Method and apparatus for battery test

• US 7,888,943 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2009
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Nguyen, Don J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIAO, M BAYE
• Application Number:
  US12/459,747
• Publication Number:
  US 20090273315A1
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 324/426, 324/427, 320/113, 320/115
• US Class Current: 324/426
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/40 Testing power supplies testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007182 in response to battery voltage

Abstract

For one disclosed embodiment, power from a backup battery may be received by first circuitry. One or more other batteries different than the backup battery may be tested with the first circuitry. Second circuitry may be allowed to supply power from at least one of the one or more other batteries to at least one electronic component at startup based at least in part on the test having a first result. Startup of the at least one electronic component may be prevented based at least in part on the test having a second result. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

first circuitry to receive power from a backup battery, the first circuitry to test one or more other batteries different than the backup battery; and

second circuitry to control supplying power from the one or more other batteries to at least one electronic component,

the first circuitry to allow the second circuitry to supply power from at least one of the one or more other batteries to the at least one electronic component at startup based at least in part on the test having a first result, and

the first circuitry to prevent startup of the at least one electronic component based at least in part on the test having a second result.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the first circuitry to identify whether the one or more other batteries have sufficient power for the at least one electronic component.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising circuitry to receive an on signal for startup.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising circuitry to receive a signal in response to an action on a pushbutton for startup.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising circuitry to signal when power supplied to the at least one electronic component is stable.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a charger to recharge the backup battery.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, the second circuitry to control supplying power to at least one electronic component over a supply line and to at least one other electronic component over another supply line.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic component includes a processor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, in combination with the at least one electronic component.

10. A method comprising:

receiving power from a backup battery by first circuitry;

testing with the first circuitry one or more other batteries different than the backup battery;

allowing second circuitry to supply power from at least one of the one or more other batteries to at least one electronic component at startup based at least in part on the test having a first result; and

preventing startup of the at least one electronic component based at least in part on the test having a second result.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein testing one or more other batteries includes identifying whether the one or more other batteries have sufficient power for the at least one electronic component.

12. The method of claim 10, comprising receiving an on signal for startup.

13. The method of claim 10, comprising signaling when power supplied to the at least one electronic component is stable.

14. The method of claim 10, comprising recharging the backup battery.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein allowing second circuitry to supply power includes allowing the second circuitry to supply power to at least one electronic component over a supply line and to at least one other electronic component over another supply line.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one electronic component includes a processor.

17. An apparatus comprising:

undervoltage detection circuitry to receive power from a backup battery, the undervoltage detection circuitry to identify whether a voltage of another battery different than the backup battery is less than a threshold; and

direct current to direct current (DC-to-DC) converter circuitry to control supplying power from the other battery to at least one electronic component,

the undervoltage detection circuitry to allow the DC-to-DC converter circuitry to supply power from the other battery to the at least one electronic component at startup if the voltage is greater than the threshold, and

the undervoltage detection circuitry to prevent startup of the at least one electronic component if the voltage is less than the threshold.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, the undervoltage detection circuitry to generate an undervoltage signal if the voltage is less than the threshold to disable the DC-to-DC converter circuitry.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, comprising circuitry to receive an on signal for startup.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, comprising circuitry to receive a signal in response to an action on a pushbutton for startup.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, comprising circuitry to signal when power supplied to the at least one electronic component is stable.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, comprising a charger to recharge the backup battery.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one electronic component includes a processor.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, in combination with the at least one electronic component.

25. A method comprising:

receiving power from a backup battery by undervoltage detection circuitry;

identifying with the undervoltage detection circuitry whether a voltage of another battery different than the backup battery is less than a threshold;

allowing direct current to direct current (DC-to-DC) converter circuitry to supply power from the other battery to at least one electronic component at startup if the voltage is greater than the threshold; and

preventing startup of the at least one electronic component if the voltage is less than the threshold.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein preventing startup includes generating an undervoltage signal if the voltage is less than the threshold to disable the DC-to-DC converter circuitry.

27. The method of claim 25, comprising receiving an on signal for startup.

28. The method of claim 25, comprising signaling when power supplied to the at least one electronic component is stable.

29. The method of claim 25, comprising recharging the backup battery.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one electronic component includes a processor.