KR20020070322A - System and method accommodating more than one battery within an electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (10, 60) that facilitates the receipt of two or more batteries (12, 14) in an electronic device (10). The system 10 includes a first mechanism 16, 18 that determines the state of charge of the first battery 12 and the second battery 14 and provides a status signal in response thereto. The second mechanism 18, 32, 46 provides an indication of the remaining battery life associated with the first battery 12 and / or the second battery 14 based on the status signal. In a particular embodiment, the system 10, 60 may additionally use a third mechanism to selectively use the first battery 12 or the second battery 14, which is a power source for the electronic device 10 based on the status signal. (36). In a more particular embodiment, the electronic device 10 is a wireless telephone 10 that includes a transceiver 24 and a computer 18 in communication with the transceiver 24. Computer 18 is connected to display screen 32. The cordless telephone 10 has a housing 11 that houses a transceiver 24, a computer 18, a first battery 12, and a second battery 14. The second mechanism 18, 32, 46 includes a mechanism 18, 32, 46 that issues a first alert through the display screen 32 when the first battery 12 is depleted. Another mechanism 18, 32, 46 issues a second alert when the second battery 14 is depleted or detached from the electronic device 10. An additional mechanism is indicated by the status signal, when the first battery 12 and / or the second battery 14 is low, when the second battery 14 is removed, and the first battery 12. And / or alert when the second battery 14 is exhausted.

Description

TECHNICAL AND METHOD ACCOMMODATING MORE THAN ONE BATTERY WITHIN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Certain new electronic devices, such as cordless phones, have both internal phone batteries and removable external batteries to increase overall battery life and associated talk time. Using two batteries rather than one larger battery can increase device design flexibility and increase battery charging options.

Wireless telephones and other electronic devices include hardware and corresponding software for measuring the state of charge of the associated battery and thus providing a remaining battery life indication. Unfortunately, most existing hardware and software packages that display residual battery life are designed for phones or other devices with only one battery.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a user-friendly system and method for determining and displaying battery life remaining precisely in an electronic device having one or more batteries. In addition, there is a need for a user-friendly system and method that can efficiently accommodate one or more batteries that selectively switch between batteries as power sources in accordance with an indication of remaining battery life.

The present invention relates to a battery life determination system. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for determining the remaining battery life of an electronic device capable of receiving two or more batteries at the same time and thus switching between batteries.

1 illustrates an exemplary diagram of a wireless telephone formed in accordance with aspects of the present invention and including an internal battery, an external battery, a battery life determination system and a telephone computer.

2 is a telephone computer of FIG. 1 for providing a remaining battery life indication of an internal battery and an external battery based on the measured state of charge of the internal and external batteries, respectively, as provided by the battery life determination system of FIG. Is a flowchart of the software running on the.

3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of various battery displays displayed on the display screen of the wireless telephone of FIG. 1 in accordance with the software of FIG. 2 when no external charging source is mounted to the wireless telephone.

4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of various battery displays displayed on the display screen of the wireless telephone of FIG. 1 in accordance with the software of FIG. 2 when an external charging source is mounted to the wireless telephone.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of various battery alert displays executed via the display screen of the wireless telephone of FIG. 1 in accordance with the software of FIG. 2.

What is needed in the art is a system that facilitates the reception of two or more batteries in the electronic device of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the system of the present invention includes a first mechanism that is adapted for use in a wireless telephone and determines the state of charge of the first battery and the state of charge of the second battery and accordingly provides a status signal. The second mechanism provides an indication of the remaining battery life associated with the first battery and / or the second battery based on the status signal.

In a particular embodiment, the system further includes a third mechanism for selective switching between the first battery and the second battery that is a power source for the electronic device based on the status signal. An electronic device is a wireless telephone that includes a transceiver and a computer in communication with the transceiver. The radiotelephone additionally includes a housing containing the radiotelephone transceiver, a computer, a first battery and a second battery.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second mechanism includes a mechanism for generating a first alert when the first battery is exhausted. Another mechanism issues a second alert when the second battery is exhausted or removed from the electronic device. Another mechanism is to issue an alarm when the first and / or second battery is low, when the second battery is removed, and when the first and / or second battery are exhausted, as indicated by the status signal. do.

The novel design of the present invention is facilitated by a third mechanism that selectively uses a first battery or a second battery as a power source for the electronic device. By selectively using the first battery or the second battery as the power source based on the status signal, the user option of the associated electronic device is enhanced. For example, a cordless telephone using the system of the present invention can hold a call while the first or second battery is changed, thereby reducing the case of a call short.

It will be appreciated that the invention is described with reference to, but not limited to, exemplary embodiments for particular applications. Those skilled in the art will understand the scope of the invention and the additional variations, applications, and embodiments within the additional field, to which the present invention is significant utility.

1 illustrates an example of a cordless telephone 10 formed in accordance with the present invention and including a housing 11, an internal battery 12, an external battery 14, a battery life determination system 16 and a telephone computer 18. It is also. For clarity, additional circuitry such as clock circuits and additional power lines are not shown in the radiotelephone 10, but those skilled in the art will understand where and how to include the necessary additional circuitry.

The radiotelephone 10 additionally includes an antenna 20 connected to the duplexer 22. The duplexer 22 is connected to a transceiver 24 that is connected to the computer 18. Computer 18 includes data interface adapter 26, voice-encoding / decoding circuit 28, keypad 30, display screen 32, battery life determination system 16, power switch 36, and an external battery ( 14 is connected to an external battery box 38, thereby accepting an external battery 14 to be connected to the computer 18. The internal battery 12 is connected to the output of an external charging source adapter 40 that is connected to the computer 18 and an external battery box 38. The internal battery 12 is also connected to the input of the battery life determination system 16 and another input is connected to the external battery 14 via an external battery box 38.

The battery status output of the battery life determination system 16 is connected to the input of the computer 18. The input of the power switch 36 is connected to the control output 37 of the computer 18. The display control output 39 of the computer 18 is connected to the display screen 32. The control outputs 37, 39 carry a battery status signal that includes information pertaining to the state of charge of the first battery 12 and / or the second battery. The state of charge information is in the form of control signals, battery life display signals, and the like.

The first, second and third inputs of the power switch 36 are connected to the internal battery 12, the output of the external battery 14 and the charging source adapter output 50, respectively. The power switch output 48 of the power switch 36 includes a speaker 60, a transceiver 24, a display screen 32, a keypad 30, a computer 18, a microphone 44 and a voice-encoding / decoding circuit. It is connected to (28), and generally delivers power to the radiotelephone (10). Voice-encoding / decoding circuit 28 is also connected to microphone 44 and speaker 46.

In operation, battery life determination system 16 measures the voltage levels associated with internal battery 12 and external battery 14 and generates the voltage to generate an indication of the relative remaining battery life of each battery 12, 14. The level is compared with a predetermined battery voltage discharge curve associated with each battery 12, 14. As is known in the art, the battery voltage discharge curve is a curve representing the battery voltage as a function of time provided with a predetermined discharge rate, ie a battery current draw. The battery life determination system 16 describes the average form of the discharge curve of a new battery and maps the voltage value from the average discharge curve to a set of values that change linearly with time.

The battery life determination system 16 may also use internal resistance measurements of the batteries 12, 14 to facilitate the generation of an indication of the remaining battery life for the batteries 12, 14. A battery life determination system that uses internal resistance measurements to provide an accurate indication of the relative remaining battery life is filed on April 23, 1999 by J. Pritchard, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference. US Patent Application No. 09 / 298,761.

The battery life determination system 16 provides the battery 18 with battery state information for use by the unique software of the present invention running on the computer, as described in more detail below. Battery life determination system 16 provides status values for internal battery 12 and external battery 14 that indicate the status of batteries 12, 14. For example, if the internal battery 12 is not present or not charged, the battery life determination system 16 indicates that the first battery 12 is not present or not charged and the external battery 14 ) Status is displayed. Similarly, if the external battery 14 is not present or is not charged, the battery life determination system 16 indicates that the external battery 14 is not present or is not charged and according to the relative remaining battery life indication The state of the internal battery 12 is indicated through the state value. These battery status values are provided to the computer 18, which executes the software to translate the battery status values and provide appropriate battery life messages and thus alert the user of the wireless telephone 10.

The unique software of the present invention running on computer 18 also controls power switch 36 via a control input to power switch 36. The power switch is a 3: 1 demultiplexer that selectively switches on an output power line 48 that induces current from the internal battery 12, external battery 14 and external charging source adapter output 50 to the radiotelephone 10. It operates as (DEMUX). As will be discussed in more detail below, an external charging source (not shown), an internal battery 12 or an external battery 14 are based on battery state information related to both batteries 12, 14 and an external charging source adapter ( The unique software of the present invention selectively controls whether the radiotelephone 10 is powered based on the external charging signal 50 provided from the 40 to the computer 18. Battery status information is provided to computer 18 through battery life determination system 16.

If the external battery 14 to support the call is not present or is insufficiently charged; If the internal battery 12 is sufficiently charged to support the call; And if the external charging signal 50 is low, i.e., if the external charging source is not connected to the external charging source adapter 40, then the software running on the computer 18 is connected to the internal battery via the power switch 36; Switch the output of 12 to the output power line 48. If the external battery 14 is sufficiently charged to support the call; If the internal battery 12 to support the call is not present or is insufficiently charged; And if the external charge signal 50 is low, software running on the computer 18 switches the output of the external battery 14 to the output power line 48. If the external battery 14 and the internal battery 12 to support the call are sufficiently charged and the external charge signal 50 is low, the software running on the computer 18 outputs the output of the external battery 14. To the output power line 48. If the external battery 14 and the internal battery 12 to support the call are sufficiently charged and the external charge signal 50 is low, the software running on the computer 18 outputs the output of the external battery 14. To the output power line 48. If the external charging signal 50 is low and the internal battery 12 and the external battery 14 to support the call are in an inadequate state of charge, the radiotelephone 10 remains off. In one of the four cases above, if the external charging source is connected to an external charging source adapter 40 which causes the external charging signal 50 to be high, then the external charging signal 50 is executed on the computer 18. Is switched on output power line 48 via software and power switch 36. In addition, external charge signal 50 provides charging current to internal battery 12 and external battery 14 as required, and the state of charge of battery 12 and / or 14 is determined by battery life determination system 16. As displayed on the computer 18 via the display screen 32 and software running on the computer 18. The unique software of the present invention manipulates the charge state information provided through the battery life determination system 16 to produce a user-friendly display through the display screen 32. The user friendly display is optionally controlled via user-input from the keypad 30.

To facilitate wireless communication via the wireless telephone 10, the antenna 20 transmits and receives signals through the duplexer 22. The duplexer 22 facilitates resource sharing of the antenna 20 between transmit and receive functions. The transceiver 24 includes a transmission circuit for transmitting signals such as a voice signal or service negotiation signal encoded via the antenna 20 and the duplexer 22. The transceiver 24 also includes a receiving circuit that receives a signal, such as a service negotiation message or an encoded voice signal, via another telephone, base station or mobile switching center (not shown). The transceiver 24 also includes downconversion circuitry required to convert the received signal into a digital baseband signal in preparation for processing through the computer 18. In addition, the transceiver 24 includes an upconversion circuit required to convert the transmission signal from the digital baseband signal to the radio frequency signal in preparation for transmission via the antenna 20.

The user can initiate the call by dialing a number via keypad 30. Computer 18 negotiates service connections with service providers available through transceiver 24, duplexer 22, and antenna 20. Once the service is established, the user's voice is input into the microphone 44, encoded by the voice-encoding / decoding circuit 28 and the computer 18, the transceiver 24, the duplexer 22 and the antenna 20. Is sent through. Similarly, the received voice message is decoded by the voice-encoding / decoding circuit 28 and voiced through the speaker 46. Data interface adapter 20 allows software running on computer 18 to be upgraded and / or changed.

As discussed in more detail below, the unique software of the present invention facilitates the reception of one or more batteries and provides a user-friendly user interface that provides the user with accurate information relating to the batteries received. Improves. For example, the present invention allows the user to efficiently accommodate one or more batteries and to provide the user with battery status information through the unique display of the present invention, discussed in detail below, thereby making it easier for the user to access external batteries (without shorting calls). 14) can be replaced. The unique software of the present invention running on computer 18 can be adjusted to accommodate two or more batteries without departing from the scope of the present invention.

2 shows the remaining battery of the internal battery 12 and the external battery 14 based on the measured state of charge of the internal and external batteries 12, 14, as provided by the battery life determination system 16 of FIG. 1. 1 is a flowchart of software 60 running on computer 18 of FIG. 1 that provides life indications.

1 and 2, when the user of the wireless telephone 10 accesses the battery menu or battery display via a predetermined command or sequence command, control passes to an initial connection-determination mechanism 62. In the initial connection-determination mechanism 62, the software 60 determines whether only the external battery 14 is connected, only the internal battery 12 is connected, and both the internal battery 12 and the external battery 14 are connected to the wireless telephone 10. ) And an external charging source (not shown) is connected via an external charging source adapter 40. This determination is made based on the status output from the battery life determination system 16. If the output line associated with the battery does not provide charging, ie 0 volts, then the battery is considered not connected. When an external charging source is connected to the radiotelephone 10, then the display title "* CHARGING *" or "CHARGEDONE" is added to each display and the title "BATTERY" is removed from each display screen discussed and executed in detail below. If no battery is connected, an external charging source is connected and a battery menu (not shown) access will indicate that both internal and external batteries are not connected. If only external battery 14 is connected, control passes to first state-retrieval mechanism 64.

The first search mechanism 64 accesses the state of the external battery 14 from the battery life determination system 16. Status is converted into a graphical format that can be displayed via battery icons, battery gauges, messages, alarms, or a combination thereof discussed below. Subsequently, control passes to an internal no battery mechanism 66.

The no internal battery mechanism 66 displays a message on the display screen 32 indicating that no internal battery is mounted, such as "No Internal Battery" if no external charging source is applied. Subsequently, the software 60 displays a message indicating that the external battery 14 is in use, such as "* Ext", and displays the battery gauge and battery icon associated with the external battery 14 as described in detail below. Display. Subsequently, control passes to an exit command checking mechanism 68.

The exit command check mechanism 68 automatically shuts down due to insufficient power from the battery 12 or 14 or from an external charging source by the user pressing a power-off button on the keypad 30. ) Or by a "QUIT" softkey command entered by the user to determine whether a suspend or power-off command has been issued. If a suspend or power-off command has been issued, control passes to a battery icon display mechanism 108 that displays the battery charge status of the batteries 12, 14 connected to the wireless telephone 10 and the software 60 outlet. Otherwise, control passes to a charge source inspection mechanism 70.

In the charging source checking mechanism 70, the software 60 determines whether an external charging source is mounted to the external charging source adapter 40 via an external charging signal 50 from the adapter 40 to the computer 18. When an external charging source is connected to the radiotelephone 10, control passes to a message-removal mechanism 72.

In the message removal mechanism 72, if an external charging source is plugged in, i.e., as indicated via an updated software variable (not shown), the battery message if the last time message removal mechanism 72 is plugged in after completion And the alarm is removed from the memory (not shown) of the computer 11. The message removal mechanism 72 also discloses a display of the dynamic battery icon, which displays the current state of charge of both the internal battery 12 and the external battery 14, as discussed in detail below. It is not displayed at the same time. The mounted battery then starts charging, and the corresponding battery display keeps the title "CHARGING" until the battery charging is completed, and when the charging is completed, the title changes to "CHARGE DONE". Upon charging, the internal battery 12 is simply charged first, and then the external battery 14 is simply charged. The internal battery 12 is then fully charged and subsequently the external battery 14 is fully charged if it is not yet fully charged. During the above charging sequence, the dynamic battery icon displays the state of the battery being charged or otherwise displays the state of charge of the internal battery 12 and the external battery 14 according to other mechanisms executed through the software 60. Switching between the charging of the internal battery 12 and the external battery 14 is accomplished by a person skilled in the art by placing another power switch (not shown) between the external charging source adapter 40 and the internal battery 12 and the external battery 14. Can be run through. Subsequently, control passes back to the initial connection-decision mechanism 62.

If the charging source check mechanism 70 determines that no external charging source is applied, control is passed to the maintenance mechanism 74, where previously stored battery messages and alarms are stored and the corresponding display is stored on the computer 18. Stored in memory. Subsequently, control passes back to the initial connection-decision mechanism 62.

If the initial connection-determination mechanism 62 determines that both the internal battery 12 and the external battery 14 are connected to the radiotelephone 10, control passes to a second state-retrieval mechanism 76. In the second state-retrieval mechanism 76, the software 60 retrieves the remaining battery life indication for both the internal battery 12 and the external battery 14. If both batteries 12 and 14 expire, the battery cannot provide enough power to support the call, and control passes to an expiration mechanism 78.

In the expiration mechanism 78, if no external charging source is present, the software 60 displays a message to the user informing the user that the battery has expired via a message such as "Battery Expired" and calling the telephone 10, such as "Turning Off". Generate a power-off command after displaying a message indicating that is turned off, or display a screen titled "BATTERY" with the message "Int EXPIRED, Ext EXPIRED".

When an external charging source is connected to the radiotelephone 10, the expiration mechanism 78 indicates that both the internal battery 12 and the external battery 14 have expired and are currently charging, such as "* CHARGING * Int EXPIRED Ext EXPIRED". Display an informing message. Control is subsequently passed to the exit command checking mechanism 68, where the method is complete when both batteries 12 and 14 expire and no external charging source is mounted to the wireless telephone 10.

If only the external battery 14 has expired and the internal battery 12 is sufficiently charged to be low or not to expire as determined by the second state-retrieval mechanism 76, then control passes to the external battery expiration mechanism 80. Passed over, where software 60 generates a control signal to power switch 36 that causes telephone 10 to switch to internal battery 12 when it is not yet providing power to wireless telephone 10. In addition, the external battery expiration mechanism 80 activates an alarm such as an audible tone and / or flash message indicating that the external battery 14 has expired. Once the user presses a key on keypad 30 such as an "OK" button, control passes to internal / external battery display mechanism 82.

The internal / external battery display mechanism 82 is on a display running through the display screen 32 indicating whether the internal battery 12 or the external battery 14 is currently in use and including a message such as "* Int". The remaining battery indication of each battery 12, 14 is shown. As described below, the display also includes a battery gauge for each battery 12, 14 and a battery icon indicating the status of the battery currently in use. If one of the batteries 12, 14 has expired, the software 60 indicates that a particular battery has expired after a suitable alarm, and the gauge displays a battery icon and / or a text message that the battery has expired. Subsequently, after the user issues the abort softkey command, control is passed to the exit command checking mechanism 68.

In the second state-retrieval mechanism 76, if the software 60 determines that only the external battery 14 has expired and the internal battery 12 is charged, the control displays an appropriate alarm such as "Int Battery Expired". To the internal battery expiration mechanism 84. Once the user presses a key such as "OK" on the keypad 30, control then passes to an internal / external battery display mechanism 82.

In the second state-retrieval mechanism 76, if the software 60 determines that only the internal battery 12 is low and the external battery 14 is charged, the control displays an appropriate alarm such as "Int Battery Low". To the internal battery row mechanism 86. Once the user presses a key such as "OK" on the keypad 30, control passes to an internal / external battery display mechanism 82.

In the second state-retrieval mechanism 76, if the software 60 determines that only the external battery 14 is low and the internal battery 12 is charged, then the control may display an appropriate alarm such as "Ext Battery Low". Proceed to an external battery low mechanism 88. Once the user presses a key such as "OK" on the keypad 30, control passes to the internal / external battery display mechanism 82.

In the second state-retrieval mechanism 76, if the software 60 determines that the external battery 14 and the internal battery 12 are low, the control displays an appropriate alarm such as "Ext Battery Low, Int Battery Low". Is passed to the battery low mechanism 90. Once the user presses a key such as "OK" on the keypad 30, control passes to an internal / external battery display mechanism 82.

In the second state-retrieval mechanism 76, if the software 60 determines that the external battery 14 is low and the internal battery 12 has expired, the control may generate an appropriate alarm such as "Ext Battery Low Int Battery Expired". Proceed to the first row / expiration mechanism 92 that is displayed. Once the user presses a key such as "OK" on the keypad 30, control passes to an internal / external battery display mechanism 82.

In the second state-retrieval mechanism 76, if the software 60 determines that the internal battery 12 is low and the external battery 14 has expired, then the control may generate an appropriate alarm such as "Ext Battery Expired Int Battery Low". Proceed to the second row / expiration mechanism 94 displayed. Once the user presses a key such as "OK" on the keypad 30, control passes to an internal / external battery display mechanism 82.

In the second state-retrieval mechanism 76, the software 60 determines if neither the external nor the internal battery is expired or low, i.e. the internal battery 12 and the external battery 14 are charged, Control passes to an internal / external battery display mechanism 82.

If the initial connection-determination mechanism 62 determines that only the internal battery 12 is connected to the wireless telephone 10, control passes to a third state-retrieval mechanism 96. In a third state-retrieval mechanism 96, the remaining battery life indication of the internal battery 12 is obtained via the battery life determination system 16. If only the external battery 14 is shorted, that is, if the third state-search mechanism 96 is completed for the first time after the second state-search mechanism 76 is completed as indicated by the software tracking variable, then the control is switched display. Software 60 displaying a message indicating that telephone 10 is switched to use internal battery 60 as a power supply for wireless telephone 10 in mechanism 98. In the switching display mechanism 98, the software 60 displays a message such as "Now Using Int Battery". The message is displayed for a predetermined time, such as 4 seconds, or until a key on the keypad 30 is pressed by the user.

Once four seconds have elapsed or the user presses a key on keypad 30, whichever happens first, control passes to internal no display mechanism 100 and 60 displays a message indicating no external battery. And the remaining battery life of the internal battery 12 via the battery gauge and / or battery icon. Subsequently, control passes to an external battery inspection mechanism 102, where the software 60 determines whether the external battery 14 is mounted. If no external battery is installed, control passes to an exit command check mechanism 68. Otherwise, control passes to an external charge state mechanism 104, where the software 60 determines whether the charge state of the newly installed external battery 14 is low or being charged. If the external battery 14 is not low or charging, control passes to an exit command check mechanism 68. Otherwise, control passes to an external display utilization mechanism 106. The external display usage mechanism 106 displays a message indicating whether the telephone 10 is currently switched to use the newly provided external battery 14 as a power source, such as "Now using external battery." The message is displayed if either first occurs for 10 seconds or until a key on the keypad 30 is pressed. Subsequently, control passes to an exit command checking mechanism 68.

In the present embodiment, the alerts triggered in mechanisms 66, 98, 106, 78, 80, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94 are accompanied by audible beeps and / or flash messages, but other A tangible alert can be executed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, in the present embodiment, the low battery is defined as a battery having a remaining talk time of about 5 minutes (+/- 3 minutes), although other times may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates the various displayed on the liquid crystal crystal display screen (LCD) 32 of the wireless telephone 10 of FIG. 1 in accordance with the software 60 of FIG. 1 when no external charging source is mounted to the wireless telephone 10. The configuration of the battery display 110 is shown.

1, 2 and 3, the first battery display 112 has a title "BATTERY" and both the internal battery 12 and the external battery 14 have expired to the user via the message "Int EXPIRED Ext EXPIRED". Notify In addition, a battery icon 114 is shown, which indicates the current state of charge of the batteries 12, 14, in which case it is empty. The first battery display 112 is implemented at the expiration mechanism 78 and / or 82 of FIG. 2. In the first battery display 112, the battery icon 114 flashes to indicate that it is not currently charging. If the charge of one of the batteries 12, 14 remains 4-7%, the battery icon 114 does not blink but remains completely unfilled by the indicator as discussed in more detail below. A "QUIT" softkey 122 is shown indicating that the user can enter a predetermined key or key sequence to exit. Envelope icon 128 indicates that an SMS (Short Message Service) message is available.

The first battery display 116 titled "BATTERY" displays "Int" without accompanying "*" to indicate that the internal battery 12 is not in use, and the external battery 14 displays "* Ext". Indicates that it is in use by displaying. The internal battery gauge 118 is displayed adjacent to "Int" and indicates the remaining battery life or charge level of the internal battery 12. Similarly, external battery gauge 120 is displayed adjacent to "* Ext" and indicates the remaining battery life or charge level of external battery 14. The battery icon 114 displays the charging state of the operation battery, which is the external battery 14. One display bar of the battery icon 114 is present to indicate that the external battery 14 is 7-15% charged. The second battery display 110 is implemented in the internal / external battery display of FIG.

In the third battery display 124, the battery icon 114 has two indicator bars illuminated while suggesting that the external battery is charged 15-40%. The "*" symbol is located in front of "Int" and the battery icon 114 will indicate the remaining battery life of the internal battery 12. The external battery gauge 120 is matched with the battery icon 114. The third battery display 124 is implemented in the internal / external battery display mechanism 82 of FIG.

In the fourth battery display 126, the battery icon 114 has three indicator bars illuminated while indicating that the external battery 14 is 40-65% charged. The external battery gauge 120 corresponds to the battery icon 114. Similarly, in the fifth battery display 128, the battery icon has four bars illuminated while suggesting that the external battery 14 is 65-100% charged. The external battery gauge 120 corresponds to the battery icon 114.

The display 110 of FIG. 3 is applied when the telephone 10 is detached from an external charging source. To view the battery display 110, the user accesses a battery menu (not shown) through a predetermined user input sequence.

When the wireless telephone 10 is not mounted to an external charging source, the display indicates which battery is used by displaying "Int" or "Ext" with the addition of the "*" character. For example, in all displays 110 of FIG. 3 except display 112, external battery 14 is in a charged state and is in use. When the external battery 14 has expired, the text "Int" is displayed as "*" character. The "QUIT" key returns the radiotelephone 10 to the standby state. The battery icon 114 reflects the state of the operating battery.

4 shows the configuration of the various battery charging displays 140 displayed on the display screen 32 of the wireless telephone of FIG. 1 in accordance with the software of FIG. 2 when an external charging source is mounted to the wireless telephone. The display includes a first charging display 142, a second charging display 144, a third charging display mechanism 146, a fourth charging display mechanism 148, and a fifth charging display mechanism 150. The charging display 140 changes the title "BATTERY" to "* CHARGING" in the first four displays 142, 144, 146, and 148, and in the fifth charging display 150, the title "BATTERY" becomes the title " It is similar to the battery display 110 of FIG. 3 except that it is replaced with "CHARGE DONE". Display 140 is implemented in mechanism 78 and / or 82 of FIG.

The charging indication, ie, "* CHARGING *", displays on the display screen 32 that the radiotelephone 10 is on or in a low power mode (off). Unique software 60 causes the speaker 46 of the wireless telephone 10 to emit tones that increase in intensity when mounted to an external charging source. Software 60 also causes speaker 46 to emit a tone that reduces intensity upon removal from an external charging source.

If the cordless phone is on and in standby or state and connected to an external charging source, the battery icon 114 'is dynamic and indicates the charge status for both batteries, i.e. whether a given battery is charging or not. In certain current embodiments, the batteries 12 and 14 are not charged at the same time.

When phone 10 is charged, battery icon 114 ′ gradually charges at predetermined time intervals, such as the 320 milliseconds interval, which is application-specific and readily determined by those skilled in the art to meet the needs of a given application. If the phone 10 is in a slot sleep state, the phone 10 operates as described above or otherwise determines the slot sleep cycle and updates the moving battery icon 114 'at a corresponding rate. Sleep is when the phone is on but not monitoring the paging channel. When the phone is in the sleep state, the phone saves energy and cannot receive calls.

The process cycles until the internal battery 12 and / or external battery 14 are each fully charged, depending on whether or not they are connected to the radiotelephone 10. The banner, time and date are displayed if available. Whether the phone 10 is connected to an external charging source or shorted, the feedback tone sounds from the speaker 46 (if the bib function (keybeep) is activated). If the telephone 10 is mounted to an external charging source except an HFK (hands-free kite) device in which the backlight (not shown) of the display screen 32 is not continuously illuminated, the backlighting duration of the display screen 32 is It is attached to user settings stored in computer memory via software running on computer 18.

If the telephone 10 is in the low power mode, the gauge of FIG. 4 is independently displayed to indicate the level of the internal battery 12 and the external battery 14 (not shown). Whenever the phone is attached to or detached from an external charging source, a special feedback tone sounds from the speaker 46. If no external battery 14 is attached to the radiotelephone 10, only the "Int" gauge is displayed. If phone 10 is on, display 140 is accessible and viewable from a battery menu that can be accessed via a predetermined user input. When the telephone 10 is not mounted to an external charging source, the title "* CHARGING *" is changed to "BATTERY" and the QUIT softkey is available. The dynamic battery icon 114 'is only displayed when the phone 10 is mounted to an external charging source. Display screen 32 is not backlit when phone 10 is in low power mode.

The dynamic battery icon 114 'stays stationary and indicates full charge when the battery 12, 14 is fully charged, whether the phone 10 is in low power mode (also known as off mode) or on. do. If the phone 10 does not have an internal battery 12 or an external battery 14 but is connected to an external charging source, the phone 10 quickly charges the internal battery 12 and fast charges the external battery 14, After that, the charging of the internal battery 12 is terminated and the external battery 14 is subsequently terminated. Fast charging is a process in which the battery is initially charged for a predetermined time, application-specific and in accordance with the battery charging curve. In general, fast charging charges the battery at the point where the battery charging curve begins to drop, but other charging times may be used to perform the fast charging without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of various battery alert displays 160 executed via the LCD 132 of the wireless telephone 10 of FIG. 1 in accordance with the software 60 of FIG. 2. The alarm display includes a first alarm display 162, a second alarm display 164, a third alarm display 166, a fourth alarm display 168, a fifth alarm display 170, a sixth alarm display 172. , Seventh alarm display 174 and eighth alarm display 176. Alert display 160 typically lasts for 4 seconds or until either occurs first, until the "OK" softkey is activated by the user. The "OK" softkey is operated by the user pressing the "OK" button on the keypad 30 of FIG.

1, 2 and 5, in the first alarm display 162, the message “INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL BATTERY LOW” is displayed. First alert display 162 is implemented in battery row mechanism 90 of FIG. Battery icon 114 generally flashes or flashes when both batteries 12 and 14 are low.

In the second alarm display 164, the message "INTERNAL BATTERY LOW" is displayed. The second alert display 164 is implemented in the internal battery row mechanism 86 of FIG. The battery icon 114 flashes or flashes when referring to the internal battery 12, which is generally low.

In the third alarm display 166, the message "EXTERNAL BATTERY LOW" is displayed. The third alert display 166 is implemented in the external battery row mechanism 88 of FIG. The battery icon 114 flashes or flashes when referring to the external battery 14, which is generally low.

In the fourth alarm display 168, the message "EXTERNAL BATTERY EXPIRED INTERNAL LOW" is displayed. The fourth alert display 168 is executed in the second row / expiration mechanism 94 of FIG. There is no battery icon in the fourth alarm display 168.

In the fifth alarm display 170, the message "EXTERNAL BATTERY EXPIRED INTERNAL LOW" is displayed. The fifth alert display 170 is executed in the first row / expiration mechanism 92 of FIG. The battery icon 114 generally flashes on the fifth alert display 170.

In the sixth alarm display 172, the message "EXTERNAL BATTERY EXPIRED" is displayed. Sixth alert display 172 is implemented in external battery expiration mechanism 80 of FIG. The battery icon 114 is not present in the sixth alarm display 172.

In the seventh alarm display 174, the message "Now Using Internal Battery" is displayed. The seventh alarm display 174 is executed in the switching display mechanism 98 of FIG. The battery icon 114 is not present in the seventh alarm display 170.

In an eighth alert display 176, the message "BATTERY EXPIRED Phone Turning Off" is displayed. Eighth alarm display 176 is implemented in the expiration mechanism 78 of FIG. The battery icon is not present in the eighth alarm display 176.

Thus, software 60 running on computer 18 monitors and provides charging information for both batteries 12, 14. When the phone 10 is on and not charging, the battery icon 114 displays the charge level of either the external battery 14 or the internal battery 12, but not at the same time. When the external battery 14 is not mounted, the battery icon indicates the charge level of the internal battery 12. When the external battery 114 is mounted, the message "Now Using External Battery" is displayed for 10 seconds or removed by a predetermined key input. The battery icon 114 updates to reflect only the charge level of the external battery 14. When the charge of the external battery 14 is removed, an alarm is displayed, and after user confirmation, the battery icon reflects the charge level of the internal battery 12. When the external battery 14 is shorted, the display screen 32 provides a notification message such as "Now Using Internal Battery" that lasts for 4 seconds or is removed upon certain key input. The battery icon 114 changes to reflect the charge level of the internal battery 12.

Each alert message (see display 160 and mechanisms 98, 106, 78, 80, 84 to 94 of FIG. 2) in FIG. 2 is accompanied by a single beep and a predetermined amount of time has elapsed or user Ask for confirmation. Applicable alarms are displayed at in-use detection points when the telephone 10 is turned on and after removal from an external charging source. A low battery alert occurs (see displays 162 to 170 and mechanisms 86 to 94 in FIG. 2) when phone 10 has a remaining talk time of 5 minutes +/- 3 minutes. Expired battery alert (displays 168, 170, 172, 176 and mechanism 78 of FIG. 2) when one or more batteries 12, 14 are no longer providing sufficient power for wireless telephone 10 to support a call. 80, 84).

When the external battery 14 expires, the phone 10 immediately draws power from the internal battery 12, but no alert message is accompanied by the battery icon 114. After user confirmation and after the "Now Using Internal Battery" message is displayed, the battery icon 114 updates to reflect the state of the internal battery 14.

Battery expiration alerts (see displays 168, 170, 172, and 176 and mechanisms 78, 80, and 84) proceed without a user "OK" response, after which the alert will return the best current battery charge state (the mechanism of Figure 2 ( 82). Simply press "OK" once to clear the alarm message.

The redundant alert message is typically subsequently removed while the software 60 of FIG. 2 is running unless the telephone 10 is mounted to an external charging source, or if the telephone 10 is not turned off or turned on again. Every hour the phone 10 is mounted to an external charging source and the record of past alarms is deleted. For example, if the phone 10 is attached to an external charging source and detached before the charge of the internal battery 12 changes after the low internal battery alarm occurs, the " INTERNAL BATTERY LOW " alarm (mechanism 86 of FIG. Is displayed again. The alarm is displayed again every power rise.

If a change associated with the external battery 14 affects the state of charge of the external battery 14, an appropriate alarm is displayed. For example, if the message "External Expired Internal Low" (see mechanism 94 in FIG. 2) is displayed and external battery swapping occurs, if the newly installed external battery does not have a new power shortage, a new message will be displayed. It is not repeated to reflect the state (low), in which case the appropriate alarm is displayed, including the external battery state (low).

When the battery is completely discharged, the corresponding alarm is not accompanied by the battery icon 114. This applies to alarms "EXTERNAL BATTERY EXPIRED" and "BATTERY EXPIRED". The alarm "EXTERNAL BATTERY EXPIRED INTERNAL LOW" adheres to the above principle only when the alarm is caused by the discharge of the external battery 14. The battery icon 114 remains displayed if the alarm responds only to the charge level of the internal battery 12 (which is low in the current example).

The low battery alert (see display 162 to 170 and mechanism 86 of FIG. 2) ignores the "Lost Call" display (not shown). After a low battery warning is acknowledged, a "Lost Call" notification is displayed.

If the various displays (see 110 in FIG. 3, 140 in FIG. 4, and 160 in FIG. 5) have time-out counters such as call short and call failure display, an appropriate message related to call short or call failure display may be present. The display screen 32 of FIG. 1 is then timed out for the low battery alarm.

Battery low alerts (see displays 162 through 170 and mechanisms 86 through 94 in FIG. 2) ignore short message service (SMS) notifications. If a low battery alert is displayed when an incoming SMS alert arrives, the SMS message is displayed for four seconds following the low battery alert. If the predetermined key is pressed for 4 seconds, a low battery alarm is displayed. Envelope icon 128 is displayed to display the received SMS message.

If both internal battery 12 or both internal battery 12 and external battery 14 cannot support a call, a warning is displayed before phone 10 is powered off. (See display 176 of FIG. 5 and mechanism 78 of FIG. 2). When the user is in a call state, a low battery warning and corresponding tone alert the user every minute.

Thus, the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments for specific applications. Those skilled in the art will understand further modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Therefore, it is intended by the claims to cover all applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the invention.

Claims (7)

A system (10, 60) for receiving two or more batteries (12, 14) in an electronic device (10), A first mechanism (18, 60) for determining a state of charge of the first battery (12) and the second battery (14) and providing a status signal in response to the determination; And And a second mechanism (18, 60, 32, 46) for providing an indication of the remaining battery life associated with said first battery (12) and / or said second battery (14) based on said status signal. System. The method of claim 1, further comprising a third mechanism for selectively switching between the first battery 12 and the second battery 14, which are power sources for the electronic device 10 based on the status signal. System characterized in that. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device (10) is a wireless telephone (10). 4. The wireless telephone system according to claim 3, wherein said wireless telephone (10) comprises: a wireless telephone transceiver (24); A computer 18 in communication with the transceiver 24, a display screen 32, a cordless telephone housing 11 housing the computer 18, a first battery 12 and a second battery 14. System characterized in that. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the second mechanism 18, 60, 32, 46 sends out a first alert 78, 84, 92, 100, 170, 176 when the first battery 12 is depleted. (18, 60, 32, 46). 6. The second alarm (18, 60, 32, 46) of claim 5, wherein the second mechanism (18, 60, 32, 46) is a second alarm (66, 78, 80, 94) when the second battery (14) is depleted or removed from the electronic device (10). And a mechanism (18, 60, 32, 46) for transmitting 168, 172, 176. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second mechanism (18, 60, 32) is in the low state when the first battery (12) and / or the second battery (14) is indicated by the status signal. Alarms 110 and 140 when the first battery 12 and / or the second battery 14 are removed, and when the first battery 12 and / or the second battery 14 are depleted. And a mechanism (18, 60, 32, 46) for transmitting 160.