Duracell Inc.

Other

Powersmart, Inc.

Duong Van Phuoc

Daniel D Friel

Matthew P Hull

Alwyn H Taylor

Louis W Hruska

Rudi Wieczorek

Elmar Zeising

A method for fabricating an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) from a multitude of silicon layers, including upper silicon layers and lower silicon layers. A processor for performing defined calculations and a random access memory (RAM) for storing a plurality of variable data values are formed in the lower layers of the application specific integrated circuit. A read only memory (ROM) is formed in the uppermost layer of the application specific integrated circuit using a metal mask. The plurality of control functions and constant data values stored in the read only memory are required for operation of a particular type of battery with a particular type of battery chemistry, such as a rechargeable nickel metal hydride battery, or a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The invention allows one core ASIC to be programmed into several separate final products, each with a different last mask ROM code layer. The method allows a wafer lot to be processed up to the last mask, and then one of several finishing options can be selected.

Silicon layer arrangement for last mask programmability

A battery pack and a method of operating a battery system. The battery pack includes a rechargeable battery and a processor for monitoring the battery during charging and discharging. The processor receives data values representing the battery voltage, temperature and current, and the processor performs a series of calculations using those data values. The processor is part of a hybrid integrated circuit, which also incluses an analog-to-digital converter, a ROM and a RAM. Preferably, the integrated circuit comprises a multitude of layers, upper layers of the circuit form the ROM, and lower layers of the circuit form the RAM.

Battery pack having a processor controlled battery operating system

A battery pack and a method of operating a battery system. The battery pack includes a rechargeable battery, an analog-to digital converter, and a processor. The analog-to digital converter is able to convert both positive and negative analog signals to digital signals; and, in use, the converter receives analog signals representing battery voltage, battery temperature, and battery current, and converts those signals to digital signals. The processor receives those digital signals from the converter and uses those digital signals to perform a series of calculations.

Smart battery system with an A/D converter that converts both positive

A battery pack and a method of operating a battery system. The battery pack includes a rechargeable battery and a processor for monitoring the battery during charging and discharging. The processor receives data values representing the battery voltage, temperature and current, and the processor performs a series of calculations using those data values. The processor is part of a hybrid integrated circuit, which also includes an analog-to-digital converter, a ROM and a RAM. Preferably, the integrated circuit comprises a multitude of layers, upper layers of the circuit form the ROM, and lower layers of the circuit form the RAM.

A smart battery device which provides electrical power and which reports predefined battery parameters to an external device having a power management system, includes: at least one rechargeable cell connected to a pair of terminals to provide electrical power to an external device during a discharge mode and to receive electrical power during a charge mode, as provided or determined by the remote device; a data bus for reporting predefined battery identification and charge parameters to the external device; analog devices for generating analog signals representative of battery voltage and current at said terminals, and an analog signal representative of battery temperature at said cell; a hybrid integrated circuit (IC) having a microprocessor for receiving the analog signals and converting them to digital signals representative of battery voltage, current and temperature, and calculating actual charge parameters over time from the digital signals, the calculations including one calculation according to the following algorithm;

A rechargeable battery pack and a method of operating a rechargeable battery system. The battery pack includes a rechargeable battery, a processor for monitoring operation and performance of the battery, and a memory area for storing data values used by the processor. The memory area is normally powered by the battery, and a capacitor is provided to supply back-up power to the memory area in case of an interruption in the supply of electrical power to the memory area from the battery. The battery pack further includes a delatching circuit for electronically decoupling the memory area and the back-up capacitor from the battery under predetermined conditions.

A battery pack and a method of operating a battery system. The battery pack includes a rechargeable battery and a processor for monitoring the battery during charging and discharging. The processor receives data values representing the battery voltage, temperature and current, and the processor performs a series of calculations using those data values. The processor has normal, standby and sleep modes. In the normal mode, the processor performs the series of calculations at first regular cycles, and in the standby mode, the processor performs the series of calculations at second regular cycles, which are longer than the first cycles. Preferably, the processor enters the standby mode when the battery current falls below a predetermined current level, and the processor enters the sleep mode when the battery voltage falls below a first predetermined voltage level. Also, the processor exits the sleep mode when the battery voltage rises above a second predetermined voltage level higher than the first predetermined voltage level.

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Eching, Germany

Duong Van Phuoc