PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10826313-B2
Application Number: US-201614991305-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Power management systems for product demonstration fixtures

Abstract:
Power management systems for an electronic product demonstration fixture for demonstrating portable electronic devices. The product demonstration fixture may include an exhibition portion and a base portion. A portable electronic device offered for sale may be affixed to the exhibition portion. The base portion may include an electronic display, an auxiliary battery, and an auxiliary controller. The auxiliary controller may direct power from the auxiliary battery to the electronic display upon determining that a battery within the electronic display has fallen below a particular selected level. Similarly the auxiliary controller may direct power from the auxiliary battery to the portable electronic device offered for sale upon determining that a battery within the portable electronic device has fallen below a selected level.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A battery control system, comprising:
 a first charger; 
 a second charger; 
 a first battery connected to the first charger; 
 a second battery connected to the first charger; 
 a third battery connected to the second charger; and 
 a controller, 
 wherein the controller controls discharge of the batteries in a discharge sequence that switches connection to an electrical load between the batteries in a sequence that does not include switching directly between batteries connected to the same charger. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the discharge sequence includes, in order:
 connecting the first battery to the electrical load through the first charger, 
 connecting the third battery to the electrical load through the second charger, and then disconnecting the first battery from the electrical load, 
 connecting the second battery to the electrical load through the first charger, and then disconnecting the third battery from the electrical load, and 
 connecting the third battery to the electrical load through the second charger, and then disconnecting the second battery from the electrical load. 
 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fourth battery connected to the second charger,
 wherein the discharge sequence includes, in order:
 connecting the first battery to the electrical load through the first charger, 
 connecting the third battery to the electrical load through the second charger, and then disconnecting the first battery from the electrical load, 
 connecting the second battery to the electrical load through the first charger, and then disconnecting the third battery from the electrical load, and 
 connecting the fourth battery to the electrical load through the second charger, and then disconnecting the second battery from the electrical load. 
 
 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fourth battery connected to the second charger; and 
 a fifth battery connected to a third charger, 
 wherein the discharge sequence includes, in order:
 connecting the first battery to the electrical load through the first charger, 
 connecting the third battery to the electrical load through the second charger, and then disconnecting the first battery from the electrical load, 
 connecting the second battery to the electrical load through the first charger, and then disconnecting the third battery from the electrical load, 
 connecting the fourth battery to the electrical load through the second charger, and then disconnecting the second battery from the electrical load, and 
 connecting the fifth battery to the electrical load through the third charger, and then disconnecting the fourth battery from the electrical load. 
 
 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein switching between batteries in the discharge sequence occurs after a battery connected to the electrical load has drained a predetermined charge amount. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein switching between batteries in the discharge sequence occurs after a battery connected to the electrical load has drained a predetermined percentage of its charge. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the batteries have different capacities. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein charge levels of the batteries remain within a predetermined amount of percentage points of each other throughout the discharge sequence. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined amount of percentage points is 10 percentage points. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the discharge sequence is repeated during discharge of the batteries, and wherein the batteries are drained by the same percentage during each repetition of the discharge sequence. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical load comprises the controller. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical load comprises at least two independent electronic devices. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to at least partially discharge each battery within a predetermined time period. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to charge the first battery, the second battery, and the third battery with power received from a power source. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is configured to charge the first battery and the third battery at the same time. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to monitor the charge levels of the first battery, the second battery, and the third battery, and wherein the controller is configured to control the switching of the batteries during the discharge sequence based the charge levels. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to repeat the discharge sequence as needed to power the electrical load. 
     
     
       18. A retail display system comprising:
 at least two independent electronic devices; 
 the battery control system of  claim 1 ; and 
 a housing configured to be displayed on a tabletop; 
 wherein the at least two electronic devices are displayed by the detail display system, 
 wherein the battery control system is disposed within the housing, and 
 wherein the electrical load comprises the at least two electronic devices. 
 
     
     
       19. A battery control system, comprising:
 a first charger; 
 a second charger; 
 a first battery connected to the first charger; 
 a second battery connected to the first charger; 
 a third battery connected to the second charger; and 
 a controller, 
 wherein the controller is configured to charge the first battery, the second battery, and the third battery with power received from a power source, and wherein the controller is configured to charge the third battery and one of the first battery or the second battery at the same time. 
 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a fourth battery connected to the second charger, and
 wherein the controller controls charging of the batteries in a charging sequence, and wherein the charging sequence includes:
 connecting the first battery to the power source through the first charger, 
 connecting the third battery to the power source through the second charger, 
 disconnecting the first battery and the third battery from the power source, 
 connecting the second battery to the power source through the first charger, 
 connecting the fourth battery to the power source through the second charger, and 
 disconnecting the second battery and fourth battery from the power source. 
 
 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 20 , wherein disconnecting batteries in the charging sequence occurs after a battery connected to the power source has charged to a predetermined charge amount. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller controls discharge of the batteries to power at least two electronic devices being displayed in an interactive retail display unit, and wherein the electrical load is provided by the at least two electronic devices.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/634,145, filed Feb. 27, 2015, and titled “Product Demonstration Fixture for a Portable Electronic Device,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/634,145 claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/946,691, filed Feb. 28, 2014, and titled “Product Demonstration Fixture for a Portable Electronic Device;” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/968,223, filed Mar. 20, 2014, and titled “Product Demonstration Fixture for a Portable Electronic Device;” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/048,206 dated Sep. 9, 2014, and titled “Product Demonstration Fixture for a Portable Electronic Device,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties by reference thereto. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein generally relate to retail product demonstration fixtures, and more particularly, to electronic product demonstration fixtures for demonstrating portable electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Retail customers often value handling, operating, and inspecting electronic devices they are considering for purchase. Traditionally, in-store signage and product demonstration fixtures advertise a selected set of features and capabilities of an electronic device in order to encourage a potential customer to purchase the electronic device. 
     In many cases, the features advertised in-store may represent only a limited subset of the available features of a particular electronic device offered for sale, which in many cases are not the most compelling features relevant to the purchase decision of a particular potential customer. Accordingly, many retail stores dedicate a number of electronic devices for in-store customer demonstration so that a potential customer may handle, operate and inspect the electronic device. 
     In many examples, an in-store demonstration device may be attached to a fixture with a secure tether to prevent or deter theft. For example, a metal cable permanently affixed to an electronic display table may be permanently adhered to an in-store demonstration device. In many cases, the secure tether may detract from the demonstration experience. This problem may be especially undesirable for small form factor electronic devices. 
     In other examples, an electronic device may include features that require communication with another electronic device. For example, a Bluetooth accessory offered for sale may require a separate electronic device, such as a cellular telephone, to operate particular features of the Bluetooth accessory. These features may be desirable to demonstrate to a potential customer considering a purchase. 
     Accordingly, there may be a present need for an improved electronic merchandise display for an electronic device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments described herein may relate to, include, or take the form of an electronic merchandise display for facilitating in-store demonstration of a portable electronic device offered for sale. Certain embodiments may include a base portion and an exhibition portion. The exhibition portion (which may be or include an elevating attachment or fixture) may be adapted to mechanically secure the portable electronic device to the base portion in a position and orientation suitable for in-store demonstration. The base portion may include an electronic display configured for advertising purchase information related to the portable electronic device offered for sale. The electronic display may additionally be configured for providing simulated interaction with the portable electronic device offered for sale. In many embodiments simulated or actual interaction may occur over a physical cable or other tethered connection. 
     Some embodiments described herein may also relate to, include, or take the form of a battery operated electronic merchandise display for facilitating in-store demonstration of a portable electronic device offered for sale. Related embodiments may include an auxiliary battery within a base portion and configured to supply power to an electronic display and the portable electronic device offered for sale. In many embodiments, the battery operated electronic merchandise display may be adapted to operate constantly during business hours of a retail store without requiring recharging. For example, the battery operated electronic merchandise display may be adapted to operate for fourteen hours without recharging, in one embodiment. 
     Some embodiments described herein may also relate to, include, or take the form of methods of positioning and affixing a cover glass relative to a housing. The method may include the operations of positioning the cover glass over the housing, tuning alignment adjusters such that the cover glass and the housing are flush along at least one edge, and locking the alignment adjusters in place. 
     Some embodiments described herein may also relate to, include, or take the form of methods of replacing a first electronic device with a second electronic device on a product demonstration fixture. The method may include the operations of removing a foot portion from a base portion housing, decoupling a first elevating attachment from the base portion, removing the first elevating attachment from the base portion, decoupling a data cable from the elevating attachment and the base portion, inserting a replacement elevating attachment and re-coupling the data cable of the base portion to the replacement exhibition portion, coupling the replacement elevating attachment to the base portion, and re-attaching the foot portion to the base portion. 
     Some embodiments described herein may also relate to, include, or take the form of methods of presenting an electronic device offered for sale. The method may include the operations of affixing the portable electronic device to a base portion including an electronic display, communicably coupling the base portion to the electronic device, and providing a simulated interaction between the electronic device and a portable electronic device simulated on the electronic display. 
     Some embodiments described herein may relate to, include, or take the form of control systems or methods for controlling the charging and/or discharging of batteries for an electronic merchandise display, or other device powered by multiple batteries. The control system or method may include a battery control system including a first charger, a second charger, a first battery connected to the first charger, a second battery connected to the first charger, a third battery connected to the second charger, and a controller configured to control the discharge of the batteries in a discharge sequence that switches connection to an electrical load between the batteries in a sequence that does not include switching directly between batteries connected to the same charger. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will now be made to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front perspective view of an example product demonstration fixture for displaying and anchoring a portable electronic device. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the example product demonstration fixture of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  depicts an exploded side view of the example product demonstration fixture of  FIG. 1  taken along line  3 - 3 . 
         FIG. 4  depicts an example signal flow diagram of the example electronic product demonstration fixture for displaying and anchoring a portable electronic device. 
         FIG. 5A  depicts a side view of a portion of an example product demonstration fixture showing an alignment feature for positioning a cover glass flush with the exterior surface of the housing of the base. 
         FIG. 5B  depicts a bottom view of a portion of an example product demonstration fixture showing two alignment features for positioning a misaligned cover glass flush with the exterior surface of the housing of the base. 
         FIG. 5C  depicts a bottom view of a portion of an example product demonstration fixture showing two alignment features for positioning a cover glass flush with the exterior surface of the housing of the base. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a side view of a portion of an example product demonstration fixture showing a retention feature for retaining a cover glass flush with the exterior surface of the housing of the base. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a front perspective view of an example product demonstration fixture for displaying and anchoring an alternate portable electronic device. 
         FIG. 8  depicts an example flow chart of a method of aligning a cover portion with a housing such that the cover and the housing are flush. 
         FIG. 9  depicts an example flow chart of a method of exchanging an electronic device coupled to a product demonstration fixture. 
         FIG. 10  depicts an example flow chart of a method of simulating interaction between an electronic device offered for sale and a second electronic device included within or simulated by a product demonstration fixture. 
         FIG. 11  depicts an example flow chart of a method of presenting an electronic device offered for sale. 
         FIG. 12  depicts an example flow chart of a method of charging an auxiliary battery of a product demonstration fixture. 
         FIG. 13  depicts an example flow chart of a method of charging an auxiliary battery and an internal battery of an electronic display associated with a product demonstration fixture. 
         FIG. 14  depicts an example flow chart of a method of discharging an auxiliary battery and an internal battery of an electronic display associated with a product demonstration fixture. 
         FIG. 15  shows a power management system according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  shows an exploded view of a product demonstration fixture according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 17 and 18  show a perspective plan view and a side plan view of a product demonstration fixture with an arrangement of batteries according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 19  shows a battery according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 20  shows a battery according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 21  shows a battery according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     The use of the same or similar reference numerals in different figures may indicate similar, related, or identical items. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments described herein may relate to, include, or take the form of a product demonstration fixture for facilitating in-store demonstration of a portable electronic device offered for sale. 
     Certain embodiments include a product demonstration fixture having a base portion and an exhibition portion. The elevating attachment may be adapted to mechanically secure the portable electronic device to the base portion in a position and orientation suitable for in-store demonstration. For example, the elevating attachment may orient the portable electronic device at a presentation angle optimized for viewing by a potential customer standing nearby an electronic display table. In one example in which the base portion, exhibition portion, or electronic device may include a partially reflective surface, the presentation angle may be selected to prevent a potential customer from being distracted by the customer&#39;s own reflection. 
     In certain embodiments, the base portion may include a cover. The cover may be made, for example, from a resilient and aesthetically pleasing material such as glass. The material may be selected, at least in part, based on one or more characteristics of the material that cause the material to be used for continued handling. For example, the material may be resistant to scratches, smudges, or collection of debris. The material may be selected, at least in part to include a texture that is pleasing to a potential customer. For example, in certain embodiments the material may include a low-friction surface that is adapted to allow a potential customer to easily and comfortably slide a finger across the surface. 
     In other examples, a high-friction surface may be desirable to discourage a user from touching certain portions of the cover. In another example, a high-friction surface may be desirable to prevent objects placed on the surface from moving along the surface. For example, a potential customer may place the potential customer&#39;s cellular phone along the cover surface. In such an example, it may be desirable to prevent the customer&#39;s phone from sliding off the cover surface, which may result in the customer&#39;s phone falling to the floor. 
     In this manner, any number of suitable materials and surface features may be used for the cover. One may appreciate that the type and quality of material selected for the cover may vary from embodiment to embodiment. 
     An optically opaque ink layer may be disposed on one or more surfaces of the cover in a pattern. For example, the ink may be disposed on a surface of the cover so as to define an aperture that is not optically obscured. This aperture may be sized to border an electronic display positioned within the base portion and below the cover. In this manner, such an aperture may be referred to as a display window. 
     In another example, an ink layer may be substituted for or supplemented by a colored dopant manufactured within the cover material itself. For example, the cover may incorporate a colored dopant to be partially, substantially, or entirely opaque. In such embodiments, the cover may be manufactured to include an optically transparent display window. 
     In many embodiments, the base portion may include an electronic display positioned below the cover and aligned with the display window. In many examples, the electronic display may include at least a processor, a display stack, and a memory. In still further examples, the electronic display may include a rechargeable battery. 
     In some examples, a display stack may include one or more layers of optically transparent material that may cooperatively provide for an electronically-controllable display adapted to present text, graphics, images, animations, video or other graphical elements to a potential customer. Such a display may be implemented with any suitable technology, including, but not limited to, liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, light emitting diode (LED) technology, organic light-emitting display (OLED) technology, organic electroluminescence (OEL) technology, or another type of display technology. 
     In other examples, the display stack may include one or more layers associated with an input device coupled to the processor. For example, one input device included within the display stack may be a touch-sensitive input device. In this manner, the display stack may take the form of a touch screen. In other examples, the input device may be a force sensor that is configured to detect a force applied to the display stack. In many examples, an input device that detects a touch or force input may be adapted to detect more than one touch of a user. In this manner, the display stack may include a multi-touch sensor so that a customer, or more than one customer, may interact with different portions of the electronic display at the same time. 
     The electronic display may also include a processor configured to dynamically modify the content of the display created by the display stack. In many examples, the processor can be a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or combinations of such devices. In some embodiments, the processor can be circuitry including multiple discrete electronic components that is configured to modify the content of the display created by the display stack. In this manner, as described herein, the term “processor” is meant to encompass electronic circuitry, a single processor, multiple processors, multiple processing units, or other suitably configured computing elements adapted to affect changes to the display created by the display stack. 
     The electronic display may also include a memory coupled to the processor and adapted to store electronic data that can be used by the processor. For example, a memory can store electrical data or content such as, for example, audio and video files, documents and applications, device settings and user preferences, timing signals, data structures or databases, operating systems, firmware, and so on. The memory can be configured as any type of non-transitory or transitory memory such as random access memory, read-only memory, Flash memory, magnetic memory, removable memory, or other types of storage elements, or combinations of such devices. 
     In this manner, the processor and memory may be adapted to cooperate to dynamically vary the content of the display. For example, the processor may change the content of the display in response to instructions stored in the memory. In other examples, the processor may be adapted to vary the content of the electronic display in response to an external signal. External signals may be received by the processor wirelessly, via infra-red, or via a physical cable connection. 
     In certain further embodiments, the electronic display may be at least partially self-enclosed when assembled within the housing of the base. In other words, the electronic display may be a fully self-contained electronic device having a display that is entirely integrated with the base portion during assembly of the base portion. By way of example, the electronic display may be an off-the-shelf tablet computing device. In such an example, the tablet device may be removed from its housing (or otherwise manufactured without a housing), and may be integrated within the base portion during assembly of the base portion. 
     Further embodiments may include a removable electronic display. For example, the base portion may disassemble such that the electronic display may be removed and replaced from time to time. Some embodiments may include an electronic display that is removable without disassembling the base portion of the product demonstration fixture. For example, the base portion may include a slot or track into which the electronic display may be inserted. Later if replacement or substitution of the electronic display is required or desired, the electronic display may be removed. 
     Accordingly, a dynamically configurable product demonstration fixture may be formed by integrating, either temporarily or permanently, an electronic display below a cover affixed to a base portion. Thus, the product demonstration fixture may be used to advertise a plurality of features and configurations of an electronic device offered for sale. 
     In these and related embodiments, the product demonstration fixture may be configured to provide and present purchase information related to the portable electronic device offered for sale. Purchase information may include price, availability, configuration options, colors, accessories, compatible third party applications or devices, and the like. The product demonstration fixture may present the purchase information on the display as an image, text, animation, presentation, or any combination of the like. In many examples, the potential customer may interact with the purchase information. For example, a customer considering purchase may touch the product demonstration fixture in order to instruct the product demonstration fixture to change the information presented on the display. 
     Customer interaction with the product demonstration fixture may be facilitated at least in part by the processor of the electronic display. In one example, the processor may present pricing information on the display along with an instruction for the potential customer to touch an area of the display if the customer desires more information related to price. Upon receiving an indication that the potential customer has touched the area, the processor may present additional pricing information on the display of the product demonstration fixture. 
     In many examples, purchase information presented by the product demonstration fixture may be changed from time to time with or without interaction by a potential customer. For example, the product demonstration fixture may present pricing information for a selected period of time before changing to present product availability information. In many examples, a product demonstration fixture may be adapted to provide an aesthetically pleasing animation upon transitioning between presentations of different purchase information. 
     In many embodiments, the product demonstration fixture may mimic a portable electronic device that interacts with the portable electronic device offered for sale. For example, the portable electronic device offered for sale may be an accessory device such as a Bluetooth headset. The product demonstration fixture in this example may mimic a cellular telephone that is adapted to interact with the Bluetooth headset offered for sale. In such an example, the customer considering purchase may desire to experience a plurality of interaction use cases between the cellular phone and the Bluetooth accessory. In such an example, the product demonstration fixture may imitate the cellular telephone such that the potential customer may experience the process of connecting the accessory to the cellular phone prior to purchase. In other examples, the potential customer may desire to experience the interaction of the two devices during the process of receiving a telephone call or a text message, or any number of other possible interaction use cases. 
     The product demonstration fixture may be configured to mimic or otherwise simulate a plurality of interaction use cases with a plurality of electronic devices. For example, a potential customer considering purchase may be able to select among a plurality of cellular phones for the electronic display to mimic. For example, a user considering purchase may be presented with a menu or other graphical user interface for selecting an electronic device for the product demonstration fixture to mimic. In one example, the customer may select an electronic device that the customer is already familiar with. In this manner, the customer may be able to test and inspect various use cases of the portable electronic device offered for sale prior to purchase. 
     As noted above, the electronic display may, in some embodiments, be an off-the-shelf item that a potential customer may have familiarity with. In this example, the product demonstration fixture includes, and thus does not need to imitate or mimic, a portable electronic device that is configured to interact with the portable electronic device offered for sale. In such an embodiment, the electronic display may directly interact with the portable electronic device offered for sale because the electronic display is (and thus need not simulate) an electronic device configured for interaction. 
     To facilitate communication between the electronic display and the portable electronic device offered for sale, certain embodiments may include an auxiliary controller board within the product demonstration fixture. The auxiliary controller board may be communicably coupled to the processor of the electronic display and to the portable electronic device offered for sale. In many embodiments, the communicative coupling may be through a physical connection such as a data cable or, in some embodiments, may be through a wireless connection such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or another wireless communication mechanism. In certain further embodiments, the communicative coupling between the electronic device and the auxiliary controller board may be through a combination of wireless and physical connections. For example in certain embodiments, a wireless connection may be unsuitable due to interference and latency concerns. In these examples, a wireless connection may be optionally disabled in favor of a physical connection that is not subject to interference or latency. 
     In some embodiments, the product demonstration fixture may be coupled to a power supply. The auxiliary controller board may distribute power from the power supply to the electronic display and to the portable electronic device offered for sale. In this manner, the auxiliary controller board may serve a secondary function of power distribution, monitoring, and management. In some examples, the power supply may be a battery or, in some embodiments, an external power supply. In many examples, the battery may be enclosed within the housing of the base of the product demonstration fixture. 
     In many cases, the internal battery may be recharged by connecting the product demonstration fixture to an external power supply. In other examples, the product demonstration fixture may not include an internal battery. In such a case, the auxiliary controller board may receive and distribute power from the external power supply. 
     As described above, the product demonstration fixture may be used by a retail store in order to demonstrate a plurality of features of a portable electronic device offered for sale. For embodiments including an internal battery within the base of the product demonstration fixture, the internal battery may be selected having a capacity equal or greater than the operating hours of a retail store. 
     For example, the internal batteries may be large enough to provide power to the base portion, electronic display, processor, and the portable electronic device offered for sale for twelve to fourteen hours. The recharging of the internal battery may be facilitated at least in part by the auxiliary controller board. 
     As noted above, the auxiliary controller board may be communicably coupled to the electronic display and to the portable electronic device offered for sale. In this manner, communication between the electronic display and portable electronic device offered for sale may be achieved. For example, communication between the two devices may be desirable during a customer-selected interaction use case. 
     These embodiments may include a thin data cable coupled between the auxiliary controller board and the portable electronic device offered for sale. In many examples the data cable may be at least partially concealed from the customer by the elevating attachment of the product demonstration fixture. In certain cases, the data cable may communicably couple the electronic display to the portable electronic device offered for sale via the auxiliary controller board. In this manner, the auxiliary controller board may facilitate communication between the portable electronic device offered for sale and the electronic display, such as communication related to the simulated interaction use cases described above. 
     For one example, to simulate an incoming phone call between a mimicked cellular phone and a Bluetooth accessory device, the electronic display may send a signal via the data cable to the accessory, instructing the Bluetooth accessory to simulate an incoming phone call. If a potential customer considering purchase interacts with the Bluetooth accessory to accept the simulated incoming call, the Bluetooth accessory may send a signal via the data cable back to the electronic display, instructing the electronic display to simulate an accepted incoming phone call on the mimicked cellular phone. 
     In still further examples the data cable may also be adapted to provide power to the portable electronic device offered for sale. In many examples, the auxiliary controller board may be configured to provide power to the electronic device via the data cable. 
     Certain further embodiments may use well-known and familiar connectors for the data cable. Still some embodiments may use the same connectors to provide all circuit-to-circuit connections within the product demonstration fixture. For example, the data cable may include a male Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) connector for coupling to a circuit board associated with the auxiliary controller board. Similarly, the electronic display may couple to the same circuit board using a male USB connector. 
     In this manner, familiar connectors may allow for improved assembly times as well as improved repair times in both a retail and manufacturing environment. In such an example, the expertise required of a retail employee tasked with assembling a product demonstration fixture is substantially reduced. Similarly, if a retail employee is tasked with replacing or substituting the portable electronic device offered for sale associated with a particular product demonstration fixture, familiar connectors may reduce the possibility that the retail employee will require advanced training to assemble or disassemble the product demonstration fixture. 
     One may appreciate that although examples provided herein may relate to cellular telephones and accessory devices, other simulated interactions are contemplated and may vary from embodiment to embodiment. For example, the electronic display may be configured for mimicking or simulating a tablet computer, a personal computer, an accessory device, personal digital assistants, tablet computers, laptop computers, track pads, wearable devices, health devices, sports accessory devices, peripheral input devices, and so on. 
     Similarly, the portable electronic device offered for sale and affixed to the elevating attachment of the product demonstration fixture may also be a tablet computer, a personal computer, an accessory device, personal digital assistants, tablet computers, laptop computers, track pads, wearable devices, health devices, sports accessory devices, peripheral input devices, and so on. 
     In many examples, the portable electronic device offered for sale may be rigidly secured to the base of the product demonstration fixture with an exhibition feature. In certain embodiments, a secure fixture may rigidly couple the portable electronic device to the base portion of the product demonstration fixture. The coupling may be accomplished by any number of suitable mechanical means. For example, screws, pins, or adhesives may be used to attach the portable electronic device to the exhibition portion, which in turn may be similarly affixed to the base portion. 
     In certain embodiments, the elevating attachment may be permanently affixed to the base portion. In some embodiments, the elevating attachment may be removably affixed to the base portion. In such an example, an elevating attachment may be removed, substituted, or replaced from time to time. 
     In still further embodiments that product demonstration fixture may include an external data connection. The data connection may couple to the auxiliary controller board or to one or both of the electronic display and the portable electronic device. In certain examples, the external data connection may provide updates to the systems to which it is connected. For example, in one embodiment, a software or firmware update may be pushed via the external data connection through the auxiliary controller board to the portable electronic device offered for sale. In this manner, a display model may always include the same software experience as the portable electronic devices available for retail purchase. 
     In other examples, the external data connection may be adapted to update the information stored by the memory of the electronic display. For example, in certain cases, the external data connection may provide for price updates, sale information updates, availability updates, or general advertising material updates to the electronic display. In other cases, the external data connection may provide for firmware, software, or operating system updates to the electronic display. In this manner, a retail store may update each product demonstration fixture to include identical content and software. 
     In some embodiments, the product demonstration fixture may connect to the external data source via a wireless connection such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. In other examples, the product demonstration fixture may connect to the external data source via a physical connection such as a USB connection. 
     As with the connections internal to the product demonstration fixture described herein, many embodiments may include a familiar connector such as a USB connector in order to connect the product demonstration fixture to the external data source. In this manner, a retail employee may be capable to update the product demonstration fixture and the portable electronic device offered for sale with a single connector and without specialized training. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a front perspective view of an example product demonstration fixture for displaying and anchoring a portable electronic device. The product demonstration fixture  100  includes a base  102 . The base  102  may include an upper layer and a bottom layer, a cover  106  and a foot  116  respectively. The cover  106  may be made from a material selected, at least in part, for its resiliency. The cover  106  may be made, for example, from a resilient and aesthetically pleasing material such as glass. The material may be selected based on one or more characteristics of the material that allow the material to be used for continued handling. For example, the material may be resistant to scratches, smudges, or collection of debris. 
     In many examples, an optically opaque ink layer may be disposed on one or more surfaces of the cover  106  in a pattern. For example, the ink may be disposed on a bottom surface of the cover  106  so as to define an aperture that is not optically obscured. This aperture may be sized to border an electronic display  104  positioned within the base portion and below the cover  106 . In this manner, such an aperture may be referred to as a display window. 
     The base  102  may also include a foot  116 . The foot  116  may cover entirely or partially, a bottom surface of the base  102 . The foot  116  may be removably coupled to the base  102 . For example, in certain embodiments, the foot  116 , may be magnetically attracted to the base  102 . In other examples, the foot  116  may be adhered with a removable adhesive. In still further examples, the foot  116  may be adapted to friction fit about certain surface features included within the base  102 . 
     In many examples, the foot  116  may be made of, or include an exterior coating of, a low-friction material. For example, in certain embodiments, the base  102  may be adapted to slide about a display table such that individual customers may adjust the position of the product demonstration fixture  100 . In such an embodiment, the low-friction of the foot  116  may facilitate easier sliding across the surface of the display table. 
     In other examples, the foot  116  may be made from, or include an exterior coating of, a high-friction material. For example, in certain embodiments, the base  102  may be adapted to substantially retain its position on a display table. In other examples, the foot  116  may be adhered or otherwise permanently affixed to a display table. 
     The product demonstration fixture  100  may also include an elevating attachment  108 . The elevating attachment  108  may be at least partially secured to the base  102  by a retaining mechanism (not shown). In certain embodiments the elevating attachment may be at least partially obscured from the view of the customer by the portable electronic device  112  offered for sale. For example, in certain embodiments, a portable electronic device  112  may include an obscuring portion  110  that entirely or partially hides the elevating attachment  108 . 
     In many examples, the portable electronic device  112  may include a display  114  with which a customer considering purchase may interact. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the example product demonstration fixture  100  of  FIG. 1 . In this view the elevating attachment  108  is shown as having a substantially arcuate shape. It may be appreciated that the shape of the elevating attachment  108  may be different for different portable electronic devices  112 . For example, certain embodiments may include an elevating attachment  108  with an angular, a conical, a spherical, a hemispherical, rectangular, or other suitable shape. 
     In many embodiments the elevating attachment  108  may be constructed from a durable metal. In further embodiments, the elevating attachment  108  may be made from an optically clear material such as acrylic or glass. In still further embodiments, the elevating attachment  108  may be solid through the cross-section  3 - 3  as shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, in lieu of an arcuate shape, the elevating attachment  108  may, in some embodiments, take a semi-circular shape. One may appreciate that a number of shapes and materials may be considered suitable for particular embodiments of the elevating attachment  108 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts an exploded side view of the example product demonstration fixture  100  of  FIG. 1  taken along line  3 - 3 . In this view, the securing mechanism of the elevating attachment  108  is shown. For example, the portable electronic device  112  may be attached to obscuring portions  110   a ,  110   b  via insertion of pins  118 . In this manner, the obscuring portions  110   a ,  110   b  may be prevented from laterally detaching from the portable electronic device  112 . In some embodiments, the obscuring portions  110   a ,  110   b  may be provided to aesthetically improve or otherwise obscure a data cable  124  having at least two connectors. In some embodiments, the obscuring portions  110   a ,  110   b  may be provided as an accessory feature related to the portable electronic device  112 . For example, if the portable electronic device  112  offered for sale is a blood pressure monitor, the obscuring portions  110   a ,  110   b  may represent portions of the inflatable arm band. In other examples, if the portable electronic device  112  is an intelligent pet tracker, the obscuring portions  110   a ,  110   b  may represent portions of a collar. 
     Positioned below the obscuring portions  110   a ,  110   b  and the pins  118  may be the elevating attachment  108 . The elevating attachment  108  may be secured into the portable electronic device  112  by a mechanical attachment, such as screws  120 . In this manner, the elevating attachment  108  may secure the pins  118  and the obscuring portions  110   a ,  110   b  to the portable electronic device  112 . 
     In some embodiments, a data cable  124  may be disposed between the elevating attachment  108  and an obscuring portion  110   a . The data cable  124  may include a connector at one end that is sized to match with a data port included within the portable electronic device  112 . For example, in certain embodiments, the connector may include several pogo pins which are positioned to align with several exposed contacts of the data port. Accordingly, when the screw or screws  120  are inserted through the elevating attachment  108  into the portable electronic device  112 , the data cable  124  may be rigidly attached and communicably coupled to the portable electronic device  112 . 
     In many examples, the cable  124  may be entirely hidden from the view of the customer, as it is sandwiched between the elevating attachment  108  and the obscuring portion  110   a . Once inserted, the obscuring portions  110   a  and  110   b  may be secured to the elevating attachment  108  via screws  122 . 
     In many examples, the obscuring portions  110   a  and  110   b  can be made from an organic material such as leather or cotton. In other cases, the obscuring portions  110   a  and  110   b  can be made from a synthetic material such as nylon or another polymer. In still further examples, the obscuring portions  110   a  and  110   b  can be made from an inorganic material such as a metal. In some examples, such as illustrated, the obscuring portions  110   a  and  110   b  may be separated from one another. In other examples, the obscuring portions  110   a  and  110   b  may be formed as a unitary element, forming a portion of a loop. In these cases, the obscuring portions  110   a  and  110   b  can extend into the product demonstration fixture  100 . 
     The portable electronic device  112 , the obscuring portion  110   a  and  110   b , the data cable  124 , and the elevating attachment  108  may be assembled together as a secure merchandise assembly  200 . 
     In many examples, the secure merchandise assembly  200  can be assembled rigidly so that the electronic device  112  is prevented from moving relative to the product demonstration fixture  100 . In other examples, however, the secure merchandise assembly  200  can be assembled with movement tolerance specifically so that the electronic device  112  can move during a product demonstration. For example, in some embodiments, the electronic device  112  can include a haptic feedback element suited to provide haptic feedback to a user of the electronic device  112 . In these examples, the secure merchandise assembly  200  can be assembled so that the device can move during demonstration of the haptic feedback features of the electronic device  112 . 
     The secure merchandise assembly  200  may, as a unit, be inserted through the cover  106  through two apertures  106   a  and  106   b . The apertures  106   a ,  106   b  may be sized to receive a bottom portion of the secure merchandise assembly  200 . Once inserted into the cover apertures, the secure merchandise assembly  200  may be screwed to the housing of the base  102  (not shown) or into a portion of a cover frame  134 . The cover frame  134  may be adhered to the cover  106  with an adhesive. The cover frame  134  may be affixed to the housing of the base  102  using any suitable means such as, for example, screws, adhesive, or a combination of the like. 
     The base  102  may include an electronic display  104  that may be communicably coupled to an auxiliary controller board  128 . The auxiliary controller board  128  may be tasked with providing both power and data via the data cable  124  to the portable electronic device  112 . Similarly, the auxiliary controller board  128  may be tasked with providing both power and data to the display  104 . 
     In some embodiments the base  102  may include an internal power source  130   a , such as a battery pack. In many examples, the battery pack may include more than one individual battery, each of which may be rechargeable batteries. By optionally coupling the internal power source  130   a  to an external power source  130   b , the internal power source  130   a  may be recharged. 
     In certain further examples the auxiliary controller board  128  may facilitate, control or otherwise regulate the charging of the internal power source  130   a . For example, the auxiliary controller board  128  may monitor the voltage of individual cells of each individual battery pack of the internal power source  130   a  to ensure that uniform charging across all cells is accomplished. In many examples, monitoring by the auxiliary controller board  128  may be accomplished by communicably coupling the auxiliary controller board  128  to battery management units associated with each individual battery cell. 
     The auxiliary controller board  128  may also be optionally coupled to an external data source  132 . The external data source  132  may couple to the auxiliary controller board  128  or to one or both of the electronic display  104  and the portable electronic device  112 . In certain examples, the external data source  132  may provide updates to the systems to which it is connected. For example, in one embodiment, a software or firmware update may be pushed via the external data source  132  through the auxiliary controller board  128  to the portable electronic device  112 . In this manner, a display model may always include the same software experience as the portable electronic devices available for retail purchase. 
     In other examples, the external data source  132  may be adapted to update the information stored by the memory of the electronic display  104 . For example, in certain cases, the external data source  132  may provide for price updates, sale information updates, availability updates, or general advertising material updates to the electronic display. In other cases, the external data source  132  may provide for firmware, software, or operating system updates to the electronic display  104 . In this manner, a retail store may update each product demonstration fixture to include identical content and software. 
     In some embodiments, the auxiliary controller board  128  may connect to the external data source  132  via a wireless connection such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. In other examples, the auxiliary controller board  128  may connect to the external data source  132  via a physical connection such as a USB connection. 
     In many embodiments the several electrical communication connections within the base  102  between the electronic display  104 , the portable electronic device  112 , the data cable  124 , the auxiliary controller board  128 , and the internal power supply  130  a may use well-known and familiar connectors for the data cable. For example, the data cable  124  may include a male USB connector for coupling to a circuit boarding associated with the auxiliary controller board  128 . Similarly, the electronic display  104  may couple to the same circuit board using a male USB connector. 
     Positioned below the base  102  may be the foot  116 . The foot  116  may mechanically adhere to a bottom surface  102   a  of the base  102 . In many examples, the foot  116  may at least partially obscure a connection to the external data source  132 . For example, the connection to an external data source  132  may include a data port that would be undesirable to expose to customers. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, such a data port may be positioned on the bottom surface  102   a  of the base  102 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts an example signal flow diagram of the product demonstration fixture for displaying and anchoring a portable electronic device. In this signal flow diagram, the interactions between the various components of the product demonstration fixture are illustrated. For example, the electronic display  104  may include a display unit  104 - 6 , coupled to a processor  104 - 2  which itself is coupled to a memory  104 - 4 , a power supply  104 - 10 , and an input/output mechanism  104 - 8 . 
     Similarly, the portable electronic device  112  may include a display unit  112 - 6 , coupled to a processor  112 - 2  which itself is coupled to a memory  112 - 4 , a power supply  112 - 10 , and an input/output mechanism  112 - 8 . 
     The auxiliary controller board  128  may similarly include a processor  128 - 2  which is coupled to a memory  128 - 4 , a power supply  128 - 10 , and an input/output mechanism  128 - 8 . In some embodiments, the power supply  128 - 10  may be coupled to an external power source  402 . The external power source  402  may be an external battery or an external connection to a power transformer or power outlet. In certain examples the external connection to the external power source  402  may be made by a standard power connector, for example, a barrel connector or a magnetically-attracted pogo pin connector. 
     In addition, the internal power supply  128 - 10  may be connected to the power supplies of the display  104  and the portable electronic device  112 , which are  104 - 10  and  112 - 10  respectively. In this manner, power may be transferred from the internal power supply  128 - 10  to the internal power supplies  104 - 10  and  112 - 10 . For example, the internal power supply  128 - 10  may be configured to charge the internal power supplies  104 - 10  and  112 - 10 . 
     In another embodiment, the internal power supply  128 - 10  may be directly connected to the processors  112 - 2  and  104 - 2 . In this manner, the internal power supply  128 - 10  may operate both the electronic display  104  and the portable electronic device  112  even if either or both of the internal power supplies  104 - 10  and  112 - 10  are completely depleted. In this embodiment, the internal power supply  128 - 10  may operate as an auxiliary or backup battery. 
     The input/output mechanism  128 - 8  may be coupled to the input/output mechanisms  104 - 8  and  112 - 8  of the electronic display  104  and the portable electronic device  112 . In some embodiments, the input/output mechanisms  104 - 8  and  112 - 8  of the electronic display  104  and the portable electronic device  112  may be directly coupled to one another. In this manner, the electronic display  104  and the portable electronic device  112  may communicate. 
       FIG. 5A  depicts a side view of a portion of an example product demonstration fixture showing an alignment feature  528  for positioning a cover  506  that has a misaligned area  506   a  (e.g., not flush) with respect to an outer surface of the base  502 . In this embodiment the alignment feature  528  may be fixedly adhered to the surface of the cover  506 . However, although the alignment feature  528  is adhered to the cover  506 , the alignment feature  528  may be configured to rotate about an axis  530 . The axis  530  may not be positioned in the center of the alignment feature  528 . In this manner, when the alignment feature  528  rotates about the axis  530 , it may provide a cam-action force against the housing of the base  502 . In this manner, the cover  506  may pull back, slightly, in response to the cam-action force. Adjustment of the alignment feature  528  may allow the cover  506  to be carefully aligned with the outer surface of the base  502 . 
       FIG. 5B  depicts a bottom view taken along line  5 B- 5 B of  FIG. 5A  of a portion of an example product demonstration fixture showing two alignment features for positioning a misaligned cover glass flush with the exterior surface of the housing of the base. This embodiment shows two alignment features  528   a ,  528   b , each showing the axis of rotation  530  and one alignment fiducial. As illustrated, the alignment feature  528   b  may be rotated slightly toward the housing of the base  502 . In this manner, the misaligned area  506   a  of the cover  506  adjacent to the alignment feature  528   b  may pull back into flush alignment with the surface of the housing of the base  502 , as shown for example in  FIG. 5C . 
       FIG. 6  depicts a side view of a portion of an example product demonstration fixture showing a retention feature for retaining a cover  606  flush with the exterior surface of the housing of the base. In such an embodiment a screw  640  may affix the cover  606  to the housing of the base  602  by drilling into a cover frame  634 . However, over time, the screw  640  may eventually creep out of desirable tightness, potentially loosening the cover  606 . A loosened cover  606  may laterally drift and may not necessarily stay flush with the housing of the base  602 . Accordingly, the screw  640  may include a biasing spring  642  which may constantly provide expansive pressure  644 . In this manner, even if the screw  640  loosens, the cover  606  may remain tightly coupled and flush with the housing  602 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a front perspective view of an example product demonstration fixture  100  for displaying and anchoring an alternate portable electronic device  112 , such as a cellular phone. As with the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the product demonstration fixture  100  includes a base  102 . The base  102  may include an upper layer and a bottom layer, a cover and a foot respectively. The portable electronic device  112  may be rigidly affixed to the product demonstration fixture  100  by an elevating attachment  108 . Within the elevating attachment may be included a data cable for transferring data between the product demonstration fixture  100  and the portable electronic device  112 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts an example flow chart of a method of aligning a cover portion with a housing such that the cover and the housing are flush. The method may begin at step  800  in which a cover may be positioned over the housing. Thereafter, at  802 , a plurality of alignment adjusters may be tuned such that the cover and the base are flush. Lastly at  804 , the several alignment adjusters may be locked into position. In this manner, the cover may be prevented from being laterally displaced over the operational life of the relationship between the cover and the housing. 
       FIG. 9  depicts an example flow chart of a method of exchanging an electronic device coupled to a product demonstration fixture. The method may begin at step  900  in which a foot portion associated with the base may be removed. For example the foot portion may be adhered or otherwise attached to the base via magnetic attraction. Once the foot portion is removed, the merchandise assembly may be decoupled from the base at step  902 . In many examples, removal of the merchandise assembly may be accomplished by unscrewing one or more screws affixing the merchandise assembly to the base. Next at step  904 , the decoupled merchandise assembly may be removed from the base. Next, at step  906 , a replacement merchandise assembly may be inserted into the space left by the first merchandise assembly. Thereafter the replacement merchandise assembly may be coupled to the base housing at  908 . Lastly, at  910 , the foot portion may be reattached. 
       FIG. 10  depicts an example flow chart of a method of simulating interaction between an electronic device offered for sale and a second electronic device included within or simulated by a product demonstration fixture. The method may begin at step  1000  in which an interaction event is determined between a product demonstration fixture and a portable electronic device offered for sale. The interaction event may be a simulation of an example interaction between the two devices. Next at step  1002 , an indication may be sent to the portable electronic device that a particular interaction event is desired. In this manner, the portable electronic device may demonstrate its portion of the interaction event. The method may conclude at  1004  in which the product demonstration fixture may demonstrate its portion of the interaction event. 
       FIG. 11  depicts an example flow chart of a method of presenting an electronic device offered for sale. The method may begin at  1100  by affixing a portable electronic device to a base portion of a product demonstration fixture. Next, at  1102 , a data cable may be coupled between the base portion of the product demonstration fixture and the portable electronic device affixed thereto at  1100 . The method may complete at  1104  in which an in-store advertisement application is initiated. For one example, a pre-recorded video or presentation may begin to play on the product demonstration fixture. 
       FIG. 12  depicts an example flow chart of a method of charging an auxiliary battery of a product demonstration fixture. The method may begin at  1200  in which the voltage or current capacity of each battery cell within each of several battery packs may be determined. For example, in certain embodiments, more than one battery pack with more than one battery cell may be included within a product demonstration fixture. A processor coupled to the battery pack may be configured for measuring the voltage presented by the included batteries. In this manner, both charging and loading of the several batteries may be distributed intelligently to prevent self-damage to individual cells. 
     In many examples the processor may determine that an individual cell should be charged at a higher rate or a lower rate than other cells. Accordingly, the processor may at step  1202  vary the recharging power to each of the several cells in response to the measured voltage. In these examples, such per-cell regulation of charging and discharging may improve the overall capacity of the battery pack included within the product demonstration. In certain embodiments, the product demonstration fixture may be configured for constant operation for fourteen hours or more. The process may conclude after the adjustments of step  1202  by continuing the charging cycle at  1204 . 
       FIG. 13  depicts an example flow chart of a method of charging an auxiliary battery and an internal battery of an electronic display associated with a product demonstration fixture. Certain embodiments described herein are related to a product demonstration fixture that includes an electronic display, an auxiliary controller, and a portable electronic device offered for sale. The auxiliary controller may include a battery pack that may be used to operate both the electronic display and the portable electronic device offered for sale. In other examples, both the electronic display and the portable electronic may include batteries as well. 
     In these cases, at least three batteries may be present within the product demonstration fixture. In such examples, it may be desirable to charge one battery at a time. For example, in certain embodiments, the battery included within the electronic display may be charged at step  1300 . Once it is determined that the battery of the electronic display is fully charged, the battery of the portable electronic device offered for sale may be charged at  1302 . Once it is determined that the battery of the portable electronic device offered for sale is charged, then the auxiliary battery may be charged at  1304 . During the charging of the auxiliary battery, the battery of the electronic display and the portable electronic device offered for sale may be trickle charged at the rate of self-discharge. In this manner, a product merchandising fixture may be fully charged. 
     In many examples, a product merchandising fixture may be charged by connecting the fixture to mains (e.g., outlet) power. In certain embodiments, connecting the fixture to mains may be accomplished using a tethered charging connection. For example, the product merchandising fixture may include a charging receptacle (e.g., charging receptacle  1506 ) to receive a power adapter or connector such as a barrel connector. In many embodiments, the receptacle may be hidden from the potential customer by a cover. In certain cases the cover may be sized to fit within the receptacle and sit flush with the exterior housing of the product merchandising fixture. 
     In some embodiments, the receptacle may be included below a removable foot of the product merchandising fixture. As described with respect to some embodiments disclosed herein, a removable foot may be adhered to a bottom surface of the product merchandising fixture. The foot portion may be adhered by magnetic attraction so as to be removable. Removal of the foot portion may expose the charging receptacle. 
     In still further embodiments, the charging receptacle may be another connector type separate from a barrel connector. For example, the charging receptacle may be a connector type that is common within the retail setting. For example, a retail setting for demonstrating laptop computers may include a number of adapters for charging laptop computers. In such an example, the charging receptacle of the product merchandising fixture may be compatible with the adapters otherwise used for charging laptop computers. In another example, in a retail setting for demonstration a USB device may include a number of adapters for charging via USB. In such an example, the charging receptacle of the product merchandising fixture may be USB-compatible. One may appreciate that the foregoing are merely examples of the type and sizing of the charging receptacle which may be included within a product merchandising fixture having an internal battery, and that other charging receptacles and methods are contemplated. For example, in certain embodiments, the product merchandising fixture may replenish the auxiliary battery contained therein via inductive charging. 
       FIG. 14  depicts an example flow chart of a method of discharging an auxiliary battery and an internal battery of an electronic display associated with a product demonstration fixture. As with  FIG. 13 , certain embodiments described herein relate to a product demonstration fixture that includes an electronic display, an auxiliary controller, and a portable electronic device offered for sale. The auxiliary controller may include a battery pack that may be used to operate both the electronic display and the portable electronic device offered for sale. In other examples, both the electronic display and the portable electronic may include batteries as well. 
     In many cases, the batteries contained within the electronic display may include a different capacity than the auxiliary battery or the battery within the portable electronic device offered for sale. Accordingly, certain embodiments may discharge smaller batteries before discharging the auxiliary battery. 
     For example, at step  1400  as shown in  FIG. 14 , the internal battery of the electronic display may be discharged before the auxiliary battery is discharged. For example, while the battery of the electronic device is discharged, a processor implementing the method may periodically determine the current power level of the battery of the electronic device at  1402 . At this step, the processor may determine whether the capacity of the battery of the electronic device has fallen below a certain threshold. In certain examples, the threshold may be one percent of the full capacity of the battery. 
     If the battery of the electronic display falls below the threshold, the auxiliary battery may be coupled to the electronic display in order to operate the electronic display at  1404 . In many embodiments, the auxiliary battery may not charge the depleted battery of the electronic display, but instead may directly power the electronic display. 
     A similar method may be employed between the battery of the portable electronic device offered for sale and the auxiliary battery. 
     In some embodiments, steps  1400  and  1404  in  FIG. 14  may be reversed. In other words, while the auxiliary battery is discharged, a processor implementing the method may periodically determine the current energy level of the auxiliary battery at  1402 . At this step, the processor may determine whether the capacity of the auxiliary battery has fallen below a certain threshold. Then, if the auxiliary battery falls below the threshold, the battery of the electronic display may be coupled to the electronic display in order to operate the electronic display. A similar method may be employed between the battery of the portable electronic device offered for sale and the auxiliary battery. In some embodiments the battery of the electronic display may be coupled to the portable electronic device offered for sale in order to operate the portable electronic device. In such embodiments, if the auxiliary battery falls below a certain threshold, the battery of the electronic display may be coupled to the portable electronic device offered for sale in order to operate the portable electronic device offered for sale. 
     The auxiliary controller may be configured to discharge batteries to provide power to an electrical load (e.g., itself and one or more other devices). In some embodiments, the auxiliary controller may be configured to control the discharge of a plurality of batteries in a discharge sequence configured to maximize the life of each battery. In some embodiments, the auxiliary controller may be configured to discharge batteries in a manner that avoids leaving batteries fully charged. In some embodiments, the auxiliary controller may be configured to discharge batteries in a manner that avoids completely discharging batteries. Leaving a battery fully charged (i.e., at approximately 100% of its charge capacity) for an extended period of time may be detrimental to the lifetime of the battery, may reduce the amount of charge (i.e., power) the battery may store, and may damage the battery&#39;s ability to recharge to 100% of its maximum charge capacity. Similarly, leaving a battery completely discharged (i.e., at approximately 0% of its charge capacity) for an extended period of time may be detrimental to the lifetime of the battery, may reduce the amount of charge (i.e., power) the battery may store, and may damage the battery&#39;s ability to recharge to 100% of its maximum charge capacity. 
     In some embodiments, the auxiliary controller may be configured to discharge the batteries such that no battery remains fully charged for an extended period of time. In such embodiments, the auxiliary controller may be configured to at least partially discharge each battery in a set of batteries within a predetermined time period (e.g., 1 hour). In some embodiments, the auxiliary controller may be configured to discharge the batteries such that no battery completely discharges well in advance of the other batteries. In other words, the auxiliary controller may be configured to prevent a single battery in a set of batteries from completely discharging until all the batteries in a set of batteries are discharged to a certain percentage of their full charge. 
     In some embodiments, the auxiliary controller may include or may be coupled to a plurality of chargers configured to charge and discharge one or more batteries in a set of batteries. In some embodiments, the auxiliary controller may control the discharge of the batteries in a discharge sequence that switches connection to an electrical load (e.g., portable electronic device  112 , axillary controller board  128 , and/or electronic display  104 ) between the batteries in a sequence that does not include switching directly between batteries connected to the same charger. Not switching directly between batteries connected to the same charger may avoid electrical shorts between batteries. In some embodiments, the auxiliary controller may be configured to leave at least one battery connected to a charger at all times so as to provide continuous power to itself and one or more other devices. 
     In some embodiments, the auxiliary controller may be configured to charge multiple batteries at the same time. In some embodiments, the auxiliary controller may be configured to charge batteries having different capacities at the same time. In some embodiments, the auxiliary controller may be configured to charge batteries connected in parallel at the same time. Simultaneous charging of multiple batteries may reduce the time needed to fully charge all the batteries in a set of batteries. 
       FIG. 15  shows a power management system (battery control system)  1500  according to an embodiment. Power management system  1500  may include an auxiliary controller board (auxiliary controller)  1510  housed within a product demonstration fixture  1502 . Auxiliary controller  1510  may be configured to perform all or some of the functions of axillary controller board  128  discussed herein. Similarly, auxiliary controller board  128  may be configured to perform all or some of the functions of auxiliary controller  1510 . Product demonstration fixture  1502  may be the same as or similar to product demonstration fixtures  100  or  1600  discussed herein. 
     Product demonstration fixture  1502  may include a charging (power) receptacle  1506  in communication with auxiliary controller  1510  and configured to couple with a power adapter or connector. Product demonstration fixture  1502  may include a data receptacle  1504  in communication with auxiliary controller  1510  and configured to couple with a data plug or connector. In some embodiments, charging receptacle  1506  and/or data receptacle  1504  may be configured to receive/transmit both power and data (e.g., either receptacle may be a Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) receptacle). In some embodiments, data receptacle  1504  may be a wireless data receptacle (e.g., a Bluetooth® receiver or Wi-Fi receiver). 
     Auxiliary controller  1510  may include a plurality of connectors  1512 ,  1514 ,  1516 ,  1518 , and  1520  for transmitting and/or receiving power and/or data to and/or from other devices. Each connector  1512 ,  1514 ,  1516 ,  1518 , and  1520  may be a board-to-board connector or a wire-to-board connector. Each connector  1512 ,  1514 ,  1516 ,  1518 , and  1520  may be but is not limited to a A/C or D/C power connector, a USB connector, micro-USB connector, mini-USB connector, Ethernet (e.g., Cat 5) connector, or any other standard or proprietary connection format. In some embodiments, one or more connectors  1512 ,  1514 ,  1516 ,  1518 , or  1520  may be a wireless data connector (e.g., a Bluetooth® receiver or Wi-Fi receiver). 
     Connector  1512  may be configured for communication with a portable electronic device  1580  supported by product demonstration fixture  1502 . Portable electronic device  1580  may be but is not limited to a cellphone, a tablet computer, a laptop, or a watch. Connector  1514  may be configured for communication with an internal controller  1585  of product demonstration fixture  1502 . Internal controller  1585  may perform all or some of the functions of electronic display  104  described herein. In some embodiments, internal controller  1585  may be a tablet computer (e.g., a commercially available tablet, such as an iPad, or a modified version of a commercially available tablet). 
     Connector  1516  may be configured for communication with an external controller  1590  coupled to product demonstration fixture  1502  (e.g., via data receptacle  1504 ). External controller  1590  may be but is not limited to a server or a local computer (e.g., a laptop or tablet). Connector  1518  may be configured for communication with a power source  1592  (e.g., via charging receptacle  1506 ). Power source  1592  may be but is not limited to a power outlet (e.g., 120V or 220V wall outlet) or a battery. Connectors  1520  may be configured for communication with batteries  1540 . Each battery  1540  may be any suitable battery, including but not limited to batteries  1710 ,  1720 , and  1730  discussed herein. 
     Auxiliary controller  1510  may include one or more chargers  1530 . Auxiliary controller  1510  may control charging and discharging of one or more batteries  1540  via chargers  1530 . In some embodiments, chargers  1530  may be battery charger integrated circuits on the same printed circuit board as a microcontroller  1550  of auxiliary controller  1510 . In some embodiments, chargers  1530  may monitor the charge levels of batteries  1540 . Each charger  1530  may be coupled to one or more batteries  1540  via a connector  1520 . Chargers  1530  may be configured to charge or allow discharge of each battery  1540  to which it is connected. In some embodiments, all or some of chargers  1530  may be separate components coupled to auxiliary controller  1510  via a connector (e.g., a USB connector). 
     Power management system  1500  may include any suitable number of batteries  1540  connected to any suitable number of chargers  1530 . In some embodiments, power management system  1500  may include “M” number of batteries  1540  connected to “N” number of chargers  1530 , where “M” is greater than or equal to “N.” In some embodiments, some or all of chargers  1530  may be coupled to two or more batteries  1540 . In some embodiments, power management system  1500  may include batteries  1540  having different capacities. Batteries  1540  connected to the same charger  1530  may be connected in parallel. Batteries  1540  connected to different chargers  1530  may be connected in parallel. While  FIG. 15  shows five batteries  1540   a - e  as separate from internal controller  1585 , one of the five batteries  1540   a - e  may be the battery of an internal controller  1585 . Alternatively, the battery of internal controller  1585  may be an additional battery within a power management system. 
     In some embodiments, power management system  1500  may include a first charger  1530   a  connected to a first battery  1540   a  and a second battery  1540   b , and a second charger  1530   b  connected to a third battery  1540   c . Further, in some embodiments, a fourth battery  1540   d  may be connected to second charger  1530   b  and a fifth battery  1540   e  may be connected to a third charger  1530   c . In such embodiments, first battery  1540   a  and second battery  1540   b  may be connected in parallel, third battery  1540   c  and fourth battery  1540   d  may be connected in parallel, and the remainder of the connections between respective batteries  1540  may be in parallel. In some embodiments, additional batteries  1540  and chargers  1530  may be added to power management system  1500  in the manner described for batteries  1540   a - e  and chargers  1530   a - c  (i.e., a sixth battery may be connected to third charger  1530   c , and so on). 
     Chargers  1530  may include multiple connection ports configured to connect to multiple connectors  1520 . Also, chargers  1530  may include a switchable connection mechanism configured to activate/deactivate connection ports connected to respective connectors  1520 . For example, charger  1530  may include two connection ports configured to connect to connectors  1520   a  and  1520   b , respectively. In some embodiments, auxiliary controller  1510  may be configured to control a switchable connection mechanism of a charger (e.g., charger  1530   a ) to connect different connectors (e.g., connectors  1520   a  and  1520   b ), and therefore different batteries, to a charger at different times. 
     Auxiliary controller  1510  may control chargers  1530  to control the charging and discharging of batteries  1540 . The discharging of batteries  1540  powers one or more electrical loads (e.g., auxiliary controller  1510 , portable electronic device  1580 , and/or internal controller  1585 ). In some embodiments, auxiliary controller  1510 , portable electronic device  1580 , and internal controller  1585  may, together, be referred to as a single electrical load. When charging batteries, power may be received from one or more sources. For example, power may be received from an external power source (i.e., a source of power not contained within product demonstration fixture  1502 ), such as power source  1592  or external controller  1590 . 
     Auxiliary controller  1510  may control the discharge of batteries  1540  in a discharge sequence that switches connection to an electrical load between the batteries  1540  in a sequence that does not include switching directly between batteries  1540  connected to the same charger  1530 . For example, in a power management system  1500  including at least three batteries  1540  and at least two chargers  1530 , the discharge sequence may include, in order: connecting a first battery  1540   a  to an electrical load through a first charger  1530   a , connecting a third battery  1540   c  to the electrical load through a second charger  1530   b , and then disconnecting the first battery  1540   a  from the electrical load, connecting a second battery  1540   b  to the electrical load through the first charger  1530   a , and then disconnecting the third battery  1540   c  from the electrical load, and connecting the third battery  1540   c  to the electrical load through the second charger  1530   b , and then disconnecting the second battery  1540   b  from the electrical load. This discharge sequence may start over by connecting the first battery  1540   a  again and then disconnecting the third battery  1540   c , and this sequence may be repeated as many times as needed to provide power to the electrical load. 
     As another example, in a power management system  1500  including at least four batteries  1540  and at least two chargers, the discharge sequence may include, in order: connecting a first battery  1540   a  to an electrical load through a first charger  1530   a , connecting a third battery  1540   c  to the electrical load through a second charger  1530   b , and then disconnecting the first battery  1540   a  from the electrical load, connecting a second battery  1540   b  to the electrical load through the first charger  1530   a , and then disconnecting the third battery  1540   c  from the electrical load, and connecting a fourth battery  1540   d  to the electrical load through the second charger  1530   b , and then disconnecting the second battery  1540   b  from the electrical load. This discharge sequence may start over by connecting the first battery  1540   a  again and then disconnecting the fourth battery  1540   d , and this sequence may be repeated as many times as needed to provide power to the electrical load. 
     As another example, in a power management system  1500  including at least five batteries  1540  and at least three chargers  1530 , the discharge sequence may include, in order: connecting a first battery  1540   a  to an electrical load through a first charger  1530   a , connecting a third battery  1540   c  to the electrical load through a second charger  1530   b , and then disconnecting the first battery  1540   a  from the electrical load, connecting a second battery  1540   b  to the electrical load through the first charger  1530   a , and then disconnecting the third battery  1540   c  from the electrical load, connecting a fourth battery  1540   d  to the electrical load through the second charger  1530   b , and then disconnecting the second battery  1540   b  from the electrical load, and connecting a fifth battery  1540   e  to the electrical load through a third charger  1530   c , and then disconnecting the fourth battery  1540   d  from the electrical load. This discharge sequence may start over by connecting the first battery  1540   a  again and then disconnecting the fifth battery  1540   e , and this sequence may be repeated as many times as needed to provide power to the electrical load. 
     In some embodiments, the switching between batteries  1540  in a discharge sequence may occur after a battery  1540  connected to the electrical load has drained a predetermined charge amount (e.g., a certain number of coulombs). In some embodiments, the switching between batteries  1540  in a discharge sequence may occur after a battery  1540  connected to the electrical load has drained a predetermined percentage of its charge. In some embodiments, a predetermined percentage of a respective battery&#39;s charge may be a percentage of its maximum charge capacity. In such embodiments, the predetermined percentage may be, for example, 5%, 10%, 25%, or 33% of a respective battery&#39;s maximum charge capacity. In some embodiments, a predetermined percentage of a respective battery&#39;s charge may be a percentage of the battery&#39;s remaining energy. In such embodiments, the predetermined percentage may be, for example, 5%, 10%, 25%, or 33% of a respective battery&#39;s remaining energy. Switching between batteries  1540  in a discharge sequence after a battery has drained a predetermined charge amount or percentage may avoid leaving any of batteries  1540  fully charged for an extended period of time. Further, switching between batteries  1540  in this way may avoid completely discharging any of batteries  1540  well in advance of the other batteries  1540  (i.e., may reduce the time one or more batteries  1540  remain completed discharged). 
     In some embodiments, a discharge sequence may be repeated during the discharge of batteries  1540  and each battery  1540  may be drained by the same percentage during each repetition of the discharge sequence. In some embodiments, a discharge sequence may be repeated during the discharge of batteries  1540  and one or more batteries  1540  may be drained by different percentages during each repetition of the discharge sequence. 
     In some embodiments, auxiliary controller  1510  may be configured to control the charging of batteries  1540  in power management system  1500 . Auxiliary controller  1510  may be configured to charge batteries  1540  with power received from a power source (e.g., power source  1592 ). In some embodiments, auxiliary controller  1510  may be configured to charge multiple batteries  1540  at the same time. In some embodiments, auxiliary controller  1510  may be configured to charge batteries  1540  connected to different chargers  1530  at the same time. For example, in an embodiment including the first battery  1540   a  and the second battery  1540   b  connected to the first charger  1530   a , and the third battery  1540   c  connected to second charger  1530   b , auxiliary controller  1510  may be configured to charge the first battery  1540   a  and the third battery  1540   c  at the same time. 
     In some embodiments, auxiliary controller  1510  may be configured to control the charging of batteries  1540  in a charging sequence. In some embodiments, the charging sequence may include charging multiple batteries  1540  connected to different chargers  1530  (i.e., a first set of batteries  1540 ) at the same time with power from a power source, discontinuing the charging of the first set of batteries  1540  by disconnecting the first set of batteries  1540  from the power source. Then, after disconnecting the first set of batteries  1540 , charging other batteries  1540 , different from the first set of batteries, connected to different chargers (i.e., a second set of batteries  1540 ) at the same time with power from the power source. For example, in an embodiment including the first battery  1540   a , the second battery  1540   b , the third battery  1540   c , and the fourth battery  1540   d , auxiliary controller  1510  may control charging of the batteries  1540  in a charging sequence that includes: (1) connecting the first battery  1540   a  to a power source through the first charger  1530   a  and connecting the third battery  1540   c  to the power source through the second charger  1530   b , (2) allowing the first battery  1540   a  and the third battery  1540   c  to charge, (3) disconnecting the first battery  1540   a  and the third battery  1540   c  (i.e. the first set of batteries) from the power source, (4) connecting the second battery  1540   b  to the power source through the first charger  1530   a  and connecting the fourth battery  1540   d  to the power source through the second charger  1530   b , (5) allowing the second battery  1540   b  and the fourth battery  1540   d  to charger, and (6) disconnecting the second battery  1540   b  and the fourth battery  1540   d  (i.e., the second set of batteries) from the power source. This charging sequence may start over by connecting the first battery  1540   a  and the third battery  1540   c  again, and this sequence may be repeated as many times as needed to charge batteries  1540   a ,  1540   b ,  1540   c , and  1540   d . In some embodiments, auxiliary controller  1510  may disconnect batteries  1540  (e.g., sets of batteries  1540 ) in a charging sequence after a battery connected to a power source has charged to a predetermined charge amount (e.g., 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of a respective battery&#39;s maximum charge capacity). 
     In some embodiments, a charging sequence may be repeated during the charging of batteries  1540  and each battery  1540  may be charged by the same percentage during each repetition of the charging sequence. In some embodiments, a charging sequence may be repeated during the charging of batteries  1540  and one or more batteries  1540  may be charged by different percentages during each repetition of the discharge sequence. 
     Auxiliary controller  1510  may monitor the charge levels (e.g., charge amounts and/or percentages) of respective batteries  1540  in power management system  1500  and control the switching of batteries  1540  during a discharge sequence based the amounts and/or percentages of respective batteries  1540 . Charge amount and/or percentages may be received from printed circuit boards associated with different batteries (e.g., printed circuit boards  1714 ,  1724 , and  1734 ). In some embodiments, auxiliary controller  1510  may be configured to control the charge levels of batteries  1540  (i.e., control the discharge of the batteries) such that the charge levels of each battery  1540  remain within a predetermined amount of percentage points of each other throughout a discharge sequence. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of percentage points may be 10 percentage points. In some embodiments, auxiliary controller  1510  may be configured to recognize when a battery is defective and/or broken (e.g., by monitoring charge levels). In such embodiments, auxiliary controller  1510  may be configured to skip a defective/broken battery in a discharge sequence and/or charge sequence, or to connect to the defective/broken battery in its usual sequence without providing charge to the defective/broken battery. 
     In some embodiments, auxiliary controller  1510  may include a microcontroller (MCU)  1550  including a processor, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. MCU  1550  may be configured to control the functions of auxiliary controller  1510 . MCU  1550  may be configured to control charging/discharging of batteries  1540  through chargers  1530 . In some embodiments, MCU  1550  may be configured to monitor the charge levels of batteries  1540 . 
     In some embodiments, auxiliary controller  1510  may include one or more hubs  1552 / 1554  for coupling devices to auxiliary controller  1510 . In some embodiments, auxiliary controller may include two hubs  1552  and  1554  for coupling different devices to auxiliary controller  1510 . Hubs  1552  and  1554  may be controlled by MCU  1550 . 
     In embodiments including two hubs  1552  and  1554 , hubs  1552  and  1554  may be configured to allow either an external device (e.g., external controller  1590 ) or an internal device (e.g., internal controller  1585 ) to be a host device for portable electronic device  1580  while allowing external controller  1590  to act as the host for microcontroller  1550  (i.e., the processor for auxiliary controller  1510 ). In such embodiments, hub  1552  may be connected to portable electronic device  1580 , internal controller  1585 , and hub  1554 ; and hub  1554  may be connected to microcontroller  1550 , external controller  1590 , and hub  1552 . The use of two hubs  1552  and  1554  may allow microcontroller  1550  to receive commands (e.g., software or firmware updates) regardless of which controller (internal controller  1585  or external controller  1590 ) is acting as a host device for portable electronic device  1580 . Further, two hubs  1552  and  1554  may allow external controller  1590  to communicate with microcontroller  1550  while internal controller  1585  is also communicating with portable electronic device  1580 . This may allow debugging of power management system  1500  while internal controller  1585  is in communication with portable electronic device  1580 . 
     In some embodiments, auxiliary controller  1510  may include a button  1570 . Button  1570  may be, for example, a mechanical button (e.g., spring-loaded button) or a capacitive touch button (e.g., capacitive touch sensor). A user may manually interact with auxiliary controller  1510  (e.g., send manual commands to auxiliary controller  1510 ) by actuating button  1570 . In some embodiments, a tool  1594  (e.g., a SIM (“subscriber identity module”) card tool) may be used to actuate button  1570 . In some embodiments, button  1570  may be located on auxiliary controller  1510 . In some embodiments, button  1570  may be a separate component coupled to auxiliary controller  1510  (e.g., via a flex cable). 
     In some embodiments, button  1570  may be configured to relay contact signals to auxiliary controller  1510  (e.g., similar to Morse code signals). For example, two consecutive contacts with button  1570  may signal a first operation (e.g., powering down product demonstration fixture  1502 ), or continuous contact with button  1570  for a predetermined about of time (e.g., five seconds) may signal a second operation (e.g., resetting product demonstration fixture  1502 ). Other commands that may be relayed via various patterns of actuating button  1570  include but are not limited to, resetting internal controller  1585  and/or portable electronic device  1580 , shutting down internal controller  1585  and/or portable electronic device  1580 , or sending a “sleep” command to internal controller  1585  and/or portable electronic device  1580 . 
       FIG. 16  shows an exploded view of a product demonstration fixture  1600  according to an embodiment. Product demonstration fixture  1600  may include a foot  1602 , a base plate  1604 , a base  1608 , and a cover  1610  defining an internal cavity (e.g., internal cavity  1706 ) for housing components of product demonstration fixture  1600  (e.g., batteries  1630 , auxiliary controller  1620 , etc.). In some embodiments, product demonstration fixture  1600  may include a pass-through cable  1606  for connecting auxiliary controller  1620  to an external power source. In some embodiments, product demonstration fixture  1600  may include a cable  1622  for coupling pass-through cable  1606  to auxiliary controller  1620 . 
     In some embodiments, product demonstration fixture  1600  may include a dock flex cable  1624  for allowing auxiliary controller  1620  to be connected to an external device (e.g., external controller  1590 ). In some embodiments, product demonstration fixture  1600  may include a battery plate  1632  for supporting batteries  1630  within product demonstration fixture  1600 . Each battery  1630  may be any suitable battery, including but not limited to batteries  1710 ,  1720 , and  1730  discussed herein. 
     Product demonstration fixture  1600  may include an internal controller  1640 . Internal controller  1640  may perform all or some of the functions of electronic display  104  described herein. In some embodiments, internal controller  1640  may be a tablet computer (e.g., a commercially available tablet, such as an iPad or a modified version of a commercial available tablet). Internal controller  1640  may include an antenna  1642  coupled to internal controller  1640  via an antenna flex cable  1644 . Antenna  1642  may be, but is not limited to a Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi antenna. Similar to electronic display  104 , internal controller  1640  may include a display screen  1646  (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, or organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display). 
     Product demonstration fixture  1600  may include a merchandise assembly  1650  the same as or similar to merchandise assembly  200  for supporting a portable electronic device  1656 . In some embodiments, merchandise assembly  1650  may include an elevating attachment  1652  for supporting portable electronic device. In some embodiments, product demonstration fixture  1600  may include a merchandise flex cable  1654  for connecting portable electronic device  1656  to auxiliary controller  1620 . 
       FIGS. 17 and 18  show an arrangement of batteries within a product demonstration fixture  1700  according to an embodiment. Product demonstration fixture  1700  may include an internal cavity  1706  for housing, among other things, batteries  1710 ,  1720 , and  1730 . Batteries  1710 ,  1720 , and  1730  may have different configurations and/or capacities. For example, battery(ies)  1710  may have the smallest capacity of the three batteries, battery(ies)  1730  may have the largest capacity of the three batteries, and battery(ies)  1720  may have a capacity in between the capacities of batteries  1710  and  1730 . 
       FIG. 19  shows a battery  1710  according to an embodiment. Battery  1710  may include two battery cells  1712 . Each battery cell  1712  may be coupled to a separate printed circuit board  1714 . Printed circuit boards  1714  may be power management units (PMUs) configured to control battery cells  1712  (e.g., control charging, discharging, powering on/off of battery cells  1712 ). PMUs  1714  may be referred to as battery management units. Each printed circuit board  1714  may include one or more fuses and one or more temperature sensors. Each printed circuit board  1714  may include a processor, a memory, and one or more sensors configured to measure electrical properties (e.g., the voltage or capacity) of battery cells  1712 . Printed circuit boards  1714  may be configured to communicate information about battery cells  1712  (e.g., temperature, voltage, capacitance) to an auxiliary controller (e.g., auxiliary controller  1510 ). 
     The two printed circuit boards  1714  may be connected via a battery cell connector wire  1716  configured to allow communication (e.g., the transfer of data/power) between printed circuit boards  1714 . Battery  1710  may also include a cord  1718  configured to connect to a connector of product demonstration fixture  1700  (e.g., a connector  1520 ). Cord  1718  may transmit power to and from battery cells  1712  and transmit data to and from printed circuit boards  1714 . In some embodiments, cord  1718  may be connected to one of the printed circuit boards  1714  and that printed circuit board  1714  may be configured to relay communications to and from the other printed circuit board  1714  via connector wire  1716 . 
       FIG. 20  shows a battery  1720  according to an embodiment. Battery  1720  may include a plurality of battery cells  1722  coupled to a single printed circuit board  1724 . Printed circuit board  1724  may be a power management unit (PMU) configured to control battery cells  1722  (e.g., charging, discharging, powering on/off battery cells  1722 ). Printed circuit board  1724  may be the same as or similar to a printed circuit board  1714 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , printed circuit board  1724  may be located on one side of battery cells  1722 . Battery  1720  may also include a cord  1728  configured to connect to a connector of product demonstration fixture  1700  (e.g., a connector  1520 ). Cord  1728  may transmit power to and from battery cells  1722  and transmit data to and from printed circuit board  1724 . 
       FIG. 21  shows a battery  1730  according to an embodiment. Battery  1730  may include a plurality of battery cells  1732  coupled to a single printed circuit board  1734 . Printed circuit board  1734  may be a power management unit (PMU) configured to control battery cells  1732  (e.g., charging, discharging, powering on/off battery cells  1732 ). As shown in  FIG. 21 , printed circuit board  1724  may be located between battery cells  1732 . Battery  1730  may also include a cord  1738  configured to connect to a connector of product demonstration fixture  1700  (e.g., a connector  1520 ). Cord  1728  may transmit power to and from battery cells  1732  and transmit data to and from printed circuit board  1734 . 
     One may appreciate that although many embodiments are disclosed above, that the operations presented with respect to methods and techniques described herein are meant as exemplary and accordingly are not exhaustive. For example, while the power management (battery control) systems/methods discussed herein are discussed in the context of a product demonstration fixture, these systems/methods may be employed with other devices powered by multiple independent batteries. For example, the power management systems/methods discussed herein may be employed to manage the charging and discharging of batteries in electric motors or computers/laptops/tablets/phones including more than one battery. One may further appreciate that alternate step order or, fewer or additional operations may be required or desired for particular embodiments. 
     Although the disclosure above is described in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the some embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but is instead defined by the claims herein presented.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20160108
Publication Date: 20201103
Grant Date: 20201103
Priority Date: 20140228
Inventors: SANFORD, EMERY A.
HAVSKJOLD, DAVID G.
HERBST, STEVEN G.
MONTEVIRGEN, ANTHONY S.
TERLIZZI, JEFFERY J.
MANULLANG, TYSON B.
SCHWALBACH, CHARLES A.
HENSHAW, GLENN DAVID
AGRAWAL, VIKAS
MANTHIRI, SOUNDARARAJAN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H02J7/0042", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F3/005", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F2005/165", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/28", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F5/16", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F7/0246", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F5/16", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1633", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F2005/165", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/263", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F3/005", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F7/0246", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/263", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/007", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1633", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0042", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F2005/165", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/263", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0021", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F7/0246", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F5/16", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A47F3/005", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 55853738