Method for estimating time to full-charge in a rechargeable battery
First Claim
1. A method for determining a time until completion for a charging process associated with a rechargeable battery, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a charger capable of coupling to the rechargeable battery, the charger comprising a means of processing data capable of identifying the rechargeable battery;
b. identifying a charging process for the rechargeable battery, the process comprising a plurality of charging states;
c. determining which of the plurality of charging states is being executed;
d. calculating a first time to completion for the state being executed;
e. calculating at least a second time to completion for at least one of the remaining states of the plurality of charging states; and
f. calculating the time to completion for the charging process by adding the first and the at least a second time to completion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for determining time to completion is provided for a battery charging system. The system preferably includes a charger having a microprocessor and a battery with a memory. The memory includes information about the battery, including battery identifiers, charging states, charging procedures and charging termination information. The charger reads this battery and then determines the charging states associated with the battery. The charger then determines the present state of charge, and calculates a time to completion for that state. The charger then determines times to completion for the remaining charge states, optionally compensating for self discharge within the battery. A total time to completion is determined by summing the times to completion for the respective charging states.
48 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for determining a time until completion for a charging process associated with a rechargeable battery, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a charger capable of coupling to the rechargeable battery, the charger comprising a means of processing data capable of identifying the rechargeable battery;
b. identifying a charging process for the rechargeable battery, the process comprising a plurality of charging states;
c. determining which of the plurality of charging states is being executed;
d. calculating a first time to completion for the state being executed;
e. calculating at least a second time to completion for at least one of the remaining states of the plurality of charging states; and
f. calculating the time to completion for the charging process by adding the first and the at least a second time to completion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification