By Voltage Patents (Class 340/636.15)
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Patent number: 8792849Abstract: According to one embodiment, a near field radio communication apparatus, as described in embodiments, comprises a signal receiving unit configured to convert a radio signal into an electric signal an information obtaining unit configured to obtain information from a signal output from the signal receiving unit and an operating power supplying unit configured to supply an operating power to the information obtaining unit if a voltage level of the electric signal output from the signal receiving unit varies to he equal to or higher than a preset threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kengo Kurose, Takashi Minemura
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Patent number: 8793087Abstract: A modular device having at least one master integrated circuit, and one or more slave integrated circuit modules coupled to the at least one master integrated circuit with each slave integrated circuit module of the one or more slave integrated circuit modules coupled to and associated with only a single cell of the battery. Each slave integrated circuit module of the one or more slave integrated circuit modules further comprises: detection circuitry adapted to detect data comprising one or more of the temperature, voltage or charge status, and malfunctioning of the single cell associated with and monitored by the slave integrated circuit; and an interface operable to send said detected data to the at least one master integrated circuit. The at least one master integrated circuit is adapted to send commands to a slave integrated circuit module in response to the detected data detected by the slave integrated circuit module.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.Inventor: Fabrizio Librizzi
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Publication number: 20140145853Abstract: In one embodiment, a battery control system, comprising: a plurality of battery units comprising a battery system; and a controller coupled to the plurality of battery units, the controller configured to monitor, for each battery unit, a first voltage and a second voltage, the first voltage corresponding to an absolute value of a shut-off voltage and a second voltage corresponding to a warning voltage, the first voltage smaller than the second voltage, wherein responsive to one of the battery units reaching the second voltage, the controller is configured to provide a first alert before the any of the battery units reaches the first voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2012Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: Changs Ascending Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chun Chieh Chang, Tsun Yu Chang
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Publication number: 20140139344Abstract: An electronic device or tool including an indicator adapted to provide an indication when a predetermined amount of time of operation of the electronic device, for example about 10 minutes, remains in the power source. The indicator device indicates to a user that the user has a certain amount of time of operation of the electronic device before the electronic device will shut down and become inoperable.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: Snap-on IncorporatedInventor: Frederick C. Chudy
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Patent number: 8718545Abstract: A transponder and method for operating a transponder, which has a capacitor (Cbuf) for storing power transmitted via an air interface and an arithmetic logic unit (10) that can be supplied with the stored power, in which a capacitor voltage (VC) of the capacitor (Cbuf) is compared with a first threshold (V1), in which the capacitor voltage (VC) is compared with a second threshold (V2), whereby the first threshold (V1) and the second threshold (V2) are different, in which in a first operating mode (M1), when the capacitor voltage (VC) is above the first threshold (V1), the arithmetic logic unit (10) performs a number of routines with a different priority, in which in a second operating mode (M2), when the capacitor voltage (VC) is between the first threshold (V1) and the second threshold (V2), a number of low-priority routines are stopped and a number of high-priority routines are continued.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2008Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventor: Paul Lepek
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Publication number: 20140070952Abstract: A battery powered transmitter is provided with a battery status circuit that determines an output voltage level associated with the battery. The battery status circuit is provided with multiple voltage reference thresholds. One or more visual voltage status indicators are electrically coupled with the battery status circuit. The battery status circuit actuates a visual voltage status indicator when the battery status circuit determines the voltage output level of the battery to be within a first output range. One or more additional visual voltage status indicators may be actuated when the battery status circuit determines the voltage output level of the battery to be within other output ranges.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Controlled Entry Distributors, Inc.Inventor: Bradley C. Kofford
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Method for controlling cartridge of welding helmet having display function of welding operation time
Patent number: 8659509Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a cartridge of a welding helmet having a function to display a welding operation time, which can protect the welder's face from intense light generated during a welding or cutting operation and also, enable automated light transmittance adjustment and operation time setting on a per operation basis, enabling a welding operation to be more efficiently performed. In the method including welding operation, cutting operation, grinding operation and X-mode operation steps, which are automatically performed in sequence according to preset conditions and a light transmittance and operation time of a liquid crystal screen of the cartridge, a control unit calculates an operation time of the liquid crystal screen indicating how long the liquid crystal screen is kept dark, and the calculated operation time is stored in a memory unit so as to be displayed on a display unit in a life mode step.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Otos Wing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Moon Young Huh -
Patent number: 8604937Abstract: A telematics unit is provided for a vehicle having a power unit, along with a method for controlling a telematics unit for a vehicle. The telematics unit includes a voltage sensor, a global positioning system unit, and a processor. The voltage sensor senses a measure of a voltage of the power unit. The global positioning system unit obtains position data as to a position of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the voltage sensor and the global positioning system unit. The processor is configured to determine whether the voltage for the power unit has decreased using the sensed measure of the voltage, determine whether the vehicle is moving using the position data, and command the telematics unit to an off mode if the voltage has decreased and the vehicle is not moving.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Kevin W. Owens, Daniel C. McGarry, Nicholas J. Peariso, Kevin R. Krause, Russell A. Patenaude
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Publication number: 20130285817Abstract: A customizable alarm system includes a graphic user interface (GUI), a central processing unit (CPU) to set a predetermined range of a first electronic element through the GUI, an embedded controller (EC) to store the predetermined range of the first electronic element, and an audio chip. The EC obtains an actual value of the first electronic element, and determines whether the actual value of the first electronic element is within the predetermined range. The EC generates an audio code in response to the actual value not being within the predetermined range. The audio chip receives the audio code, and chooses a corresponding audio file from a plurality of audio files stored in the audio chip. A speaker plays the audio file.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (WUHAN) CO., LTD.Inventor: YONG-ZHAO HUANG
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Patent number: 8566049Abstract: A battery system comprises a first battery cell and a first management unit which is connected in one-to-one correspondence to the first battery cell. The first management unit comprises a first parameter acquiring unit, a first calculating unit, and a first storage unit. The first parameter acquiring unit acquires a power consumption parameter of the first battery cell. The first calculating unit calculates a power consumption state value of the first battery cell on the basis of the power consumption parameter acquired by the first parameter acquiring unit. The first storage unit stores the power consumption state value calculated by the first calculating unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Fumihiro Akahane, Toshimichi Tsumaki, Takumi Oya
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Patent number: 8564448Abstract: A portable computer system including a battery, a power switch and a computer unit is provided. The battery provides a supply signal to the power switch. The computer unit includes an embedded controller (EC), a driver and a user interface device. The EC determines whether the battery satisfies a low power condition according to the supply signal. If so, the EC provides a driving supply signal. The driver determines whether the supply signal satisfies a low voltage condition according to the driving supply signal. If so, the driver triggers an alert event. The user interface device triggers a user notification event according to the alert event. The power switch is further turned on/off in response to an operation event for respectively providing the supply signal to power the computer unit and put the computer unit in a power cut-off state.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.Inventors: Pi-Chi Chen, Wei-Ting Yen
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Patent number: 8552877Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes a housing having an external surface including a user interface region. A battery cell within the housing is characterized by a charging status, a state of charge, and a state of health. A processor disposed within the housing determines and/or stores the charging status as well as one or more of the state of charge and the state of health of the battery cell. The user interface region provides a plurality of visual components configured to provide a plurality of visual cues relating to the charging status, the state of charge, and the state of health of the battery cell. The plurality of visual components may include a persistent display, an on-demand display, and an input component. The input component may be used to select the manner in which the visual cues are provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2009Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard Martin, William Bang, Mark Palmer, Christopher Paul, Quintin Morris
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Patent number: 8547240Abstract: A battery powered transmitter is provided with a battery status circuit that determines an output voltage level associated with the battery. The battery status circuit is provided with multiple voltage reference thresholds. One or more visual voltage status indicators are electrically coupled with the battery status circuit. The battery status circuit actuates a visual voltage status indicator when the battery status circuit determines the voltage output level of the battery to be within a first output range. One or more additional visual voltage status indicators may be actuated when the battery status circuit determines the voltage output level of the battery to be within other output ranges.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Controlled Entry Distributors, Inc.Inventor: Bradley C. Kofford
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Patent number: 8542126Abstract: An optical network terminal (ONT) battery backup unit (BBU) battery voltage alert system (BVAS). This alert is provided as a supplement to an audio alarm which sounds when the backup battery is discharging because that alarm may not be heard in sufficient time if the alarm is remotely located relative to its customer, e.g., in the customer's basement or outside. A battery monitoring facility, located in a telecommunication service provider's centralized serving office, or remotely located elsewhere, monitors the voltage of each of a plurality of batteries deployed in customers' premises within the geographical area served by that centralized serving office. That battery monitoring facility receives packets via a communication network from each such customer's premises, each of those packets representing a battery voltage measurement. That battery monitoring facility stores these on-going measurements thereby creating a trending database to point to any potential future battery failures.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Henry A. McKelvey, Randy B. McCain, Jr.
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Patent number: 8538709Abstract: A fuel battery system is comprised of a power source circuit, a rotating electrical machine that is a load, a memory device and a control unit. Here, a battery learning system corresponds to an arrangement including a fuel battery that is a structural component of the power source circuit, a high frequency signal source, an electric current detection means, a voltage detection means, the memory device and a battery learning part that is a structural element of the control unit. An impedance value can be obtained from alternating current components of respective detecting values of the electric current detection means and the voltage detection means. The battery learning unit has an I-V characteristic curve learning module that learns an I-V characteristic curve and a learning prohibition judgment module that judges whether or not an acquiring interval of the impedance value is over a predetermined threshold interval set in advance, and prohibits learning if the former is over the latter.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2008Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ayako Kawase
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Patent number: 8427329Abstract: A method for non-destructive health monitoring of a joined component includes: supplying a first current between a first end of a first member and a first end of a second member of the joined component; measuring a first voltage between a second end of the first member and a second end of the second member, wherein the first ends of the first member and the second member are situated opposite of at least one joint from the second ends of the first member and the second member; calculating a first joint resistance of the at least one joint from the supplied first current and the measured first voltage; comparing the calculated first joint resistance to a predetermined minimum joint resistance; and comparing the calculated first joint resistance to a predetermined maximum joint resistance, wherein the predetermined maximum joint resistance is greater than the predetermined minimum joint resistance.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Leonid C. Lev, Nikolay Kondratyev
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Patent number: 8421405Abstract: It is possible to prevent charge of an incompatible secondary cell while suppressing the size of a mobile electronic device and a secondary cell without increasing power consumption so as to prevent damage of the secondary cell or the mobile electronic device by charge. A detachable secondary cell (30) supplies power to a mobile electronic device (2). The mobile electronic device (2) includes: a cell terminal (60) which outputs and inputs power to/from the mounted secondary cell (30); non-contact information extraction means (20) which performs a magnetic field communication; a loop antenna (26) which transmits/receives a signal using an electromagnetic wave by the non-contact information extraction means (20); and control means (22) which acquires particular information outputted from the non-contact information extraction means (20) and controls charge of the secondary cell (30) according to the acquired particular information. The loop antenna (26) is arranged in the cell terminal (60).Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2008Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: KYOCERA CorporationInventors: Masayoshi Nakajima, Akira Koyama
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Patent number: 8421381Abstract: A charging circuit is provided that charges a battery for supplying power to a motor drive system that includes a three-phase motor and a three-phase inverter for controlling the three-phase motor. The three-phase inverter includes first to third sets of switching elements. Each set corresponds to one of the three phases. The charging circuit includes a single-phase output transformer, a rectifier circuit, a line, and a controller. The single-phase output transformer includes a secondary side output section having a first terminal and a second terminal. The rectifier circuit is connected in parallel with the three-phase inverter and the battery. The rectifier circuit is also connected to the first terminal of the secondary side output section. The line connects a connecting point between the first set of the switching elements in the three-phase inverter with the second terminal of the secondary side output section. The controller performs on-off control of the first to third sets of the switching elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2011Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota JidoshokkiInventor: Toshinari Fukatsu
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Publication number: 20130076519Abstract: An apparatus is electrically connected to a battery unit consisting of multiple batteries, an energy conversion system, and power-driven equipment. The apparatus sets number requirements of batteries to be connected to a discharge unit and a charge unit of the battery unit. When the power-driven equipment is started, the apparatus receives an open-circuit voltage of each battery detected by a sensor connected to the battery, and establishes connections of the batteries with the discharge unit or the charge unit according to the open-circuit voltages of the batteries and the number requirements. During the discharge unit supplying power to the power-driven equipment and the energy conversion system charging the charge unit, the apparatus monitors variations of the open-circuit voltages of the batteries, and switches the connections of batteries with the discharge unit or the charge unit according to associations between open-circuit voltages, cut-off discharge voltages, and nominal voltages of the batteries.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicants: CHI MEI COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC., SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: JUN TANG
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Publication number: 20130057777Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Nathan Hale, Paul Langer, Jeremy Mickelsen, Tom Monikowski, Adam Schafer
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Patent number: 8392050Abstract: A vehicle load control device comprises a battery that supplies power to an electrical load of the vehicle; a battery sensor that detects a consumption state of the battery; and a control unit that cuts off power supply to the electrical load when the consumption state of the battery reaches a predetermined state. The control unit detects a consumption state of the battery at a relatively short first time interval, in a case where a consumption amount of the battery after the engine stops is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and detects a consumption state of the battery at a relatively long second time interval, in a case where the consumption amount of the battery after the engine stops is less than a predetermined value, and cuts off power supply to the electrical load depending on the consumption state of the battery detected by the battery sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Arai, Kenichi Ishida
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Patent number: 8386102Abstract: In an electrically powered vehicle, a computer-controlled switching system activates relays to switch additional discrete batteries into a circuit in response to throttle level, where a processor is configured to decide what specific batteries should be present in the circuit at any given time, in response to both throttle level and a battery load balancing optimization scheme.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Inventor: Eric Gullichsen
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Patent number: 8368549Abstract: A telematics unit is provided for a vehicle having a power unit, along with a method for controlling a telematics unit for a vehicle. The telematics unit includes a voltage sensor, a global positioning system unit, and a processor. The voltage sensor senses a measure of a voltage of the power unit. The global positioning system unit obtains position data as to a position of the vehicle. The processor is coupled to the voltage sensor and the global positioning system unit. The processor is configured to determine whether the voltage for the power unit has decreased using the sensed measure of the voltage, determine whether the vehicle is moving using the position data, and command the telematics unit to an off mode if the voltage has decreased and the vehicle is not moving.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: General Motors LLCInventors: Kevin W. Owens, Daniel C. McGarry, Nicholas J. Peariso, Kevin R. Krause, Russell A. Patenaude
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Patent number: 8362908Abstract: Various mechanisms are described for indicating to a user a low battery condition of a remote control for a controlled device. More particularly, a remote control detects a low battery condition as well as the replacement of batteries in the remote control. The remote control transmits a low battery message to a controlled device responsive to detecting a low battery condition. The remote control refrains from transmitting one or more subsequent low battery messages to the controlled device prior to detection of replacement of batteries. The remote control transmits a battery status message to the controlled device responsive to detecting the replacement of batteries in the remote control. The controlled device utilizes the low battery message and the battery status message to determine whether to present a low battery indicator to a user regarding a low battery condition of the remote control.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2011Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: William R. Reams
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Patent number: 8362909Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting a low battery detection threshold in a remote control. An embodiment of a method includes determining a type of a battery powering a remote control of an entertainment device and determining a first low battery threshold for the battery based on the type of the battery. The first low battery threshold indicates a low battery condition of the remote control. Responsive to measuring a voltage of the battery, a determination is made regarding whether the voltage of the battery is below the low battery threshold. Responsive to determining that the voltage of the battery is below the first low battery threshold, a low battery message is transmitted to an entertainment device. The entertainment device utilizes the message to present an indicator to a user regarding the low battery condition of the remote control.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: William R. Reams
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Publication number: 20120286960Abstract: One disclosed method involves providing a first device comprising a sensor configured to sense a stimulus experienced by the first device, a controller configured to process data received from the sensor and thereby obtain processed sensor data, a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the processed data, and a battery configured to supply power to at least the controller and the transmitter. The first device is operated in a first operational mode in which the sensor, the controller, and the transmitter are used at least occasionally to obtain and transmit processed data. When the battery is in a low power condition, the first device is operated in a second operational mode wherein the sensor, controller, and transmitter are not used to obtain and transmit processed sensor data, but wherein the first device at least occasionally transmits a signal that indicates a low power condition of the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventor: Thomas P. Blackadar
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Patent number: 8311476Abstract: A transponder and method for operating a transponder, which has a capacitor (Cbuf) for storing power transmitted via an air interface and an arithmetic logic unit (10) that can be supplied with the stored power, in which a capacitor voltage (VC) of the capacitor (Cbuf) is compared with a first threshold (V1), in which the capacitor voltage (VC) is compared with a second threshold (V2), whereby the first threshold (V1) and the second threshold (V2) are different, in which in a first operating mode (M1), when the capacitor voltage (VC) is above the first threshold (V1), the arithmetic logic unit (10) performs a number of routines with a different priority, in which in a second operating mode (M2), when the capacitor voltage (VC) is between the first threshold (V1) and the second threshold (V2), a number of low-priority routines are stopped and a number of high-priority routines are continued.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2008Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventor: Paul Lepek
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Patent number: 8310366Abstract: A method of providing assistance for locating a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device is provided. The RFID device preferably comprises a power source having a power level and a feedback device. The method comprises determining the power level of the power source is below a first predetermined power level, and transmitting a first signal that indicates the power level of the power source is below the first predetermined power level. Thereafter, the method comprises receiving a second signal that instructs the RFID device to activate the feedback device, and operating the feedback device in response to receiving the second signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Miklos Stern
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Publication number: 20120282500Abstract: A battery system comprises a battery module, including a high-voltage grid and a low-voltage network having a BCU. The battery module includes a plurality of battery cells connected in series and a plurality of cell monitoring units configured to measure and to transmit battery voltages of the battery cells with respect to a first control signal. The BCU is configured to determine a charge state of the battery cells. The BCU includes a microcontroller and a nanocontroller. The nanocontroller is or can be directly connected to the cell monitoring units and is connected to the microcontroller by means of an isolator, and is configured to generate the first control signal and to transmit the signal to the cell monitoring units and to receive the battery voltages of the battery cells transmitted by the cell monitoring units and relay same to the microcontroller.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Chrysanthos Tzivanopoulos, Stefan Butzmann
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Patent number: 8294832Abstract: A remote control for an electronic device includes a plurality of keys, a power supply, a power control unit, a code modulating unit, and a transmitter. The plurality of keys generates different first electrical signals when actuated. The power supply is operable to power the remote control. The power control unit detects a voltage of the power supply, and generates a second electrical signal when the voltage of the power supply falls below a predetermined value. The code modulating unit generates different key code signals according to the different first electrical signals, and a switch code signal according to the second electrical signal. The transmitter converts the different key code signals and the switch code signal into different wireless signals, and transmits the different wireless signals to the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Lung Dai
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Patent number: 8279074Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for generating backup power in a wireless communications system such as a wireless communications service base station includes a communications interface, a primary power interface, a generator, rectifiers, and a battery circuit. During normal operation, the communications interface is powered from the primary power interface. During a power outage, the communications interface is powered from either the generator or the battery circuit. A battery circuit monitoring circuit detects and/or predicts loose, corroded, intermittent, high resistance, arcing, open, shorted, and/or the like connections.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.Inventor: Steve Fischer
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Patent number: 8274255Abstract: The present invention is related to a multi-function remote control which is supplied power by a rechargeable battery. The multi-function remote control comprises a micro controller unit (MCU), a residual power display, a button unit, a current detector and a voltage detector. The MCU couples to the rechargeable battery and then charges or discharges the rechargeable battery. The current detector measures the current of the rechargeable battery and correspondingly outputs a current-value signal (Si) to the MCU. The voltage detector measures the voltage of the rechargeable battery and correspondingly outputs a voltage-value signal (Sv) to the MCU. Then, the MCU obtains the residual power of the rechargeable battery by means of analyzing the current-value signal (Si) and voltage-value signal (Sv), and then reveals the corresponding residual power by the residual power display. Whereby, the multi-function remote control might have functions of remote control, charging and revealing residual power.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: TPV Electronics (Fujian) Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shu Hong Wu
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Patent number: 8269642Abstract: An alarm system and an alarm device that are capable of enhancing a fail-safe function. A fire alarm device (A) operating as a master unit transmits a switching request signal to fire alarm devices operating as slave units at a predetermined timing. The switching request signal contains at least an own address and an address of a fire alarm device (B) that is to operate as the master unit next (S20). Upon reception of the switching request signal, among the fire alarm devices operating as the slave units, the fire alarm device (B) that is to operate as the master unit next judges whether or not switching is possible based on switching availability judgment information for judging whether or not switching to the master unit is possible (S30), and, when it is judged that switching is possible, starts operating as the master unit (S31).Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Nohmi Bosai Ltd.Inventors: Hidesato Morita, Makoto Masuyama, Toshimitsu Watanabe
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Patent number: 8265821Abstract: A method for determining a voltage level across an electrical circuit of a powertrain includes measuring a plurality of voltage levels and utilizing a comparison test between at least two voltage levels of the plurality of voltage levels to determine the circuit voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Wei D. Wang, William R. Cawthorne, Aniket Kothari, Nicholas Kokotovich, Wei Ren, Bo Zhang
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Patent number: 8258971Abstract: A low voltage warning circuit includes an input terminal configured to receive a supply voltage, a reference voltage connected to the input terminal for providing a reference voltage, a transistor connected to the reference voltage circuit and the input terminal, and a silicon controlled rectifier connected to the transistor and the input terminal via a indicating device, the low voltage warning circuit raise a warning through the indicating device when the supply voltage is below the reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yong-Zhao Huang
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Patent number: 8248258Abstract: A resume device is provided. The device detects voltage variation in standby mode. When a big voltage variation is detected, a resume process is run and a sound is played. Volume of the sound is adjustable and power is maintained within a proper range. Thus, power consumption is saved, efficiency is improved and resume process is enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Tritan Technology Inc.Inventor: Ching-Hung Tseng
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Patent number: 8223028Abstract: A method, computer program product, and infusion pump assembly for determining a first rate-of-change force reading that corresponds to the delivery of a first dose of an infusible fluid via an infusion pump assembly. At least a second rate-of-change force reading is determined that corresponds to the delivery of at least a second dose of the infusible fluid via the infusion pump assembly. An average rate-of-change force reading is determined based, at least in part upon the first rate-of-change force reading and the at least a second rate-of-change force reading.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Marc A. Mandro, Robert J. Bryant
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Patent number: 8207862Abstract: An under-voltage warning circuit includes a Zener diode, a transistor, an annunciator, and a thyristor. When the power source is within a certain range, the annunciator does not work. When the voltage level of the power source V_in is lower than the predetermined value, the annunciator works to denote that the power source is under-voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2009Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yong-Zhao Huang
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Patent number: 8204651Abstract: According to the present invention, a power supply control device for an electric power steering device used for a power supply system comprises a main battery 40 connected to the electric power steering device via a first power supply line and a sub-battery 50 connected to the electric power steering device via a second power supply line, wherein when detecting the state of the sub-battery, said power supply control device restricts or disconnects power supply from the main battery to the electric power steering device while it permits power supply from the sub-battery to the electric power steering device, characterized in that said power supply control device prevents the detection of the state of the second battery if a vehicle speed is higher than a predetermined reference value.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2006Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeshi Tachibana, Koji Ito, Toshinori Esaka, Hidenori Matsuto
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Patent number: 8193943Abstract: Handheld charge indicator assemblies, children's ride-on vehicle kits including the same, and methods of determining the state of charge of a battery assembly of a children's ride-on vehicle. Handheld charge indicator assemblies are sized to be held in the hand of a user and are configured to be selectively interconnected to a battery assembly of a children's ride-on vehicle and output an output signal representative of a voltage of the battery assembly. Handheld charge indicator assemblies include a body, an electronic circuit housed within the body, an indicator configured to output an output signal representative of an input voltage to the electronic circuit, and a battery connector configured to engage the battery assembly of a children's ride-on vehicle. In some embodiments, the handheld charge indicator assembly further includes an actuator configured to actuate the electronic circuit to detect the input voltage responsive to a user engaging the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Mark J. Bergum, Timothy J. Snyder
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Patent number: 8188876Abstract: The integrated batter level indicator method and circuit of the present application provides an LED bar graph display proportional to a range of variable throttle control that provides range of speed indication, direction indication, as well as a battery level indicator. The bar graph display is configured to switch between speed or battery mode, preferably switching to battery mode when a user turns the throttle to an off position, while indicating direction of the motor at all times when the motor is in use. The integrated battery level indicator and circuit displays an amount of battery power remaining in the battery by comparing the input signal to a high and low reference level such that as the input varies between the high and low reference levels, the battery voltage is displayed on the indicator.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Steven E. Holley, Jason M. Bentz
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Patent number: 8179276Abstract: A battery alarm for use with a battery assembly is provided, the battery alarm including a first activation component, a signaling component, and an output component. The first activation component is configured to activate the alarm upon disengagement of the battery assembly from a battery-operated device and is further configured to deactivate the alarm upon engagement of the battery pack with the battery-operated device. The signaling component is coupled to the first activation component and is configured to transmit a signal when the alarm is activated. The output component is adapted to receive the signal from the signaling component and is configured to produce a visual, audible, and/or tactile output upon receipt of the signal from the signaling component.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: TYCO Healthcare Group LPInventor: Sean T. Dycus
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Patent number: 8169329Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are described for detecting moisture on a mattress cover. Conductive leads affixed to the mattress cover are configured in loop patterns, and adjacent conductive loops are positioned equidistant to one another to provide equal sensitivity to moisture at any location on the mattress cover. A quick-release connector allows the conductive leads to be quickly connected to an electrical monitoring circuit. The continuity of each conductive lead is periodically checked using a test signal. Moisture is detected by applying a different voltage level to adjacent conductive leads and measuring the current flowing between the leads. When moisture or a broken conductive lead is detected, an alarm signal is communicated to an attendant. The alarm signal is repeated at periodic intervals until the electrical monitoring circuit detects that the alarm condition has been corrected. The attendant's response time is recorded for future performance evaluations.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Inventors: Arthur Koblasz, Ronald Paul Crisman
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Patent number: 8164433Abstract: Cell voltages within a battery pack and a voltage delivered to a load or drive system, along with a current delivered to the system, are monitored and used to detect a possible abnormal condition of a wiring harness.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: AC Propulsion, Inc.Inventor: David William Sivertsen
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Publication number: 20120075106Abstract: A portable computer system including a battery, a power switch and a computer unit is provided. The battery provides a supply signal to the power switch. The computer unit includes an embedded controller (EC), a driver and a user interface device. The EC determines whether the battery satisfies a low power condition according to the supply signal. If so, the EC provides a driving supply signal. The driver determines whether the supply signal satisfies a low voltage condition according to the driving supply signal. If so, the driver triggers an alert event. The user interface device triggers a user notification event according to the alert event. The power switch is further turned on/off in response to an operation event for respectively providing the supply signal to power the computer unit and put the computer unit in a power cut-off state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Quanta Computer Inc.Inventors: Pi-Chi CHEN, Wei-Ting Yen
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Patent number: 8140280Abstract: A battery condition diagnosis apparatus for a vehicle gradually supplies electricity to an electric motor of an electric power steering apparatus when a predetermined time elapses after an ignition switch is turned off. The apparatus diagnoses the deteriorated condition of the battery on the basis of the amount of supplied electricity and the detected battery voltage which changes in accordance therewith. The electric motor may be a brushless DC motor. In this case, current is supplied to the electric motor such that only d-axis armature current Id in the d-q coordinate system flows, to thereby prevent the electric motor from rotating, whereby safety is secured. Accordingly, the condition of the battery can be accurately diagnosed by supplying electricity to the electric motor without changing the condition of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2006Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Eiji Kasai
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Patent number: 8120209Abstract: A voltage sensing device with which high-precision voltage sensing is possible without the need to obtain a unique correction constant for each device. A pair of voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 is selected from voltage input nodes NC0-NCn in switch part 10, and they are connected to sensing input nodes NA and NB in two types of patterns with different polarity (forward connection, reverse connection). Sensing input nodes NA and NB are held at reference potential Vm by voltage sensing part 20, and current Ina and Inb corresponding to the voltage at voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 flows to input resistors RIk and RIk-1. Currents Ina and Inb are synthesized at different ratios in voltage sensing part 20, and sensed voltage signal S20 is generated according to the synthesized current Ic. Sensed voltage data S40 with low error is generated according to the difference between the two sensed voltage signals S20 generated in the two connection patterns.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Toru Tanaka, Akio Ogura, Kazuya Omagari, Nariaki Ogasawara
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Patent number: 8106770Abstract: A method for detecting a target in a soil, including the step of generating a transmit signal, the transmit signal including at least three different frequency components, a relatively high frequency component, a relatively medium frequency component and a relatively low frequency component; and processing a receive signal, the processing including selecting coefficients for, in effect, linearly combining the relatively high frequency components, the relatively low frequency components and the relatively medium frequency components of the receive signal to produce an indicator output signal, the indicator output signal including a signal indicative of the presence of the target in the soil, and wherein the coefficients are selected such that the indicator output signal is approximately independent of log-linear frequency-dependent resistive signal components and log-uniform resistive signal components from the soil.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2007Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Minelab Electronics Pty LtdInventor: Bruce Halcro Candy
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Patent number: 8108161Abstract: A battery state estimating unit estimates an internal state of a secondary battery according to a battery model equation in every arithmetic cycle, and calculates an SOC based on a result of the estimation. A parameter characteristic map stores a characteristic map based on a result of actual measurement performed in an initial state (in a new state) on a parameter diffusion coefficient and a DC resistance in the battery model equation. The parameter change rate estimating unit estimates a DC resistance change rate represented by a ratio of a present DC resistance with respect to a new-state parameter value by parameter identification based on the battery model equation, using battery data measured by sensors as well as the new-state parameter value of the DC resistance corresponding to the present battery state and read from the parameter characteristic map.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2008Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuji Tomura, Takaji Umeno, Yasushi Amano, Yuji Nishi, Takeshi Takemoto, Nobuyasu Haga, Tetsuya Fuchimoto
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Patent number: 8094032Abstract: The present invention relates to a voltage detecting circuit for detecting a voltage range of a power source. The voltage detecting circuit includes a micro controlling unit, a boost circuit and a plurality of divider resistors. The micro controlling unit includes a general input/output port and a controlling input/output port. The boost circuit provides a constant voltage. A judgment voltage is obtained according to the divider resistors, the constant voltage and a voltage of the power source. A digital level signal is issued by the general input/output port according to the judgment voltage. In response to the digital level signal, the micro controlling unit generates a corresponding prompt associated with the voltage status of the power source.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.Inventors: Chun-Nan Su, Chin-Lung Lai