Circuits, devices, methods and systems to secure power-up for battery operating devices even with low current chargers and to execute other performances
An electronic power control circuit includes a power conditioner circuit ( 120, 130 ) having a charging input line ( 116 ), a battery-related line ( 133 ) of the power conditioner circuit ( 120, 130 ), and a power voltage output line ( 137 ); and an anti-crash loop mechanism ( 170 ) coupled to the battery-related line ( 133 ) and to the power voltage output line ( 137 ) of the power conditioner circuit ( 120, 130 ), the anti-crash loop mechanism ( 170 ) having a control output line ( 172 , PWGOOD) to be selectively active and inactive in response to voltage levels over time on the battery-related line ( 133 ) and on the power voltage output line ( 137 ) of the power conditioner circuit ( 120, 130 ).
1. An electronic control circuit for use with a rechargeable battery, the electronic control circuit comprising:
a powering circuit having an electrical input, a charging output and a voltage output;
a functional electronic circuit coupled to the voltage output of said powering circuit, said functional electronic circuit subject to operational interruption if said functional electronic circuit uses more current to use fully operate than is available from said powering circuit; and
a safe-start mechanism coupled by at least one input line from said powering circuit and by a control line to said functional electronic circuit, said safe-start mechanism operable to detect a condition indicative of such operational interruption of the functional electronic circuit and to thereafter cause a crash timer to activate for a set period of time and said functional electronic circuit to be substantially powered-down until the charging output indicates sufficient charging to support subsequent useful operation by said functional electronic circuit and said safe-start mechanism operable there upon to provide a signal coupled to enable such operation by said functional electronic circuit.
2. The electronic control circuit claimed in claim 1 wherein the condition indicative of operational interruption involves a circuit voltage less than a first threshold, and said safe-start mechanism is also operable to detect a charger attachment event from a second condition involving the circuit voltage exceeding a second higher threshold after the circuit voltage was less than the first threshold, and upon such detection to then determine if the charging output indicates sufficient charging as aforesaid.
3. The electronic control circuit claimed in claim 1 wherein the condition indicative of operational interruption involves a circuit voltage less than a first threshold, and said safe-start mechanism is also operable to detect a second condition involving the circuit voltage less than a second higher threshold for the set period of time the crash timer is activated after the circuit voltage was less than the first threshold, and upon such detection to go to a circuit state indicative of no-supply.
4. The electronic control circuit claimed in claim 1 wherein said safe-start mechanism includes a battery management state machine operable to activate said control output line to represent a power-good condition and inactive otherwise, the electronic power control circuit further comprising a power management state machine operable to produce control signals to effectuate at least the following: off, active, and sleep for said functional electronic circuit, said battery management state machine coupled by said control output line to said power management state machine.
5. The electronic control circuit claimed in claim 1 wherein said safe-start mechanism is operable to supply said control output line to be active to represent a power-good condition and inactive otherwise, the electronic power control circuit further comprising a power management circuit operable to produce power control signals for said functional electronic circuit, said safe-start mechanism coupled by said control output line to said power management circuit.
6. The electronic control circuit claimed in claim 5 further comprising a battery connector, and a first package enclosing said safe-start mechanism and said powering circuit, and the electronic control circuit additionally comprising at least a second physically separate package enclosing said power management circuit; said charging output and said safe-start mechanism both coupled to said battery connector, said power management circuit coupled with said functional electronic circuit, and said functional electronic circuit and said safe-start mechanism each coupled to said voltage output from said powering circuit.
7. The electronic control circuit claimed in claim 1 wherein said powering circuit is coupled with a USB connector for entry of power from said USB connector via said electrical input into said powering circuit.
8. The electronic control circuit claimed in claim 1 further comprising a battery gauge circuit coupled with said safe start mechanism and together including a processor independent of said functional electronic circuit and coupled with a memory electronically representing battery management program instructions for said processor.
9. The electronic control circuit claimed in claim 1 wherein said safe-start mechanism includes a bad-battery detection circuit.
10. The electronic control circuit claimed in claim 1 further comprising a serial data transfer physical layer circuit and a serial data transfer connector coupled with said physical layer circuit, said physical layer circuit coupled with said functional electronic circuit and also coupled with said safe-start mechanism.