US 2013/0086409 A1 · Battery Management System and Method

Abstract

A battery management system/method implementing optimal dynamic battery charge/discharge cycling is disclosed. The system utilizes a power source control unit (PSCU) to selectively switch a power supply source to a battery charger that charges a battery servicing a portable computing device. The PSCU is controlled by a power monitor control unit (PMCU) that monitors the battery state and determines the optimal charge/discharge profile for the battery. Depending on the type and current condition the of battery as well as battery charge/discharge history, the PMCU monitors the historical, current, and/or anticipated demand activity of the battery to determine an optimal charge/discharge profile for the battery to enable maximum battery life under a wide variety of environmental and use profiles. Present invention methods control battery charge/discharge activity based on computing device historical/anticipated use characteristics, battery chemistry, and/or optimal battery lifecycle operation.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A battery management system comprising:

(a) Power Source Control Unit (PSCU);
and
(b) Power Monitor Control Unit (PMCU);
wherein
said PSCU further comprises an electrical power switch that controls electrical current supplied to a wall outlet power adapter responsible for charging a battery supplying power to a computing device;
said PMCU monitors the condition of said battery supplying power to said computing device;
said electrical power switch is controlled by said PMCU via a communication link between said PMCU and said PSCU;
and
said PMCU activates said electrical power switch in response to said condition of said battery.

6 more elements

A battery management method, said method operating in conjunction with a battery management system, said system comprising:

(a) Power Source Control Unit (PSCU);
and
(b) Power Monitor Control Unit (PMCU);
wherein
said PSCU further comprises an electrical power switch that controls electrical current supplied to a wall outlet power adapter responsible for charging a battery supplying power to a computing device;
said PMCU monitors the condition of said battery supplying power to said computing device;
said electrical power switch is controlled by said PMCU via a communication link between said PMCU and said PSCU;
and
said PMCU activates said electrical power switch in response to said condition of said battery;
wherein said method comprises the steps of:
(1) Determining if said PSCU is available, and if so, proceeding to step (3);
(2) Issuing a warning message requesting a status of said PSCU and proceeding to said step (1);
(3) Determining if battery charging user input parameters are available, and if not, proceeding to step (7);
(4) Configuring user battery charge/discharge parameters;
(5) Configuring user battery calibration parameters;
(6) Configuring user battery recondition parameters then proceeding to said step (1);
(7) Executing a battery charge/discharge process;
(8) Executing a battery calibration process;
and
(9) Executing a battery reconditioning process then proceeding to said step (1).

17 more elements

A battery management method, said method operating in conjunction with a battery management system, said system comprising:

(a) Power Source Control Unit (PSCU);
and
(b) Power Monitor Control Unit (PMCU);
wherein
said PSCU further comprises an electrical power switch that controls electrical current supplied from a wall outlet power adapter responsible for charging a battery supplying power to a computing device;
said PMCU monitors the condition of said battery supplying power to said computing device;
said electrical power switch is controlled by said PMCU via a communication link between said PMCU and said PSCU;
and
said PMCU activates said electrical power switch in response to said condition of said battery;
wherein said method comprises the steps of:
(1) Determining if said PSCU is available, and if so, proceeding to step (3);
(2) Issuing a warning message requesting a status of said PSCU and proceeding to said step (1);
(3) Determining if battery charging user input parameters are available, and if not, proceeding to step (7);
(4) Configuring user battery charge/discharge parameters;
(5) Configuring user battery calibration parameters;
(6) Configuring user battery recondition parameters then proceeding to said step (1);
(7) Executing a battery charge/discharge process;
(8) Executing a battery calibration process;
and
(9) Executing a battery reconditioning process then proceeding to said step (1).

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Battery Management System and Method

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Battery Management System and Method

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Abstract

Claims30