JP2000032678A - Device for obtaining product utilization information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain product utilization information, regarding how a user uses a rechargeable battery system and how the battery system is related to each component. SOLUTION: A device 20 is a charging device with a current source 22 for supplying a current to a battery 10, a controller 21 for controlling the charging of the battery 10, and a memory 25 that is connected to the controller 10 to store utilization information regarding the battery 10. The memory 25 can also store information regarding the charging device and is a nonvolatile memory, such as E2PROM. A battery with a memory for storing information, a power tool with a memory for storing information regarding the device, and a device for reading information stored in the memory of a charger, the battery, and/or a power device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for obtaining product usage information, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for obtaining usage information of components included in a rechargeable battery system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Rechargeable battery systems include (1) rechargeable batteries or battery packs, (2) charging devices for charging batteries, and (3) portable power supplies, cooking utensils, and the like. Include three main components of a battery-powered device such as a domestic appliance.
Knowledge of how users are actually using them and how they interact with each other provides useful insights that are then incorporated into future product designs.

[0003]

Typically, such information is heard individually or in groups from actual user interviews. However, the information retrieved from these interviews is usually information perceived by the user about usage patterns and is often subjective and inaccurate.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for obtaining actual product use information.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a charging device for charging a battery, a current source for supplying current to the battery, a controller connected to the battery and a current source for controlling the charging of the battery, And includes a memory connected to the controller for storing information about the battery. The memory can also store information about the charging device. Preferably, the memory is a non-volatile memory such as an E ² PROM.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Additional features and advantages of the present invention are:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying figures and the following detailed description set forth and make clear the following description. The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention by practical application of its principles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
This will be described with reference to FIG. U.S. Pat.
And all the teachings of US Pat. No. 4,392,101 are hereby incorporated by reference.
The book is incorporated by reference. Referring to FIG.
10 is connected to the charging device 20. Battery 10 is in series
Includes a plurality of battery cells 11 connected to
And the storage capacity to be used. Battery 10 has three batteries
Pond contacts, ie, first battery contact 12, second battery contact 1
3 and a third battery contact 14. Battery contacts 12
Is B of battery 10 ⁺(Positive) terminal. Battery contact 14 is B
^-Or a negative / common terminal. Battery contact 13 is S or sense
Terminal. Battery contacts 12 and 14 charge battery 10
Charging device 20 (preferably as described below)
Receives the charging current supplied from the current source 22).

As shown in FIG. 1, a battery cell 11 is connected between battery contacts 12 and 14. Further, preferably, a negative heat coefficient resistance (N
TC) or a temperature sensing device 15 such as a thermistor, _RT
Is connected. The temperature sensing device is preferably closer to the cell 11 to monitor the temperature of the battery. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other components or circuits, such as capacity, etc., may be used to provide a signal indicative of the temperature of the battery.

Battery 10 also includes an identifier, as is known in the art, so that charging device 20 can identify the type and capacity of the battery and charge accordingly. Charger 20 preferably includes a controller 21, the controller sequentially positive (B ⁺⁾ terminals 16 and a negative (B ^-) include terminals 17, respectively are connected to the battery 10 via the battery contacts 12 and 14 I have. The positive terminal operates as an input for the controller 21 to detect the battery voltage, and preferably also as an analog / digital input. Further, the controller 21 has another input TC, preferably analog /
Including a digital input, a third battery contact 13
It is connected to the temperature sensing device 15 via (S). This is to make the controller 21 monitor the battery temperature. Controller 21 includes a microprocessor 23 to control charging and monitor operation. The controller 21 controls a current source 22 that supplies a current to the battery 10. This current is a fast charging current and / or a uniform current. The current source 22 is adjusted by the controller 21.

The switch SW1 is connected to the controller 21 for manually selecting a charging process or a mode such as a quick charge mode and a refresh mode. The memory 25 is preferably connected to the controller 21. Preferably, the memory 25 is a non-volatile memory such as an E ² PROM. Therefore, the controller 21 can read and / or write from the memory 25. The controller 21 stores the type, capacity,
Information related to the battery, such as the charging process, can be stored. Similarly, the controller 21 can store information related to the charger in the memory 25. For example, controller 2
1 is the number of NiCd batteries charged, NiMH charged
Information such as the number of batteries, the number of times switch SW1 is turned on or activated (ie, the number of times the refresh mode has been selected), the number of times the charging process has been delayed to cool the batteries, and the like can be stored.

Preferably, controller 21 can specify a series of memory slots or buckets for associated information storage. For example, to store information about the initial battery temperature, a series of memory slots in memory 25 are organized into buckets, i.e., each bucket representing a range of initial battery temperatures. Thus, one bucket is designated for temperatures below 20 ° C. The second bucket is at 20 ° C and 3
It is specified for an initial temperature between 0 ° C., and so on. Thus, for example, if the battery 10 having an initial temperature of 43 ° C. is inserted into the charging device 20, the controller 23
Read the bucket corresponding to the initial temperature between 5 ° C., increase the reading and store the new value in the bucket.

A similar bucket is a charge termination process, ie, the number of times minus ΔV has been used to terminate charge,
Establish other information, such as the number of times the rate of temperature change was used to terminate charging. One skilled in the art will recognize that if the controller 21 receives the appropriate input, the controller 21 may store any type of information sought in the memory 2.
5 will be recognized. For example, a signal 24 originating from a power source representing a voltage received from an electrical outlet or generator, i.e. a mains voltage, is received by the controller 21. At that time, the controller 21 determines and stores the number of times that the main voltage is 90 V or less or 130 V or more, for example.

Similarly, controller 21 can also store in memory 25 the total number of times battery 10 has been connected to charging device 20. Such information helps determine actual usage conditions and is then trusted in designing future charging devices. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the controller 21 can store some information in the memory 25 relating to the battery charging process and / or the charging device as long as the appropriate input is provided and a sufficiently large memory is provided. Would.

In order to analyze the information, the charging device 2
0 must be downloaded. Here, FIG.
Referring to and, such an operation is achieved by connecting the charging device 20 to the reading device 50 and / or the computer 53. The reading device 50 has terminals 54, 55 and 56 that connect to different terminals of the charging device 20. The reading device 50 also has a microcomputer 51 for controlling transmission between the charging device 20 and the reading device 50. A memory 52 is also provided in the reader 50 for storing the contents of the memory 25, if so required. This is the remote computer 53
And then the memory 5 in the computer 53
The information from the charging device 20 can be downloaded and analyzed without having to download the contents of 2 later. The reader 50 also includes sufficient memory to store information downloaded from some charging devices 20. The reader 50 is connected to a serial or parallel port of the computer 53, for example.

The controller 21 has at least one line for transmitting the contents of the memory 25. Preferably, this line is a TC line. The controller 21 preferably communicates a data dump operation, and the information in the memory 25 is transmitted directly from the controller 21 without further intervention. The controller 21 sends information to the reading device 50 after the handshaking procedure between the reading device 50 and the controller 21 is performed. Preferably, the controller 21 sends information over a TC line according to a series of transmission schemes. The reader 50 then receives the information and stores it in the memory 52 and / or sends the information to the computer 53 for analysis.

FIG. 2 illustrates a battery 30 according to the present invention, where like numbers represent like parts. The main difference between the battery 10 and the battery 30 is that the battery 30 comprises a controller 31 and is preferably connected to terminals 12,13 and 14. Controller 31, as described below, includes a microprocessor 32 for controlling sensing and memory operations.

The memory 33 is preferably a controller 31
It is connected to the. Preferably, memory 33 is E ² PR
It is a non-volatile memory such as OM. Therefore, the controller 31 reads and / or writes the memory 33. Controller 31 stores information related to the battery in memory 33, such as temperature, charging process length, etc., in a manner similar to that described above.

A pull-down resistor 34 for bias is arranged between the terminals 13 and 14. 2 and 4
, The information from the memory 33 is downloaded by connecting the battery 30 to the reading device 50 and / or the computer 53. The reader 50 has contacts 54, 55 and 56 that are connected to the terminals 12, 13 and 14 of the battery 30.

The reading device 50 and the controller 31 transmit the information stored in the memory 33 to the controller 3.
1 to convey the handshaking scheme procedure.
Such a procedure can be performed simply by raising the bias on the line connected to the sensing terminal 13.
Controller 31 senses the bias increase and begins transmitting that information. Preferably, the controller 31 signals the data dump operation and the information in the memory 33 is transmitted directly from the controller 31 without further intervention. The controller 31 reads the reader 50 according to a series of transmission schemes.
Send information to The reader 50 then receives the information,
Stored in memory 52 and / or sent to computer 53 for analysis. The reader 50 also includes sufficient memory to store information downloaded from several batteries 30.

FIG. 3 illustrates a power tool 40 according to the present invention. The tool 40 has terminals 46 and 48 connected thereto from a battery for receiving power, and the terminals 46 and 48.
Has a tool circuit 41 connected to it. Tool circuit 41
Includes a power stabilizing circuit, a motor circuit, and the like. Controller 42 is preferably connected to terminals 46 and 48.
Controller 42, described below, includes a microprocessor 43 for controlling sensing and memory operations. The controller 42 is also connected to a terminal 47 used to transmit information, as described below. A bias pull-down resistor 45 is arranged between terminals 47 and 48.

The memory 44 is preferably a controller 42
It is connected to the. Preferably, memory 44 stores E ² PR
It is a non-volatile memory such as OM. Therefore, the controller 42 reads from and / or writes to the memory 44. Controller 42 stores information related to tool 40 in memory 44, such as the temperature of the tool, the length of use, the number of times the tool has been turned on, etc., as described above. The controller 42 receives information required from the tool circuit 41.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, information from memory 33 is downloaded by connecting tool 40 to reader 50 and / or computer 53. The reader 50 has contacts 54, 55 and 56 that connect to terminals 46, 47 and 48 of the battery 30. The reader 50 and the controller 42 communicate a handshaking scheme that guides the controller 42 in transmitting the information stored in the memory 44. Such a procedure can be easily performed only by raising the bias of the line connected to the terminal 47. Controller 42 senses the bias rise and begins transmitting information. Preferably, control 4
2 signals a data dump operation, the information in the memory 44 being transmitted directly from the control 42 without further intervention.
Controller 42 sends information to reader 50 according to a series of transmission schemes. The reader 50 then receives the information and sends the information to a computer 53 for storage and / or analysis in the memory 52. The reader 50 also includes sufficient memory to store information downloaded from some tools 40.

Preferably, the memories 25, 33 and 44 are pre-programmed with an identification code or sequence number downloaded by the reader 50 to provide more accurate usage information. Using a preprogrammed identification code allows the computer 53 to better analyze the downloaded information, such as by comparing usage between downloads, ignoring old information.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that usage information can also detect misuse cases. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other options or additions can be made to the means or steps disclosed herein. However, it is contemplated that all of these additions and / or options are equivalent to the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a circuit of a battery charger according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a circuit of a battery according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a circuit of a cordless device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a data reading device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Battery 20 ... charging device 21,31,42 ... controller 22 ... current sources 23,32,43,51 ... microprocessor 25,33,44 ... E ² PROM memory 40 ... tool 41 ... circuit of the tool 50 ... reading apparatus

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Daniel C. Blot United States, Maryland 21234, Baltimore, Redwood Avenue 1704 (72) Inventor Darnell Smith United States, Pennsylvania 17403, York, South Lehman Street 47 (72) Inventor Dan Trin United States, Maryland 21286, Toson, Acorn Circle Apartment 201 36

Claims (36)

[Claims] 1. A current source for supplying current to a battery, a controller connected to the battery and the current source for controlling charging of the battery, and a memory connected to the controller and storing usage profile information. A charging device for charging a battery. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the memory stores usage profile information on operation of the charging device. 3. The stored information includes a number of charged batteries, a number of charged first type batteries, a charged second type of battery.
At least one of the group of the following types: the number of batteries of a particular type, the number of times a particular charging process was selected, the number of times a particular charge termination process was utilized, the number of times the charging process was delayed by cooling the battery, and a main voltage group 3. The device of claim 2, comprising: 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said stored information is downloadable. 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the stored information is downloadable to a computer. 6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the stored information is downloadable to a reading device. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory stores usage profile information for the battery. 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the stored information includes at least one of a group of a battery type, a battery capacity, a charging process, an initial temperature, and a connection time. 9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said stored information is downloadable. 10. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said stored information is downloadable to a computer. 11. The device according to claim 7, wherein the stored information is downloadable to a reading device. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory stores usage profile information for a battery type. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said information is downloadable to a computer. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the information is downloadable to a reader. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory is non-volatile. 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory comprises an E ² PROM memory. 17. A battery including a memory for storing usage profile information on the battery. 18. The battery according to claim 17, wherein the stored information includes at least one of a group of battery type, battery capacity, charging process, initial temperature, and connection time. 19. The information is downloadable.
The battery according to claim 17. 20. The battery of claim 17, wherein said information is downloadable to a computer. 21. The battery of claim 17, wherein the information is downloadable to a reader. 22. The battery of claim 17, wherein the memory stores usage profile information for an initial temperature. 23. The battery according to claim 17, wherein said memory is non-volatile. 24. The battery of claim 17, wherein said memory comprises an E ² PROM memory. 25. A power tool including a memory for storing usage profile information about the tool. 26. The power tool of claim 25, wherein the stored information includes at least one of a group of tool temperature, utilization time, and number of times the tool is turned on. 27. The information is downloadable.
The power tool according to claim 25. 28. The power tool of claim 25, wherein said information is downloadable to a computer. 29. The power tool of claim 25, wherein the information is downloadable to a reader. 30. The power tool of claim 25, wherein the stored information includes a length of use. 31. The power tool of claim 25, wherein the memory is non-volatile. 32. The power tool of claim 25, wherein the memory comprises an E ² PROM memory. 33. A processor connected to a terminal for contacting at least one of a charger, a battery and a power tool, and a terminal for controlling information uploading, wherein the processor is connected to at least one of the charger, the battery and the power tool. A reading device having a memory for uploading information and storing usage profile information. 34. The reading device according to claim 33, further comprising a memory connected to the processor and storing the information. 35. The reader according to claim 33, wherein the information is downloadable to a computer. 36. The reader according to claim 33, wherein the processor analyzes the information.