US5767778A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Event sensing circuit and alert generator
Assignee: Aspire Corp
•
Filing: 1996-03-06
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Granted: 1998-06-16
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Expires: 2016-03-06
Abstract
Abstract An event sensor circuit monitors power consumption patterns of a device to determine occurrence of particular operations by the device. In response to detection of one or more particular operations the event sensor signals an alert generator to generate an alert. The system may be implemented within a replaceable battery pack or in an add-on package to monitor power consumption of the device and generate an alert. The event sensor circuit and alert generator utilizes a microprocessor which can be programmed to accommodate pattern detection in a variety of devices. The event sensor circuit and alert generator can be used as an alternative or supplemental alert signal source for a device and can be user selectively enabled or disabled and user selectively set to provide a variety of alert signals. The alert generator can be user programmable to provide a fully customized alert.
Inventors
- 👤 Garrett B. Stone
- 👤 Bobby Dale Gifford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:12
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M19/00; H04M19/02; H04M19/04; G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/36; G01R31/3644; G01R31/3646; G01R31/382; G08; G08B; G08B6/00; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/80; G01R31/3648; H04M19/047; H04W; H04W52/00; H04W52/02; H04W52/0209; H04W52/0251; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D30/00; Y02D30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
In a battery-powered system comprised of a portable electronic device for performing one or more functions and a battery for powering the portable electronic device, an apparatus for providing an alert, comprising: an event sensor for sensing one or more characteristic power consumption patterns having specific frequencies associated with operation of a component of the device, wherein the sensed characteristic power consumption patterns relate to the occurrence of the one or more functions of the device; the event sensor includes a pattern recognition circuit for evaluating the frequencies of the one or more characteristic power consumption patterns to identify the occurrence of the one or more functions of the portable electronic device; and, an alert generator for generating an alert upon the detection of the one or more characteristic power consumption patterns, relating to the occurrence of the one or more functions of the portable electronic device, sensed and evaluated by the event sensor; and wherein the alert provides an individual with a notice of the occurrence of the one or more functions of the portable electronic device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
In a battery-powered system comprised of a portable electronic device for performing one or more functions and a battery for powering the portable electronic device, an apparatus for providing an alert, comprising: an event sensor for sensing one or more characteristic power consumption patterns having specific frequencies associated with operation of a component of the device, wherein the sensed characteristic power consumption patterns relate to the occurrence of the one or more functions of the device; the event sensor includes a pattern recognition circuit for evaluating the frequencies of the one or more characteristic power consumption patterns to identify the occurrence of the one or more functions of the portable electronic device; and, an alert generator for generating an alert upon the detection of the one or more characteristic power consumption patterns, relating to the occurrence of the one or more functions of the portable electronic device, sensed and evaluated by the event sensor; and wherein the alert provides an individual with a notice of the occurrence of the one or more functions of the portable electronic device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the event sensor and alert generator are located in a battery pack.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the event sensor and alert generator are located in a housing for the device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the event sensor and alert generator are located in a housing separate from the device and battery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pattern recognition circuit is a microprocessor programmed with pattern recognition software.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an on/off element for selectively activating and deactivating the apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a mode element for selectively activating one or more characteristics of the alert.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alert generator comprises: a vibrating alert.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alert generator comprises: a visual alert.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alert generator comprises: a preprogrammed acoustical alert.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alert generator comprises: a user programmable acoustical alert.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pattern recognition circuit is a hardwired device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
152 words
In a battery-powered system comprised of a portable electronic device for performing one or more functions and a battery for powering the portable electronic device, a method for providing an alert indicating an event, comprising: sensing one or more power consumption patterns having specific frequencies associated with operation of a component of the device, wherein the one or more power consumption patterns relate to the occurrence of the one or more functions of the device; evaluating the frequencies of the one or more characteristic power consumption patterns to identify the occurrence of the one or more functions of the portable electronic device; and, generating an alert upon the detection of the one or more characteristic power consumption patterns relating to the occurrence of the one or more functions of the device to provide an individual with a notice of the occurrence of the one or more functions of the portable electronic device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
152 words
In a battery-powered system comprised of a portable electronic device for performing one or more functions and a battery for powering the portable electronic device, a method for providing an alert indicating an event, comprising: sensing one or more power consumption patterns having specific frequencies associated with operation of a component of the device, wherein the one or more power consumption patterns relate to the occurrence of the one or more functions of the device; evaluating the frequencies of the one or more characteristic power consumption patterns to identify the occurrence of the one or more functions of the portable electronic device; and, generating an alert upon the detection of the one or more characteristic power consumption patterns relating to the occurrence of the one or more functions of the device to provide an individual with a notice of the occurrence of the one or more functions of the portable electronic device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 13, further comprising: placing the event sensor and alert generator in a battery pack.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 13, further comprising: placing the event sensor and alert generator in a housing enclosing the device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 13, further comprising: placing the event sensor and alert generator in a housing separate from the device and battery.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of evaluating includes programming an element to recognize one or more characteristic power consumption patterns.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: selectively activating and deactivating the apparatus.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: selectively activating one or more characteristics of the alert.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein the generating comprises: generating a vibrating alert.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein the generating comprises: generating a preprogrammed acoustical alert.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein the generating comprises: generating a user programmable acoustical alert.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of evaluating includes employing a hardwired device to recognize one or more characteristic power consumption patterns.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
156 words
An external event sensor and alert generator for selective attachment to a battery powered portable telephone performing one or more functions, comprising: an event sensor for sensing a characteristic power consumption pattern having a specific frequency associated with operation of a component of the battery powered portable telephone, wherein the characteristic power consumption pattern relates to receipt of an incoming call to the battery powered portable telephone; the event sensor includes a microprocessor programmed with pattern recognition software for evaluating the frequency of the characteristic power consumption pattern to identify the receipt of an incoming call to the battery powered portable telephone; and, an alert generator for generating an alert upon the detection, by the event sensor, of the characteristic power consumption pattern relating to receipt of an incoming call to the battery powered portable telephone; and wherein the alert provides an individual with a notice of an incoming call to the battery powered portable telephone.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
156 words
An external event sensor and alert generator for selective attachment to a battery powered portable telephone performing one or more functions, comprising: an event sensor for sensing a characteristic power consumption pattern having a specific frequency associated with operation of a component of the battery powered portable telephone, wherein the characteristic power consumption pattern relates to receipt of an incoming call to the battery powered portable telephone; the event sensor includes a microprocessor programmed with pattern recognition software for evaluating the frequency of the characteristic power consumption pattern to identify the receipt of an incoming call to the battery powered portable telephone; and, an alert generator for generating an alert upon the detection, by the event sensor, of the characteristic power consumption pattern relating to receipt of an incoming call to the battery powered portable telephone; and wherein the alert provides an individual with a notice of an incoming call to the battery powered portable telephone.
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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) | 2001-06-15 | 2001-12-15 | 2002-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-15 | 2005-12-15 | 2006-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-15 | 2009-12-15 | 2010-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |