Rechargeable power supply system and method of protection against abnormal charging

A computer device, comprising:

• a main system for data processing;
• and
• an intelligent battery for supplying power to said main system,
• wherein said intelligent battery comprises:
• a battery cell for charging and discharging,
• a current detection circuit for detecting charging current for said battery cell;
• and
• a CPU for calculating battery capacity by integrating charging current detected by said current detection circuit, and recognizing malfunction occurring in the battery based on charging current value detected by the current detection circuit and the calculated battery capacity.

A battery, comprising:

• a battery cell;
• a voltage detection circuit for detecting voltage for said battery cell;
• a current detection circuit for detecting charging current for said battery cell;
• a charging stop unit for stopping charging for said battery cell;
• and
• a control unit for activating said charging stop unit based on voltage detected by said voltage detection circuit,
• wherein before the voltage reaches a voltage for activating said charging stop unit, said control unit detects a malfunction state based on a charging current value detected by said current detection circuit, and activates the charging stop unit.

A method for protecting a battery from abnormal charging, comprising:

• measuring a charging current value for said battery;
• calculating integrated capacity for said battery;
• and
• activating a protection facility when the charging current value measured for the calculated integrated capacity is larger than a predetermined value.

A method for protecting an intelligent battery with a microcomputer from abnormal charging, comprising:

• recognizing that said intelligent battery is connected to an apparatus with a charger for constant-current/constant-voltage charging;
• measuring charging current value when said intelligent battery is charged while switching from constant-current charging to constant-voltage charging;
• determining based on the measured charging current value whether abnormal charging occurs or not;
• and
• aborting charging when it is determined that abnormal charging occurs.

A program of software-based code for enabling a microcomputer contained in a battery to perform:

• a charging function for measuring charging current value for said battery;
• a calculating function for calculating integrated capacity in said battery;
• and
• a protecting function for activating a protection facility when the charging current value measured for the calculated integrated capacity is larger than a predetermined value.

A program for enabling a microcomputer contained in a battery to perform:

• a function for recognizing that said battery is connected to an apparatus with a charger for constant-current/constant-voltage charging;
• a function for measuring charging current value when said battery is charged while switching from constant-current charging to constant-voltage charging;
• a function for determining based on the measured charging current value whether abnormal charging occurs or not;
• and
• a function for aborting charging when it is determined that abnormal charging occurs.