Abstract: A battery pack is disclosed. The battery pack includes a battery cell and a cell monitor. The cell monitor is embedded in the battery cell and is operable for monitoring the battery cell and for generating an alert signal indicative of a predetermined condition of the battery cell.

Abstract: An apparatus supporting both identification of a battery type and communications over an interface between a battery and an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a processor for communicating with communications circuitry of the battery. Identification circuitry associated with the processor enables a determination of the type of battery with which the electronic device is connected. If a “smart” battery capable of carrying out serial communications with the electronic device is connected, the electronic device further provides means for carrying out communications between the processor and the communication circuitry of the battery.

Abstract: Disparate robotic devices can be automatically recharged and reprogrammed by self-scheduling individual time slots for the available recharging area(s) of a charging station. These charging stations provide a nest to which each robot must return periodically for power. These nests can also provide new tasking or patches for the robotic devices. The charging station and the robotic devices are both provided with communications capabilities and a protocol by which they can negotiate to find a time slot in which the device can be recharged, as well as determining a correct connector and a battery type.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying a battery charging-state is disclosed. The method comprises measuring the charged voltage of a battery unit, determining the charging stage of the measured charged voltage, and sequentially and cyclically displaying icons that indicate a charging stage.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring an electrical power supply system of a vehicle, the vehicle having a battery and internal combustion engine, an alternator, and a starter. The apparatus has a filter for determining the battery terminal voltage when the vehicle ignition is turned on. There is also a voltage gradient detector for detecting phase and gradient change of the battery terminal voltage when the vehicle ignition is on. A waveform detector is used for detecting and separating different waveforms when the vehicle ignition is on, and an engine-rotating sensor is used to sense a speed of the internal combustion engine when the vehicle ignition is on. Also included is a processor for processing at least one of the battery terminal voltage, the phase and gradient change, the different waveforms, and the speed of the internal combustion engine. An output is provided that is indicative of a condition of the electrical power supply system.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus using a battery and a method of detecting a time to change/recharge the battery in the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of analyzing power consumption in an information handling system is provided. A voltage associated with a current share signal may be determined. A power load associated with the information handling system may be determined based at least on the determined voltage associated with the current share signal. An indication of the determined power load may be visually displayed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for the detection of shorts circuits in the electrical system in a vehicle provided with a battery comprising—measuring and storing the value of the battery voltage at a first moment in time,—measuring the value of the battery voltage at a second moment in time,—comparing the values of the battery voltage at the first and second moments in time,—checking, if the battery voltages at the two moments in time differ from each other by more than a predetermined value, whether one or several of certain predefined systems in the vehicle have been engaged during the interval of time between the first and the second moments in time, with a short circuit being assumed to have taken place if none of the systems in the vehicle have been engaged during the interval of time.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and battery including a state-of-charge indicator (SOCI) to monitor and display the amount of charge within the battery. The SOCI is capable of operating in a hibernate mode, an active mode, and/or a sleep mode. The battery may be manufactured, shipped and/or stored with the SOCI operating in a power-saving hibernate mode. The SOCI may exit the hibernate mode and begin operating in active mode if a physical key connected to the battery is removed. In addition, the SOCI may operate in a sleep mode while the battery is not being used to conserve power. Furthermore, the invention provides a method of making a battery including a SOCI to monitor and display the state of charge of the battery.

Abstract: A sensor unit sensing a physical quantity comprises a first voltage evaluation circuit, a second voltage evaluation circuit, an alarm signal output circuit, and a sensor output circuit. The first voltage evaluation circuit evaluates a power voltage by comparing it with a reference voltage and outputs an accident signal when the power voltage is lower than a first predetermined voltage. The second voltage evaluation circuit working in a lower voltage range in which the first voltage evaluation circuit is insensitive outputs the accident signal when the power voltage is lower than a second predetermined voltage. The alarm signal output circuit outputs an alarm signal in response to the accident signal. The sensor output circuit outputs a sensor signal and inhibits the circuit from outputting the sensor signal in response to the accident signal, so that the alarm signal output circuit provides the alarm signal in response to the accident signal.

Abstract: A portable electronic device (100) comprises an attached device (190,195), a vibrator (175), and a processor (105) coupled between the attached device (190, 195) and the vibrator (175). The processor (105) is adapted to detect the attached device (190, 195), determine an identification for the attached device (190,195), associate a drive voltage with the identification, and drive the vibrator (175) using the drive voltage.

Abstract: A diagnostic system in which, at every point in time, a forecast is made of the future response times of each EPP (End-to-end Probe Platform) probe in a battery of probes. Thresholds are established in terms of the distribution of future EPP values. The theory of Generalized Additive Models is used to build a predictive model based on a combination of a) data normally generated by network nodes, b) results of a battery of probes and c) profile curves reflecting expected response times (i.e. based on recent history) corresponding to this battery for various times of day, days of week, month of year, etc. The model is pre-computed, and does not have to be dynamically adjusted. The model produces, at regular intervals, forecasts for outcomes of various EPP probes for various horizons of interest; also, it produces thresholds for the respective forecasts based on a number of factors, including acceptable rate of false alarms, forecast variance and EPP values that are expected based on the recorded history.

Abstract: A circuit powering an electrical device based on a commanded current signal is provided. The circuit includes a linear current amplifier which sets a desired current flow. The circuit also dynamically controls a supply voltage in order to minimize power dissipation of the linear current amplifier. The circuit may also include a voltage drop measurement amplifier, a voltage shaping amplifier, and a switching power supply. The circuit is useful for controlling electrical devices requiring precise current control and minimal power dissipation, for example, driving light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that provide illumination inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle for an imaging occupant detection system.

Abstract: A voltage-detecting circuit includes a CPU, a comparator, a first resistor, a second resistor, and at least a power level segment detector connected in parallel with the first resistor, the power level segment detector having a third resistor and a first switch serially connected to the third resistor. The battery is electrically connected to a first input end of the comparator. The first resistor is electrically connected between a second input end of the comparator and a reference voltage. The second resistor is electrically connected between the second input end of the comparator and ground. The method includes outputting a control signal with the CPU to control the first switch by determining voltage levels at the output end of the comparator, and outputting a power indication signal with the CPU to indicate the voltage level of the battery by determining voltage levels at the output end of the comparator.

Abstract: A controller controls an electric motor to provide assist power corresponding to steering operation for an electric power steering apparatus. The controller comprises a detecting device, a filtering device, a judging device and a determining device. The detecting device detects present voltage of a power source for the electric motor. The filtering device filters the present voltage based on a small time-constant when the voltage of the power source increases and based on a large time-constant when the voltage of the power source decreases. The judging device judges whether the filtered voltage is lower than a predetermined threshold. And, the determining device determines being abnormality of the power source when it is judged that the filtered voltage is lower than the threshold.

Abstract: A transmitter (100) incorporates an energy storage device (112) to improve operation at low temperature ranges by preventing a battery voltage from dropping below a nominal value of a PLL (104). A processor (106) in the transmitter (100) checks a voltage across the battery (102) during a previous transmission and monitors the temperature from a temperature sensor (110). If the battery voltage and/or the temperature fall below a selected threshold, the energy storage device (112) stores energy that is released when the PLL (104) transmits a signal. By supplementing the energy from the battery (102) with energy from the energy storage device (112), the transmitter (100) keeps the battery voltage from dropping below the nominal value.

Abstract: This invention includes a circuit for displaying charge status to a user. The circuit includes circuitry for comparing a supply or reference voltage to a cell voltage, circuitry for sensing charging current and circuitry for displaying at least one of three charging states to a user. The circuit compares the supply or reference voltage to the cell voltage while sensing current. If the difference between the supply or reference voltage is great, and current is small, the circuit indicates a trickle charging mode. If the charging current is large, the circuit indicates rapid charge. If the difference between the supply or reference voltage is small, and the current is small, the circuit indicates a top off mode. The circuit preferably includes a plurality of comparators for both sensing and comparing the voltages and currents. A pair of light emitting diodes preferably indicates the state of charge to the user.

Abstract: A mobile information terminal includes a battery voltage detecting unit that detects a voltage of a battery, an alarm voltage detecting unit that detects an alarm voltage, and a suspend voltage detecting unit that detects a suspend voltage, and a terminal communication unit that transmits the voltage of the battery detected to a battery management server. The battery management server includes a voltage controller that automatically sets the battery alarm voltage based on the voltage of the battery detected, and a server communication unit that transmits the battery alarm voltage set to the mobile information terminal.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for collecting sensor data in a pressure regulator system including a controller and a plurality of sensors. The controller and each of the individual sensors are activated as required to collect sensor data during a sampling period thereby reducing the amount of power consumed by the pressure regulator system. Further power conservation measures are implemented by using a battery sensor to monitor the capacity of the pressure regulator battery and placing the pressure regulator in reduced power consumption operating modes as the capacity of the battery is reduced.

Abstract: An electrical timepiece comprises external input units for receiving an external input signal, a motor unit for driving an analog hand unit for displaying time, a battery unit capable of charging, a voltage detect circuit for measuring the voltage of the stored electricity in the battery and comparing the voltage with a reference voltage, and a stored electricity unit discharge control circuit for starting discharge from the battery when an external input signal is received by one of the external input unit, and for stopping discharge from the battery when the comparison result by the voltage detect circuit satisfies a prescribed condition.

Abstract: A battery discharge indicator for protecting a storage battery is provided. The battery discharge indicator includes a positive connector that can couple to a positive terminal of the battery and a negative connector that can couple to a negative terminal of the battery. Also included, is a voltage sensor that couples to the battery via the positive connector and the negative connector and senses a battery terminal voltage. A microprocessor, coupled to the voltage sensor, provides a first alarm signal if a magnitude of the battery terminal voltage is below a first threshold for a first interval of time and if the magnitude of the battery terminal voltage is below a second threshold for a second interval of time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring at least one battery. A reference ramp voltage signal is applied to a battery. A difference between a measurement ramp voltage signal output from the battery and the reference signal is compared with a threshold to determine battery condition. The determined battery condition can be transmitted remotely from the battery location.

Abstract: Determining near-end-of-life (NEOL) state of a combustion engine battery, comprising: first and second multi-functional modules operatively connected to a logic function linking group, each operating with different low cranking strength criteria based on using different reference voltages, and each counting a different number of occurrences of low cranking strength exhibited by the battery, for a plurality of engine startings; a third multi-functional module, additionally operatively connected to the logic function linking group, monitoring extent the battery was recharged by the charging system of the combustion engine during previous operation of the combustion engine, during each engine starting; and logic function linking group, performing logic operations and making decisions using simultaneously received output values of first, second, and third, multi-functional modules, for unambiguously determining a single logically correct specific case associated with the combustion engine battery in, or not in, t

Abstract: A system for identifying the relative location of devices.

Abstract: A voltage-detecting circuit includes a CPU, a comparator, a first resistor, a second resistor, and at least a power level segment detector connected in parallel with the first resistor, the power level segment detector having a third resistor and a first switch serially connected to the third resistor. The battery is electrically connected to a first input end of the comparator. The first resistor is electrically connected between a second input end of the comparator and a reference voltage. The second resistor is electrically connected between the second input end of the comparator and ground. The method includes outputting a control signal with the CPU to control the first switch by determining voltage levels at the output end of the comparator, and outputting a power indication signal with the CPU to indicate the voltage level of the battery by determining voltage levels at the output end of the comparator.

Abstract: An apparatus of monitoring motor vehicle's electric power and method thereof are provided. The apparatus is disposed in the motor vehicle and includes a monitor and alarm device parallel connected to both a battery to be measured and a starting motor of the motor vehicle. The starting motor is taken as a load for forming an outer loop sampling circuit, 1/t second is set as a sampling time interval during discharging, voltage and current curves are formed by connecting a plurality of continuous voltage values each sampled in 1/t second, a minimum voltage of the voltage curve is compared with a predetermined alarm value for determining a status of the battery to be measured, and an alarm is issued in time if the status of the battery to be measured is abnormal.

Abstract: A battery discharge indicator for protecting a storage battery is provided. The battery discharge indicator includes a positive connector that can couple to a positive terminal of the battery and a negative connector that can couple to a negative terminal of the battery. Also included, is a voltage sensor that couples to the battery via the positive connector and the negative connector and senses a battery terminal voltage. A microprocessor, coupled to the voltage sensor, provides a first alarm signal if a magnitude of the battery terminal voltage is below a first threshold for a first interval of time and if the magnitude of the battery terminal voltage is below a second threshold for a second interval of time.

Abstract: An apparatus of monitoring motor vehicle's electric power and method thereof are provided. The apparatus is disposed in the motor vehicle and includes a monitor and alarm device parallel connected to both a battery to be measured and a starting motor of the motor vehicle. The starting motor is taken as a load for forming an outer loop sampling circuit, 1/t second is set as a sampling time interval during discharging, voltage and current curves are formed by connecting a plurality of continuous voltage values each sampled in 1/t second, a minimum voltage of the voltage curve is compared with a predetermined alarm value for determining a status of the battery to be measured, and an alarm is issued in time if the status of the battery to be measured is abnormal.

Abstract: A battery capacity detection device and the method for the same are disclosed. The charge time for the capacitor in an RC circuit and a lookup table are employed to determine the charge capacity of the battery. The disclosed device uses a microprocessor with a programmable pin to form a discharge loop that controls the RC circuit. Therefore, the microprocessor can measure the current charge capacity of the battery after each time the capacitor discharges by measuring the time needed for the capacitor to get fully charged.

Abstract: A battery monitoring system and method in accordance with the principles of the present invention, a capacity of interest is determined. This capacity of interest is the useful battery capacity required for an operation of interest; that is, the battery capacity at the discharge rate required for the operation of interest. The operation of interest may be a save-to-disk operation during a battery operated computer shutdown or a shutdown procedure for a personal digital assistant, for example. Given the capacity of interest, alarm settings are determined for a variety of voltage, discharge, and, optionally, temperature conditions. The trip points map, or index, voltage and discharge rate information for one or more discharge rates to one or more capacities of interest.

Abstract: A hush mode disabling device for a smoke alarm having a self-test function, a hush mode that engages upon activation of the self-test function to silence or desensitize the smoke alarm for a predetermined period of time, and a remote self-test controller. An improvement includes a hush mode disabler for determining whether the self-test function has presently been activated by the remote self-test controller and for disabling the hush mode if the self-test function has presently been activated by the remote self-test controller.