Patent ID: 6856922

Claim:
A battery management system using host processing, comprising: a battery pack circuit housed within a battery pack which includes a rechargeable battery, said battery pack circuit comprising: a temperature sensing circuit which produces an output that varies with the temperature of said battery, a voltage sensing circuit which produces an output that varies with the voltage across said battery, and a first interface means for conveying said temperature sensing circuit output and said voltage sensing circuit output out of said battery pack for calculation of battery status by an external processor, a second interface means housed within a portable computer capable of being powered by said battery pack, said second interface means receiving said temperature sensing circuit output and said voltage sensing circuit output from said battery pack circuit, a battery management circuit housed within said portable computer and external to said battery pack circuit, said battery management circuit comprising a current sensing circuit which produces an output that varies with the current provided to or drawn from said battery pack, a host system which includes at least one processor housed within said portable computer, and a battery management application program which is executed by said host system, said program arranged to receive data representing the outputs of said battery temperature, voltage, and current sensing circuits and to perform all processing of said data required to determine battery status including battery capacity.