Method and apparatus for deeply discharged battery detection

1. An automated process performed by a device that is powered by a battery, the automated process comprising:

determining a first output voltage of the battery;

charging the battery for a duration of time in response to the first output voltage being less than a cutoff voltage;

rebooting the device;

after the rebooting, determining a second output voltage of the battery;

determining if the second output voltage is less than the cutoff voltage and, if so, providing a user prompt indicative of battery fault; and

shutting down the battery-operated device.

2. The automated process of claim 1 further including determining a third output voltage of the battery and wherein the shutting down of the battery-operated device is performed in response to the third output voltage being less than a cutoff voltage.

3. The automated process of claim 1 wherein the cutoff voltage is zero volts and is indicative of the battery being disconnected by a cutoff circuitry in response to the battery being discharged below a lower voltage limit.

4. The automated process of claim 1 wherein the user prompt is provided via a light emitting diode.

5. The automated process of claim 1 wherein the battery is a lithium ion battery.

6. The automated process of claim 1 wherein the cutoff voltage is indicative of the battery being discharged below a lower voltage limit.

7. The automated process of claim 1 further including incrementing a counter in response to the first output voltage being less than a cutoff voltage.

8. The automated process of claim 1 wherein the user prompt is provided via an audible alert.

9. The automated process of claim 1 wherein the charging occurs for a duration less than ten seconds.

10. The automated process of claim 1 wherein the duration of time is between three and seven seconds.

11. The automated process of claim 1 wherein the duration of time is between four and six seconds.

12. A battery-operated device comprising:

a battery having a voltage output;

a charging circuit for charging the battery in response to a charging control signal;

a processor configured to:

perform a first measurement of the voltage output of the battery;

control the charging circuit to charge the battery for a duration of time in response to the first measurement being less than a predetermined lower voltage limit;

reboot the battery-operated device after controlling the charging circuit for the duration of time;

perform a second measurement of the voltage output of the battery after the reboot; and

if the second measurement of the voltage output is less than the predetermined lower voltage limit, generate a user prompt indicative of a battery fault and shut down the battery-operated device.

13. The battery-operated device of claim 12 wherein the battery is a lithium ion battery.

14. The battery-operated device of claim 12 wherein the processor is further operative to increment a counter in response to the first measurement of the battery voltage being less than the predetermined lower voltage limit.

15. The battery-operated device of claim 12 wherein the first determination is zero volts and is indicative of the battery disconnecting the voltage output in response to a charge level being below a lower voltage limit.

16. The battery-operated device of claim 12 further comprising a power supply for providing a supply voltage to the charging circuit, the processor, and a user interface.

17. The battery-operated device of claim 12 wherein the charging occurs for a duration less than ten seconds.

18. The battery-operated device of claim 12 wherein the charging occurs for a duration of three to seven seconds.

19. The battery-operated device of claim 12 wherein the charging occurs for a duration of four to six seconds.