초록 ▼

A rechargeable battery pack and a method of managing operations of a rechargeable battery pack. Sensing elements are provided to sense and to generate analog signals representing battery parameters, and an analog-to-digital converter is used to convert those analog signals to digital signals. A proc

A rechargeable battery pack and a method of managing operations of a rechargeable battery pack. Sensing elements are provided to sense and to generate analog signals representing battery parameters, and an analog-to-digital converter is used to convert those analog signals to digital signals. A processor uses those digital signals to perform various routines. The processor switches the analog-to-digital converter from a disabled state, in which the analog-to-digital conversions are not performed, to an abled state under defined conditions.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A battery pack comprising:terminal means for connecting the battery pack to a battery powered device;a battery including at least one rechargeable battery cell connected to the terminal means, said battery havingi) a discharging state for supplying electrical power to the battery p

[ We claim:] [1.] A battery pack comprising:terminal means for connecting the battery pack to a battery powered device;a battery including at least one rechargeable battery cell connected to the terminal means, said battery havingi) a discharging state for supplying electrical power to the battery powered device, andii) a charging state for receiving electrical power from the terminal means;sensing means to generate analog signals representing battery parameters;an analog-to-digital converter connected to the sensing means for receiving the analog signals therefrom, the analog-to-digital converter havingi) an abled state for converting said analog signals to digital data values representing the battery parameters,ii) a disabled state wherein said conversions are not performed;a processor connected to the analog-to-digital converter to receive the digital data values therefrom, the processor having a defined operating cycle during which a series of routines are performed using said digital data values; andmeans to start the operating cycle at a defined frequency;the processor includingi) means identifying a given number,ii) means to count the number of times the operating cycle is started,iii) means to compare said count with said given number, andiv) means to switch the analog-to-digital converter from the disabled state to the abled state when said count equals said given number. [6.] A method of operating a battery system having a rechargeable battery, an analog-to-digital converter and a processor, the method comprising the steps of:generating analog signals representing battery parameters;using the analog-to-digital converter to convert the analog signals to digital data values representing the battery parameters, wherein said analog-to-digital converter hasi) an abled state wherein said conversions are performed, andii) a disabled state wherein said conversions are not performed;using the processor to perform a series of operations using said digital data values during a defined operating cycle;starting the defined operating cycle at a regular frequency;identifying a given number;counting the number of times the operating cycle is started;comparing said count with said given number; andswitching the analog-to-digital converter from the disabled state to the abled state when said count equals said given number.