Method and Apparatus for Displaying Battery Remaining Time

• US 20100315249A1
• Filed: 05/11/2010
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Imai, Takumi
• Application Number:
  US12/777,380
• Publication Number:
  US 20100315249A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/636.12
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3212 Monitoring battery levels, e.g. power saving mode being initiated when battery voltage goes below a certain level
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/324 Display of status information
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A method for displaying battery remaining time is disclosed. Initially, battery voltage, battery current and remaining battery capacity are initially detected. Then, a first battery remaining time at intervals of a first cycle period is determined based on the battery voltage, the battery current, and the remaining battery capacity. The first battery remaining time is updated and displayed on a display unit accordingly. In response to a power consumption change event occurs, a second battery remaining time at intervals of a second cycle period shorter than the first cycle period is determined based on the battery voltage, the battery current, and the remaining battery capacity. The second battery remaining time is then updated and displayed on the display unit accordingly.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting battery voltage, battery current and remaining battery capacity of a battery;

determining a first battery remaining time at intervals of a first cycle period based on said battery voltage, said battery current and said remaining battery capacity;

updating and displaying said first battery remaining time on a display unit;

in response to an occurrence of a power consumption change event, determining a second battery remaining time at intervals of a second cycle period based on said battery voltage, said battery current and said remaining battery capacity, wherein said second cycle period is shorter than said first cycle period; and

updating and displaying said second battery remaining time on said display unit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said power consumption change event includes at least one of a change in power-saving settings, ON/OFF control of a battery-life extending function, and a change in luminance of said display unit.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said method further includes

determining said first battery remaining time for said first cycle period by determining an average of power consumption within said first cycle period based on said battery voltage and said battery current detected within said first cycle period;

and

determining said battery remaining time for said second cycle period by determining an average power consumption per unit time that is the result of a sequential integration of said second cycle period.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said method further includes when said power consumption change event occurs, determining, updating, and displaying said battery remaining time at the intervals of said second cycle period for a predetermined period, and thereafter, determining, updating, and displaying said battery remaining time at the intervals of said first cycle period.

5. A computer-readable medium having a computer program product for displaying battery remaining time, wherein said computer-readable medium comprising:

program code for detecting battery voltage, battery current and remaining battery capacity of a battery;

program code for determining a first battery remaining time at intervals of a first cycle period based on said battery voltage, said battery current and said remaining battery capacity;

program code for updating and displaying said first battery remaining time on a display unit;

program code for, in response to an occurrence of a power consumption change event, determining a second battery remaining time at intervals of a second cycle period based on said battery voltage, said battery current and said remaining battery capacity, wherein said second cycle period is shorter than said first cycle period; and

program code for updating and displaying said second battery remaining time on said display unit.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein said power consumption change event includes at least one of a change in power-saving settings, ON/OFF control of a battery-life extending function, and a change in luminance of said display unit.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein said computer-readable medium further includes

program code for determining said first battery remaining time for said first cycle period by determining an average of power consumption within said first cycle period based on said battery voltage and said battery current detected within said first cycle period;

and

program code for determining said battery remaining time for said second cycle period by determining an average power consumption per unit time that is the result of a sequential integration of said second cycle period.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein said computer-readable medium further includes program code for, when said power consumption change event occurs, determining, updating, and displaying said battery remaining time at the intervals of said second cycle period for a predetermined period, and thereafter, determining, updating, and displaying said battery remaining time at the intervals of said first cycle period.

9. A battery-powered electronic device comprising:

a detector for detecting battery voltage, battery current and remaining battery capacity;

a controller for

determining a first battery remaining time at intervals of a first cycle period based on said battery voltage, said battery current, and said remaining battery capacity; and

in response to a power consumption change event occurs, determining a second battery remaining time at intervals of a second cycle period shorter than said first cycle period based on said battery voltage, said battery current, and said remaining battery capacity; and

a display for displaying said first and second battery remaining time on said display unit.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein said power consumption change event includes at least one of a change in power-saving settings, ON/OFF control of a battery-life extending function, and a change in luminance of said display unit.

11. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein:

said first battery remaining time for said first cycle period is determined by determining an average of power consumption within said first cycle period based on said battery voltage and said battery current detected within said first cycle period; and

said battery remaining time for said second cycle period is determined by determining an average power consumption per unit time that is the result of a sequential integration of said second cycle period.

12. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein when said power consumption change event occurs, said battery remaining time at the intervals of said second cycle period for a predetermined period is determined, updated, and displayed, and thereafter, said battery remaining time at the intervals of said first cycle period is determined, updated, and displayed.