Smart battery providing programmable remaining capacity and run-time alarms based on battery-specific characteristics
First Claim
1. An apparatus for indicating a remaining capacity of a battery, the apparatus comprising:
- a logic unit;
a memory coupled to the logic unit, storing one or more characteristics of the battery including self-discharge, as a function of battery temperatures one or more environmental conditions of the battery including the temperature of the battery and information indicative of battery current;
wherein the logic unit periodically updates the remaining capacity value based on the information indicative of battery current, the temperature of the battery and the self-discharge characteristics.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A smart battery having programmable remaining capacity and run-time alarm values based on battery-specific characteristics. A memory stores battery-specific characteristics, such as charge characteristics, discharge characteristics, capacity characteristics, and self-discharge characteristics. One circuit measures the environmental conditions of the battery, such as temperature. Another circuit measures the current (charge or discharge) of the battery. A microcontroller periodically determines an incremental self-discharge of the battery based on the measured environmental conditions and the self-discharge characteristic of the battery. The microcontroller increases or decreases a remaining capacity value, representing the remaining capacity of the battery, according to the amount of the incremental self-discharge and the battery current. The microcontroller sends a capacity alarm signal if the remaining capacity value is less than a programmable capacity alarm value. The microcontroller also increases or decreases a remaining run-time value, representing the remaining run-time of the battery, according to the remaining battery capacity and the present charge/discharge rate of the battery. The microcontroller sends a run-time alarm signal if the remaining run-time value is less than a programmable run-time alarm value.
186 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus for indicating a remaining capacity of a battery, the apparatus comprising:
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a logic unit; a memory coupled to the logic unit, storing one or more characteristics of the battery including self-discharge, as a function of battery temperatures one or more environmental conditions of the battery including the temperature of the battery and information indicative of battery current; wherein the logic unit periodically updates the remaining capacity value based on the information indicative of battery current, the temperature of the battery and the self-discharge characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for indicating a remaining capacity of a battery, the apparatus comprising:
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a logic unit; a memory coupled to the logic unit, storing one or more characteristics of the battery, one or more enviromnental conditions of the battery and information indicative of battery current; an environmental monitor circuit, coupled to the logic unit, for measuring the environmental conditions of the battery; a current measuring circuit, coupled to the logic unit, for measuring the battery current; and a remaining capacity value stored in the memory, the remaining capacity value representing the remaining capacity of the battery; wherein the logic unit periodically determines an incremental self-discharge of the battery based on the enviromnental conditions and the battery characteristics and changes the remaining capacity value according to the incremental self-discharge and the battery current. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for indicating a remaining capacity of a battery, the apparatus comprising:
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a logic unit; a memory coupled to the logic unit, storing one or more characteristics of the battery including self-discharge, charging, discharging, and capacity, one or more environmental conditions of the battery including the temperature, humidity, and air pressure and information indicative of battery current; wherein the logic unit periodically updates the remaining capacity value based on the information indicative of battery current, one or more of the environmental conditions, and one or more of the battery characteristics.
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17. A method for indicating a remaining capacity of a battery, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a logic unit; providing one or more characteristics of the battery including self-discharge as a function of a temperature of the battery, one or more environmental conditions of the battery including a temperature of the battery and battery current; the logic unit periodically updating a remaining capacity value according to the battery current, the self-discharge characteristic and the temperature of the battery, the remaining capacity value representing the remaining capacity of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for indicating a remaining capacity of a battery, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a logic unit; providing one or more characteristics of the battery, one or more environmental conditions of the battery and battery current; measuring one or more environmental conditions of the battery; measuring the battery current; the logic unit periodically determining an incremental self-discharge of the battery based on the measured environmental conditions and the battery characteristics; and
the logic unit changing a remaining capacity value according to the incremental self-discharge and the measured battery current, the remaining capacity value representing the remaining capacity of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification