Abstract:
A method for managing a rechargeable battery set coupled to an electronic device comprises steps of obtaining a temperature of the rechargeable battery set; obtaining a remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery set; sending a first signal to indicate the electronic device to receive power from the rechargeable battery set if the temperature of the rechargeable battery set exceeding a threshold of temperature and the remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery set exceeding a threshold of capacity. The method prevents the rechargeable battery  4  from a condition of high temperature and high remainder capacity to prevent the rechargeable battery  4  from deterioration.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a method of managing a rechargeable battery, more specifically, to a method for managing a rechargeable battery set of an electronic device to prevent the rechargeable battery from deterioration. 
         [0003]    2. The Related Art 
         [0004]    Nowadays, electronic devices, such as laptop computers, mobile phones, PDAs, become more compact for saving space and conveniently hand carry. In order to improve mobility, the electronic devices equip a rechargeable battery. 
         [0005]    Please refer to  FIG. 1 , it shows a block diagram of the laptop computer  1 . The laptop computer  1  has a main body  2 , a rechargeable battery  4  and a power adapter  6 . Specially, the rechargeable battery  4  is a lithium battery. The power adapter  6  is an AC adapter. The main body  2  has a processor unit  8 , an input unit  10 , an output unit  12 , a power converter unit  14  and a charging unit  16 . Specially, the power converter unit  14  is a DC/DC converter having a first converting section  18  and a second converting section  20 . 
         [0006]    The main body  2  connects to the rechargeable battery  4  and the power adapter  6 . The power adapter  6  transfers AC power into DC power and then supplies DC power to the charging unit  16 . The charging unit  16  converts DC power into a charging power for charging the rechargeable battery  4 . 
         [0007]    The rechargeable battery  4  supplies a discharging power to the first converting section  18  of the power converter unit  14 . The first converting section  18  converts the discharging power into an available power and then supplies the available power to the processor unit  8 , the input unit  10  and the output unit  12  respectively. Specially, the first converting section  18  is a step down circuit. The input unit  10  can be a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, a microphone, etc. The output unit can be a display screen, a speaker, etc. The processor unit  8  can be a keyboard controller (KBC), a programmable chip, etc. 
         [0008]    The second converting section  20  converts DC power received from the power adapter  6  into the available power and then supplies the available power to the processor unit  8 , the input unit  10  and the output unit  12  respectively. Specially, the second converting section  20  is a step down circuit. 
         [0009]    Please refer to  FIG. 2 , it shows a conventional method for managing the rechargeable battery  4  of the laptop computer  1 . The method includes:
   Step  901 : Booting the laptop computer  1 .   Step  902 : The processor unit  8  judges whether the main body  2  connects to an outlet through the power adapter  6 . If the main body  2  connects to the outlet through the power adapter  6 , then step  903  will be executed, else step  907  will be executed.   Step  903 : The processor unit  8  determines that the laptop computer  1  receives power through which one of the following device: the outlet, the power adapter  6  and the section converting section  20 .   Step  904 : The processor unit  8  judges whether the capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  is full. If the capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  is full, then step  905  will be executed, else step  906  will be executed.   Step  905 : The processor unit  8  controls the charging unit  16  to stop supplying the charging power to the rechargeable battery  4 . Then step  902  will be repeated.   Step  906 : The processor unit  8  controls the charging unit  16  to supply the charging power to the rechargeable battery  4 . Then step  904  will be repeated.   Step  907 : The processor controls the first converting section  18  to supply the available power to the laptop computer  1 , which is discharged by the rechargeable battery  4  and then converted by the first converting section  18 .   Step  908 : The processor unit  8  judges whether the capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  is below a threshold. If the capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  is below the threshold, then step  909  will be executed, else step  907  will be repeated.   Step  909 : The processor unit  8  sends a signal to indicate the capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  is too low and the effect the laptop computer  1  to enter a sleep mode. Then repeat the step  901 .   However, the temperature of the main body  2  will raised after the laptop computer  1  has been working a long time. The high temperature of the main body  2  passes to the rechargeable battery  4  and then the temperature of the rechargeable battery  4  will be also raised. If the rechargeable battery  4  is in a condition of high temperature and high capacity, the rechargeable battery  4  will deteriorate rapidly. Hence, the life of the rechargeable battery  4  will be shortened.   
 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    An object of the present invention is to provide a method of managing rechargeable battery capable of holding a rechargeable battery in an appropriate condition for preventing rechargeable battery from deterioration. 
         [0021]    According to the invention, the method for managing the rechargeable battery set coupled to an electronic device comprises steps of obtaining a temperature of the rechargeable battery set; obtaining a remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery set; sending a first signal to indicate the electronic device to receive power from the rechargeable battery set if the temperature of the rechargeable battery set exceeding a threshold of temperature and the remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery set exceeding a threshold of capacity. 
         [0022]    According to the invention, The electronic device alternately receives an available power from a first path of receiving AC power from an outlet and then transforming AC power into DC power by an AC adapter and then converting DC power into the available power by a DC/DC converter, and a second path of receiving a discharging power from the rechargeable battery set and then converting the discharging power into the available power by the DC/DC converter. 
         [0023]    The method comprises steps of obtaining a temperature of the rechargeable battery set; obtaining a remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery set; receiving the available power by the electronic device from the second path if the temperature of the rechargeable battery set exceeding a threshold of temperature and the remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery set exceeding a threshold of capacity. 
         [0024]    Hence, the method can prevent the rechargeable battery  4  from a condition of high temperature and high remainder capacity. The rechargeable battery  4  is prevented from deterioration for extending life thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a laptop computer according to the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a flow chart of a conventional method for managing a rechargeable battery of the laptop computer; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  shows a flow chart of a first preferred method for managing the rechargeable battery according to the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a flow chart of a second preferred method for managing the rechargeable battery according to the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  shows a flow chart of a third preferred method for managing the rechargeable battery according to the present invention; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  shows a characteristic table of comparison between a threshold of capacity and a threshold of temperature. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0032]    Please refer to  FIG. 3 , it shows a first preferred embodiment of a method for managing a rechargeable battery. The method can apply to various electronic devices, such as laptop computers, PDAs, mobile phones, etc. In this embodiment, the method applies to the laptop computer  1  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) has following steps. 
         [0033]    In step S 001 , the laptop computer  1  is booted. In step S 002 , the processor unit  8  judges whether the main body  2  connects to an outlet through the power adapter  6 . If the main body  2  connects to the outlet through the power adapter  6 , step  003  will be executed, else step  002  will be repeated. In step S 003 , the processor unit  8  obtains a remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery  4 . In step S 004 , the processor unit  8  obtains a temperature of the rechargeable battery  4 . 
         [0034]    In step S 005 , the processor unit  8  judges whether the remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  exceeds a threshold of capacity. If the remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  exceeds the threshold of capacity, step S 007  will be executed, else step S 006  will be executed. In  5006 , the processor unit  8  controls the power converter unit  14  to supply the available power which is supplied from the outlet and then transferred by the power adapter  6  and then converted by the second converting section  20 . 
         [0035]    In step S 007 , the processor unit  8  judges whether the temperature of the rechargeable battery  4  exceeds a threshold of temperature. If the temperature of the rechargeable battery  4  exceeds the threshold of temperature, step S 008  will be executed, else step S 006  will be repeated. In step S 008 , the processor unit  8  controls the power converter unit  14  to supply the available power which is supplied from the rechargeable battery  4  and then converted by the first converting section  18 . Then step S 002  will be repeated. 
         [0036]    Hence, the processor unit  8  controls the rechargeable battery  4  in a condition of discharging until the temperature of the rechargeable battery  4  is below the threshold of temperature or the remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  is below the threshold of capacity, if the temperature of the rechargeable battery  4  exceeds the threshold of temperature and the remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  exceeds the threshold of capacity. 
         [0037]    Specially, step S 003  and step S 004  can be exchanged. Step S 005  and step S 007  can be exchanged. While the step S 008  is finished, step S 003  can be repeated. 
         [0038]    Please refer to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 4  shows a second preferred embodiment of a method for managing the rechargeable battery  4 .  FIG. 6  shows a characteristic table of comparison between the threshold of capacity and the threshold of temperature. The threshold of capacity and the threshold of temperature are segmented into a plurality of the segments. Each of the segments has a range of capacity and a range of temperature. 
         [0039]    The method comprises following steps. In step S 101 , the laptop computer  1  is booted. In step S 102 , the processor unit  8  judges whether the main body  2  connects to an outlet through the power adapter  6 . If the main body  2  connects to the outlet through the power adapter  6 , then step  103  will be executed, else step  102  will be repeated. 
         [0040]    In step S 103 , the processor unit  8  obtains the remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery  4 . In step S 104 , the processor unit  8  judges the remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  is belonged to which segment. For instance, if the remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  is 90 percentages, the remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  is belonged to segment  3  of which range is from 86 percentages to 90 percentages. The range of temperature in segment  3  is from 36° C. to 40° C. 
         [0041]    In step  105 , the processor unit  8  obtains the temperature of the rechargeable battery  4 . In step  106 , the processor unit  8  judges whether the temperature of the rechargeable battery  4  is belonged to segment  3  or exceeds the temperature of the segment  3 . If the temperature of the rechargeable battery  4  is belonged to segment  3  or exceeds the temperature of the segment  3 , then step S 107  will be executed, else step S 108  will be executed. 
         [0042]    In step S 107 , the processor unit  8  controls the power converter unit  14  to supply the available power which is supplied from the rechargeable battery  4  and then converted by the first converting section  18 . Then step S 103  is repeated. In step S 108 , the processor unit  8  controls the power converter unit  14  to supply the available power which is supplied from the outlet and then transferred by the power adapter  6  and then converted by the second converting section  20 . Then step S 103  will be repeated. 
         [0043]    Please refer to  FIG. 5 , it shows a third preferred embodiment of a method for managing the rechargeable battery  4 . The method comprises following steps. In step S 201 , the laptop computer  1  is booted. In step S 202 , the processor unit  8  judges whether the main body  2  connects to an outlet through the power adapter  6 . If the main body  2  connects to the outlet through the power adapter  6 , then step  203  will be executed, else step  202  will be repeated. 
         [0044]    In step S 203 , the processor unit  8  obtains the temperature of the rechargeable battery  4 . In step S 204 , the processor unit  8  judges the temperature of the rechargeable battery  4  is belonged to which segment. For instance, if the temperature of the rechargeable battery  4  is 44° C., the temperature of the rechargeable battery  4  is belonged to segment  4  of which range is from 41° C. to 45° C. The range of capacity in segment  4  is from 85 percentages to 81 percentages. 
         [0045]    In step  205 , the processor unit  8  obtains the remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery  4 . In step  206 , the processor unit  8  judges whether the reminder capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  is belonged to segment  4  or exceeds the capacity of the segment  4 . If the remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  is belonged to segment  4  or exceeds the capacity of the segment  4 , then step S 207  will be executed, else step S 208  will be executed. 
         [0046]    In step S 207 , the processor unit  8  controls the power converter unit  14  to supply the available power which is supplied from the rechargeable battery  4  and then converted by the first converting section  18 . Then step S 203  is repeated. In step S 208 , the processor unit  8  controls the power converter unit  14  to supply the available power which is supplied from the outlet and then transferred by the power adapter  6  and then converted by the second converting section  20 . Then repeat step S 203 . 
         [0047]    Specially, the table may be calculated according to experience. The table may be calculated according to temperature curved of the rechargeable battery  4 . Therefore, each kind of rechargeable batteries has itself temperature curved and characteristic table. 
         [0048]    If the remainder capacity of the rechargeable  4  is high, the temperature of the rechargeable battery  4  should be set to low for preventing the rechargeable battery  4  from deterioration. That is to say, if the temperature of the rechargeable battery  4  is raised, the remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  should be decreased. 
         [0049]    As described above, if the temperature of the rechargeable battery  4  exceeds the threshold of temperature and the remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  exceeds the threshold of capacity, the processor unit  8  controls the power converter unit  14  to receive and convert the discharge power from the rechargeable battery  3  and then supply the available power to the laptop computer  1  until the temperature of the rechargeable battery  4  is below the threshold of temperature or the remainder capacity of the rechargeable battery  4  is below the threshold of capacity. 
         [0050]    Hence, the method can prevent the rechargeable battery  4  from the condition of high temperature and high remainder capacity. The rechargeable battery  4  can be prevented from deterioration for extending life thereof. 
         [0051]    Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above; diverse additions, alterations and the like may be made within the scope of the present invention by a person skilled in the art. For example, respective embodiments may be appropriately combined.