System and method for accurately determining remaining battery life
First Claim
1. A system for providing an accurate indication of the relative remaining life of a battery comprising:
- first means for providing a control signal;
second means for altering a discharge rate of said battery from a first discharge rate to a second discharge rate in response to said control signal;
third means for measuring a first voltage of said battery when said battery is characterized by said first discharge rate and a second voltage of said battery when said battery is characterized by said second discharge rate;
fourth means for determining an operational state of said battery based on said first voltage, said second voltage, said first discharge rate, and said second discharge rate; and
fifth means for providing an indication of remaining battery life in response to said operational state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for providing an accurate indication of the remaining life of a battery. The system includes a first circuit that provides a control signal. A second circuit employs an internal resistance value of the battery and a battery voltage to provide the indication of remaining battery life in response to the control signal. In a specific embodiment, the second circuit includes a third circuit that measures the internal resistance of the battery in response to the control signal. The third circuit also includes a circuit for measuring an output current and an output voltage of the battery at varying battery loads. The circuit for measuring an output current includes an ammeter and a switching load. In a more specific embodiment, the switching load is implemented as a transmitter that is selectively activated via the control signal. A fourth circuit, included in the second circuit, provides the indication of remaining battery life in response to the internal resistance. The fourth circuit also includes a circuit for selecting a battery discharge curve in accordance with the internal resistance. Software running on the first circuit generates the estimate based on the discharge curve, which is subsequently displayed via a display.
80 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A system for providing an accurate indication of the relative remaining life of a battery comprising:
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first means for providing a control signal; second means for altering a discharge rate of said battery from a first discharge rate to a second discharge rate in response to said control signal; third means for measuring a first voltage of said battery when said battery is characterized by said first discharge rate and a second voltage of said battery when said battery is characterized by said second discharge rate; fourth means for determining an operational state of said battery based on said first voltage, said second voltage, said first discharge rate, and said second discharge rate; and fifth means for providing an indication of remaining battery life in response to said operational state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for providing an accurate indication of the relative remaining life of a battery comprising:
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a computer, said computer providing a control signal; a switching load connected to said battery for altering a discharge rate of said battery from a first discharge rate to a second discharge rate in response to said control signal; a voltage meter for measuring a first voltage of said battery when said battery is characterized by said first discharge rate and a second voltage of said battery when said battery is characterized by said second discharge rate; a circuit for determining an operational state of said battery based on said first voltage, said second voltage, said first discharge rate, and said second discharge rate; and software running on said computer for providing an indication of remaining battery life in response to said operational state.
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8. A method for providing an accurate indication of the relative remaining life of a battery comprising:
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providing a control signal; altering a discharge rate of said battery from a first discharge rate to a second discharge rate in response to said control signal; measuring a first voltage of said battery when said battery is characterized by said first discharge rate and a second voltage of said battery when said battery is characterized by said second discharge rate; determining an operational state of said battery based on said first voltage, said second voltage, said first discharge rate, and said second discharge rate; and providing an indication of remaining battery life in response to said operational state. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification