Load allocation for multi-battery devices
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
- determining, for a device having multiple batteries, an amount of load power being consumed by the device to operate;
determining, for at least some of the multiple batteries, an efficiency at which the battery is capable of providing power;
determining, via an algorithm and based on the respective efficiencies of at least some of the multiple batteries, an allocation of the load power to the multiple batteries effective to maximize an efficiency at which the multiple batteries power the device, the algorithm including one of a variable-weighted algorithm, a sequential algorithm, a least-resistance algorithm, or a threshold algorithm; and
drawing, from each of the multiple batteries via multiplexing circuitry and based on the determined allocation, a respective portion of the load power to power the device, the drawing of the respective portions of the load power comprising causing the multiplexing circuitry to switch, based on the determined allocation, between the multiple batteries to distribute consumption of the load power among the multiple batteries.
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Abstract
This document describes techniques and apparatuses of load allocation for multi-battery devices. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses determine an amount of load power that a multi-battery device consumes to operate. Respective efficiencies at which the device'"'"'s multiple batteries are capable of providing power are also determined. A respective portion of load power is then drawn from each of the batteries based on their respective efficiencies.
253 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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determining, for a device having multiple batteries, an amount of load power being consumed by the device to operate; determining, for at least some of the multiple batteries, an efficiency at which the battery is capable of providing power; determining, via an algorithm and based on the respective efficiencies of at least some of the multiple batteries, an allocation of the load power to the multiple batteries effective to maximize an efficiency at which the multiple batteries power the device, the algorithm including one of a variable-weighted algorithm, a sequential algorithm, a least-resistance algorithm, or a threshold algorithm; and drawing, from each of the multiple batteries via multiplexing circuitry and based on the determined allocation, a respective portion of the load power to power the device, the drawing of the respective portions of the load power comprising causing the multiplexing circuitry to switch, based on the determined allocation, between the multiple batteries to distribute consumption of the load power among the multiple batteries. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer-implemented method comprising:
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determining, for a device having multiple batteries, a current amount of load power being consumed by the device to operate; estimating, for a future point in time, an expected amount of load power that the device will consume to operate; receiving, for the multiple batteries, information concerning respective efficiencies at which the multiple batteries are capable of providing power; determining, via an algorithm and based on the current and expected amounts of load power and the respective efficiencies, an allocation of the load power to the multiple batteries effective to maximize an efficiency at which the multiple batteries power the device until the future point in time, the algorithm including one of a variable-weighted algorithm, a sequential algorithm, a least-resistance algorithm, or a threshold algorithm; and drawing, from each of the batteries via multiplexing circuitry and based on the determined allocation, a respective portion of the current amount of load power to for device consumption, the drawing of the respective portions of the load power comprising causing the multiplexing circuitry to switch, based on the determined allocation, between the multiple batteries to distribute consumption of the load power among the multiple batteries. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system comprising:
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multiple batteries configured to provide power to enable operation of the system; switching circuitry configured to enable the power to be drawn from each of the multiple batteries; sensing circuitry configured to measure load power consumed by the system to operate; and a load manager configured to perform operations comprising; determining an amount of the load power being consumed by the system; determining, for each of the multiple batteries, a respective efficiency at which each of the multiple batteries is capable of providing power; determining, via an algorithm and based on the respective efficiencies of the multiple batteries, an allocation of the load power to the multiple batteries effective to maximize an efficiency at which the multiple batteries power the system, the algorithm including one of a variable-weighted algorithm, a sequential algorithm, a least-resistance algorithm, or a threshold algorithm; and distributing, based on the determined allocation, respective portions of the load power to each of the multiple batteries via multiplexing circuitry, the distribution of the respective portions of the load power comprising causing the multiplexing circuitry to switch, based on the determined allocation, between the multiple batteries to distribute consumption of the load power among the multiple batteries. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification