Method and apparatus for charging a power pack of a portable electronic device

1. A method comprising:

receiving a temperature indication, the temperature indication being a function of a temperature of a power pack of a portable electronic device;

determining, as a function of the temperature indication, whether the temperature is within an elevated operating temperature range; and

when the temperature is within the elevated operating temperature range, reducing a charge termination voltage and a charging current supplied to reach the charge termination voltage, and increasing a termination current.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising terminating charging of the power pack when a reduced charge termination voltage is reached.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein receiving the temperature indication comprises receiving the temperature indication from a temperature sensor coupled to the power pack.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the reduced charge termination voltage is between 4.0 Volts to 4.1 Volts for a lithium ion power pack.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the elevated operating temperature range is 40° C. and higher.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

determining as a function of the temperature indication, whether the temperature is within an extra-elevated temperature range; and

when the temperature is in the extra-elevated temperature range, terminating charging of the power pack.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the extra-elevated temperature range is 60° C. and higher.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the charging current is reduced to between 0.5 C and 0.75 C.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

continuing charging of the power pack until the termination current is reached.

10. A portable electronic device comprising:

a processor, the processor electrically coupled to a temperature sensor coupled to a power pack;

a power pack electrically coupled to the processor;

wherein the processor

receives a temperature indication from the temperature sensor, the temperature indication being a function of a temperature of the power pack;

determines, as a function of the temperature indication, whether the temperature is within an elevated operating temperature range; and

when the temperature is within the elevated operating temperature range, controls a power management subsystem to reduce a charge termination voltage and a charging current supplied to reach the charge termination voltage, and increase a termination current.

11. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the portable electronic device further comprises the temperature sensor.

12. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the portable electronic device further comprises the power pack.

13. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the processor further:

determines, as a function of the temperature indication, whether if the temperature is within an extra-elevated temperature range; and

when the temperature is within the extra-elevated temperature range, terminates charging of the power pack.

14. A computer-readable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to:

receive a temperature indication, the temperature indication being a function of a temperature of a power pack;

determine, as a function of the temperature indication, whether if the temperature is within an elevated operating temperature range; and

when the temperature is within the elevated operating temperature range, reduce a charge termination voltage and a charging current supplied to reach the charge termination voltage, and increase a termination current.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the termination current is increased to 100 mA.