Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for converting the terminal voltage of a battery so that one or more operations (such as shut-down, save-to-disk, and the like) begin at the appropriate point on the discharge curve for various cell chemistries. A control circuit is provided for triggering end-of-discharge operations based on various predetermined points, such as remaining capacity, voltage, temperature, and safety for devices which utilize a predetermined terminal voltage measurement to trigger one or more operations. The control circuit modulates the terminal voltage of the battery to a value which substantially matches the predetermined terminal voltage threshold of the device upon reaching a predetermined point, thereby successfully triggering operations at the appropriate time. The control circuitry also can modulate the terminal voltage to maintain it above the threshold to delay triggering of one or more operations. The method and apparatus of the present invention provides a solution in the electronic circuitry of the battery to allow devices designed for use with cells of a certain chemistry be able to suspend operations without losing data or delay operations to avoid wasting battery capacity when used with cell chemistries different than those for which the devices were designed.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim