Abstract: An information processing apparatus has a battery portion which supplies power, a remaining capacity detecting portion which detects a remaining capacity of the battery portion, a remaining time computing portion which computes a remaining time during which processing of an application for information processing can be carried out by the power supplied from the battery portion, on the basis of the remaining capacity detected by the remaining capacity detecting portion, and a display portion which displays the remaining time computed by the remaining time computing portion. In this manner, a user can know a time of an application which can be used with a current remaining battery capacity from a screen.

Abstract: There is provided a charging apparatus, which uses a charging control timer having a relatively simple constitution, capable of preventing an overcharge of a secondary battery while detecting the overcharge of the secondary battery even if a charge current value is relatively small. The charging apparatus that discontinues the charging in a preset expiration time period of a timer has a variable controller for controlling the preset expiration time period of a timer in response to an interrupted time if the charging operation that is interrupted before reaching the preset expiration time of a timer is started again.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for disabling a charging counter circuitry within a battery charger is disclosed. The apparatus includes circuitry connected to a pin associated with the charging counter circuitry of the battery charger, said circuitry receiving a signal from a device connected to the battery charger. The circuitry disables the charging counter circuitry responsive to a signal from the device at a first level and enables the charging counter circuitry responsive to the signal from the device at a second level.

Abstract: In a sensor network system, a communications network connects a set of sensors to a server collectively managing the set of sensors. First, the sensor-managing server acquires remaining drive times of batteries in the sensors, and specifies a target remaining drive time. The server then controls the operation of the sensors so that the remaining drive times of the batteries in the sensors are substantially equal to the target remaining drive time. This reduces the maintenance workload for a system manager, especially, in the recharging of the sensor batteries.

Abstract: A warning is displayed for a constant time prior to end of a battery with respect to battery packs having various cell structures. A microcomputer 14 in the side of a video camera recorder body 10 obtains a reference voltage value from a voltage correction value decided based on information concerning a capacity of a cell in a battery pack obtained from a battery pack 20, and an end voltage value at which use of the battery is ended. A display section 15 is controlled by a result of comparison between the voltage value of the battery pack 20 and the reference voltage value, and a warning is displayed when the voltage value of the battery pack becomes equal to or lower than the reference voltage value.

Abstract: A battery tester and charger is provided for safely and efficiently testing and charging partially charged and discharged batteries. Information about the battery to be tested is inputed by the user. A first heavy loaded is applied and the bounce back voltage is used to determine the state of charge of the battery. If the battery is chargeable then a set charge time is determined. If not, then the battery can be discarded.

Abstract: When a battery is in standby mode, a microcomputer switches to sleep mode if no charging/discharging current is supplied within a predetermined time, and controls a timer so as to start measuring the standby time of the battery. When a charging/discharging current is supplied, the microcomputer switches to wake-up mode, and controls the timer so as to stop measuring the standby time. Then, the microcomputer reads the measured standby time. Based on the read standby time, the microcomputer calculates the correction value to correct the currently stored remaining battery capacity value.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply device has a power supply circuit for supplying power from a power source to electronic equipment, a power interruption detection section for detecting interruption of the power supply from the power source, and a rechargeable battery charged by the power source. The uninterruptible power supply device further includes control means for controlling charging of the rechargeable battery in accordance with a charge state of the battery and also controlling the power supply from the rechargeable battery to the electronic equipment, and timer means for stopping the power supply to the control means after a lapse of a fixed time period from generation of a power interruption signal or shut-down signal, whereby wasteful consumption of electric energy stored in the rechargeable battery can be suppressed and also charge control for the rechargeable battery can be smoothly restarted at the recovery from power outage or at the start of the device.

Abstract: It is known that reforming implantable defibrillator capacitors at least partially restores and preserves their charging efficiency. An industry-recognized standard is to reform implantable capacitors by pulse discharging the connected electrochemical cell about once every three months throughout the useful life of the medical device. A Li/SVO cell typically powers such devices. The present invention relates to methodologies for accurately determining the precise boundaries of voltage delay and irreversible Rdc growth region in the about 25% to 70% DOD region so that more frequent pulse discharging for the purpose of cell reform is confined to the limits of the region. At the same time, the connected capacitors in the cardiac defibrillator are reformed to maintain them at their rated breakdown voltages.

Abstract: The remaining battery capacity computation system has a remaining capacity computation apparatus, which is connected to an electrical equipment unit via a one line communication circuit. The connected electrical equipment unit transmits a detected current signal, that indicates current flowing in the battery, at a fixed transmission period to the remaining capacity computation apparatus via the communication circuit. The remaining capacity computation apparatus computes remaining battery capacity from the detected current, and outputs a signal, that indicates the computed remaining capacity, with prescribed timing to the communication circuit. The remaining capacity signal is transmitted to the connected electrical equipment unit and timed after completion of the output of one detected current signal and before commencement of the output of the next detected current signal.

Abstract: A discharging circuit, connected to both terminals of a lithium battery, includes a first discharge resistor, a second discharge resistor, and a transistor for occasionally discharging the lithium battery to reduce the SOC difference among respective lithium batteries constituting a combination battery. A voltage detecting circuit detects a terminal voltage of the lithium battery via the first discharge resistor. A discharge controller judges a failure occurring in the discharging circuit based on a comparison between a terminal voltage value detected when the transistor is turned on and a terminal voltage value detected when the transistor is turned off.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a charge voltage is coupled between the positive and negative terminals of a rechargeable battery, to charge the battery. The charge voltage is disconnected for a predetermined relax time period. A rechargeable battery voltage is present between the positive and negative terminals of the battery during the relax time. The battery voltage is measured and compared to a predetermined target voltage that is associated with a sample time. The comparison is then used to determine if the battery is charged.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an on-vehicle electricity storage device, which enables an appropriate charging of the on-vehicle electricity storage device while preventing degradation of the on-vehicle electricity storage device. The counter value of a high voltage maintaining counter CVB14V and the timer value of a sustain time subtraction timer TACG2 are increased over the period after time t1 in which the inter-terminal voltage VB of the battery is maintained to be greater than the predetermined mode switching threshold voltage #VB14V. The counter value and the timer value decrease over the period from time t2 to time t3. At time t3, the operation mode is switched from a non-charging mode to a charging mode.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a circuit and method for controlling current to a load. In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit makes the maximum charge time (“MCT”) of a battery charging circuit (100) a function of the charging current. The MCT changes as the battery charging current changes. For low current the MCT would increase and for high current the MCT would decrease. The result is that MCT will always occur a short time after the battery is fully charged. In operation, the charging current can also be made a function of the temperature of devices within the charging circuit.

Abstract: A smoothing circuit for realizing the miniaturization and the increase of integration scale of a circuit and for easily varying attack time and release time. This smoothing circuit comprises a capacitor, voltage comparator, charging circuit, and discharging circuit. The voltage comparator compares the terminal voltage of the capacitor with its input voltage and actuates the charging circuit or the discharging circuit according to a comparison result. The charging circuit charges the capacitor by intermittently supplying charging current. The discharging circuit discharges the capacitor by allowing discharging current to flow intermittently.

Abstract: A load, such as a cordless telephone handset, is powered by a rechargeable battery. The battery is recharged, when the load is not in use, by a battery charger which is controlled by a usage timer which totals the amount of time that the load has drawn power from the battery since the last recharging cycle. The usage timer causes operation of the battery charger to be inhibited until after a predetermined cumulative use.

Abstract: A load, such as a cordless telephone handset, is powered by a rechargeable battery. The battery is recharged, when the load is not in use, by a battery charger which is controlled by a usage timer which totals the amount of time that the load has drawn power from the battery since the last recharging cycle. The usage timer causes operation of the battery charger to be inhibited until after a predetermined cumulative use.

Abstract: A method for determining the performance of a battery for providing a vehicle power supply system voltage for a vehicle power supply system in particular in a vehicle, is provided in order to identify the serviceability of a battery in as simple and reliable a manner as possible, in which method the vehicle power supply system voltage (U) is recorded, in which process the vehicle power supply system voltage (U) and the vehicle power supply system current (I) are monitored for an operating mode which can be predetermined within a time window (Z) which can be predetermined, such that the vehicle power supply system voltage (U) at the end of the time window (Z) exceeds a limit value (G) which can be predetermined, as a function of the vehicle power supply system current (I) which is emitted during that operating mode.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a charge voltage is coupled between the positive and negative terminals of a rechargeable battery, to charge the battery. The charge voltage is disconnected for a predetermined relax time period. A rechargeable battery voltage is present between the positive and negative terminals of the battery during the relax time. The battery voltage is measured and compared to a predetermined target voltage that is associated with a sample time. The comparison is then used to determine if the battery is charged.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the conditioning of a rechargeable battery. The methods include providing a fully charged battery and discharging that battery to a voltage threshold value. The time required to discharge the rechargeable battery to the voltage threshold value is measured and then compared to a reference value. If the discharge time is less than the reference value, the battery is then further discharged. The methods can be applied to rechargeable batteries used in consumer products such as electric shaver and electric toothbrushes. The devices include a rechargeable battery, a second device that detects whether the device is connected to an external energy sources, and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit discharges the battery by way of a load only if the device is connected to an external energy source. The devices can include appliances such as an electronic shaver or an electronic toothbrush.

Abstract: A detecting method for detecting internal information of an inspective rechargeable battery when said inspective rechargeable battery is charged by a constant current-constant voltage charging regime, comprising at least a step (A) of measuring an elapse of time (t) from the time when a constant current charging mode at a constant current value I0 is shifted to a constant voltage charging mode at a constant voltage Vmax and measuring a charge current value I in the constant voltage charging mode, a step (B) of obtaining a period of time from said shift time to the constant voltage charging in the constant voltage charging mode until the time when said charge current value I0 in the constant voltage charging mode reaches a given current value IM, and a step (C) of obtaining an electricity quantity charged in the constant voltage charging mode with respect to the inspective rechargeable battery.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for synchronizing communication between a battery and an electronic device are disclosed. Bytes consisting of a number of bits are transmitted between the electronic device and the battery. A predetermined bit sequence is appended to at least some of the bytes prior to transmission. The time interval between given shifts in the predetermined bit sequence is used to synchronize the communication.

Abstract: A refresh charge control device which counts a time after achieving a fully charged condition of a battery by last refresh charge and an accumulative value of a charge and discharge electric current. Plural relationship between the time and the accumulative value is determined as conditions for carrying out the refresh charge of the battery. When either one of those relationship is established, the refresh charge of the battery is performed for fully charging the battery. It is judged whether a condition that a vehicle speed is equal to or faster than a predetermined vehicle speed continues for a predetermined time. Even the condition that the vehicle speed is equal to or faster than the predetermined vehicle speed continues for the predetermined time, the refresh charge of the battery is performed for fully charging the battery irrespective of the relationship between the time and the accumulative value.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed to facilitate balancing energy among a plurality of energy cells. Charge is transferred between each respective cell and an associated energy storage device by sequentially coupling the storage device with different cells, such that the energy in each of the cells is transferred from cells having a higher potential energy to cells having a lower potential energy through the energy storage device.

Abstract: A detecting method for detecting internal information of an inspective rechargeable battery when said inspective rechargeable battery is charged by a constant current-constant voltage charging regime, comprising at least a step (A) of measuring an elapse of time (t) from the time when a constant current charging mode at a constant current value I0 is shifted to a constant voltage charging mode at a constant voltage Vmax and measuring a charge current value I in the constant voltage charging mode, a step (B) of obtaining a period of time from said shift time to the constant voltage charging in the constant voltage charging mode until the time when said charge current value I0 in the constant voltage charging mode reaches a given current value IM, and a step (C) of obtaining an electricity quantity charged in the constant voltage charging mode with respect to the inspective rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A method of displaying the full-charge-state of a battery according to the invention is characterized in that the displaying is retarded by a predetermined period of time after the full-charge-state is detected. According to the method, the delay time is so determined that the battery which requires a shorter charging time needed to full-charge the battery has a longer delay time period than the battery requiring a longer charging time.

Abstract: This invention includes a method that allows a charger to quickly identify a battery pack. Once the battery pack has been identified, the invention allows the charger to determine whether prior charging processes should be resumed, or whether the charging cycle should be started anew. In one preferred embodiment, the battery includes a memory device having a unique identifier like a serial number, for instance. When the battery is coupled to the charger, the charger identifies the battery and queries the charger memory. If the battery has been disconnected from the charger for more than a predetermined amount of time, the charger presumes the battery has been depleted and starts the charging cycle from the beginning. If the battery has been disconnected for a short period of time, the charger presumes that the battery has not been greatly depleted and begins the previous charging process that was running when the battery was disconnected from the charger.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for managing electrical power flow among a plurality of loads or devices, which can be classified into critical loads (as to which maintaining power flow for a maximal period is a priority) and non-critical loads (as to which power flow may be cutoff when available power becomes limited). The invention is of particular use for rationing backup battery power among a plurality of data communications or telecommunications devices or services, whereby one or more less-crucial, and perhaps power-intensive, devices may be provided with a guaranteed duration of backup battery power (to perform an orderly shutdown, for instance), while a more-crucial, and perhaps less power-intensive, device is supplied with a longer duration of backup battery power, such that as the unavailability of primary power continues, crucial functions are maintained.

Abstract: A method for charging a lead battery is provided. In the method, a SOC is controlled so as to be less than 100%, and when the lead battery has not been charged and discharged for a predetermined time, refresh charge is performed so that the SOC becomes at least 90% or more.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack with low powered, gas gauge circuitry for monitoring and accumulating various operating parameters of the rechargeable battery pack, includes a current monitor for measuring the current flow into and out of a battery cell in the rechargeable battery pack. An integrated current accumulator connected to the current monitor is used to maintain a measure of the net charge having flowed into and out of the battery cell. A charging current accumulator, which is also coupled to the current monitor, is used to maintain a measure of the total charge having flowed into the battery cell, while a discharging current accumulator is used to maintain a measure of the total charge having flowed out of the battery cell. A highly accurate oscillator is used to drive the accumulators to greatly increase the accuracy of the gas gauge functions derived therefrom.

Abstract: A device having battery-save circuitry includes a power-on reset circuit (603), an OR-gate (604) coupled to the power-on reset circuit (603), a current-boost timer circuit (602) coupled to the OR-gate (604), a reference oscillator (403) with a start-up current mode enabled by the current-boost timer circuit (602), and a low current secondary reference oscillator (613). A method of operating the device includes operating the device in a battery-save mode and an active mode. A first clock signal is used as a microprocessor clock signal while operating the device in the battery-save mode, and a second or third clock signal is used as the microprocessor clock signal while operating the device in the active mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a storage battery includes battery test circuitry configured to perform a battery test on the storage battery. The battery test circuitry responsively provides a test result output related to a condition of the storage battery. A test count memory configured to store a test count and test count circuitry is configured to maintain a test count in response to an occurrence of a battery test performed by the battery test circuitry.

Abstract: A charging method and a charging apparatus which can be used particularly for charging a valve-regulated lead acid battery using a Pb-Sb alloy grid as a positive electrode grid. Primary constant-current charging is performed with a predetermined current value. The primary constant-current charging is further continued for an extension time ta after the battery voltage reaches a change-over voltage Vc. After the extension time has passed, the charging is changed over to secondary constant-current charging using a current value smaller than that of the primary constant-current charging. The extension time for continuing the primary constant-current charging is preferably set so as to be shorter as the battery temperature is higher. Also a secondary charging time for executing the secondary constant-current charging is preferably set so as to be shorter as the battery temperature is higher.

Abstract: For use with a reserve battery couplable to a charging circuit capable of providing a charging current to the reserve battery, a mode selection circuit and a method of operation thereof. The mode selection circuit includes, in one embodiment, (1) a signal generator that generates a signal based on a temperature of the reserve battery and (2) a mode-changing circuit, coupled to the signal generator, that accepts the signal and selects an alternative one of: (a) a non-charge mode in which the charging current is substantially interrupted when the temperature is greater than a reference temperature and (b) a charge mode in which the charging current is provided to the reserve battery when the temperature is less than the reference temperature.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for monitoring the voltage of a rechargeable battery and controlling, in accordance with such monitored voltage, the charging and discharging of such rechargeable battery. While disconnecting or, alternatively, powering down all other power consuming circuitry, the unloaded battery voltage is sampled. The sampled voltage is then stored in isolation while the remaining circuitry is connected or powered up for normal operation. The stored voltage sample, free from errors induced by the otherwise normal operation of the battery monitoring circuit, is then compared to a reference voltage.

Abstract: A battery recharging circuit for a valve regulated lead-acid battery having a plurality of cells, each cell including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a DC voltage source for generating a voltage applied to the positive and negative battery electrodes, and a reference electrode includes a regenerating voltage source for selectively applying a regenerating voltage between the reference electrode and one of the battery electrodes for regenerating the reference electrode, and a reference voltage source for generating a reference voltage. The circuit further includes circuitry for measuring the voltage level between the reference electrode and a battery electrode after removal of the regenerating voltage from the reference electrode. Circuitry compares the measured voltage level to the reference voltage to generate an error correction signal.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack with low powered, gas gauge circuitry for monitoring and accumulating various operating parameters of the rechargeable battery pack, includes a current monitor for measuring the current flow into and out of a battery cell in the rechargeable battery pack. An integrated current accumulator connected to the current monitor is used to maintain a measure of the net charge having flowed into and out of the battery cell. A charging current accumulator, which is also coupled to the current monitor, is used to maintain a measure of the total charge having flowed into the battery cell, while a discharging current accumulator is used to maintain a measure of the total charge having flowed out of the battery cell. A highly accurate oscillator is used to drive the accumulators to greatly increase the accuracy of the gas gauge functions derived therefrom.

Abstract: Following the constant-current portion of a rechargeable battery charging scheme with repeated current pulses having a lower current value than that of the constant current portion, for at least part of the period of the pulse, can increase the amount of time that elapses before the voltage of the rechargeable battery is at or above a threshold voltage, thereby decreasing the total charge time for the rechargeable battery. Various current pulse shapes can be used to reduce the total charge time for the rechargeable battery, including, for example, a ramped pulse that begins at a low current level and increases over some or all of the period of the pulse, and a constant current pulse whose current level is reduced from that of the constant-current portion of the rechargeable battery charging scheme by a specified amount.

Abstract: A charging apparatus controls the charging of a secondary battery such that charging is performed using a constant current as long as a terminal voltage of the secondary battery is less than a threshold voltage. When the terminal voltage rises to the threshold voltage, charging is performed using a constant voltage that is equal to or less than the threshold voltage.

Abstract: When a user has a portable telephone near the absolute end of its available battery power, the user can be caused to behave in a manner that more likely results in the preservation of some battery power for subsequent high priority high priority calls by conveying the illusion that the battery will soon be, or is, depleted even though there actually remains sufficient power in the battery to power the portable telephone for an additional period of time. To this end, at a predetermined time, e.g., two minutes, prior to a projected time at which the battery is expected to have power for only a particular additional amount of time, e.g., eight minutes, the user is signaled with an almost-out-of-power warning. This warning indicates that there remains in the battery enough power to operate the portable telephone only until the projected time, notwithstanding that there actually remains in the battery sufficient power to operate the portable telephone for the additional time beyond the projected time.

Abstract: When a user has a portable telephone near the absolute end of its available battery power, the user can be caused to behave in a manner that more likely results in the preservation of some battery power for subsequent high priority high priority calls by conveying the illusion that the battery will soon be, or is, depleted even though there actually remains sufficient power in the battery to power the portable telephone for an additional period of time. To this end, at a predetermined time, e.g., two minutes, prior to a projected time at which the battery is expected to have power for only a particular additional amount of time, e.g., eight minutes, the user is signaled with an almost-out-of-power warning. This warning indicates that there remains in the battery enough power to operate the portable telephone only until the projected time, notwithstanding that there actually remains in the battery sufficient power to operate the portable telephone for the additional time beyond the projected time.

Abstract: A high-speed secondary cell charging system is provided which accurately measures the amount of time to achieve a full-charge condition in a secondary cell. In this system, when charging a secondary cell while detecting a charging characteristic of the secondary cell, charging is performed of the secondary cell using a prescribed amount of charging current. Then, when a prescribed condition with regard to the secondary cell is detected, the secondary cell is charged once again, this time with a current that is smaller than the previous charging current. When a condition indicating the completion of the charging of the secondary cell is detected, the charging is stopped. If this condition is not detected, a yet smaller charging current is set and the charging of the secondary cell is performed once again, the above operations being repeated until a condition which indicates that the charging of the secondary cell is complete is detected.