Patent Description:
<CIT> describes a battery system and method; the battery system includes a plurality of battery modules configured to receive a current from a power supply and further configured to store and provide electrical energy from the power supply to a load. Each of the plurality of battery modules includes at least one battery and battery management circuitry configured to monitor and detect data received from the at least one battery. The battery system further includes central control circuitry configured to receive the data from each battery management circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to balance each of the plurality of the battery modules, wherein the control circuitry is configured to independently charge or discharge the at least one battery of each of the plurality of battery modules based on the data received from the battery management circuitry of each of the plurality of battery modules.

<CIT> describes a secondary battery pack system that supplies power to an electronic device, wherein the secondary battery pack system includes a plurality of battery packs each having a controller, a main body side connection circuit which is provided on the electronic device side so as to be connected to the plurality of battery packs, and a main body side discharge control signal line which is provided in the main body side connection circuit. The main body side discharge control signal line and controllers of the plurality of battery packs are connected to each other.

The present invention relates to a battery according to claim <NUM>, a method according to claim <NUM>, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim <NUM>. Claims <NUM> to <NUM> refer to specifically advantageous realizations of the battery according to claim <NUM>, and claims <NUM> to <NUM> refer to specifically advantageous realizations of the method according to claim <NUM>.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods of use thereof for safe and reliable operation of multi-battery systems. In one embodiment, a multi-battery system of the present disclosure does not have a physical power switch that allows a person to manually turn on the charges from the batteries. Alternatively, even if a power switch is equipped, the system preferably relies on commands from a battery management system that is in electric communication with the batteries.

In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, systems and methods are provided that inspect the batteries in the system to ensure that the voltages and charges of the battery within desirable ranges. Only after certain conditions for the voltages and charges are satisfied, is the battery system instructed to supply power.

Another safety measure, in one embodiment, is to employ the use of an in-place signal (e.g., a direct current signal or a pulse signal) indicating whether the battery system is connected to a device for which the battery is supposed to supply power. Before the correct placement, the battery system is not allowed to output current that might cause damage to the device.

New designs for electric communication circuits are also provided which can help reduce cables or connectors and still ensure safety. For instance, one such design includes a separator between a battery and a battery management circuit. While avoiding or at least reducing surge or errors in communication, the separator does not have negative impact on the signal being transmitted. According to the invention, separate pathways are used for supplying power of different voltages.

Certain features of various embodiments of the present technology are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the technology will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:.

Multi-battery systems (also referred to as "multi-battery packs," "battery pack," or "battery compartments") generally include multiple battery cores in a battery and are commonly used in electric devices. In an ideal situation, all batteries in a multi-battery system have the same voltage and charge to ensure uniform performance, such as during charging and discharging. However, from time to time, different batteries in a multi-battery system may start to differ upon some uses, or even right after being manufactured. It is observed herein that when batteries of different voltages are connected in parallel, a battery with a higher voltage tends to charge a lower-voltage battery at a large current. Such undesired intra-system charging poses a safety risk and can damage the electric core of the batteries.

In some multi-battery implementations, each battery has a separate power switch. Even in such a configuration, however, when the batteries are switched on and then integrated into the system, there can be an instant large current surge which can cause damage to the circuit.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the conducting state of a battery (e.g., power-on and power-off) is controlled by a battery management system (BMS). A BMS as used herein generally refers to a system that includes a processor, a memory, and a communication channels to one or more battery core and one or more other components of a system. In one instance, the BMS is able to detect certain electric characteristics of the battery and transmit such electric characteristics to an external device. Non-limiting examples of the electric characteristics include voltage, state of charge (SOC), charging capacity, state of health (SOH), temperature, and/or internal resistance.

With the BMS, the operation of the batteries can be controlled or coordinated to achieve better safety. For instance, to avoid inter-battery charging, an external control unit (e.g., a processor in an UAV equipped with a battery pack) can be configured to receive and analyze the electric characteristics before deciding whether to turn on the batteries. If the voltage differences between some of the batteries are too high (e.g., higher than a threshold value), then the control unit sends an error message instead of a signal to instruct the BMS to turn on the batteries. In another example, a condition set by the control unit is that some or all of the batteries have certain level of state of charges. If the condition is not met, the control unit does not instruct the BMS to turn on the batteries.

Since the conducting state of the batteries, in some embodiments, is controlled by the BMS, there is no longer a need to include a physical switch on the batteries. In one embodiment, a switch can still be included with each battery. However, the switch is used to turn to a status indicator showing a status of the battery. The status can be qualitative or quantitative, such as the relative voltage, SOC or SOH of the battery.

Another safety mechanism, as seen in one of the embodiments, entails the use of an in-place signal which indicates whether the battery system is placed in a device for which the battery is supposed to supply power. Before the correct placement, the battery system is not allowed to output current that might cause damage unnecessarily.

The in-place signal can be used to prevent power-on of the battery to increase safety. In one embodiment, once the in-place signal indicates a correct placement of the battery pack in a corresponding device that uses power supplied by the battery pack, the BMS operates the batteries to supply a safety voltage from at least one of the batteries. A "safety voltage" as used herein refers to a voltage that is generally safe for the battery itself and for the device for which the battery supplies power to. It can then be readily appreciated that the level of a safety voltage depends on the battery, the device, components of the device, and the purpose of the use.

A safety voltage can be used for various purposes in the present technology. In a preferred embodiment, the safety voltage is supplied to a control unit of the device which can function to inspect the battery system and other portions of the device. In this context, it is useful to note that another term, "operating voltage," is also used herein and refers to a voltage that is higher than the safety voltage and is sufficient for the device to carry out a designated function (e.g., flying). Like the safety voltage, the operating voltage also is a relative term and can depend on the battery, device and the designated function. Nevertheless, given the specific environment, the skilled artisan can readily determine suitable levels or ranges for a safety voltage and an operating voltage. In some instances, the safety voltage and operating voltage are also referred to as "low voltage" and "high voltage" respectively.

In some embodiments, a battery that is able to output a safety voltage and an operating voltage has a single electrode (or pair of electrodes) for the output. In some embodiments, a battery that is able to output a safety voltage and an operating voltage uses different electrodes (or pairs of electrodes) for the different output. In some embodiments, a multi-battery pack includes just one battery that is able to output both a safety voltage and an operating voltage. In some embodiments, a multi-battery pack includes two or more batteries that is able to output both a safety voltage and an operating voltage. In some embodiments, only one of the two or more batteries is configured to output a safety voltage at a time. The battery that is configured to output the safety voltage is sometime referred to as a "primary battery" in the pack. A primary battery may be a designated battery for an entire operation or for the battery at all times. In another implementation, the primary battery designation can change between batteries.

In one of the above example embodiments, an in-place signal can trigger the output of a safety voltage from a battery. In this example, the safety voltage is on as soon as the battery pack is in place. In another example, the signal from the in-place sensor does not trigger the output of the safety voltage. Instead, the safety voltage is triggered when a power switch on the device is turned on, or when another type of power-on signal is generated from the device.

The supply of the safety voltage to the device, in particular to the control unit of the device, can be useful for management and use of the battery pack. Normally, the operation of the control unit requires lower voltage than the device in general. The use of the safety voltage, therefore, is sufficient for this purpose and is safe. Once the control unit is powered, it can communicate with the BMS in the battery pack. The communication can include transmission of electric characteristics of the batteries, and command to have the batteries to supply power at the operating voltages, for instance.

In some of the above embodiments, both the power switch and the control unit of device can communicate with the BMS. In one embodiment, these two lines of communication share a connection pathway. It is contemplated by the instant inventors, however, that sharing of the connections may lead to miscommunication. For instance, when the battery pack is placed in the device, given the unstable connection in the beginning, a false signal may be generated which may appear like a power-on signal from the power switch.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, therefore, a separator is included in the battery between the battery cores and the BMS. The separator may include one or more pairs of transistor symmetrically/inversely placed. Such transistors may be useful for preventing the generation or transmission of such false signals but do not impact the transmission of normal communication.

In some instances, one or more batteries of a battery pack may malfunction. For instance, in a preferred embodiment, each battery can self-report its charge. The report may be generated and transmitted by the BMS. If the BMS malfunctions or if the communication pathway for such reporting malfunctions, the affected battery can no longer report the charge. This may create issues for the control unit which relies on such information for decision-making. In one embodiment, therefore, systems and methods are provided to estimate the charge of the battery pack. The estimation may take as input the charges of the properly functioning batteries and/or other electric characteristics detected for the malfunctioning batteries.

Each of the above embodiments of the present disclosure is described in more detail with reference to the appended figures.

<FIG> illustrates a simplified schematic of a system <NUM> that includes multiple batteries, a control unit and certain movable parts of the system, according to one exemplary embodiment. It is important to note that the system <NUM> of <FIG> may be implemented in combination with other features, systems, and/or other methods described herein, such as those described with reference to other embodiments/aspects. Moreover, the system <NUM> may be used in various applications and/or in permutations, which may or may not be noted in the illustrative embodiments/aspects described herein. For instance, the system <NUM> may include more or less features/components than those shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments.

In one embodiment, the aforementioned system includes a device that is a movable object powered by a battery pack. A movable object as provided herein may be configured to move in any suitable environment, such as air, water, on ground, in space, combinations thereof. For instance, the movable object may be an aerial vehicle (e.g., fixed-wing aircrafts such as airplanes, gliders, etc.; rotary-wing aircrafts such as helicopters, rotorcraft, etc.; aircrafts with both fixed-wings and rotary wings, and aircrafts having neither fixed nor rotary wings such as blimps, hot air balloons, etc.), a ground vehicle (e.g., car, truck, bus, van, train, motorcycle, etc.), a water vehicle (e.g., ship, submarine, etc.), a space vehicle (e.g., a space aircraft, satellite, probe, etc.), or combinations thereof.

In one particular embodiment, the movable object is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A UAV may not include an occupant onboard the vehicle, and may be controlled by a human, an autonomous control system (e.g., comprising a computer system), or a combination thereof.

As shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> includes various components (e.g., at least one battery, at least one switch, at least one battery management system, at least one control unit, etc.) operatively coupled via a power supply circuit <NUM>. The various components may be operatively coupled via one or more wired pathways and/or one or more wireless pathways. Wired pathways may receive and/or transmit information via cables, wires, etc. Wireless pathways may receive and/or transmit information utilizing local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), infrared, radio, WiFi, point-to-point (P2P) networks, telecommunication networks, cloud communication, combinations thereof, etc..

As shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> includes a battery pack <NUM> configured to supply current and/or communicate via the power supply circuit <NUM>. The battery pack <NUM> may include one or more (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) batteries. In the particular embodiment of <FIG>, the battery pack <NUM> is shown as comprising three batteries <NUM>. Each battery <NUM> may include one or more battery cores or cells (<NUM>) each electrically connected to a battery management system <NUM>. In one embodiment, at least one of the battery cells may be an electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, the battery cells may be connected in series, in parallel, or any combination thereof.

Exemplary batteries <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, lead acid batteries, valve regulated lead acid batteries (e.g., gel batteries, absorbed glass mat batteries), nickel cadmium batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, lithium polymer batteries, lithium ion batteries, and/or other suitable batteries as would be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure. In one embodiment, at least two, a majority, substantially all, or all of the batteries <NUM> may be the same type of battery. In another embodiment, two or more of the batteries <NUM> are of a different type from one another.

In one embodiment, a single housing may enclose/encompass each of the batteries <NUM>. Alternatively, the batteries <NUM> may each independently comprise a housing <NUM>, in one embodiment. For instance, with reference to <FIG>, a first set of the batteries <NUM> (top) may include a first housing <NUM>, a second set of the batteries <NUM> (middle) may include a second housing <NUM>, and third set of the batteries <NUM> (bottom) may include a third housing <NUM>. Each of the housings <NUM> may enclose/encompass at least a portion, a majority, substantially all, or all of the particular battery associated therewith. In one embodiment, at least two, a majority, substantially all, or all of the housings <NUM> may be of the same material and/or the same dimensions as one another. In another embodiment, two or more of the housings <NUM> are of a different material and/or have different dimensions from one another.

In one embodiment, any of the aforementioned housings <NUM> may be physically coupled to the device. For instance, in one such embodiment, the housing(s) <NUM> may be partially or completely inserted into a battery compartment of the device. In some embodiments, the housing(s) <NUM> may not be visible/exposed after insertion into the device. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the housing(s) <NUM> may remain visible/exposed after insertion into the device.

At least one of the batteries <NUM> may be configured to power the control unit <NUM> of the system <NUM> by supplying a safety voltage thereto. In one embodiment, the safety voltage may be in a range from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V. In one embodiment, the safety voltage is from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, or from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V. In one embodiment, the operating voltage is about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, or about <NUM> V.

When the battery <NUM> is capable of providing, and/or is providing, the safety voltage to the control unit <NUM>, the battery <NUM> is considered to be in a power-on safety state (or simply "safety state"). Conversely, when the battery <NUM> is not capable of, and/or is prevented from, providing the safety voltage to the control unit <NUM>, the battery <NUM> is considered to be in a power-off state. In some embodiments, the battery <NUM> must be physically connected to the device to be in the power-on state.

In one embodiment, the system <NUM> may include one or more optional in-place (proximity) sensors (not shown in <FIG>) configured to determine/detect whether the batteries <NUM> are connected to the device. In one embodiment, a separate in-place sensor may be provided at each location where a battery <NUM> connects to the device. In some embodiments, one such in-plane sensor may detect when a battery <NUM> is physically connected to the device, and send an in-place signal to the battery <NUM>, e.g., via the battery management system <NUM> operatively coupled thereto, in response to determining that the battery <NUM> is physically connected to the device. In another embodiment, no in-place sensors are needed, but the system can alternatively determine whether the battery pack is connected to the device. In one example, when the battery pack is connected to the device, pins on the battery pack and the device get in touch and complete a circuit which signals that they are connected.

In one embodiment, at least one of the batteries <NUM> may be configured to automatically supply a safety voltage to the control unit <NUM> in response to being physically connected to the device. In such embodiments, the safety voltage output of the at least one battery <NUM> is in an always-on state. In an additional embodiment, at least one of the batteries <NUM> may be configured to automatically supply a safety voltage to the control unit <NUM> in response to being physically connected to the device and receiving an in-place signal.

In another embodiment, at least one of the batteries <NUM> may not be configured to automatically supply a safety voltage to the control unit <NUM> in response to being physically connected to the device. At least one battery <NUM> is configured to supply a safety voltage to the control unit <NUM> in instances where the BMS <NUM> operatively coupled to the battery <NUM> receives a signal from a power input element (not shown in <FIG>). This power input element may be configured to control a power-on or a power-off state of the device, and particularly the control unit <NUM> thereof. Activation of the power input element may send a signal to the BMS <NUM>, thereby prompting the BMS <NUM> to cause the battery operatively coupled thereto to supply the safety voltage to the control unit <NUM> (e.g., via operation of an electronic switch).

In some embodiments, the aforementioned power input element may be a button switch, a mechanical switch, a potentiometer, or a sensor. The power input element may be activated directly by a user, e.g., by the user manually interacting with the power input element (e.g., pressing a button, flipping a switch, turning a knob or dial, touching a touch interface, speaking into a microphone, etc.).

With continued reference to <FIG>, one of the batteries <NUM> may be designated as the primary battery in one embodiment. In some embodiments, the primary battery is the battery configured to at least power the control unit <NUM> by supplying the safety voltage thereto.

In one embodiment, each of the batteries <NUM> may be individually configured to supply a safety voltage to the control unit <NUM>. Embodiments in which each of the batteries <NUM> is capable of supplying a safety voltage to the control unit <NUM> are advantageous, as the control unit <NUM> can select which of the batteries <NUM> is to be designated the primary battery.

In some embodiments, each battery <NUM> may be coupled to a device via a first pathway and a second pathway. Each battery <NUM> may supply the safety voltage to a control unit in the device via the first pathway, and supply the operating voltage via the second pathway. In one embodiment, the first pathway may comprise a wired pathway such as a cable, wire, electrical line, etc. In one embodiment, the second pathway may comprise a wireless pathway and/or a wired pathway (e.g., a cable, wire, electrical line, etc). The separate pathways, in some embodiments, include the use of separate pins, or more generally separate connecting terminals, both at the battery pack and at the device for connecting the battery pack and the device. For instance, the terminals can include one or more operating voltage terminals to apply an operating voltage, one or more safety voltage terminals to apply a safety voltage, and one or more communication terminals to allow the control unit to communicate with the battery and control the supply of power.

In one embodiment, each of the batteries <NUM> may be configured to self-report its respective charge (or voltage) to the control unit <NUM>, e.g., via the second (communication) pathway. Such self-reporting can be carried out by the BMS <NUM>. However, in some instances, there may be an error (e.g., a communication breakdown) that prevents a battery <NUM> from being able to self-report its charge to the control unit <NUM>, e.g., via the second pathway. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to estimate the charge of the batteries <NUM>. For instance, in one such embodiment, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to determine the amount of charge of a battery <NUM> based on the information provided in the first pathway, where said information corresponds to the voltage output from the battery. The voltage output of the battery may then be compared to the total known capacity of the battery to yield an estimate of the state of charge thereof.

In addition to powering the control unit <NUM>, each of the batteries <NUM> may be individually configured to power one or more components <NUM> of the device by supplying an operating voltage thereto. In one embodiment, the operating voltage may be in range from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V. In one embodiment, the operating voltage is from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> v to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V, or from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V. In one embodiment, the operating voltage is about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, about <NUM> V, or about <NUM> V.

When a battery <NUM> is providing the operating voltage to the one or more components <NUM> of the device, the battery <NUM> is considered to be in a conducting-on state (or "operating state"). Conversely, when the battery <NUM> is not capable of, and/or is prevented from, providing the operating voltage to the one or more components <NUM> of the device, the battery <NUM> is considered to be in a conducting-off state(or "non-operating state"). In one embodiment, each of the batteries <NUM> may be operatively coupled to the one or more components <NUM> and thus able to directly supply the operating voltage thereto. In one embodiment, each of the batteries <NUM> may supply the operating voltage to the one or more components <NUM> via the control unit <NUM>.

In one embodiment, at least one of the components <NUM> may be a propulsion unit configured to provide a driving force to the device. The driving force from the propulsion unit may provide lift to the device, thereby enabling it to fly, as well as enable the device to land on a surface, maintain a current position and/or orientation (hover), change position and/or orientation, etc. The propulsion unit may include one or more of rotors, propellers, blades, engines, motors, wheels, axles, magnets, nozzles etc. In one embodiment, the device may include one or more (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) propulsion units. In embodiments in which at least two propulsion units are present, each of the propulsion units may be the same type, or, alternatively, one or more of the propulsions units may be of a different type. In one embodiment in which at least two propulsion units are present, each of the propulsion units may be controlled and powered independently of the other propulsion units. However, in another embodiment in which at least two propulsion units are presents, each of propulsion units may be controlled and powered simultaneously. The propulsion unit(s) may be physically mounted to any suitable portion of the device using any suitable means such as a support element (e.g., a drive shaft). In some embodiments, the components <NUM> can also include a payload, a carrier, a sensor, a communication unit, a processor, an I/O device, or any other component that requires electricity to operate.

While not shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> may include one or more indicator devices configured to display a general status of one or more of the batteries <NUM>. In one embodiment, a separate indicator device may be provided for each battery <NUM>, and configured to display a general status thereof. The general status of each battery <NUM> may include the current amount of charge thereof, a percentage of the state of charge thereof (e.g., as calculated by dividing the current/state of charge of the battery <NUM> by the total charge of the battery <NUM>), the continuous time of use remaining thereof (e.g., the length of time the battery <NUM> can continue discharging at its current discharge rate), etc. In one exemplary embodiment, the general status of the battery <NUM> includes at least the current amount of charge of the battery <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the indicator device may be a graphical indicator configured to graphically display the amount of charge of the battery <NUM> operatively coupled thereto. The amount of charge of the battery <NUM> may be graphically displayed using bar graphs, levels, line graphs, icons, etc..

In one embodiment, the indicator device may be a numerical indicator configured to display a numerical value indicative of the amount of charge of the battery <NUM> operatively coupled thereto. For instance, in one such embodiment, the numerical indicator may display "<NUM>%" when the battery <NUM> has <NUM>% charge remaining, "<NUM>%" when the battery <NUM> has <NUM>% charge remaining, etc. In another such embodiment, the numerical indicator may display a range, e.g., "<NUM>%-<NUM>%, when the state of charge of the battery <NUM> falls within said range.

In one embodiment, the indicator device may include at least one light source (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED)) having a light output characteristic indicative of the amount of charge of the battery <NUM> operatively coupled thereto, where the light output characteristic may include a predetermined output color associated with an amount of charge, a predetermined intensity associated with an amount of charge, etc. For instance, in one such embodiment, the light source may output a first color when the battery <NUM> has <NUM>% to <NUM>% charge remaining, a second color when the battery <NUM> has greater than <NUM>% to <NUM>% charge remaining, a third color when the battery <NUM> has greater than <NUM>% to <NUM>% charge, and a fourth color when the battery <NUM> has greater than <NUM>% to <NUM>% charge remaining. Similarly, the light source may output a first intensity of light when the battery <NUM> has <NUM>% to <NUM>% charge remaining, a second intensity of light when the battery <NUM> has greater than <NUM>% to <NUM>% charge remaining, a third intensity of light when the battery <NUM> has greater than <NUM>% to <NUM>% charge, and a fourth intensity of light color when the battery <NUM> has greater than <NUM>% to <NUM>% charge remaining.

In one embodiment, the indicator device may include a plurality of light sources (e.g., LEDs), wherein the amount of charge of the battery <NUM> operatively coupled thereto is indicated by the number of light sources that simultaneously emit light. For instance, in one embodiment, the indicator device may include five light sources, where <NUM> emitting light emitting light indicates <NUM> to <NUM>% state of charge, <NUM> emitting lights indicates greater than <NUM>% to <NUM>% charge, <NUM> emitting light indicates greater than <NUM>% charge to <NUM>% charge, <NUM> emitting light indicates greater than <NUM>% to <NUM>% charge, and <NUM> emitting light indicates greater than <NUM>% to <NUM>% charge. Any number of light sources may be provided, which may determine the precision of the percentage ranges that can be used to indicate the state of charge of the battery <NUM>.

It is important to note that the aforementioned ranges of charge indicated by the indicator device are not limiting in any way, and may be set to any suitable range (e.g., ranges covering increments of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.).

In one embodiment, the indicator device of each battery <NUM> may be positioned on an external surface of the device (e.g., a UAV).

In one embodiment, the indicator device of each battery <NUM> may be positioned on an external surface of the housing <NUM> of its respective battery <NUM>. This external surface of the housing <NUM> may remain visible/exposed to a user of the device (e.g., a UAV) such that the user can observe the general status of the battery <NUM>. In one embodiment, the indicator device may indicate the general status of the battery <NUM> to which it is operatively coupled when said battery <NUM> is physically connected to the device. In one embodiment, the indicator device may indicate the general status of the battery <NUM> to which it is operatively coupled even when said battery <NUM> is not physically connected to the device.

While also not shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> may include an optional power measurement device operatively coupled to each of the batteries <NUM>. The power measurement device may be configured to calculate the charge of the batteries <NUM>. For instance, in one embodiment, the power measurement device may include, for each battery <NUM>, a voltage sensing device (e.g., a resistor) configured to collect/sample the voltage of the respective battery <NUM> during discharge thereof. The power measurement device may thus be configured to obtain, for each battery <NUM>, the collected/sampled voltage by the voltage sensing device, calculate the current from the collected/sampled voltage, and calculate the state of charge of the battery <NUM> using integration. In one embodiment, the voltage sensing device may be positioned between its respective battery <NUM> and a switch configured to control one or more conducting states of the battery <NUM>.

In an alternative embodiment, the control unit <NUM> and/or BMS <NUM> of <FIG> may be configured to calculate the current charge of each battery <NUM> in lieu of, or in addition to, the optional power measurement device. For instance, in one such embodiment, the control unit <NUM> and/or BMS <NUM> may be coupled to the voltage sensing device, and configured to obtain, for each battery <NUM>, the collected/sampled voltage by the voltage sensing device, calculate the current from the collected/sampled voltage, and calculate the state of charge of the battery <NUM> using integration.

In some embodiments, the optional power measurement device, the control unit <NUM>, and/or BMS <NUM> may be configured to covert analog signals to digital signals (e.g., via an analog to digital converter unit) to thereby obtain the voltage collected/sampled by the aforementioned voltage sensing device, and calculate the current according to Ohm's law (i.e., I = V/R, where I represents current, V represents voltage, and R represents resistance. The optional power measurement device and/or the control unit <NUM> may further be configured to determine charge from the calculated current according to the formula Q = I * t, wherein Q represents charge, I represents the current, and t represents time. The power measurement device, the control unit <NUM> and/or the BMS <NUM> may be configured to obtain a signal (e.g., corresponding to the voltage collected/sampled during discharge of the battery <NUM>) from the voltage sensing device at predetermined intervals, such as once every t. The current charge (Qc) associated with a battery <NUM> may be calculated according to the formula: Qc = Q<NUM> + Q<NUM>, where Q<NUM> is the initial charge of the battery <NUM>, and Q<NUM> is the change in charge during the charge/discharge of the battery <NUM> (Q<NUM> = ΣI*t). The percentage of the current charge of the battery <NUM> may therefore be calculated by dividing the current charge, Qc, by the total charge capacity of the battery <NUM>.

As noted previously, a separate indicator device may be operatively coupled to each battery <NUM> showing the status of the battery. In one embodiment, each indicator device may also be operatively coupled to the power supply circuit <NUM>, the control unit <NUM>, and/or the optional power measurement device.

In one embodiment, the system <NUM> may include a separate indicator input element (not shown in <FIG>) for each indicator device. Each separate indicator input element may be operatively coupled to its respective indicator device and configured to control a power-on state or a power-off state thereof. The power-on state of an indicator device corresponds to a state in which the indicator device is currently indicating the general status of its respective battery <NUM>, whereas the power-off state of the indicator device corresponds to a state in which the indicator device is not indicating the general status of its respective battery <NUM>. For instance, activation of the indicator input element, e.g., by a user, may send a signal to the indicator device to display the current charge of the battery <NUM> operatively coupled to the indicator device. Such activation of the indicator input element, however, does not cause the battery to be in a power-on state in which the battery is capable of providing current to the device, and particularly the control unit thereof, or cause the battery to actively supply any voltage to said device.

In some embodiments, the indicator input element may be a button switch, a mechanical switch, a key switch, a potentiometer, a sensor, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the indicator input element may be a sensor selected from the group consisting of: a pressure sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, an electrostatic sensor, a capacitive touch sensor, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the indicator input element may be activated directly by a user, e.g., by the user manually interacting with the power input element (e.g., pressing a button, flipping a switch, turning a knob or dial, touching a touch interface, speaking into a microphone, etc.). In some embodiments, the indicate input element is remotely activated, such as via a remote control device.

As indicated previously, the system <NUM> may include one or more electronic switches for controlling the voltage output (i.e., the safety/low and operating/high voltage output) of the battery. These switches may be operatively coupled to the power supply circuit <NUM> and the power supply <NUM>. For instance, each of the batteries <NUM> may be operatively coupled to at least one switch for controlling the power and/or conducting state thereof. Such electronic switches may utilize solid state electronics to control charge and discharge of the battery coupled thereto. In one embodiment, the electronic switches have no moving parts and/or does not utilize an electromechanical device (e.g., as in conventional relays or switches with moving parts). The electronic switches may each optionally have a binary state (e.g., they may be in a switched-on state or a switched-off state). The electronic switches may comprise field effect transistors, a solid state relay, a power transistor, an insulated gate bipolar transistor, or other suitable switches as would be apparent to skilled artisans upon reading the present disclosure. For each battery <NUM>, at least one electronic switch for controlling operation thereof may be located between the battery <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>. In some embodiments, the electronic switches may be operated/controlled by the control unit <NUM> and/or the BMS <NUM>.

As also indicated previously, and as shown in <FIG>, the power supply circuit <NUM> includes a battery management system (BMS) <NUM>. In one embodiment, each of the batteries <NUM> may be independently coupled to a separate BMS <NUM>. Alternatively, each of the batteries <NUM> may be coupled to the same BMS <NUM>, in one embodiment.

The BMS <NUM> is configured to communicate with the control unit <NUM>. For instance, in one embodiment, the BMS <NUM> may be configured to transmit one or more electrical characteristics associated with each battery <NUM> to the control unit <NUM>. The one or more electrical characteristics associated with each battery <NUM> may include the general status of each battery, the state of charge of each battery, the continuous time of use remaining of each battery, etc. It is of note, however, that the control unit <NUM> may be configured to obtain/receive the one or more characteristics associated with each battery <NUM> from the BMS <NUM>, a voltage sensing device as disclosed herein, and/or an optional power measurement device as disclosed herein.

The BMS <NUM> is also configured to receive one or more controlling signals from the control unit <NUM>. The controlling signals may designate a desired conducting state for each battery <NUM> based on the one or more electrical characteristics thereof. The BMS <NUM> may be configured to control the conducting state of each battery <NUM> based on the controlling signals. For instance, the BMS <NUM> may receive, for a particular battery <NUM>, a first controlling signal from the control unit <NUM> designating a conducting-on state of the particular battery <NUM>. In response to receiving this first controlling signal, the BMS <NUM> then causes the particular battery <NUM> to be in the conducting-on state, e.g., by operating an electrical switch operatively coupled to the battery <NUM> and the BMS <NUM>, where the battery <NUM> in the conducting-on state supplies an operating voltage to one or more components <NUM> of the device. Alternatively, the BMS <NUM> may receive, for a particular battery <NUM>, a second controlling signal from the control unit <NUM> designating a conducting-off state of the particular battery <NUM>. In receiving this second controlling signal, the BMS <NUM> may then cause the particular battery <NUM> to be in the conducting-off state by operating the aforementioned electronic switch, where the battery <NUM> in the conducting-off state is unable to, or prevented from, supplying the operating voltage to the one or more components <NUM> of the device.

As discussed previously, and as shown in <FIG>, the power supply circuit <NUM> includes the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may be configured to communicate with each battery <NUM>, e.g. via the BMS <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> may also be configured to obtain one or more electrical characteristics associated with each battery, and send a controlling signal to each battery (e.g., via the BMS <NUM>) to control said battery's conducting state (e.g., a conducting-on, a safety voltage, or a conducting-off state) based on the one or more electrical characteristics thereof. In one embodiment, the controlling signal may either be a first controlling signal designating a conducting-on state of a battery, or a second controlling signal designating a conducting-off state of the battery. Such a configuration in which the control unit <NUM> is configured to send controlling signals to control the specific conducting states of the battery based on the electrical characteristics thereof is useful in preventing a high charge battery from charging a low charge battery which poses a safety risk and/or risks damaging the electrical components of the device.

In one embodiment, the control unit <NUM> may be further configured to determine, for each battery <NUM>, whether the one or more electrical characteristics associated therewith satisfy a predetermined condition prior to sending the controlling signals. In some embodiments, determining whether the one or more electrical characteristics of a particular battery <NUM> satisfies a predetermined condition may involve: determining the battery with the highest voltage; calculating the voltage difference between the battery <NUM> with the highest voltage and the voltage of the particular battery <NUM>; and determining whether the voltage difference is below a predetermined voltage cut-off threshold. In such embodiments, the predetermined condition may thus be satisfied for the particular battery <NUM>, at least in part, when the calculated voltage difference for said battery is below the predetermined voltage cut-off threshold.

In further embodiments, determining whether the one or more electrical characteristics of a particular battery <NUM> satisfies a predetermined condition may involve, in addition to calculating the voltage difference, determining whether charge of the particular battery <NUM> falls within a predetermined range. The predetermined condition may thus be satisfied for the particular battery <NUM>, at least in part, when the charge associated with said battery is within the predetermined range.

In one embodiment, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to send a first controlling signal to each battery <NUM> that satisfies the predetermined condition (e.g., has a voltage difference below a predetermined voltage cut-off threshold and/or a charge within a predetermined range), where the first controlling signal designates a conducting-on state. In one embodiment, the control unit <NUM> may be configured to send a second controlling signal to each battery <NUM> that fails to satisfy the predetermined condition (e.g., has a voltage difference equal to or above the predetermined voltage cut-off threshold and/or a charge outside the predetermined range).

As an example only, consider the case in which the system <NUM> includes battery A, battery B and battery C having voltages of <NUM> V, <NUM> V and <NUM> V, respectively. Assume that the predetermined voltage cut-off threshold is set at <NUM> V. As the voltage difference between battery B and battery C (the battery having the highest voltage) is <NUM> V, which is below the predetermined voltage cut-off threshold of <NUM> V, the control unit <NUM> may send the first controlling signal (designating a conducting-on state) to battery B. In response to receiving the first controlling signal, the conducting-on state of battery B may be initialized/activated such that battery B supplies an operating voltage to one or more components <NUM> of the device. In contrast, as the voltage difference between battery A and battery C (the battery having the highest voltage) is <NUM> V, which is above the predetermined voltage cut-off threshold of <NUM> V, the control unit <NUM> may send the second controlling signal (designating a conducting-off state) to battery A. In response to receiving the second controlling signal, the conducting-off state of battery A may be initialized/activated such that battery A is unable to supply an operating voltage to one or more components <NUM> of the device. Yet in another example, in the event when the voltage difference between battery A and battery C is above the predetermined voltage cut-off threshold, battery C which has the lowest voltage can be turned off while keeping batteries A and B on. Accordingly, the largest difference between the highest voltage and the lowest one is reduced to be below the threshold.

The control unit <NUM> may be further configured to display an error message indicating each battery that fails to satisfy the predetermined condition. This error message may be displayed via an error indicator device (e.g., a display device such as a screen, a light source, etc.).

Two examples are illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> for controlling the power supply state of a battery pack. In <FIG>, the process <NUM> starts with the optional step <NUM>, pressing one or more indicator switch on the battery pack. At this step, only an indication of charge or voltage is shown, and power is discharged from the batteries. Then, at step <NUM>, the battery pack is placed in the device, and the power switch of the device is switched on, which triggers a battery (primary battery) of the battery pack to supply a safety/low voltage to the control unit of the device (<NUM>). The control unit, in communication with a BMS of each of the batteries, checks to see if the voltage difference is within an acceptable range (<NUM>), and whether each battery has a change that is within an acceptable range (<NUM>). If both conditions are met, then the control unit instructs the BMS to turn on the batteries which will supply an operating/high voltage to the device (<NUM>). Otherwise, an error message is transmitted/displayed and the battery pack does not supply the operating voltage to the device (<NUM>).

Alternatively, in <FIG>, even before the power switch is turned on at the device, the battery pack supplies (or is instructed by the BMS to supply) a safety/low voltage to the control unit as soon as the battery is placed in the device. Briefly, in <FIG>, the process <NUM> starts with the optional step <NUM>, pressing one or more indicator switch on the battery pack. Then, at step <NUM>, the battery pack is placed in the device, and thus the battery pack supplies a safety/low voltage to the control unit of the device (<NUM>). When the power switch of the device is switched on, the control unit, in communication with a BMS of each of the batteries, checks to see if the voltage difference is within an acceptable range (<NUM>), and whether each battery has a change that is within an acceptable range (<NUM>). If both conditions are met, then the control unit instructs the BMS to turn on the batteries which will supply an operating/high voltage to the device (<NUM>). Otherwise, an error message is transmitted/displayed and the battery pack does not supply the operating voltage to the device (<NUM>). Nevertheless, it is noted that any or all of methods disclosed here for controlling the current supply of the batteries can be used to control the current supply of individual battery cores, or groups of batteries.

In one embodiment, the power supply circuit <NUM> may also include at least one separator device (not shown in <FIG>) between each battery <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>. Such a configuration may be advantageous in preventing a large current surge to the power supply circuit <NUM> in embodiments where the batteries <NUM> have different voltages, the power switch of the device and the control unit of the device share the same pathway to the battery, and/or the batteries are prematurely discharged. For instance, in one such embodiment, a battery <NUM> may not be properly installed in the device, yet the control unit <NUM> nonetheless determines the battery to be properly installed (e.g., due to receiving an erroneous in-place signal from an in-place sensor, etc.). The control unit <NUM> may thus believe the battery to be in a power-on state, leading the control unit <NUM> to check and prematurely initialize the battery for supplying power to one or more components <NUM> of the device. The presence of at least one separator device between the battery <NUM> and the control unit <NUM> may therefor help prevent a current surge and damage to the one or more components <NUM>.

In some embodiments, there may be a separator that includes at least two (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.) transistors present between each battery <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>. In one embodiment, there may be from <NUM> to <NUM> transistors (such as transistors <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>) present between each battery <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>. The transistors can be connected in series; can be of the same type of different types, without limitation. In one embodiment, the transistors may include a MOSFET. In one embodiment, the separator devices may include an n-channel MOSFET comprising an insulating layer (e.g., a silicon dioxide insulating layer) having a high resistance. <FIG> illustrates an embodiment in which two n-channel MOSFETs (<NUM> and <NUM>) are located between one of the batteries <NUM> (BAT1_RX) and the control unit (CU) <NUM> (MCU_RX). Also noted in <FIG> are power supply pins (VCC3V3) and grounds (GND) associated with the MOSFETs.

The presence of the separator device(s) between each battery <NUM> and the control unit <NUM> does not impact the signals (e.g., communication and/or safety voltage signals) transmitted therebetween. For instance, <FIG> illustrate an embodiment in which two n-channel MOSFETs are present between a battery <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>, where the signal output of the battery <NUM> (<FIG>) is substantially the same as the signal received at the control unit <NUM> (<FIG>).

As will be appreciated by skilled artisans, one or more aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a "circuit, " "module," "unit" or "system. " Moreover, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in any one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer usable program code embodied thereon.

For instance, in some embodiments, the control unit <NUM> disclosed herein, the BMS <NUM> disclosed herein, the power measurement device disclosed herein, etc. may each include at least one processor such as a programmable processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)). In some embodiments, the control unit <NUM> disclosed herein, the BMS <NUM> disclosed herein, and/or the power measurement device disclosed herein may each be operatively coupled to a non-transitory computer readable medium that can store logic, code, and/or program instructions executable by the respective control unit <NUM>, the BMS <NUM>, and/or the power measurement device for performing one or more steps. The non-transitory computer readable medium can include one or more memory units (e.g., removable media or external storage such as an SD card or random access memory (RAM)).

The device of the present disclosure, in some embodiments, may be part of a movable object (e.g., an UAV). As provided, the movable object may be a driverless car, a car with driving assistance functions, or an UAV. <FIG> is a schematic illustration by way of block diagram of a system <NUM> for controlling the aircraft/UAV, in accordance with some embodiments. The system <NUM> can be used in combination with any suitable embodiment of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. The system <NUM> can include, in addition to a battery pack <NUM> which can be any battery pack of the present disclosure, a sensing module <NUM>, processing unit <NUM>, non-transitory computer readable medium <NUM>, control module <NUM>, and communication module <NUM>.

The sensing module <NUM> can utilize different types of sensors that collect information relating to the aircrafts in different ways. Different types of sensors may sense different types of signals or signals from different sources. For example, the sensors can include inertial sensors, GPS sensors, proximity sensors (e.g., lidar), a radar u nit, or vision/image sensors (e.g., a camera). The sensing module <NUM> can be operatively coupled to a processing unit <NUM> having a plurality of processors. In some embodiments, the sensing module can be operatively coupled to a transmission module <NUM> (e.g., a Wi-Fi image transmission module) configured to directly transmit sensing data to a suitable external device or system. For example, the transmission module <NUM> can be used to transmit images captured by a camera of the sensing module <NUM> to a remote terminal.

The processing unit <NUM> can have one or more processors, such as a programmable processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)). The processing unit <NUM> can be operatively coupled to a non-transitory computer readable medium <NUM>. The non-transitory computer readable medium <NUM> can store logic, code, and/or program instructions executable by the processing unit <NUM> for performing one or more steps. The non-transitory computer readable medium can include one or more memory units (e.g., removable media or external storage such as an SD card or random access memory (RAM)). In some embodiments, data from the sensing module <NUM> can be directly conveyed to and stored within the memory units of the non-transitory computer readable medium <NUM>. The memory units of the non-transitory computer readable medium <NUM> can store logic, code and/or program instructions executable by the processing unit <NUM> to perform any suitable embodiment of the methods described herein. For example, the processing unit <NUM> can be configured to execute instructions causing one or more processors of the processing unit <NUM> to analyze sensing data produced by the sensing module. The memory units can store sensing data from the sensing module to be processed by the processing unit <NUM>. In some embodiments, the memory units of the non-transitory computer readable medium <NUM> can be used to store the processing results produced by the processing unit <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the processing unit <NUM> can be operatively coupled to a control module <NUM> configured to control a state of the aircraft. For example, the control module <NUM> can be configured to control the propulsion mechanisms of the aircraft to adjust the spatial disposition, velocity, and/or acceleration of the aircraft with respect to six degrees of freedom. Alternatively or in combination, the control module <NUM> can control one or more of a state of a carrier, payload, or sensing module.

The processing unit <NUM> can be operatively coupled to a communication module <NUM> configured to transmit and/or receive data from one or more external devices (e.g., a terminal, display device, or other remote controller). Any suitable means of communication can be used, such as wired communication or wireless communication. For example, the communication module <NUM> can utilize one or more of local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), infrared, radio, WiFi, point-to-point (P2P) networks, telecommunication networks, cloud communication, and the like. Optionally, relay stations, such as towers, satellites, or mobile stations, can be used. Wireless communications can be proximity dependent or proximity independent. In some embodiments, line-of-sight may or may not be required for communications. The communication module <NUM> can transmit and/or receive one or more of sensing data from the sensing module <NUM>, processing results produced by the processing unit <NUM>, predetermined control data, user commands from a terminal or remote controller, and the like.

The components of the system <NUM> can be arranged in any suitable configuration. For example, one or more of the components of the system <NUM> can be located on the aircraft, carrier, payload, terminal, sensing system, or an additional external device in communication with one or more of the above. Additionally, although <FIG> depicts a single processing unit <NUM> and a single non-transitory computer readable medium <NUM>, one of skill in the art would appreciate that this is not intended to be limiting, and that the system <NUM> can include a plurality of processing units and/or non-transitory computer readable media. In some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of processing units and/or non-transitory computer readable media can be situated at different locations, such as on the aircraft, carrier, payload, terminal, sensing module, additional external device in communication with one or more of the above, or suitable combinations thereof, such that any suitable aspect of the processing and/or memory functions performed by the system can occur at one or more of the aforementioned locations.

Certain embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods. It is understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, may be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, where such instruction when read and/or executed by the processor of a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions/steps specified in the flowchart and/or block diagrams.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flowchart of a power supplying method <NUM> for a battery is shown according to one embodiment. The method <NUM> may be implemented in combination with other features, systems, and/or other methods described herein, such as those described with reference to other embodiments/aspects. Moreover, the method <NUM> may be used in various applications and/or in permutations, which may or may not be noted in the illustrative embodiments/aspects described herein. For instance, the method <NUM> may be carried out in any desired environment, and may include more or less steps than those described and/or illustrated in <FIG>.

In one embodiment, the method <NUM> may be implemented in/by a system similar and/or substantially the same as system <NUM> of <FIG>. For instance, the method <NUM> may be implemented in/by a system comprising at least one battery operatively coupled to a control unit.

As shown in <FIG>, the method <NUM> includes establishing, for a BMS of a battery, an electric communication with a control unit of a device. See step <NUM>. The electric communication is typically wired, but can also be implemented wirelessly.

The method <NUM> also includes receiving a controlling signal from the control unit. See step <NUM>. Optionally, prior to the above step, the method <NUM> further includes providing electrical characteristics of the battery to the control unit. As disclosed herein, the controlling signal designates a conducting-on state or a conducting-off state of the battery, where the conducting-on state is a state in which the battery supplies an operating voltage (e.g., about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V) to one or more components of a device, and the conducting-off state is a state in which the battery is prevented from supplying the operating voltage to the one or more components of the device.

In one embodiment, the one or more components of the device may comprise at least a propulsion unit configured to provide a driving force to the device. In one embodiment, the aforementioned device is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The method <NUM> further includes determining the supply of current from the one or more battery cores, and providing a low (safety) or high (operating) voltage to the device based on the controlling signal. See step <NUM>. In one embodiment, controlling the conducting state of the battery based on the controlling signal may comprise operating a switch that controls the conducting-on state or the conducting-off state of the battery. For instance, in one such embodiment, the method <NUM> includes operating a switch such that the battery is in the conducting-on state and supplying the operating voltage to the one or more components of a device in response to receiving a first controlling signal designating the conducting-on state of the battery. In another such embodiment, the method <NUM> includes operating the switch such that the battery is in the conducting-off state and thereby prevented from supplying the operating voltage to the one or more components of the device in response to receiving a second controlling signal designating the conducting-off state of the battery.

In one embodiment, the method <NUM> may further comprise receiving an input signal from a power switch of the device, and controlling the battery to supply a safety voltage (e.g., about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V) to the control unit of the device in response to receiving the input signal.

Alternatively, in one embodiment, the battery automatically supplies a safety voltage to the control unit of the device in response to being physically connected to the device.

In one embodiment, one or more of the aforementioned steps in method <NUM> may be performed by a battery management system operatively coupled to the battery, the control unit, and the device.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flowchart of a method <NUM> for controlling a battery is shown according to one embodiment. The method <NUM> may be implemented in combination with other features, systems, and/or other methods described herein, such as those described with reference to other embodiments/aspects. Moreover, the method <NUM> may be used in various applications and/or in permutations, which may or may not be noted in the illustrative embodiments/aspects described herein. For instance, the method <NUM> may be carried out in any desired environment, and may include more or less steps than those described and/or illustrated in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the method <NUM> includes establishing communication with at least one battery. See step <NUM>.

The method <NUM> also includes obtaining one or more electrical characteristics of the battery. See step <NUM>. In one embodiment, the electrical characteristics of the battery may correspond to a general status of the battery, a charge of the battery, percentage of the state of charge thereof, the continuous time of use remaining thereof, etc..

The method <NUM> further includes determining, based on the electrical characteristics, a controlling signal to set a power supply state for the one or more batteries. See step <NUM>. As disclosed herein, the controlling signal sent to the battery designates a conducting-on state or a conducting-off state of the battery, where the conducting-on state of the battery is a state in which the battery supplies an operating voltage (e.g., about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V) to one or more components of the device, and the conducting-off state of the battery is a state in which the battery is prevented from supplying the operating voltage to the one or more components of the device. In some embodiments, the controlling signal includes further details specifying the level of voltage supplied from the battery.

In one embodiment, the method <NUM> includes determining whether the one or more electrical characteristics of the battery satisfy a predetermined condition prior to sending the controlling signal thereto. In one embodiment, the predetermined condition may be satisfied, at least in part, when the difference between the voltage of the battery and the highest battery voltage associated with the device is below a predetermined threshold. In one embodiment, the predetermined condition may be satisfied, at least in part, when the battery has a charge within a predetermined range.

In one embodiment, the method <NUM> may include sending a first controlling signal to the battery in response to determining that the battery satisfies the predetermined condition, the first controlling signal designating the conducting-on state. In one embodiment, the method <NUM> may include sending a second controlling signal to the battery in response to determining that the battery fails to satisfy the predetermined condition, the second controlling signal designating the conducting-off state.

In one embodiment in which it is determined that the battery does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the method <NUM> may include displaying an error message indicating that said battery failed to satisfy the predetermined condition. The error message may be displayed on a display device, a light source, etc. operatively coupled to the device and visible to a user.

In one embodiment, the method <NUM> may further include receiving a safety voltage (e.g., about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V) from the battery. In some embodiments, the safety voltage is received from the battery in response to the battery being physically connected to the device. In some embodiments, the safety voltage is received from the battery in response to the battery receiving an input signal from a power switch operatively coupled to the device. In another example, the low (safety) voltage can be provided in response to a controlling signal from the control unit and/or the BMS.

In one embodiment, one or more of the aforementioned steps of method <NUM> may be performed by a control unit operatively coupled to the battery and the device.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flowchart of a method <NUM> of communicating between a battery management system (BMS) and a control unit is shown according to one embodiment. The method <NUM> may be implemented in combination with other features, systems, and/or other methods described herein, such as those described with reference to other embodiments/aspects. Moreover, the method <NUM> may be used in various applications and/or in permutations, which may or may not be noted in the illustrative embodiments/aspects described herein. For instance, the method <NUM> may be carried out in any desired environment, and may include more or less steps than those described and/or illustrated in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the BMS receives an input signal from a power input element (power switch) of the device at step <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the BMS controls a battery to supply a safety voltage (e.g., about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V) to the control unit in response to receiving the input signal from the power switch, wherein the battery is operatively coupled to the BMS.

At step <NUM>, the BMS and control unit communicate, and the control unit obtains one or more electrical characteristics of the battery operatively coupled to the BMS at step <NUM>. In one embodiment, the electrical characteristics of the battery (e.g., of the battery as a whole, or each enclosed battery core individually) may correspond to a general status of the battery, a charge of the battery, percentage of the state of charge thereof, the continuous time of use remaining thereof, etc. In one embodiment, the control unit may obtain the one or more electrical characteristics via the communication with the BMS, via communication with a voltage sensing device as disclosed herein, and/or via communication with a power measurement device as disclosed herein.

At step <NUM>, the control unit determines whether the one or more electrical characteristics of the battery satisfy a predetermined condition. In one embodiment, the predetermined condition may be satisfied, at least in part, when the difference between the voltage of the battery and the highest battery voltage associated with the device is below a predetermined threshold. In one embodiment, the predetermined condition may be satisfied, at least in part, when the battery has a charge within a predetermined range.

If the control unit determines that the one or more electrical characteristics of the battery satisfy the predetermined condition, then control unit sends the first controlling signal to the BMS, wherein the first controlling signal designates a conducting-on state of the battery at step <NUM>. The conducting-on state of the battery is a state in which the battery supplies an operating voltage (e.g., about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V) to one or more components of the device. At step <NUM>, the BMS, in response to receiving the first controlling signal, operates a switch operatively coupled to the battery to place said battery in the conducting-on state.

If the control unit determines that the one or more electrical characteristics of the battery does not satisfy the predetermined condition, then the control unit sends a second controlling signal to the BMS, wherein the second controlling signal designates a conducting-off state of the battery at step <NUM>. The conducting-off state of the battery is a state in which the battery is unable to supply the operating voltage to one or more components of the device. At step <NUM>, the BMS, in response to receiving the second controlling signal, operates a switch operatively coupled to the battery to place said battery in the conducting-off state.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flowchart of a method <NUM> for communicating between a battery management system (BMS) and a control unit is shown according to another embodiment. The method <NUM> may be implemented in combination with other features, systems, and/or other methods described herein, such as those described with reference to other embodiments/aspects. Moreover, the method <NUM> may be used in various applications and/or in permutations, which may or may not be noted in the illustrative embodiments/aspects described herein. For instance, the method <NUM> may be carried out in any desired environment, and may include more or less steps than those described and/or illustrated in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, a battery is connected to a device, and automatically supplies a safety voltage (e.g., about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V) to the control unit of the device at step <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, the control unit receives an input signal from a power switch of the device. At step <NUM>, in response to receiving the input signal from the power switch, the control unit communicates with the BMS and obtains one or more electrical characteristics of the battery, which is operatively coupled to the BMS. It is to be understood, however, that the BMS's can also be configured to communication with each other and coordinate the supply of power from the batteries, with or without the further assistance of the control unit. In one embodiment, the electrical characteristics of the battery may correspond to a general status of the battery, a charge of the battery, percentage of the state of charge thereof, the continuous time of use remaining thereof, etc. In one embodiment, the control unit may obtain the one or more electrical characteristics via the communication with the BMS, and/or via communication with a voltage sensing device as disclosed herein and/or a power measurement device as disclosed herein.

At step <NUM>, the control unit determines whether the one or more electrical characteristics of the battery satisfy a predetermined condition. In one embodiment, the predetermined condition may be satisfied, at least in part, when the difference between the voltage of the battery and the highest battery voltage associated with the movable platform is below a predetermined threshold. In one embodiment, the predetermined condition may be satisfied, at least in part, when the battery has a charge within a predetermined range.

If the control unit determines that the one or more electrical characteristics of the battery satisfies the predetermined condition, then the control unit sends the first controlling signal to the BMS, wherein the first controlling signal designates a conducting-on state of the battery at step <NUM>. The conducting-on state of the battery is a state in which the battery supplies an operating voltage (e.g., about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V) to one or more components of the device. At step <NUM>, the BMS, in response to receiving the first controlling signal, operates a switch operatively coupled to the battery to place said battery in the conducting-on state.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flowchart of a method <NUM> for controlling one or more batteries according to one embodiment. The method <NUM> may be implemented in combination with other features, systems, and/or other methods described herein, such as those described with reference to other embodiments/aspects. Moreover, the method <NUM> may be used in various applications and/or in permutations, which may or may not be noted in the illustrative embodiments/aspects described herein. For instance, the method <NUM> may be carried out in any desired environment, and may include more or less steps than those described and/or illustrated in <FIG>.

In one embodiment, the method <NUM> may be implemented in/by a system similar and/or substantially the same as system <NUM> of <FIG>. For instance, the method <NUM> may be implemented in/by a system comprising at least one battery operatively coupled to a control unit. As shown in <FIG>, the method <NUM> includes establishing, for a control unit of a device, communication with the one or more batteries adapted to supply current to the device; obtaining one or more electrical characteristics of each battery; and determining, based on the electrical characteristics, a controlling signal to set a power supply state (e.g., operating voltage, safety voltage or no voltage) for the one or more batteries. See steps <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flowchart of a method <NUM> for supplying power to a system according to one embodiment. The method <NUM> may be implemented in combination with other features, systems, and/or other methods described herein, such as those described with reference to other embodiments/aspects. Moreover, the method <NUM> may be used in various applications and/or in permutations, which may or may not be noted in the illustrative embodiments/aspects described herein. For instance, the method <NUM> may be carried out in any desired environment, and may include more or less steps than those described and/or illustrated in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the method <NUM> includes placing, into a system, a battery compartment comprising a plurality of batteries, each comprising a battery management system (BMS) and one or more battery cores, wherein each battery is adapted to supply current to the system (<NUM>) ; and causing a control unit adapted to electronically communicate with each BMS to: obtain one or more electrical characteristics of each battery; and determine, based on the electrical characteristics, a controlling signal to set a power supply state for the one or more batteries (<NUM>).

Likewise, a method of turning off the power supply from a battery pack is provided as illustrated in <FIG>. The method, in this embodiment, entails receiving, at a battery management system (BMS) electrically connected to the one or more battery cores, a signal selected from (a) a termination signal from a control unit of a device to which the battery is adapted to supply power, (b) a power-off signal from a power switch of the device, or (c) an absence of an in-place signal (e.g., failure of detect an in-place signal within a predetermined time period) indicating the battery is not connected to the device (<NUM>). The method then also includes configuring the battery to stop supplying current at an operating voltage to the device (<NUM>).

Now referring to <FIG>, a flow chart of a method <NUM> for estimating the total charge of a battery. At step <NUM>, the method includes receiving, at a control unit of a device, through one or more pathways to a battery compartment comprising two or more batteries, one or more electrical characteristics of each battery. At step <NUM>, the method determines, based at least in part on the one or more electrical characteristics, a total charge of the battery compartment when at least a first of the batteries fails to report the charge thereof.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are further provided in the claims attached herein and summarized below. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a battery for supplying current to a device, comprising one or more battery cores; and a battery management system (BMS) electrically connected to the one or more battery cores and configured to receive a controlling signal from a control unit of the device; and control the one or more battery cores to supply current to the device based on the controlling signal.

In some embodiments, the battery is configured to constantly supply current at a safety voltage. In some embodiments, the battery is configured to supply current at a safety voltage upon connection to the device. In some embodiments, the supply of current at the safety voltage is in response to a switch action on the battery or on the device. In some embodiments, the supply of current at the safety voltage is not determined by the BMS. In some embodiments, the supply of current at the safety voltage is determined by the BMS according to the controlling signal.

In some embodiments, the battery further comprises a housing enclosing the one or more battery cores and the BMS. In some embodiments, the BMS is configured, according to the controlling signal, to determine to supply current at an operating voltage. In some embodiments, the BMS is further configured, according to the controlling signal, to determine to not supply current. In some embodiments, the BMS determines to supply current at the operating voltage when the controlling signal comprises a command for the battery to supply current to the device to conduct an operation. In some embodiments, the operation comprising physical movement of the device.

In some embodiments, the operating voltage is from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V. In some embodiments, the safety voltage is from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V. The battery comprises separate pathways for supplying the operating voltage and the safety voltage.

In some embodiments, the BMS is further configured to examine whether the battery is connected to the device. In some embodiments, the BMS is configured to receive an in-place signal indicating connection of the battery to the device. In some embodiments, the signal is received from an electrode, a touch pin or a button in the battery. In some embodiments, the examination is periodic.

In some embodiments, the BMS is further configured to turn off the current at the operating voltage when the examination determines that an established connection is lost. In some embodiments, the in-place signal comprises a direct current signal or a pulse signal from the device. In some embodiments, the BMS is further configured to report one or more electrical characteristics of one or more of the battery cores to the control unit. In some embodiments, the one or more electrical characteristics comprise voltage or state of charge of the battery.

Also provided, in one embodiment, is a method for supplying power to a device, comprising establishing, for a battery management system (BMS) of a battery, an electric communication with a control unit of the device; receiving, at the BMS, a controlling signal from the control unit; and controlling the one or more battery cores to supply current to the device based on the controlling signal.

In another embodiment, provided is a battery management system (BMS) for managing power supply from a battery to a device, comprising a processor, a memory comprising program code which, when executed by the processor, configures the BMS to: establish an electric communication with a control unit of the device; receive a controlling signal from the control unit; and control one or more battery cores to supply current to the device based on the controlling signal.

Yet in another embodiment, provided is a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program code which, when executed by a processor in a battery management system (BMS) of a battery, configures the BMS to: establish an electric communication with a control unit of the device; receive a controlling signal from the control unit; and control one or more battery cores to supply current to the device based on the controlling signal.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a movable platform, comprising: one or more propulsion units configured to provide a driving force to the movable platform; and a control unit operatively coupled to the one or more propulsion units and configured to: communicate with a plurality of batteries adapted to supply current to the one or more propulsion units; obtain one or more electrical characteristics of each of the plurality of batteries; and determine, based on the electrical characteristics, a controlling signal to set a power supply state for at least one of the plurality of batteries.

In some embodiments, the control unit is configured to operate under a safety voltage from the battery. In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to determine whether the one or more electrical characteristics satisfy a predetermined condition. In some embodiments, the predetermined condition is satisfied, at least in part, when the maximum difference among the voltages of the plurality of batteries is below a predetermined threshold.

In some embodiments, the predetermined condition is satisfied, at least in part, when the state of charge of the plurality of batteries are within a predetermined range. In some embodiments, the one or more electrical characteristics comprise a voltage, a charge, or a number of completed charging cycles of each battery. In some embodiments, the voltage is reported by each of the plurality of batteries.

In some embodiments, the one or more electrical characteristics comprise a charging capacity of at least one of the plurality of batteries. In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to estimate the state of charge based at least in part on the charging capacity. In some embodiments, the controlling signal comprises an instruction for each of the plurality of batteries to supply current at an operating voltage if the predetermined condition is satisfied. In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to transmit an error signal if the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

In some embodiments, the movable platform comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In some embodiments, the moveable platform further comprises the plurality of batteries.

In one embodiment, provided is a method for controlling a plurality of batteries, the method comprising: establishing, for a control unit of a device, communication with the plurality of batteries adapted to supply current to the device; obtaining one or more electrical characteristics of each of the plurality of batteries; and determining, based on the electrical characteristics, a controlling signal to set a power supply state for the plurality of batteries.

Still, in one embodiment, provided is a control system for controlling plurality of batteries, comprising a processor, a memory and program code which, when executed by the processor, configures the control system to: establish communication with the plurality of batteries adapted to supply current to a device; obtain one or more electrical characteristics of each of the plurality of batteries; and determine, based on the electrical characteristics, a controlling signal to set a power supply state for the plurality of batteries.

Also provided, in one embodiment, is a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program code which, when executed by a process in a control unit of a device, configures the control to: establish communication with the one or more batteries adapted to supply current to the device; obtain one or more electrical characteristics of each battery; and determine, based on the electrical characteristics, a controlling signal to set a power supply state for the one or more batteries.

Yet the disclosure, in one embodiment, provides a system, comprising: a battery compartment comprising a plurality of batteries, each comprising a battery management system (BMS) and one or more battery cores, wherein each battery is adapted to supply current to the system; and a control unit adapted to electronically communicate with each BMS, wherein the control unit is configured to: obtain one or more electrical characteristics of each battery; and determine, based on the electrical characteristics, a controlling signal to set a power supply state for the one or more batteries.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a power switch. In some embodiments, at least one of the BMS is configured to receive a power-on signal from the power switch and, in response to the power-on signal, configure the respective battery to supply current at a safety voltage to the control unit. In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to request, from each BMS, one or more electrical characteristics for the respective battery. In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to determine whether the electrical characteristics satisfy a predetermined condition. In some embodiments, the predetermined condition comprises a level of the maximum difference among voltages of the one or more batteries.

In some embodiments, the controlling signal comprises an instruction for each of the one or more batteries to supply current at an operating voltage if the predetermined condition is satisfied. In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to transmit an error signal if the predetermined condition is not satisfied. In some embodiments, at least one of the BMS is further configured to receive an in-place signal indicating that the battery compartment is in electrically connected to the system. In some embodiments, the BMS, in response to receiving the in-place signal, configures the respective battery to supply current at a safety voltage to the control unit.

In some embodiments, the control unit is configured to receive a power-on signal from the system and, in response to the power-on signal, request, from each BMS, one or more electrical characteristics for the respective battery. In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to determine whether the electrical characteristics satisfy a predetermined condition. In some embodiments, the predetermined condition comprises a level of the maximum difference among voltages of the one or more batteries.

In some embodiments, the controlling signal comprises an instruction for each of the one or more batteries to supply current at an operating voltage if the predetermined condition is satisfied. In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to transmit an error signal if the predetermined condition is not satisfied. In some embodiments, the device is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Still further, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of supplying power to a system, comprising: securing, into the system, a battery compartment comprising a plurality of batteries, each of the plurality of batteries comprising a battery management system (BMS) and one or more battery cores, wherein each battery is adapted to supply current to the system; and causing a control unit adapted to electronically communicate with the BMS of each of the plurality of batteries to: obtain one or more electrical characteristics of each battery; and determine, based on the electrical characteristics, a controlling signal to set a power supply state for at least one of the plurality of batteries.

In another embodiment, a battery is provided for supplying current to a device, comprising: a housing; one or more battery cores disposed in the housing; and a battery management system (BMS) electrically connected to the one or more battery cores and configured to: receive a signal selected from a group consisting of (a) a termination signal from a control unit of a device to which the battery is adapted to supply power, (b) a power-off signal from a power switch of the device, and (c) an absence of an in-place signal received within a predetermined period of time, indicating the battery is not connected to the device; and configure the battery cores to stop supplying current at an operating voltage to the device.

In some embodiments, the BMS is configured to examine availability of the in-place signal. In some embodiments, the examination is periodic. In some embodiments, the in-place signal comprises a direct current signal or a pulse signal from the device. In some embodiments, the BMS is further configured to keep the battery cores to supply current as a safety voltage. In some embodiments, the BMS is further configured to shut off all current from the battery cores.

Yet another embodiment provides a method for controlling power supply from a battery to a device, comprising: receiving, at a battery management system (BMS) electrically connected to the one or more battery cores, a signal selected from (a) a termination signal from a control unit of a device to which the battery is adapted to supply power, (b) a power-off signal from a power switch of the device, or (c) an absence of an in-place signal received within a predetermined period of time, indicating the battery is not connected to the device; and configuring the battery cores to stop supplying current at an operating voltage to the device.

In one embodiment, provided is a battery management system (BMS) for controlling power supply from one or more battery cores in a battery to a device, comprising a processor, a memory and program code which, when executed by the processor, configures the BMS to:.

receive a signal selected from (a) a termination signal from a control unit of a device to which the battery is adapted to supply power, (b) a power-off signal from a power switch of the device, or (c) an absence of an in-place signal received within a predetermined period of time, indicating the battery is not connected to the device; and configure the battery cores to stop supplying current at an operating voltage to the device.

Also provided, in one embodiment, is a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program code which, when executed by a processor in a battery management system (BMS) electrically connected to the one or more battery cores, configures the BMS to: receive a signal selected from (a) a termination signal from a control unit of a device to which the battery is adapted to supply power, (b) a power-off signal from a power switch of the device, or (c) an absence of an in-place signal received within a predetermined period of time, indicating the battery is not connected to the device; and configure the battery to stop supplying current at an operating voltage to the device.

A movable platform is provided, in one embodiment, comprising: one or more propulsion units configured to provide a driving force to the movable platform; one or more electric components; a control unit operatively coupled to the one or more propulsion units and the one or more electric components; one or more operating voltage terminals configured to allow a battery, when connected to the platform, to apply an operating voltage on the one or more propulsion units; one or more safety voltage terminals configured to allow the battery to apply a safety voltage to the one or more electric components or the control unit, wherein the one or more operating voltage terminals are not the same as the one or more safety voltage terminals; and one or more communication terminals configured to allow the control unit to communicate with the battery and control the supply of power from the battery to the one or more propulsion units or the one or more electric components.

In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to instruct the battery to supply current to the one or more propulsion units at the operating voltage, after the battery is connected to the movable platform. In some embodiments, the one or more electric components are supplied with current at a safety voltage when the movable platform is connected to the battery. In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to instruct the battery to supply current to the one or more electric components at the safety voltage, after the battery is connected to the movable platform. In some embodiments, the one or more electric components comprises one or more components selected from the group consisting of a flight controller, a positioning unit, a barometer, an image sensor, a wireless communication unit and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the operating voltage is from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V. In some embodiments, the safety voltage is from about <NUM> V to about <NUM> V. In some embodiments, the movable platform further comprises the battery.

In some embodiments, the battery comprises one or more operating voltage terminals for connecting to the one or more operating terminals of the movable platform and configured to supply current at the operating voltage, one or more safety voltage terminals for connected to the one or more safety voltage terminals of the movable platform and configured to supply current at a safety voltage, and one or more communication terminal for connecting to the one or more communication terminals of the movable platform and configured to communicate with the control unit.

Another embodiment of the disclosure provides a battery for supplying current to a device, comprising: a housing; one or more battery cores disposed in the housing; a battery management system (BMS) electrically connected to the one or more battery cores and a plurality of terminals, wherein the terminals comprises: one or more operating voltage terminals configured to allow a battery to apply an operating voltage on the device, one or more safety voltage terminals configured to allow the battery to apply a safety voltage to the device, wherein the one or more operating voltage terminals are not the same as the one or more safety voltage terminals, and one or more communication terminals configured to allow the BMS to communicate with the device and control the supply of power from the battery to the device.

Another embodiment provides a movable platform comprising: a power switch; one or more propulsion units configured to provide a driving force to the movable platform; and a control unit operatively coupled to the one or more propulsion units, wherein the control unit and the power switch are configured to electrically communicate with a battery through a common pathway.

In some embodiments, the movable platform does not include a separate communication pathway between the power switch and the battery. In some embodiments, the movable platform further comprises a connection interface for connecting with the battery. In some embodiments, the connection interface includes a signal connector for the common pathway. In some embodiments, the movable platform further comprises the battery.

Another embodiment provides a battery, comprising: a housing; one or more battery cores disposed in the housing; a battery management system (BMS); and a separator disposed, in series, between the one or more battery cores and a terminal, wherein the separator comprises two or more transistors.

In some embodiments, the separator comprises two transistors, a first transistor and a second transistor, which can be connected in series. The first transistor can be of the same type as the second transistor or can be different. In some embodiments, the two transistors are connected at inverse directions. In some embodiments, the transistors comprise a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET). In some embodiments, the MOSFET is an n-channel MOSFET. In some embodiments, the n-channel MOSFET comprises an insulating layer having a high resistance.

In some embodiments, the insulating layer comprises silicon dioxide. In some embodiments, a signal output from the separator is substantially the same as a signal received at the separator. In some embodiments, the terminal is configured to receive a switch signal from an external device, the switch signal controlling the battery to supply current. In some embodiments, the terminal is configured to enable communication between the BMS and a control unit of the external device.

Another embodiment provides a movable platform comprising: one or more propulsion units configured to provide a driving force to the movable platform; one or more electric components; a control unit operatively coupled to the one or more propulsion units and the one or more electric components, one or more terminals configured to allow the control unit to communicate with the battery and control the supply of power from the battery to the one or more propulsion units or the one or more electric components; and a separator disposed, in series, between the control unit and one of the one or more the terminals, wherein the separator comprises two or more transistors.

In another embodiment, provided is a movable platform, comprising: one or more propulsion units configured to provide a driving force to the movable platform; and a control unit operatively coupled to the one or more propulsion units and configured to: receive, through one or more pathways to a battery compartment comprising two or more batteries, one or more electrical characteristics of each battery; and determine, based at least in part on the one or more electrical characteristics, a state of charge of the battery compartment when at least a first battery of the batteries fails to report the charge thereof.

In some embodiments, at least a second battery of the batteries is able to report the state of charge thereof through a second of the pathways. In some embodiments, the control unit receives the one or more electrical characteristics from the first battery through a first of the pathways. In some embodiments, the one or more electrical characteristics from the first battery comprise a voltage output. In some embodiments, the determination further takes an input a total capacity of each of the batteries. In some embodiments, the movable platform comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

A method is provided, in another embodiment, comprising: receiving, at a control unit of a device, through one or more pathways to a battery compartment comprising two or more batteries, one or more electrical characteristics of each battery; and determining, based at least in part on the one or more electrical characteristics, a state of charge of the battery compartment when at least a first of the batteries fails to report the charge thereof.

In some embodiments, at least a second of the batteries is able to report the state of charge thereof through a second of the pathways. In some embodiments, the control unit receives the one or more electrical characteristics from the first battery through a first of the pathways. In some embodiments, the one or more electrical characteristics from the first battery comprise a voltage output. In some embodiments, the determination further takes an input a total capacity of each of the batteries. In some embodiments, the movable platform comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Another embodiment provides a control system comprising a processor, a memory and program code which, when executed by the processor, configures the control system to: receive, through one or more pathways to a battery compartment comprising two or more batteries, one or more electrical characteristics of each battery; and determine, based at least in part on the one or more electrical characteristics, a state of charge of the battery compartment when at least a first of the batteries fails to report the charge thereof.

Still another embodiment provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program code which, when executed by a processor in a control unit of a device, configures the control unit to: receive, through one or more pathways, to a battery compartment comprising two or more batteries, one or more electrical characteristics of each battery; and determine, based at least in part on the one or more electrical characteristics, a state of charge of the battery compartment when at least a first of the batteries fails to report the charge thereof.

As discussed previously, features of the present invention can be implemented in, using, or with the assistance of a computer program product which is a non-transitory storage medium (media) or a non-transitory computer readable medium (media) having instructions stored thereon/in which can be used to program a processing system to perform any of the features presented herein. The storage medium can include, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical discs, DVD, CD-ROMs, microdrive, and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, DRAMs, VRAMs, flash memory devices, magnetic or optical cards, nanosystems (including molecular memory ICs), or any type of media or device suitable for storing instructions and/or data.

Stored on any one of the machine readable medium (media), features of the present invention can be incorporated in software and/or firmware for controlling the hardware of a processing system, and for enabling a processing system to interact with other mechanism utilizing the results of the present invention. Such software or firmware may include, but is not limited to, application code, device drivers, operating systems and execution environments/containers.

Features of the invention may also be implemented in hardware using, for example, hardware components such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) devices. Implementation of the hardware state machine so as to perform the functions described herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art.

Additionally, the present invention may be conveniently implemented using one or more conventional general purpose or specialized digital computer, computing device, machine, or microprocessor, including one or more processors, memory and/or computer readable storage media programmed according to the teachings of the present disclosure. Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the software art.

The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have often been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) comprising a device and a battery (<NUM>) for supplying current to the device, the battery (<NUM>) being coupled to the device via a first pathway and a second pathway separate from the first pathway, the battery (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
one or more battery cores (<NUM>) disposed in the housing (<NUM>); and
a battery management system, BMS (<NUM>), electrically connected to the one or more battery cores (<NUM>) and configured to:
receive an input signal from a power input element of the device;
in response to receiving the input signal, cause the battery (<NUM>) to supply, via the first pathway, a safety voltage to a control unit (<NUM>) of the device;
communicate with the control unit (<NUM>);
receive a controlling signal from the control unit (<NUM>);
in response to receiving the controlling signal, cause the battery (<NUM>) to be in a conducting-on state to supply, via the second pathway, an operating voltage to one or more components (<NUM>) of the device, the operating voltage being higher than the safety voltage;
receive a signal selected from a group consisting of (a) a termination signal from the control unit (<NUM>), (b) a power-off signal from a power switch of the device, and (c) an absence of an in-place signal received within a predetermined period of time, indicating the battery (<NUM>) is not connected to the device; and
configure the battery cores (<NUM>) to stop supplying current at the operating voltage to the device after receiving the selected signal.