Battery pack updating method
View Patent ↗A battery pack updating method updates firmware stored in internal control circuit memory via an update signal sent from a main device that supplies power. When battery pack memory is updated, an AC adapter is connected to the main device, and power is supplied to the main device from the AC adapter. The updating method transmits a charging and discharging blocking signal from the main device to the battery pack control circuit via a communication line. The charging and discharging blocking signal stops discharge from the battery pack rechargeable battery, and stops charging of the rechargeable battery. With rechargeable battery discharging and charging to and from the main device stopped by the charging and discharging blocking signal, the updating method transmits update data from the main device to the battery pack control circuit to update memory.
1. A battery pack updating method that updates firmware stored in a rewritable manner in an internal control circuit memory upon an update signal transmitted from a main device that supplies power, the method comprising:
connecting an AC adapter to the main device when a battery pack memory is updated, and while supplying power to the main device from the AC adapter, transmitting a charging and discharging blocking signal from the main device to a battery pack control circuit via a communication line to stop battery pack rechargeable battery discharge to the main device and rechargeable battery charging; and
transmitting update data from the main device to the battery pack control circuit to update the memory while rechargeable battery discharge to the main device and charging from the main device are stopped by the charging and discharging blocking signal.
2. The battery pack updating method of claim 1 , wherein power is supplied to the battery pack control circuit from both the rechargeable battery and the AC adapter when the battery pack memory firmware is updated.
3. The battery pack updating method of claim 1 , wherein the battery pack is provided with charging and discharging switches connected in series with the rechargeable battery, a protection circuit is provided in the control circuit to control the charging and discharging switches, and the protection circuit controls the charging and discharging switches to control rechargeable battery charging and discharging.
4. The battery pack updating method of claim 1 , wherein the main device transmits encrypted firmware to the battery pack to update the battery pack firmware.
5. The battery pack updating method of claim 1 , wherein when the main device updates the battery pack firmware, both the main device and the battery pack judge whether the update is possible or not.
6. The battery pack updating method of claim 2 , wherein when the main device updates the battery pack firmware, a battery pack rechargeable battery voltage is detected, and the update is started when the detected voltage is greater than a set voltage.
7. The battery pack updating method of claim 2 , wherein when the main device updates the battery pack firmware, a battery pack rechargeable battery remaining capacity is detected, and the update is started when the remaining capacity is greater than a set capacity.
8. The battery pack updating method of claim 1 , wherein when the main device updates the battery pack firmware, it is judged whether or not the AC adapter is connected to the main device, and the update is started when AC adapter connection is confirmed.
9. The battery pack updating method of claim 1 , wherein the main device is a notebook computer.
10. The battery pack updating method of claim 1 , wherein the battery pack rechargeable battery is a lithium ion battery.
11. The battery pack updating method of claim 1 , further comprising:
Storing and saving a rechargeable battery remaining capacity when the battery pack memory is updated; and
rewriting a rechargeable battery remaining capacity with the stored and saved rechargeable battery remaining capacity.
12. The battery pack updating method of claim 11 , wherein power is supplied to the battery pack control circuit from both the rechargeable battery and the AC adapter when the battery pack memory firmware is updated.
13. The battery pack updating method of claim 11 , wherein the battery pack is provided with charging and discharging switches connected in series with the rechargeable battery, a protection circuit is provided in the control circuit to control the charging and discharging switches, and the protection circuit controls the charging and discharging switches to control rechargeable battery charging and discharging.
14. The battery pack updating method of claim 11 , wherein the main device transmits encrypted firmware to the battery pack to update the battery pack firmware.
15. The battery pack updating method of claim 11 , wherein when the main device updates the battery pack firmware, both the main device and the battery pack judge whether the update is possible or not.
16. The battery pack updating method of claim 11 , wherein when the main device updates the battery pack firmware, battery pack rechargeable battery voltage is detected, and the update is started when the detected voltage is greater than a set voltage.
17. The battery pack updating method of claim 11 , wherein when the main device updates the battery pack firmware, the battery pack rechargeable battery remaining capacity is detected, and the update is started when the remaining capacity is greater than a set capacity.
18. The battery pack updating method of claim 11 , wherein when the main device updates the battery pack firmware, it is judged whether or not the AC adapter is connected to the main device, and the update is started when AC adapter connection is confirmed.
19. The battery pack updating method of claim 11 , wherein the main device is a notebook computer.
20. The battery pack updating method of claim 11 , wherein the battery pack rechargeable battery is a lithium ion battery.