Method and apparatus for monitoring battery life
First Claim
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1. A method for monitoring battery life in a battery-powered input device for a processing system, the method comprising:
- sending a wireless signal to the battery-powered input device, wherein the wireless signal corresponds to a request for a plurality of battery charge measurements;
causing the battery-powered input device to perform a plurality of charge measurements to derive the plurality of battery charge measurements and a plurality of time stamps each corresponding to a battery charge measurement of the plurality of battery charge measurements;
receiving the plurality of battery charge measurements and the plurality of time stamps from the battery-powered input device;
constructing a usage model based on the plurality of battery charge measurements and the plurality of time stamps, wherein constructing the usage model includes determining time intervals between successive uses of the battery-powered input device; and
calculating an expected battery life based on the usage model.
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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.
16 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:
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sending a wireless signal to the battery-powered input device, wherein the wireless signal corresponds to a request for a plurality of battery charge measurements; causing the battery-powered input device to perform a plurality of charge measurements to derive the plurality of battery charge measurements and a plurality of time stamps each corresponding to a battery charge measurement of the plurality of battery charge measurements; receiving the plurality of battery charge measurements and the plurality of time stamps from the battery-powered input device; constructing a usage model based on the plurality of battery charge measurements and the plurality of time stamps, wherein constructing the usage model includes determining time intervals between successive uses of the battery-powered input device; and calculating an expected battery life based on the usage model. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A wireless input device, comprising:
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one or more replaceable batteries; a measuring circuit configured to perform a plurality of charge measurements of the one or more replaceable batteries to derive a plurality of battery charge measurements; a processing module; and a memory storing instructions that when executed by the processing module cause the processing module to perform the steps of; constructing a usage model based on the plurality of battery charge measurements and a plurality of time stamps each corresponding to each battery charge measurement of the plurality of batter charge measurements, wherein the usage model is based on data corresponding to time intervals between successive uses of the wireless input device, and calculating an expected batter life value based upon the usage mode; and an interface module configured to transmit the expected battery life value to a host device via a wireless signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer system, comprising:
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a processor; a display; a remote input device, comprising; one or more replaceable batteries, a measuring circuit configured to perform a plurality of charge measurements of one or more batteries, and an interface module configured to transmit battery charge measurements to the processor; and a memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the computer system to; receive, from the remote input device, the battery charge measurements, constructing a usage model based on the battery charge measurements and time stamps associated with the battery charge measurements, wherein constructing the usage model includes determining time intervals between successive uses of the remote input device, and calculate an expected battery life based upon the usage model. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a processor in a computing device, cause the computing device to perform the steps of:
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sending a wireless signal to a remote input device, wherein the wireless signal corresponds to a request for a plurality of battery charge measurements; causing the remote input device to perform a plurality of charge measurements to derive the plurality of battery charge measurements; receiving the plurality of battery charge measurements from the remote input device; constructing a usage model based on the plurality of battery charge measurements and a plurality of time stamps associated with the plurality of batter charge measurements, wherein constructing the usage model includes determining time intervals between successive uses of the remote input device; and calculating an expected battery life based on the usage model. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification