Battery charger system and method for providing detailed battery status and charging method information
First Claim
1. A method in a battery charger for charging a battery, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a controller within said battery charger, said controller capable of responding to interrupts and capable of being coupled to a processor that is external to said battery charger utilizing a bus interface that is included in said controller;
monitoring, using said controller, battery characteristics of said battery during normal non-charging battery operation and during charging of said battery;
maintaining, within status registers in said controller, during said normal operation of said battery, detailed status information including said battery characteristics;
maintaining, within said status registers, during charging of said battery, said detailed status information and an identification of a current charging method;
starting a measurement cycle;
during said measurement cycle;
determining current battery characteristics utilizing said battery charger;
determining, utilizing said controller, at a start of said measurement cycle, prior to beginning charging or altering said current charging method of said battery, said current charging method of said battery by reading said status registers, utilizing by said controller, said determined battery characteristics and said determined current charging method to determine an appropriate charging method for said battery; and
causing, utilizing said controller, said battery charger to charge said battery utilizing said appropriate charging method.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A battery charger system and method are disclosed for providing detailed battery status and charging method information and for controlling the charging of the battery. A controller is provided within the battery charger. The controller starts a measurement cycle. During the measurement cycle, current battery characteristics are determined by the battery charger. The controller determines a current charging method of the battery. Then controller then utilizes the battery characteristics and current charging method to determine an appropriate charging method for the battery. The controller then causes the battery charger to charge the battery utilizing the appropriate charging method.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method in a battery charger for charging a battery, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a controller within said battery charger, said controller capable of responding to interrupts and capable of being coupled to a processor that is external to said battery charger utilizing a bus interface that is included in said controller;
monitoring, using said controller, battery characteristics of said battery during normal non-charging battery operation and during charging of said battery;
maintaining, within status registers in said controller, during said normal operation of said battery, detailed status information including said battery characteristics;
maintaining, within said status registers, during charging of said battery, said detailed status information and an identification of a current charging method;
starting a measurement cycle;
during said measurement cycle;
determining current battery characteristics utilizing said battery charger;
determining, utilizing said controller, at a start of said measurement cycle, prior to beginning charging or altering said current charging method of said battery, said current charging method of said battery by reading said status registers, utilizing by said controller, said determined battery characteristics and said determined current charging method to determine an appropriate charging method for said battery; and
causing, utilizing said controller, said battery charger to charge said battery utilizing said appropriate charging method. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A battery charger comprising:
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a controller within said battery charger, said controller capable of responding to interrupts and capable of being coupled to a processor that is external to said battery charger utilizing a bus interface that is included in said controller;
said controller for monitoring battery characteristics of said battery during normal non-charging battery operation and during charging of said battery;
said controller including status registers for maintaining, during normal operation of said battery, detailed status information including said battery characteristics;
said status registers for maintaining, during charging of said battery, said detailed status information and an identification of a current charging method;
said controller for starting a measurement cycle;
during said measurement cycle;
said controller for determining current battery characteristics;
said controller for determining, at a start of said measurement cycle, prior to beginning charging or altering said current charging method of said battery, said current charging method of said battery by reading said status registers;
said controller for utilizing said determined battery characteristics and said determined current charging method to determine an appropriate charging method for said battery; and
said controller for causing said battery charger to charge said battery utilizing said appropriate charging method. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification