Apparatus and method for detecting a low-battery power condition and generating a user perceptible warning
US6310556A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 14, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08B21/185
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for detecting a low battery power condition and providing an audible warning of such a condition to a user of an electronic device such as a hearing aid is disclosed. In one embodiment, the battery output voltage is monitored and compared to a first threshold voltage at specified sampling intervals. When a battery output voltage measurement below the first threshold voltage is detected, this measurement is verified by a rule specifying that a low battery condition is not deemed to exist unless a predetermined percentage of voltage measurements within a predetermined time interval indicate that the battery output voltage is below the first threshold voltage. If the low battery condition is verified, an audible warning is generated, which is repeated at specified warning intervals. This audible warning affords an opportunity to the user for replacing the batteries in the device before loss of operation or degraded sound quality are experienced. Even after generation of the first warning signal, the electronic device continues to function essentially normally for some time. Once the electronic device enters a low battery power condition state, the audible warnings are repeate…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.