Adaptive Low Battery Threshold Detection in Remote Controls
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote controls for entertainment devices often provide inadequate warnings for low battery conditions due to the use of a single threshold voltage, which does not account for different battery types, leading to unnecessary battery replacements.
Innovation Solution
The remote control determines the type of battery used and adjusts the low battery threshold accordingly, using techniques such as voltage measurement or user input to select appropriate threshold values specific to alkaline, NiMH, or NiCad batteries, ensuring timely warnings without premature replacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single threshold voltage is used to detect low battery condition, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of battery life status deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the threshold voltage adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the threshold based on detected battery characteristics (such as open circuit voltage or impedance), allowing the low battery detection threshold to change according to the specific battery type and state, thereby improving measurement precision without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of threshold voltage from a constant value to a variable that depends on battery characteristics. By measuring parameters like open circuit voltage or impedance and using these to select or calculate an appropriate threshold, the system achieves more precise battery life status detection while maintaining relatively simple device architecture
2Ease of operation
If a single threshold voltage is used for all battery types, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of low battery indication deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting and characterizing the battery type before performing low battery threshold comparisons. The system measures battery characteristics (such as open circuit voltage or impedance) in advance and uses this information to select the appropriate threshold, ensuring reliable low battery indication from the start without requiring complex real-time adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the measured battery characteristics to adjust the threshold voltage setting. The system measures parameters like open circuit voltage or impedance, compares these against known battery type profiles, and then selects or calculates the appropriate threshold for that specific battery, creating a closed-loop system that improves reliability while maintaining ease of operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides accurate and timely notifications of low battery conditions, reducing user dissatisfaction and unnecessary battery replacements by tailoring the threshold settings to the specific battery type, thus enhancing the reliability of battery life indicators.
Implementation Method 1
The remote control may measure a voltage of the battery and determine whether the voltage is below a low battery threshold
Data Source
AI summary
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 [702] powering a remote control of an entertainment device and determining a first low battery threshold [704] 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 [706], a determination is made regarding whether the voltage of the battery is below the low battery threshold [708]. Responsive to determining that the voltage of the battery is below the first low battery threshold, a low battery message [710] 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.