Abstract: A battery cell is configured to operate in within an electronic device. Determining the status of the battery cell includes using a strain gauge attached to the battery cell. A value of the dimension of the battery cell is established by use of the strain gauge. The status of the battery cell is determined based on the established dimension value compared to a reference value and a threshold related to the dimension of the battery cell. Related methods, devices and/or computer program products are described.

Abstract: A battery cell is configured to operate in within an electronic device. Determining the status of the battery cell includes using a strain gauge attached to the battery cell. A value of the dimension of the battery cell is established by use of the strain gauge. The status of the battery cell is determined based on the established dimension value compared to a reference value and a threshold related to the dimension of the battery cell. Related methods, devices and/or computer program products are described.

Abstract: A method of participating in an athletic event with a remotely-located competitor using first and second wireless competition devices includes establishing a wireless communication connection with the second wireless competition device. The second wireless competition device is associated with the remotely-located competitor for the athletic event. Positioning data for the second wireless competition device is received via the wireless communication connection. The positioning data for the second wireless competition device characterizes a previous or real-time performance of the athletic event by the competitor. The received positioning data for the second wireless competition device is provided for display on the first wireless competition device relative to positioning data for the first wireless competition device, which characterizes a performance of the athletic event by a user thereof. Related methods and devices are also discussed.

Abstract: A system measures a voltage of a battery of a user device, measures a temperature and an acceleration of the battery if a decrease in battery voltage is measured, and determines whether the battery is functioning properly based on one or more of the measured voltage, temperature, or acceleration of the battery.

Abstract: A method performed by an electronic device may determine a status of an energy source unit indicating performance of the energy source unit residing in the electronic device. The method may include performing a measurement over the energy source unit to produce a measured value that may be compared with a predetermined value, to generate a difference value, and the status of the energy source unit may determined based on the difference value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for charging a battery cell according to a charging scheme. The apparatus comprises a power supply and control unit for delivering a charging current to the battery cell according to said scheme, a current monitoring device for monitoring and measuring the charging current, a voltage monitoring device for monitoring and measuring the voltage over the battery cell, a charging terminator devised for terminating the charging of the battery when a predetermined charging criteria is met and a safety timer for starting a predetermined time interval when charging of the battery cell has reached its constant voltage. The predetermined charging criteria is met either when the charging current is falling below a predetermined limit or when the charging current has not decreased a predetermined amount, ?I, within the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A method of participating in an athletic event with a remotely-located competitor using first and second wireless competition devices includes establishing a wireless communication connection with the second wireless competition device. The second wireless competition device is associated with the remotely-located competitor for the athletic event. Positioning data for the second wireless competition device is received via the wireless communication connection. The positioning data for the second wireless competition device characterizes a previous or real-time performance of the athletic event by the competitor. The received positioning data for the second wireless competition device is provided for display on the first wireless competition device relative to positioning data for the first wireless competition device, which characterizes a performance of the athletic event by a user thereof. Related methods and devices are also discussed.

Abstract: A system for charging a rechargeable battery supplies a current to the battery to charge the battery. The system determines a temperature associated with the battery and identifies a cutoff parameter based on the determined temperature. The system determines when the supplied current matches a value corresponding to the cutoff parameter and stops further supply of the supplied current to the battery when the supplied current matches the value corresponding to the current cutoff parameter.

Abstract: A system measures a voltage of a battery of a user device, measures a temperature and an acceleration of the battery if a decrease in battery voltage is measured, and determines whether the battery is functioning properly based on one or more of the measured voltage, temperature, or acceleration of the battery.

Abstract: A system for charging a rechargeable battery supplies a current to the battery to charge the battery. The system determines a temperature associated with the battery and identifies a cutoff parameter based on the determined temperature. The system determines when the supplied current matches a value corresponding to the cutoff parameter and stops further supply of the supplied current to the battery when the supplied current matches the value corresponding to the current cutoff parameter.

Abstract: A power supply arrangement for supplying power from a battery (2) to an electric load (3) comprises a controlled switch (4) having a first state in which a connection is provided from the battery (2) to the load (3), and a second state in which the load (3) is disconnected from the battery (2), and a control circuit (5, 8, 9) for controlling the state of the controlled switch (4). The control circuit (5, 8, 9) is arranged to be disconnected from the battery (2) when the controlled switch (4) is in its second state. By disconnecting not only the electrical load, but also the control circuit from the battery, it is ensured that this circuit cannot draw any leakage current from the battery, when the load is switched off. This means that no over-discharge protection is needed in the battery itself.

Abstract: A battery pack for a portable device is disclosed. The battery includes a circuit comprising a plurality of circuit components which are connected to each other via a chip on plastic technique thus obviating a need for a circuit carrying substrate such as a printed circuit board. In an alternative embodiment, the battery may be encased by a solid polymer material which can be used as the circuit component connecting means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending the cycle life of a battery by using different charge voltages or different current cut-offs to recharge the battery during the course of the battery's life. The capacity of a battery is gradually depleted as the battery is repeatedly charged and discharged. The rate at which the battery capacity is depleted varies in accordance to the charge voltage, or the current cut-off, used to recharge the battery. For example, higher charge voltages cause the capacity to be more rapidly depleted than lower charge voltages. A battery may be charged using a high charge voltage, e.g., its rated charge voltage, during periods of expected high usage. To extend the battery's cycle life, the battery may be charged using a low charge voltage during periods of expected low usage.