Battery life indication techniques for an electronic device
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a battery life indicator for a primary battery of an electronic device, the method comprising:
- monitoring a battery voltage of the primary battery;
obtaining at least one operating parameter of the electronic device other than the battery voltage of the primary battery; and
generating the battery life indicator with characteristics that represent remaining battery life of the primary battery, wherein the characteristics are dictated by the monitored battery voltage and the obtained at least one operating parameter;
wherein;
the electronic device further comprises a secondary battery;
the electronic device operates in a first power phase during which only the primary battery supports functions of the electronic device, a second power phase during which both the primary battery and the secondary battery support functions of the electronic device, and a third power phase during which only the secondary battery supports functions of the electronic device;
and obtaining the at least one operating parameter comprises determining whether the electronic device is operating in the first power phase, the second power phase, or the third power phase.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable electronic device, such as a fluid infusion device, obtains its operating power from a primary battery and a secondary battery. The primary battery may be a replaceable battery, and the secondary battery may be a rechargeable battery that can be charged with the primary battery under certain conditions. The device utilizes a power management scheme that transitions between the primary battery and/or the secondary battery to prolong the useful life of the primary battery. The device may also generate an intelligent battery life indicator that displays an accurate representation of the remaining life of the primary battery.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a battery life indicator for a primary battery of an electronic device, the method comprising:
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monitoring a battery voltage of the primary battery; obtaining at least one operating parameter of the electronic device other than the battery voltage of the primary battery; and generating the battery life indicator with characteristics that represent remaining battery life of the primary battery, wherein the characteristics are dictated by the monitored battery voltage and the obtained at least one operating parameter;
wherein;the electronic device further comprises a secondary battery; the electronic device operates in a first power phase during which only the primary battery supports functions of the electronic device, a second power phase during which both the primary battery and the secondary battery support functions of the electronic device, and a third power phase during which only the secondary battery supports functions of the electronic device; and obtaining the at least one operating parameter comprises determining whether the electronic device is operating in the first power phase, the second power phase, or the third power phase. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of controlling a battery life indicator for an electronic device having a primary battery and a secondary battery, the electronic device operating in either a first power phase during which only the primary battery supports functions of the electronic device, a second power phase during which both the primary battery and the secondary battery support functions of the electronic device, or a third power phase during which only the secondary battery supports functions of the electronic device, the method comprising:
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determining whether the electronic device is operating in the first power phase, the second power phase, or the third power phase, resulting in a determined power phase; obtaining a runtime measurement for the primary battery; and generating the battery life indicator with characteristics that represent remaining battery life of the primary battery, wherein the characteristics are controlled by the determined power phase and the obtained runtime measurement. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A battery monitor system for an electronic device having a primary battery and a secondary battery, the battery monitor system comprising:
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a voltage monitor that monitors a battery voltage of the primary battery; a control module to operate the electronic device in a designated power phase corresponding to either; a first power phase during which only the primary battery provides energy for operation of the electronic device; a second power phase during which both the primary battery and the secondary battery provide energy for operation of the electronic device;
ora third power phase during which only the secondary battery provides energy for operation of the electronic device; a runtime counter to maintain a runtime measurement for the primary battery; and a battery life indicator controller coupled to the voltage monitor, the control module, and the runtime counter to generate a battery life indicator for the electronic device that indicates an amount of remaining battery life of the primary battery, wherein the amount of remaining battery life is governed by at least two of;
the battery voltage of the primary battery;
the designated power phase; and
the runtime measurement. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification