Battery management system and method
A battery management system/method implementing optimal dynamic battery charge/discharge cycling is disclosed. The system utilizes a power source control unit (PSCU) to selectively switch a power supply source to a battery charger that charges a battery servicing a portable computing device. The PSCU is controlled by a power monitor control unit (PMCU) that monitors the battery state and determines the optimal charge/discharge profile for the battery. Depending on the type and current condition the of battery as well as battery charge/discharge history, the PMCU monitors the historical, current, and/or anticipated demand activity of the battery to determine an optimal charge/discharge profile for the battery to enable maximum battery life under a wide variety of environmental and use profiles. Present invention methods control battery charge/discharge activity based on computing device historical/anticipated use characteristics, battery chemistry, and/or optimal battery lifecycle operation.
1. A battery management method, said method operating in conjunction with a battery management system, said system comprising:
(a) Power Source Control Unit (PSCU); and
(b) Power Monitor Control Unit (PMCU);
wherein
said PSCU further comprises an electrical power switch that controls electrical current supplied to a wall outlet power adapter responsible for charging a battery supplying power to a computing device;
said PMCU monitors the condition of said battery supplying power to said computing device;
said electrical power switch is controlled by said PMCU via a communication link between said PMCU and said PSCU; and
said PMCU activates said electrical power switch in response to said condition of said battery;
wherein said method comprises the steps of:
(1) Determining if said PSCU is available, and if so, proceeding to step (3);
(2) Issuing a warning message requesting a status of said PSCU and proceeding to said step (1);
(3) Determining if battery charging user input parameters are available, and if not, proceeding to step (7);
(4) Configuring user battery charge/discharge parameters;
(5) Configuring user battery calibration parameters;
(6) Configuring user battery recondition parameters then proceeding to said step (1);
(7) Executing a battery charge/discharge process;
(8) Executing a battery calibration process; and
(9) Executing a battery reconditioning process then proceeding to said step (1).
2. The battery management method of claim 1 wherein said communication link comprises an electrical interface selected from a group consisting of: wireless hardware interface; BLUETOOTH® wireless hardware interface; USB hardware interface; UART hardware interface; serial hardware interface; parallel hardware interface; Ethernet hardware interface; and wireless Ethernet hardware interface.
3. The battery management method of claim 1 wherein said computing device is selected from a group consisting of: a laptop computer; a tablet computer; a cellular phone; and a smartphone.
4. The battery management method of claim 1 wherein said electrical power switch activation is conditioned on the charge/discharge chemistry profile of said battery.
5. The battery management method of claim 1 wherein said electrical power switch activation is conditioned on the charge/discharge history profile of said battery.
6. The battery management method of claim 1 wherein said electrical power switch activation is conditioned on the temperature of said battery.
7. The battery management method of claim 1 wherein said electrical power switch activation is conditioned on the age of said battery.
8. The battery management method of claim 1 wherein said PMCU further comprises said computing device.
9. A battery management method, said method operating in conjunction with a battery management system, said system comprising:
(a) Power Source Control Unit (PSCU); and
(b) Power Monitor Control Unit (PMCU);
wherein
said PSCU further comprises an electrical power switch that controls electrical current supplied from a wall outlet power adapter responsible for charging a battery supplying power to a computing device;
said PMCU monitors the condition of said battery supplying power to said computing device;
said electrical power switch is controlled by said PMCU via a communication link between said PMCU and said PSCU; and
said PMCU activates said electrical power switch in response to said condition of said battery;
wherein said method comprises the steps of:
(1) Determining if said PSCU is available, and if so, proceeding to step (3);
(2) Issuing a warning message requesting a status of said PSCU and proceeding to said step (1);
(3) Determining if battery charging user input parameters are available, and if not, proceeding to step (7);
(4) Configuring user battery charge/discharge parameters;
(5) Configuring user battery calibration parameters;
(6) Configuring user battery recondition parameters then proceeding to said step (1);
(7) Executing a battery charge/discharge process;
(8) Executing a battery calibration process; and
(9) Executing a battery reconditioning process then proceeding to said step (1).
10. The battery management method of claim 9 wherein said communication link comprises an electrical interface selected from a group consisting of: wireless hardware interface; BLUETOOTH® wireless hardware interface; USB hardware interface; UART hardware interface; serial hardware interface; parallel hardware interface; Ethernet hardware interface; and wireless Ethernet hardware interface.
11. The battery management method of claim 9 wherein said computing device is selected from a group consisting of: a laptop computer; a tablet computer; a cellular phone; and a smartphone.
12. The battery management method of claim 9 wherein said electrical power switch activation is conditioned on the charge/discharge chemistry profile of said battery.
13. The battery management method of claim 9 wherein said electrical power switch activation is conditioned on the charge/discharge history profile of said battery.
14. The battery management method of claim 9 wherein said electrical power switch activation is conditioned on the temperature of said battery.
15. The battery management method of claim 9 wherein said electrical power switch activation is conditioned on the age of said battery.