Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for adjusting a maximum charge amount of a battery. Batteries have preferred usage parameters, such as charging rates, maximum charge amounts, heat, etc. Throughout a battery's lifespan, it is used in different ways that are outside of these parameters. This slowly degrades the quality of the battery. According to the present disclosure, this usage is monitored and accounted for so as to increase the lifespan of the battery and prevent or reduce further degradation. Specifically, the usage is separated into bins, such as temperature and voltage bins. Each bin is associated with a different weighting factors. The amount of time the battery has spent in each bin is multiplied by the corresponding weighting factors, and these values are summed to provide an overall degradation value of the battery. Charging or other aspects of the battery are then controlled according to this degradation value.

Abstract: A circuit is disclosed to provide synchronization between parallel-connected battery cells. The circuit includes at least a plurality of battery cells connected in parallel to an output voltage rail of the battery pack. The circuit may further include a first indicator resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, where the first terminal is connected to the output voltage rail. The circuit may further include a plurality of charge protection circuits corresponding to the plurality of battery cells and include at least a first charge protection circuit configured to detect that a first battery cell corresponding to the first charge protection circuit has triggered one or more undesirable charge protection states to enter a charge protection mode and shut off a first charge transistor for the first battery cell to prevent charging of the first battery cell in response to the first battery cell entering the charge protection mode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for controlling charging power supplied to one or more parallel-connected rechargeable batteries. In the charging path of each battery, a current sensor and a current controller are disposed. The current sensor detects an amount of current being provided to the battery during charging, and provides this information to a system controller. The system controller receives the sensed current, and compares the current to an acceptable charge current range associated with the battery. If the charging current is determined to be within the acceptable range, then no changes are made to the current controller. If, on the other hand, the charging current is determined to be outside the acceptable range, then the system controller controls the current controller to adjust the amount of current provided to the battery.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for adjusting a maximum charge amount of a battery. Batteries have preferred usage parameters, such as charging rates, maximum charge amounts, heat, etc. Throughout a battery's lifespan, it is used in different ways that are outside of these parameters. This slowly degrades the quality of the battery. According to the present disclosure, this usage is monitored and accounted for so as to increase the lifespan of the battery and prevent or reduce further degradation. Specifically, the usage is separated into bins, such as temperature and voltage bins. Each bin is associated with a different weighting factors. The amount of time the battery has spent in each bin is multiplied by the corresponding weighting factors, and these values are summed to provide an overall degradation value of the battery. Charging or other aspects of the battery are then controlled according to this degradation value.

Abstract: A circuit is disclosed to provide synchronization between parallel-connected battery cells. The circuit includes at least a plurality of battery cells connected in parallel to an output voltage rail of the battery pack. The circuit may further include a first indicator resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, where the first terminal is connected to the output voltage rail. The circuit may further include a plurality of charge protection circuits corresponding to the plurality of battery cells and include at least a first charge protection circuit configured to detect that a first battery cell corresponding to the first charge protection circuit has triggered one or more undesirable charge protection states to enter a charge protection mode and shut off a first charge transistor for the first battery cell to prevent charging of the first battery cell in response to the first battery cell entering the charge protection mode.

Abstract: An electronic device has a battery system with control circuitry for use during charging and discharging. The battery pack has two battery cells coupled in series. The control circuitry includes battery charging circuitry that applies a charging current to the battery pack during charging. The control circuitry includes bleed resistors and switches that can be selectively activated to bleed charging current away from a selected cell during charging. This allows the control circuitry to balance charges stored on the cells and to balance associated cell voltages. The control circuitry is configured to maintain information on a difference between the charge stored on the first battery cell and the charge stored on the second battery cell. Information on this charge difference value is maintained during charging and discharging and is used in establishing a battery pack charging voltage target.

Abstract: Battery systems that can monitor and control multiple battery cells in electronic devices. One embodiment provides a battery system having multiple battery cells controlled by a single battery controller. Each battery cell is connected to a first end of a control path, a second end of the control path is connected to either a positive terminal or a negative terminal of the battery system. Each control path includes a charge control transistor that allows or prevents charging of a battery cell, a discharge control transistor that allows or prevents discharging of a battery cell, and a current sense resistor to sense currents into or out of a battery cell. The charge control transistor and the discharge control transistor can be controlled by control outputs provided by the battery controller. The battery controller also includes a balance switch to provide a low-impedance path between battery cells to reduce offset voltages between them.

Abstract: Battery systems that may monitor and control multiple battery cells in electronic devices. One example may provide a battery system having multiple battery cells controlled by a single battery controller. Each battery cell may be connected to a first end of a control path, the second end of which may be connected to either a positive or negative terminal of the battery system. Each control path may include a charge control transistor that may allow or prevent charging of a battery cell, a discharge control transistor that may allow or prevent discharging of a battery cell, and a current sense resistor to sense currents into or out of a battery cell. The charge and discharge control transistors may be controlled by control outputs provided by the battery controller. The battery controller may also include a balance switch to provide a low-impedance path between battery cells to reduce offset voltages between them.