Patent ID: 8386102

Claim:
A computer implemented apparatus, comprising: a switching circuit comprising a plurality of relays that are operable to independently switch any of one or more of a plurality of batteries into and out of a motor power circuit; and a processor configured to balance the use of the plurality of batteries; wherein the processor is configured to: receive a throttle position; determine a particular number that indicates how many batteries to switch into the motor power circuit based at least on the throttle position; determine a battery state of charge for each battery of the plurality of batteries; select a number of batteries from the plurality of batteries based on the battery state of charge for said each battery, wherein the number of batteries selected is equal to the particular number of batteries; and switch the selected number of batteries into the motor power circuit; wherein the processor is further configured to: compare the battery state of charge determined for said each battery with the battery state of charge for every other battery of the plurality of batteries; based on comparing the battery state of charge for said each battery, identify a particular battery that has a greatest battery state of charge among the plurality of batteries; and add the particular battery into the motor power circuit by closing a relay associated with the particular battery.