Abstract In an exemplary embodiment, a battery conditioning system monitors battery conditioning and includes a memory for storing data based thereon; for example, data may be stored representative of available battery capacity as measured during a deep discharge cycle. With a microprocessor monitoring battery operation of a portable unit, a measure of remaining battery capacity can be calculated and displayed. Where the microprocessor and battery conditioning system memory are permanently secured to the battery so as to receive operating power therefrom during storage and handling, the performance of a given battery in actual use can be accurately judged since the battery system can itself maintain a count of accumulated hours of use and other relevant parameters. In the case of a non-portable conditioning system, two-way communication may be established with a memory associated with the portable unit so that the portable unit can transmit to the conditioning system information concerning battery parameters (e.g. rated battery capacity) and/or battery usage (e.g. numbers of shallow discharge and recharge cycles), and after a conditioning operation, the conditioning system can transmit to the portable unit a measured value of battery capacity, for example. A battery pack having memory stores battery history and identifying data to be retrieved by a portable battery powered device. Battery status information may be utilized in conjunction with characteristic battery history data in order to optimize charging and discharging functions and to maximize the useful life of a battery pack.
A method of providing operational power to a battery powered utilization device, said method comprising: (a) monitoring operational battery pack characteristics; (b) storing said characteristics in an electronic memory device contained within said battery pack as battery pack data; (c) monitoring present battery pack conditions; (d) retrieving said battery pack data; (e) communicating said present battery pack conditions and said battery pack data to said battery powered utilization device; and (f) controlling the utilization of said battery pack by said battery powered utilization device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of providing operational power to a battery powered utilization device, said method comprising: (a) monitoring operational battery pack characteristics; (b) storing said characteristics in an electronic memory device contained within said battery pack as battery pack data; (c) monitoring present battery pack conditions; (d) retrieving said battery pack data; (e) communicating said present battery pack conditions and said battery pack data to said battery powered utilization device; and (f) controlling the utilization of said battery pack by said battery powered utilization device.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of providing operational power to a portable utilization device, said method comprising: (a) storing in an electronic memory device contained within a battery pack, battery pack data related to battery pack characteristics; (b) coupling the battery pack with the portable utilization device; (c) monitoring present battery pack conditions; (d) retrieving the battery pack data; (e) communicating information based on the present battery pack conditions and based on the battery pack data to processing circuitry of the portable utilization device; and (f) controlling the utilization of the battery pack by said portable utilization device.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of providing operational power to a portable utilization device, said method comprising: (a) storing in an electronic memory device contained within a battery pack, battery pack data related to battery pack characteristics; (b) coupling the battery pack with the portable utilization device; (c) monitoring present battery pack conditions; (d) retrieving the battery pack data; (e) communicating information based on the present battery pack conditions and based on the battery pack data to processing circuitry of the portable utilization device; and (f) controlling the utilization of the battery pack by said portable utilization device.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of providing operational power to a portable utilization device, said method comprising: (a) coupling a battery pack with an electronic memory system and with processing circuitry of the portable utilization device; (b) incorporating in the electronic memory system, battery pack data related to battery pack characteristics of the battery pack: (c) monitoring present battery pack conditions; (d) retrieving the battery pack data; (e) communicating information based on the present battery pack conditions and based on the battery pack data to processing circuitry of the portable utilization device; and (f) controlling the utilization of the battery pack by said portable utilization device.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of providing operational power to a portable utilization device, said method comprising: (a) coupling a battery pack with an electronic memory system and with processing circuitry of the portable utilization device; (b) incorporating in the electronic memory system, battery pack data related to battery pack characteristics of the battery pack: (c) monitoring present battery pack conditions; (d) retrieving the battery pack data; (e) communicating information based on the present battery pack conditions and based on the battery pack data to processing circuitry of the portable utilization device; and (f) controlling the utilization of the battery pack by said portable utilization device.