# US 9,520,720 B2 · System and method for powering a device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,520,720 B2 - Document ID: US9520720B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/566,636 - Filed: 2012-08-03 - Published: 2015-10-22 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2012-02-29 - Assignees: DEKA Products Limited Partnership - Applicants: N. Christopher Perry; Stewart M. Coulter; Thomas A. Doyon - Inventors: N. Christopher Perry; Stewart M. Coulter; Thomas A. Doyon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9520720B2 ## CPC - H02J 3/38: Arrangements for feeding a single network from two or more generators or sources in parallel; Arrangements for feeding already energised networks from additional generators or sources in parallel - G01R 31/382: Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC - H01M 10/4207: {for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially} - H01M 10/425: {Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing (printed circuits H05K1/00)} - H01M 10/482: {for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially} - H02J 7/50: acting upon multiple batteries simultaneously or sequentially - H02J 7/865: {Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply (H02J7/50 takes precedence)} - H02J 9/061: {for DC powered loads} - G06F 1/263: {Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC (G06F1/30 takes precedence)} - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A system for powering a device is disclosed. The system includes at least one internal battery located in a device, at least one external battery connected to the device, and a master controller configured to connect either the at least one internal battery or the at least one external battery to a power bus to power the device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for powering a device comprising: at least one internal battery located in a device; at least one external battery connected to the device; and a master controller configured to connect either the at least one internal battery or the at least one external battery to a power bus to power the device, wherein the master controller is configured to: determine the capacity of the at least one internal battery, and when the capacity of the at least one internal battery is below a threshold; and determine whether to charge the internal battery using an AC adapter or from the at least one external battery. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a battery charger for charging the at least one external battery. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one external battery includes built-in circuits for measuring state-of-charge. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a holster configured to accept and secure the at least one external battery. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one external battery powers the device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one AC adapter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the master controller configured to recharge the internal battery using the at least one external battery. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising wherein the master controller is configured to: determine when to switch from receiving power from the internal battery to receiving power from the at least one external battery. ### Claim 9 A system for powering a device comprising: at least one internal battery located in a device; at least one external battery connected to the device; and a master controller configured to connect either the at least one internal battery or the at least one external battery to a power bus to power the device, wherein the master controller is configured to: determine the capacity of the internal battery; and when the capacity of the internal battery is below a threshold, determine whether to charge the internal battery using an AC adapter or from the at least one external battery. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 further comprising wherein the master controller is configured to: determine the external battery has been disconnected from a holster; and switch to use the internal battery to power the bus. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 further comprising wherein the master controller is configured to: determine if an external battery is connected to the system; if an external battery is connected to the system, connect the external battery to the power bus; and disconnect the internal battery from the power bus. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 further comprising wherein the master controller is configured to: determine the external battery remaining capacity is below a predetermined threshold; and command the internal battery to switch to power the bus. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 further comprising wherein the master controller is configured to: power the device using a first external battery; disconnect the first external battery from the device; connect an internal battery to a power bus to power the device; connecting an AC adapter to the device; charging the internal battery using the AC adapter; disconnect the AC adapter from the device; connect the first external battery to the device; and charge the internal battery using the first external battery. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 further comprising wherein the master controller is configured to: power the device using a first external battery; disconnect the first external battery from the device; connect an internal battery to a power bus to power the device; connect an AC adapter to the device; and charge the internal battery using the AC adapter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 further comprising wherein the master controller is configured to: power the device using a first external battery; disconnect the first external battery from the device; connect an internal battery to a power bus to power the device; connect a second external battery to the device; disconnect the internal battery from the power bus; and connect the second external battery to the power bus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 further comprising wherein the master controller is configured to: monitor the capacity of an internal battery; determine the capacity of an external battery; determine whether the internal battery capacity is less than a predetermined threshold; and if the internal battery capacity is less than a predetermined threshold, and the external battery capacity if above a predetermined threshold, charging the internal battery using the external battery. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 further comprising wherein the master controller is configured to: determine if an external battery is connected to the device; if not, the master controller allowing the internal battery to power the bus; if an external battery is connected to the device; determine the capacity of the external battery; if the capacity exceeds a predetermined threshold, disconnecting the internal battery from powering the bus; and connect the external battery to power the bus. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 further comprising wherein the master controller is configured to: determine if an external battery is connected to the device; if not, the master controller allowing the internal battery to power the bus; if an external battery is connected to the device; disconnect the internal battery from powering the bus; and connect the external battery to power the bus.