Battery recharging device and method and an automatic battery detection system and method therefor

• US 6,380,711 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2000
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Carkner, Steven, Fischer, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Han, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUK, LAWRENCE W
• Application Number:
  US09/725,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20010000423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: 320/106, 320/110, 320/136, 320/137, 320/148, 324/431, 324/433
• US Class Current: 320/106
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00041 in response to measured battery parameters, e.g. voltage, current or temperature profile
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0031 using battery or load disconnect circuits H02J9/002 takes precedence

Abstract

A system includes a recharging device to which an electronic hand-held device powered by a battery can be connected. A controller associated with the recharging device performs a method of intemal-device battery cell detection, i.e., distinguishing between NiMH/NiCd and other types of cells in the battery, before recharging the battery. A method determines the cell chemistry without any modifications to the battery and/or without any user input by performing tests on the battery. The tests include a Battery Voltage Test, an Internal Resistance Test, and a Timed Voltage Test. The testing is performed through a combination of hardware and software in the charging cradle. By performing the tests in a preferred order, detected alkaline, lithium, rechargeable alkaline, and carbon-zinc cells, damaged NiMH and NiCd cells, and close to fully charged NiMH and NiCd cells cause termination of a recharging operation before damage to the device or battery is sustained—without requiring input from a user.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a power source;

an electronic hand-held device powered by the power source; and

recharging means including a controller that is operative to determine, prior to beginning a recharging operation, if the power source should not be recharged when the electronic hand-held device is operatively connected to the recharging means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines if the power source is a non-rechargeable power source, a damaged or abnormal rechargeable power source or a nearly fully charged rechargeable power source to thereby determine that the power source should not be recharged.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power source is replaceable by a user of the hand-held electronic device.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic hand-held device is a wireless transceiver.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the wireless transceiver is a two-way paging computer.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the wireless transceiver is a portable electronic messaging device.

8. An apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising:

a user interface coupled to the controller which is configured to provide a user information regarding a status of testing performed on the battery.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the user interface comprises a light-emitting diode.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the user interface comprises a graphical user interface.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to perform an internal resistance (IR) test.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein when performing the IR test the controller is operative to determine if a difference between a first power source voltage value and a second power source voltage value is below a predetermined threshold value a predetermined number of times.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to perform a timed charge test.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein when performing the timed charge test the controller is operative to determine if a power source voltage value is below a predetermined threshold value.

15. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to perform a battery voltage test and an IR test.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein:

when performing the battery voltage test the controller is operative to determine if a first power source voltage value is below a first threshold value; and

when performing the IR test the controller is operative to determine if a difference between a second power source voltage value and a third power source voltage value is below a second predetermined threshold value a predetermined number of times.

17. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to perform a battery voltage test and a timed charge test.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein:

when performing the battery voltage test the controller is operative to determine if a first power source voltage value is below a first threshold value; and

when performing the timed charge test the controller is operative to determine if a second power source voltage value is below a second predetermined threshold value.

19. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to perform an IR test and a timed charge test.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein:

when performing the IR test the controller is operative to determine if a difference between a first power source voltage value and a second power source voltage value is below a first predetermined threshold value a predetermined number of times; and

when performing the timed charge test the controller is operative to determine if a third power source voltage value is below a second predetermined threshold value.

21. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to perform a battery voltage test, an IR test, and a timed charge test.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein:

when performing the battery voltage test the controller is operative to determine if a first power source voltage value is below a first threshold value;

when performing the IR test the controller is operative to determine if a difference between a second power source voltage value and a third power source voltage value is below a second predetermined threshold value a predetermined number of times; and

when performing the timed charge test the controller is operative to determine if a fourth power source voltage value is below a third predetermined threshold value.

23. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to sequentially perform a battery voltage test, an IR test, and a timed charge test.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein

when performing the battery voltage test the controller is operative to determine if a first power source voltage value is below a first threshold value;

when performing the IR test the controller is operative to determine if a difference between a second power source voltage value and a third power source voltage value is below a second predetermined threshold value a predetermined number of times; and

when performing the timed charge test the controller is operative to determine if a fourth power source voltage value is below a third predetermined threshold value.

25. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to measure predetermined characteristics of the power source.

26. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to perform a battery voltage test.

27. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein when performing the battery voltage test the controller is operative to determine if a power source voltage value is below a threshold value.

28. A method comprising the steps of:

powering an electronic hand-held device with a power source;

testing the power source when the electronic hand-held device is operatively connected to a recharging means, the testing being performed by a controller, prior to beginning a recharging operation, to determine if the power source should not be recharged; and

controlling an operation of the electronic hand-held device based on the testing step.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein the controller determines if the power source is a non-rechargeable power source, a damaged or abnormal rechargeable power source or a nearly fully charged rechargeable power source to thereby determine that the power source should not be recharged.

30. A method according to claim 28, wherein the testing step comprises performing a power source voltage test.

31. A method according to claim 28, wherein the testing step comprises performing an IR test.

32. A method according to claim 28, wherein the testing step comprises performing a timed charge test.

33. A method according to claim 28, wherein the testing step comprises:

performing a power source voltage test; and

performing an IR test.

34. A method according to claim 28, wherein the testing step comprises:

performing a power source voltage test; and

performing a timed charge test.

35. A method according to claim 28, wherein the testing step comprises:

performing an IR test; and

performing a timed charge test.

36. An apparatus for testing a battery, the apparatus comprising:

an electronic device powered by the battery;

recharging means that comprises a controller that is operative to perform tests on the battery when the electronic device is operatively connected to the recharging means, the tests being operative to determine, prior to beginning a recharging operation, if the battery should not be recharged.

37. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the controller determines if the battery is a non-rechargeable battery, a damaged or abnormal rechargeable battery or a nearly fully charged rechargeable battery to thereby determine that the battery should not be recharged.

38. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the electronic device is a hand-held two-way paging computer.

39. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the electronic device is a portable electronic messaging device.

40. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the electronic device is a hand-held email client.

41. A method for determining if a battery powering an electronic device should not be recharged the method comprising the steps of:

performing a battery voltage test on the battery;

performing a IR test on the battery; and

performing a timed charge test on the battery;

the testing of the battery being performed by a controller in a recharging means when the electronic device is operatively connected to the recharging means, prior to beginning a recharging operation.

42. A method according to claim 41, wherein the IR test is only performed if the power source voltage test passes, and the timed charge test is only performed if the IR test passes and all the tests must pass for a recharging operation to begin for the battery.