Programmable battery controller
First Claim
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1. A programmable battery controller comprising:
- a rechargeable battery pack capable of discharging to a variable charge level;
a charge gauge circuit coupled to said battery, said charge gauge circuit having an internal register adapted to receive said variable charge level of said rechargeable battery;
a microcontroller having an internal register and a bidirectional bus coupled to said charge gauge and adapted to programmably retrieve and store said charge level;
an icon display coupled to said microcontroller and adapted to display said charge level from said internal register upon user command;
a microprocessor coupled to said microcontroller;
a keyboard gate array coupled to said microcontroller and said microprocessor;
a computer display coupled to said microprocessor, wherein said display includes a plurality of battery monitor parameters;
means for setting selected ones of said battery monitor parameters in response to input upon said keyboard gate array; and
means for increasing and decreasing said charge level of said rechargeable battery in accordance with said battery monitor parameter settings.
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Abstract
A programmable battery controller is provided for controlling and monitoring charge level, temperature, discharge and recharge of a rechargeable battery. The controller utilizes a host system microprocessor, a microcontroller, a charge gauge integrated circuit, and a display to provide continually updated battery status information. Further, the apparatus allows a user to configure battery monitoring parameters in order to adjust warning signals and enable battery discharge cycles.
126 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A programmable battery controller comprising:
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a rechargeable battery pack capable of discharging to a variable charge level; a charge gauge circuit coupled to said battery, said charge gauge circuit having an internal register adapted to receive said variable charge level of said rechargeable battery; a microcontroller having an internal register and a bidirectional bus coupled to said charge gauge and adapted to programmably retrieve and store said charge level; an icon display coupled to said microcontroller and adapted to display said charge level from said internal register upon user command; a microprocessor coupled to said microcontroller; a keyboard gate array coupled to said microcontroller and said microprocessor; a computer display coupled to said microprocessor, wherein said display includes a plurality of battery monitor parameters; means for setting selected ones of said battery monitor parameters in response to input upon said keyboard gate array; and means for increasing and decreasing said charge level of said rechargeable battery in accordance with said battery monitor parameter settings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A programmable battery controller comprising:
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a rechargeable battery pack capable of operating at a variable temperature and discharging to a variable charge level; a charge gauge circuit coupled to said battery, said charge gauge circuit having an internal register adapted to receive said variable charge level and said variable temperature of said battery pack; a microcontroller having an internal register and a bidirectional bus coupled to said charge gauge and adapted to programmably retrieve and store said temperature and said charge level; an icon display coupled to said microcontroller and adapted to display said temperature and said charge level from said internal register; a microprocessor coupled to said microcontroller; a keyboard gate array coupled to said microcontroller and said microprocessor; a computer display coupled to said microprocessor, wherein said display includes a plurality of battery monitoring parameters; means for setting selected ones of said battery monitor parameters in response to input upon said keyboard gate array; and means for increasing and decreasing said charge level of said rechargeable battery in accordance with said battery monitor parameter settings. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for controlling a battery comprising the steps of:
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providing a rechargeable battery operating at a variable temperature and charge level; manipulating a computer display to set parameters for controlling said battery; acquiring periodic temperature and charge level for said battery; displaying said temperature and charge level upon said computer display; and discharging said battery at programmable intervals depending upon the parameters set upon said computer display. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification