AUTOMATED BATTERY INDICATION AND FEEDBACK SYSTEM BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND USE DATA FOR IMPROVED MANAGEMENT AND RELIABILITY

• US 20160193474A1
• Filed: 08/11/2014
• Published: 07/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2013
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: GUMBRELL, GEORGE PAUL
• Application Number:
  US14/911,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20160193474A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3925 Monitoring; Protecting
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3968 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings A61N1/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3975 Power supply A61N1/378 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3993 User interfaces for automatic external defibrillators
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3646 for indicating electrical conditions or variables, e.g. visual or audible indicators
• 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: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/488 Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4271 Battery management systems including electronic circuits, e.g. control of current or voltage to keep battery in healthy state, cell balancing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4278 Systems for data transfer from batteries, e.g. transfer of battery parameters to a controller, data transferred between battery controller and main controller
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery having a display indicating an amount of time the battery can be used before needing to be recharged and/or replaced. The amount of time can be displayed in minutes. An end of life indicator indicating whether the battery should be replaced can also be provided on the battery. The battery can determine the amount of time and an end of life indication based on environmental conditions and/or use. The battery can include sensors for measuring and/or monitoring environmental conditions, as well as a global positioning system (GPS) transponder. The battery can also include a communication link for transmitting data to a central location, a specified location and/or a pre-selected location, which data can include the amount of time the battery can be used before needing to be recharged and/or replaced. The battery can be coupled to and configured to power a device. Particular advantages can be realized with medical devices, especially defibrillators and other Advanced Life Support Devices which are typically exposed to a wide range of end user use models and environmental conditions.

Claims

1. A battery, comprising:

a display indicating an amount of time the battery can be used before needing to be at least one of recharged or replaced.

2. The battery of claim 1, wherein the amount of time is displayed in minutes.

3. The battery of claim 1, wherein the display provides an end of life indicator including a tricolored LED.

4. The battery of claim 3, wherein the tricolored LED includes at least one of:

a green LED indicating the battery is in a good condition;

a yellow LED indicating the battery is nearing an end of life;

or

a red LED indicating an immediate replacement of the battery.

5. The battery of claim 1 further comprising sensors for at least one of measuring or monitoring environmental conditions, wherein the battery determines the amount of time and an end of life indication based on at least one of the environmental conditions or usage.

6. The battery of claim 1 further comprising a global positioning system transponder.

7. The battery of claim 1 further comprising a communication link for transmitting data to at least one of a central location, a specified location or a pre-selected location.

8. The battery of claim 7, wherein the data includes the amount of time the battery can be used before needing to be at least one of recharged or replaced.

9. A system comprising:

a device; and

a battery, coupled to the device and configured to power the device,

wherein the battery comprises a display indicating an amount of time the battery can be used to power the device before needing to be at least one of recharged or replaced.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the display is configured to display the amount of time in minutes.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising an end of life indicator including a tricolored LED, wherein the tricolored LED includes at least one of:

a green LED indicating the battery is in a good condition;

a yellow LED indicating the battery is nearing an end of life;

or

a red LED indicating an immediate replacement of the battery.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the display is configured to display an end of life condition as a number of recharge cycles remaining before the battery should be replaced.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the display is configured to display an end of life condition as an indication that the battery should be replaced.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the battery determines the amount of time based on at least one of environmental conditions or use.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the battery is structured and configured to at least one of measure or monitor use.

16. The system of claim 9 further comprising a communication link for transmitting data to at least one of a central location, a specified location or a pre-selected location.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the communication link is coupled directly to the battery.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the communication link is structured and configured to communicate at least one of wirelessly or via the cloud.

19. The system of claim 9, wherein the device is a defibrillator.

20. A method, comprising:

monitoring at least one of environmental conditions or use of a battery;

determining at least one of (i) an amount of time remaining before the battery should be recharged or replaced, or (ii) an end of life condition of the battery; and

displaying at least one of the amount of time remaining or the end of life condition on a display on the battery.