By Current And Voltage Patents (Class 340/636.12)
  • Patent number: 11892516
    Abstract: A method for determining a State of Health (SoH) of a power source of a portable device involves extracting a start voltage value of an examined power source; activating one or more hardware components of the portable device by a software, to increase the current consumption of the device, identifying a voltage drop rate of the examined power source and comparing a calculated voltage drop rate to pre-calculated threshold values stored on a database of a main server. A system for executing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: ESW Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Amit Gross
  • Patent number: 11519966
    Abstract: A battery characterization system includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC), memory that stores operational instructions, and processing module(s) operably coupled to the DSC and the memory. Based on a reference signal, the DSC generates a charge signal, which includes an AC (alternating current) component, and provides the charge signal to a terminal of a battery via a single line and simultaneously to senses the charge signal via the single line to detect an electrical characteristic of the battery based on a response of the battery. The DSC generates a digital signal representative of the electrical characteristic of the battery. The processing module(s), based on the operational instructions, generate the reference signal to include a frequency sweep of the AC component of the charge signal (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Troy Gray, Gerald Dale Morrison, Michael Frederick David Olley, Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11085966
    Abstract: A battery temperature display device of a vehicle is provided. The battery temperature display device includes: a plurality of display elements sequentially arranged according to values of a display temperature so as to respectively display each of a plurality of temperature ranges into which a predetermined total temperature display range of the secondary battery is divided, wherein the display elements include a highest temperature display element and a lowest temperature display element respectively display temperature ranges of a highest temperature and a lowest temperature in which discharge and charge of the secondary battery are restricted in the total temperature display range; and a display control part for changing boundaries between the highest temperature display element, the lowest temperature display element and other display elements or thresholds related to divisions of the display temperature in accordance with an operation state of the vehicle or a use state of the secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Tsutsumi, Motoi Shioaku, Taisuke Tsurutani
  • Patent number: 10177756
    Abstract: The isolated gate driver according to the present invention comprises a low voltage part including a PWM transmission unit for receiving a PWM signal from a microcontroller unit and outputting a low voltage PWM signal, and a low voltage logic block for receiving a control signal from the microcontroller unit and outputting a low voltage control signal; an insulation part for boosting the low voltage PWM signal and the low voltage control signal into a high voltage PWM signal and a high voltage control signal, respectively; and a high voltage part including a high voltage logic block for outputting a slew rate control signal in accordance with the high voltage control signal, and a slew rate controller for controlling a slew rate of a gate voltage of a power device external to the isolation gate driver such that the gate voltage of the power device has the slew rate depending on the slew rate control signal at a rising edge or a falling edge, wherein the high voltage part is insulated from the low voltage part
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI AUTRON CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Soon Seob Lee
  • Patent number: 9709633
    Abstract: A battery capacity display method to display a full charge capacity of a battery and a residual capacity of the battery, respectively, as a full charge capacity display value and a residual capacity display value, the battery capacity display method includes: correcting the full charge capacity display value and/or the residual capacity display value so as to decrease a difference between the full charge capacity display value and the residual capacity display value when the battery is in the full charge state and the full charge capacity and the residual capacity in the full charge state are different from each other, and displaying a corrected full charge capacity display value and/or a corrected residual capacity display value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Arizono, Takashi Iimori
  • Patent number: 9690812
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for data quality management is disclosed. The method includes: deploying, into a runtime environment with a data stream analytic module, an ingress quality specification (IQS) module associated with the analytic module; receiving, by the IQS module, the data stream; analyzing, by the IQS module, a subset of data of the data stream to determine if the subset of data meets a quality expectation of the analytic module; annotating the subset of data to indicate a quality status based on whether the subset of data meets the quality expectation of the analytic module; and outputting the data stream to the analytic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Randy George, Robert J. McKeown
  • Patent number: 9160200
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for providing end-of-life indicators for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. User input is received regarding designated conditions for activating the end-of-life indicator. The UPS system monitors itself to determine whether monitored conditions correspond to the designating conditions. Upon the monitored conditions corresponding to the designating conditions, an audible or visible end-of-life indicator is activated. For critical systems, a user may specify conservative settings for the designated conditions. For other systems, a user may provide a designated condition (i.e., user input) that results in maximizing service life for the UPS system or associated batteries and reducing costs of ownership and operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: Haifeng Bi
  • Patent number: 9019112
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a timing component to optimize low battery indication in alarm devices. The method and apparatus may set a timing component based on a condition detected by a alarm device. Upon detection of a low battery condition within the alarm device, the alarm device can delay low battery indication, using the timing component, until a time of day with a higher probably of user suitability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Walter Kidde Portable Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry R. Ratzlaff, Stan Burnette, John Andres, Bill Chandler
  • Patent number: 9013318
    Abstract: An electronic shelf label system is provided. There is provided a method in which an electronic shelf label periodically transmits its remaining battery capacity to a server in a electronic shelf label system according to the present invention, and the server converts the battery level into a remaining battery life (time) and provides the same, so that a manager can check the remaining battery life in a management mode of the server and a terminal, and easily manage an electronic shelf label using a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji Hye Kim, Yong Taek Oh
  • Patent number: 8988047
    Abstract: A method of pulse charging a secondary electrochemical storage cell is provided. The secondary cell includes a negative electrode comprising an alkaline metal; a positive electrode comprising at least one transition metal halide; a molten salt electrolyte comprising alkaline metal haloaluminate; and a solid electrolyte partitioning the positive electrode from the negative electrode, such that a first surface of the solid electrolyte is in contact with the positive electrode, and a second surface of the solid electrolyte is in contact with the negative electrode. The method of charging includes polarizing the cell by applying a polarizing voltage greater than about 0.1 V above the cell's rest potential for a first predetermined period of time; depolarizing the cell for a second predetermined period of time; and repeating the polarizing and depolarizing steps until a charging end-point is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brandon Alan Bartling, Michael Alan Vallance, Richard Louis Hart, David Charles Bogdan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8922165
    Abstract: Embodiments of an electronic circuit for monitoring a battery stack enable cell balancing while conserving pin-count of the circuit package. The illustrative electronic circuit comprises a battery monitoring integrated circuit configured for monitoring a plurality of cells in the battery stack. The battery monitoring integrated circuit is arranged to share a common node pin between two adjacent battery cells in the battery stack for the purpose of cell balancing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Bills
  • Patent number: 8890703
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to methodologies and algorithms for providing anode rod depletion detection and warnings thereof to consumers. Consumers general are not concerned with monitoring consumption of protective anode rods incorporated within water heaters, The present subject matter provides automatic monitoring of anode rod depletion and provides the consumer with notification of rod depletion beyond a predetermined amount by one or more of optical, audible, or electronic devices. Aspects of the algorithm include handling of start-up conditions, service board replacement conditions, and properly defining the anode rod depletion threshold. Additional algorithm aspects include considerations for taking into consideration power outage conditions and accurately estimating galvanic current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brett Alan Farris, Michelle Diana Gross, Jonathan D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8866628
    Abstract: A remote control unit for controlling a media device, comprising: a first wireless transmitter arranged to be powered from a first power source; a second wireless transmitter arranged to be powered from a second power source; a processor coupled to the first and second wireless transmitters, wherein the processor is configured to control the first and second wireless transmitters and is arranged to be powered from the first power; and monitoring means arranged to monitor power levels of the second power source and provide power level information to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Skype
    Inventors: Marek Laasik, Madis Kaal
  • Patent number: 8842017
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for displaying the lifecycle of a surge protection device, and more particularly to a device and method for displaying the lifecycle of a surge protection device, which detects an increase in leakage current according to a deterioration in performance of the surge protection device in order to provide notice of a replacement time for the surge protection device. According to the present invention, it is possible to for a user to provide notice of a replacement time by displaying the lifecycle of a surge protection device (SPD) to the outside. Additionally, as another effect of the present invention, it is possible to confirm an amount of leakage current flowing into the ground of the SPD and whether the SPD is properly installed on a ground line by using a current and ground state detecting sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Sungjin Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung Wook Lee, Young Jun Lee, Sei Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8797171
    Abstract: A delayed power-on function for an electronic device is disclosed. A charging unit charges a rechargeable battery with a pre-charge current when a voltage of the rechargeable battery is less than a voltage threshold value and with a current larger than the pre-charge current when the voltage of the rechargeable battery is greater than the voltage threshold value. A disabling unit can disable power-on when the voltage of the rechargeable battery is less than the voltage threshold value. A user may also be notified when power-on is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoaki Yasuda, Yasuhisa Tsubokawa
  • Patent number: 8786450
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying dirt and/or dew on components of a voltage intermediate circuit converter. According to the invention, the temporal curve of a partial discharge pulsed current is detected at least during a precharging process of an intermediate circuit capacitor of the voltage intermediate circuit converter comprising at least one capacitor, wherein a frequency spectrum is calculated from said current pulse, and wherein depending of the result, a dirt warning and/or a dew warning is activated. Thus, the degree of dirt and/or dew of said voltage intermediate circuit converter can be determined at least during a charging process of an intermediate circuit capacitor of a voltage intermediate circuit converter, thereby preventing a breakdown including the consequences thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Dietrich, Werner Fischer, Jörg Hassel, Marc Hiller, Carsten Probol, Rainer Sommer
  • Patent number: 8779927
    Abstract: Determining the scope of power outage includes receiving a message indicating power outage from a device, and probing other devices associated with the device sending the message. The message indicating power outage may include a power outage code, and may be received via a control channel of a communication network. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Grid Net, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Bell, Will Bell, Stephen Street, Ramprasad Golla
  • Patent number: 8717187
    Abstract: A solar powered device and a method of operating such a device to allow it to receive and store information about its physical location, from which it can determine the minimum expected solar energy levels that will be available to it. Based on the minimum expected levels, the device then limits its configurable settings to preferably enable only those configurations having maximum energy demands that can be met or exceeded by the minimum expected energy levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Carmanah Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Aaron John Lockwood
  • Patent number: 8566049
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumihiro Akahane, Toshimichi Tsumaki, Takumi Oya
  • Patent number: 8558709
    Abstract: A system for combining multiple direct current power sources is provided. The system is operable to combine multiple feeds from an array of power generating elements, such as solar panel arrays and combine the feeds into a single voltage output. The system includes a current monitoring assembly operable to monitor the current from each input to evaluate whether there is a malfunction or other problem associated with a particular output. An alarm or other signal can be provided to inform the operator of which power generating element in the array need to be analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Jason Schripsema
  • Patent number: 8538709
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ayako Kawase
  • Patent number: 8421381
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventor: Toshinari Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 8421405
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Nakajima, Akira Koyama
  • Patent number: 8423238
    Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring battery health in an HVAC system. The charge state of a rechargeable battery and the number of amp-hours provided to or from the rechargeable battery are monitored. The number of amp-hours provided is recorded and an end-of-life condition is detected based on the number of amp-hours provided during the charge or discharge cycle. In some constructions, the end-of-life condition is detected by comparing the number of amp-hours provided during the charge or discharge cycle to a threshold. In some constructions, the end-of-life condition is detected by calculating a rate of change of the number of amp-hours provided during a charge or discharge cycle and comparing the rate of change to a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Shaw, Ladd J. Brabec, Phillip M. Abbott, Matthew A. Musich
  • Publication number: 20130049973
    Abstract: The calculation unit converts into a battery age each parameter calculated for a different factor of degradation of a battery. If at least one of the battery ages has reached an upper limit age, the determination unit determines that it is necessary to conduct a battery diagnosis. Once it has been determined that it is necessary to conduct the battery diagnosis, the display control unit causes a display device to display a diagnosis request message. After displaying the diagnosis request message has started if there is no result of the battery diagnosis received the electric power limiter unit limits electric power charged to and discharged from the battery. After the electric power charged to/discharged from the battery is limited if there is no result of the battery diagnosis received the start-up prohibition unit prohibits starting a system driving the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Junichi Matsumoto, Keiji Kaita, Takayoshi Tezuka, Teruo Ishishita
  • Patent number: 8362909
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: William R. Reams
  • Patent number: 8330578
    Abstract: Transponder circuit arrangement having antenna connections for application of a voltage signal, a load-reduction modulation device, which is coupled to the antenna connections and is designed to modulate the applied, unmodulated voltage signal, which is at a first level, and a voltage conversion device, which is coupled to the load-reduction modulation device and is designed to provide a supply voltage, the magnitude of whose level is greater than the first level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: Infineon Technologies Austria AG, Technische Universitaet Graz
    Inventors: Christian Klapf, Albert Missoni, Guenter Hofer
  • Patent number: 8310366
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Miklos Stern
  • Patent number: 8310370
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for monitoring electrical safety conditions and managing energy consumption using a microcontroller embedded in a circuit breaker. The microcontroller receives a plurality of inputs detected by a plurality of sensors in the circuit breaker. An amount of energy consumed during a preset interval of time is determined. A temperature of a circuit breaker panel board detected by a temperature sensor is received and compared with a preset temperature alarm threshold value to determine a panel board overheating condition. A condition of the neutral conductor is determined based on a plurality of line voltages and currents received from a plurality of voltage and current sensors by comparing a voltage differential with a preset threshold differential voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Southern Company Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Olin A. Williams, Jr., Arnold C. Solomon
  • Patent number: 8284067
    Abstract: A delayed power-on function for an electronic device is disclosed. A charging unit charges a rechargeable battery with a pre-charge current when a voltage of the rechargeable battery is less than a voltage threshold value and with a current larger than the pre-charge current when the voltage of the rechargeable battery is greater than the voltage threshold value. A disabling unit can disable power-on when the voltage of the rechargeable battery is less than the voltage threshold value. A user may also be notified when power-on is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoaki Yasuda, Yasuhisa Tsubokawa
  • Patent number: 8204651
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Tachibana, Koji Ito, Toshinori Esaka, Hidenori Matsuto
  • Patent number: 8179276
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: TYCO Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Sean T. Dycus
  • Patent number: 8164433
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: AC Propulsion, Inc.
    Inventor: David William Sivertsen
  • Patent number: 8143858
    Abstract: When a battery pack, comprising an overcurrent protection section for stopping, when a current greater than a first threshold value passes, a current supply, is connected to a power supply terminal of an information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus draws a current greater than the first threshold value. Thereafter, an output current and output voltage of the battery pack are detected, thereby measuring a time period from when a current drawing section draws the current greater than the first threshold value to when the battery pack stops the current supply. When the measured time period is within a first predetermined time range, the battery pack is permitted to supply an electric power. On the other hand, when the measured time period is not in the first predetermined time range, the battery pack is prohibited from supplying the electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Tsugawa, Takeshi Nabesaka
  • Patent number: 8120209
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Toru Tanaka, Akio Ogura, Kazuya Omagari, Nariaki Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 8102676
    Abstract: A cord correction circuit in a primary-side-controlled flyback converter compensates for the loss of output voltage caused by the resistance of the charger cord. In one embodiment, a correction voltage is subtracted from a feedback voltage received from a primary-side auxiliary inductor. A pre-amplifier then compares a reference voltage to the corrected feedback voltage. In another embodiment, the correction voltage is summed with the reference voltage, and the pre-amplifier compares the feedback voltage to the corrected reference voltage. The difference between the voltages on the input leads of the pre-amplifier is used to increase the output voltage to compensate for the voltage lost through the charger cord. The flyback converter also has a comparing circuit and a control loop that maintain the peak level of current flowing through the primary inductor of the converter. Adjusting the frequency and pulse width of an inductor switch signal controls the converter output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Active-Semi, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Huynh, Matthew Grant, David Kunst, Zhibo Tao
  • Patent number: 8085162
    Abstract: A tamper prevention system includes a mounting unit, a portable terminal device, a first data input unit, an authentication unit, a detecting unit, and a setting unit. The portable terminal device enables a user to input operation data, performs an operation in accordance with the operation data when a first mode is set, and fails to perform the operation when a second mode is set. The first data input unit enables the user to input first data. The authentication unit authenticates the user when the first data matches authentication data. The setting unit sets the portable terminal device to the first mode when the authenticating unit has authenticated the user, and sets the portable terminal device to the second mode when the authenticating unit has failed to authenticate the user and the detecting unit has detected that the portable terminal device is removed from the mounting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiromasa Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8059005
    Abstract: Monitoring assemblies, kits and methods for determining an operational state of a circuit protector in an electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Michael Craig Henricks, Robert Stephen Douglass, Joan Leslie Winnett Bender, Matthew R. Darr
  • Patent number: 8059007
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining when a battery, or one or more batteries within a battery pack, undergoes an undesired thermal event such as thermal runaway. The system uses a conductive member mounted in close proximity to, or in contact with, an external surface of the battery or batteries to be monitored. A resistance measuring system such as a continuity-tester or an ohmmeter is coupled to the conductive member, the resistance measuring system outputting a first signal when the temperature corresponding to the battery or batteries is within a prescribed temperature range and a second signal when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature that falls outside of the prescribed temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Daniel Nicholas Brncic, Paul Bryan Kreiner, Scott Ira Kohn, Dorian West, Jonathan Louis Hall
  • Patent number: 8044815
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to indicate battery capacity status. Different blinking frequencies of an LED correspond to different battery states of charge. Furthermore, the present invention provides a smooth visual brightness change of the LED by providing the appropriate LED current according to human eye characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: O2Micro Inc
    Inventors: Sterling Du, Liusheng Liu, Oleksandr Kokorin
  • Patent number: 8044814
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: EaglePicher Energy Products Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg C. Bruce, Christo Brand
  • Patent number: 8035486
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may include providing a power-on reset function to many types of receiving circuitry, including radio frequency identification (RFID) tag processing circuitry. Thus, the power-on reset function may be realized by applying a supply voltage to a power-on reset circuit coupled to RFID tag processing circuitry. Operations may include sensing a first current substantially independent of the supply voltage, sensing a second current substantially dependent on the supply voltage, and indicating a power-on reset condition based on a comparison between the first current and the second current. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventor: Cong Khieu
  • Patent number: 8013753
    Abstract: A method for detecting operations of a power storage device is disclosed. The power storage device includes an electricity storage unit for storing power output from an electronic device or outputting power to the electronic device. The method includes detecting current between the electricity storage unit and the electronic device to determine whether the electricity storage unit is malfunctioned and causes short circuit, and generating an alarm signal when the electricity storage unit is malfunctioned and causes short circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Po-Hsine Li, Chih-Hung Chen, Chia-Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 8009054
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: William R Reams
  • Patent number: 7923971
    Abstract: The object is to provide a safe non-contact electric power transmission apparatus reducing unnecessarily consumed electric power, while intermittently-operated or otherwise restrained electric power transmission is not performed, and heat is not generated when a metal such as a foreign object is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Toko, Inc.
    Inventor: Hideki Kojima
  • Patent number: 7923969
    Abstract: A state-of-charge equalizing device equalizes the state of charge of each of cells connected in series to form an assembled battery, and comprises charging/discharging circuits connected in parallel to the respective cells to discharge and/or charge the respective cells, voltage measurement circuits connected to the respective charging/discharging circuits to measure the voltages across the respective cells, and a control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroya Murao, Mika Kirimoto
  • Patent number: 7868777
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: EaglePicher Technologies
    Inventors: Gregg C Bruce, Christo Brand
  • Patent number: 7869229
    Abstract: A cord correction circuit in a primary-side-controlled flyback converter compensates for the loss of output voltage caused by the resistance of the charger cord. In one embodiment, a correction voltage is subtracted from a feedback voltage received from a primary-side auxiliary inductor. A pre-amplifier then compares a reference voltage to the corrected feedback voltage. In another embodiment, the correction voltage is summed with the reference voltage, and the pre-amplifier compares the feedback voltage to the corrected reference voltage. The difference between the voltages on the input leads of the pre-amplifier is used to increase the output voltage to compensate for the voltage lost through the charger cord. The flyback converter also has a comparing circuit and a control loop that maintain the peak level of current flowing through the primary inductor of the converter. Adjusting the frequency and pulse width of an inductor switch signal controls the converter output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Active-Semi, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Huynh, Matthew Grant, David Kunst, Zhibo Tao
  • Publication number: 20100315249
    Abstract: A method for displaying battery remaining time is disclosed. Initially, battery voltage, battery current and remaining battery capacity are initially detected. Then, a first battery remaining time at intervals of a first cycle period is determined based on the battery voltage, the battery current, and the remaining battery capacity. The first battery remaining time is updated and displayed on a display unit accordingly. In response to a power consumption change event occurs, a second battery remaining time at intervals of a second cycle period shorter than the first cycle period is determined based on the battery voltage, the battery current, and the remaining battery capacity. The second battery remaining time is then updated and displayed on the display unit accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Takumi Imai
  • Patent number: 7830218
    Abstract: A communications device includes a supply terminal which is able to be connected to a two-position-controlled power supply; a pulse width recording device, which is coupled to the supply terminal and which records a pulse width of current pulses that flow through the supply terminal, and a signal processing device which assigns a first logical level to a first recorded pulse width and a second logical level to a second recorded pulse width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Schauer, Bernhard Mader, Ingo Pietsch, Timo Schmidt, Thomas Holst