Optimizing battery usage

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9306243-B2
Application number	US-201113012168-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 24, 2011
Priority date	Jan 24, 2011
Publication date	Apr 5, 2016
Grant date	Apr 5, 2016

Abstract

Techniques for optimizing battery usage are provided. The techniques include sensing energy level of a battery, comparing the sensed energy level of the battery to a predetermined energy threshold for the battery, and controlling energy flow to and from the battery based on the comparison of the sensed energy level and the energy threshold.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for optimizing battery usage, wherein the method comprises:
automatically sensing an energy level of each battery among a set of multiple variable batteries that are housed in a device, wherein the device comprises multiple compartments of a size that can be dynamically adjusted in real-time from a first size to a second size to fit a respective one of the multiple variable batteries that does not fit within the first size;
automatically comparing the sensed energy level of each battery among the set of batteries to at least one predetermined energy threshold exclusively pertaining to the energy level of each battery among the set of batteries;
automatically marking each battery among the set of batteries as permitted for recharging if the sensed energy level of the given battery is sufficient to recharge the given battery based on said comparing;
automatically marking each battery among the set of batteries as permitted for energy extraction if the sensed energy level in the given battery is sufficient to extract energy from the given battery based on said comparing;
monitoring the temperature of each battery among the set of batteries via one or more temperature sensors;
automatically determining a battery type for each battery among the set of batteries, wherein battery type comprises one of rechargeable and not rechargeable, and wherein automatically determining the battery type for each battery among the set of batteries comprises pattern matching a battery casing for each battery among the set of batteries against a battery casing for one or more known battery types; and
automatically controlling energy flow to and from each battery among the set of batteries based on (i) the temperature of each battery among the set of batteries, (ii) the determined battery type for each battery among the set of batteries, and (iii) the comparison of the sensed energy level and the at least one energy threshold exclusively pertaining to the energy level of each battery among the set of batteries, wherein said controlling comprises:
extracting any remaining charge from each battery among the set of batteries marked for energy extraction and storing the remaining charge in the device if (i) the given battery is not rechargeable and (ii) the sensed energy level has a given predetermined relationship to the at least one energy threshold calling for energy to be extracted from the given battery; and
extracting an amount of charge from each battery among the set of batteries marked for energy extraction to render the given battery as containing a given amount of charge for recharging if (i) the given battery is rechargeable and (ii) the sensed energy level has a given predetermined relationship to the at least one energy threshold calling for energy to be extracted from the given battery; and
recharging, using charge stored in the device, each battery among the set of batteries marked for recharging that (i) is rechargeable and (ii) has had charge extracted to render the given battery as containing the given amount of charge for recharging.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein a manual setting facilitates user specification that a particular function be accomplished.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein an automatic setting facilitates that a particular function is accomplished upon detection of one or more conditions.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining if each battery among the set of batteries has residues of energy if the given battery is not rechargeable.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising ejecting each battery among the set of batteries for resumption of use.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining if the energy level of each battery among the set of batteries is sufficient to recharge the given battery if the given battery is rechargeable.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising inputting information pertaining to a battery charge process into a personal history database.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a system, wherein the system comprises one or more distinct software modules, each of the one or more distinct software modules being embodied on a tangible computer-readable recordable storage medium, and wherein the one or more distinct software modules comprise a sensor module, a detachable energy redistribution module and a battery manager module executing on a hardware processor.

Assignees

• Basson Sara H
• Hamilton Rick
• Kanevsky Dimitri
• Sainath Tara N
• IBM

Inventors

• Basson Sara H
• Hamilton Rick
• Kanevsky Dimitri
• Sainath Tara N

Classifications

• H02J7/84

  Control of state of health [SOH] · CPC title

• H02J7/50

  acting upon multiple batteries simultaneously or sequentially · CPC title

• H02J7/82

  Control of state of charge [SOC] · CPC title

• H01M10/48

  Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte (constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569) · CPC title

• H01M10/42 Primary

  Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells (H01M10/60 takes precedence) · CPC title