POWER CONTROL TECHNIQUES FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
First Claim
1. A power management method for an electronic device having a primary battery and a secondary battery, the method comprising:
- operating the electronic device in a first power phase during which the primary battery provides energy to support all functions of the electronic device;
operating the electronic device in a second power phase during which the primary battery provides energy to support basic functions of the electronic device, and during which the secondary battery provides energy to support high power functions of the electronic device; and
operating the electronic device in a third power phase during which the secondary battery provides energy to support all functions of the electronic device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable electronic device, such as a fluid infusion device, obtains its operating power from a primary battery and a secondary battery. The primary battery may be a replaceable battery, and the secondary battery may be a rechargeable battery that can be charged with the primary battery under certain conditions. The device utilizes a power management scheme that transitions between the primary battery and/or the secondary battery to prolong the useful life of the primary battery. The device may also generate an intelligent battery life indicator that displays an accurate representation of the remaining life of the primary battery.
13 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A power management method for an electronic device having a primary battery and a secondary battery, the method comprising:
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operating the electronic device in a first power phase during which the primary battery provides energy to support all functions of the electronic device; operating the electronic device in a second power phase during which the primary battery provides energy to support basic functions of the electronic device, and during which the secondary battery provides energy to support high power functions of the electronic device; and operating the electronic device in a third power phase during which the secondary battery provides energy to support all functions of the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A power management method for an electronic device having a primary battery, a secondary battery, a voltage converter to convert an output voltage of the primary battery to a main supply voltage for the electronic device, a first voltage rail to provide operating voltage for basic functions of the electronic device, a second voltage rail to provide operating voltage for high power functions of the electronic device, and a power distribution system, the method comprising:
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monitoring the main supply voltage during operation of the electronic device; initially operating the power distribution system in a first power phase such that the primary battery provides voltage for the first voltage rail and the second voltage rail; transitioning the power distribution system from the first power phase to a second power phase such that the primary battery provides voltage for the first voltage rail, and such that the secondary battery provides voltage for the second voltage rail, wherein transitioning from the first power phase to the second power phase is triggered when the main supply voltage falls below a threshold value while monitored during the first power phase; and transitioning the power distribution system from the second power phase to a third power phase such that the secondary battery provides voltage for the first voltage rail and the second voltage rail, wherein transitioning from the second power phase to the third power phase is triggered when the main supply voltage falls below the threshold value while monitored during the second power phase. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A power distribution system for a portable electronic device, the power distribution system comprising:
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a first voltage rail to provide operating voltage for basic functions of the electronic device; a second voltage rail to provide operating voltage for high power functions of the electronic device; a primary battery coupled in a selectable manner to the first voltage rail and the second voltage rail; a secondary battery coupled in a selectable manner to the first voltage rail and the second voltage rail; a selection architecture coupled to the first voltage rail, the second voltage rail, the primary battery, and the secondary battery; and a control module to regulate operation of the selection architecture in accordance with; a first power phase during which the primary battery is coupled to the first voltage rail and to the second voltage rail to provide energy for the basic functions and the high power functions; a second power phase during which the primary battery is coupled to the first voltage rail to provide energy for the basic functions, and during which the secondary battery is coupled to the second voltage rail to provide energy for the high power functions; and a third power phase during which the secondary battery is coupled to the first voltage rail and to the second voltage rail to provide energy for the basic functions and the high power functions. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification