METHOD FOR BATTERY REMOVAL DETECTION

• US 20130111251A1
• Filed: 06/11/2010
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Leinonen, Pekka, Lindholm, Rune
• Granted Patent: US 9,239,772 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/340
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/12 Synchronisation of different clock signals provided by a plurality of clock generators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3058 Monitoring arrangements for monitoring environmental properties or parameters of the computing system or of the computing system component, e.g. monitoring of power, currents, temperature, humidity, position, vibrations thermal management in cooling arrangements of a computing system G06F1/206
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3883 Arrangements for mounting batteries or battery chargers

Abstract

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product embodiments are disclosed for detection of the availability of a battery (160) by a host terminal (100) during a data exchange session with the battery (160). In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, sampling, data communication with the battery pack (150), and detection of battery (160) removal, may occur substantially simultaneously. The battery (160) removal may be detected during data transmission from the terminal (100) to the battery pack (150). Moreover, a response may be received by the terminal (100) from the battery circuits (155) in response to data communicated to the battery (160) on the battery communication line (140), during sampling in a timed manner.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

comparing a voltage level with a threshold voltage level and providing a comparison signal resulting from the comparison, the voltage level being on a battery communication line coupled to a battery connector, wherein the voltage level comprises at least one predetermined low voltage level and at least one predetermined high voltage level used for digital communication with circuits of a battery coupled to the battery connector via the battery communication line to determine if the voltage of the battery connector exceeds the threshold voltage level, wherein the threshold voltage level is different from the at least one predetermined low voltage level and the at least one predetermined high voltage level;

sampling the comparison signal in a timed manner in order to ensure that communication with the circuits of the battery is not disturbing battery removal detection;

timing a duration with a timer, that the comparison signal corresponds to the voltage level exceeding the threshold voltage and triggering a battery status signal when the duration exceeds a predetermined delay; and

determining a battery connection status based on the battery status signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the duration represents a period of time that includes the length of time that the voltage level exceeds the threshold voltage plus a predetermined delay.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the battery connections status comprises at least a battery connect status or battery disconnect status.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the battery connection status changes from the battery connect status to the battery disconnect status if the duration exceeds a predetermined duration value.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the battery connection status changes from the battery disconnect status to the battery connect status if the voltage level is similar to the at least one predetermined high voltage level.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

resetting the timer if the voltage level is substantially similar to or lower than to the at least one predetermined low voltage level.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the battery connector has at least two further connectors.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least two further connectors are configured to deliver power.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the sampling, the communication, and detection of battery removal, occur substantially simultaneously.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a response from the battery circuits to data communicated to the battery on the battery communication line during the sampling in the timed manner.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication is a digital communication.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein when the comparing step detects that the voltage of the battery connector is above the threshold voltage, then gating the voltage of the battery connector out as the comparison signal for sampling.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the coexistence manager at least to;

compare a voltage level with a threshold voltage level and provide a comparison signal resulting from the comparison, the voltage level being on a battery communication line coupled to a battery connector, wherein the voltage level comprises at least one predetermined low voltage level and at least one predetermined high voltage level used for communication with circuits of a battery coupled to the battery connector via the battery communication line to determine if the voltage of the battery connector exceeds the threshold voltage level, wherein the threshold voltage level is different from the at least one predetermined low voltage level and the at least one predetermined high voltage level;

sample the comparison signal in a timed manner in order to ensure that communication with the circuits of the battery is not disturbing battery removal detection;

time a duration with a timer, that the comparison signal corresponds to the voltage level exceeding the threshold voltage and trigger a battery status signal after the duration exceeds a predetermined delay; and

determine a battery connection status based on the battery status signal.

13. A computer readable medium storing program instructions, which when executed by a computer processor, perform the steps comprising:

comparing a voltage level with a threshold voltage level and providing a comparison signal resulting from the comparison, the voltage level being on a battery communication line coupled to a battery connector, wherein the voltage level comprises at least one predetermined low voltage level and at least one predetermined high voltage level used for communication with circuits of a battery coupled to the battery connector via the battery communication line to determine if the voltage of the battery connector exceeds the threshold voltage level, wherein the threshold voltage level is different from the at least one predetermined low voltage level and the at least one predetermined high voltage level;

sampling the comparison signal in a timed manner in order to ensure that communication with the circuits of the battery is not disturbing battery removal detection;

timing a duration with a timer, that the comparison signal corresponds to the voltage level exceeding the threshold voltage and triggering a battery status signal when the duration exceeds a predetermined delay; and

determining a battery connection status based on the battery status signal.

14. A method, comprising:

sampling a voltage level in a timed manner on a battery communication line coupled to a battery connector, wherein the voltage level comprises at least one predetermined low voltage level and at least one predetermined high voltage level used for communication with circuits of a battery coupled to the battery connector via the battery communication line;

comparing the sampled voltage level with a threshold voltage level to determine if the voltage of the battery connector exceeds the threshold voltage level, wherein the threshold voltage level is different from the at least one predetermined low voltage level and the at least one predetermined high voltage level;

timing a duration with a timer, that the sampled voltage level exceeds the threshold voltage and triggering a battery status signal when the duration exceeds a predetermined delay; and

determining a battery connection status based on the battery status signal.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein when sampling the voltage of the battery connector, gating the voltage of the battery connector out as the sampled voltage level for the comparing step.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the coexistence manager at least to;

sample a voltage level in a timed manner on a battery communication line coupled to a battery connector, wherein the voltage level comprises at least one predetermined low voltage level and at least one predetermined high voltage level used for communication with circuits of a battery coupled to the battery connector via the battery communication line;

compare the sampled voltage level with a threshold voltage level to determine if the voltage of the battery connector exceeds the threshold voltage level, wherein the threshold voltage level is different from the at least one predetermined low voltage level and the at least one predetermined high voltage level;

time a duration with a timer, that the sampled voltage level exceeds the threshold voltage and trigger a battery status signal when the duration exceeds a predetermined delay; and

determine a battery connection status based on the battery status signal.

16. A computer readable medium storing program instructions, which when executed by a computer processor, perform the steps comprising:

sampling a voltage level in a timed manner on a battery communication line coupled to a battery connector, wherein the voltage level comprises at least one predetermined low voltage level and at least one predetermined high voltage level used for communication with circuits of a battery coupled to the battery connector via the battery communication line;

comparing the sampled voltage level with a threshold voltage level to determine if the voltage of the battery connector exceeds the threshold voltage level, wherein the threshold voltage level is different from the at least one predetermined low voltage level and the at least one predetermined high voltage level;

timing a duration with a timer, that the sampled voltage level exceeds the threshold voltage and triggering a battery status signal when the duration exceeds a predetermined delay; and

determining a battery connection status based on the battery status signal.

17. An apparatus comprising:

means for comparing a voltage level with a threshold voltage level and providing a comparison signal resulting from the comparison, the voltage level being on a battery communication line coupled to a battery connector, wherein the voltage level comprises at least one predetermined low voltage level and at least one predetermined high voltage level used for communication with circuits of a battery coupled to the battery connector via the battery communication line to determine if the voltage of the battery connector exceeds the threshold voltage level, wherein the threshold voltage level is different from the at least one predetermined low voltage level and the at least one predetermined high voltage level;

means for sampling the comparison signal in a timed manner in order to ensure that communication with the circuits of the battery is not disturbing battery removal detection;

means for timing a duration with a timer, that the comparison signal corresponds to the voltage level exceeding the threshold voltage and triggering a battery status signal when the duration exceeds a predetermined delay; and

means for determining a battery connection status based on the battery status signal.

18. An apparatus comprising:

means for sampling a voltage level in a timed manner on a battery communication line coupled to a battery connector, wherein the voltage level comprises at least one predetermined low voltage level and at least one predetermined high voltage level used for communication with circuits of a battery coupled to the battery connector via the battery communication line;

means for comparing the sampled voltage level with a threshold voltage level to determine if the voltage of the battery connector exceeds the threshold voltage level, wherein the threshold voltage level is different from the at least one predetermined low voltage level and the at least one predetermined high voltage level;

means for timing a duration with a timer, that the sampled voltage level exceeds the threshold voltage and triggering a battery status signal when the duration exceeds a predetermined delay; and

means for determining a battery connection status based on the battery status signal.

19. A system, comprising:

a battery in a battery pack, the battery configured to connect to power connectors of a wireless terminal to provide operating power to the wireless terminal;

battery circuits in the battery pack, the battery circuits associated with the battery and configured to connect to a battery connector of the wireless terminal; and

a wireless terminal, comprising;

at least one processor;

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the coexistence manager at least to;

compare a voltage level with a threshold voltage level and provide a comparison signal resulting from the comparison, the voltage level being on a battery communication line coupled to the battery connector, wherein the voltage level comprises at least one predetermined low voltage level and at least one predetermined high voltage level used for communication with the battery circuits coupled to the battery connector via the battery communication line to determine if the voltage of the battery connector exceeds the threshold voltage level, wherein the threshold voltage level is different from the at least one predetermined low voltage level and the at least one predetermined high voltage level;

sample the comparison signal in a timed manner in order to ensure that communication with the battery circuits is not disturbing battery removal detection;

time a duration with a timer, that the comparison signal corresponds to the voltage level exceeding the threshold voltage and trigger a battery status signal after the duration exceeds a predetermined delay; and

determine a battery connection status based on the battery status signal.