Automatic conditioning of battery in battery-powered apparatus

A computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for execution on a computer to perform a method of maintaining a rechargeable battery for the computer, the method comprising the steps of:

• monitoring usage of the battery;
• automatically determining a need to perform a conditioning cycle on the battery based upon the monitored usage of the battery;
• determining a schedule for the conditioning cycle;
• notifying a user of the need to perform the conditioning cycle on the battery and the schedule for the conditioning cycle;
• and
• providing the user with a user interface capable of modifying the schedule for the conditioning cycle.

A portable electronic device comprising:

• a rechargeable battery capable of providing power for the electronic device;
• a monitor coupled to the rechargeable battery for monitoring usage of the battery;
• a scheduler coupled to the monitor for automatically determining a need to perform a conditioning cycle on the battery based upon the monitored usage of the battery and determining a schedule for the conditioning cycle;
• and
• a user interface coupled to the scheduler for notifying a user of the need to perform the conditioning cycle on the battery and the schedule for the conditioning cycle and capable of modifying the schedule for the conditioning cycle based on input from a user.

A method of maintaining a rechargeable battery for an electronic device capable of utilizing the battery as a power source, the method comprising the steps of:

• monitoring usage of the battery;
• automatically notifying a user of a need to perform a conditioning cycle on the battery based upon the monitored usage of the battery;
• scheduling the conditioning cycle for a specified period;
• upon arrival of the scheduled period for the conditioning cycle, checking whether a connection between the battery and an external power source exists;
• and
• if the connection between the battery and the external power source exists, automatically performing the conditioning cycle on the battery during the scheduled period.

A computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing a computer to execute a method of maintaining a rechargeable battery for the computer, the method comprising the steps of:

• monitoring usage of the battery;
• automatically notifying a user of a need to perform a conditioning cycle on the battery based upon the monitored usage of the battery;
• scheduling the conditioning cycle for a specified period;
• upon arrival of the scheduled period for the conditioning cycle, checking whether a connection between the battery and an external power source exists;
• and
• if the connection between the battery and the external power source exists, automatically performing the conditioning cycle on the battery during the scheduled period.