Patent US4967188A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4967188A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for detecting low battery voltage in portable scanning systems
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1989-07-26
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Granted: 1990-10-30
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Expires: 2009-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A method for detecting low battery voltage in a hand-held scanner capable of reading the likes of a bar code measures the speed of the motor driving the scanning element and compares it to stored values. The stored values represent motor speeds directly corresponding to maximum and minimum battery voltages. The stored values can be introduced to the scanner for example, at the factory. If the motor speed is found to be lower than the speed corresponding to the minimum acceptable battery voltage, user understandable message is produced, which necessitates either battery re-charging or replacement.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald A. Collins, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:38
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/18; G08B21/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of detecting battery voltages in a battery-powered scanning system capable of reading a bar code comprising the steps of: (a) moving a scanning element by a motor coupled thereto; (b) producing a laser beam for focus upon and deflection by said scanning element, said laser beam thus being able to scan a bar code; (c) driving said motor, and outputting signals from sensors coupled to said motor corresponding to scanning element movement; (d) storing in memory, a value representing the motor speed which corresponds to a minimum battery voltage; (e) during operation of the scanning system, measuring a motor speed derived from the signals output from said sensors and comparing it to the motor speed corresponding to said minimum battery voltage; and (f) producing a user perceivable signal indicating unacceptably low battery voltage when said measured motor speed is below the motor speed corresponding to said minimum battery voltage.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of detecting battery voltages in a battery-powered scanning system capable of reading a bar code comprising the steps of: (a) moving a scanning element by a motor coupled thereto; (b) producing a laser beam for focus upon and deflection by said scanning element, said laser beam thus being able to scan a bar code; (c) driving said motor, and outputting signals from sensors coupled to said motor corresponding to scanning element movement; (d) storing in memory, a value representing the motor speed which corresponds to a minimum battery voltage; (e) during operation of the scanning system, measuring a motor speed derived from the signals output from said sensors and comparing it to the motor speed corresponding to said minimum battery voltage; and (f) producing a user perceivable signal indicating unacceptably low battery voltage when said measured motor speed is below the motor speed corresponding to said minimum battery voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of detecting battery voltages in claim 1 further comprising the step of controlling steps (a) through (f) with a microprocessor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of detecting battery voltages in claim 1 wherein said laser scanning system is of the hand-held type.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of detecting battery voltages in claim 1 wherein said scanning element is moved in a rotating manner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of detecting battery voltages in claim 1 wherein said scanning element is moved in a dithering manner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of detecting battery voltages in claim 1 wherein said scanning element is moved in either a rotating or dithering manner.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of detecting battery voltages in claim 1 further comprising the step of checking scanning element movement with said sensors every 30°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of detecting battery voltages in claim 1 wherein said sensors are of the Hall type.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of detecting battery voltages in claim 1 wherein said motor is of the three-phase, DC type.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for detecting battery voltages in a battery-powered scanning system capable of reading a bar code comprising: scanning means for scanning a bar code; a motor coupled to said scanning means for driving said scanning means; motor drive circuitry for driving said motor; memory for storing at least a value representing the motor speed corresponding to a minimum acceptable battery voltage; means for comparing actual motor speeds with the stored motor speed; and means for producing a user perceivable signal indicating unacceptably low battery voltage when said actual motor speed is below said stored motor speed.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for detecting battery voltages in a battery-powered scanning system capable of reading a bar code comprising: scanning means for scanning a bar code; a motor coupled to said scanning means for driving said scanning means; motor drive circuitry for driving said motor; memory for storing at least a value representing the motor speed corresponding to a minimum acceptable battery voltage; means for comparing actual motor speeds with the stored motor speed; and means for producing a user perceivable signal indicating unacceptably low battery voltage when said actual motor speed is below said stored motor speed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus in claim 10 further comprising means for estimating remaining battery power based upon information from said means for comparing, said means for producing also indicating said estimated remaining battery power.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus in claim 10 wherein a microprocessor subsumes said motor drive circuitry and said means for comparing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus in claim 11 wherein a microprocessor subsumes said motor drive circuitry and said means for comparing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus in claim 10 wherein said scanning system is of the hand-held type.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus in claim 10 wherein said motor is of the three-phase, DC type.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus in claim 14 wherein a microprocessor subsumes said motor drive circuitry and said means for comparing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus in claim 15 wherein a microprocessor subsumes said motor drive circuitry and said means for comparing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-29 | 1994-04-30 | 1994-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-29 | 1998-04-30 | 1998-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-29 | 2002-04-30 | 2002-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |