Abstract:
A method for charging a battery is disclosed, wherein a constant current charging current is periodically adjusted as needed such that the change in battery voltage increases approximately linearly during the charging period. In some embodiments the charging is in three phases. An optional first phase charges with a low current until the battery voltages rises to a certain minimum. During a second phase a constant current is provided while the battery voltage is monitored. The second phase constant current is periodically increased if the rate of change of battery voltage is less than a predetermined value and is decreased if the rate of change of battery voltage is more than the predetermined value. When the battery voltage attains a predetermined value, a third phase begins wherein a constant voltage is applied to the battery while the battery current draw is periodically monitored. Charging is stopped when the battery current draw falls to a predetermined value or, in some embodiments, when the charging current drops to a value that is a certain percentage of the charging current at the termination of phase two. 
     In one embodiment the battery voltage is monitored to determine a possible battery failure, for example in the case of the battery voltage decreasing during the constant current charging of phase two. In some embodiments the battery is shorted out in response to detection of a possible failure.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of and is a continuation of the commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/705,947 filed Feb. 12, 2007 via Express Mail, tracking number ED354979677US, by Kent Kernahan, Milton D. Ribeiro, Dongsheng Zhou, and Larry A. Klein, entitled “METHOD FOR CHARGING A BATTERY USING A CONSTANT CURRENT ADAPTED TO PROVIDE A CONSTANT RATE OF CHANGE OF OPEN CIRCUIT BATTERY VOLTAGE”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    As consumer electronics products are more and more powered by rechargeable batteries it is important to provide means for recharging the batteries. Rechargeable batteries offer lower lifetime cost to the consumer. Also, rechargeable batteries may allow the design of a product enclosure that does not require means for easy access to a battery for replacement. Batteries which do not require replacement may also allow the manufacturer to utilize a custom, nonstandard battery form factor which in turn may allow for a smaller or more ergonomic end product. 
         [0004]    Rechargeable batteries typically involve a chemical process which delivers current when the positive and negative terminals are connected across a load, the process being reversible (charging) by the application of a voltage sufficient to cause a net current to flow into the battery. The charging process, then, provides electrical energy which is stored and later may be released. The predominant chemistries used today are those using some form of lithium, nickel, cadmium, or lead, though many other chemistries are also used. 
         [0005]    Batteries based upon a lithium-ion (Li-ion) chemical reaction are used in many products. Li-ion battery manufacturers specify the charging method and various parameters for charging a battery. The predominant method specified is for a charger to charge a Li-ion battery using a constant current until a certain voltage is attained (for example, 4.2 volts), then to provide a constant voltage for an additional period of time until the charging current goes down to a certain level, which is defined as the end-point condition. This method is denominated the “CC/CV” or “Constant Current/Constant Voltage” method. In a standard CC/CV charging profile, measurements of battery voltage are only used to determine when to switch from constant current charging to constant voltage charging, after which charging current is monitored for end-point determination. 
         [0006]    Multiple charge/discharge cycles slowly erode the battery electrodes, decreasing a battery&#39;s electrode surface area. Thus, as a battery ages, the current density resulting from charging at a specified constant current increases, more rapidly degrading the performance and lifetime of the battery. There is variation from battery to battery of a common type due to manufacturing variations. Even a given battery will have more power available (and be capable of accepting a more aggressive charging profile) when fresh, undamaged, and warm. Likewise the same given battery will have less power available (and require a correspondingly less aggressive charging profile) after many charge/discharge cycles, when damaged, or when cold. Thus the CC/CV charging method may undercharge or take longer than necessary for some specific battery units, or may overcharge or charge too rapidly for other units, thus causing them damage which shortens battery lifetime as well as giving the user a less satisfactory experience. The industry, then, has need for a charging solution that adjusts to the actual instant condition of a battery such that any given charging cycle is as short as possible but without damage and avoiding undue deterioration of the performance of the battery. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    This section summarizes some features of the invention. Other features are described in the subsequent sections. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment of the present invention the method comprises three phases for charging a battery from a fully-discharged state. In a first phase a battery is charged with a small constant current until the battery voltage attains a certain minimum value. During a second phase the open circuit voltage of the battery is periodically measured and a constant current value is modified to provide for a predetermined, constant rate of change of open circuit battery voltage. Thus during the second phase the battery itself provides feedback to the charging system as to the battery&#39;s ability to accept charge. When the battery voltage attains another certain minimum voltage a third phase begins. During the third phase the charging system provides a constant voltage and monitors the slowly decreasing battery charging current to determine when to stop charging. This three-phase method is termed the “CR/CV” or “Constant Rate/Constant Voltage” method. The method of the present invention is similar to the CC/CV method, however in the present invention the constant current of the second phase is determined for each charging cycle and throughout the charging period, thus adapting to aging, damage, end environmental factors such as temperature. In contrast, the CC/CV method provides a constant current that is predetermined. 
         [0009]    Factors such as age, electrode area and temperature will be reflected in the current required to provide the predetermined rate of change of voltage. For example, as an individual battery unit ages and the electrodes lose some amount of surface area, less charging current is required to cause the predetermined rate of change of open circuit battery voltage. Said differently, as a battery gets older it is able to accept charge at a lesser rate. The open circuit voltage increasing at the predetermined rate but with a lesser amount of current does not imply an older battery is more efficient. The reverse is true; the older battery will attain the maximum open circuit voltage with less total charge (the product of current and time) having been supplied, thus less energy stored for discharge through the load. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an example of a typical CC/CV charging profile used in the relevant art. PRIOR ART. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an example of a system which may be used to practice the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a model of a battery. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  through  FIG. 12  are example flow charts of some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an example flow chart wherein the state of a charging system is determined, then control passed as a function of the charging state. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an example flow chart of a subroutine wherein requested changes are made. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an example flow chart wherein a charging system is shut down. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an example flow chart for response to a detected fault condition. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an example flow chart wherein the instant parameters of a battery and environmental conditions are considered in determining an action to be taken. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an example flow chart wherein for controlling charging during a low current mode. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is an example flow chart for controlling charging in a constant current mode, wherein the target constant current made be changed. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is an example flow chart for controlling charging in a constant voltage mode, wherein an end point condition is also monitored. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is an example flow chart wherein a charging system is configured for a mode wherein a battery is available for use. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is an idealized graph of the voltage and current profiles for charging a strong and a week battery, each with the method of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  illustrates the voltage and change of voltage over time during a battery failure. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    The embodiments described in this section illustrate but do not limit the invention. The invention is not limited to any particular circuitry, software, voltage, current values, battery chemistry, time, or other parameters. 
         [0026]    The unit “CmA” refers to the current flow per hour into or out of a battery, as a fraction of the battery&#39;s rated capacity. For example, if the rated capacity of a battery were 2000 milliampere hours, then 0.1 CmA would be a current flow of 200 milliamperes. The rated capacity of a battery stated by its manufacturer is typically used in specifying charge rate, though in actual practice the capacity of a given battery may vary. 
         [0027]    In the description to follow several timers are referred to. As one skilled in the art would know, timing may be implemented in a variety of ways. Examples include a software counter whose value is occasionally increased or decreased; a hardware timer whose value may be read and compared to an earlier value; up or down counter; a timer with a vectorable interrupt service routine, and others. For simplicity of description only one such timer will be described. Hereinafter all timers will be considered to be internal to the control logic unit  204 , implemented as a software counter. For instances wherein a time out condition is tested, the counter is initialized with an appropriate maximum value and the value of the counter is decremented before the step for testing for the time out condition. For instances wherein a timer maximum value is to be tested, the counter is initialized by setting the counter to zero and the value of the counter is incremented before a step in which the counter value is compared to a maximum count. For instances wherein an elapsed time is needed there is assumed to be a resettable timer which is clocked by a time base of a known period; the timer is reset, then its value read when needed. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an example of a typical charging method charges a Li-ion battery using a low current (Phase 1) until a minimum voltage is attained, then charges at a constant 0.5 CmA (constant current charging, Phase 2) until a battery voltage of approximately 4.2 volts is measured, noted on  FIG. 1  as the “crossover point”. Thereafter the applied voltage is held at a fixed 4.2 volts (constant voltage charging, Phase 3) while the current through the battery is measured. When the battery charging current has diminished to approximately 0.1 CmA (with the impressed voltage of 4.2 volts), the battery is deemed fully charged and charging stops. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an example is shown of a system which may be used to practice the method of the present invention. In this example there is no load during battery charging other than the battery itself. Thus, when the programmable power supply  210  is shut down, the battery  204  voltage (“V BATT ”) is the battery open circuit voltage “Voc”. When the programmable power supply  210  is operating and charging the battery  204 , V BATT  is the battery voltage. In some embodiments the output of the programmable power supply  210  is interrupted by a switch (not shown) controllable by the control logic unit  206 , for example a transistor or electromechanical switch or other means for disconnecting battery  204  from the programmable power supply  210 , to enable measuring the open circuit voltage of the battery  204 . In some embodiments battery  204  voltage is measured without removing the power supply  210 , thus is not an open circuit voltage. An analog to digital converter (ADC)  202  provides a digital version of the instant voltage across the battery  204 . The ADC  202  is connected to the control logic unit  206  by a bus  208 . The bus  208  carries a digital representation of battery voltage ADC[9:0] from the ADC  202  to the control logic unit  206 . In one embodiment the bus  208  is a parallel bus. In some embodiments bus  208  is a single line, the data ADC[9:0] then being provided to the control logic unit  206  serially. In one embodiment the ADC  202  is a ten-bit converter. An ADC with more or fewer bits of resolution may be used. Control logic unit  206  is comprised of logic, such as a programmed microprocessor or custom logic, which may implement the method of the invention by controlling the programmable power supply  210 . The programmable power supply  210  may be configured to provide a selectable fixed current or a selectable fixed voltage as commanded by control logic unit  206 . A power source, for example power adapter  214 , provides input power which programmable power supply  210  modifies to provide to the battery  204  the voltage or current selected by the control logic unit  206 . In some embodiments there is a line or lines for communication between the control logic unit  206  and the programmable power supply  210 , for example line  220 . Signals on the line  220  from the control logic unit  206  to the programmable power supply  210  may include commands for a certain voltage or current, a command to stop charging, requests for data, and the like. Signals on the line  220  from the programmable power supply  210  to the control logic unit  206  may include status, voltage or current values, failure notification, detection of a connection to a power source (for example power adapter  214 ), and such. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments a host  216  communicates with the control logic unit  206 . This provides for control logic unit  206  to provide voltage, current, mode, status or other information to the host  216  and/or to receive commands from the host  216 . Examples of commands from the host  216  to the control logic unit  206  include commands to request status, and to initiate, continue, or discontinue charging the battery  204 . In the description of the control logic to follow, the value of a variable “CHRGSTATE” is changed in response to conditions of the power supply. CHRGSTATE may then be passed to the host  216  by the control logic unit  206 . The host  216  may use CHRGSTATE to make decisions external to the control logic unit  206 . For example, the host  216  may take note of the number of times or of the elapsed time of a certain fault condition and decide to send a command to the control logic unit  206  to shut down charging altogether. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments there are additional batteries to be charged (not shown) wherein programmable power supply  210  has multiple power output terminals or alternatively a single output terminal which can be connected to a selected battery. For embodiments wherein a plurality of batteries are available for charging, an ADC has multiple input channels or a MUX or other means to configure the ADC to measure V BATT  for a specific battery being charged. In the disclosure that follows only one battery is described. The method of the invention can be practiced with each battery in the same fashion. The designer of a system practicing the present invention tailors the operation of the system per the specifications and characteristics provided by the battery manufacturer or other criteria. Some embodiments include means for sensing a battery sensor, for example a temperature sensor located on or near the battery, which sensor may provide temperature data by its temperature-responsive resistance. The sensor resistance may then be measured by ADC  202  and a temperature derived. In some embodiments the battery under charge includes an internal temperature sensor which provides serial temperature data to the control logic unit  206 , or which has terminals for measuring the battery temperature sensor resistance. 
         [0032]    As used in this disclosure the term “battery charger” refers to the elements shown in  FIG. 2  except for the battery  204  and the optional host  214 . “Battery charger” may also refer to programmable power supply  210  in some contexts. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a model of a Li-ion battery, developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of the United States Department of Energy (DOE). A battery is represented by the circuit within the boundary indicated by reference number  302 , and is comprised of two capacitors (C B , C C ) and three resistors (R E , R C , and R T ). Total net charge into battery  302  is represented by Ic  310 . Any load, I S    304 , is viewed as simply another current request. The battery  302  is charged through the terminal V O    306 . NREL has denominated this model the “Capacitance Model” or “RC Model”. Upon inspection, we see that charging the battery  302  with a constant current charges the capacitors C B  and C C . The capacitors are a fixed value. The state of charge of the battery  302  may be known at any instant of time by measuring the open circuit voltage at the terminal V O    306 . The NREL conducted controlled experiments comparing the RC model to the known state of charge of representative batteries, and found the RC model to predict a final state of charge (“SOC”) approximately 3.7% below actual. 
         [0034]    The method of the present invention is illustrated by the flow charts of  FIG. 4 through 12 . The tables below define various battery and charger states, battery and charger modes, and variables used in an example program used in some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Battery States (BATTSTATE) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 SYMBOL 
                 DESCRIPTION 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 CVCHRG 
                 Constant voltage charging 
               
               
                 CCCHRG 
                 Constant current charging 
               
               
                 FAULT 
                 Fault detected 
               
               
                 LO_CURR 
                 Low current charging 
               
               
                 DETECT 
                 Detect state 
               
               
                 DONTCHRG 
                 Do not charge 
               
               
                 USE 
                 Battery is ready for use or is in use to power a load 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Battery Errors (BATTERR) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 SYMBOL 
                 DESCRIPTION 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 BATTDET 
                 Battery error detected 
               
               
                 BATTRTO 
                 Low current charging time out 
               
               
                 BATTCCTO 
                 Constant current charging time out 
               
               
                 BATTCVTO 
                 Constant voltage charging time out 
               
               
                 OVRTEMP 
                 Battery is out of spec too hot or too cold 
               
               
                 OCURRENT 
                 Increasing battery current during constant voltage charging 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Charger States(CHRGSTATE) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 SYMBOL 
                 DESCRIPTION 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 CHRGFLT 
                 Charger is experiencing a fault condition 
               
               
                   
                 CHRNG 
                 Charger is charging 
               
               
                   
                 CHRGD 
                 Battery is charged 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Charger Modes (CHRGMODE) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 SYMBOL 
                 DESCRIPTION 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 SHUTDN 
                 Shutdown mode 
               
               
                   
                 LC 
                 Low current charging mode 
               
               
                   
                 CC 
                 Constant current mode 
               
               
                   
                 CV 
                 Constant voltage mode 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Variables 
               
             
          
           
               
                 SYMBOL 
                 DESCRIPTION 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 ADAPTERIN 
                 T = power adaptor 214 is in use 
               
               
                 CHRGCMD 
                 Command word from host 216 to control logic unit 
               
               
                   
                 206 
               
               
                 BATTERR 
                 Holds an indicator of the category of a battery 
               
               
                   
                 error 
               
               
                 BATTIN 
                 T = battery detected, F = no battery detected 
               
               
                 BATTFLTWAIT 
                 Holds a value of time units that BATTFLT has been 
               
               
                   
                 TRUE. 
               
               
                 CR_DV 
                 Holds a digital representation of the value of 
               
               
                   
                 change in battery voltage during Phase 2 charging 
               
               
                 CR_VO 
                 Holds a digital version of the battery 204 voltage 
               
               
                 MODE_SEL 
                 Holds a selection flag signifying CR/CV or CC/CV 
               
               
                   
                 charging method 
               
               
                 VTAR 
                 Holds the value of the target constant voltage 
               
               
                   
                 during Phase 3, CR/CV method 
               
               
                 CURRENT 
                 Holds the current value to be passed to the program- 
               
               
                   
                 mable power supply 210 by control logic unit 206 
               
               
                 VBATT 
                 Holds a value of a battery voltage 
               
               
                 V BATT     —   MIN 
                 Minimum battery voltage, above which the battery 
               
               
                   
                 may accept a standard charge current. 
               
               
                 CR_I 
                 Holds an instant constant current target for Phase 
               
               
                   
                 2 of CR/CV method. 
               
               
                 CC_I 
                 Holds an instant target current for Phase 2 of 
               
               
                   
                 CC/CV method. 
               
               
                 CRCHRG 
                 T = constant voltage rate of change charging 
               
               
                   
                 method 
               
               
                 V BATT     —   STARTCV 
                 Battery voltage value at which constant voltage 
               
               
                   
                 charging is to begin (crossover point). 
               
               
                 TEMP BATT   
                 Holds a version of a battery temperature. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0035]    In one embodiment the logical flow of the method of the invention is provided by a program executed by control logic unit  206 .  FIG. 4  is an example of a program which is executed periodically, e.g., once per second. The flow  400  may be called as an interrupt service routine, resulting from a software or physical timer, or other means for periodically performing a process. For the purpose of illustration, the description of the example flow will assume flow  400  is called by an interrupt service routine. Flow  400  restores variables from a previous execution of flow  400 , receives the instant value for V BATT , then determines if any of the variables should be changed. At step  402  a digital representation for V BATT , for example ADC[9:0] from ADC  202  on line  208 , is read and saved for later use, and the charger and battery state, battery error condition, charger mode, and any other variables from a previous loop iteration are restored. In one embodiment this enables charging a plurality of batteries, wherein the variables may be called and later stored on a battery by battery basis. In the description herein, an example of charging a single battery, the data would be static, carried over from the previous iteration, therefore the steps of restoring the variable values is not necessary. In some embodiments of the present invention all or less than all of the charger apparatus and logic are embedded within a larger system, for example a switching power supply controller, which larger system samples various voltages, including V BATT , more frequently than the time periods between the service interrupts for battery charging as described in the example herein. In such embodiments the step of reading V BATT  at step  402  may be skipped and the most current value for V BATT  from the larger system used. At step  404 , if an adapter, for example power adapter  214 , is found to be present for the first time (that is, the adapter was not found the previous loop through flow  400 ), BATTSTATE is set to DETECT at step  408  before proceeding to step  410 . The power adapter may be detected various ways, for example by measuring the input voltage to the programmable power supply  210  by ADC  202  (connection not shown), by a status signal on line  220  from the programmable power supply  210  to the control logic unit  206 , and the like. At step  410 , if the adaptor is not present, or a host (if present) has commanded the charger system not to charge the battery, or if the battery is not present (Voc=0 volts), BATTSTATE is set to DONTCHARGE at step  412  before proceeding to step  414 . The value of state variable BATTSTATE at step  414  will be as it was at step  402  unless it has been changed as a result of the tests at step  404  or step  410 . Step  414  passes control to another process, which corresponds to the value of BATTSTATE. The next process may be DONTCHRG( )  600 , FAULT( )  700 , DETECT( )  800 , LO_CURR( )  900 , CCCHRG( )  1000 , CVCHRG( )  1100 , or USE( )  1200 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is an example of a subroutine flow for configuring a programmable power supply, for example the programmable power supply  210  in  FIG. 2 . CONFIG( )  500  is called by various other flows which specify a current or a voltage and a charger mode and pass the mode and target values to CONFIG( )  500  for action. At step  502 , if CHRGMODE=SHUTDN, the control logic unit  206  turns off the programmable power supply  210  at step  508 . If CHRGMODE=LC, the control logic unit  206  configures the programmable power supply  210  at step  512  for a low current charge target rate previously determined by step  826  or step  830  ( FIG. 8 ) or at step  920  or step  922  ( FIG. 9 ). If CHRGMODE=CC, the control logic unit  206  configures the programmable power supply  210  at step  510  to provide a constant current as previously determined at step  846  or  844  ( FIG. 8 ) or at step  914  or  918  ( FIG. 9 ), or at step  1042  ( FIG. 10 ). If CHRGMODE=CV, the control logic unit  206  configures the programmable power supply  210  at step  506  to provide a constant voltage, for example 4.20 volts, as previously determined at step  1004  ( FIG. 10 ). At step  514 , control is passed back to the calling routine. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  is an example of a flow for the condition BATTSTATE=DONTCHARG at step  414 . The purpose of flow  600  is to shut down the programmable power supply  210 . At step  602  CHRGMODE is set to SHUTDN, and at step  604  control is passed to CONFIG( )  500  for action. When control returns from step  514 , flow  600  exits at step  606  by returning to the interrupt service routine. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  is an example of a flow for the condition BATTSTATE=FAULT( ) at step  414 . The purpose of flow  700  is to configure the programmable power supply  210  and to allow time for a fault condition to clear. At step  702  CHRGSTATE is set to CHRGFLT. Unless there is a change in BATTSTATE as a result of the test at step  404  or step  410 , each iteration of flow  400  will pass control to FAULT( )  700  to determine if the waiting period has expired. If the fault condition has actually cleared but the waiting period is not yet over, the system will not know it. Thus flow  700  is a time delay before going through the DETECT( )  800  flow to assess the condition of the battery  204  and the programmable power supply  210 . The cause of the instant fault may be because the battery  204  has been low current charging for too long (for example step  904 ), charging for too long (for example step  1008 ), the battery  204  is out of the proper temperature range for charging (for example step  1012 , step  1106 , or step  808 ), and such. In one embodiment the value of BATTERR indicates the instant fault type. In some embodiments the waiting period (BATTFLTWAIT MAX ) is set to a time value corresponding to the BATTERR value. For example, BATTFLTWAIT MAX  may be set to five minutes for BATTERR=OVRTEMP and one minute for BATTDET. 
         [0039]    In one embodiment the value of BATTFLTWAIT MAX  is a predetermined fixed time, for example one minute. Step  704  compares the instant value of variable BATTFLTWAIT to BATTFLTWAIT MAX . If the maximum time has not been exceeded, control passes to step  708  to simply return with no other action. If the fault condition has persisted long enough, such that BATTFLTWAIT has exceeded BATTFLTWAIT MAX , the fault state is terminated by setting BATTSTATE to DETECT( ) at step  706 , then returning to the service routine at step  708 . Setting BATTSTATE to DETECT( ) allows control logic unit  206  to reassess the instant operating condition after the next iteration of flow  400 . In this example BATTFLTWAIT is the value of a timer, the timer being cleared and restarted at the time of a fault detection. 
         [0040]    Flow  800  is an example of a flow for the condition BATTSTATE=DETECT( ) at step  414 . The purpose of flow  800  (described in  FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B ) is to test for various error conditions and, if there are none, determine whether to charge with a low current, charge with a nominal current, or charge with a constant voltage, as determined by the instant voltage of a battery, for example battery  204 . At step  802  the battery  204  voltage is compared to a predetermined maximum, for example 4.19 volts. If the battery  204  voltage is above or equal to the predetermined maximum, the battery  204  is deemed to be fully charged. BATTSTATE is set to USE and CHRGSTATE is set to CHRGD at step  804 , CONFIG( )  500  is called at step  803  for action, then control returned to the service routine at step  805 . If the battery  204  voltage is not above the maximum at step  802 , CHRGSTATE is set to CHRNG and the fault timer BATTFLTWAIT initialized at step  806 . At step  808 , if the battery  204  temperature is below the minimum temperature for low current charging, for example zero degrees C., or higher than the maximum temperature for charging, for example higher than five degrees C below the manufacturer&#39;s specified maximum temperature, CHRGEMODE is set to SHUTDN, BATTSTATE set to FAULT, the fault timer BATTFLTWAIT started, and BATTERR set to OVRTEMP at step  814 , then CONFIG( )  500  is called at step  816 . When control returns from CONFIG( )  500 , step  817  returns control to the service routine. 
         [0041]    If the battery  204  temperature is within the predetermined allowable range (step  808 ), control passes to step  810 . If at step  810  the battery  204  voltage is greater than or equal to the crossover point voltage (V BATT     —     STARTCV ), for example 4.18 volts, control passes to step  818 . The crossover point voltage defines the point at which constant voltage charging (Phase 3) begins. At step  818  the programmable power supply  210  is configured for constant voltage charging by setting BATTSTATE to CVCHRG, setting CHRGMODE to CV, and initializing timer TMR_BATT. CONFIG( )  500  is called at step  817 , then control returned to the service routine at step  819 . 
         [0042]    If V BATT  is less than V BATT     —     STARTCV  at step  810 , control passes to step  812 . At step  812  it is already known that the battery  204  voltage is below the crossover point, a result of the test at step  810 . If a battery has too low a voltage it cannot be effectively charged. At step  812  the voltage is compared to the minimum for charging (V BATT     —     MIN ), for example 2.9 volts. If the battery  204  voltage is above V BATT     —     MIN  and the temperature is above the minimum for charging (TEMP BATT     —     MIN ), for example zero degrees C. (it is already known that the battery  204  temperature is below the maximum, a result of the test at step  808 ), then the programmable power supply  210  is configured for constant current charging by branching to step  820 . At step  820  BATTSTATE is set to CCCHRG, CHRGMODE is set to CC, and a timer TMR_BATT is initialized. In some embodiments the charger system is configurable to charge using either the CC/CV method or the CR/CV method. This may be selected by host  214 , by a selector switch connected to control logic unit  206  (not shown), or by other means. If CC/CV charging is selected, MODE_SEL is found to equal to CCCV and step  842  branches to step  846 . At step  846  the target constant current for this charging mode is set to CC_I, for example 0.5 CmA, then control passed to CONFIG( )  500  for action at step  838 . If the CC/CV method of charging is not selected (MODE_SEL&lt;&gt;CCCV at step  842 ), then the CR/CV method is used and control passes from step  842  to step  844 . If a system according to the present invention does not offer the ability to select between the CC/CV and CR/CV methods, step  820  is followed by step  844  and steps  842  and  846  are not implemented. At step  844  the programmable power supply  210  is configured for CR/CV charging by setting CURRENT to CR_I, the instant battery  204  voltage is saved to memory variable CR_VO, and timer TMR_CR is initialized. As will be seen (flow  1000 ), both the CC/CV and CR/CV methods use a constant current during Phase 2. However, in CC/CV charging, the constant current value does not change and it is typically predetermined by the charging system designer per the battery manufacturer&#39;s specification. In CR/CV charging, the constant current value is periodically changed in response to voltage or the open circuit voltage Voc of the battery  204 . At step  844  it is not yet know what value of CR_I will produce the predetermined rate of change of voltage Voc for the battery  204 . The CR/CV flow (branching from step  1018 ) will make appropriate adjustments over time. At step  844  a predetermined current target, for example 0.1 CmA, is set as an initializing value. Other initial current values may be used, for example half of the expected maximum constant rate charging current. In some embodiments the current is not changed from the initial current until a certain time, for example ten minutes, has elapsed. As before, control is then passed to CONFIG( )  500  at step  838 . When control returns from CONFIG( )  500  it is passed to the service routine at step  840 . 
         [0043]    If at step  812  the battery  204  voltage is found to be below the minimum value V BATT     —     MIN  or the battery  204  temperature is below the minimum temperature for charging, the battery  204  would not be able to accept charge at a high rate. The branch to step  822  is taken, to prepare for low current charging (Phase 1). The purpose of low current charging is to slowly raise the battery  204  voltage until it reaches V BATT     —     MIN , at which time Phase 2 charging is initiated. Low current charging may also raise the temperature of the battery. The battery is not charged normally until the two test conditions of step  812  are passed. At step  822 , timer TMR_BATT is initialized so that the time for low current charging may be monitored, BATTSTATE is set to LO_CURR, then control passed to step  824 . Low current charging is essentially constant current charging with a much lower current than that of the constant current charging of Phase 2. Step  824  determines what low current charge rate (current) is to be used. If battery  204  voltage is above V BATT     —     MIN     —     TR , (the minimum for low current charging) as specified by the battery manufacturer, for example 1.0 volt, step  826  sets the appropriate current target (for example 0.05 CmA) by setting CURRENT=LC_HI before passing control to CONFIG( )  500  at step  838 . In some embodiments, if the battery  204  voltage is below the minimum for low current charging V BATT     —     MIN     —     TR  (step  824 ), then a very low charge current LC_LO (for example, 0.01 CmA) is set at step  830  before passing control to CONFIG( )  500  at step  838 . The purpose of the lower current of step  830  is to bring the battery  204  up to the voltage V BATT     —     MIN     —     TR , at which point a standard low current charge may be used. When CONFIG( )  500  returns, step  840  returns control to the service routine. In some embodiments only one low current charge rate is used, eliminating steps  824 ,  826 , and  830 . In that case, step  822  sets a target low current charge current (CURRENT=LC_HI) before passing control to step  838  and subsequently returning to the service routine at step  840 . 
         [0044]    Flow  900  is an example of a flow for the condition BATTSTATE=LO_CURR at step  414 . The purpose of flow  900  (described in  FIG. 9 ) is to provide a low current for charging a battery, for example battery  204 . Low current charging is needed when a battery is deeply discharged or for any reason has a very low voltage, for example below 1.0 volts. Low current charging is also recommended when a battery is very cold, for example below zero degrees C. A battery with very low voltage or temperature cannot accept a standard constant current charging rate (such as provided during Phase 2) without damage. In the example of flow  800 , step  812  may determine that the battery  204  voltage is less than V BATT     —     MIN  or colder than TEMP BATT     —     MIN . In that event, step  822  sets BATTSTATE to LO_CURR( ) and initializes TMR_BATT. The next iteration of flow  400  results in control passing to LO_CURR( )  900 . At step  904 , TMR_BATT is checked for the timeout condition. If TMR_BATT has timed out, we assume there is a problem with the battery  204  or the charger and branch to step  906 . Step  906  stops charging by setting CHRGMODE to SHUTDN, BATTSTATE to FAULT, and BATERR to BATTRTO. Shutdown is then requested by calling CONFIG( )  500  at step  907 , and control returned to the service routine at step  909 . 
         [0045]    If the charger has been low current charging for less than the maximum time (TMR_BATT not timed out), step  904  branches to step  908 . At step  908  battery  204  voltage and temperature are checked to see if both are within the recommended range for constant current charging (Phase 2). If so, Phase 2 charging is set up at step  910  by setting BATTSTATE=CCCHRG, initializing TMR_BATT, and setting CHRGMODE=CC. The branch from step  910  is similar to the branch from step  820  in DETECT( )  800 . In some embodiments step  910  sets up for the next iteration of flow  400  to branch to DETECT( )  800 . In one embodiment step  908  (if “YES”) branches to step  820  and the logical flow continues from there. 
         [0046]    In the example shown, flow  900  repeats the logic corresponding to steps  820 ,  842 ,  844 ,  846 ,  838 , and  840  in steps  910 ,  912 ,  918 ,  914 ,  915 , and  916  respectively. The flow  910  through  916  is the same as the flow of step  820  through  840 , and the description is not repeated here. 
         [0047]    If at step  908  the battery  204  voltage or temperature are out of the desired range, step  924  sets CHRGMODE=LC and BATTSTATE=LO_CURR. In some embodiments of the present invention there is only one low current charge rate (current), which is written to variable CURRENT before calling CONFIG( )  500  and returning control to the service routine. In the example of flow  900 , step  926  determines if the battery  204  voltage is below a certain value, for example 1.0 volt. If so, CURRENT is set to a low current value LC_LO, for example 0.01 CmA, at step  922 . If battery  204  voltage is not less than V BATT     —     MIN     —     TR , then a higher low current charge current LC_HI, for example 0.05 CmA, is written to CURRENT at step  920 . The low current charge rate may have been earlier set at step  826  or  830  of DETECT( )  800 . The test at step  926  determines if the voltage of the battery  204  has increased enough to progress from a lower low current charge (LC_LO) to a higher one. Whether step  920  or step  922  is taken, the programmable power supply  210  is configured by calling CONFIG( )  500  at step  915 , then control returned to the service routine at step  916 . 
         [0048]    Flow  1000  is an example of a flow for the condition BATTSTATE=CCCHRG( ) at step  414 . The purpose of flow  1000  (described in  FIG. 10A , and  FIG. 10B , and  FIG. 10C ) is to provide constant current charging to a battery, for example battery  204 , while testing for a condition indicating that Phase 2 is over. At step  1002  the voltage of battery  204  is compared to V BATT     —     STARTCV , for example 4.18 volts, which indicates constant current charging is to stop and constant voltage charging is to begin, the condition previously denominated the “crossover point.” If the crossover point has been reached, the branch to step  1004  is taken. At step  1004  constant voltage charging is set up by setting BATTSTATE to CVCHRG, CHRGMODE to CV, initializing TMR_BATT, and setting V TAR  to the desired constant voltage V BATT     —     MAX , for example 4.20 volts. Setup is completed by calling CONFIG( )  500  at step  1016 , and returning control to the service routine at step  1020 . 
         [0049]    If the test fails at step  1002 , TMR_BATT is checked for timeout at step  1008 . If TMR_BATT has timed out, we assume that charging has continued for too long due to an unknown problem. The branch to step  1010  sets CHRGMODE=SHUTDN, BATTSTATE=FAULT, and BATTERR=BATTCCTO to shut down the programmable power supply  210 . The action is completed by calling CONFIG( )  500  at step  1016 , and returning control to the service routine at step  1020 . 
         [0050]    If TMR_BATT has not timed out (step  1008 ), step  1012  checks the temperature of battery  204 . If the battery temperature is too high, for example over 40 degrees C., step  1014  shuts down the programmable power supply  210  (CHRGMODE=SHUTDN, BATTSTATE=FAULT) and sets the fault condition BATTERR=OVRTEMP. The action is then completed by calling CONFIG( )  500  at step  1016  and returning control to the service routine at step  1020 . 
         [0051]    If the battery  204  temperature is within charging range (at step  1012 ), control branches to step  1018  from step  1012 . If the charger has not been configured to operate in accordance with the CR/CV method (selection means was discussed earlier), no further action is needed, the current target for CC/CV having been set earlier at step  914  or step  820 , therefore step  1020  returns control to the service routine. If, however, MODE_SEL=CRCV, the constant charging current CR_I may be modified. Timer TMR_CR was earlier initialized at step  844 . At step  1022  TMO_CR is incremented. At step  1024  TMR_CR is checked for equality to the time out value TMR_CR MAX , for example one minute (a count of 60 d if flow  400  is being called once per second). If TMR_CR equals TMR_CR MAX , step  1026  shuts down the programmable power supply  210 , then calls CONFIG( )  500  at step  1028 , then returns control to the service routine at step  1028 . Note that BATTSTATE is not changed, timer TMR_CR is not reinitialized, no fault condition is declared, and the programmable power supply  210  remains shut down. The purpose of shutting down the programmable power supply  210  at step  1026  is so that the open circuit voltage (Voc) of battery  204  may be read by ADC  202  at step  402 . Voc of battery  204  corresponds to the state of charge of battery  204 , as previously discussed. Because BATTSTATE is still CCCHRG, the flow will branch to CCHRG( )  1000  from step  414  (providing step  404  and step  410  do not intervene). Assuming tests  1002 ,  1008 ,  1012  are still FALSE and MODE_SEL is still equal to CRCV, timer TMR_CR will be incremented at step  1022 , the step  1024  test will now be FALSE, and control will branch to step  1032 . The purpose of the test for TMR_CR greater than time out at step  1032  is not to determine a fault condition, but to check the change in Voc after having determined the open circuit voltage Voc in the previous loop. That is, until TMR_CR MAX  has been attained, the flow will be steps  1024 ,  1032  and return to the service routine at step  1046 . When TMR_CR MAX  is attained (exactly) the open circuit voltage Vo is read. Then, the next time through flow  1000 , the test at step  1032  will be TRUE and the branch to step  1034  taken. As described hereinafter, the purpose of the branch through step  1034  is to determine if the value of CURRENT needs to be modified, then the timer TMR_CR reset and again we wait for the test at step  1024  to be TRUE. 
         [0052]    At step  1034  the change in Voc (CR_DV) relative to the previous value is found by taking the difference between V BATT  (which is Voc from the just-completed iteration of flow  400 , during which the programmable power supply  210  was shut down) and CR_VO, wherein CR_VO holds Voc from an earlier step  1042  or from step  844  during DETECT( )  800  or step  918  during LO_CURR( )  900 . A MAX function is used at step  1034  to insure that CR_DV does not return a negative value. Step  1036  checks to see if CR_DV is zero. If CR_DV is zero, the voltage of the battery  204  is not rising, so at step  1040  a value for a new constant current is found that is mid-way between the instant CR_I and the maximum current CR_I MAX , for example 1.0 CmA. At step  1042 , CURRENT is set to the new value of CR_I (from step  1040  or step  1038 ), timer TMR_CR reinitialized, the instant Voc (V BATT ) saved to CR_VO, and the programmable power supply  210  brought out of shut down by setting CHRGMODE=CC. Action is then taken at step  1044  by calling CONFIG( )  500 , then returning control to the service routine at step  1046 . At step  1040  the exact value of CR_I adjustment that will provide the desired dV/dT is not known. The purpose of step  1040  is to provide a rising Voc, which will then allow a scaling procedure (step  1038 ) to configure the charger to attain the target dV/dT. When dV/dT is positive, step  1036  will branch to step  1038 . Step  1038  scales the instant current CR_I per the formula 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       Constant 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       rate 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       current 
                     
                     = 
                     
                       
                         ( 
                         
                           Constant 
                            
                           
                               
                           
                            
                           rate 
                            
                           
                               
                           
                            
                           current 
                         
                         ) 
                       
                       * 
                       
                         ( 
                         
                           
                             
                               ( 
                               
                                 
                                    
                                   V 
                                 
                                 
                                    
                                   T 
                                 
                               
                               ) 
                             
                             TAR 
                           
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                  
                                 V 
                               
                               
                                  
                                 T 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                         
                         ) 
                       
                     
                   
                   , 
                 
               
               
                 
                   [ 
                   
                     EQ 
                      
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     1 
                   
                   ] 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    where constant rate current=CR_I, dV/dT TAR =CRDV tar , and dV/dT=CR_DV from step  1034 . In some embodiments the time interval between measurements of V BATT , for example one second, is fixed and predetermined. In such an embodiment [EQ 1] may be simplified to: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       Constant 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       rate 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       current 
                     
                     = 
                     
                       
                         ( 
                         
                           Constant 
                            
                           
                               
                           
                            
                           rate 
                            
                           
                               
                           
                            
                           current 
                         
                         ) 
                       
                       * 
                       
                         ( 
                         
                           
                              
                             
                               V 
                               TAR 
                             
                           
                           
                              
                             V 
                           
                         
                         ) 
                       
                     
                   
                   , 
                 
               
               
                 
                   [ 
                   
                     EQ 
                      
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     2 
                   
                   ] 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0053]    In CC/CV charging, charging current during Phase 2 is fixed throughout the phase, with the potential for problems previously described. With the CR/CV charging method of the present invention, the Phase 2 constant current is periodically changed to provide an approximately constant change in Voc per unit time. That is, with the CC/CV method, Phase 2 current is fixed at a predetermined value, but with the CR/CV method it is the change of open circuit voltage per unit time that is constant. The “constant” current during Phase 2 in the CR/CV method is constant during a time period (for example, TMR_CR), then changed as needed for the next time period in order to maintain a constant rate of change of battery voltage. Consider a typical Li-ion battery. The manufacturer&#39;s specification may, for example, indicate that Phase 2 should last approximately 40 minutes at a current of 0.5 CmA while VBATT increases from 2.9 volts to 4.20 volts. In the method of the present invention, CRDV TAR  is found by 
         [0000]        CRDV   TAR   =dV/dT   TAR =(4.2−2.9)/40=0.0325 volts per minute. 
         [0054]    Except where the required current exceeds the capabilities of the programmable power supply  210 , CR_I will be varied as needed to maintain dV/dT TAR . If, for an example using the example above and assuming TMR_CR MAX  is two minutes, Voc is checked twenty times during Phase 2 and the current adjusted (if needed) each time to control dV/dT to approximately 0.06 volts rise after each iteration of CCCHRG( )  1000 , step  1042 . Voc increases approximately linearly, and the time duration of Phase 2 will be approximately the same for every battery of the same type/spec, regardless of condition or temperature. 
         [0055]    Following step  1038 , control then branches to step  1042  to set up configuration (as previously described), including bringing the programmable power supply  210  out of shut down, then takes action at step  1044  by calling CONFIG( )  500 , then returning control to the service routine at step  1046 . 
         [0056]    In some embodiments that portion of Flow  1000  illustrated by  FIG. 10B  is instead represented by the flow shown in  FIG. 10C . In particular, after step  1032 C the change in voltage is not limited to a minimum of zero volts (step  1036 ,  FIG. 10B ) but is found per step  1054 . A test at step  1052  determines if the battery open circuit voltage (V BATT ) is decreasing or holding steady. Energy being put into the battery (charging current) without the battery voltage increasing may be an indication of present or impending battery failure. If TRUE (step  1052 ), the battery is deemed to be in a failure mode from which the charging system cannot recover. Charging is stopped entirely by branching to step  1050 , where CHRGMODE is set to SHUTDN and BATTSTATE is set to DONTCHRG, then action taken at step  1044 C by calling CONFIG( )  500 , then returning control to the service routine at step  1046 C. Thereafter Flow  400  will continuously branch to Flow  600  until an action apart from the flows described here occurs, such as intervention by a host  216 , removal of all power causing a resetting of the system, and the like. In one embodiment BATTERR is set to BATTDET for later communication by the control logic unit  206  to a host  216 . If CD_DV is greater than zero, as determined at step  1052 , the flow continues through steps  1038 C,  1042 C,  1044 C and  1046 C. Steps  1032 C,  1038 C  1042 C,  1044 C, and  1046 C correspond to the similarly numbered blocks in  FIG. 10B  and are not further described here. 
         [0057]    The test at step  1052  is more generally denominated “battery failure test”. Other tests than simply decreasing battery voltage may be used to determine an actually or impending battery failure. For example, in one embodiment a battery is deemed to be failing when a rolling average of battery voltage values is not increasing. In another embodiment the battery failure test comprises obtaining a representation of the battery temperature and determining that failure is possible if the temperature exceeds a certain value. In another a certain maximum rate of temperature increase, alone or in conjunction with a negative change of Voc, is used as an indication of failure The temperature is sometimes obtained by placing a thermocouple in or near the battery and reading the voltage of the thermocouple with the ADC  202 . In some embodiments a battery is deemed to be failing in a CC/CV profile even though Voc is increasing but the rate of increase changes, for example flattens out or decreases. 
         [0058]    In one embodiment a pressure transducer is included in the battery and failure determined to be possible at a certain pressure. The value of pressure is obtained by reading the pressure transducer with the ADC  202 . In some embodiments a strain gauge formed as part of the battery enclosure is read by the ADC  202  in order to detect swelling of the enclosure, again indicating possible battery failure, even when the battery is being neither charged nor discharged. 
         [0059]    For an example, we look to  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 14  presents data recorded in a laboratory environment wherein a battery was overstressed in order to examine the battery failure mechanism. Battery protective circuits were defeated, then the battery exposed to high voltage and/or current until failure was seen. Curve  1401  represents battery voltage over a time window of approximately twenty three minutes, with data taken approximately every second. Curve  1403  represents the calculated rate of change in Vo. Data was taken with an approximately fixed current to observe the behavior of the battery voltage. At point  1405  we see a change in the slope of dV/dT. In some embodiments the condition of point  1405 , wherein dV/dT becomes relatively constant, is deemed a condition for reporting a battery failure at step  1502 . In one embodiment the condition of point  1407 , wherein dV/dT begins decreasing, is deemed a condition for reporting a battery failure at step  1502 . In an embodiment digital filtering of the Vo data is employed and the second derivative of filtered Vo values is used to determine battery failure, for example if dV 2 /dT 2  is negative. 
         [0060]    In an embodiment of the CR/CV method, wherein dV/dT is being controlled to a steady value by the control loop as previously described, the value of the current required to maintain the target dV/dT is examined in a manner similar to the examination of the voltage of the CC/CV method explained earlier, unexpected charging current changes being possible indications of battery failure. For example, a sudden increase in charging current may indicate localized shorting between conducting plates of the battery. 
         [0061]    In an embodiment of the present invention step  1050  further comprises an action or actions to avoid or diminish battery failure effects, such as fire, out gassing, chemical leakage, case rupture, and extreme temperature. For example, in one embodiment a power transistor with low on-resistance (Rds_on) is connected between the positive and negative battery terminals. If battery failure is detected, the power transistor is driven to its ON state. Turning on the transistor shorts out the battery and would generate significant heat, but the shorting current flows through a large portion of the surface area of the battery instead of a localized heating area. In an embodiment the power transistor is pulsed ON and OFF intermittently to allow some thermal energy to dissipate between ON periods. In another embodiment, an electrically operated value is activated. Many such emergency actions permanently disable the battery, but with the benefit of avoiding damage beyond the battery itself. 
         [0062]    Flow  1100  is an example of a flow for the condition BATTSTATE=CVCHG at step  414 . The purpose of flow  1100  , described in  FIG. 11 , is to provide constant voltage charging of a battery, for example battery  204 , while monitoring for error conditions and an end point condition. This phase as been previously denominated “Phase 3”, and begins at the crossover detection point, previously described. Flow  1100  is the result of the test at  1002  and set up at step  1004 , where timer TMR_BATT was initialized or it is the result of the test at step  810  and set up at step  818 . At step  1102  the timer TMR_BATT is examined for a timeout condition. If TMR_BATT has timed out during Phase 3, for example in excess of 60 minutes, battery  204  is treated as fully charged (though it may or not be so) by branching to step  1104  to shut down programmable power supply  210  by setting CHRGMODE to SHUTDN. The charger system is set up by setting CHRGTSTATE to CHRGD, and BATTSTATE to USE. BATTERR is set to BATTCVTO, which in one embodiment is not used by control logic unit  206 , but may be of interest to host  214  if present. Action is taken by calling CONFIG( )  500  at step  1116 , then returning control to the service routine at step  1114 . 
         [0063]    If TMR_BATT has not timed out (step  1102 ), step  1106  is taken wherein the temperature of battery  204  is compared to the maximum temperature TEMP BATT     —     MAX , for example 45 degrees C. If the battery  204  temperature is equal to or greater than TEMP BATT     —     MAX , step  1108  is taken to shut down programmable power supply  210 , set BATTSTATE to FAULT, and pass the indication of fault type by setting BATTERR to OVRTEMP. Action is taken by calling CONFIG( )  500  at step  1116 , then control returned to the service routine at step  1114 . 
         [0064]    If TEMP BATT     —     MAX  has not been exceeded (step  1106 ), step  1107  is taken wherein the value of the current Ic  310  through battery  204  is compared to the value of the battery  204  current Ic  310  (IC_last) from a previous iteration of flow  1100 . If the instant value of the battery  204  current Ic  310  has increased (i.e., Ic  310  is greater than Ic_last) step  1109  is taken to shut down programmable power supply  210 , set BATTSTATE to FAULT, and pass the indication of fault type by setting BATTERR to OCURRENT. Action is taken by calling CONFIG( )  500  at step  1116 , then control returned to the service routine at step  1114 . An increase in battery  204  current Ic  310  during the constant voltage Phase 3 may indicate instant or impending battery failure, and charging is immediately stopped. 
         [0065]    If the test at step  1107  is FALSE, Ic  310  is compared to CV_I_MIN at step  1110 . Ic  310  may be known by measuring the voltage across a sensing resistor R SENSE    205  by ADC  202 , by a comparator across resistor R SENSE  with a reference voltage of (CV_I_MIN*R SENSE ), or other means for measuring the charging current which one skilled in the art would know. In some embodiments Ic  310  is reported to control logic unit  206  by programmable power supply  210 . If at step  1110  the current Ic is less than CV_I_MIN, the battery  204  is deemed to be fully charged and Phase 3 is terminated. In one embodiment the end point condition is not determined based upon current Ic  310  but rather is defined as the open circuit voltage Vo equal to a certain value, for example 4.20 volts. In such an embodiment the test at step  1110  reads “Vo&gt;=V BATT     —     MAX ?”. Phase 3 is terminated at step  1112  by setting CHRGMODE to SHUTDN to shut down programmable power supply  210 , setting BATTSTATE=USE, and CHRGSTATE=CHRGD. Action is taken by calling CONFIG( )  500  at step  1116 , then control returned to the service routine at step  1114 . If the current Ic  310  is greater than CV_I_MIN at step  1110  (or Vo&lt;V BATT     —     MAX  in one embodiment) constant voltage charging continues by simply returning control to the service routine at step  1114 . 
         [0066]    In one embodiment the value used for CV_I_MIN is specified by the battery manufacturer to a certain predetermined value, for example 0.1 CmA. Though commonly practiced in the industry, an absolute value of 0.1 CmA may present problems. For example, if a battery is significantly compromised (many charge/discharge cycles, damaged, very high temperature, and such), 0.1 CmA may represent a significantly high value (current) compared to the instant capacity of the subject battery. Thus using the predetermined current value recommended by the battery manufacturer may under charge the battery, storing less charge than possible in an already compromised battery, providing poor performance to the user. In some embodiments of the present invention, the value of current at the crossover point (that is, the instant value of CR_I from step  1042 ) is scaled, for example (0.1*CR_I), and saved as CV_I_MIN. Thus in some embodiments the test at step  1110  is checking to see when the current Ic  310  is reduced to a predetermined percentage, for example ten percent, of the value of the current at the crossover point rather than a predetermined current absolute value. 
         [0067]    Flow  1200  is an example of a flow for the condition BATTSTATE=USE at step  414 . The purpose of flow  1200  , described in  FIG. 12 , is to provide for battery power to be available to power a load. In a stand alone charger, for example, the battery voltage may be monitored to determine that the battery has not self-discharged (or experienced leakage through the charger) such that it needs to be recharged. In a system wherein the charger and the battery are embedded within a larger system, for example a cell phone or digital camera or one of many other devices which include a feature for charging a battery without removal, flow  1200  may provide status information to the larger system, for example a host  214 . At step  1202  the voltage of a battery, for example battery  204 , is compared to a voltage V BATT     —     RESTART , for example 3.9 volts, to determine if the battery  204  should be recharged. The value of V BATT     —     RESTART  is determined by the system designer, depending upon the needs of the system. If the voltage of battery  204  is above the restart voltage V BATT     —     RESTART , CHRGMODE is set to SHUTDN (which may already be the mode) at step  1206 , which removes the programmable power supply from the battery  204 . Control is then returned to the service routine at step  1208 . If V BATT  is less than V BATT     —     RESTART , this condition is reported to control logic unit  206  by setting BATTSTATE to DETECT( ) at step  1204 , and returning control to the service routine at step  1208 . This will cause the next iteration of flow  400  to branch to flow DETECT( )  800 , where the next step will be determined as previously described. 
         [0068]      FIG. 13  presents the voltage and current values of a typical battery, such as battery  204 , charged in accordance with the present invention. Note the profile of current Ic  310  during Phase 2 in comparison with the fixed current of the prior art, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Curve  1302  represents the open circuit battery voltage Voc over time. Curve  1302  is essentially linear from the time charging current Ic  310  is stabilized in Phase 2 until the crossover point. Curves  1304  and  1306  illustrate current curves for two different batteries; curve  1304  is representative of a strong battery and curve  1306  is representative of a weak battery being charged. For any given battery  204  in a given singular charging cycle only one curve will represent the charging experience of the battery  204  being charged. For example, a strong, fresh, warm battery may accept the higher charging current represented by curve  1304 . The energy delivered to (and stored by) the battery  204  is the area under the charging current curve over the time period in which current is provided. A weak or damaged battery may charge with a current Ic  310  profile similar to curve  1306 . Note that the charging time for both the strong and the weak battery is the same, but the area under the curve of curve  1306  is less than the area under the curve of curve  1304 , illustrating the difference in power delivered (and subsequently available). 
         [0069]    In the above description of the method of the present invention, battery open circuit voltage values are used. Looking to  FIG. 3 , we see that in measuring open circuit voltage the resistors have no effect; there is no current to cause a drop. Thus open circuit voltage is used in determining the state of charge of a battery. Said differently, it represents the charge stored on the capacitors of the model. However battery voltage while connected to the charging system (that is, not open circuit voltage) is sometimes used in looking for voltage change conditions. 
         [0070]    The present disclosure is to be taken as illustrative rather than as limiting the scope, nature, or spirit of the subject matter claimed below. Numerous modifications and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art after studying the disclosure, including use of equivalent functional and/or structural substitutes for elements described herein, use of equivalent functional couplings for couplings described herein, and/or use of equivalent functional steps for steps described herein. Such insubstantial variations are to be considered within the scope of what is contemplated here. Moreover, if plural examples are given for specific means, or steps, and extrapolation between and/or beyond such given examples is obvious in view of the present disclosure, then the disclosure is to be deemed as effectively disclosing and thus covering at least such extrapolations. 
       RESERVATION OF EXTRA-PATENT RIGHTS, RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTS, AND INTERPRETATION OF TERMS 
       [0071]    If any disclosures are incorporated herein by reference and such incorporated disclosures conflict in part or whole with the present disclosure, then to the extent of conflict, and/or broader disclosure, and/or broader definition of terms, the present disclosure controls. If such incorporated disclosures conflict in part or whole with one another, then to the extent of conflict, the later-dated disclosure controls. 
         [0072]    After this disclosure is lawfully published, the owner of the present patent application has no objection to the reproduction by others of textual and graphic materials contained herein provided such reproduction is for the limited purpose of understanding the present disclosure of invention and of thereby promoting the useful arts and sciences. The owner does not however disclaim any other rights that may be lawfully associated with the disclosed materials, including but not limited to, copyrights in any computer program listings or art works or other works provided herein, and to trademark or trade dress rights that may be associated with coined terms or art works provided herein and to other otherwise-protectable subject matter included herein or otherwise derivable herefrom. 
         [0073]    Unless expressly stated otherwise herein, ordinary terms have their corresponding ordinary meanings within the respective contexts of their presentations, and ordinary terms of art have their corresponding regular meanings 
         [0074]    Given the above disclosure of general concepts and specific embodiments, the scope of protection sought is to be defined by the claims appended hereto. The issued claims are not to be taken as limiting Applicant&#39;s right to claims disclosed, but not yet literally claimed subject matter by way of one or more further applications including those filed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120 and/or 35 U.S.C. §251.