US5895440A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Battery monitor and cycle status indicator
Assignee: CRUISING EQUIPMENT COMPANY Inc
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Filing: 1996-12-23
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Granted: 1999-04-20
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Expires: 2016-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A battery monitor and cycle status indicator is disclosed. The battery monitor includes a voltage sensor capable of sensing the voltage between two nodes, for example, the positive and negative terminals of a battery. The voltage sensor is connected to an analog-to-digital converter which converts the analog voltage level sensed by the voltage sensor to a digital form. In turn, the analog-to-digital converter is coupled to a microprocessor. The microprocessor determines battery state-of-charge and historical values that relate to battery condition based upon the voltage levels provided by the analog-to-digital converter. The microprocessor is also coupled to a memory which stores battery history values computed by the microprocessor and program instructions for operation of the microprocessor. The battery monitor also includes a display that is capable of displaying battery state-of-charge and the historical values determined by the microprocessor. A switch is coupled to the microprocessor to inform the microprocessor to clear the history values presently stored in memory or to scroll the display from one battery parameter or history value to the next. The switch also enables the adjustment of the battery parameters that are stored in the memory to user-defined levels.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L. Proctor
- 👤 George A. Ure
- 👤 Richard H. Young, Jr.
- 👤 Steven H. Kahle
- 👤 William L. Merkes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:34
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60L; B60L3/00; B60L3/12; B60L58/00; B60L58/10; B60L58/12; B60L58/18; B60L58/22; B60L58/24; B60L58/25; G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/36; G01R31/3644; G01R31/3646; G01R31/3648; G01R31/382; G01R31/3835; B60L2200/00; B60L2200/32; B60L2200/40; B60L2200/42; B60L2200/44; B60L2250/00; B60L2250/16; G01R19/00; G01R19/165; G01R19/16533; G01R19/16538; G01R19/16542; G01R31/364; G01R31/371; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/60; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A battery monitor for monitoring a battery to determine battery state-of-charge and battery history, comprising: means for sensing battery voltage level and providing a signal representative of the sensed voltage level; and means for processing the signal representative of the sensed voltage level and stored battery voltage values to determine battery history as a function of changes in the sensed battery voltage level compared to stored battery voltage values.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A battery monitor for monitoring a battery to determine battery state-of-charge and battery history, comprising: means for sensing battery voltage level and providing a signal representative of the sensed voltage level; and means for processing the signal representative of the sensed voltage level and stored battery voltage values to determine battery history as a function of changes in the sensed battery voltage level compared to stored battery voltage values.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The battery monitor of claim 1, further comprising a means for processing the signal representative of the sensed voltage level to determine battery state-of-charge as a function of changes in the battery voltage level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The battery monitor of claim 2, wherein the battery monitor is battery-mountable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The battery monitor of claim 2, wherein the battery history comprises the number of cycles experienced by the battery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The battery monitor of claim 2, wherein the battery history comprises time since last charge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The battery monitor of claim 2, wherein the battery history comprises lifetime battery discharge time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The battery monitor of claim 2, wherein the battery history comprises time since last equalization.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The battery monitor of claim 2, wherein the battery history comprises average discharge voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The battery monitor of claim 2, wherein the battery history comprises lowest battery voltage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The battery monitor of claim 2, wherein the battery history comprises average low voltage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The battery monitor of claim 2, further comprising a display for displaying the battery state-of-charge, history, and battery parameters that relate to the monitoring of the battery.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The battery monitor of claim 11, wherein the display includes: a light emitting diode display for indicating the state-of-charge of the battery; and a liquid crystal display for displaying the battery history and battery parameters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The battery monitor of claim 12, wherein the light emitting diode display comprises at least one multi-state light emitting diode for emitting light of different colors to represent different battery state-of-charge conditions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The battery monitor of claim 11, further comprising memory means for storing the battery history and battery parameters.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The battery monitor of claim 14, wherein the parameter values may be adjusted by a user.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The battery monitor of claim 11, further comprising temperature sensing means for compensation of the battery parameters relative to changes in temperature conditions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The battery monitor of claim 11, wherein the display includes a back light.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The battery monitor of claim 14, further comprising an acid-proof housing for containment and protection of the display, the memory means and the means for processing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The battery monitor of claim 14, wherein the processing means is responsive to stored in the memory means for determining the battery characteristics for one of a plurality of batteries having different nominal voltages.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
136 words
A battery monitor for determining and displaying battery history, comprising: a voltage sensor for sensing the battery voltage across positive and negative terminals of the battery; an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the voltage sensor for converting the voltage sensed by the voltage sensor to a digital representation of battery voltage; a microprocessor coupled to the analog-to-digital converter, the microprocessor operating responsive to stored program instructions and battery voltage parameter values for determining battery history data based upon changes in battery voltage, and supplying signals representative of the battery history data; a memory coupled to the microprocessor for storing the program instructions for operating the microprocessor, the parameter values for use by the microprocessor in determining the battery history data, and the battery history data; and a display coupled to the microprocessor for displaying battery history data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
136 words
A battery monitor for determining and displaying battery history, comprising: a voltage sensor for sensing the battery voltage across positive and negative terminals of the battery; an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the voltage sensor for converting the voltage sensed by the voltage sensor to a digital representation of battery voltage; a microprocessor coupled to the analog-to-digital converter, the microprocessor operating responsive to stored program instructions and battery voltage parameter values for determining battery history data based upon changes in battery voltage, and supplying signals representative of the battery history data; a memory coupled to the microprocessor for storing the program instructions for operating the microprocessor, the parameter values for use by the microprocessor in determining the battery history data, and the battery history data; and a display coupled to the microprocessor for displaying battery history data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The battery monitor of claim 20, wherein the microprocessor operates responsive to stored program instructions for determining battery state-of-charge.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The battery monitor of claim 21, wherein the battery monitor is battery-mountable.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The battery monitor of claim 21, wherein the battery history data includes the number of cycles experienced by the battery.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The battery monitor of claim 21, wherein the battery history data includes time since last charged.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The battery monitor of claim 21, wherein the battery history data includes lifetime battery discharge time.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The battery monitor of claim 21, wherein the battery history data includes time since last equalization.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The battery monitor of claim 21, wherein the battery history comprises average discharge voltage.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The battery monitor of claim 21, wherein the battery history comprises lowest battery voltage.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The battery monitor of claim 21, wherein the battery history comprises average low voltage.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
The battery monitor of claim 21, wherein the display includes: a light emitting diode display for indicating the state-of-charge of the battery; and a liquid crystal display for displaying the battery history data and the parameter values.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The battery monitor of claim 30, wherein the light emitting diode display includes at least one multi-state light emitting diode for emitting light of different colors to represent different battery state-of-charge conditions.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The battery monitor of claim 21, further comprising means for user initiated adjustment of the battery parameter values to provide selective adjustment of the determination of the battery history data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The battery monitor of claim 21, further comprising a thermistor coupled to the microprocessor for enabling the microprocessor to adjust the battery parameter values for changes in temperature conditions.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The battery monitor of claim 21, further comprising a back light for providing light for the display.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The battery monitor of claim 21, further comprising an acid-proof housing for encasement of the analog-to-digital converter, the microprocessor, the memory and the display.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
The battery monitor of claim 21, wherein the microprocessor is responsive to program instructions stored in the memory for determining the battery history for one of a plurality of batteries having different nominal voltages.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
The battery monitor of claim 21, further comprising a switch coupled to the microprocessor for enabling a user to control the display of battery state-of-charge and battery history data.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
62 words
The battery monitor of claim 37, wherein the microprocessor is responsive to program instructions stored in the memory and activation of the switch to alternatively scroll the battery history data and battery parameter values displayed on the display, clear the battery history data stored in the memory, and adjust the battery parameter values used by the microprocessor to determine the battery history.
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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) | 2002-04-19 | 2002-10-19 | 2003-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-19 | 2006-10-19 | 2007-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-19 | 2010-10-19 | 2011-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |