METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR DYNAMICLY CHANGE CHARGING SETTINGS FOR A BATTERY COMPOSITION

专利摘要:
Methods and a system for dynamically changing charging settings for a battery assembly are described. A first usage value and a second usage value for the battery assembly are received. A usage difference value is determined by comparing the first usage value with the second usage value. The usage difference value is compared to a plurality of battery usage ranges. Each battery usage range is associated with a collection number, a different voltage correction, and a different current correction. The set count of one of the plurality of battery usage ranges is updated based on the comparison. The collection numbers of the plurality of battery usage ranges are analyzed to determine a largest collection number and a respective battery usage range. The battery assembly is charged with a voltage correction and a current correction corresponding to the respective battery usage range with the largest collection number.
公开号:BE1027542B1
申请号:E20205505
申请日:2020-07-07
公开日:2021-09-09
发明作者:Michael Robustelli；Christopher P Klicpera
申请人:Zebra Tech；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

WORKING METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR DYNAMIC CHANGE OF CHARGING SETTINGS FOR A BATTERY COMPOSITION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Lithium-ion batteries, lithium-ion supercapacitors, and electrical double layer capacitor (ELDC) supercapacitors have come to the fore as the consumer electronics manufacturer's choice. However, the viability of these devices, or indeed any battery, is dependent upon the various forces governing their operation. For example, batteries deteriorate faster when operating at higher temperatures, especially when charged to a higher voltage. To make matters worse, charging batteries at a high input current facilitates self-heating of the battery. To counteract these forces, a battery can be charged to a lower voltage or charged at a lower current level. Each of these solutions produces longer battery life by averting the effects of internal forces generated by higher voltages and charging currents. On the other hand, if a consumer desires a longer operating time for his device, these solutions may not be ideal. Charging the battery to a lower voltage will cause the battery to use up its charge reserve more quickly, and using a lower charging current will decrease the number of times the consumer can use their device in a short period of time. Nevertheless, products are typically optimized by the manufacturer for either long runtime or long service life without the possibility for the consumer to change this afterwards.
Accordingly, there is a need for a way to change charging settings for a battery based on a consumer's specific requirements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for dynamically changing charge settings for a battery assembly, comprising receiving a first usage value for the battery array associated with a start time point of a usage cycle, receiving a second usage value for the battery assembly associated with an end time point of the usage cycle, determining a usage differential value for the battery array by comparing the first usage value with the second usage value, comparing the usage differential value with a plurality of battery usage ranges, each of the battery usage ranges being associated with a collection number and each of the battery usage ranges is associated with a different voltage correction and current correction, updating the collection number of one of the plurality of battery usage ranges based on n the equation, analyzing the collection numbers of the plurality of battery usage ranges to determine a largest collection number and a respective battery usage range, and, prior to a next cycle of use of the battery assembly, charging the battery assembly with a voltage correction and a current correction according to the respective battery usage range with the largest collection number.
Optionally or additionally, the method may further comprise applying a respective weighting factor to each collection number of the plurality of battery usage ranges, and wherein the largest collection number corresponds to a largest weighted collection number.
Optionally or additionally, the method may further comprise receiving an operating temperature from the battery assembly, and charging the battery assembly with the voltage correction and the current correction may further comprise determining that the respective battery usage range is different from a preceding respective battery usage range, and at least one of reducing a charging voltage if (1) the respective battery usage range is less than a preceding respective battery usage range or Gi) the operating temperature of the battery assembly is above a limit value, reducing a charging current if (1) the respective battery usage range is less than a preceding respective battery usage range or (Gi) the battery assembly operating temperature is above the limit value, increasing the charging voltage if the respective battery usage range is higher 1s than a preceding respective battery usage range, and increasing the charging current if the respective battery usage range is greater than 1s than a preceding respective battery usage range.
Optionally or additionally, the first usage value may be a first battery charge status value, the second usage value may be a second battery charge status value, the usage difference value may be a battery discharge depth, the plurality of battery usage ranges may be a plurality of battery discharge depth ranges, it may be largest collection number may be a largest number of insertion cycles, and the respective battery usage range may be a respective battery discharge depth range.
Optionally or additionally, charging the battery assembly with the voltage correction and the current correction may further comprise determining that the respective battery discharge depth range differs from a preceding respective battery discharge depth range, and at least one of decreasing a charging voltage if () the respective battery depth range is less than a preceding respective battery depth range or (ii) the operating temperature of the battery assembly is above a limit, decreasing a charging current if (1) the respective battery depth range is less than a preceding respective battery depth range or (ii) the operating temperature of the battery assembly is above the limit, increasing the charging voltage if the respective battery discharge depth range is greater than a preceding respective battery discharge depth range, and increasing the charging current if the respective battery discharge depth range is higher than a preceding respective battery discharge depth range.
Optionally or additionally, the first usage value can be at least one of (1) a first time and (ii) a first amount of scans, the second usage value can be at least one of (i) a second time and (ii) a second amount scans, the usage difference value may be at least one of (1) a time between charges and (ii) a difference in scan amounts, the plurality of battery usage ranges may be at least one of () a plurality of time-between charges ranges and (11) a plurality of difference-in-scan amount ranges, the largest collection number may be a largest number of insertion cycles, and the respective battery usage range may be at least one of (1) a respective time-between-charge range and (ii) a respective difference-in- scan amount range.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of dynamically changing charge settings for a battery pack, comprising receiving a first battery charge status value associated with a first time point during a cycle of use of the battery pack, receiving a second battery charge status value associated with a second time point during the cycle of use, determining a battery depth of discharge between the first time point and the second time point by comparing the first battery charge status value with the second battery charge status value, comparing the battery charge status value depth of discharge having a plurality of depth of discharge ranges, each of the plurality of depth of discharge ranges being associated with a collection number and each of the plurality of depth of discharge ranges being associated with a different voltage correction and current correction, updating the collection number of one of the plurality of depth-of-discharge ranges based on the equation, analyzing the set-numbers of the plurality of depth-of-discharge ranges to determine a largest collection number and a respective depth-of-discharge range, and prior to a next cycle of use of the battery assembly, charging the battery assembly having a voltage correction and a current correction corresponding to the respective deep-discharge range with the largest collection number.
Optionally or additionally, the method may further comprise applying a respective weighting factor to each collection number of the plurality of depth-of-discharge ranges, and wherein the largest collection number corresponds to a largest weighted collection number.
Optionally or additionally, charging the battery assembly with the voltage correction and the current correction may further comprise receiving an operating temperature of the battery assembly, determining the respective depth of discharge range is different from a preceding respective discharge range, and at least one of decreasing a charge voltage if (1) the respective depth-of-discharge range is less than a preceding respective depth-of-discharge range or (ii) the battery assembly operating temperature is above a limit, reducing a charge current if (1) the respective depth-of-discharge range is less than a respective respective depth-of-discharge range or ( ii) the operating temperature of the battery assembly is above the limit, increasing the charging voltage if the respective depth-of-discharge range is greater than a preceding respective depth-of-discharge range, and increasing the charging current if the respective depth-of-discharge range is higher than a preceding respective depth-of-discharge range.
Optionally or additionally, the first battery charge status value may be at least one of (1) a first time and (ii) a first amount of scans, the second battery charge status value may be at least one of GC) a second time and (11) a second plurality of scans, the battery depth of discharge may be at least one of (1) a time between charges and Gi) a difference in scan amounts, the plurality of depth of discharge ranges may be at least one of () a plurality of time between charges ranges and (ii) a plurality of difference in scan amount ranges, the largest collection number may be a largest number of insertion cycles, and the respective depth of discharge range may be at least one of (i) a respective time-between-charge range and (ii) a respective difference-in-scan amount range.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for dynamically changing charging settings, comprising a charging station, and a scanning device comprising a battery assembly, the scanning device configured to be communicatively connected to the charging station, and wherein the scanning device is further configured is to receive a first usage value for the battery pack associated with a start time point of a usage cycle, receive a second usage value for the battery pack associated with an end time point of the usage cycle,
determining a usage difference value for the battery assembly by comparing the first usage value with the second usage value, comparing the usage difference value with a plurality of battery usage ranges, wherein each of the battery usage ranges is associated with a set number and each of the battery usage ranges is associated with a various voltage correction and current correction, updating the collection number of one of the plurality of battery usage ranges based on the equation, analyzing the collection numbers of the plurality of battery usage ranges to determine a largest collection number and a respective battery usage range, and, prior to a next cycle of use of the battery pack, transmitting a charging signal to the charging station for charging the battery pack by the charging station with a voltage correction and a current co correction according to the respective battery usage range with the largest collection number.
Optionally or additionally, the start time point may be associated with decoupling the scanning device from the charging station, and wherein the end time point may be associated with coupling the scanning device to the charging station.
Optionally or additionally, the battery assembly may comprise one or more of (1) lithium-ion batteries, (1) lithium-ion supercapacitors, and (iii) supercapacitors with electrical double layer capacitors.
Optionally or additionally, the scanning device may further be configured to apply a respective weighting factor to each collection number of the plurality of battery usage ranges, and the largest collection number may correspond to a largest weighted collection number.
Optionally or additionally, the scanning device may be further configured to receive an operating temperature of the battery assembly, determine that the respective battery usage range is different from a preceding respective battery usage range, and at least one of reducing a charging voltage if (1) the respective battery usage range is less than a prior respective battery usage range or (ii) the operating temperature of the battery assembly is above a limit value, including the reduction in the charge signal, reducing a charging current if (1) the respective battery usage range is less than a prior respective battery usage range or Gi) the operating temperature of the battery assembly is above the limit value, including the reduction in the charging signal, increasing the charging voltage if the respective battery usage range is higher than a preceding respective battery range of use, wherein the increase in the charging signal comprises 1s; and increasing the charging current if the respective battery usage range is higher than a preceding respective battery usage range, wherein the increase in the charging signal is included.
Optionally or additionally, the first usage value may be a first battery charge status value, the second usage value may be a second battery charge status value, the usage difference value may be a battery discharge depth, the plurality of battery usage ranges may be a plurality of battery discharge depth ranges, it may be largest collection number may be a largest number of insertion cycles, and the respective battery usage range may be a respective battery discharge depth range.
Optionally or additionally, the scanning device may further be configured to determine that the respective battery discharge depth range is different from a preceding respective battery discharge depth range, and at least one of reducing a charging voltage if (1) the respective battery discharge depth range is less than a preceding respective battery discharge depth range or (ii)
the operating temperature of the battery assembly is above a limit value, including the reduction in the charging signal, decreasing a charging current if () the respective battery discharge depth range is less than a preceding respective battery discharge depth range or (ii) the operating temperature of the battery assembly above the limit value, including the decrease in the charging signal, increasing the charging voltage if the respective battery discharge depth range is higher than a respective preceding battery discharge depth range, including the increase in the charging signal, and increasing the charging current if the respective battery discharge depth range is higher than a preceding respective battery discharge depth range, the increase in the charge signal is included.
Optionally or additionally, the first usage value can be at least one of (1) a first time and (ii) a first amount of scans, the second usage value can be at least one of (i) a second time and (ii) a second amount scans, the usage difference value may be at least one of (1) a time between charges and (ii) a difference in scan amounts, the plurality of battery usage ranges may be at least one of () a plurality of time-between charges ranges and (11) a plurality of difference-in-scan amount ranges, the largest collection number may be a largest number of insertion cycles, and the respective battery usage range may be at least one of (1) a respective time-between-charge range and (ii) a respective difference-in- scan amount range.
Optionally or additionally, the charging station may include a standard optimization, and wherein the standard optimization provides extended battery assembly life.
Optionally or additionally, the charging station may comprise one or more memories, one or more processors, and a controller operatively coupled to the one or more memories and the one or more processors.
According to one aspect of the inventions, there is provided a method of dynamically identifying spare batteries comprising accessing, by a spare battery indication module, one or more respective battery charging settings for each respective battery of a plurality of batteries and a respective battery. battery charging history for each of the respective batteries of the plurality of batteries, analyzing, by the spare battery indication module and for each respective battery of the plurality of batteries, the one or more respective battery charging settings and the respective battery charging history for identifying at least one backup battery from the plurality of batteries, and adjusting, by the backup battery indicator module, the one or more respective battery charge settings of the at least one backup battery.
Optionally or additionally, identifying the at least one spare battery may further comprise receiving a first indicator of the respective battery charging history, receiving a second indicator of the respective battery charging history, determining a difference indicator by comparing the first indicator with the second indicator, comparing the difference indicator with a plurality of indicator ranges, updating an indicator range of the plurality of indicator ranges by placing the difference indicator in the indicator range, and analyzing the plurality of indicator ranges to determine of a largest total number of differential indicators in a respective indicator range.
Optionally or additionally, the first indicator can be a first state of charge (SOC), the second indicator can be a second SOC, the difference indicator can be a depth of discharge (DOD), the plurality of indicator ranges can be a multiple of DOD ranges, the indicator range may be a DOD range, the greatest total number of difference indicators may be a greatest number of insertion cycles, and the respective indicator range may be a respective DOD range.
Optionally or additionally, the first indicator can be a first time, the second indicator can be a second time, and the difference indicator can be a deferred use indicator, the plurality of indicator ranges can be a plurality of deferred use indicator ranges, the indicator range can be a deferred use indicator - usage indicator range, the greatest total number of difference indicators may be a greatest total number of deferred use indicators, and the respective indicator range may be a respective deferred use indicator range.
Optionally or additionally, the first indicator may be a first charging location, the second indicator may be a second charging location, and the difference indicator may be a charging location indicator, the plurality of indicator ranges may be a plurality of charging location indicator ranges, the indicator range may be a charging location indicator range, the greatest total number of difference indicators may be a greatest total number of charging location indicators, and the respective indicator range may be a respective charging location indicator range.
Optionally or additionally, the one or more respective battery charging settings may include at least a maximum charging capacity and a maximum allowable charging capacity, and wherein setting the respective battery charging settings of the at least one backup battery may further comprise reducing the maximum allowable charging capacity from 100% of the maximum charging capacity to less than or equal to 90% of the maximum charging capacity.
Optionally or additionally, the respective battery charging history may include one or more past respective battery charging settings for a respective battery of the plurality of batteries, and wherein the backup battery indicator module is further configured to update, after the adjustment, the respective battery charging history by adding the one or more respective battery charging settings of the at least one spare battery.
Optionally or additionally, the backup battery indicator module may be included in one or more of a mobile battery charging unit, a battery station, and each of the respective batteries of the plurality of batteries.
Optionally or additionally, the backup battery indicator module may access the respective battery charging settings(s) and respective battery charging history by accessing each of the respective batteries of the plurality of batteries.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for dynamically identifying spare batteries comprising a plurality of batteries each comprising (i) one or more respective battery charging settings and (ii) a respective battery charging history, and a spare battery designation module configured to access both of the one or more respective battery charge settings and respective battery charge history, analyze both of the one or more respective battery charge settings and respective battery charge history to identify at least one backup battery from the plurality of batteries, and adjusting the one or more respective battery charge settings of the at least one backup battery.
Optionally or additionally, the backup battery indicator module may be further configured to receive a first indicator of the respective battery charging history, receiving a second indicator of the respective battery charging history, determining a difference indicator by comparing the first indicator with the second indicator, comparing the differential indicator with a plurality of indicator ranges, updating an indicator range of the plurality of indicator ranges by placing the differential indicator in the indicator range, and analyzing the plurality of indicator ranges to determine a largest total number of differential indicators in a respective indicator range.
Optionally or additionally, the first indicator can be a first state of charge -SOC, the second indicator can be a second SOC, the difference indicator can be a depth of discharge (DOD), the plurality of indicator ranges can be a multiple of DOD ranges, the indicator range may be a DOD range, the greatest total number of difference indicators may be a greatest number of insertion cycles, and the respective indicator range may be a respective DOD range.
Optionally or additionally, the first indicator can be a first time, the second indicator can be a second time, and the difference indicator can be a deferred use indicator, the plurality of indicator ranges can be a plurality of deferred use indicator ranges, the indicator range can be a deferred use indicator. - usage indicator range, the greatest total number of difference indicators may be a greatest total number of deferred use indicators, and the respective indicator range may be a respective deferred use indicator range.
Optionally or additionally, the first indicator may be a first charging location, the second indicator may be a second charging location, and the difference indicator may be a charging location indicator, the plurality of indicator ranges may be a plurality of charging location indicator ranges, the indicator range may be a charging location indicator range, the greatest total number of difference indicators may be a greatest total number of charging location indicators, and the respective indicator range may be a respective charging location indicator range.
Optionally or additionally, the one or more respective battery charging settings may include at least a maximum charging capacity and a maximum allowable charging capacity, and the backup battery indicator module may be further configured to reduce the maximum allowable charging capacity from 100% of the maximum charging capacity to less than or equal to 90% of the maximum charging capacity.
Optionally or additionally, the respective battery charge history may include one or more past respective battery charge settings for a respective battery of the plurality of batteries, and the backup battery indicator module may be further configured for updating, by the backup battery indicator module and after adjusting the respective battery charging history by adding the one or more respective battery charging settings of the at least one spare battery.
Optionally or additionally, the backup battery indicator module may be included in one or more of a mobile battery charging unit, a battery station, and each of the respective batteries of the plurality of batteries.
Optionally or additionally, the backup battery indicator module may be configured to access the respective battery charge settings(s) and the respective battery
charging history by accessing each of the respective batteries of the plurality of batteries.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for dynamically updating battery charging settings comprising a plurality of batteries each comprising (i) one or more respective battery charging settings and Gi) a respective battery charging history, and a battery analysis module configured to access both of the respective battery charging settings and the respective battery charging history, receiving a first indicator of the respective battery charging history, receiving a second indicator of the respective battery charging history battery charging history, determining a difference indicator by comparing the first indicator with the second indicator, comparing the difference indicator with a plurality of indicator ranges, updating an indicator range of the plurality of indicator ranges by placing the difference indicator in the indicator range, the analyzer and the plurality of indicator ranges for determining a largest total number of difference indicators in a respective indicator range, identifying at least one spare battery from the plurality of batteries based on the analysis, and adjusting a set of battery charging settings according to the at least one backup battery based on the respective indicator range with the greatest total number of differential indicators. Optionally or additionally, the adjustments made to the set of battery charge settings may be predetermined and may be associated with the respective indicator range. Optionally or additionally, the set of battery charge settings may include at least one of (1) a voltage correction, (ii) a current correction, or (iii) a state of charge (SOC).
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a battery configured to operate within a charging range less than its total charging range, comprising a housing, a power storage element positioned within the housing, the power storage element having at least one charging characteristic associated with at least one of © ) charging the power storage element to its maximum charge level, and (1) charging the power storage element at a maximum rate, and a controller coupled to the power storage element, the controller configured for, in response to coupling the power storage element to a charging source, charging the power storage element according to a second charging characteristic different from the first charging characteristic, wherein the second charging characteristic is associated with at least one of (1) charging the power storage element to a second charging level that is less than the maximum charge charge level, and (1) charging the power storage element at a second rate slower than the maximum rate.
Optionally or additionally, the power storage element may be associated with a minimum operational charge level, and, in response to coupling the power storage element to a power consuming device configured to consume power from the power storage element, and further in response to the power storage element having a charge level equal at or below a predetermined minimum level and above the minimum operational charge level, the controller may further be configured to indicate that the power storage element is at the minimum operational charge level.
Optionally or additionally, in response to coupling the power storage element to the charging source and further in response to the power storage element having a charging level lower than the second charging level, the controller may further charge the power storage element up to and not beyond the second charging level.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a battery charging system comprising a battery configured to operate within a charging range less than its total charging range, the battery comprising a housing, a power storage element positioned within the housing, the power storage element having at least one charging characteristic associated with at least one of (1) charging the power storage element to its maximum charging level, and (ii) charging the power storage element at a maximum rate, and a controller coupled to the power storage element, the controller configured for, in response to coupling the power storage element to a charging source, charging the power storage element according to a second charging characteristic different from the first charging characteristic, the second charging characteristic being associated with at least one of GC) charging the power storage element to a second charge level less than the maximum charge level, and (ui) charging the power storage element at a second rate slower than the maximum rate, and a charging station having the charging source and configured to interface directly or indirectly with the battery for providing an electrical charge to the battery.
Optionally or additionally, the system may further comprise a barcode reader, the battery being located within the barcode reader, and the charging station having a container configured to receive the barcode reader therein.
Optionally or additionally, in response to coupling the power storage element to the charging source and further in response to the power storage element having a charging level lower than the second charging level, the controller may further charge the power storage element up to and not beyond the second charging level.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile device comprising a device housing with a barcode reading assembly, and a battery configured to operate within a charging range less than its total charging range, the battery including a housing, a power storage element positioned within the housing, the power storage element, the power storage element associated with a minimum operational charge level, and a control coupled to the power storage element, the controller configured to, in response to have a charge level equal to or below a predetermined minimum level and above the minimum operational charge level, making an indication that the power storage element is at the minimum operational charge level.
Optionally or additionally, the power storage element may have at least one charging characteristic associated with at least one of (1) charging the power storage element to its maximum charging level, and (1) charging the power storage element at a maximum rate, and the controller may be further configured be for, in response to coupling the power storage element to a charging source, charging the power storage element according to a second charging characteristic different from the first charging characteristic, the second charging characteristic being associated with at least one of (1) charging of the power storage element to a second charge level that is less than the maximum charge level, and (1) charging the power storage element at a second rate slower than the maximum rate.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile device comprising a device housing having a barcode reading assembly, power circuitry configured to supply power from a battery to the barcode reading assembly, and a device controller configured to mobile device to function with the battery, wherein the battery is alternately one of an extended-life battery and an extended-life battery
operating life battery, wherein the extended-life battery is configured to operate within a first charging range less than its respective total charging range, the extended-life battery having an extended-life battery housing, a power storage element of the extended-life battery positioned within the extended-life battery housing -life battery, the power storage element of the extended-life battery being associated with a minimum operational charge level, and a controller of the extended-life battery coupled to the power storage element of the extended-life battery, wherein the control of the extended-life battery
battery life is configured, in response to having the extended-life battery charge level equal to or below a predetermined minimum level and above the minimum operational charge level, to indicate that the extended-life battery's power storage element is at the minimum operational charge level. charge level, and wherein the extended-life battery is configured to operate within a second charging range less than its respective total charging range, the extended-life battery having a housing of the extended-life battery, a power storage element of the extended-life battery
operating battery positioned within the housing of the extended operating battery, and a controller of the extended operating battery coupled to the power storage element of the extended operating battery, wherein the controller of the extended operating battery is configured to indicate that the power storage element of the extended run battery at the minimum operational charge level is in response to having an extended run battery charge level equal to the minimum operational charge level.
Optionally or additionally, the extended-life battery may include a first set of contacts configured to interface with the power circuits, the extended-life battery may include a second set of contacts configured to interface with the power circuits, and wherein the first contacts may be more resilient are then the second contacts.
Optionally or additionally, the extended-life battery power storage element may have at least one charging characteristic associated with at least one of (1) charging the extended-life battery power storage element to its maximum charge level, and (ii) charging the power storage element of the extended-life battery at a maximum rate, and at least one of the extended-life battery controller and the device controller may further be configured to cause charging of the extended-life battery in response to coupling the extended-life battery to a charging source power storage element of the extended-life battery according to a second charging characteristic different from the first charging characteristic, wherein the second charging characteristic is associated with at least one of GC) charging the power storage element of the extended-life battery to a second charging level that is lower than the maximum charge level, and — (ii) charging the extended-life battery power storage element at a second rate slower than the maximum rate.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a battery charging system comprising power circuitry for supplying power to a battery, a battery receiver configured to receive a battery, the battery being alternately one of an extended-life battery and a extended-life battery, and a device controller configured to charge the battery according to predetermined characteristics, wherein, in response to installing the extended-life battery in the battery receiver and making electrical contact with the power circuitry, the device controller configured is for charging the extended-life battery to a maximum charge level and at a maximum rate, and wherein, in response to installing the extended-life battery in the battery receiver and making electrical contact with the power circuitry, the device driver is configured configured to charge the extended-life battery to at least one of a second charge level that is less than the maximum charge level and a second rate that is slower than the maximum rate.
Optionally or additionally, the battery charging system may be contained within a barcode reader.
Optionally or additionally, the battery charging system may further comprise a barcode reader, the battery being disposed within the barcode reader, and a container configured to receive the barcode reader therein.
Optionally or additionally, the electrical contact between the extended-life battery and the power circuitry may be provided by a set of metal contacts on the extended-life battery that come into physical contact with a set of matching metal contacts associated with the power circuit, and the electrical contact between the extended-life battery and the power circuitry may be provided by an inductive coupling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS
OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the individual views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated into and form part of the specification, and serve to designate embodiments of concepts incorporating the claimed invention. further include illustrating and explaining various principles and advantages of those embodiments.
fig. 1A is a perspective view of a scanning device and a charging station, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
fig. 1B illustrates an exemplary system, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
fig. 1C illustrates another exemplary system, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
fig. 2A illustrates a first portion of an exemplary usage history analysis, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
fig. 2B illustrates a second portion of an exemplary usage history analysis, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary method for dynamically changing charging settings for a battery assembly, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
fig. 4 illustrates another exemplary method for dynamically changing charge settings for a battery assembly, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary method for dynamically identifying spare batteries in a battery assembly, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The apparatus and method components are represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that they have the advantage of the disclosure given.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE While the following text provides a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it is to be understood that the legal scope of the disclosure is determined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent and equivalents. The detailed description is to be taken as an example only and does not describe every possible embodiment, as a description of every possible embodiment would be impractical. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented using current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.
It will also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the phrase “As used herein, the term '°° is hereby defined as …' or a similar phrase, it is not intended to of that term, express or implied, beyond its ordinary or vulgar meaning, and such term shall not be construed as being limited in scope by any statement in any part of this patent (other than the language of the claims ). To the extent in this patent a term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referenced in a manner consistent with a single meaning, it is done for clarity only so as not to confuse the reader. nor is it intended that any such conclusion term, implied or otherwise, be limited to that one meaning.
In one embodiment, a method may be provided for dynamically changing the charging settings for a battery assembly.
The method may include receiving a first usage value for the battery assembly associated with a start time point of a usage cycle; receiving a second usage value for the battery assembly associated with an end time point of the usage cycle; determining a usage difference value for the battery assembly by comparing the first usage value with the second usage value; comparing the usage difference value with a plurality of battery usage ranges, wherein each of the battery usage ranges is associated with a set number and each of the battery usage ranges is associated with a different voltage correction and current correction; updating the set number of one of the plurality of battery usage ranges based on the comparison; analyzing the collection numbers of the plurality of battery usage ranges to determine a largest collection number and a respective battery usage range; and/or prior to a next cycle of use of the battery assembly, charging the battery assembly with a voltage correction and a current correction corresponding to the respective battery usage range with the largest collection number.
In another embodiment, a method may be provided for dynamically changing charging settings for a battery assembly. The method may include receiving a first battery charge status value associated with a first time point during a cycle of use of the battery assembly; receiving a second battery charge status value associated with a second time point during the cycle of use; determining a battery depth of discharge between the first time point and the second time point by comparing the first battery charge status value and the second battery charge status value; comparing the battery depth of discharge with a plurality of depth of discharge ranges, wherein each of the plurality of depth of discharge ranges is associated with a set number and each of the plurality of depth of discharge ranges is associated with a different voltage correction and current correction; updating the set number of one of the plurality of depth-of-discharge ranges based on the comparison; analyzing the set numbers of the plurality of depth-of-discharge ranges to determine a largest set number and a respective depth-of-discharge range; and/or prior to a next cycle of use of the battery assembly, charging the battery assembly with a voltage correction and a current correction corresponding to the respective depth of discharge range with the largest collection number.
In another embodiment, a system may be provided for dynamically changing charging settings. The system may include a charging station, and a scanning device including a battery assembly configured to be communicatively connected to the scanning device. The scanning device may further be configured to receive a first usage value for the battery assembly associated with a start time point of a usage cycle; receiving a second usage value for the battery assembly associated with an end time point of the usage cycle; determining a usage difference value for the battery assembly by comparing the first usage value with the second usage value; comparing the usage difference value with a plurality of battery usage ranges, wherein each of the battery usage ranges is associated with a set number and each of the battery usage ranges is associated with a different voltage correction and current correction; updating the set number of one of the plurality of battery usage ranges based on the comparison; analyzing the collection numbers of the plurality of battery usage ranges to determine a largest collection number and a respective battery usage range; and/or prior to a next cycle of use of the battery assembly, transmitting a charging signal to the charging station for charging the battery assembly by the charging station with a voltage correction and a current correction corresponding to the respective battery usage range with the largest collection number.
In another embodiment, a method may be provided for dynamically identifying spare batteries. The method may include accessing one or more respective battery charging settings for each respective battery of a plurality of batteries and a respective battery charging history for each of the respective batteries of the plurality of batteries; analyzing, for each respective battery of the plurality of batteries, the one or more respective battery charging settings and the respective battery
charge history for identifying at least one spare battery from the plurality of batteries; and adjusting the one or more respective battery charge settings of the at least one backup battery.
In another embodiment, a system may be provided for dynamically identifying spare batteries. The system may comprise a plurality of batteries each comprising (i) one or more respective battery charging settings and (ii) a respective battery charging history; and a backup battery indicator module. The backup battery indicator module may be configured to access both of the respective battery charging settings or settings and the respective battery charging history; analyzing both of the one or more respective battery charging settings and the respective battery charging history to identify at least one spare battery from the plurality of batteries; and adjusting the one or more respective battery charge settings of the at least one backup battery.
In another embodiment, a system may be provided for dynamically updating battery charging settings. The system may comprise a plurality of batteries each comprising (i) one or more respective battery charging settings and (ii) a respective battery charging history; and a battery analysis module. The battery analysis module may be configured to access both of the respective battery charge settings and the respective battery charge history; receiving a first indicator of the respective battery charging history; receiving a second indicator of the respective battery charging history; determining a difference indicator by comparing the first indicator with the second indicator; comparing the difference indicator to a plurality of indicator ranges; updating an indicator range of the plurality of indicator ranges by placing the difference indicator in the indicator range; analyzing the plurality of indicator ranges to determine a largest total number of difference indicators in a respective indicator range; identifying at least one spare battery from the plurality of batteries based on the analysis; and adjusting a set of battery charge settings according to the at least one backup battery based on the respective indicator range having the greatest total number of difference indicators.
In various embodiments of the present disclosure, methods and a related system are described for dynamically changing settings for a battery assembly. The methods and related system provide solutions where, e.g., scanning devices that allow a consumer to adjust battery charging settings, manual adjustment by the consumer is required.
In various embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and related methods are described for dynamically identifying spare batteries in a battery assembly. The systems and related methods provide solutions where, e.g., devices that typically operate with a plurality of batteries, require manual indications of backup batteries and charge settings for the backup battery do not change based on such manual indications.
Manually adjusting battery charge settings can result in battery damage if the consumer is unaware of the effects various charge settings have on the battery. For example, consumers may opt for a higher charging voltage or current to get a fully charged battery faster without understanding that this aggressive charging strategy is likely to reduce the effective service life of the battery. In addition, many consumers simply do not want to change battery charging settings manually or manage them on a regular basis.
Thus, the disclosure of the present application solves such problems by providing methods and a related system for dynamically changing the charging settings of a battery assembly based on the usage history of a device including the battery assembly. In this way, the disclosure of the present application removes the uncertainty surrounding the influence of battery charge settings and alleviates the tedium of adjusting battery charge settings. The methods and related systems disclosed herein automatically update the battery charging characteristics associated with a particular battery assembly to tailor the charging profile to the particular needs of an individual consumer based on the consumer's historical use of the device.
In addition, the disclosure of the present application addresses similar problems as applied to backup batteries by dynamically identifying backup batteries of a battery assembly and changing the charging settings of the identified backup battery accordingly. In this manner, the disclosure of the present application eliminates confusion around backup battery designation, and improves the service life of the backup battery. Thus, the method and related system optimally configure the backup battery charging settings to avoid battery degradation, resulting in increased backup battery performance, device uptime, and consumer satisfaction.
Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1A is a perspective view 100 of a scanning device 102 (also referred to herein as a "terminal") and charging station 104, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.
Scanning device 102 includes a battery assembly 106. In various embodiments, the battery assembly 106 may include one or more of (i) lithium ion batteries, (Gi) lithium ion supercapacitors, and (11) electric double layer supercapacitors.
It will be appreciated that scanning device 102 may include devices that do not have scanning functionality (e.g., imaging devices). Scanning device 102 is configured to disconnect (not shown) from the charging station 104 for the purpose of, for example, capturing 1D or 2D images (e.g., barcodes). The charging station 104 is configured to charge the battery assembly 106 while the scanning device 102 is coupled to the charging station 104. Alternatively, the charging station 104 may be integrated, in whole or in part, into the scanning device 102 so that the scanning device 102 cannot disconnect from the charging station. 104. For example, the charging station 104 may be a cable running from a power supply to the scanning device 102, or a self-contained power supply fully integrated into the scanning device 102. As further described herein, the scanning device 102 may be configured to receive a first usage value for the battery assembly 106 associated with a usage cycle start time point.
Scanning device 102 may also be configured to receive a second usage value for the battery assembly 106 associated with an end time point of the usage cycle.
In various embodiments, the start time point may be associated with disconnecting the scanning device 102 from the charging station 104. In these embodiments, the ending time point may be associated with coupling the scanning direction 102 to the charging station 104. The battery assembly 106 may also include a removable battery assembly. are such that one or more separate batteries may be used to power the scanning device 102. By way of illustration, and as discussed further herein, the scanning device 102 may need to operate beyond the battery life of a primary battery in the battery assembly 106. In this instance , the removable battery assembly can disconnect from the scanning device 102 and receive a backup battery for replacement of the primary battery. As shown a FIG. 1B, an exemplary system 110 includes scanning device 102 and charging station 104. Scanning device 102 includes battery assembly 106, memory 112, controller 114, and processor 116. Memory 112 includes usage history 118 and battery assembly charging settings 120. In certain embodiments, The charging station 104 includes a memory 122, a controller 124, and a processor 126. Further in these embodiments, the memory 122 includes a usage history 128 and battery assembly charging settings 130.
Furthermore, although referred to herein as a single "memory", a single "controller", and/or a single "processor", in some embodiments include memory (112, 122), controller (114, 124), and/or processor (116, 126), two or more memories, two or more controllers, and or two or more processors.
In this exemplary system 110, the controller 114 may receive the first and second usage values and store these values in usage history 118. Further, the processor 116 may determine a usage differential value for the battery assembly 106 by comparing the first usage value with the second usage value.
The processor 116 may further compare the usage difference value with a plurality of battery usage ranges stored in usage history 118. Processor 116 may then update the set number of one of the plurality of battery usage ranges stored in usage history 118 based on the comparison, and analyze collection numbers of a plurality of battery usage ranges to determine a largest collection number and a respective battery usage range. The controller 114 may then transmit a charging signal to the charging station 104 such that the charging station 104 charges the battery assembly 106 with a voltage correction and a current correction. The processor 116 may generate the charge signal by, for example, accessing the battery assembly charge settings 120 to retrieve the desired voltage and current corrections according to the respective battery usage range with the largest collection number.
However, it will be appreciated that the start time point and the end time point may be associated with any two points in time at which the scanning device 102 is in use. For example, in other embodiments, the start time point can be associated with an activation of the scanning device 102 to capture 1D or 2D images (e.g., barcodes), and the end time point can be associated with any other point in time following the start time point. In these embodiments, the scanning device 102 may be equipped with a transmitter, a transceiver, or other suitable device for transmitting the relevant time points to the charging station 104 or other external device configured to receive the start and end time points for the purposes further. described herein.
To illustrate these embodiments, the start time point may be associated with an activation of the scanning device 102 for capturing 1D or 2D images. The end time point may be associated with any subsequent activation of the scanning device 102, a preset number of activations of the scanning device 102 following the first activation of the scanning device 102, a preset amount of time after the first activation of the scanning device 102 , or a preset amount of time after any subsequent activation of the scanning device 102.
Additionally, and referring to FIG. 1C, an exemplary system 131 of the present application includes a plurality of charging stations (e.g., charging station 104 and mobile charging station 132). The mobile charging station 132 includes a memory 134, a controller 136, and a processor
138. Memory 134 includes usage history 140 and battery assembly charging settings 142. Each of terminal 102, charging station 104, and mobile charging station 132 are communicatively coupled with each other, and may share information (e.g., battery assembly charging information) to create an accurate representation of the charge settings for any particular battery used in the example system 131, regardless of the current location of the battery within the system. For example, and in some embodiments, the battery assembly 106 may be removable to accommodate a plurality of batteries, and the terminal 102 may draw power from a single battery (e.g., a primary battery). Once the primary battery has been discharged of its charge, the terminal 102 will stop operating unless a replacement battery (e.g., a spare battery) is placed in the battery assembly 106 . The backup battery may be in the mobile charging station 132 prior to being inserted into the terminal 102. However, after the backup battery is removed from the terminal 102, the backup battery may be placed in the charging station 104 to recharge its charge. Thus, the mobile charging station 132 may transfer charging settings related to the backup battery from its battery assembly charging settings 142 to the battery assembly charging settings 130 of the charging station 104 to facilitate charging of the backup battery according to the appropriate charging settings. Similarly, while updating the backup battery charging settings, as discussed further herein,
the terminal 102, mobile charging station 132, and the charging station 104 may transmit their respective usage histories (118, 128, 140) associated with the backup battery to develop accurate usage patterns for the backup battery.
To allow for backup battery designations and corresponding charge setting changes, the terminal 102 also includes a backup battery designation module 144. As discussed further herein, the backup battery designation module 144 may be configured to access both of the battery assembly charge settings (120, 130, 142). ) and usage histories (118, 128, 140) for analyzing the charge settings and usage histories for each battery included in the plurality of batteries. The backup battery indicator module 144 can then identify a backup battery based on the analysis, and adjust the charging settings of the identified backup battery. The backup battery indicator module 144 may adjust the backup battery charging settings by, for example, transferring updated backup battery charging settings to each of the battery assembly charging settings (120, 130, 142) for storage in each respective memory (112, 122, 134).
The backup battery indicator module 144 is shown in the terminal 102, but it will be appreciated that the spare battery indicator module 144 may be located in the mobile charging station 132, the charging station 104, the battery assembly 106, and/or any of the respective batteries of the device. multitude of batteries. In some embodiments, both of the battery assembly charging settings and usage histories for each respective battery in the plurality of batteries are contained in each respective battery of the plurality of batteries. Thus, in these embodiments, the backup battery indicator module 144 can access the battery assembly charging settings and usage histories for each respective battery through each respective battery of the plurality of batteries.
To illustrate an example analysis performed by the systems of the present disclosure, and referring to Figures 2A and 2B, an example usage history analysis 200 is shown.
Sample usage history analysis 200 includes a histogram-based lookup table 230, a battery usage value history table 232 (illustrated herein as a depth of discharge (DOD) history table), and a collection statistic table 234. Each of the histogram-based lookup table 230, battery usage value history table 232, and collection statistic table 234 contain one or more subcategories (e.g., usage values 202, and usage collection values 204 according to the battery usage value history table 232) containing one or more values associated with their respective subcategories. However, it will be appreciated that each table may contain more or fewer subcategories than illustrated, and each subcategory may contain more or fewer values than illustrated.
The histogram-based lookup table 230 may include collection range delimiters 210, type-1 collection factors 214, type-1 desired voltage corrections 220, type-1 desired current multipliers 222, type-2 amplification factors 224, type-2 desired voltage corrections 226, and type-2 desired voltage corrections. 2-desired current corrections 228. The collection range delimiters 210 may contain low and high range values corresponding to the various ranges of battery usage values associated with a particular collection. The type-1 collection factors 214 and type-2 collection factors 224 contain weighting factors associated with a respective collection number. The type-1 desired voltage corrections 220 and type-2 desired voltage corrections 226 contain the voltage correction values associated with a respective set number. The type-1 desired current multipliers 222 and type-2 desired current corrections 228 contain the current multipliers associated with a respective set number. The histogram-based lookup table 230 may be stored in a memory (eg, memory 112, 122, 134).
For example, as illustrated and further described herein, if the depth of discharge of a specific insertion cycle of a device (e.g., scanning device 102) is 3.5%, then the set number associated with the specific insertion cycle will be set number 2. Continuing this example, based on the type of battery device involved (ie, type 1 or type 2), the specific insertion cycle will then have a weighting factor of either 0.75 (type 1) or 0.5 (type 2) based on of the collection number. Finally, the desired voltage correction and current multiplier will be associated with the particular insertion cycle. In this example, the voltage correction would be -150 mV for both Type-1 and Type-2 battery devices, and the current multipliers would be 0.7 (Type 1) and 1 (Type 2). In addition, the analysis illustrated in this example may be performed by a processor (e.g., processor 116, 126, 138).
The battery usage value history table 232 may include usage values 202 and usage collection values 204 . The usage values 202 may contain information corresponding to the historical usage of a device (e.g., insertion cycles and current DOD of, for example, the scanning device 102). The usage set values 204 may contain information corresponding to the weighting factors and their respective set numbers. The battery usage value history table 232 may be stored in a memory (e.g., memory 112, 122, 134).
For example, and as further discussed herein, for each insertion cycle and current DOD listed in the usage values 202, a processor (e.g., processor 116, 126, 138) may refer (illustrated by 206 and 212) to the histogram-based lookup table 230 (e.g., type-1 collection factors 214 and type-2 collection factors 224) to determine a corresponding collection number and weighting factor. The processor may then populate the usage set values 204 of the battery usage value history table 232 with the corresponding set number and weighting factor.
Illustratively, for input cycle 4 as listed in the usage values 202, the processor may refer to the histogram-based lookup table 230 to determine the matching set number of 4 and a weighting factor of 2. The processor may populate the usage set values 204 with the collection number and weighting factor corresponding to insertion cycle
4.
The collection statistics table 234 may include collection values 218 and weighted counters 216. The collection values 218 may contain information corresponding to the collection numbers. The weighted counters 216 may contain information corresponding to the weighted summation of the set values. The collection statistics table 234 may be stored in a memory (e.g., memory 112, 122, 134).
For illustration, and as further discussed herein, the processor (e.g., processor 116, 126, 138) may obtain the set numbers and corresponding weights (illustrated by 208) from the battery usage value history table 232 (e.g., the usage set values 204). The processor may then populate the set values 218 with the set numbers, and multiply the total number of occurrences of each respective set number included in the use set values 204 by the corresponding weighting factor associated with the respective set number to generate weighted values. The processor may then populate the weighted values in the weighted counters 216 .
For example, in Figures 2A and 2B, the processor (e.g., processor 116, 126, 138) may obtain the collection numbers (ie, 1-5) from the battery usage value history table 232 to populate the collection values 218. The processor may also obtain the corresponding Get weighting factors (ie, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, and 5 for type-1 battery assemblies) from the battery usage value history table 232. The processor can then calculate the total number of instances of each respective collection number (e.g., 13 instances of collection number 1, Multiply 3 instances of set number 2, 0 instances of set number 3, 3 instances of set number 4, and 1 instance of set number 5) by their corresponding weighting factors to obtain the values of the weighted counters 216 (e.g., 6.5 for collection number 1, 2.25 for collection number 2, 0 for collection number 3, 6 for collection number 4, and 5 for collection number 5).
fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary method for dynamically changing charging settings for a battery assembly, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 300 begins at block 302 where, for example, a scan device (e.g., scan device 102) for the battery assembly (e.g., battery assembly 106) receives a first usage value associated with a start time point of a usage cycle.
At block 304, the method 300 includes receiving, for the battery assembly 106, a second usage value associated with an end time point of the usage cycle. The cycle of use may be defined by the start time point and the end time point. As previously mentioned, the start time point and the end time point may have various values associated with, for example, device activations, the coupling/uncoupling of the device from a charging station, or any other suitable metric. Block 304 may be executed by, for example, the control 114 of the scanning device 102.
In embodiments where the cycle of use corresponds to the coupling/uncoupling of the device from the charging station, the cycle of use is associated with an insertion cycle. For example, the scanning device 102 may be configured to receive the first and second usage values corresponding to the coupling/uncoupling of the scanning device 102 from the charging station 104. In this way, the coupling/uncoupling of the scanning device 102 comes from the charging station. 104 corresponds to an insertion cycle where the scanning device 102 is initially disconnected from the charging station 104, and then reinserted into the charging station 104 after use. These insertion cycles may, for example, populate a table (e.g., battery usage value history table 232) or otherwise be stored in memory for the scanning device 102 or other suitable device for performing the remaining steps of the method 300.
In various embodiments, the first usage value may be a first battery charge status value and the second usage value may be a second battery charge status value. In other embodiments, the first usage value can be at least one of (1) a first time and (ii) a first amount of scans, and the second usage value can be at least one of (i) a second time and (ii) a second number of scans.
At optional block 306, the method 300 includes receiving an operating temperature from the battery assembly. The operating temperature of the battery assembly can be determined by,
for example, a temperature sensor included in a device (e.g., the scanning device 102) or an external temperature sensor configured to communicate with a charging station (e.g., charging station 104) or other communication receiving device. Optional block 306 may be executed by, for example, the controller 114 of the scanning device 102.
At block 308, the method 300 includes determining a usage difference value for the battery assembly by comparing the first usage value and the second usage value. For example, if the first usage value is a first battery charge value and the second usage value is a second battery charge status value 1s, then, in various embodiments, the usage difference value may be a battery discharge depth. In other embodiments, when the first usage value can be at least one of (i) a first time and (1) a first number of scans, and the second usage value can be at least one of () a second time and (ii) a second number of scans, then the usage difference value may be at least one of (1) a time between charges and (ii) a difference in scan amounts. Block 308 may be executed by, for example, the processor 116 of the scanning device 102.
In other embodiments where the usage difference value may be at least one of a time between charges and a difference in scan amounts, the usage difference value may be a time between charges. In that case, the scanning device 102 can determine the usage difference value by subtracting the first time from the second time.
To illustrate, the scanning device 102, or other suitable device, may receive a first time of 2:00 PM and a second time of 3:00 PM. The scanning device 102 may subtract the first time from the second time to determine a time between charges of 1 hour. The scanning device 102 or other suitable device may, for example, store the 1 hour time between charges in a table (e.g., battery usage value history table 232) or otherwise store the 1 hour time between charges in memory (e.g., memory 112). for the scanning device 102 or other suitable device for performing the remaining steps of method 300.
In other embodiments, where the usage difference value can be at least one of a time between charges or a difference in scan amounts, the usage difference value can be a difference in scan amounts. In that case, the scanning device 102 can determine the usage difference value by subtracting the first number of scans from the second number of scans.
To illustrate, the scanning device 102, or other suitable device, can receive a first number of 50 scans and a second number of 73 scans. The scanning device 102 may subtract the first number of scans from the second number of scans to determine a difference in scan amounts of 23. The scanning device 102 or other suitable device may, for example, store the difference in scan amounts of 23 in a table (e.g., battery usage history table 232) or otherwise store the difference in scan amounts of 23 in memory (e.g., memory 112) for the scanning device 102 or other suitable device for performing the remaining steps of the method
300.
It will be appreciated that the first number of scans may correspond to a total number of scans of a device (e.g., scanning device 102) over the life of the device prior to the particular cycle of use, or a total number of scans of the scanning device 102 over any suitable range. For example, the first number of scans may correspond to a total number of scans for the scanning device 102 on a specific day, month, year, or any other suitable period of time prior to the particular cycle of use.
Similarly, the second number of scans may correspond to a total number of scans of a device (e.g., scanning device 102) over the life of the device after the particular cycle of use, or a total number of scans of the scanning device 102 over any suitable range. For example, the second number of scans may correspond to a total number of scans for the scanning device 102 on a specific day, month, year, or any other suitable period of time after the particular cycle of use.
At block 310, the method 300 includes comparing the usage difference value with a plurality of battery usage ranges. In various embodiments, the plurality of battery usage ranges may be a plurality of battery discharge depth ranges. In other embodiments, the plurality of battery usage ranges may be at least one of (i) a plurality of time-between-charge ranges and (ii) a plurality of difference-in-scan amount ranges. Block 310 may be executed by, for example, the processor 116 of the scanning device 102. The plurality of battery usage ranges may be included in, for example, usage history 118.
At block 312, the method 300 includes updating the set number of each of the battery usage ranges based on the comparison. Block 312 may be executed by, for example, the processor 116 of the scanning device 102. Further, the collection numbers for one and/or more of the plurality of battery usage ranges may be included in, for example, usage history 118.
In embodiments where the plurality of battery usage ranges are a plurality of time-between-charge ranges, each of the plurality of time-between-charge ranges may have a range of values included therein. For example, each of the plurality of time-between-charge ranges may include a first range from 0 minutes to 60 minutes and a second range from 61 minutes to 180 minutes, or any other suitable number and/or distribution of ranges.
To illustrate, if the plurality of battery usage ranges is a plurality of time-between-charge ranges, the time between charges may be, for example, 35 minutes. The scanning device 102 can update the collection number of the determined time-between-charge range that includes 35 minutes. Referring to the above example, the scanning device 102 can update the collection number of the first range since 35 minutes is included in the range of 0 minutes to 60 minutes. Furthermore, the scanning device 102 may be configured to update the collection number of a collection by 1 for any respective usage difference value, or by any suitable amount.
In other embodiments, where the plurality of battery usage ranges is a plurality of difference in scan amount ranges, each of the plurality of difference in scan amount ranges may have a range of values included therein. For example, each of the plurality of difference in scan amounts may comprise a first range from 0 scans to 10 scans and a second range from 11 scans to 40 scans, or any other suitable number and/or distribution of ranges.
To illustrate, if the plurality of battery usage ranges is a plurality of difference in scan amount ranges, the difference in scan amount may be, for example, 21 scans. The scanning device 102 can update the collection number of the determined difference in scan amount range that includes 21 scans. Referring to the above example, the scanning device 102 can update the collection number of the second range since 21 scans are included in the range of 11 scans to 40 scans. Furthermore, the scanning device 102 may be configured to update the collection number of a collection by 1 for each respective usage difference value, or by any suitable amount.
At block 314, the method 300 includes analyzing the collection numbers of the plurality of battery usage ranges to determine a largest collection number and a respective battery usage range. In various embodiments, the largest collection number may be a largest number of insertion cycles. In certain embodiments, the respective battery usage range may be a respective battery discharge depth range. In still other embodiments, the respective battery usage range may be at least one of (i) a respective time-between-charge range and (ii) a respective difference-in-scan amount range. Block 314 may be executed by, for example, the processor 116 of the scanning device 102.
At optional block 316, the method 300 includes applying a respective weighting factor to each set number of the plurality of battery usage ranges. In this block, the largest set number corresponds to a largest weighted set number. Optional block 316 may be executed by, for example, the processor 116 of the scanning device 102.
In general, the respective weighting factors indicate the importance of a particular battery usage range relative to the charging characteristics of the battery assembly. For example, and with reference to Figures 2A and 2B, set number 1 has a respective weighting factor of 0.5 and set number 5 has a respective weighting factor of 5. Set number 1 includes, for example and in the context of Figures 2A and 2B, depth of discharge ranges indicative of short cycles of use of a device (e.g., charging device 102). Thus, the particular amount of charge remaining in the battery assembly 106 and the rate at which the battery assembly 106 is charged after such use are less emphasized because the battery assembly 106 has not been depleted to a point that may affect subsequent use. However, a range of use that falls in set number 5 is indicative of substantial use of the scanning device 102. Thus, the battery assembly 106 may require a higher level of final charge and/or a faster charge rate to accommodate the potential for a similar next using the scanning device 102 without draining the battery assembly 106.
At block 318, the method 300 includes, prior to a next cycle of use of the battery assembly 106, charging the battery assembly 106 with a voltage correction and a current correction according to the respective battery usage range with the largest collection number. Block 318 may be performed by, for example, the charging station 104. In various embodiments, charging the battery assembly 106 with the voltage correction and the current correction may further comprise determining that the respective battery usage range is different from a previous respective battery usage range. Determining that the respective battery usage range is different from a preceding respective battery usage range can be performed by, for example, the processor 116 of the scanning device 102. For example, and with reference to Figures 2A and 2B, the scanning device 102 can determine the collection numbers of each of the multiple to analyze battery usage ranges and determine that collection number 1 has the largest collection number. Thus, the scanning device 102 may further determine whether the voltage and current corrections associated with the battery usage range corresponding to set number 1 were the voltage and current corrections applied to charge the battery assembly 106 prior to the current usage cycle.
In these embodiments, charging the battery assembly 106 with the voltage correction and the current correction may further comprise at least one of: decreasing a charging voltage if (1) the respective battery usage range is lower than a preceding respective battery usage range or (ii) the operating temperature of the battery assembly is above a threshold; reducing a charging current if (1) the respective battery usage range is less than a preceding respective battery usage range or (Gi) the operating temperature of the battery assembly 106 is above the threshold; increasing the charging voltage if the respective battery usage range is higher than a previous respective battery usage range; and increasing the charging current if the respective battery usage range is higher than a previous respective battery usage range. In other words, based on the determination of whether the voltage and current corrections used to charge the battery assembly 106 prior to the current cycle of use are different from the voltage and current corrections associated with the collection number with the largest collection number, the scanning device 102 can transmitting a charging signal to the charging station 104 to increase, decrease, or leave unchanged the voltage and current corrections used to charge the battery assembly 106 after the current cycle of use. Leaving unchanged, increasing, or decreasing the voltage and current corrections may be included in the charging signal transmitted from the scanning device 102 to the charging station 104. Further, the scanning device 102 may determine that the voltage and current corrections should decrease based on the operating temperature. of the battery assembly 106. As discussed herein, the scanning device 102 may receive the operating temperature of the battery assembly 106 from a temperature sensor included in the scanning device 102, the charging station 104, or any other location or device suitable for measuring temperature.
Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the voltage and current corrections may correspond to two usage ranges of a device (e.g., scanning device 102). In particular, a first range of use may prioritize a long service life for the scanning device 102 by using reduced charging voltages and currents. A second range of use may prioritize a long operating time for the scanning device 102 by using increased charging voltages and currents. In these embodiments, the boundaries of the first range of use and/or the second range of use may be malleable and may change over time as usage of the scanning device 102 changes, the scanning device 102 ages, the scanning device 102 is consistently exposed to high operating temperatures, or at based on any other suitable impact on the performance of the battery assembly 106 of the scanning device 102. These adjustments to the boundaries of the first range of use and/or the second range of use may be based on historical data, real-time data, or any combination thereof. .
It will also be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, any of the blocks of method 300 performed by the scanning device 102 may additionally or alternatively be performed by the loading station 104.
fig. 4 illustrates another exemplary method for dynamically changing charge settings for a battery assembly, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 400 begins at block 402 where, for example, a scanning device (e.g., scanning device 102) has a first battery
charge status value associated with a first time point during a cycle of use of the battery pack (e.g., battery pack 106).
At block 404, the method 400 includes receiving a second battery charge status value associated with a second time point during the cycle of use. Block 404 may be executed by, for example, the controller 114 of the scanning device 102.
At optional block 406, the method 400 includes receiving an operating temperature from the battery assembly 106. As discussed herein, the operating temperature of the battery assembly 106 may be determined by, for example, a temperature sensor included in a device (e.g., the scanning device 102) or an external temperature sensor configured to communicate with a charging station (e.g., charging station 104) or other communication receiving device. Optional block 406 may be executed by, for example, the controller 114 of the scanning device 102.
At block 408, the method 400 includes determining a battery depth of discharge between the first time point and the second time point by comparing the first battery charge status value with the second battery charge status value. The battery depth of discharge can be determined by subtracting the second usage value from the first usage value. For example, a scanning device 102 may be configured to determine the usage difference value. After the usage differential value is determined, the scanning device 102 may populate, for example, a table (e.g., battery usage value history table 232), or otherwise store the usage differential value in memory (e.g., memory 112) for the scanning device 102 or other suitable device for scanning. performing the remaining steps of method 400.
To illustrate, the first usage value may be 80% indicating that the device (e.g., scanning device 102) was 80% charged when the usage cycle began. In this example, the second usage value may be 35% indicating that the scanning device 102 was 35% charged when the usage cycle ended. A charging station (e.g., charging station 104), or any other suitable device, may be configured to determine the battery depth of discharge by subtracting the second use value of 35% from the first use value of 80%, resulting in a battery -discharge depth of 45%. The scanning device 102 or other suitable device may, for example, store the battery discharge depth of 45% in a table (e.g.
battery usage history table 232) or otherwise store the battery discharge depth in memory (e.g., memory 112) for the scanning device 102 or other suitable device for performing the remaining steps of the method 400.
At block 410, the method includes comparing the battery depth of discharge with a plurality of depth of discharge ranges, wherein each of the plurality of depth of discharge ranges is associated with a set number and each of the plurality of depth of discharge ranges is associated with a different voltage correction and current correction. Block 410 may be executed by, for example, the processor 116 of the scanning device 102.
For example, the scanning device 102 can compare the battery discharge depth with each of the plurality of battery discharge depth ranges. However, the scanning device 102 may also compare the battery discharge depth to less than any of the plurality of battery discharge depth ranges.
At block 412, the method 400 includes updating the set number of one of the plurality of depth-of-discharge ranges based on the comparison. Each of the battery discharge depth ranges may have a range of values included therein. For example, the battery depth ranges may include a first range from 0% to 50% and a second range from 51% to 100%. In addition, the battery depth ranges may include those shown in the collection range demarcations 210 of Figures 2A and 2B. Block 412 may be executed by, for example, the processor 116 of the scanning device 102. Further, the collection numbers and plurality of depth of discharge ranges may be included in, for example, the usage history 118.
Illustratively, as mentioned above, if the plurality of battery usage ranges is a plurality of battery discharge depth ranges, the battery discharge depth may be, for example, 45%. The scanning device 102 can update the collection number of the battery discharge depth range which includes 45%. For example, and referring to Figures 2A and 2B, the scanning device 102 can update the collection number of collection number 5 because 45% falls in the range of 41% to 100%. Furthermore, the scanning device 102 may be configured to update the collection number of a collection by 1 for any respective usage difference value, or by any suitable amount.
At block 414, the method 400 includes analyzing the collection numbers of the plurality of depth-of-discharge ranges to determine a largest collection number and a respective depth-of-discharge range. Block 414 may be executed by, for example, the processor 116 of the scanning device 102.
For example, the scanning device 102 may be configured to analyze the collection numbers for each of the plurality of battery discharge depth ranges. Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, the scanning device 102 can analyze the collection numbers for the collection numbers 1-5. As illustrated by the usage set values 204, the scanner 102 can determine that set number 1 has a set number of 13, that set number 2 has a set number of 3, that set number 3 has a set number of 0, that set number 4 has a set number of 3, and that set number 5 has a set number of 1. In this example, the set numbers for each of the sets 1-5 can be a representation for insertion cycles related to the scan device 102, but it will be appreciated that the set numbers can be a representation are for any suitable metric, as discussed herein.
At optional block 416, the method 400 includes applying a respective weighting factor to each set number of the plurality of depth of discharge ranges. In this block, the largest set number corresponds to a largest weighted set number. Optional block 416 may be executed by, for example, the processor 116 of the scanning device 102.
At block 418, the method 400 includes, prior to a next cycle of use of the battery assembly 106, charging the battery assembly 106 with a voltage correction and a current correction corresponding to the respective depth of discharge range with the largest collection number. Block 418 may be performed by, for example, the charging station 104.
In various embodiments, charging the battery assembly 106 with the voltage correction and the current correction may further comprise determining that the respective battery depth-discharge range is different from a preceding respective battery-discharge depth range. Determining that the respective battery discharge depth range is different from a preceding respective battery discharge depth range can be performed by, for example, the processor 116 of the scanning device 102.
For example, and with reference to Figures 2A and 2B, the scanning device 102 may analyze the collection numbers of each of the plurality of depth-of-discharge ranges and determine that collection number 1 has the largest collection number. Thus, the scanning device 102 may further determine whether the voltage and current corrections associated with the depth of discharge range corresponding to set number 1 were the voltage and current corrections applied to charge the battery assembly 106 prior to the current cycle of use.
In these embodiments, the charging of the battery assembly 106 with the voltage correction and the current correction may optionally further comprise at least one of: reducing a charging voltage if (1) the respective depth-of-discharge range is less than a preceding respective depth-of-discharge range or (ii) the operating temperature of the battery assembly 106 is above a threshold; reducing a charging current if (1) the respective depth-of-discharge range is less than a preceding respective depth-of-discharge range or (ii) the operating temperature of the battery assembly 106 is above the threshold; increasing the charging voltage if the respective depth-discharge range is higher than a preceding respective depth-discharge range; and increasing the charging current if the respective depth-discharge range is higher than a preceding respective depth-discharge range.
In other words, based on the determination of whether the voltage and current corrections used to charge the battery assembly 106 prior to the current cycle of use are different from the voltage and current corrections associated with the collection number with the largest collection number, the scanning device 102 can transmitting a charging signal to the charging station 104 to increase, decrease, or leave unchanged the voltage and current corrections used to charge the battery assembly 106 after the current cycle of use. Leaving unchanged, increasing, or decreasing the voltage and current corrections may be included in the charging signal transmitted from the scanning device 102 to the charging station 104. Further, the scanning device 102 may determine that the voltage and current corrections should decrease based on the operating temperature. of the battery assembly 106. As discussed herein, the scanning device 102 may receive the operating temperature of the battery assembly 106 from a temperature sensor included in the scanning device 102, the charging station 104, or any other location or device suitable for measuring temperature.
Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the voltage and current corrections may correspond to two usage ranges of a device (e.g., scanning device 102). In particular, a first range of use may prioritize a long service life for the scanning device 102 by using reduced charging voltages and currents. A second range of use may prioritize a long operating time for the scanning device 102 by using increased charging voltages and currents. In these embodiments, the boundaries of the first range of use and/or the second range of use may be malleable and may change over time as usage of the scanning device 102 changes, the scanning device 102 ages, the scanning device 102 is consistently exposed to high operating temperatures, or at based on any other suitable impact on the performance of the battery assembly 106 of the scanning device 102. These adjustments to the boundaries of the first range of use and/or the second range of use may be based on historical data, real-time data, or any combination thereof. .
It will also be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, any of the blocks of method 400 performed by the scanning device 102 may additionally or alternatively be performed by the loading station 104.
fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary method 500 for dynamically identifying spare batteries in a battery assembly, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 500 begins at block 502, where, for example, a backup battery indicator module (e.g., backup battery indicator module 144) accesses one or more respective battery charge settings for each respective battery of a plurality of batteries and a respective battery charge history for each of the respective batteries of the plurality of batteries.
To illustrate, a terminal (e.g., terminal 102) optionally has a removable battery assembly (e.g., battery assembly 106), or simply a plurality of removable batteries used to power the terminal 102. In this example, a consumer can use the terminal 102 consistently over a period of time including a work cycle or shift (e.g., 5 hours per day during each workday). The consumer may consistently use a first battery (e.g., a primary battery) to power the terminal 102 during a majority of use of the terminal 102 during the shift, and may remove the first battery once its charge has been sufficiently depleted, to be replaced by a second battery. However, at the time of replacement, the time remaining on any shift for the terminal 102 may be insufficient to fully use up the charge of the second battery, and in particular, the second battery may be discharged to several different degrees. levels during different shifts. Thus, the respective battery charging history of the second battery may appear inconsistent compared to the respective battery charging history of the first battery, and may present fewer discharges below a certain range.
As an example, a consumer may habitually use the first battery to charge the terminal 102 from the beginning of each shift until the first battery has completely used up its charge. In other words, the first battery can change from 100% charge to 0% charge from the start of each shift to some point later in the same shift. Thus, the charging station (e.g., charging station 104, mobile charging station 132) used to recharge the charge of the first battery can record the depth of discharge (e.g., 100%) of the first battery and save that value in the usage history (128 , 140).
At that point, and continuing the example, the user can replace the first battery with the second battery to continue operation of the terminal 102 during the shift. Prior to insertion into terminal 102, the second battery may, for example, have a 100% charge. When the shift ends, the consumer can remove the second battery and place it in a charging station (104, 132) so that both of the first battery and the second battery are fully charged for the next shift from the terminal 102. However, the second battery may be as low as 30% discharged, leaving 70% of the battery's charge prior to insertion into a charging station (104, 132). Thus, the charging station (104, 132) used to recharge the charge of the second battery can record the depth of discharge (e.g., 30%) and save that value in the usage history (128, 140). It will be appreciated that the consumer may use the same second battery whenever one is needed during a shift, or the consumer may use a plurality of different batteries over a plurality of different shifts, or any combination therein.
Problematic, and as further discussed herein, charging the second battery to a full charge after only a partial discharge (e.g., 30% in the previous example) and maintaining a full charge for much of the shift associated with a terminal 102 is harmful to the second battery. Ideally, the charging system will tailor the charging characteristics (e.g., charging voltage and charging current) for each battery to the known usage profile for each battery to prevent battery degradation. A first step in achieving such custom charging would be to access the known usage profile of each battery.
Accordingly, at block 502, the backup battery indicator module 144 has access to the one or more respective battery charge settings and the respective battery charge history for each respective battery. In some embodiments, the spare battery display module 144 is included in one or more of a mobile battery charging unit (e.g., mobile charging station 132), a battery terminal (e.g., terminal 102), and each of the respective batteries of the plurality to batteries. In some embodiments, the backup battery indicator module 144 has access to the respective one or more respective battery charging settings and the respective battery charging history by accessing each of the respective batteries of the plurality of batteries.
At block 504, the method 500 includes analyzing, for each respective battery of the plurality of batteries, the one or more respective battery charge settings and the respective battery charge history to identify at least one spare battery from the plurality of batteries. . Block 504 may be performed by, for example, the backup battery designation module 144.
In some embodiments, identifying the at least one backup battery further includes receiving a first indicator and a second indicator of the respective battery charging history. The identification may further include determining a difference indicator by comparing the first indicator with the second indicator, and comparing the difference indicator with a plurality of indicator ranges. The identification may further include updating an indicator range of the plurality of indicator ranges by placing the difference indicator in the indicator range, and analyzing the plurality of indicator ranges to determine a largest total number of difference indicators in a respective indicator range.
In some embodiments, the first indicator is a first state of charge (SOC), the second indicator is a second SOC, the difference indicator is a depth of discharge (DOD), the plurality of indicator ranges is a plurality of DOD values. ranges, the indicator range is a DOD range, the greatest total number of difference indicators is a greatest number of insertion cycles, and the respective indicator range is a respective DOD range.
In some embodiments, the first indicator is a first time, the second indicator is a second time, and the difference indicator is a deferred use indicator, the plurality of indicator ranges is a plurality of deferred use indicator ranges, the indicator range is a delayed use indicator range, is the largest total number of difference indicators is a largest total number of deferred use indicators, and the respective indicator range is a respective deferred use indicator range. In these embodiments, the first time and the second time may be represented by units of time (e.g., days, hours, minutes, seconds, etc.), percentages of a total uptime of a terminal 102 (e.g., first battery used for 30 % of total terminal uptime), percentages of a specific terminal 102 shift (e.g., first battery used during 30% of the 1/1/2000 terminal shift), or any other time metric, and/or any what combination in it.
In some embodiments, the first indicator is a first charging location, the second indicator is a second charging location, and the difference indicator is a charging location indicator, the plurality of indicator ranges is a plurality of charging location indicator ranges, the indicator range is a charging location indicator range, the largest total number of difference indicators is a largest total number of charging location indicators, and the respective indicator range is a respective charging location indicator range. For example, the first and second charging locations may be indicative of respective charging times in the charging station 104 and the mobile charging station 132 (e.g., days, hours, minutes, seconds, etc.), percentages of time spent in the charging station 104 and the mobile charging station 132 (eg, 30% in 104 and 70% in 132), and any other useful metric, and/or any combination therein.
By way of illustration, and in accordance with the example described with reference to block 502, the backup battery indicator module 144 may analyze the respective battery charge settings and histories for the first battery and the second battery. In embodiments where the first and second indicators are SOCs and the difference indicator is a DOD, the backup battery indicator module 144 may retrieve information from the usage histories (128, 140), the information indicating that the first battery is consistently discharging from 100% to 0%. (e.g., a DOD of 100%) between insertion cycles. Accordingly, the backup battery indicator module 144 may retrieve information from the usage histories (128, 140), the information indicating that the second battery discharges consistently from 100% to 70% (e.g., a DOD of 30%) between insertion cycles. Based on this information, the backup battery indicator module 144 can identify the first battery as the primary battery for the terminal 102, and identify the second battery as the backup battery for the terminal 102.
As another example, the backup battery indicator module 144 may analyze the respective battery charge settings and histories for the first battery and the second battery in embodiments where the first and second indicators are time and the difference indicator is a delayed use indicator. In these embodiments, the backup battery indicator module 144 may retrieve information from the usage histories (128, 140), the information indicating that the first battery is used consistently for the first 80% of the uptime of the terminal 102. Accordingly, the backup battery indicator module 144 may retrieve information from the usage histories (128, 140) indicating that the second battery is being used consistently for the remaining 20% of the terminal 102's uptime (e.g., a deferred use indicator of 80%). Based on this information, the backup battery indicator module 144 can identify the first battery as the primary battery for the terminal 102, and identify the second battery as the backup battery for the terminal 102.
As yet another example, the backup battery indicator module 144 may analyze the respective battery charge settings and histories for the first battery and the second battery in embodiments where the first and second indicators are charging locations and the difference indicator is a charging location indicator. In these embodiments, the backup battery indicating module 144 can retrieve information from the usage histories (128, 140), the information indicating that the first battery is mainly charged in the charging station 104. Accordingly, the backup battery indicating module 144 can retrieve information from the usage histories ( 128, 140), the information indicating that the second battery is mainly charged in the mobile charging station 132. Based on this information, the backup battery indicating module 144 can identify the first battery as the primary battery for the terminal 102, and the second battery identify as the spare battery for the terminal 102.
At block 506, the method 500 includes adjusting the one or more respective battery charge settings of the at least one backup battery. The one or more respective battery charge settings may include for each respective battery, for example, a charge voltage, a charge current, and/or a SOC. The SOC can refer to either a capacity of the at least one backup battery in milliampere hours (mAh) or to a percentage of the charge capacity of the at least one battery. For example, and in some embodiments, the one or more respective battery charging settings include at least a maximum charging capacity and a maximum allowable charging capacity. In these embodiments, adjusting the respective one or more respective battery charge settings of the at least one backup battery further comprises reducing the maximum allowable charging capacity from 100% of the maximum charging capacity to less than or equal to 90% of the maximum charging capacity. So, the SOC would correspond to 90% of the maximum charging capacity.
It will be appreciated that adjusting the one or more respective battery charge settings of the at least one spare battery may include reducing the maximum allowable charging capacity from 100% of the maximum charging capacity to less than or equal to any suitable percentage of the maximum charging capacity. For example, adjusting the one or more respective battery charging settings may include reducing the maximum allowable charging capacity from 100% of the maximum charging capacity to less than or equal to 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 99%, and/or any other suitable percentage of the maximum charging capacity.
In some embodiments, the respective battery charging history includes one or more past respective battery charging settings for a respective battery of the plurality of batteries. In these embodiments, the method 500 further includes updating the respective battery charging history by adding the one or more respective battery charging settings of the at least one backup battery. These side effects can be performed by,
for example, the backup battery indicator module 144, and can be executed after adjusting the one or more respective battery charging settings of the at least one backup battery. Block 506 may be executed by, for example, the backup battery indicator module
144.
Illustratively, and in accordance with the example described in reference to blocks 502 and 504, the backup battery indicator module 144 may adjust the one or more respective battery charge settings of the at least one backup battery by adjusting the battery charge settings of the second battery. The backup battery indicating module 144 can reduce the charging voltage and the charging current of the second battery to prevent the degradation that occurs when batteries are charged at high voltages and currents. Additionally, in some embodiments, the backup battery indicator module 144 can reduce the maximum allowable charge capacity of the second battery from 100% to 90%.
With these changes, the backup battery indicator module 144 will extend the service life of the second battery by minimizing harmful charging practices, as further described herein. In addition, the customized battery charge settings for the backup battery or for any other battery in the plurality of batteries can be shared among all associated charging stations (e.g., charging station 104, mobile charging station 132), terminals (e.g., terminal 102), and others. connected components for ensuring that the adjusted battery charge settings will be applied to the respective battery regardless of insertion of the respective battery into new and/or different system (e.g., example system 110, example system 131) components.
It will be appreciated that various aspects of both dynamically changing charging settings for a battery assembly and dynamically identifying spare batteries can be performed independently, simultaneously, or any combination thereof, by various embodiments of the present application. In addition, it will be appreciated that, while the backup battery indication module 144, as shown in Figure 1C, is included in the terminal 102, the backup battery indication module 144 may also be included in the charging station 104, the mobile charging station 132, and/ or an external terminal, computer, or server configured to receive the respective battery charge settings and the respective battery charge histories for each battery of the plurality of batteries.
The terms transmitter, receiver and transceiver are used herein by way of example and should not be construed as limiting. For example, it will be understood that references to an element that is a transmitter or a receiver include that element being a transceiver. Furthermore, any reference to an element that is a transceiver may include that element being implemented as a transmitter and/or receiver, depending on whether the element is transmitting and/or receiving data.
In some embodiments, the charging systems and methods described herein may be implemented in relation to batteries that are preconfigured for various modes of operation. In other words, instead of differentiating between primary and backup batteries, at least some of the concepts described herein may be implemented in relation to batteries optimized for run time and batteries optimized for long service life. To this end, the battery assembly may be preconfigured with a specific indicator that signals whether a battery is designed to be used as a battery optimized for run time or as a battery optimized for long service life. When the battery is preconfigured to be optimized for run time, the battery and/or the charging station can function as to charge the battery at a first voltage, current, and/or charging capacity.
When the battery is preconfigured to be optimized for a long service life, the battery and/or charging station can function as charging the battery at a second voltage, current, and/or charge capacity that is less than the first voltage , power and/or charging capacity.
For example, when the battery is preconfigured to be optimized for long service life, the battery and/or charging station may function to charge the battery at less than or equal to
10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 99%, and/or any other suitable percentage of the maximum charging capacity.
This can be achieved through internal circuitry/firmware (e.g., control) in the battery that allows the battery to draw the appropriate electrical power independent of the output of the charging station.
For example, in cases where the battery is preconfigured to be optimized for long service life and configured to charge at a second charge capacity of 80% of its maximum charge capacity, the internal battery circuitry/firmware may cause an electrical discontinuity between the electrical contacts of the battery (which come into contact with the electrical contacts of the charging station) and the power storage element of the battery.
In other instances, the charging station may be configured to recognize the preconfigured state of the battery and provide the appropriate charging characteristics.
For example, in cases where the battery is pre-configured to be optimized for a long service life and configured to charge with a second current of 0.5 amps, the charging station, despite being operable to output a charging current greater than 0.5 amps, internal circuitry/firmware that limits charging current to 0.5 amps.
The foregoing approach can also be implemented at the discharge stage. Since battery life can be shortened by discharging the battery to or around its lowest specified workable charge level, in instances where the battery has been preconfigured to be optimized for long service life, it is desirable to provide a “battery low” signal (or otherwise indicate a depleted battery) sufficiently in advance for the battery charge level to drop to the lowest specification level. Thus, when the battery is preconfigured to be optimized for operating time, the battery and/or the device in which the battery is used can function as such to indicate a low battery when the battery charge drops to or around a first charge level that in some embodiments, is the minimum operational charge level allowed by the battery specification. On the other hand, if the battery is preconfigured to be configured for a long service life, the battery and/or the device in which the battery is used may function as such to indicate a low battery when the battery charge drops to or about a second. charge level that is greater than the first charge level. In some embodiments, the second charge level may be 5%, 10%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70 and/or any other suitable percentage greater than or equal to the first charge level.
This functionality can be achieved through internal circuitry/firmware (e.g., control) in the battery and/or the device in which the battery is used. For example, when the battery is preconfigured to be optimized for a long service life, internal circuitry/firmware in the battery can sense a charge level and when said charge level reaches a certain preconfigured minimum level, the internal battery circuitry/firmware can signal provided indicating that the battery is approaching a minimum operational level and/or that such a level has been reached.
In other instances, the internal battery circuitry/firmware may consider the usable power capacity range as the reported range of maximum charge (e.g., 100%)
to a minimum load (e.g., 0%) and in use run the reported range.
Thus, if the battery is optimized such that its maximum charge level is limited to 80% of its total charge capacity and its minimum operational level is set to 20% of its total charge capacity, then the reported charge level ranging from 100% to 0% will be based on on the total charge level being within the usable 60% range from 80% to 20%. In such case, the battery charged to 80% of its total capacity will be reported as a charge of 100%, the battery charged to 65% of its total capacity will be reported as a charge of 75%, the battery charged to 50% battery charged from its total capacity will be reported as a 50% charge, the battery charged to 35% of its total capacity will be reported as a 25% charge, and the battery charged to 20% of its total capacity will be reported as a 0% charge. This approach can be advantageous from the standpoint that it may not require changes to the device in which the battery is used.
However, such functionality may also be implemented by circuitry and/or software/firmware in the device using a battery.
In this case, the device may be configured to recognize that a specific battery installed in the device is preconfigured to be optimized for a long service life.
Upon such recognition, the device itself may report a battery level based on a predetermined range (which may be programmed into either the battery or the device). Thus, if the device recognizes that the installed battery has been preconfigured to operate within the range of 20% - 80% of its total charge capacity, then the device can report, or otherwise consider the real-time charge level, based on of said range. Thus, similar to the above case, the battery charged to 80% of its total capacity will be reported as a 100% charge, the battery charged to 65% of its total capacity will be reported as a 75% charge, the battery charged to 50% of its total capacity will be reported as a 50% charge, the battery charged to 35% of its total capacity will be reported as a 25% charge, and the battery charged to 20% of its total battery capacity charged will be reported as 0% charge. It will, however, be appreciated that actual battery charge reporting is not required and that the device may simply provide a “battery low” indicator when the reported charge reaches a predetermined range (e.g., less than 30% of the total charge). load capacity) and/or can shut down the device when the reported load reaches exactly or about 0% (e.g., 20% of the total load capacity when used with the above example).
While in some cases the preconfiguration of the battery optimized for long service life or run time can only be achieved through circuitry/firmware, in other instances such differentiation can be achieved through or with the aid of mechanical indicators. In some embodiments, these mechanical indicators may include, but are not limited to, the thickness of the electrical contacts on the battery, the material used for the electrical contacts and the electrical resistance, oxidation susceptibility, and/or the wear resistance of the material, the addition of contact inserts (eg paliney), housing material, and/or alignment features provided on the housing. Any of these features can be provided in a way that its detection and association of said mechanical feature with a specific pre-configuration can activate a battery/charging station or battery/device to operate in a manner described above.
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Therefore, the specification and figures are to be understood as illustrative rather than limiting, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention of the present disclosure. In addition, the described embodiments/examples/implements should not be construed as mutually exclusive, and should instead be understood as potentially combinable if such combinations are permissible in any way. In other words, any feature disclosed in any of the above embodiments/examples/implements may be incorporated into any of the other above-mentioned embodiments/examples/implements.
The benefits, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit or solution to occur or become apparent should not be construed as critical, mandatory, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims, including any changes made during the course of this application and any equivalents of those claims as published. For clarity and concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, but it will be understood that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described. It will be appreciated that the embodiments shown have the same or similar components except where they are described as being different.
In addition, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used throughout this document only to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying an actual relationship or sequence between such entities or actions. imply. The terms “include”, “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “contains”, “containing” or any variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that any process, process, article, or assembly that a list includes, has, contains not only contains those elements, but may also contain other elements not explicitly mentioned or inherent in such process, method, article, or assembly. An element preceded by “includes. a”, “has…a”, “contains…a” does not exclude, without limitation, the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or arrangement that includes, has or contains the element. The term “one” is defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise. The terms "substantially", "essential", "near", "approximately" or any other version thereof are defined as close to what is understood by those skilled in the art, and in a non-limiting embodiment the term is defined as being within 10% , in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%.
The term "linked" is defined herein as connected, but not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is "configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways not described.
It will be appreciated that some embodiments may include one or more generic or specialized processors (or "processing devices") such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, custom processors, and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored program instructions (including both software and firmware) directing the one or more processors to, in combination with certain non-processor circuitry, implement some, most or all of the functions of the method and/or arrangement described herein. Alternatively, some or all of the functions may be implemented by a state machine that does not contain stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of particular functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used.
In addition, an embodiment may be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium with computer-readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein. Examples of such computer readable storage media include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (read-only memory), a PROM (programmable read-only memory), an EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory), an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), and a flash memory. Furthermore, notwithstanding potentially significant efforts and many design choices motivated by, for example, time available, current technology and economic considerations, it is expected that, when guided by the concepts and principles described herein, those skilled in the art will readily be able to understand such software instructions and - generate programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.
The summary of the disclosure is provided to give the reader a quick impression of the nature of the technical description. It is filed with the understanding that it shall not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, from the foregoing "detailed description" it can be seen that various features are grouped together in different embodiments to streamline the description. This manner of description should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly stated in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, there is inventive matter in less than all the features of a single described embodiment. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the "detailed description", each claim standing alone as subject matter separately claimed. The mere fact that certain measures are defined in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to an advantage. A multitude of variants will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All variants are understood to fall within the scope of the invention which is defined in the following claims.

权利要求:
Claims (56)
[1]
A method of dynamically changing charge settings for a battery pack, comprising: receiving a first usage value for the battery pack associated with a start time point of a usage cycle; receiving a second usage value for the battery assembly associated with an end time point of the usage cycle; determining a usage difference value for the battery assembly by comparing the first usage value with the second usage value; comparing the usage difference value with a plurality of battery usage ranges, wherein each of the battery usage ranges is associated with a set number and each of the battery usage ranges is associated with a different voltage correction and current correction; updating the collection number of one of the plurality of battery usage ranges based on the comparison; analyzing the collection numbers of the plurality of battery usage ranges to determine a largest collection number and a respective battery usage range; and prior to a next cycle of use of the battery assembly, charging the battery assembly with a voltage correction and a current correction corresponding to the respective battery usage range with the largest collection number.
[2]
The method of claim 1, further comprising: applying a respective weighting factor to each set number of the plurality of battery usage ranges; and wherein the largest set number corresponds to a largest weighted set number.
[3]
The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising: receiving an operating temperature from the battery assembly; and wherein charging the battery assembly with the voltage correction and the current correction further comprises: determining that the respective battery usage range is different from a previous respective battery usage range; and at least one of: reducing a charging voltage if () the respective battery usage range is less than a preceding respective battery usage range or (ii) the operating temperature of the battery assembly is above a limit value; reducing a charging current if (1) the respective battery usage range is less than a preceding respective battery usage range or (ii) the operating temperature of the battery assembly is above the limit value; increasing the charging voltage if the respective battery usage range is higher than a previous respective battery usage range; and increasing the charging current if the respective battery usage range is higher than a previous respective battery usage range.
[4]
The method of any preceding claim, wherein the first usage value is a first battery charge status value, the second usage value is a second battery charge status value, the usage difference value is a battery discharge depth, the plurality of battery usage ranges is a plurality of battery discharge depth ranges , the largest collection number is a largest number of insertion cycles, and the respective battery usage range is a respective battery discharge depth range.
[5]
The method of claim 4, wherein charging the battery assembly with the voltage correction and the current correction further comprises: determining that the respective battery discharge depth range is different from a preceding respective battery discharge depth range; and at least one of: decreasing a charging voltage if (1) the respective battery discharge depth range is less than a preceding respective battery discharge depth range or (ii) an operating temperature of the battery assembly is above a threshold; decreasing a charging current if () the respective battery discharge depth range is less than a preceding respective battery discharge depth range or (ii) the operating temperature of the battery assembly is above the threshold value; increasing the charging voltage if the respective battery discharge depth range is higher than a preceding respective battery discharge depth range; and increasing the charging current if the respective battery depth-discharge range is higher than a preceding respective battery-discharge depth range.
[6]
The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first usage value is at least one of (1) a first time and (11) a first amount of scans, the second usage value is at least one of GC) a second time and (1) a second amount of scans, the usage difference value is at least one of (1) a time between charges and (ii) a difference in scan amounts, the plurality of battery usage ranges is at least one of () a plurality of time-between charges ranges and (ii) a plurality of difference in scan amount ranges, the largest collection number is a largest number of insertion cycles, and the respective battery usage range is at least one of (i) a respective time-between-charge range and (ii) a respective difference in-scan amount range.
[7]
A method for dynamically changing charge settings for a battery pack, comprising: receiving a first battery charge status value associated with a first time point during a cycle of use of the battery pack; receiving a second battery charge status value associated with a second time point during the cycle of use; determining a battery depth of discharge between the first time point and the second time point by comparing the first battery charge status value with the second battery charge status value; comparing the battery depth of discharge with a plurality of depth of discharge ranges, each of the plurality of depth of discharge ranges associated with a set number and each of the plurality of depth of discharge ranges associated with a different voltage correction and current correction; updating the set number of one of the plurality of depth-of-discharge ranges based on the comparison; analyzing the set numbers of the plurality of depth-of-discharge ranges to determine a largest set number and a respective depth-of-discharge range; and prior to a next cycle of use of the battery assembly, charging the battery assembly with a voltage correction and a current correction corresponding to the respective depth of discharge range with the largest collection number.
[8]
The method of claim 7, further comprising: applying a respective weighting factor to each set number of the plurality of depth of discharge ranges; and wherein the largest set number corresponds to a largest weighted set number.
[9]
The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein charging the battery assembly with the voltage correction and the current correction further comprises: receiving an operating temperature from the battery assembly; determining that the respective discharge depth range is different from a preceding respective discharge range; and at least one of: decreasing a charging voltage if (i) the respective depth-of-discharge range is less than a preceding respective depth-of-discharge range or (ii) an operating temperature of the battery assembly is above a threshold; reducing a charging current if () the respective depth-of-discharge range is less than a preceding respective depth-of-discharge range or (ii) the operating temperature of the battery assembly is above the threshold; increasing the charging voltage if the respective depth-discharge range is higher than a preceding respective depth-discharge range; and increasing the charging current if the respective depth-discharge range is higher than a preceding respective depth-discharge range.
[10]
The method of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the first battery charge status value is at least one of (i) a first time and Gi) a first amount of scans, the second battery charge status value is at least one of (1) a second time and (1) a second amount of scans, the battery depth of discharge is at least one of (1) a time between charges and (ii) a difference in scan amounts, the plurality of depth of discharge ranges is at least one of (1) a a plurality of time-between-charge ranges and (ii) a plurality of difference-in-scan amount ranges, the largest collection number is a largest number of insertion cycles, and the respective depth-of-discharge range is at least one of (1) a respective time-between-charge range and (ii) is a respective difference in scan amount range.
[11]
A system for dynamically changing charging settings, comprising: a charging station; and a scanning device comprising a battery assembly, the scanning device being configured to be communicatively connected to the charging station, and wherein the scanning device is further configured to: receive a first usage value for the battery assembly associated with a start time point of a usage cycle; receiving a second usage value for the battery assembly associated with an end time point of the usage cycle; determining a usage difference value for the battery assembly by comparing the first usage value with the second usage value;
comparing the usage difference value with a plurality of battery usage ranges, wherein each of the battery usage ranges is associated with a set number and each of the battery usage ranges is associated with a different voltage correction and current correction; updating the set number of one of the plurality of battery usage ranges based on the comparison; analyzing the collection numbers of the plurality of battery usage ranges to determine a largest collection number and a respective battery usage range; and prior to a next cycle of use of the battery assembly, transmitting a charging signal to the charging station for charging the battery assembly by the charging station with a voltage correction and a current correction corresponding to the respective battery usage range with the largest collection number.
[12]
The system of claim 11, wherein the start time point is associated with uncoupling the scanning device from the charging station, and wherein the end time point is associated with coupling the scanning device to the charging station.
[13]
The system of claim 11 or 12, wherein the battery assembly comprises one or more of (1) lithium ion batteries, (Gi) lithium ion supercapacitors, and (iu) electric double layer capacitors supercapacitors.
[14]
The system of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the scanning device is further configured to: apply a respective weighting factor to each set number of the plurality of battery usage ranges; and wherein the largest set number corresponds to a largest weighted set number.
[15]
The system of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the scanning device is further configured to: receive an operating temperature from the battery assembly; determining that the respective battery usage range is different from a preceding respective battery usage range; and at least one of: decreasing a charging voltage if () the respective battery usage range is less than a preceding respective battery usage range or (Gi) the operating temperature of the battery assembly is above a threshold, wherein the reduction in the charging signal is included; decreasing a charging current if (1) the respective battery usage range is less than a preceding respective battery usage range or (Gi) the operating temperature of the battery assembly is above the threshold, including the reduction in the charging signal; increasing the charging voltage if the respective battery usage range is higher than a preceding respective battery usage range, wherein the increase in the charging signal is included; and increasing the charging current if the respective battery usage range is higher than a preceding respective battery usage range, wherein the increase in the charging signal is included.
[16]
The system of any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the first usage value is a first battery charge status value, the second usage value is a second battery charge status value, the usage differential value is a battery discharge depth, the plurality of battery usage ranges is a plurality of battery ranges depth-discharge ranges, the largest collection number is a largest number of insertion cycles, and the respective battery usage range is a respective battery depth-discharge range.
[17]
The system of claim 16, wherein the scanning device is further configured to: determine that the respective battery discharge depth range is different from a preceding respective battery discharge depth range; and at least one of: reducing a charging voltage if (i) the respective battery discharge depth range is less than a preceding respective battery discharge depth range or (ii) an operating temperature of the battery assembly is above a threshold, wherein the reduction in the charging signal is includes; decreasing a charging current if () the respective battery discharge depth range is less than a preceding respective battery discharge depth range or (ii) the operating temperature of the battery assembly is above the threshold, including the reduction in the charging signal; increasing the charging voltage if the respective battery discharge depth range is higher than a preceding respective battery discharge depth range, wherein the increase in the charging signal is included; and increasing the charging current if the respective battery depth-discharge range is higher than a preceding respective battery-discharge depth range, wherein the increase in the charging signal is included.
[18]
The system of any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the first usage value is at least one of (1) a first time and (11) a first amount of scans, the second usage value is at least one of GC) a second time and (1) a second amount of scans, the usage difference value is at least one of (1) a time between charges and (ii) a difference in scan amounts, the plurality of battery usage ranges is at least one of () a plurality of time-between charges ranges and (ii) a plurality of difference in scan amount ranges, the largest collection number is a largest number of insertion cycles, and the respective battery usage range is at least one of (i) a respective time-between-charge range and (ii) a respective difference in-scan amount range.
[19]
The system of any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the charging station includes a standard optimization, and wherein the standard optimization provides extended battery assembly life.
[20]
The system of any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein the charging station comprises: one or more memories; one or more processors; and a controller operatively coupled to the one or more memories and the one or more processors.
[21]
A method for dynamically identifying spare batteries, comprising: accessing, by a spare battery indicator module, one or more respective battery charging settings for each respective battery of a plurality of batteries and a respective battery1] charging history for each of the respective batteries of the plurality of batteries; analyzing, by the spare battery indicator module and for each respective battery of the plurality of batteries, the one or more respective battery charging settings and the respective batteries]-
charge history for identifying at least one spare battery from the plurality of batteries; and adjusting, by the spare battery indicating module, the one or more respective battery charging settings of the at least one spare battery.
[22]
The method of claim 21, wherein identifying the at least one backup battery further comprises: receiving a first indicator of the respective battery charge history; receiving a second indicator of the respective battery charge history; determining a difference indicator by comparing the first indicator with the second indicator; comparing the difference indicator to a plurality of indicator ranges; updating an indicator range of the plurality of indicator ranges by placing the difference indicator in the indicator range; and analyzing the plurality of indicator ranges to determine a largest total number of difference indicators in a respective indicator range.
[23]
The method of claim 22, wherein the first indicator is a first state of charge (SOC), the second indicator is a second SOC, the difference indicator is a depth of discharge (DOD), the plurality of indicator ranges is a plurality of DOD ranges, the indicator range is a DOD range, the greatest total number of difference indicators is a greatest number of insertion cycles, and the respective indicator range is a respective DOD range.
[24]
The method of claim 22, wherein the first indicator is a first time, the second indicator is a second time, and the difference indicator is a deferred use indicator, the plurality of indicator ranges is a plurality of deferred use indicator ranges, the indicator range is a deferred -use indicator range, the largest total number of difference indicators is a largest total number of deferred use indicators, and the respective indicator range is a respective deferred use indicator range.
[25]
The method of claim 22, wherein the first indicator is a first charging location, the second indicator is a second charging location, and the difference indicator is a charging location indicator, the plurality of indicator ranges is a plurality of charging location indicator ranges, the indicator range is a charging location indicator range, the largest total number of difference indicators is a largest total number of charging location indicators, and the respective indicator range is a respective charging location indicator range.
[26]
The method of any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein the one or more respective battery charge settings at least a maximum charge capacity comprises a maximum allowable charge capacity, and wherein adjusting the one or more respective battery charge settings of the at least one backup battery further comprises: reducing the maximum allowable charging capacity from 100% of the maximum charging capacity to less than or equal to 90% of the maximum charging capacity.
[27]
The method according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein the respective battery charging history includes one or more past respective battery charging settings for a respective battery of the plurality of batteries, and the method further comprises: updating, by the spare battery display module and after the adjustment, of the respective battery charging history by adding the one or more respective battery charging settings of the at least one spare battery.
[28]
The method of any one of claims 21 to 27, wherein the backup battery display module is included in one or more of a mobile battery charging unit, a battery station, and each of the respective batteries of the plurality of batteries.
[29]
The method of any one of claims 21 to 28, wherein the backup battery indicator module accesses the respective one or more respective battery charging settings and respective battery charging history by accessing each of the respective batteries of the plurality of batteries .
[30]
30. A system for dynamically identifying spare batteries, comprising: a plurality of batteries each comprising (i) one or more respective battery charge settings and (ii) a respective battery charge history; and a backup battery indicator module configured to: access both of the respective battery charge settings or settings and the respective battery charge history; analyzing both of the one or more respective battery charging settings and the respective battery charging history to identify at least one spare battery from the plurality of batteries; and adjusting the one or more respective battery charging settings of the at least one backup battery.
[31]
The system of claim 30, wherein the backup battery indicator module is further configured to: receive a first indicator of the respective battery charge history; receiving a second indicator of the respective battery charge history;
determining a difference indicator by comparing the first indicator with the second indicator; comparing the difference indicator to a plurality of indicator ranges; updating an indicator range of the plurality of indicator ranges by placing the difference indicator in the indicator range; and analyzing the plurality of indicator ranges to determine a largest total number of difference indicators in a respective indicator range.
[32]
The system of claim 31, wherein the first indicator is a first state of charge (SOC), the second indicator is a second SOC, the difference indicator is a depth of discharge (DOD), the plurality of indicator ranges is a plurality of DOD ranges, the indicator range is a DOD range, the greatest total number of difference indicators is a greatest number of insertion cycles, and the respective indicator range is a respective DOD range.
[33]
The system of claim 31, wherein the first indicator is a first time, the second indicator is a second time, and the difference indicator is a deferred use indicator, the plurality of indicator ranges is a plurality of deferred use indicator ranges, the indicator range is a deferred -use indicator range, the largest total number of difference indicators is a largest total number of deferred use indicators, and the respective indicator range is a respective deferred use indicator range.
[34]
The system of claim 31, wherein the first indicator is a first charging location, the second indicator is a second charging location, and the difference indicator is a charging location indicator, the plurality of indicator ranges is a plurality of charging location indicator ranges, the indicator range is a charging location indicator range, the largest total number of difference indicators is a largest total number of charging location indicators, and the respective indicator range is a respective charging location indicator range.
[35]
The system of any one of claims 30 to 34, wherein the one or more respective battery charge settings includes at least a maximum charge capacity and a maximum allowable charge capacity, and wherein the backup battery indicator module is further configured to: reduce the maximum allowable charging capacity from 100% of the maximum charging capacity to less than or equal to 90% of the maximum charging capacity.
[36]
The system of any one of claims 30 to 35, wherein the respective battery charge history includes one or more past respective battery charge settings for a respective battery of the plurality of batteries, and wherein the backup battery indicator module is further configured to: update , after adjusting the respective battery charge history by adding the one or more respective battery charge settings of the at least one spare battery.
[37]
The system of any one of claims 30 to 36, wherein the backup battery display module is included in one or more of a mobile battery charging unit, a battery station, and each of the respective batteries of the plurality of batteries.
[38]
The system of any one of claims 30 to 37, wherein the backup battery indicator module is configured to access the respective one or more respective battery charge settings and the respective battery charge history by accessing each of the respective batteries of the multitude of batteries.
[39]
39. A system for dynamically updating battery charge settings, comprising:
a plurality of batteries each comprising (i) one or more respective battery charging settings and (ii) a respective battery charging history; and a battery analysis module configured to: access both of the one or more respective battery charge settings and the respective battery charge history; receiving a first indicator of the respective battery charging history; receiving a second indicator of the respective battery charge history; determining a difference indicator by comparing the first indicator with the second indicator; comparing the difference indicator to a plurality of indicator ranges; updating an indicator range of the plurality of indicator ranges by placing the difference indicator in the indicator range; analyzing the plurality of indicator ranges to determine a largest total number of difference indicators in a respective indicator range; identifying at least one spare battery from the plurality of batteries based on the analysis; and adjusting a set of battery charge settings corresponding to the at least one backup battery based on the respective indicator range having the greatest total number of difference indicators.
[40]
The system of claim 39, wherein the adjustments made to the set of battery charge settings are predetermined and associated with the respective indicator range.
[41]
The system of claim 39 or 40, wherein the set of battery charge settings includes at least one of (1) a voltage correction, (ii) a current correction, or (iii) a state of charge (SOC).
[42]
42. A battery configured to operate within a charging range less than its total charging range, comprising: a housing; a power storage element positioned within the housing, the power storage element having at least one charging characteristic associated with at least one of (1) charging the power storage element to its maximum charging level, and (ii) charging the power storage element at a maximum rate; and a controller coupled to the power storage element, the controller configured to, in response to coupling the power storage element to a charging source, charge the power storage element according to a second charging characteristic different from the first charging characteristic, the second charging characteristic being associated with at least one of GC) charging the power storage element to a second charging level that is less than the maximum charging level, and (ui) charging the power storage element at a second rate slower than the maximum rate.
[43]
The battery of claim 42, wherein the power storage element is associated with a minimum operational charge level, and wherein, in response to coupling the power storage element to a power consuming device configured to consume power from the power storage element and further in response to said power storage element having a charge level equal to or below a predetermined minimum level and above the minimum operational charge level, the controller is further configured to indicate that the power storage element is at the minimum operational charge level.
[44]
The battery of claim 43, wherein in response to coupling the power storage element to the charging source and further in response to the power storage element having a charging level lower than the second charging level, the control further charges the power storage element up to and not beyond the second. charge level.
[45]
45. A battery charging system comprising: a battery configured to operate within a charging range less than its total charging range, the battery comprising: a housing; a power storage element positioned within the housing, the power storage element having at least one charging characteristic associated with at least one of (1) charging the power storage element to its maximum charging level, and (ii) charging the power storage element at a maximum rate; and a controller coupled to the power storage element, the controller configured to, in response to coupling the power storage element to a charging source, charge the power storage element according to a second charging characteristic different from the first charging characteristic, the second charging characteristic being associated having at least one of (1) charging the power storage element to a second charging level that is less than the maximum charging level, and (ii) charging the power storage element at a second rate slower than the maximum rate; and a charging station having the charging source and being configured to couple directly or indirectly to the battery for providing an electrical charge to the battery.
[46]
The system of claim 45, further comprising a barcode reader, wherein the battery is located within the barcode reader, and wherein the charging station is a container configured to receive the barcode reader therein.
[47]
The system of claim 45 or 46, wherein in response to coupling the power storage element to the charging source and further in response to the power storage element having a charging level lower than the second charging level, the control further charges the power storage element to and not beyond the second charge level.
[48]
48. A mobile device comprising: a device housing having a barcode reading assembly; and a battery configured to operate within a charging range less than its total charging range, the battery comprising: a housing; a power storage element positioned within the housing, the power storage element being associated with a minimum operational charge level; and a controller coupled to the power storage element, the controller configured for, in response to having a charge level equal to or below a predetermined minimum level and above the minimum operational charge level, indicating that the power storage element is at the minimum operational charge level is.
[49]
The mobile device of claim 48, wherein the power storage element has at least one charging characteristic associated with at least one of (i) charging the power storage element to its maximum charging level, and (1) charging the power storage element at a maximum rate; and the controller is further configured to, in response to coupling the power storage element to a charging source, charge the power storage element according to a second charging characteristic different from the first charging characteristic, the second charging characteristic being associated with at least one of GC ) charging the power storage element to a second charging level that is less than the maximum charging level, and (ui) charging the power storage element at a second rate that is slower than the maximum rate.
[50]
50. A mobile device comprising: a device housing with a barcode reading assembly; power circuitry configured to provide power from a battery to the barcode reading assembly; and a device controller configured to operate the mobile device with the battery, the battery being alternately one of an extended-life battery and an extended-life battery, the extended-life battery configured to operate within a first charging range less than its respective total charge range, the extended-life battery having: a housing of the extended-life battery; a power storage element of the extended-life battery positioned within the housing of the extended-life battery, the power storage element of the extended-life battery being associated with a minimum operational charge level; and an extended-life battery controller coupled to the extended-life battery power storage element, wherein the extended-life battery controller is configured to have a charge level of the extended-life battery equal to or below a predetermined minimum level and above the minimum operational charge level, making an indication that the extended-life battery's power storage element is at the minimum operational charge level, the extended-life battery being configured to operate within a second charging range less than its respective total charging range, the extended-life battery having: a housing of the extended-life battery; a power storage element of the extended-life battery positioned within the housing of the extended-life battery; and an extended run battery controller coupled to the extended run battery power storage element, the extended run battery controller configured to indicate that the extended run battery power storage element is at the minimum operational charge level in response on having an extended-life battery charge level equal to the minimum operational charge level.
[51]
The mobile device of claim 50, wherein the extended-life battery comprises a first set of contacts configured to interface with the power circuits, the extended-life battery comprises a second set of contacts configured to interface with the power circuits, and wherein the first contacts are more resilient than the second contacts.
[52]
The mobile device of claim 50 or 51, wherein: the extended-life battery power storage element has at least one charging characteristic associated with at least one of (1) charging the extended-life battery power storage element to its maximum charge level, and Ci) charging the power storage element of the extended-life battery at a maximum rate; and wherein at least one of the extended-life battery controller and the device controller is further configured to, in response to coupling the extended-life battery to a charging source, charge the power storage element of the extended-life battery according to a second charging characteristic which is different from the first charging characteristic, the second charging characteristic being associated with at least one of GC) charging the power storage element of the extended-life battery to a second charging level that is less than the maximum charging level, and (ii) charging the extended-life battery power storage element at a second rate slower than the maximum rate.
[53]
53. A battery charging system comprising: power circuitry for supplying power to a battery; a battery receiver configured to receive a battery, the battery being alternately one of an extended-life battery and an extended-life battery; and a device controller configured to charge the battery according to predetermined characteristics, wherein, in response to installing the extended-life battery in the battery receiver and making electrical contact with the power circuitry, the device controller is configured for charging of the extended-life battery to a maximum charge level and at a maximum speed, and wherein, in response to installing the extended-life battery in the battery receiver and making electrical contact with the power circuitry, the device controller is configured for charging from the extended-life battery to at least one of a second charge level that is less than the maximum charge level and a second rate that is slower than the maximum rate.
[54]
The battery charging system of claim 53, wherein the battery charging system is located within a barcode reader.
[55]
The battery charging system of claim 53 or 54, further comprising: a barcode reader, the battery being disposed within the barcode reader; and a container configured to receive the barcode reader therein.
[56]
The battery charging system of any one of claims 53 to 55, wherein the electrical contact between the extended-life battery and the power circuitry is provided by a set of metal contacts on the extended-life battery that come into physical contact with a set of corresponding metal contacts. connected to the power circuit, and wherein the electrical contact between the extended-life battery and the power circuits is provided by an inductive coupling.

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法律状态:
2021-10-06| FG| Patent granted|Effective date: 20210909 |

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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US16/572,076|US11063448B2|2019-09-16|2019-09-16|Methods and system for dynamically modifying charging settings for a battery assembly|

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