Battery emulator and methods of use

• US 9,376,022 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2014
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Forward Thinking Products, LLC
• Original Assignee: Forward Thinking Products, LLC
• Inventors: Skarani, Glenn G., Bishop, Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUKHARI, AQEEL H
• Application Number:
  US14/300,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20140346859A1
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/006 to power outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/10 Dynamic electric regenerative braking B60L7/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/033 characterised by the use of electrical cells or batteries for propulsion puposes B60K1/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06; testing of charge state G01R31/36
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/382 Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3212 Monitoring battery levels, e.g. power saving mode being initiated when battery voltage goes below a certain level
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3246 by software initiated power-off
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/14 Balancing the load in a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A dynamic battery emulator for replacing and mimicking the characteristics of a battery in a portable electronic device when the device is located in or on a vehicle can include a power control module capable of varying its output voltage to adapt to the voltage requirements of an attached portable electronic device; an input for conveying electrical power from the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system to the power control module; an output for providing electrical power to the portable electronic device; an output for communicating a control signal from the power adaptor to the portable electronic device to selectively turn on and off the portable electronic device; a battery replacement module configured to replace the battery in a portable electronic device and including battery replacement circuitry for transferring electrical power from the power control module to the portable electronic device via the output for providing electrical power; an ignition sense controller for determining the power state of the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system; and in communication with the ignition sense controller, at least one timer and switch for reducing the conveyance of electrical power from the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system to the portable electronic device at a predetermined time after the vehicle'"'"'s ignition or electrical system is turned off.

Claims

1. A dynamic battery emulator for replacing a battery in a portable electronic device when the device is located in or on a vehicle having an electrical system, the dynamic battery emulator comprising:

a power control module capable of varying its output voltage to adapt to the voltage requirements of an attached portable electronic device;

a battery replacement module configured to replace a battery in a portable electronic device and including battery replacement circuitry for transferring electrical power from the power control module to the portable electronic device;

the battery emulator being configured to provide electrical power from the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system to the portable electronic device of between 90-110% of one or more of the same voltage, impedance, current, or capacitance as the portable electronic device'"'"'s battery.

2. The dynamic battery emulator of claim 1, further including:

an input for conveying electrical power from the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system to the power control module;

an output for providing electrical power to the portable electronic device;

an output for communicating a control signal from the power control module to the portable electronic device to selectively turn on and off the portable electronic device;

an ignition sense controller for determining the power state of the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system; and

in communication with the ignition sense controller, at least one timer and switch for reducing the conveyance of electrical power from the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system to the portable electronic device at a predetermined time after the vehicle'"'"'s ignition or electrical system is turned off.

3. The dynamic battery emulator of claim 1, wherein the battery emulator is configured to provide electrical power from the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system to the portable electronic device of between 90-110% of the same voltage, impedance, current, and capacitance as the portable electronic device'"'"'s battery.

4. A system comprising:

an electrical system;

a portable electronic device;

a battery of the portable electronic device being removed therefrom; and

a dynamic battery emulator for replacing the battery in the portable electronic device, the dynamic battery emulator operatively connected to receive electrical power from the electrical system, the dynamic battery emulator operatively connected to provide power to the portable electronic device, the dynamic battery emulator including;

a power control module capable of varying its output voltage to adapt to the voltage requirements of the portable electronic device;

a battery replacement module configured to replace the battery in the portable electronic device and including battery replacement circuitry for transferring electrical power from the power control module to the portable electronic device; and

the battery emulator being configured to provide electrical power from the electrical system to the portable electronic device of between 90-110% of one or more of the same voltage, impedance, current, or capacitance as the portable electronic device'"'"'s battery.

5. The system of claim 4, further including a vehicle, wherein the electrical system is the electrical system of the vehicle, and wherein the portable electronic device located in or on the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 4, further including:

an input for conveying electrical power from the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system to the power control module;

an output for providing electrical power to the portable electronic device;

an output for communicating a control signal from the power control module to the portable electronic device to selectively turn on and off the portable electronic device;

an ignition sense controller for determining the power state of the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system; and

in communication with the ignition sense controller, at least one timer and switch for reducing the conveyance of electrical power from the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system to the portable electronic device at a predetermined time after the vehicle'"'"'s ignition or electrical system is turned off.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the battery emulator is configured to provide electrical power from the electrical system to the portable electronic device of between 90-110% of the same voltage, impedance, current, and capacitance as the battery of the portable electronic device'"'"'s battery.