a first power state, a second power state, and a third power state.
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21. An apparatus for managing utilization of a power source within a camera having a plurality of power consumption states corresponding to a plurality of voltage levels of the power source, comprising:
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means for detecting a voltage level among said plurality of levels; and
means for allowing the camera to operate in a power consumption state corresponding to the detected voltage level;
wherein the plurality of power consumption states includes a first power state, a second power state, and a third power state.
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22. A system for managing utilization of a power source within a camera having a plurality of power states each consuming a certain amount of power, comprising:
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a voltage sensor, responsive to at least one among a plurality of predetermined voltage levels of the power source, each of said levels corresponding to one of said power states, for generating an alert signal; and
a power manager coupled to the voltage sensor, responsive to said alert signal, for placing the camera into one of said power states;
wherein;
the plurality of power states includes a full power state, a mid-level power state, and a low-level power state; and
in addition to the plurality of power states, the camera has an off state.
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23. A method for managing utilization of a power source within a camera having a plurality of power consumption states corresponding to a plurality of voltage levels of the power source, comprising the steps of:
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detecting a voltage level among said plurality of voltage levels; and
allowing the camera to operate in a power consumption state corresponding to the detected voltage level;
wherein the plurality of power consumption states includes a full power state, a mid-level power state, and a low-level power state;
wherein the camera has an off state in addition to the plurality of power states.
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24. An apparatus for managing utilization of a power source within a camera having a plurality of power consumption states corresponding to a plurality of voltage levels of the power source, comprising:
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means for detecting a voltage level among said plurality of voltage levels; and
means for allowing the camera to operate in a power consumption state corresponding to the detected voltage level;
wherein;
the plurality of power consumption states includes a full-power state, a mid-level power state, and a low-level power state; and
in addition to the plurality of power states, the camera has an off state.
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Specification