US5506572A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low battery detection system
Assignee: LodgeNet Interactive Corp
•
Filing: 1993-06-23
•
Granted: 1996-04-09
•
Expires: 2013-06-23
Abstract
Abstract A low battery detection system for detecting the battery voltage level in a remote control unit of a hotel entertainment system comprises a detection circuit imbedded within the remote control unit. Information regarding the battery voltage status is transmitted to a guest television terminal along with the infrared signal which turns the television on or off. A central computer polls each guest television terminal associated with an individual guest room to determine whether the battery in the remote control unit needs to be replaced. A system for generating a list of remote control units identified by guest room, which needs fresh batteries is also provided. In this manner, hotel personnel can detect and replace batteries in remote control units which are prone to impending battery failure without guest complaints. Further, the parameters which determine whether a battery needs to be replaced can be altered by the user of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Vernon E. Hills
- 👤 Gary L. Kolbeck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:43
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08C; G08C23/00; G08C23/04; G08C2201/00; G08C2201/50; G08C2201/51; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S320/00; Y10S320/18; Y10S320/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
A low battery voltage detection system in a hotel entertainment arrangement based on a network which extends from a central location to a plurality of remote locations with there being a central controller located at the central location for transmitting video information signals on the network to, and for communicating over the network to obtain information from, devices connected to the network at the remote locations, the low battery voltage detection system comprising: a plurality of guest terminals each connected to the network at one of the remote locations and each having a video display to present information provided by the video information signals received over the network from the central controller, and each being capable of receiving signals generated at said remote location thereof; a plurality of battery operated transmitters each corresponding to one of the plurality of guest terminals for transmitting signals thereto that in part control the video information presented on the video display of the corresponding guest terminal, and each having a battery and a voltage detector for detecting a battery voltage value therein, each battery operated transmitter being capable of transmitting battery status information based on battery voltage values detected by the voltage detector therein to its corresponding guest terminal to be stored therein and to be obtainable by the central controller communicating with that guest terminal over the network; and a list displayer located at the central location under control of the central controller, the list displayer for providing a list of transmitters having a selected voltage status.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
A low battery voltage detection system in a hotel entertainment arrangement based on a network which extends from a central location to a plurality of remote locations with there being a central controller located at the central location for transmitting video information signals on the network to, and for communicating over the network to obtain information from, devices connected to the network at the remote locations, the low battery voltage detection system comprising: a plurality of guest terminals each connected to the network at one of the remote locations and each having a video display to present information provided by the video information signals received over the network from the central controller, and each being capable of receiving signals generated at said remote location thereof; a plurality of battery operated transmitters each corresponding to one of the plurality of guest terminals for transmitting signals thereto that in part control the video information presented on the video display of the corresponding guest terminal, and each having a battery and a voltage detector for detecting a battery voltage value therein, each battery operated transmitter being capable of transmitting battery status information based on battery voltage values detected by the voltage detector therein to its corresponding guest terminal to be stored therein and to be obtainable by the central controller communicating with that guest terminal over the network; and a list displayer located at the central location under control of the central controller, the list displayer for providing a list of transmitters having a selected voltage status.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The low battery detection system of claim 1 wherein each battery operated transmitter has a plurality of function keys and each voltage detector is activated to detect a battery voltage value in a battery operated transmitter only when a function key of the battery operated transmitter is pressed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The low battery detection system of claim 1 wherein each battery operated transmitter has a plurality of function keys and each battery operated transmitter transmits battery status information only when a function key of the battery operated transmitter is pressed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
The low battery detection system of claim 1 wherein the central controller receives a plurality of low battery voltage indications from a guest terminal over a period of time, the central controller compares the frequency of low battery voltage indications with a threshold value, and the central controller identifies the battery operated transmitter corresponding to that guest terminal as a transmitter with a low battery level is the frequency of low battery indications exceeds the threshold value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The low battery detection system of claim 4 wherein the threshold value is adjustable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4067000A
Cited
DE2847052A1
Cited
US4418416A
Cited
US4461013A
Cited
US5293526A
Cited
JPH01114298A
Cited
US5012973A
Cited
US5239286A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-09 | 1999-10-09 | 2000-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-09 | 2003-10-09 | 2004-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-09 | 2007-10-09 | 2008-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |