US 8,009,054 B2 · Systems, methods and apparatus for adjusting a low battery detection threshold of a remote control

Abstract

Various embodiments of systems, methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting a low battery detection threshold in a remote control. An embodiment of a method includes determining a type of a battery powering a remote control of an entertainment device and determining a first low battery threshold for the battery based on the type of the battery. The first low battery threshold indicates a low battery condition of the remote control. Responsive to measuring a voltage of the battery, a determination is made regarding whether the voltage of the battery is below the low battery threshold. Responsive to determining that the voltage of the battery is below the first low battery threshold, a low battery message is transmitted to an entertainment device. The entertainment device utilizes the message to present an indicator to a user regarding the low battery condition of the remote control.

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Drawings

Claims15

Dependent claims

A remote control of an entertainment device comprising:

a battery connector that connects to a battery powering the remote control;
a low battery detection module, coupled to the battery connector, that measures an initial voltage of the battery when the battery is connected to the battery connector and compares the initial voltage of the battery to at least one battery type threshold voltage to determine a type of the battery connected to the battery connector, that determines a first low battery threshold voltage for the battery based on the type of the battery, the first low battery threshold voltage indicating a low battery condition of the remote control, and that measures a voltage of the battery to determine whether the voltage of the battery is below the first low battery threshold voltage;
and
a transmitter coupled to the low battery detection module that transmits a low battery message to the entertainment device responsive to the low battery detection module determining that the voltage of the battery is below the first low battery threshold voltage, wherein the entertainment device utilizes the low battery message to present an indicator to a user regarding the low battery condition;
and
an input module that receives user input, wherein processing of the user input involves the input module performing a specified function;
the low battery detection module determining a second low battery threshold voltage, the second low battery threshold voltage indicating when the input module is to refrain from performing the specified function, and further determining whether the voltage of the battery is below the second low battery threshold voltage;
and
the input module refraining from performing the specified function during processing of the user input responsive to the low battery detection module determining that the voltage of the battery is below the second low battery threshold voltage;
wherein the specified function comprises writing to a non-volatile memory of the remote control.

7 more elements

A system comprising:

an entertainment device including:
an output interface that outputs a presentation stream for presentation on a presentation device;
and
a wireless receiver;
and
a remote control including:
a battery connector that connects to a battery powering the remote control;
a low battery detection module coupled to the battery connector that detects replacement of the battery with a replacement battery;
a transmitter coupled to the low battery detection module that, upon the low battery detection module detecting the replacement of the battery, transmits a battery replaced message to the entertainment device, wherein the entertainment device presents a menu to a user regarding the replacement of the battery;
an input module of the remote control, coupled to the low battery detection module and the transmitter, that receives a first user input indicating the type of the replacement battery powering the remote control;
the low battery detection module determining a first low battery threshold voltage for the replacement battery based on the type of the replacement battery indicated in the first user input, the first low battery threshold voltage indicating a low battery condition of the remote control;
the input, module receiving a second user input indicating a change to the output of the presentation stream by the entertainment device and generating a control command based on the second user input;
and
the transmitter transmitting the control command to the receiver of the entertainment device;
the low battery detection module measuring a voltage of the replacement battery during processing of the second user input by the input module to determine whether the voltage is below the first low battery threshold voltage, the transmitter transmitting a low battery message to the receiver responsive to the low battery detection module determining that the voltage is below the first low battery threshold voltage;
the output interface of the entertainment device outputting an indicator in the presentation stream regarding the low battery condition responsive to the low battery message;
the low battery detection module determining a second low battery threshold voltage, the second low battery threshold voltage indicating when the input module is to refrain from writing to the non-volatile memory, and that determines whether the voltage of the replacement battery is below the second low battery threshold voltage;
and
the input module processing the second user input without writing to the non-volatile memory responsive to the low battery detection module determining that the voltage of the replacement battery is below the second low battery threshold voltage.

16 more elements

A method of indicating a low battery condition for a remote control, the method comprising:

determining a type of a battery powering a remote control of an entertainment device;
selecting, based on the determined type of the battery, a first low battery threshold voltage for the battery from a plurality of low battery threshold voltages corresponding to at least two different types of batteries, the first low battery threshold voltage indicating a low battery condition of the remote control;
determining a second low battery threshold voltage for the battery based on the determined type of the battery, the second low battery threshold voltage indicating when the remote control is to refrain from writing to a non-volatile memory;
measuring a voltage of the battery;
determining whether the voltage of the battery is below the first low battery threshold voltage;
and
transmitting a low battery message to the entertainment device responsive to determining that the voltage of the battery is below the first low battery threshold voltage, wherein the entertainment device utilizes the message to present an indicator to a user regarding the low battery condition of the remote control;
receiving an input at the remote control, wherein processing of the input involves the remote control writing to the non-volatile memory;
determining, at the remote control, whether the voltage of the battery is below the second low battery threshold voltage;
and
processing, at the remote control, the input without writing to the non-volatile memory responsive to determining that the voltage of the battery is below the second low battery threshold voltage.

8 more elements

A system comprising:

an entertainment device including:
an output interface that outputs a presentation stream for presentation on a presentation device;
and
a wireless receiver;
and
a remote control including:
a battery connector that connects to a battery powering the remote control;
a low battery detection module coupled to the battery connector that detects replacement of the battery with a replacement battery;
a transmitter coupled to the low battery detection module that, upon the low battery detection module detecting the replacement of the battery, transmits a battery replaced message to the entertainment device, wherein the entertainment device presents a menu to a user regarding the replacement of the battery;
an input module of the remote control, coupled to the low battery detection module and the transmitter, that receives a first user input indicating the type of the replacement battery powering the remote control;
the low battery detection module determining a first low battery threshold voltage for the replacement battery based on the type of the replacement battery indicated in the first user input, the first low battery threshold voltage indicating a low battery condition of the remote control;
the input module receiving a second user input indicating a change to the output of the presentation stream by the entertainment device and generating a control command based on the second user input;
and
the transmitter transmitting the control command to the receiver of the entertainment device;
the low battery detection module measuring a voltage of the replacement battery during processing of the second user input by the input module to determine whether the voltage is below the first low battery threshold voltage, the transmitter transmitting a low battery message to the receiver responsive to the low battery detection module determining that the voltage is below the first low battery threshold voltage;
the output interface of the entertainment device outputting an indicator in the presentation stream regarding the low battery condition responsive to the low battery message;
wherein responsive to the transmitter transmitting the battery replaced message to the entertainment device the remote control enters a user input solicitation state during which the input module is operable to receive a user input indicating the type of the replacement battery.

14 more elements

A system comprising:

an entertainment device including:
an output interface that outputs a presentation stream for presentation on a presentation device;
and
a wireless receiver;
and
a remote control including:
a battery connector that connects to a battery powering the remote control;
a low battery detection module coupled to the battery connector that detects replacement of the battery with a replacement battery;
a transmitter coupled to the low battery detection module that, upon the low battery detection module detecting the replacement of the battery, transmits a battery replaced message to the entertainment device, wherein the entertainment device presents a menu to a user regarding the replacement of the battery;
an input module of the remote control, coupled to the low battery detection module and the transmitter, that receives a first user input indicating the type of the replacement battery powering the remote control:
the low battery detection module determining a first low battery threshold voltage for the replacement battery based on the type of the replacement battery indicated in the first user input, the first low battery threshold voltage indicating a low battery condition of the remote control;
the input module receiving a second user input indicating a change to the output of the presentation stream by the entertainment device and generating a control command based on the second user input;
and
the transmitter transmitting the control command to the receiver of the entertainment device;
the low battery detection module measuring a voltage of the replacement battery during processing of the second user input by the input module to determine whether the voltage is below the first low battery threshold voltage, the transmitter transmitting a low battery message to the receiver responsive to the low battery detection module determining that the voltage is below the first low battery threshold voltage;
the output interface of the entertainment device outputting an indicator in the presentation stream regarding the low battery condition responsive to the low battery message, the remote control further comprising a receiver configured to receive messages from the entertainment device;
the entertainment device, upon presenting the menu to the user regarding the replacement of the battery, transmitting a message to the receiver of the remote control indicating that the menu is currently-being displayed;
and
the input module of the remote control configured to enter a user input solicitation state, responsive to the receiver of the remote control receiving the message, wherein the remote control is operable to receive and process a user input indicating the type of the replacement battery.

16 more elements

An apparatus comprising:

a battery connector that connects to a battery powering the apparatus;
a low battery detection module, coupled to the battery connector, that:
measures an initial voltage of the battery when the battery is initially connected to the battery connector and compares the initial voltage of the battery to at least one battery type threshold voltage to select a type of the battery connected to the battery connector from a plurality of different battery types, the plurality of different battery types corresponding to at least two different initial voltages;
selects a first low battery threshold voltage for the battery, based on the determined type of the battery, from a plurality of different low battery threshold voltages corresponding to at least two battery types, the first low battery threshold voltage indicating a low battery condition of the remote control;
and
measures a voltage of the battery to determine whether the voltage of the battery is below the first low battery threshold voltage;
and
an integrated display screen of the apparatus configured to present to a user an indication of the low battery condition responsive to the low battery detection module determining that the voltage of the battery is below the first low battery threshold voltage;
and
an input module that receives user input, wherein processing of the user input involves the input module writing to a non-volatile memory of the apparatus;
the low battery detection module determining a second low battery threshold voltage, the second low battery threshold voltage indicating when the input module is to refrain from writing to the non-volatile memory, and further determining whether the voltage of the battery is below the second low battery threshold voltage;
and
the input module refraining from writing to the non-volatile memory during processing of the user input responsive to the low battery detection module determining that the voltage of the battery is below the second low battery threshold voltage.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description4,916 words

Summary286 words

#Many remote controls for entertainment devices include a feature that detects a low battery condition and alerts the user of the low battery condition. For example, a remote control for a satellite television receiver may detect that the battery powering the remote control only has 10% of its usable life left. The remote control may communicate the low battery condition to the satellite television receiver, and the receiver may present an indicator to a user regarding the low battery condition. Thus, the user may take action to replace the batteries to avoid experiencing a subsequent dead battery in the remote control.

#The low battery conditions typically detected based on comparing a terminal voltage of the battery with a low battery threshold voltage. The usable life of the battery is directly correlated with a terminal voltage of the battery. A specified point on a voltage discharge curve indicates a remaining usable life of the battery. However, there are many different types of batteries, and each type of battery does not follow the same voltage discharge curve. For example, a terminal voltage of ˜1.20 V may correspond to 10% of the remaining usable life of a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery, whereas a terminal voltage of ˜1.05 V may correspond with the same remaining usable life of an alkaline battery. Because the batteries of a remote control may be replaced with either type of battery, the utilization of a single threshold value indicating a low battery condition often results in providing a user with little warning regarding dead batteries or prompting the user to replace the batteries more often than necessary. Thus, the user may become dissatisfied with the battery replacement indicators provided by the satellite television receiver.

Brief description of the drawings8 figures

#The same number represents the same element or same type of element in all drawings.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an entertainment system.

#FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a remote control of the entertainment system of FIG. 1.

Detailed description4,477 words

#The various embodiments described herein generally provide apparatus, systems and methods for indicating to a user a low battery condition of a remote control for an entertainment device. More particularly, the various embodiments described herein generally provide apparatus, systems and methods which facilitate determining an appropriate voltage threshold utilized to determine/define a low battery condition of the remote control based on a type of the battery utilized in the remote control. In short, the various embodiments described provide apparatus, systems and/or methods for adjusting a low battery threshold based on a type of battery utilized in a remote control.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an entertainment system 100. The entertainment system 100 presents content to a user 108. In at least one embodiment, the content presented to the user 108 includes an audio/video stream, such as a television program, movie or other recorded content and the like. The entertainment system 100 includes an entertainment device 102, a presentation device 104 and a remote control 106. Each of these components is discussed in greater detail below. The entertainment system 100 may include other devices, components or elements not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

#The entertainment device 102 is operable to receive content from one or more content sources (not shown in FIG. 1), and to present the received content to the user 108 on the associated presentation device 104. In at least one embodiment, the presentation device 104 is a display device (e.g., a television) configured to display content to the user 108. The entertainment device 102 may receive an audio/video stream in any format (e.g., analog or digital format), and output the audio/video stream for presentation by the presentation device 104. The entertainment device 102 may be further configured to display menus and other information that allow a user 108 to control the output of content by the entertainment device 102. In at least one embodiment, the entertainment device 102 is a set top box (e.g., a satellite or cable television converter box), digital video recorder (DVR) or other similar device that processes and provides one or more audio and/or video output streams to the presentation device 104 for presentation to the user 108. In some embodiments, the entertainment device 102 and the presentation device 104 may be integrated as a device combining the functionality of a display device and a set-top box, digital video recorder (DVR) or the like.

Facts

Application

12/104,291Filed 16 Apr 2008

Published

US 2009/0262254 A122 Oct 2009

Granted

30 Aug 2011

Term ends

9 Aug 2029

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 480 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification14 codes

G08C 23/04
Non-electrical signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems: using light waves, e.g. infrared
G01R 31/3835
Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC: involving only voltage measurements
G08C 17/02
Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link: using a radio link
H02J 7/445
Using passive battery identification means, e.g. resistors or capacitors: in response to measured battery parameters, e.g. voltage, current or…

Timeline

16 Apr 2008Application filedUS 12/104,291
17 Apr 2008Assigned to Echostar Technologies L.L.C.assignment of assignor's interest
22 Oct 2009PublishedUS 2009/0262254 A1
30 Aug 2011GrantedUS 8,009,054 B2
18 Jun 2018Assigned to Dish Technologies L.L.C.change of name
30 Nov 2021Assigned to U.S. Bank, National Association, AS Collateral Agentsecurity interest
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
9 Aug 2029Term endsEstimated, includes 480 days of adjustment

Systems, methods and apparatus for adjusting a low battery detection threshold of a remote control

Life of this patent

Systems, methods and apparatus for adjusting a low battery detection threshold of a remote control

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims15

Description4,916 words

Drawings

Classification14 codes

Life of this patent

Description4,916 words