Detecting batteries with non-uniform drain rates
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device comprising:
- a battery indicator;
a wireless transmitter configured to transmit control signals;
a control circuit configured to control the battery indicator and the transmitter; and
a battery port configured to receive a first battery and a second battery in series to power the control circuit and the battery indicator, the battery port including;
a first power supply terminal configured to supply a high supply voltage to the control circuit;
a second power supply terminal configured to supply a low supply voltage to the control circuit; and
an intermediate node configured to electrically connect the first and second batteries in series and to supply to the control circuit an intermediate voltage at the intermediate node, the control circuit configured to measure the intermediate voltage, to determine if the first and second batteries have different voltages, and to cause the battery indicator to issue a low battery signal and cause the transmitter to inhibit transmission of the control signals in response to determining that a difference between the first and second battery voltages is greater than a threshold difference.
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Abstract
A remote control is powered by multiple batteries connected in series. The remote control includes a voltage comparison circuit configured to compare a midpoint voltage from a node connecting two of the batteries to a reference voltage. The remote control is able to determine if there is a non-uniform drain rate in the batteries based on the comparison.
49 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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a battery indicator; a wireless transmitter configured to transmit control signals; a control circuit configured to control the battery indicator and the transmitter; and a battery port configured to receive a first battery and a second battery in series to power the control circuit and the battery indicator, the battery port including; a first power supply terminal configured to supply a high supply voltage to the control circuit; a second power supply terminal configured to supply a low supply voltage to the control circuit; and an intermediate node configured to electrically connect the first and second batteries in series and to supply to the control circuit an intermediate voltage at the intermediate node, the control circuit configured to measure the intermediate voltage, to determine if the first and second batteries have different voltages, and to cause the battery indicator to issue a low battery signal and cause the transmitter to inhibit transmission of the control signals in response to determining that a difference between the first and second battery voltages is greater than a threshold difference. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system comprising:
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a processing unit; a remote control comprising; a transmitter configured to transmit control signals to control the processing unit; a control circuit coupled to the transmitter; a battery port configured to receive a first and a second battery; an intermediate node coupled to the battery port and configured to electrically connect the first and the second batteries in series when the first and second batteries are placed in the battery port; and an intermediate voltage comparison circuit configured to detect an intermediate voltage at the intermediate node and to detect a non-uniform drain rate in the first and the second battery, and to cause the battery indicator to issue a low battery signal and cause the transmitter to inhibit transmission of the control signals in response to determining that a difference between the first and second battery voltages is greater than a threshold difference. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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connecting a first and second battery in series at an intermediate node; providing a total series voltage from the first and second batteries to power an electronic device; measuring an intermediate voltage at the intermediate node; calculating a voltage difference between the first and second batteries; determining that the voltage difference between the first and second batteries is greater than a threshold difference; issuing a battery fault signal in response to determining that the voltage difference is greater than the threshold difference; and inhibiting transmission of control signals from a transmitter in response to determining that the voltage difference is greater than the threshold difference. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification