Battery capacity indicator
AssigneeVolt Technology Limited
InventorAndrew James Wigney
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The technology relates to a capacity indicator for use with a battery. One aspect of the technology provides an improved activation circuit for a capacity indicator that is easier to use and less prone to false alarms. A further aspect of the technology provides an improved indicator which is able to indicate battery capacity without requiring the use of expensive battery labels such as thermochromic strip. A further aspect of the technology provides a capacity determination circuit which is housed within a battery and which is able to provide a more accurate indication of battery capacity.
Claims20
A battery capacity indicator configured for use with a battery, the battery having a power source and an external surface which is substantially defined by a housing, a positive terminal, and a negative terminal, the battery capacity indicator comprising:
- an activation circuit;
- a capacity determination circuit;
- and
- an indicator;
- wherein the activation circuit is configured to activate the capacity determination circuit in response to detection of a sequence of taps on the battery,
- wherein the capacity determination circuit is configured, when activated, to determine a capacity of the power source, and to communicate a signal representative of the capacity to the indicator, and
- wherein the indicator is configured to indicate capacity information representative of the determined capacity to a user in response to the signal representative of the capacity.
A battery comprising:
- an external surface which is substantially defined by:
- a housing;
- a positive terminal;
- and
- a negative terminal,
- a power source located within the housing;
- an activation circuit;
- a capacity determination circuit;
- and
- an indicator,
- wherein the activation circuit is configured to activate the capacity determination circuit in response to detection of a sequence of taps on the battery,
- wherein the capacity determination circuit is configured, when activated, to determine capacity of the power source, and to communicate a signal representative of the capacity to the indicator, and
- wherein the indicator is configured to indicate capacity information representative of the determined capacity to a user in response to the signal representative of the capacity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.