Method and apparatus for conserving battery for operation of a low intensity optical communication probe
First Claim
1. A battery pack for powering a communication probe used for optical communication between an external device and a diagnostic tool comprising:
- a battery housing having at least one battery for powering an optical communication probe;
a cable for coupling data signals between the battery housing and a diagnostic tool that is external to the battery housing; and
a switch within the housing for selectively coupling the battery to the optical communication probe to deliver electrical power from the battery to the communication probe, the switch being coupled to power leads of the battery and also being coupled to a power status signal provided to the switch through the cable coupling the battery pack and the external diagnostic tool, the power status signal indicating whether the diagnostic tool is in an active or sleep mode, the switch selectively couples the battery to the optical communication probe to deliver electrical power from the battery to the communication probe in response to the power status signal from the diagnostic tool indicating the diagnostic tool is in an active mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical communication probe enables a diagnostic tool to optically communicate with an external device, such as an appliance, through a low intensity indicator light of the external device. The communication probe is powered by a battery that is selectively coupled to the communication probe through a switch. The switch is coupled to a diagnostic tool to receive a power status signal from the diagnostic tool. In response to the power status signal indicating user inactivity at the diagnostic tool, the switch de-couples the battery from the communication probe to conserve battery life.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A battery pack for powering a communication probe used for optical communication between an external device and a diagnostic tool comprising:
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a battery housing having at least one battery for powering an optical communication probe; a cable for coupling data signals between the battery housing and a diagnostic tool that is external to the battery housing; and a switch within the housing for selectively coupling the battery to the optical communication probe to deliver electrical power from the battery to the communication probe, the switch being coupled to power leads of the battery and also being coupled to a power status signal provided to the switch through the cable coupling the battery pack and the external diagnostic tool, the power status signal indicating whether the diagnostic tool is in an active or sleep mode, the switch selectively couples the battery to the optical communication probe to deliver electrical power from the battery to the communication probe in response to the power status signal from the diagnostic tool indicating the diagnostic tool is in an active mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for conserving power in a battery that powers a communication probe used for optical communication between an external device and a diagnostic tool comprising:
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receiving a power status signal from a diagnostic tool, the power status signal indicating whether the diagnostic tool is in an active or a sleep mode; and selectively coupling a battery to an optical communication probe to power the communication probe for bi-directional optical communication with a device that is external of the communication probe in response to the power status signal from the diagnostic tool indicating the diagnostic tool is in an active mode. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A diagnostic system for an appliance comprising:
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a diagnostic tool that generates a power status signal indicating whether the diagnostic tool is in an active mode or a sleep mode; a low intensity optical communication probe for bi-directional optical communication with an external device; a battery for powering the low intensity optical communication probe; a switch for selectively coupling the battery to the low intensity optical communication probe to provide power from the battery to the communication probe, the switch selectively coupling the battery to the communication probe in response to the power status signal generated from the diagnostic tool indicating the diagnostic tool is in the active mode. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for enabling optical communication between a diagnostic tool and a communication probe comprising:
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powering a low intensity optical communication probe with a battery for bi-directional optical communication with a device that is external of the optical communication probe; and selectively de-coupling the battery from the low intensity optical communication probe in response to a power status signal generated by a diagnostic tool indicating the diagnostic tool is in sleep mode. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification