Abstract: A method of remote sensing a charge includes charging or discharging a first capacitor of a first RC circuit and a second capacitor of a second RC circuit to a predetermined threshold voltage using a power source. When each of the capacitors reach the predetermined threshold voltage, a response signal is provided from a communications module to a handheld computing device comprising a reader system. An amount of time between the response signals is determined. The amount of time is indicative of charge information.

Abstract: A reusable battery indicator includes a voltage sensor, a communication circuit communicatively connected to the voltage sensor, an antenna operatively coupled to the communication circuit, and a connection mechanism having a connector and a retainer. The connector and the retainer are electrically connected to the voltage sensor, and the connector is adapted to be removably connected to a first battery terminal, thereby providing an electrical connection between the voltage sensor and the first battery terminal. The retainer is adapted to removably secure the voltage sensor to a can of a battery, thereby providing an electrical connection between the voltage sensor and the can of the battery. An electrical circuit is completed between the voltage sensor and the first battery terminal and between the voltage sensor and the can. The connection mechanism includes part of an electrical lock and key assembly.

Abstract: A method of remote sensing a charge includes charging or discharging a first capacitor of a first RC circuit and a second capacitor of a second RC circuit to a predetermined threshold voltage using a power source. When each of the capacitors reach the predetermined threshold voltage, a response signal is provided from a communications module to a handheld computing device comprising a reader system. An amount of time between the response signals is determined. The amount of time is indicative of charge information.

Abstract: A reusable battery indicator includes a voltage sensor, a communication circuit communicatively connected to the voltage sensor, an antenna operatively coupled to the communication circuit, and a connection mechanism having a connector and a retainer. The connector and the retainer are electrically connected to the voltage sensor, and the connector is adapted to be removably connected to a first battery terminal, thereby providing an electrical connection between the voltage sensor and the first battery terminal. The retainer is adapted to removably secure the voltage sensor to a can of a battery, thereby providing an electrical connection between the voltage sensor and the can of the battery. An electrical circuit is completed between the voltage sensor and the first battery terminal and between the voltage sensor and the can. The connection mechanism includes part of an electrical lock and key assembly.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for remotely determining a battery characteristic. Some embodiments include searching for a first wireless signal that identifies the energy storage device and, in response to receiving the first wireless signal, determining a current charge level of the energy storage device. Some embodiments include receiving a second wireless signal from the energy storage device, determining from the second wireless signal, whether the current charge level of the energy storage device reaches a predetermined threshold, and in response to determining that the current charge level of the energy storage device reaches the predetermined threshold, sending, by the computing device, an alert indicating the current charge level.

Abstract: An antenna for a cylindrical body may include a flexible substrate coupled to a cylindrical body; a two symmetrical loop omni-directional antenna comprising at least one antenna trace with a first terminal and a second terminal coupled to the flexible substrate; and an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for remotely determining a battery characteristic. Some embodiments include searching for a first wireless signal that identifies the energy storage device and, in response to receiving the first wireless signal, determining a current charge level of the energy storage device. Some embodiments include receiving a second wireless signal from the energy storage device, determining from the second wireless signal, whether the current charge level of the energy storage device reaches a predetermined threshold, and in response to determining that the current charge level of the energy storage device reaches the predetermined threshold, sending, by the computing device, an alert indicating the current charge level.

Abstract: A positive terminal of a battery may act as an antenna ground plane for communicating battery status information. The positive terminal of the battery may include a first electrically conductive external surface with a first surface area. The negative terminal of the battery may include a second electrically conductive external surface with a second surface area less than the first surface area. An antenna impedance matching circuit may electrically connect to a communication circuit, an antenna, and the positive terminal of the battery. Thus the positive terminal of the battery may act as a ground plane for the antenna.

Abstract: A reusable battery indicator includes a voltage sensor, a communication circuit communicatively connected to the voltage sensor, an antenna operatively coupled to the communication circuit, and a connection mechanism having a first connector and a retainer. The first connector and the retainer are electrically connected to the voltage sensor, and the first connector is adapted to be removably connected to a first battery terminal, thereby providing an electrical connection between the voltage sensor and the first battery terminal. The retainer is adapted to removably secure the voltage sensor to a can of a battery, thereby providing an electrical connection between the voltage sensor and the can of the battery. An electrical circuit is completed between the voltage sensor and the first battery terminal and between the voltage sensor and the can.

Abstract: A reusable battery indicator includes a voltage sensor, a communication circuit communicatively connected to the voltage sensor, an antenna operatively coupled to the communication circuit, and a connection mechanism having a connector and a retainer. The connector and the retainer are electrically connected to the voltage sensor, and the connector is adapted to be removably connected to a first battery terminal, thereby providing an electrical connection between the voltage sensor and the first battery terminal. The retainer is adapted to removably secure the voltage sensor to a can of a battery, thereby providing an electrical connection between the voltage sensor and the can of the battery. An electrical circuit is completed between the voltage sensor and the first battery terminal and between the voltage sensor and the can. The connection mechanism includes part of an electrical lock and key assembly.

Abstract: A reusable battery indicator includes a voltage sensor configured to convert sensed analog characteristics of a battery to digital information; a communication circuit communicatively connected to the voltage sensor; an antenna operatively coupled to the communication circuit; and a connection mechanism having at least a first connector and a second connector that are electrically connected to the voltage sensor, the first connector and the second connector being adapted to be removably connected to a first battery terminal and to a second battery terminal, respectively, thereby completing an electrical circuit between the voltage sensor and the first and second battery terminals when the connection mechanism is coupled to the first battery terminal and to the second battery terminal. One or more of the fist connector and the second connector include part of a mechanical lock and key assembly.

Abstract: A reusable battery indicator comprises a voltage sensor configured to convert sensed analog characteristics of a battery to digital information; a communication circuit communicatively connected to the voltage sensor; an antenna operatively coupled to the communication circuit; and a connection mechanism having at least a first connector and a second connector that are electrically connected to the voltage sensor, the first connector and the second connector being adapted to be removably connected to a first battery terminal and to a second battery terminal, respectively, thereby completing an electrical circuit between the voltage sensor and the first and second battery terminals when the connection mechanism is coupled to the first battery terminal and to the second battery terminal.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards an indicator circuit. The indicator circuit includes a ground plane; an antenna; a decoupler component; and an integrated circuit. The antenna includes at least one antenna trace; a first antenna terminal; and a second antenna terminal. The decoupler component includes a first decoupler component terminal and a second decoupler component terminal. The integrated circuit is electrically coupled to the first antenna terminal and the second antenna terminal. The integrated circuit is electrically coupled to the first decoupler component terminal. The second decoupler component terminal is electrically connected to the ground plane.

Abstract: An antenna for a cylindrical body may include a flexible substrate with the antenna on it with a first terminal and a second terminal electrically connected to an integrated circuit, the flexible substrate coupled to the cylindrical body.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards an indicator circuit. The indicator circuit includes a ground plane; an antenna; a decoupler component; and an integrated circuit. The antenna includes at least one antenna trace; a first antenna terminal; and a second antenna terminal. The decoupler component includes a first decoupler component terminal and a second decoupler component terminal. The integrated circuit is electrically coupled to the first antenna terminal and the second antenna terminal. The integrated circuit is electrically coupled to the first decoupler component terminal. The second decoupler component terminal is electrically connected to the ground plane.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for remotely determining a battery characteristic. Some embodiments include searching for a first wireless signal that identifies the energy storage device and, in response to receiving the first wireless signal, determining a current charge level of the energy storage device. Some embodiments include receiving a second wireless signal from the energy storage device, determining from the second wireless signal, whether the current charge level of the energy storage device reaches a predetermined threshold, and in response to determining that the current charge level of the energy storage device reaches the predetermined threshold, sending, by the computing device, an alert indicating the current charge level.

Abstract: A state of charge indicator may include an indicator with a display threshold and an auxiliary cell having an auxiliary cell voltage. The auxiliary cell may be electrically coupled to the indicator such that when a difference between a main cell voltage of a main cell and the auxiliary cell voltage is less than the display threshold, the indicator is inactive and when the difference between the main cell voltage and the auxiliary cell voltage is greater than or about equal to the display threshold, the indicator is active.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for remotely determining a battery characteristic. Some embodiments include searching for a first wireless signal that identifies the energy storage device and, in response to receiving the first wireless signal, determining a current charge level of the energy storage device. Some embodiments include receiving a second wireless signal from the energy storage device, determining from the second wireless signal, whether the current charge level of the energy storage device reaches a predetermined threshold, and in response to determining that the current charge level of the energy storage device reaches the predetermined threshold, sending, by the computing device, an alert indicating the current charge level.

Abstract: A method of remote sensing a charge includes charging or discharging a first capacitor of a first RC circuit and a second capacitor of a second RC circuit to a predetermined threshold voltage using a power source. When each of the capacitors reach the predetermined threshold voltage, a response signal is provided from a communications module to a handheld computing device comprising a reader system. An amount of time between the response signals is determined. The amount of time is indicative of charge information.