BATTERY LIFE INDICATION TECHNIQUES FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20120235823A1
• Filed: 03/18/2011
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: TROCK, Adam, SPURLIN, Jon, ORTEGA, Michael, KAZARIANS, Seth, CHOW, Steve, VARGAS, Steven, LEE, Belinda, LEWINSKI, David, OROSZLAN, Gabor
• Granted Patent: US 8,564,447 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/636.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/382 Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/392 Determining battery ageing or deterioration, e.g. state of health
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/00 Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0063 with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

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.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a battery life indicator for a primary battery of an electronic device, the method comprising:

monitoring a battery voltage of the primary battery;

obtaining at least one operating parameter of the electronic device other than the battery voltage of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator with characteristics that represent remaining battery life of the primary battery, wherein the characteristics are dictated by the monitored battery voltage and the obtained at least one operating parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the at least one operating parameter comprises obtaining a runtime measurement for the primary battery.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the electronic device further comprises a secondary battery;

the electronic device operates in a first power phase during which only the primary battery supports functions of the electronic device, a second power phase during which both the primary battery and the secondary battery support functions of the electronic device, and a third power phase during which only the secondary battery supports functions of the electronic device;

and obtaining the at least one operating parameter comprises determining whether the electronic device is operating in the first power phase, the second power phase, or the third power phase.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein:

obtaining the at least one operating parameter comprises obtaining a runtime measurement for the primary battery; and

the characteristics of the battery life indicator are dictated by the monitored battery voltage, the obtained runtime measurement, and whether the electronic device is operating in the first power phase, the second power phase, or the third power phase.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator comprises generating only one of the segments when the electronic device is operating in the third power phase.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator comprises generating all four of the segments when the electronic device is operating in the first power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than an upper threshold voltage value (V_B>

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the obtained runtime measurement is less than or equal to a lower threshold time value (t≦

t<sub>T—

L</sub>).

7. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator comprises generating only three of the segments when the electronic device is not operating in the third power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than a lower threshold voltage value and less than or equal to an upper threshold voltage value (V<sub>T—

L</sub><

V_B≦

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the obtained runtime measurement is less than or equal to an upper threshold time value (t≦

t<sub>T—

U</sub>).

8. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator comprises generating only three of the segments when the electronic device is not operating in the third power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than an upper threshold voltage value (V_B>

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the obtained runtime measurement is greater than a lower threshold time value and less than or equal to an upper threshold time value (t<sub>T—

L</sub><

t≦

t<sub>T—

U</sub>).

9. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator comprises generating only three of the segments when the electronic device is operating in the second power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than an upper threshold voltage value (V_B>

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the obtained runtime measurement is less than or equal to a lower threshold time value (t≦

t<sub>T—

L</sub>).

10. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator comprises generating only two of the segments when the electronic device is not operating in the third power phase, and the monitored battery voltage is less than or equal to a lower threshold voltage value (V_B≦

V<sub>T—

L</sub>).

11. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator comprises generating only two of the segments when the electronic device is not operating in the third power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than a lower threshold voltage value and less than or equal to an upper threshold voltage value (V<sub>T—

L</sub><

V_B≦

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the obtained runtime measurement is greater than an upper threshold time value (t>

t<sub>T—

U</sub>).

12. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator comprises generating only two of the segments when the electronic device is not operating in the third power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than an upper threshold voltage value (V_B>

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the obtained runtime measurement is greater than an upper threshold time value (t>

t<sub>T—

U</sub>).

13. A method of controlling a battery life indicator for an electronic device having a primary battery and a secondary battery, the electronic device operating in either a first power phase during which only the primary battery supports functions of the electronic device, a second power phase during which both the primary battery and the secondary battery support functions of the electronic device, or a third power phase during which only the secondary battery supports functions of the electronic device, the method comprising:

determining whether the electronic device is operating in the first power phase, the second power phase, or the third power phase, resulting in a determined power phase;

obtaining a runtime measurement for the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator with characteristics that represent remaining battery life of the primary battery, wherein the characteristics are controlled by the determined power phase and the obtained runtime measurement.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent the remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator comprises generating only one of the segments when the determined power phase is the third power phase.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising monitoring a battery voltage of the primary battery, wherein the characteristics of the battery life indicator are controlled by the determined power phase, the obtained runtime measurement, and the monitored battery voltage.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent the remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator comprises generating all four of the segments when the determined power phase is the first power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than an upper threshold voltage value (V_B>

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the obtained runtime measurement is less than or equal to a lower threshold time value (t≦

t<sub>T—

L</sub>).

17. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent the remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator comprises generating only three of the segments when the determined power phase is not the third power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than a lower threshold voltage value and less than or equal to an upper threshold voltage value (V<sub>T—

L</sub><

V_B≦

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the obtained runtime measurement is less than or equal to an upper threshold time value (t≦

t<sub>T—

U</sub>).

18. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent the remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator comprises generating only three of the segments when the determined power phase is not the third power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than an upper threshold voltage value (V_B>

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the obtained runtime measurement is greater than a lower threshold time value and less than or equal to an upper threshold time value (t<sub>T—

L</sub><

t≦

t<sub>T—

U</sub>).

19. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent the remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator comprises generating only three of the segments when the determined power phase is the second power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than an upper threshold voltage value (V_B>

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the obtained runtime measurement is less than or equal to a lower threshold time value (t≦

t<sub>T—

L</sub>).

20. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent the remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator comprises generating only two of the segments when the determined power phase is not the third power phase, and the monitored battery voltage is less than or equal to a lower threshold voltage value (V_B≦

V<sub>T—

L</sub>).

21. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent the remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator comprises generating only two of the segments when the determined power phase is not the third power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than a lower threshold voltage value and less than or equal to an upper threshold voltage value (V<sub>T—

L</sub><

V_B≦

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the obtained runtime measurement is greater than an upper threshold time value (t>

t<sub>T—

U</sub>).

22. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent the remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

generating the battery life indicator comprises generating only two of the segments when the determined power phase is not the third power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than an upper threshold voltage value (V_B>

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the obtained runtime measurement is greater than an upper threshold time value (t>

t<sub>T—

U</sub>).

23. A battery monitor system for an electronic device having a primary battery and a secondary battery, the battery monitor system comprising:

a voltage monitor that monitors a battery voltage of the primary battery;

a control module to operate the electronic device in a designated power phase corresponding to either;

a first power phase during which only the primary battery provides energy for operation of the electronic device;

a second power phase during which both the primary battery and the secondary battery provide energy for operation of the electronic device;

or

a third power phase during which only the secondary battery provides energy for operation of the electronic device;

a runtime counter to maintain a runtime measurement for the primary battery; and

a battery life indicator controller coupled to the voltage monitor, the control module, and the runtime counter to generate a battery life indicator for the electronic device that indicates an amount of remaining battery life of the primary battery, wherein the amount of remaining battery life is governed by at least two of;

the battery voltage of the primary battery;

the designated power phase; and

the runtime measurement.

24. The battery monitor system of claim 23, wherein the battery voltage monitored by the voltage monitor is an unloaded battery voltage.

25. The battery monitor system of claim 23, wherein:

when the electronic device is operating in the first power phase, the primary battery supports basic functions and high power functions of the electronic device;

when the electronic device is operating in the second power phase, the primary battery supports the basic functions, and the secondary battery supports the high power functions; and

when the electronic device is operating in the third power phase, the secondary battery supports the basic functions and the high power functions.

26. The battery monitor system of claim 23, wherein the amount of remaining battery life indicated by the battery life indicator is governed by the battery voltage of the primary battery, the designated power phase, and the runtime measurement.

27. The battery monitor system of claim 23, wherein the amount of remaining battery life indicated by the battery life indicator is governed by the battery voltage of the primary battery and the designated power phase only.

28. The battery monitor system of claim 23, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent the amount of remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

the battery life indicator includes only one of the segments when the designated power phase is the third power phase.

29. The battery monitor system of claim 23, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent the amount of remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

the battery life indicator includes all four of the segments when the designated power phase is the first power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than an upper threshold voltage value (V_B>

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the runtime measurement is less than or equal to a lower threshold time value (t≦

t<sub>T—

L</sub>).

30. The battery monitor system of claim 23, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent the amount of remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

the battery life indicator includes only three of the segments when the designated power phase is not the third power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than a lower threshold voltage value and less than or equal to an upper threshold voltage value (V<sub>T—

L</sub><

V_B≦

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the runtime measurement is less than or equal to an upper threshold time value (t≦

t<sub>T—

U</sub>).

31. The battery monitor system of claim 23, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent the amount of remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

the battery life indicator includes only three of the segments when the designated power phase is not the third power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than an upper threshold voltage value (V_B>

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the runtime measurement is greater than a lower threshold time value and less than or equal to an upper threshold time value (t<sub>T—

L</sub><

t≦

t<sub>T—

U</sub>).

32. The battery monitor system of claim 23, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent the amount of remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

the battery life indicator includes only three of the segments when the designated power phase is the second power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than an upper threshold voltage value (V_B>

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the runtime measurement is less than or equal to a lower threshold time value (t≦

t<sub>T—

L</sub>).

33. The battery monitor system of claim 23, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent the amount of remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

the battery life indicator includes only two of the segments when the designated power phase is not the third power phase, and the monitored battery voltage is less than or equal to a lower threshold voltage value (V_B≦

V<sub>T—

L</sub>).

34. The battery monitor system of claim 23, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent the amount of remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

the battery life indicator includes only two of the segments when the designated power phase is not the third power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than a lower threshold voltage value and less than or equal to an upper threshold voltage value (V<sub>T—

L</sub><

V_B≦

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the runtime measurement is greater than an upper threshold time value (t>

t<sub>T—

U</sub>).

35. The battery monitor system of claim 23, wherein:

the battery life indicator has four segments that represent the amount of remaining battery life of the primary battery; and

the battery life indicator includes generating only two of the segments when the designated power phase is not the third power phase, the monitored battery voltage is greater than an upper threshold voltage value (V_B>

V<sub>T—

U</sub>), and the runtime measurement is greater than an upper threshold time value (t>

t<sub>T—

U</sub>).