Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for charging primary battery-powered devices and battery-powered accessories tethered to the primary devices are disclosed. The two devices may include batteries of different types having different nominal voltages. A processing unit on the primary device may obtain state-of-charge information and other operating parameters of the batteries and may determine when to provide power to the accessory to charge its battery. The primary device may select its own battery, power provided by a charger to which it is coupled, or conditioned power as the source of charging energy provided to the accessory to charge its battery. Processing units on the two devices may adjust charging parameters to perform energy balancing while the batteries are simultaneously charged, based on operating parameters of the batteries, operating contexts of the devices, a charging prioritization scheme, or a current distribution scheme.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for charging primary battery-powered devices and battery-powered accessories tethered to the primary devices are disclosed. The two devices may include batteries of different types having different nominal voltages. A processing unit on the primary device may obtain state-of-charge information and other operating parameters of the batteries and may determine when to provide power to the accessory to charge its battery. The primary device may select its own battery, power provided by a charger to which it is coupled, or conditioned power as the source of charging energy provided to the accessory to charge its battery. Processing units on the two devices may adjust charging parameters to perform energy balancing while the batteries are simultaneously charged, based on operating parameters of the batteries, operating contexts of the devices, a charging prioritization scheme, or a current distribution scheme.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (400) for extending battery life on a Communication Device (“CD”). The methods involve: configuring operations of CD and an accessory such that they operate in a first operational mode in which the accessory has a first functionality; and detecting the occurrence of a trigger event. The trigger event occurs when: (a) CD's power source has a State-Of-Charge (“SOC”), capacity or voltage level that is not optimal for powering the accessory, (b) a voltage level of the accessory's power source is below a lowest voltage level at which the accessory can fully operate, or (c) a power source of the accessory is sufficiently charged/re-charged such that the accessory can once again operate in the SOM. In response to the trigger event, operations of CD and accessory are re-configured such that they operate in accordance with a second operational mode in which the accessory has a second functionality.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (400) for extending battery life on a Communication Device (“CD”). The methods involve: configuring operations of CD and an accessory such that they operate in a first operational mode in which the accessory has a first functionality; and detecting the occurrence of a trigger event. The trigger event occurs when: (a) CD's power source has a State-Of-Charge (“SOC”), capacity or voltage level that is not optimal for powering the accessory, (b) a voltage level of the accessory's power source is below a lowest voltage level at which the accessory can fully operate, or (c) a power source of the accessory is sufficiently charged/re-charged such that the accessory can once again operate in the SOM. In response to the trigger event, operations of CD and accessory are re-configured such that they operate in accordance with a second operational mode in which the accessory has a second functionality.

Abstract: A method and circuit for avoiding a low voltage shutdown in a portable device due to a low voltage falsely indicating a discharged battery employs an input current sensing circuit to determine when a high current is being drawn by the portable device. When the portable device is drawing a high current from the battery, the shutdown function is at least temporarily suppressed. If, during the high current event, the battery behavior indicates that it is actually near fully discharged, the shutdown functionality can be enabled to shut down the portable device.

Abstract: A method and circuit for avoiding a low voltage shutdown in a portable device due to a low voltage falsely indicating a discharged battery employs an input current sensing circuit to determine when a high current is being drawn by the portable device. When the portable device is drawing a high current from the battery, the shutdown function is at least temporarily suppressed. If, during the high current event, the battery behavior indicates that it is actually near fully discharged, the shutdown functionality can be enabled to shut down the portable device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting transmission power in a portable two-way radio device allows the device to determine an expected battery voltage drop for a subsequent transmit event, based on present transmit power settings and battery impedance, and change the power setting for the subsequent transmit event if the battery voltage is likely to drop below a shutdown threshold at the present power setting or if the expected battery voltage drop will cause the battery voltage to be substantially above the shutdown voltage level and the present power setting is below an optimal level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting transmission power in a portable two-way radio device allows the device to determine an expected battery voltage drop for a subsequent transmit event, based on present transmit power settings and battery impedance, and change the power setting for the subsequent transmit event if the battery voltage is likely to drop below a shutdown threshold at the present power setting or if the expected battery voltage drop will cause the battery voltage to be substantially above the shutdown voltage level and the present power setting is below an optimal level.