Energy conservation in battery powered tag
First Claim
1. A method for conserving energy in a battery powered tag which comprises a battery, one or more sensors, and a transmitter, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
- hibernating between transmissions by the transmitter;
reading at least one of the one or more sensors after each of a plurality of sleep periods while hibernating; and
testing the battery to determine battery energy level after a specified number of sleep periods;
characterized in that;
a shorting way is utilized for testing the battery; and
the shorting way includes short circuiting the battery terminals for a specified limited amount of time before measuring the battery voltage level and un-shorting the battery terminals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for conserving energy in a battery powered tag which comprises a battery, one or more sensors, and a transmitter. The tag may be used in a pneumatic tire monitoring system which senses and transmits tire pressure and temperature readings. The method fundamentally comprises: hibernating between transmissions by the transmitter; and reading at least one of the sensors after each of a plurality of sleep periods while hibernating. A hibernation period may be ended if one of the sensor readings, preferably tire temperature, is very low, and at least one of a plurality of qualification criteria is met.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for conserving energy in a battery powered tag which comprises a battery, one or more sensors, and a transmitter, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
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hibernating between transmissions by the transmitter;
reading at least one of the one or more sensors after each of a plurality of sleep periods while hibernating; and
testing the battery to determine battery energy level after a specified number of sleep periods;
characterized in that;
a shorting way is utilized for testing the battery; and
the shorting way includes short circuiting the battery terminals for a specified limited amount of time before measuring the battery voltage level and un-shorting the battery terminals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An energy conserving tag, comprising:
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a battery, one or more sensors, and a transmitter;
means for providing hibernation periods between transmissions by the transmitter;
means for reading at least one of the one or more sensors after each of a plurality of sleep periods while hibernating; and
means for testing the battery to determine battery energy level alter a specified number of sleep periods while hibernating;
wherein the means for testing the battery comprises means for short circuiting terminals of the battery for a specified limited amount of time before measuring the battery voltage level and un-shorting the battery terminals. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for conserving energy in a battery powered tag which comprises a battery, one or more sensors, and a transmitter, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
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hibernating between transmissions by the transmitter;
reading at least one of the one or more sensors after each eta plurality of sleep periods while hibernating; and
testing the battery to determine battery energy level after a specified number of sleep periods by short circuiting the battery for a specified limited amount of time before measuring the battery voltage level and un-shorting the battery terminals. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification