Low battery indicator
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsPaul G. Schwendinger, David P. Mulhouse, Marcus D. Stoner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Electronic devices that include batteries can be adapted to provide one or more indications of a low battery condition. An electronic device such as a controller can include a battery and can be adapted to determine a first low battery condition. A first indication can be provided in response to the first low battery condition. In some cases, a second battery condition can be determined and a second indication can be provided in response to the second battery condition. The indications provided to the user can be made progressively more noticeable over time, until the battery is replaced.
Claims45
A method of indicating a low battery condition in an HVAC controller having a battery, the method comprising steps of:
- determining a first low battery condition by detecting a first battery voltage;
- providing a first indication in response to said first low battery condition;
- determining a second low battery condition by detecting a second battery voltage, wherein the second low battery condition is determined to be more severe than the first low battery condition;
- providing a second indication in response to said second low battery condition, wherein the second indication is more noticeable to a user than the first indication, and the second indication includes an audible indication;
- and
- wherein the HVAC controller is configured to control one or more units of HVAC equipment according to a programmed set point, and further wherein the first and second indications are provided while the HVAC controller continues to control the one or more units of HVAC equipment according to a programmed set point.
A method of indicating a low battery condition in an HVAC controller having a battery and a control parameter, the method comprising steps of:
- determining a first low battery condition;
- providing a first indication after the first low battery condition is determined;
- determining a second low battery condition;
- providing a second indication after the second low battery condition is determined;
- determining a third low battery condition;
- providing a third indication after the third low battery condition is determined;
- wherein the second and third indications are progressively more noticeable to a user;
- and
- wherein the HVAC controller is configured to control one or more units of HVAC equipment according to a programmed set point, and further wherein at least two of the first, second, and third indications are provided while the HVAC controller continues to control the one or more units of HVAC equipment according to a programmed set point.
A method of indicating a low battery condition in an HVAC controller having a battery, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining a low battery condition;
- providing two or more different visual indications of the low battery condition to a user, wherein at least one of the visual indications does not include flashing a low battery condition message on an LCD display;
- and
- wherein the HVAC controller is configured to control one or more units of HVAC equipment according to a programmed set point, and further wherein the two or more different visual indications are provided while the HVAC controller continues to control the one or more units of HVAC equipment according to a programmed set point.
A method of indicating a low battery condition in an HVAC controller having a battery, the method comprising steps of:
- determining a low battery condition;
- providing a series of audible indications until the battery is replaced, wherein the series of audible indications get more noticeable over time until the battery is replaced;
- and
- wherein the HVAC controller is configured to control one or more units of HVAC equipment according to a programmed set point, and further wherein the series of audible indications are provided while the HVAC controller continues to control the one or more units of HVAC equipment according to a programmed set point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.