Patent ID: 7915859
Filing Date: 2011-03-29
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for controlling a power source, the apparatus comprising: a power source unit including a plurality of power cells connected in parallel; a balancing unit coupled to the plurality of power cells of the power source unit; a charging/discharging switch configured to perform a charging/discharging on/off of the plurality of power cells; and a controller configured to control the balancing unit to balance operational characteristics of the plurality of power cells, and to control the charging/discharging switch, wherein the controller is further configured to selectively allow only the power cells above a first voltage to discharge during an initial booting of a system receiving power provided from the power source unit, and to allow only the power cells from a second voltage to a third voltage to discharge during a normal operation of the system, and wherein each of the second voltage and the third voltage has a value below a value of the first voltage.