System and method for detecting performance components of a battery pack

A battery performance component identification system, disposed within a battery pocket of a battery-powered device operational in accordance with a plurality of operational modes, based on a said installed battery pack selected from a commonly available industry standard battery pack or a customized battery pack, the industry standard battery pack having a first performance component configuration and a standard battery interface including a standard mechanical and a standard electrical battery interface, said customized battery pack having a second performance component configuration different than said first performance component including a set of performance components, other than the battery cells, that directly or indirectly affects the ability of the customized battery pack to support the power source requirements dictated by an operational mode of a battery powered device to which the customized battery pack is connected and a custom interface comprising said standard mechanical battery interface, said standard electrical battery interface and one or more distinguishing features not found in said standard battery interface, said battery performance component identification system comprising:

• identification circuitry constructed and arranged to detect a presence or absence of said one or more distinguishing features and for generating a battery pack performance component configuration identification signal identifying whether said installed battery pack has said first or said second performance component configuration;
• and
• operational circuitry that adjusts the operation of the battery-powered device based on the identification signal.

A battery-powered device having a plurality of modes of operation each having associated therewith a characteristic power source requirement, the device comprising:

• a battery pocket constructed and arranged to receive and operate with an industry standard battery pack having a first performance component configuration and standard mechanical and electrical battery interfaces, and a customized battery pack having a second performance component configuration different than said first performance component configuration including a first set of performance components, other than the battery cells, that directly or indirectly affects the ability of the customized battery pack to support the power source requirements dictated by an operational mode of a battery powered device to which the battery pack is connected and a custom interface comprising said standard mechanical battery interface, said standard electrical battery interface and one or more distinguishing features different than said standard battery interface;
• a battery performance component configuration identification system constructed and arranged to detect a presence or absence of said one or more distinguishing features and for generating a battery performance component configuration indication signal indicative of said performance components of a battery pack installed in said battery pocket;
• and
• a device management system that changes the mode of operation of the battery powered device based on the performance component configuration indication signal.

A customized battery pack comprising:

• a mechanical interface substantially the same as that provided by a industry standard battery pack;
• an electrical interface substantially the same as that provided by said industry standard battery pack;
• a first performance component configuration different than a second performance component configuration said industry standard battery pack;
• and
• one or more distinguishing features indicative of said first performance component configuration located on one of said mechanical and electrical interfaces, wherein said distinguishing features are not provided on said industry standard battery interface,
• wherein said performance component includes any operational component implemented in a battery pack, other than battery cells, that affects the ability of a battery pack to support the power source requirements of the device.