Reduced power consumption low battery alert device
First Claim
1. A depleted battery indicator for a device being powered by a battery, said battery indicator comprising:
- audio annunciator means for providing an audible alert;
circuit means, connected to said annunciator means, for determining when said battery has been depleted to a first predetermined voltage and generating a first signal to activate said annunciator means whereby said alert is provided at a first power level and for determining when said battery has been depleted to a second predetermined voltage and generating a second signal to further activate said annunciator means whereby said alert is provided at a second power level wherein said second power level is less than said first power level, thereby prolonging battery life.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A reduced power consumption low battery indicator comprising in the preferred embodiment a transducer driver which drives a transducer to provide an audible alert. A microprocessor is used to generate a squarewave signal to power the transducer driver whenever the battery is depleted to a first predetermined level. A first low battery sensor is used to determine when the battery is depleted to the first predetermined level and generates a signal which is directed to the microprocessor to commence generation of the signal to drive the transducer driver. A second low battery sensor is used to determine when the battery is depleted to a second predetermined level and generates an output signal which is directed to the transducer driver which then drives the transducer at a lower power consumption rate.
71 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A depleted battery indicator for a device being powered by a battery, said battery indicator comprising:
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audio annunciator means for providing an audible alert; circuit means, connected to said annunciator means, for determining when said battery has been depleted to a first predetermined voltage and generating a first signal to activate said annunciator means whereby said alert is provided at a first power level and for determining when said battery has been depleted to a second predetermined voltage and generating a second signal to further activate said annunciator means whereby said alert is provided at a second power level wherein said second power level is less than said first power level, thereby prolonging battery life. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A depleted battery indicator for a device being powered by a battery, said battery indicator comprising:
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a transducer, for generating an audible alert; transducer driver means, connected to said transducer, for driving said transducer; processor means, connected to said transducer driver means, for generating a turn-on signal to activate said transducer driver means whereby said transducer generates said audible alert; first voltage comparator means, connected to said processor means, for generating a first signal whenever the battery voltage decreases to a first threshold voltage whereby said turn-on signal is generated by said processor means and causes said transducer to be driven at a first power level; second voltage comparator means, connected to said transducer driver means, for generating a second signal whenever the battery voltage decreases to a second threshold voltage which causes said transducer to be driven at a second power level wherein said second power level is less than said first power level, thereby prolonging battery life.
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7. A depleted battery indicator for a device being powered by a battery, said battery indicator comprising:
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audio annunciator means for providing an audible alert; circuit means, connected to said annunciator means, for determining when said battery has been depleted to a predetermined voltage and generating a first signal which causes said annunciator means to provide said alert at a first power level and for generating a second signal at a predetermined time after said first signal is generated which causes said annunciator means to provide said alert at a second power level wherein said second power level is less than said first power level, thereby prolonging battery life. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A depleted battery indicator for a device being powered by a battery, said battery indicator comprising:
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a transducer for generating an audible alert; transducer driver means, connected to said transducer, for driving said transducer; voltage comparator means, connected to said battery, for comparing the battery voltage to a reference voltage and generating a first signal whenever said battery voltage decreases to a threshold voltage; processor means, connected to said transducer driver means and said comparator means, for generating a turn-on signal to activate said transducer driver means whenever said first signal is generated which causes said transducer to be driven at a first power level, said processor means including a timer means for timing a predetermined time period after said first signal is generated, said processor means for generating a second signal to said transducer driver means after said predetermined time period which causes said transducer to be driven at a second power level wherein said second power level is less than said first power level, thereby prolonging battery life.
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14. A method of indicating a depleted battery in a device being powered by a battery and having an audio annunciator means for generating an audible alert, comprising the steps of:
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determining when said battery has been depleted to a first predetermined voltage; activating said annunciator means to generate said alert at a first power level; determining when said battery has been depleted to a second predetermined voltage; further activating said annunciator means to generate said alert at a second power level wherein said second power level is less than said first level, thereby prolonging battery life. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method of indicating a depleted battery in a device being powered by a battery and having an audio annunciator means for generating an audible alert, comprising the steps of:
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determining when said battery has been depleted to a predetermined voltage; activating said annunciator means to generate said alert at a first power level; further activating said annunciator means to generate said alert at a second power level a predetermined time after said battery has been depleted to said predetermined voltage wherein said second power level is less than said first power level, thereby prolonging battery life. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification