US 2009/0309548 A1 · Graphic State of Charge Indicator for a Battery Charging System and Method of Use

Abstract

A graphic state of battery charge indicator is used to provide the user with a visual indication of state of battery charge, magnitude of current flow and direction of current flow by using displays such as multi-segment LCD or LED displays in the shape of a battery. The indicator is able to provide these parameters by sequencing the on/off operation of the segmented displays. A microcontroller is provided battery state data from a battery monitor and converts this information to on/off commands for the segmented displays. There may be up to 10 segmented displays in the indicator with each segment proportionally representing a percentage of the state of battery charge. State of charge is indicated by a single on display at the appropriate location in the display. Current flowing into the battery is represented by a ripple effect in the displays in the positive direction. Current flowing out of the battery is represented by a ripple effect in the display in the negative direction.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A graphic state of battery charge indicator connected to a battery in a battery charging system comprising a source of charging power, a microcontroller and a battery monitor connected to said microcontroller and adapted to provide a plurality of battery operating parameters for display on said graphic state of battery charge indicator in a predetermined sequence.

A method of using a graphic state of battery charge indictor in a battery charging system comprising a source of charging power, a microcontroller and a battery monitor connected to said microcontroller and adapted to provide a plurality of battery operating parameters for display on said graphic state of battery charge indicator wherein the graphic state of battery charge indicator comprises a plurality of display segments including a top segment and a bottom segment adapted for on and off

i. connecting the graphic state of battery charge indicator to said battery charging system;
ii. adapting said battery monitor to detect and measure a plurality of battery parameters including state of charge of the battery, current direction and magnitude flowing into and out of the battery;
iii. sending said plurality of battery parameters to the microprocessor;
iv. converting the plurality of battery parameters to on and off signals for said display segments;
and,
v. sending said on and off signals as required to the graphic state of battery charge indicator in a predetermined sequence for visual display.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Graphic State of Charge Indicator for a Battery Charging System and Method of Use

Life of this patent

Graphic State of Charge Indicator for a Battery Charging System and Method of Use

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18