Patent Application
20050062455
The invention relates to electronic devices. In particular, the invention relates to battery-powered devices and batteries used therein.
Battery-powered electronic devices, devices that derive some or all of their operating power from a battery, are popular, widely available, and in widespread use. In large part, the value and marketability of such devices depend on a reliable source of battery power. Choosing a battery for use in the device is a critical aspect of providing such a reliable source. Moreover, performance of the device and of the battery power source often depends on how the device is used while operating on battery power.
In the past, choosing a battery was mainly limited to choosing from among battery brands or battery supplier/manufacturers that offered an appropriate battery size or form factor for a given device. Recently however, many modern battery-powered devices are being designed to accept and utilize batteries of differing types or chemistries. While accepting a variety different battery types, a given battery powered device may provide better performance with one battery type than with another. Thus, in addition to brand, a user of a battery-powered device often is faced with choosing the battery type or chemistry of the battery that is to be used in the device.
When a device accepts a battery selected from among more than one battery type, a choice of a specific battery type often impacts the performance of the device. Specifically, a ‘use model’ or how the device is used generally influences which battery type of several available battery types is best suited for the device. Thus, given a particular use model, a user may realize better performance from the device and/or from the chosen battery when using a first battery type rather than when using a second battery type, for example. On the other hand, another user of the device following a different use model may achieve better performance with the second battery type than with the first battery type.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a way for a user of an electronic device to make a selection of battery type based on a use model for the device. Moreover, it would be advantageous if the use model-based selection adapted to a particular usage and user of the device. Such an adaptive use model-based battery type selection would solve a long-standing need in the area of battery-powered devices.
The present invention determines or recommends a battery type for use in a battery-powered device based on a use model for the device. In particular, a recommended battery type is the type that at least does not decrease, typically will increase or improve, and preferably will optimize, a performance of the device and/or a performance of the battery installed in the device. In other words, the recommended battery type has a constructive effect on one or both of device performance and battery performance or life after a battery of the recommended type is installed in the device.
Moreover, the use model is determined from an actual usage of the device. As such, the use model that determines the battery type recommendation adapts to a particular user of the device over time. The recommended battery type is selected from among a set of battery types available for use with the device. Furthermore, as a result of adapting to a change in the use model associated with a given user, the recommended battery type may differ from one time to another to facilitate at least maintaining or typically enhancing one or both of the performance of the device and the performance or life of the battery for the user.
In an aspect of the present invention, a method of recommending a battery type based on a use model of a device is provided. The method comprises recommending the battery type that has a constructive effect on one or both of device performance and battery performance or life during device usage. The method of recommending assists a user of the device in selecting from among a set of alternative battery types that may be used with the device. The method facilitates improving a battery related performance of the device based on how the user actually uses the device. In particular, use of a suggested battery type in accordance with the method may result in a more satisfactory battery life and/or a better performance of the device than when using a battery chosen arbitrarily from among the set of alternative battery types. The method is applicable to battery-powered devices that may employ a battery selected from more than one battery types.
In some embodiments, the method of recommending a battery type based on a use model of a device comprises monitoring usage of the device to determine the use model; and recommending the battery type based on the monitored usage. The method optionally may further comprise determining a type of a battery that is installed during the monitoring.
In another aspect of the present invention, a device having a use model-based adaptive battery type selection is provided. The device monitors usage of the device by a user and recommends a battery type based on the monitored usage. The device comprises means for monitoring usage of the device by a user that determines a use model, and means for recommending a battery type based on the determined use model, the battery type being from a set of battery types usable with the device. In some embodiments, the means for monitoring is an energy consumption monitor that monitors energy consumed from a battery installed in the device as a function of time while the device is being used. In some embodiments, the means for recommending is a mapping function that relates monitored usage from the monitoring means to a recommended battery type from the set of battery types. Depending on the embodiment, the means for recommending may be embodied in a computer program executed by a controller of the device and stored in memory of the device. In some embodiments, the recommendation of battery type is communicated to a user of the device by a user interface of the device.
Certain embodiments of the present invention have other features in addition to and in lieu of the features described hereinabove. These and other features and advantages of the invention are detailed below with reference to the following drawings.
The various features and advantages of the present invention may be more readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:
The recommended best-fit battery type is determined adaptively by the method 100 according to the present invention. In particular, the best-fit battery is determined adaptively according to an actual use model of the device developed by monitoring device usage. Thus, even if the user changes the way the device is used (i.e., modifies the use model), the method 100 of recommending adapts to the change. The recommended battery type after the change, according to the method 100, still represents a best-fit battery type for the respective use model even though the recommended best-fit battery type may be the same or different before and after the change in the use model.
Herein, battery ‘type’ is used interchangeably with battery ‘chemistry’. In particular, the chemistry or type of battery generally refers to the specific combination of electrolytes and electrode materials used in the battery to create and sustain chemical reactions within the battery that produce the electricity. A variety of different battery chemistries are currently commercially available including alkaline, high-drain alkaline, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), nickel-cadmium (NiCd), and photo lithium or lithium-iron sulfide (Li—FeS2). Many of these battery types are available in one or more of a variety of battery sizes or form factors, including, but not limited to, an ‘AA’ size, an ‘AAA’ size, a ‘C’ size, and a ‘D’ size as well as various ‘coin’ cell sizes and custom sizes.
Battery type also may refer to a rechargeability of a particular battery. For example, battery types such as alkaline and high drain alkaline are considered to be relatively non-rechargeable battery types while NiMH, NiCd, and most lithium batteries are rechargeable types. The present invention is not dependent on or limited to the above-listed exemplary chemistries but instead is applicable to any battery chemistry or other characteristic of a battery that differentiates a battery type from other battery types.
A particular choice of battery type for use in devices that accept more than one battery type can and does affect the performance of the device and/or the performance of a chosen battery when employed in the device. Consider a digital camera as the electronic device, for example. A first user of the exemplary digital camera, who follows a first use model characterized by high-drain usage of the camera, may find that better performance is provided by a NiCd or a NiMH battery than by a Li—FeS2 battery. Examples of high-drain usage in a digital camera include, but are not limited to, frequent zoom lens or focus operations and/or extensive use of display-based image preview/review modes. Alternatively, a second user of the digital camera may employ a second use model characterized by long periods of storage or relative low drain usage. The second user may find that a Li—FeS2 battery is preferable to a NiCd battery, for example.
Another example situation in which a choice of battery type may impact performance involves using an alkaline battery in a device such as, but not limited to, a digital camera. Alkaline batteries typically provide generally poorer performance in high-drain applications. The poorer high-drain performance is due in large part to a relatively high internal resistance associated with alkaline batteries. As such, for some users and associated use models, an alkaline battery represents a relatively poorer choice for powering the exemplary digital camera in all but certain emergency situations. However, for other users, namely users who either do not use or at least rarely use high-drain modes and features of the digital camera, an alkaline battery may be an acceptable or perhaps even a preferred battery type.
Referring again to
The time record of energy usage produced by monitoring 110 may include one or more discharge cycles of the battery. For example, energy usage in the time record may be averaged over a plurality of discharge cycles. The time record thus recorded 114 may be stored in a memory of the device as a table, for example.
Energy usage may be measured 112 in a number of different ways. In particular, energy usage may be measured 112 directly or indirectly. For example, a current flowing from the battery may be directly measured 112 in the device using a current sensor or an equivalent means placed between the battery and the device. The current sensor may measure 112 the current at discrete times or continuously with respect to time. Since batteries of most battery types essentially act as a constant voltage source throughout a large portion of a discharge cycle, the energy usage is proportional to the measured current. Further, a battery voltage may be measured 112 using a voltage sensor (e.g., an analog to digital converter) either in addition to or instead of measuring 112 current. In particular, measuring 112 both current and voltage may improve an accuracy of the energy measurement, especially near an end of discharge or an end of battery life.
Alternatively, another current and/or voltage in the device that is proportional to the energy flowing from the battery may be measured 112. The energy usage is determined from a known relationship or proportionality between the other current and/or voltage and the energy flowing from the battery. For example, a current in a power supply of the device may be measured 112. If the current in the power supply is proportional to the current flowing from the battery, the energy usage can be determined from the power supply current.
In yet other embodiments, an energy usage is monitored 110 indirectly (not illustrated). Energy usage may be monitored 110 indirectly using information regarding operations performed by the device. As such, monitoring 110 comprises recording operational modes of and/or operations performed by the device as a function of time. Monitoring 110 further comprises computing an energy usage from the recorded operational mode and information regarding an energy used by the recorded operational mode.
In essence, if the amount of energy consumed or used by a given operation is known, then when the device performs that operation, the energy used is simply the known amount of energy consumed by that operation. Data for known amounts of energy used per operation are generally determined empirically for a given device or class of devices by a manufacturer of the device and stored in a memory of the device for later use in determining the energy usage. The data is often stored in the form of a look-up table that has an entry for each unique operation of the device.
In some cases, a total energy consumed by the device when performing a given operation is known a priori. Such operations are ones that have a consistent or relatively consistent duration and repeatable energy/power utilization. For such operations, the energy used each time such operation is performed by the device is determined by simply noting that such operation has been performed and using the a priori knowledge of energy consumed. The energy value for that operation is found in the look-up table, for example.
In other cases, a duration of some operations may not be consistent so that a priori knowledge of total energy used by the device cannot be obtained from knowing the operation by itself. In such cases, a predetermined, known power/energy used per unit time during each one of these operations is employed to determine the energy usage. For example, with operations of inconsistent duration, the energy used may be determined by measuring the elapsed time toperation of the operation. The measured elapsed time toperation is then multiplied by a power value found in the look-up table for the operation to compute the energy used for that instance of the operation. Thus, by tracking the operations performed by the device and using either an energy consumption that is known a priori or a combination of a known power and the measured elapse time toperation for each operation, the energy usage is determined and recorded as a time sequence.
In yet other embodiments, monitoring 110 comprises recording a sequence of operations or operational modes without explicitly determining the energy used. Alternatively, monitoring 110 may comprise counting and recording a frequency of use or occurrence of each operation or operational mode while the device is used. Thus, monitoring 110 produces a record of which operational modes are used and/or how often each mode is used. Preferably, the record includes an indication of time. For example, monitoring 110 may record a length of time that the device is in a standby mode, a length of time the device is stored (i.e., in a shutdown mode or condition), and/or a length of time the device is active and in use in each of several operational modes. Additionally, monitoring 110 may include combinations of the embodiments described hereinabove.
Furthermore, monitoring 110 may include a time during which the device is ‘turned off’ in addition to when the device is operating. For example, many devices include real-time clock circuitry for maintaining time and date information. Thus, the frequency of use and the duration of non-use may be advantageously incorporated into the monitored 110 data.
Referring again to
As mentioned hereinabove, recommending 120 employs data collected by monitoring 110 to determine a best-fit battery type. In particular, the best-fit battery type may be determined using a database of characteristics for the set of battery types. In some cases, the database contains data for each battery type compiled prior to use of the device by the user. In other cases, the database may be constructed from data collected by monitoring 110 and battery type recommendation 120 over a period of time. Thus, the database is developed dynamically while the user uses the device.
Numerous approaches are known and may be employed in determining the best-fit battery for recommending 120 using such a database. In particular, many databases are designed and equipped with functions that facilitate mapping the results of monitoring 110 into a particular entry of the database. Such mapping functions are sometimes referred to as ‘classifiers’ or classification systems and are well known in the database arts. Other applicable mapping, selection, or data mining functions include, but are not limited to, Naive Bayes, Density Estimation, Support Vector Machines, Clustering, Frequent Itemsets, Association Rules and Decision Trees. All such approaches and database classification systems are within the scope of the present invention.
Consider, for example, a device that is designed to use batteries selected from an exemplary set having three different battery types. Moreover, assume that a first battery type of the set provides a high peak current capability relative to other battery types of the set, a second battery type of the set provides a long storage life but a lower peak current capability than the first battery type, and a third battery type of the set provides a higher overall energy storage capacity but lower peak current and a shorter storage life than either the first or second battery of the set.
Now consider the exemplary device employing the method 100 described hereinabove. In an example usage of the device, it is determined from monitoring 110 that the device use model includes long periods of storage between short periods of operation of relatively low current usage. From such a monitoring 110 result, the best-fit battery type of the set is the second battery type since the second battery type provides long storage life. Thus, the second battery type is recommended 120 to the user.
In another example, the device has a use model as determined from monitoring 110 exemplified by long periods of operation and many high peak current operations. The best-fit battery type of the set in this exemplary case is the first battery type. Thus, the first battery type is recommended 120 to the user.
Recommending 120 also may include suggesting a source for the recommended 120 battery type. For example, a manufacturer and part number may be included in the recommendation 120 to the user. Further, retail sources that feature the recommended battery may be provided to the user. For example, a local retail establishment that sells a particular type and size of battery may be provided to the user along with the recommendation 120 of a best-fit battery type. In another example, devices that have access to the Internet may include connecting to a website. The website may facilitate purchasing the recommended 120 battery type, for example.
The method 100 of recommending optionally may further comprise determination of a type of battery installed in the device (i.e., during or before monitoring 110).
The installed battery type may be determined 130 in a number of different ways. For example, when a user installs a battery in the device, an indication of the battery type may be input by the user through a user interface of the device. The input identification then serves to determine 130 the battery type. Alternatively, a test may be performed on the installed battery to determine 130 the battery type. For example, several such techniques for determining 130 battery type are described by Bean et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,400,123 B1 and Bean et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,215,275, both of which are incorporated by reference herein. The cited methods, as well as any other method that determines battery type/chemistry of a battery installed in the device may be used in determining 130 and are within the scope of the present invention. The installed battery type may be determined 130 without limitation one or more of when the battery compartment is accessed, when a battery type is recommended 120, periodically during use of the device, when the device is first turned ON, and when a use model changes, for example. These and other events that may trigger the determination 130 not listed here are within the scope of the present invention.
In accordance with the present invention, the battery-powered device 200 monitors a device usage and determines a use model of the device 200. From the determined use model, the device 200 recommends a battery type. A user of the device 200 employs the recommended battery type for use in the device 200. The recommended battery type is a battery type that best fits (as defined above) the determined use model of the device 200.
In general, the battery-powered device 200 comprises means for monitoring, and means for recommending (not illustrated). The means for monitoring monitors usage of the device 200. For example, the means for monitoring may employ any of the embodiments of monitoring 110 described hereinabove.
The monitored usage is then employed by the means for recommending to produce a recommendation of a best-fit battery type. For example, the means for recommending may comprising a mapping function or functions that relate monitored usage to a particular battery type contained in a database or a list of battery types available for use with the device.
The recommendation is presented or communicated to the user of the device 200. The best-fit battery type is a battery type selected from among a set of battery types that may be used with the device 200. Preferably, the best-fit battery type optimizes a performance characteristic of the device 200 with respect to the determined use model of the device 200.
Referring again to
In some embodiments, the usage monitor 220 is an energy monitor 220. In these embodiments, the energy monitor 220 monitors energy consumed by the device 200 as a function of time. In particular, the energy monitor 220 measures the energy used by the device 200 from the battery 210 while the device 200 is being used. The energy monitor 220 may be a discrete component in the device 200. Alternatively, the energy monitor 220 may be a portion of a multifunction component of the device 200 such as a microprocessor or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
The energy monitor 220 also may record a time record of the energy consumed. Alternatively, the energy monitor 220 merely measures energy consumed and communicates data regarding the consumed energy to the controller 230 for storage in the memory 240, for example. In particular, monitored results generated by the usage monitor 220 are communicated to the controller wherein instructions of the computer program 250 record the usage and generate a time record thereof. Thus, the usage monitor 220 may be an ‘actual’ component that measures and records or the usage monitor 220 may be a ‘virtual’ component comprising both an actual portion, such as the energy monitor 220, and portions that are implemented as instructions in the computer program 250.
For example, the usage monitor 220 may comprise a current monitor 220 that monitors current in a connection between the battery 210 and electronics of the device 200. A wide variety of current monitors 220 are readily available from a number of integrated circuit (IC) manufacturers. An example of a current monitor 220 that employs a current-sense amplifier and a precision current sense resistor is a MAX471/472 Precision, High-Side Current-Sense Amplifier manufactured by MAXIM Integrated Products, Sunnyvale, Calif. The output analog data of the current-sense amplifier is converted to digital data by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) of the device 200. Once converted, the data is received and processed into the time record by the controller 230 by executing particular instructions of the computer program 250.
In another example, the usage monitor 220 may employ a fuel gauge of the device. The fuel gauge measures or otherwise determines an amount of charge or energy that remains in the battery 210. A rate of change in the remaining energy in the battery 210 may be used to monitor device usage. Thus, by noting the reduction in remaining energy in the battery 210 as a function of time, the usage monitor 220 that employs the fuel gauge can monitor and record how the device is used as a function of time.
In yet other embodiments, the usage monitor 220 is entirely a portion of the computer program 250. In particular, the usage monitor 220 may comprise instructions of the computer program 250 that monitor and record operational modes of the device 200 as a function of time. As described hereinabove with respect to the method 100, monitoring and recording operational modes may be used to determine the usage of the device and develop a use model from the determined usage.
Referring once again to
Once the device 200 has formulated a recommendation, the battery type recommendation is communicated to the user of the device 200. In some embodiments, the user interface 260 of the device 200 is employed to communicate the recommendation to the user. In particular, a display unit of the user interface 260 may be employed to present a message to the user indicating that a particular battery type is recommended for use in the device.
Employing the display unit 262, the digital camera 200 presents a message to the user to indicate the recommended battery type. For example, the message may be displayed whenever a “low battery” condition occurs in the digital camera 200. An example of the displayed message is:
In some embodiments, the battery-powered device 200 may further determine a battery type of a battery installed in the device 200. For example, a method of battery chemistry determination described hereinabove with respect to the method 100 may be employed by the device 200 to determine the installed battery type. The user interface 260 may communicate the determined installed battery type along with the recommended battery type, such as on the display unit 262 of the digital camera 200, for example.
In some embodiments, the device 200 may further recommend a supplier or retail source of the recommended battery type and/or connect to the Internet to enable the user to purchase the recommended battery type online using the device 200 and the user interface 260 thereof. An alternative exemplary message communicated to the user on the display unit 262, including results from an installed battery determination, might read:
Thus, there have been described a method 100 of recommending a battery type based on a use model of a device. In addition, a battery-powered device 200 having a use model-based battery type selection has been described. It should be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of some of the many specific embodiments that represent the principles of the present invention. Clearly, those skilled in the art can readily devise numerous other arrangements without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.
