Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a cathode (401), an anode (402), and a separator (403) disposed between the anode and the cathode. Material is removed from one or both of a first side edge (406,408) and a second side edge (407,409) of the cathode and anode, and optionally the separator. The cathode, the anode, and the separator are arranged in a jellyroll (500) such that the material removed from both the first side edge and the second side edge defines a multi-faceted geometry of the jellyroll.

Abstract: An electronic system, or its battery thermal management system, determines a thermal state of a battery used in the electronic system. A temperature at a position proximate the battery's cell is sensed during operation of the electronic system to produce a sensed value. Additionally, a temperature offset value is determined based on an aging factor for the battery. The sensed value is then adjusted based on the offset value to produce an adjusted value representative of the thermal state of the battery. According to one embodiment, a relationship between temperature offset value and battery aging factor is prestored in a memory of the electronic system. In such a case, the offset value may be retrieved from memory periodically or in response to a trigger event based on a determined aging factor. According to another embodiment, the offset value may be computed in real time based on a determined aging factor.

Abstract: A method (300) and system (600) of adjusting a charging current to one or more cells (601) is provided. The method includes obtaining (301) a plurality of charging time periods, where each charging time period defined as a time period required to charge the one or more cells with a predefined current at one of a plurality of different temperatures. A temperature of the one or more cells is determined (302). A predetermined current is scaled (306) by a quotient of a first charging time period defined by a first one of the plurality of different temperatures divided by a second charging time period defined by a second one of the plurality of different temperatures to obtain a magnitude of the charging current. The cells are charged (307) with the charging current at the magnitude to more rapidly charge the one or more cells at temperatures above room temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for wireless charging are provided. A control circuit charges one or more cells in a secondary wireless charging circuit that receives power wirelessly from a primary. The control circuit determines the state of charge and temperature of the cells. The control circuit then calculates a current limit as a function of a combination of the state of charge, input voltage to the control circuit for the wireless controller, FET power dissipation and the temperature and adjusts a wireless power control device in the secondary such that its current limit is set to the state of charge current limit. Different temperature limits can be used for different states of charge such that the cells can be charged at higher temperatures at low states of charge than at higher states of charge.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dynamically adjusting an over-current protection threshold (514) are disclosed. A dynamic over-current protection circuit (104) receives a first trigger to switch to a high discharge current mode. The dynamic over-current protection circuit (104) starts a high-current timer (210) and increases the over-current protection threshold (514) in response to receiving the trigger. The dynamic over-current protection circuit (104) decreases the over-current protection threshold (514) and starts a hold-off timer (212) in response to an expiration of the high current timer (210). The hold-off timer (212) prevents a second trigger from causing a switch to the high discharge current mode until the hold-off timer expires.

Abstract: A method (300) and system (600) of adjusting a charging current to one or more cells (601) is provided. The method includes obtaining (301) a plurality of charging time periods, where each charging time period defined as a time period required to charge the one or more cells with a predefined current at one of a plurality of different temperatures. A temperature of the one or more cells is determined (302). A predetermined current is scaled (306) by a quotient of a first charging time period defined by a first one of the plurality of different temperatures divided by a second charging time period defined by a second one of the plurality of different temperatures to obtain a magnitude of the charging current. The cells are charged (307) with the charging current at the magnitude to more rapidly charge the one or more cells at temperatures above room temperature.

Abstract: An intelligent battery management method (300) and device (600). The method (300) can include the steps of: monitoring (310) parameters including at least a wireless communication device battery temperature and battery state of charge and a dock battery state of charge; comparing (320) the monitored parameters with a decision matrix; and enabling (330) at least one of charging and cooling a wireless communication device battery based on the compared parameters and the decision matrix. The method (300) can provide active charging and cooling, which can help to prolong the useful life of a battery and provide a maximum recharging capacity.

Abstract: An assembly includes a receiver housing (401) defining a plurality of bays (403,404,405,406,407). Each bay can be separated by a flexible connector section (411,412,413,414). A plurality of electrochemical cells can be disposed in the plurality of bays. A first common conductor (301) can be coupled to each anode of each electrochemical cell, and a second common conductor (302) can be coupled to each cathode of the each electrochemical cell. A cover housing (402) can be coupled to the receiver housing to enclose the plurality of electrochemical cells in the plurality of bays. An exterior housing can be applied to form a wearable strap for, and to power, an electronic device (800).

Abstract: A mobile electronic device with an enhanced battery pack construction is shown. The mobile electronic device (10) includes: a housing (12) including a front housing (14) and a rear housing (16) having a reservoir area (18); a user interface (20) connected to the front housing (14); and a battery pack (22) including a planar inwardly facing surface (24) and a nonplanar outwardly facing surface (26), the nonplanar outwardly facing surface (26) being substantially complementarily configured to be received in the reservoir area (18) of the rear housing (16). Advantageously, this construction helps to provide a uniquely shaped mobile electronic device with enhanced ergonomics, adapted to be comfortably held in a user's hand and can conform to a user's palm. Advantageously, this construction is adapted to accommodating expansion and contraction of the battery pack (22), when it comprises a Lithium Ion Polymer, in one embodiment.

Abstract: An electronic system, or its battery thermal management system, determines a thermal state of a battery used in the electronic system. A temperature at a position proximate the battery's cell is sensed during operation of the electronic system to produce a sensed value. Additionally, a temperature offset value is determined based on an aging factor for the battery. The sensed value is then adjusted based on the offset value to produce an adjusted value representative of the thermal state of the battery. According to one embodiment, a relationship between temperature offset value and battery aging factor is prestored in a memory of the electronic system. In such a case, the offset value may be retrieved from memory periodically or in response to a trigger event based on a determined aging factor. According to another embodiment, the offset value may be computed in real time based on a determined aging factor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dynamically adjusting an over-current protection threshold (514) are disclosed. A dynamic over-current protection circuit (104) receives a first trigger to switch to a high discharge current mode. The dynamic over-current protection circuit (104) starts a high-current timer (210) and increases the over-current protection threshold (514) in response to receiving the trigger. The dynamic over-current protection circuit (104) decreases the over-current protection threshold (514) and starts a hold-off timer (212) in response to an expiration of the high current timer (210). The hold-off timer (212) prevents a second trigger from causing a switch to the high discharge current mode until the hold-off timer expires.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a cathode (401), an anode (402), and a separator (403) disposed between the anode and the cathode. Material is removed from one or both of a first side edge (406,408) and a second side edge (407,409) of the cathode and anode, and optionally the separator. The cathode, the anode, and the separator are arranged in a jellyroll (500) such that the material removed from both the first side edge and the second side edge defines a multi-faceted geometry of the jellyroll.

Abstract: A system (300) and method (400) for wireless charging are provided. A control circuit (304) charges one or more cells (301) in a secondary wireless charging circuit (308) that receives power wirelessly from a primary (312). The control circuit determines the state of charge and temperature of the cells. The control circuit then calculates a current limit as a function of a combination of the state of charge, input voltage to the control circuit for the wireless controller, FET power dissipation and the temperature and adjusts a wireless power control device (305) in the secondary such that its current limit is set to the state of charge current limit. Different temperature limits can be used for different states of charge such that the cells can be charged at higher temperatures at low states of charge than at higher states of charge.

Abstract: A method (300) and device (400) for augmenting the useful life of an energy storage device in a portable electronic device is disclosed. The method (300) can include the steps of: providing (315) a power module comprising a fuel cell and a battery; determining (310) relative humidity; and controlling (315) the operations of the power module in response to the determined relative humidity. Advantageously, the method (300) and device (400) can augment and prolong the useful life of an energy storage device in a portable electronic device, with minimal power drain.

Abstract: An intelligent battery management method (300) and device (600). The method (300) can include the steps of: monitoring (310) parameters including at least a wireless communication device battery temperature and battery state of charge and a dock battery state of charge; comparing (320) the monitored parameters with a decision matrix; and enabling (330) at least one of charging and cooling a wireless communication device battery based on the compared parameters and the decision matrix. The method (300) can provide active charging and cooling, which can help to prolong the useful life of a battery and provide a maximum recharging capacity.

Abstract: A method (300) and device (400) for augmenting the useful life of an energy storage device in a portable electronic device is disclosed. The method (300) can include the steps of: providing (315) a power module comprising a fuel cell and a battery; determining (310) relative humidity; and controlling (315) the operations of the power module in response to the determined relative humidity. Advantageously, the method (300) and device (400) can augment and prolong the useful life of an energy storage device in a portable electronic device, with minimal power drain.

Abstract: A method for communicating authenticity of a battery in a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device executes an authentication process to determine the authenticity of the battery used in the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device establishes a communication link with a wireless network. The wireless communication device notifies a network server if the battery is not authenticated while allowing the portable communication device to function. The network server performs a specific task in response to a notification received.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and electronic device for optimizing content acquisition are disclosed. A memory may store usage of a previous set of media content by the mobile device. An input/output device may receive a request for a current set of media content. A processor may create a user profile based on the usage and provides a first recommendation of a first digital rights agreement based on the user profile.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and electronic device for optimizing a media presentation to a group. A memory may store a personal media user profile for a user. A processor may create a group media user profile from the personal media user profile and associated individual media user profiles. A network interface may send a request to a digital media content source for a set of digital media content with a digital media content profile that matches the group media user profile.

Abstract: A system [100] includes a database [130] to store a user profile for a user [140]. The user profile contains user-specific information. An intelligent agent [120] monitors a conversation involving the user for at least one keyword. In response to detecting the at least one keyword, the intelligent agent: (a) searches the user profile for at least one item corresponding to the at least one keyword; (b) retrieves the at least one item from the user profile; and (c) determines a relevance between the at least one keyword and the at least one item. An application communication element [135] communicates application information corresponding to the at least one item to an application program in response to the relevance exceeding a predetermined threshold.