US5793187A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for increasing the available energy in non-rechargeable batteries
Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc
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Filing: 1996-02-08
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Granted: 1998-08-11
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Expires: 2016-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for increasing the available energy and system runtime of battery powered electric devices which use non-rechargeable cells as an energy source. The present invention employs techniques for using energy from both rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries in a manner which discharges each of the different cells within their optimal discharge rate. In particular, the non-rechargeable batteries are used for a low rate of system discharge and rechargeable cells supplement the non-rechargeable batteries for a higher system loads. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the system load is at a very low level, the rechargeable battery is recharged using power from the non-rechargeable battery. The result of the techniques of the present invention is the lowering of discharge rate and hence increasing the capacity of the non-rechargeable cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Bradley J. DeBauche
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/44; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/34; H02J7/342; H02J7/50; H02J7/855; H02J7/90; H02J7/94; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of supplying electrical power to an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) sensing a load of the electronic device; (b) determining whether the load is above or below a first predetermined threshold; (c) when the sensed load is below the first predetermined threshold, supplying all power to the device from a non-rechargeable battery; and (d) when the sensed load is equal to or above the first predetermined threshold, supplying power to the electronic device from both the non-rechargeable battery and a rechargeable battery.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of supplying electrical power to an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) sensing a load of the electronic device; (b) determining whether the load is above or below a first predetermined threshold; (c) when the sensed load is below the first predetermined threshold, supplying all power to the device from a non-rechargeable battery; and (d) when the sensed load is equal to or above the first predetermined threshold, supplying power to the electronic device from both the non-rechargeable battery and a rechargeable battery.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: determining whether the sensed load is above or below a second predetermined threshold which is lower than the first predetermined threshold; and when the sensed load is below the second predetermined threshold, recharging the rechargeable battery using power from the non-rechargeable battery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of determining whether the rechargeable battery needs recharging, and recharging the rechargeable battery when it is determined that it needs recharging.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of setting the predetermined threshold based on the cell chemistry of the non-rechargeable battery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is a portable communication device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the non-rechargeable battery is an alkaline battery.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of supplying electrical power to an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) sensing a load of the electrical device; (b) determining which of three ranges the load is in, the three ranges being low, moderate or high loads; (c) when the load is in the moderate range, supplying all the power to the electronic device from a non-rechargeable battery; (d) when the load is in the high range, supplying power to the system from both a rechargeable and the non-rechargeable battery; and (e) when the load is in the low range, recharging the rechargeable battery using power from the non-rechargeable battery.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of supplying electrical power to an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) sensing a load of the electrical device; (b) determining which of three ranges the load is in, the three ranges being low, moderate or high loads; (c) when the load is in the moderate range, supplying all the power to the electronic device from a non-rechargeable battery; (d) when the load is in the high range, supplying power to the system from both a rechargeable and the non-rechargeable battery; and (e) when the load is in the low range, recharging the rechargeable battery using power from the non-rechargeable battery.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of repeating steps a-e.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for supplying electrical power to an electronic device, the apparatus comprising: (a) a power source switch; (b) non-rechargeable battery unit; (c) rechargeable battery unit, coupled to the power source switch, having a rechargeable battery; (d) processor coupled to the power source switch which causes the power source switch to supply power to the electronic device from both the non-rechargeable battery and the rechargeable battery when a load current drawn by the electronic device is greater than a first predetermined threshold; (e) current sensor coupled to the electronic device, the power switch, and to the processor; and (f) the processor including means for determining when the current sensed by the current sensor is greater than the first predetermined threshold.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for supplying electrical power to an electronic device, the apparatus comprising: (a) a power source switch; (b) non-rechargeable battery unit; (c) rechargeable battery unit, coupled to the power source switch, having a rechargeable battery; (d) processor coupled to the power source switch which causes the power source switch to supply power to the electronic device from both the non-rechargeable battery and the rechargeable battery when a load current drawn by the electronic device is greater than a first predetermined threshold; (e) current sensor coupled to the electronic device, the power switch, and to the processor; and (f) the processor including means for determining when the current sensed by the current sensor is greater than the first predetermined threshold.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the processor further comprises: (a) means for determining whether the current sensed by the current sensor is above or below a second predetermined threshold, which is lower than the first predetermined threshold; and (b) means for recharging the rechargeable battery using power from the non-rechargeable battery when the current sensed by the current sensor is below the second predetermined threshold.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor further comprises: (a) means for determining whether the rechargeable battery needs recharging, and recharging the rechargeable battery only if the rechargeable battery needs recharging.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said rechargeable battery is a NiCd battery and said non-rechargeable battery is an alkaline battery.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said electronic device is a portable computing device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 9 where the electronic device is a portable communication device.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for supplying electrical power to an electronic device, the apparatus comprising: (a) a power source switch; (b) non-rechargeable battery unit; (c) processor coupled to the power source switch; (d) rechargeable battery unit, coupled to the power source switch; (e) current sensor coupled to the electronic device the power source switch, and to the processor; and (f) wherein the processor determines when a current sensed by the current sensor is greater than a predetermined threshold, and wherein the power source switch supplies power to the electronic device from both the non-rechargeable battery and the rechargeable battery unit when the sensed current is greater than the predetermined threshold.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for supplying electrical power to an electronic device, the apparatus comprising: (a) a power source switch; (b) non-rechargeable battery unit; (c) processor coupled to the power source switch; (d) rechargeable battery unit, coupled to the power source switch; (e) current sensor coupled to the electronic device the power source switch, and to the processor; and (f) wherein the processor determines when a current sensed by the current sensor is greater than a predetermined threshold, and wherein the power source switch supplies power to the electronic device from both the non-rechargeable battery and the rechargeable battery unit when the sensed current is greater than the predetermined threshold.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-10 | 2002-02-09 | 2002-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-10 | 2006-02-09 | 2006-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-10 | 2010-02-09 | 2010-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |