Patents by Inventor Fred Berkowitz
Fred Berkowitz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10424961Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying a battery type and/or a battery user. Measuring circuitry may be used to collect battery parameters that may be analyzed by control circuitry to create an adaptive charge profile that is applied to a battery by charging circuitry. Battery parameters may be recorded in a battery use signature. Logic may be used to process a battery use signature and identify a single user across multiple battery operated devices and/or discriminate between multiple users of a device. In some cases, battery use signature may be used to identify battery information including the make, model, and lot from which the battery was manufactured.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Qnovo Inc.Inventors: Nadim Maluf, Fred Berkowitz
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Patent number: 10389156Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to applying a charge pulse to the terminals of the battery during a charging operation, measure a plurality of voltages of the battery which are in response to the first charge pulse, determine a charge pulse voltage (CPV) of the battery, wherein the charge pulse voltage is a peak voltage which is in response to the first charge pulse, determine whether the CPV of the battery is within a predetermined range or greater than a predetermined upper limit value and adapt one or more characteristics of a charge packet if the CPV is outside the predetermined range or is greater than a predetermined upper limit value.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Qnovo Inc.Inventors: Fred Berkowitz, Dania Ghantous, Nadim Maluf
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Publication number: 20190120910Abstract: Systems and apparatus may carry out analysis of battery physical phenomena, and characterize batteries based on phenomena occurring in particular time and/or frequency domains. These systems may be additionally responsible for charging and/or monitoring a rechargeable battery. Examples of battery physical phenomena include mass transport (e.g., diffusion and/or migration) in battery electrolytes, mass transport in battery electrodes, and reactions on battery electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Dania Ghantous, Fred Berkowitz, Nadim Maluf
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Publication number: 20190072618Abstract: Batteries and associated charging conditions or other operating conditions are evaluated by a computational model that classifies or characterizes the battery and associated conditions. Such battery model may classify batteries according to any of many different considerations such as whether the conditions are safe or unsafe or whether the conditions are likely to unnecessarily degrade the future performance of the battery. In some cases, the battery model executes while the battery is installed in an electronic device such as a smart phone or a vehicle. In some cases, the battery model executes and provides results (e.g., a classification of the battery) in real time while the battery is installed and being charged.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Dania Ghantous, Fred Berkowitz, Nadim Maluf
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Patent number: 10128678Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to applying a charge pulse to the terminals of the battery during a charging operation, measure a plurality of voltages of the battery which are in response to the first charge pulse, determine a charge pulse voltage (CPV) of the battery, wherein the charge pulse voltage is a peak voltage which is in response to the first charge pulse, determine whether the CPV of the battery is within a predetermined range or greater than a predetermined upper limit value and adapt one or more characteristics of a charge packet if the CPV is outside the predetermined range or is greater than a predetermined upper limit value.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Qnovo Inc.Inventors: Fred Berkowitz, Dania Ghantous, Nadim Maluf, Christina Peabody
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Patent number: 10067198Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determining data which is representative of the state of health, or a change therein, of the battery using the data which is representative of (i) the relaxation time of the battery and/or (ii) the overpotential of the battery. In another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adapt one or more characteristics of a charge signal using data which is representative of the state of health, or a change therein, of the battery. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determine a state of charge of the battery using data which is representative of the state of health, or a change therein, of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2015Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Qnovo Inc.Inventors: Nadim Maluf, Dania Ghantous, Fred Berkowitz, Christina Peabody
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Publication number: 20180090947Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to applying a charge pulse to the terminals of the battery during a charging operation, measure a plurality of voltages of the battery which are in response to the first charge pulse, determine a charge pulse voltage (CPV) of the battery, wherein the charge pulse voltage is a peak voltage which is in response to the first charge pulse, determine whether the CPV of the battery is within a predetermined range or greater than a predetermined upper limit value and adapt one or more characteristics of a charge packet if the CPV is outside the predetermined range or is greater than a predetermined upper limit value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Fred Berkowitz, Dania Ghantous, Nadim Maluf
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Patent number: 9912181Abstract: A system to recharge a battery including a first current-voltage source to generate a first signal, a second current-voltage source to generate a second signal, a first inductor-capacitor circuit to generate the first DC current-voltage signal using the first signal, a second inductor-capacitor circuit to generate the second DC current-voltage signal using the second signal, wherein the first and second inductor-capacitor circuits are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The system also includes a temperature sensor adapted to generate temperature data during the charging operation, and control circuitry configured to: (i) determine whether the first temperature data is out-of-specification, and (ii) generate one or more control signals to adjust the first and second DC current-voltage signals, in response to the first temperature data being out-of-specification.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2014Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Qnovo Inc.Inventors: Mark Gurries, Fred Berkowitz, Nadim Maluf, David Bruce Koons, Miroslav Zmrzli
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Publication number: 20170346305Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to applying a charge pulse to the terminals of the battery during a charging operation, measure a plurality of voltages of the battery which are in response to the first charge pulse, determine a charge pulse voltage (CPV) of the battery, wherein the charge pulse voltage is a peak voltage which is in response to the first charge pulse, determine whether the CPV of the battery is within a predetermined range or greater than a predetermined upper limit value and adapt one or more characteristics of a charge packet if the CPV is outside the predetermined range or is greater than a predetermined upper limit value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventors: Fred Berkowitz, Dania Ghantous, Nadim Maluf, Christina Peabody
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Patent number: 9791513Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adjust, correct and/or compensate a state of charge of the battery using the data which is representative of the relaxation time (e.g., full relaxation time) of the battery. The techniques and/or circuitry may determine the data which is representative of a relaxation time based on or using: (i) the rate of decay of the voltage at the terminals of the battery after terminating application of the charge current to the battery, (ii) a voltage which is constant or substantially constant after termination of the charge current and/or (iii) an amount of time associated with the decay of the voltage at the terminals of the battery to at least a measured or predetermined voltage. Notably, the charge signal or current may include a plurality of pulses.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Qnovo Inc.Inventors: Nadim Maluf, Dania Ghantous, Fred Berkowitz
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Patent number: 9787122Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to applying a charge pulse to the terminals of the battery during a charging operation, measure a plurality of voltages of the battery which are in response to the first charge pulse, determine a charge pulse voltage (CPV) of the battery, wherein the charge pulse voltage is a peak voltage which is in response to the first charge pulse, determine whether the CPV of the battery is within a predetermined range or greater than a predetermined upper limit value and adapt one or more characteristics of a charge packet if the CPV is outside the predetermined range or is greater than a predetermined upper limit value.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2015Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Qnovo Inc.Inventors: Fred Berkowitz, Dania Ghantous, Nadim Maluf, Christina Peabody
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Patent number: 9726554Abstract: Techniques and circuitry, in one embodiment, determine a temperature of a battery by applying a calibration packet to the battery's terminals and at the battery's first SOC, wherein the calibration packet includes a first pulse (charge or discharge) which temporally precedes a rest period. In one embodiment, measurement circuitry measures a first terminal voltage at a time immediately prior to or at a beginning of the first pulse of the calibration packet, and a second terminal voltage, in response to the calibration packet, at a time during the partial relaxation time period of a battery. Control circuitry determines a partial relaxation time voltage (VPRT) at the battery's first SOC using the first and second terminal voltages and determines a temperature of the battery by correlating the VPRT at the first SOC to a temperature of the battery at the battery's current SOH.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Qnovo Inc.Inventors: Dania Ghantous, Fred Berkowitz, Christina Peabody, Nadim Maluf
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Patent number: 9702940Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to applying a current pulse to the terminals of the battery during a charge, measuring a voltage at the terminals of the battery, selecting a relationship of an open circuit voltage to an amount of charge in the battery using data which is representative of a state of health of the battery, calculating an open circuit voltage of the battery using the voltage measured at the terminals of the battery, a current applied to or removed from the battery and an impedance of the battery, and determining a state of charge of the battery using (i) the calculated open circuit voltage and (ii) the relationship of the open circuit voltage to the amount of charge.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Qnovo Inc.Inventors: Nadim Maluf, Dania Ghantous, Fred Berkowitz, Christina Peabody
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Patent number: 9647472Abstract: Circuitry and methods to “capture”, recover, store and/or use electrical energy output and/or generated by the battery/cell as discharge signals of a charging sequence/operation. Such electrical energy may then be “reused” by the charging circuitry or system and/or in the system powered by the battery/cell and/or external to the charging circuitry or battery/cell. The energy output and/or generated by the battery/cell in response to discharge signals of a charging sequence/operation may (1) supply energy to the associated system being powered by the battery, (2) supply charge current to the same battery/cell or another battery/cell, (3) supply charge to one or more cells in a multiple cell battery pack that are at a lower voltage than the other cells, (4) store the charge in a different charge storing device (e.g., a capacitor and/or second battery), and/or (5) heat a battery/cell to improve charging performance.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Qnovo Inc.Inventors: Fred Berkowitz, Nadim Maluf, Dania Ghantous
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Patent number: 9500713Abstract: A system and technique for determining a state of charge (SOC) of a battery having at least two terminals and at least one silicon-based anode, or other anode materials exhibiting hysteretic voltage-SOC dependence such as tin-based anodes (whether partial or full dependence). The system and technique determines whether the battery is in a charge mode or a discharge mode of operation, measures a terminal voltage of the battery, and determines the SOC of the battery using (a) a first predetermined relationship between (i) the terminal voltage of the battery and (ii) the SOC of the battery when the battery is in a charge mode, and (b) a second predetermined relationship between (i) the terminal voltage of the battery and (ii) the SOC of the battery when the battery is in a discharge mode. In one embodiment, the terminal voltage is an equilibrium voltage of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Qnovo Inc.Inventors: Dania Ghantous, Christina Peabody, Nadim Maluf, Fred Berkowitz, Miroslav Zmrzli, David Bruce Koons
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Patent number: 9461492Abstract: A system and method to charge a battery during a charging cycle having a plurality of portions. The method comprises generating a first charge signal during the first portion of the charging cycle, wherein the first charge signal is based on a charge-time parameter. The charge-time parameter correlates a charge time period of the charging cycle to (i) a state of charge of the battery and/or (ii) a charge storage level corresponding to an amount of usage time of the battery. The method further includes applying the first charge signal to the battery during the first portion of the charging cycle, and, in response thereto, charging the battery to provide a state of charge and/or (ii) a charge storage level corresponding to an amount of usage in or within the charge time period of the charge-time parameter.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Qnovo Inc.Inventors: Fred Berkowitz, Dania Ghantous, Christina Peabody
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Patent number: 9385555Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of a change in terminal voltage of the battery/cell. In another aspect, the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of partial and/or full relaxation time of the battery/cell. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determine whether the data which is representative of partial and/or full relaxation time exceeds a predetermined range and/or is greater than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2015Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Qnovo Inc.Inventors: Dania Ghantous, Nadim Maluf, Fred Berkowitz
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Patent number: 9373972Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of a change in terminal voltage of the battery/cell. In another aspect, the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of partial and/or full relaxation time of the battery/cell. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determine whether the data which is representative of partial and/or full relaxation time exceeds a predetermined range and/or is greater than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2015Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Qnovo Inc.Inventors: Dania Ghantous, Nadim Maluf, Fred Berkowitz
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Publication number: 20150380957Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of a change in terminal voltage of the battery/cell. In another aspect, the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of partial and/or full relaxation time of the battery/cell. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determine whether the data which is representative of partial and/or full relaxation time exceeds a predetermined range and/or is greater than a predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Dania Ghantous, Nadim Maluf, Fred Berkowitz
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Publication number: 20150377976Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determining data which is representative of the state of health, or a change therein, of the battery using the data which is representative of (i) the relaxation time of the battery and/or (ii) the overpotential of the battery. In another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adapt one or more characteristics of a charge signal using data which is representative of the state of health, or a change therein, of the battery. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determine a state of charge of the battery using data which is representative of the state of health, or a change therein, of the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Nadim Maluf, Dania Ghantous, Fred Berkowitz, Christina Peabody