Mobile device with a smart battery having a battery information profile corresponding to a communication standard

• US 8,554,284 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2012
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Book, Christopher Simon, Mak-Fan, David James, Guthrie, Martin George Albert, Brubacher, Jonathan Quinn
• Primary Examiner(s): Balaoing, Ariel
• Assistant Examiner(s): STERNBANE, LAURENCE J
• Application Number:
  US13/592,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20120315959A1
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 320/112, 320/114, 455/572, 455/573
• US Class Current: 455/572
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0277 according to available power supply, e.g. switching off when a low battery condition is detected
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Various embodiments are described for a mobile communication device having a main processor for controlling the operation of the mobile communication device; a device memory coupled to the main processor for storing a plurality of battery information profiles; and a smart battery coupled to the main processor for providing supply power. The smart battery includes a battery processor for controlling the operation of the smart battery and communicating with the main processor; and a battery memory coupled to the battery processor for storing a Battery ID indicating the model of the smart battery. The main processor is configured to communicate with the battery processor to obtain the Battery ID and to select one of the battery information profiles based on the Battery ID.

Claims

1. A mobile communication device powered by a battery, the mobile communication device comprising:

a main processor; and

a device memory coupled to the main processor;

wherein the main processor is configured to access a new battery information profile stored in a battery memory of the battery, the new battery information profile comprising a first version number indicating that the new battery information profile is new; and

to store the new battery information profile in the device memory.

2. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the main processor is further configured to not use an incorrect battery information profile stored in the battery memory, the incorrect battery information profile comprising a second version number indicating that the battery information profile contains incorrect battery information.

3. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein if the battery provides a version number that is invalid to the main processor, the main processor is further configured to perform an action for a non-authentic battery.

4. The mobile communication device of claim 3, wherein the action for a non-authentic battery comprises showing an indication of no battery.

5. The mobile communication device of claim 3, wherein the action for a non-authentic battery comprises allowing limited operation for a fixed period of time.

6. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of battery information profiles are stored in the device memory including a universal battery information profile, and the main processor is configured to calculate the battery information profile for the battery based upon the universal battery information profile and load condition information corresponding to the communication standard employed by the mobile communication device.

7. A method of obtaining battery information for use by a mobile communication device powered by a battery, the mobile communication device comprising a main processor and device memory, the method comprising:

accessing a new battery information profile stored in a battery memory of the battery, the new battery information profile comprising a first version number indicating that the new battery information profile is new;

storing the new battery information profile in the device memory; and

operating the main processor based on the new battery information profile.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the communication standard employed by the mobile communication device is for a communication subsystem providing wireless communication with a wireless network.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the method further comprises not using an incorrect battery information profile stored in the battery memory, the incorrect battery information profile comprising a second version number indicating that the battery information profile contains incorrect battery information.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein if the battery provides a version number that is invalid to the main processor, the method further comprises showing an indication of no battery for a non-authentic battery.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein if the battery provides a version number that is invalid to the main processor, the method further comprises allowing limited operation for a fixed period of time for a non-authentic battery.

12. A smart battery for providing supply power to a mobile communication device, the smart battery comprising:

a battery processor for controlling operation of the smart battery; and

a battery memory coupled to the battery processor, the battery memory being configured to store a new battery information profile comprising a first version number indicating that the new battery information profile is new,

wherein the battery processor is configured to transmit to the mobile communication device the new battery information profile stored in the battery memory when requested by the mobile communication device.

13. The smart battery of claim 12, further comprising a battery interface coupled to the battery processor for communicating with the mobile communication device.

14. The smart battery of claim 12, wherein the battery processor is configured to select a battery information profile that corresponds to a communication standard employed by the mobile communication device in response to a request for battery information.

15. The smart battery of claim 12, wherein a plurality of battery information profiles stored in the battery memory including a universal battery information profile, the universal battery information profile being usable with load current information corresponding to a communication standard employed by the mobile communication device to calculate the battery information profile for the smart battery, the communication standard being employed by the mobile communication device for wireless communication with a wireless network.

16. A method of providing battery information to a mobile communication device by a smart battery, the smart battery comprising a battery processor and battery memory, the method comprising:

storing a new battery information profile comprising a first version number indicating that the new battery information profile is new; and

transmitting to the mobile communication device the new battery information profile stored in the battery memory when requested by the mobile device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises selecting a battery information profile that corresponds to a communication standard employed by the mobile communication device in response to a request for battery information.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises storing a plurality of battery information profiles in the battery memory including a universal battery information profile, the universal battery information profile being usable with load current information corresponding to a communication standard employed by the mobile communication device to calculate the battery information profile for the smart battery, the communication standard being employed by the mobile communication device for wireless communication with a wireless network.