Apparatus and method for charging a battery whose discharge exceeds at least one operational threshold

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for charging a battery that discharges beyond at least one operational threshold. An example implementation includes obtaining charging power from a power source, obtaining a charging command, activating a trickle current to the battery, entering a first charging state in response to a condition that a voltage of the battery does not satisfy a deep discharge threshold, and entering a second charging state in response to a condition that the voltage of the battery satisfies the deep discharge threshold. An example implementation can further include, once in the second charging state, providing the trickle current to the battery in a burst in response to a condition that the voltage of the battery does not satisfy a fuel gauge threshold. An example implementation can further include, once in the second charging state, continuously providing the trickle current to the battery in response to a condition that the voltage of the battery satisfies the fuel gauge threshold.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference of related patent applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 915862, filed October 16, 2019, entitled “Solution to Wake Up Deeply Discharged Battery Pack,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for the purposes of its complete and whole description. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates generally to battery chargers, and more specifically, to charging batteries that have discharged more than at least one operating threshold. Background Technology

[0004] Deep discharge of a battery can include discharging the battery below one or more critical operating thresholds. Deep discharge prevents the battery from accepting further charge, thus preventing the battery from returning to a state above one or more critical operating thresholds. Therefore, there is a need to recharge batteries that have discharged beyond at least one operating threshold. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Example implementations include obtaining charging power from a power source, obtaining a charging command, activating trickle current to the battery, entering a first charging state in response to a condition that the battery voltage does not meet a deep discharge threshold, and entering a second charging state in response to a condition that the battery voltage meets the deep discharge threshold. An exemplary implementation may further include: once the second charging state is entered, providing trickle current to the battery in a burst manner in response to a condition that the battery voltage does not meet a fuel gauge threshold. An exemplary implementation may further include: once the second charging state is entered, continuously providing trickle current to the battery in response to a condition that the battery voltage meets a fuel gauge threshold. Attached Figure Description

[0006] These and other aspects and features of the embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon viewing the following description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0007] Figure 1 An exemplary deep discharge battery charger system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0008] Figure 2A An exemplary deep discharge battery charger device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0009] Figure 2B An exemplary deep discharge battery charger device including an exemplary trickle current path is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 3 An exemplary method for charging a deeply discharged battery according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0011] Figure 4 Further details were shown. Figure 3 Exemplary methods and exemplary methods for charging a deeply discharged battery according to embodiments of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0012] Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples of embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments and alternatives that are obvious to them. It should be noted that the following drawings and examples are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the invention to a single embodiment, but rather other embodiments can be implemented through interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements. Furthermore, where specific elements of the invention may be implemented partially or entirely using known components, only those portions of these known components necessary for understanding the embodiments of the invention will be described, and detailed descriptions of other portions of such known components will be omitted so as not to obscure the embodiments of the invention. Unless otherwise specified herein, embodiments described as being implemented in software should not be considered limited thereto, but may include embodiments implemented in hardware or a combination of software and hardware, and vice versa. Embodiments showing a single component should not be considered limiting in this specification; rather, unless expressly stated otherwise herein, this disclosure is intended to cover other embodiments including multiple identical components, and vice versa. Furthermore, unless expressly stated otherwise, the applicant does not intend to assign any term in the specification or claims an unusual or special meaning. Moreover, embodiments of the invention are described by illustrating current and future known equivalents that include known components mentioned herein.

[0013] In some embodiments, the battery voltage is low enough to impede battery charging. In some embodiments, one or more electronic devices operate at an activation voltage higher than the battery's minimum operating voltage or a similar voltage. As an example, an exemplary system includes one or more electronic devices requiring a 4V voltage for normal operation and includes a battery operable at one or more voltages below 4V. In some embodiments, the electronic devices include a fuel gauge integrated circuit. As another example, an exemplary system includes a fuel gauge integrated circuit requiring a 4V voltage for normal operation and includes a battery operating at 2V. This exemplary condition exists in some embodiments including two battery packs. It should be understood that this exemplary condition exists in some embodiments including any number of batteries and is not limited to any number of batteries disclosed herein by example. Therefore, in some embodiments, the exemplary system can charge the battery at a voltage lower than the normal operating voltage of one or more electronic, electrical, etc. devices associated with charging the battery. In some embodiments, a system or device state including a battery at a voltage lower than the normal operating voltage of one or more electronic, electrical, etc. devices is a deep discharge state.

[0014] Figure 1 An exemplary deep-discharge battery charger system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 As shown, the exemplary system 100 includes an input 102, a deep discharge controller 104, a battery charger 106, an embedded controller 108, a fuel gauge 110, and a battery 112.

[0015] Input 102 includes sources of electrical power, voltage, current, etc., for supplying power to system 100. In some embodiments, input 102 includes, but is not limited to, a regulated 120V AC power supply, a regulated 220V AC power supply, a 4V DC power supply, a 12V DC power supply, etc. In some embodiments, input 102 includes any power connection, such as a wired power connection, a wireless direct contact power connection, a wireless and contactless power connection, or any known or potentially known power connection. In some embodiments, input 102 includes one or more USB terminals or ports (e.g., USB-C, USB-PD).

[0016] The deep discharge controller 104 includes one or more electrical, electronic, logic, or similar means for providing trickle current to the exemplary system 100. In some embodiments, the deep discharge controller 104 includes an integrated circuit. In some embodiments, the deep discharge controller 104 includes a current source operable to output at least a fixed DC current to one or more components of the exemplary system 100. In some embodiments, the deep discharge controller 104 is directly or indirectly operated and coupled to at least one of a battery and a battery control device, logic, etc. In some embodiments, the deep discharge controller receives one or more characteristics directly or indirectly from one or more components of the exemplary system 100. As an example, the deep discharge circuit may receive voltage feedback from battery 112.

[0017] Battery charger 106 includes one or more electrical, electronic, logic, or similar means for supplying charge to battery 130. In some embodiments, battery charger 106 includes one or more known or potentially known circuits, digital electronic devices, analog electronic devices, integrated circuit devices, etc. In some embodiments, battery charger 106 receives electrical feedback from at least one of fuel gauge 110 and battery 112. In some embodiments, battery charger 106 includes one or more electrical, electronic, logic, or similar means for generating at least one control signal for operating at least one of fuel gauge 110 and battery 112. In some embodiments, a deep discharge controller is integrated with, can be integrated with, includes, or is included within battery charger 106, etc. In some embodiments, at least one integrated circuit includes at least one of deep discharge controller 104 and battery charger 106.

[0018] Embedded controller 108 includes one or more electrical, electronic, logic, or similar means for controlling one or more components of exemplary system 100. In some embodiments, embedded controller 108 includes one or more integrated circuits and one or more logic or electrical control lines, leads, buses, connections, connectors, devices, circuits, etc., operatively coupling embedded controller 108 to one or more components of exemplary system 100. In some embodiments, embedded controller 108 is operatively coupled via one or more bidirectional, unidirectional, half-duplex, full-duplex, or similar communication channels. In some embodiments, embedded controller 108 is operatively coupled to receive feedback, sensor, calibration, or similar inputs from one or more components of exemplary system 100.

[0019] Fuel gauge 110 includes one or more electrical, electronic, electromechanical, electrochemical, or similar devices or systems for charging or discharging battery 112. In some embodiments, fuel gauge 110 includes a DC-DC power converter. In some embodiments, fuel gauge 110 includes an inductive charger. The inductive charger may be, but is not limited to, a buck charger, a boost charger, a buck-boost charger, combinations thereof, etc. In some embodiments, fuel gauge 110 is an integrated circuit that includes one or more inputs for receiving inputs from one or more of voltage, current, analog feedback, digital feedback, analog sense signal input, digital sense signal input, enable signal, etc. In some embodiments, fuel gauge 110 includes one or more logic, electrical, electronic, electromechanical, electrochemical, or similar components for calculating, modifying, converting, etc. In some embodiments, fuel gauge 110 is operable to control, be controlled by, or respond to one or more components of exemplary system 100, at least in part based on logic therein or present.

[0020] Battery 112 includes one or more electrical, electronic, electromechanical, electrochemical, or similar devices or systems for receiving, storing, and distributing at least one of input power. In some embodiments, battery 112 includes one or more battery packs. In some embodiments, battery 112 includes lithium-ion or similar energy storage. In some embodiments, battery 112 is integrated with, can be integrated with, or can be decoupled from system 100. In some embodiments, battery 112 includes a plurality of battery cells that are individually or integrally integrated with, can be integrated with, or can be decoupled from system 100.

[0021] Figure 2AAn exemplary deep discharge battery charger device according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In some embodiments, the exemplary device 200 includes one or more discrete electrical, electronic, or similar components assembled on a printed circuit board or the like. In some embodiments, one or more components of the exemplary device 200 are fabricated in one or more integrated circuits assembled on a printed circuit board or the like. In some embodiments, one or more portions or components of the exemplary device 200 are implemented in one or more programmable or reprogrammable devices or systems. Although the various examples are described using power MOSFETs as examples, it should be understood that the exemplary systems according to embodiments of the present invention may include one or more transistors of various types in addition to or in place of power MOSFETs. The various types of exemplary transistors include, but are not limited to, known or potentially known FETs, MOSFETs, IGBTs, and BJTs. As shown in FIG2, the exemplary device 200 includes an input 102, a deep discharge controller 104, a battery charger 106, an embedded controller region 230, a fuel gauge 110, a battery 112, a fuse 250, and a fuse transistor 252.

[0022] The battery charger 106 of device 200 includes a discharge transistor 202, a charge transistor 204, an input bypass capacitor 206, and a battery bypass capacitor 208. In some embodiments, the discharge transistor 202 is a discharge FET (“DFET”), and the charge transistor 204 is a charge FET (“CFET”). The DFET 202 can activate and deactivate the discharge connection between the battery and one or more components of device 200. The CFET 204 can activate and deactivate the charging connection between the battery and one or more components of device 200. In some embodiments, the CFET 204 is activated to operatively couple input 102 to battery 112 in response to receiving at least one of a charging voltage input and a charging current input. In some embodiments, the DFET 202 is operable to transmit at least one of the charging voltage input and the charging current input to the CFET via a body diode disposed therein. In some embodiments, the input bypass capacitor 206 and the battery bypass capacitor 208 are operatively coupled to each other and to the DFET 202 and the battery 112. In some embodiments, the input bypass capacitor 206 responds to state changes of the device 200 between one or more charging states. In some embodiments, the battery bypass capacitor 208 responds to state changes of the device 200 between one or more charging states.

[0023] Embedded controller region 230 includes embedded controller 108 and one or more communication lines operatively coupled thereto. Fuel meter 110 of device 200 includes multiple battery charger interface pins, multiple battery interface pins, and multiple embedded controller interface pins. The battery charger interface pins include a first input voltage pin VIN 210, a DFET 202 output pin DFOUT 212, a system voltage pin VCC 214, a CFET 204 output pin CFOUT 216, and a battery voltage output pin VBAT 218. In some embodiments, VIN 210 is operatively coupled to input 102 to receive power signals for operating one or more components of or connected to the fuel meter integrated circuit 110.

[0024] In some embodiments, VCC 214 is operatively coupled to DFET 202 and CFET 204 at the source terminal of each device. In some embodiments, a diode is disposed between VCC 214 and a node coupled to the respective terminals of DFET 202 and CFET 204. In some embodiments, VCC 214 is operable to receive operating voltages, system voltages, etc., for operating the fuel gauge circuit 110. In some embodiments, VBAT 218 is operatively coupled to VCC 214 and battery 112. In some embodiments, VCC 214 and VBAT 218 enable one or more of the fuel gauge integrated circuit 110, embedded controller 108, and deep discharge controller 104 to respond to conditions including, but not limited to, the voltage of battery 112 associated with a deep discharge threshold and the voltage of battery 112 associated with a fuel gauge threshold. In some embodiments, DFOUT 212 is operatively coupled to the gate terminal of DFET 202. In some implementations, CFOUT 216 is operatively coupled to the gate terminal of CFET 204.

[0025] The battery 112 of device 200 includes at least one battery cell 240 operatively coupled to a fuel gauge integrated circuit 110 and operatively coupled to a battery charger 106 via a CFET 204. In some embodiments, the battery 112 includes a plurality of battery cells 240, each arranged in series and including a corresponding resistor and capacitor (RC) circuit coupled to the fuel gauge integrated circuit 110.

[0026] The exemplary fuel gauge integrated circuit 110 also includes a battery pin 242, an embedded controller pin 232, and a system fuse output pin FUSEOUT 254. A plurality of battery interface pins include a plurality of battery pins 242. In some embodiments, each battery pin is operatively coupled to a corresponding battery cell 240 of the battery 112. In some embodiments, each battery pin 242 is operable to detect at least one power characteristic associated with its corresponding battery cell 240. As an example, the battery pin 242 may detect the voltage at the positive terminal of its corresponding battery cell 240. In some embodiments, the plurality of embedded controller interface pins include a plurality of embedded controller pins 220. In some embodiments, the embedded controller pins 220 are operatively coupled to an embedded controller 108. The embedded controller pins 220 are operable to receive and transmit communication with the embedded controller 108.

[0027] In some embodiments, device 200 includes a fuse portion comprising fuse 250 and fuse switch 252. In some embodiments, fuse 250 is shown along a charging path between CFET 204 and battery 112 and is operatively coupled to fuel gauge integrated circuit 110 at FUSEOUT 254. In some embodiments, fuse 250 is operable to electrically isolate CFET 204 from battery 112. In some embodiments, FUSEOUT 254 is operable to detect changes in the state of fuse 250.

[0028] Figure 2B An exemplary deep-discharge battery charger device including an exemplary trickle current path is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2B As illustrated in the example of device 200, a deep discharge controller 104 can provide trickle current to battery 112 via charging path 260. Charging path 260 can electrically connect the deep discharge controller 104 to battery 12 in response to activation of CFET 204. In some embodiments, the deep discharge controller continuously applies trickle current to battery 112 along charging path 260. In some embodiments, the deep discharge controller applies trickle current to battery 112 along charging path 260 in one or more bursts during a deep discharge state of device 200. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the deep discharge controller continuously applies trickle current to battery 112 along charging path 260 while the fuel gauge integrated circuit oscillates between on and off states of a deep discharge state. This oscillation causes the trickle current to be applied to the battery in bursts during the deep discharge state.

[0029] Figure 3An exemplary deep discharge battery charging method according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In some embodiments, at least one of the exemplary system 100 and the exemplary device 200 performs the method 300 according to this embodiment. In step 310, method 300 begins.

[0030] In step 310, the exemplary system obtains power. In some embodiments, the exemplary system obtains power from an external power supply device, including but not limited to an external power adapter. Then, method 300 continues to step 320.

[0031] In step 320, the exemplary system enters a wake-up state. The wake-up state may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following states: startup, boot, power-on, restart, reboot, or similar. The wake-up state may include, but is not limited to, a wake-up operation performed on the entire system 100 or device 200 or a portion thereof. In some embodiments, step 320 includes one or more of steps 322 and 324. In step 322, the exemplary system generates a peak system voltage. The peak system voltage may include, but is not limited to, the maximum voltage, ideal voltage, etc., associated with one or more components of system 100 or device 200. In some embodiments, the peak system voltage is a voltage for normal operation of system 100 or device 200. In some embodiments, normal operation is a state excluding deep discharge states. In step 324, the exemplary system maintains a disabled battery gate. In some embodiments, maintaining a disabled battery gate includes disabling the battery gate. In some embodiments, the battery gate is a transistor, switch, etc., integrated into the electronic device. In some embodiments, the battery gate is integrated into the fuel gauge integrated circuit 110. Then, method 300 continues to step 330.

[0032] In step 330, the exemplary system obtains a charging command. In some embodiments, the exemplary system obtains the charging command from embedded controller 108. In some embodiments, the exemplary system obtains the charging command at deep discharge controller 104. In some embodiments, the charging command includes at least one instruction to activate, maintain, modify, or deactivate the trickle current. The charging instruction may include, but is not limited to, one or more analog or digital instructions sent via embedded controller portion 230. Method 300 then proceeds to step 340. In step 340, the exemplary system activates the trickle current. In some embodiments, the deep discharge controller provides the trickle current. In some embodiments, the trickle current includes a 10mA DC current component. Method 300 then proceeds to step 410.

[0033] Figure 4 Further details were shown. Figure 3Exemplary methods and exemplary deep discharge battery charging methods according to embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, at least one of the exemplary system 100 and the exemplary device 200 performs the method 400 according to this embodiment. In step 410, method 400 begins. Then, method 400 continues to step 420.

[0034] In step 420, the exemplary system response indicates whether the battery voltage meets a deep discharge threshold condition. In some embodiments, the deep discharge threshold is a voltage threshold indicating a minimum battery voltage. In some embodiments, the fuel gauge 110 receives one or more voltages from one or more battery cells 240 of the battery 112. The fuel gauge 110 may respond to the received one or more voltages. In some embodiments, the fuel gauge 110 generates an output representing a response or determination based on the voltage of the battery 112 or its battery cells 240. In response to the battery voltage meeting the deep discharge threshold condition, method 400 continues to step 422. Alternatively, in response to the battery voltage not meeting the deep discharge threshold condition, method 400 continues to step 440.

[0035] In step 422, the exemplary system activates the fuel gauge circuitry. In some embodiments, the deep discharge controller 104 and the battery charger 106 activate the fuel gauge controller by providing activation power to the fuel gauge via input 102. In some embodiments, the activation power includes an activation voltage higher than a specific activation threshold voltage of the fuel gauge 110. Method 400 then proceeds to step 424.

[0036] In step 424, the exemplary system activates the charging FET. In some embodiments, the fuel gauge 110 activates the charging FET CFET 204 by applying an activation signal voltage to the gate of CFET 204 via CFOUT 216. CFET 204 can thus electrically couple input 102 and deep discharge controller 104 to battery 112. The body diode of DFET 202 allows DFET 202 to couple CFET 204 to input 102 and deep discharge controller 104, regardless of whether DFET 202 is active or deactivated. Method 400 then proceeds to step 430.

[0037] In step 430, the exemplary system responds to a condition indicating whether the battery voltage meets a fuel gauge threshold. In some embodiments, the fuel gauge threshold is a voltage threshold indicating a minimum activation voltage for fuel gauge 110. In some embodiments, fuel gauge 110 responds by activating or deactivating based on the fuel gauge threshold. Activation and deactivation of the fuel gauge based on the fuel gauge threshold can be instantaneous or can be delayed in response to the fuel gauge threshold. In some embodiments, the fuel gauge threshold can be deactivated after a time following receipt of a power supply voltage at VCC 214 that does not meet the fuel gauge threshold. For example, in this case, the deactivation of fuel gauge 100 could be due to hysteresis or other reasons in the exemplary system. In response to the condition that the battery voltage meets the fuel gauge threshold, method 400 continues to step 432. Alternatively, in response to the condition that the battery voltage does not meet the fuel gauge threshold, method 400 continues to step 440.

[0038] In step 432, the exemplary system enters a periodic fuel gauge activation state. In some embodiments, the periodic fuel gauge activation state occurs in response to the activation of fuel gauge 110 while the voltage of battery 112 is below a fuel gauge threshold. In some embodiments, the periodic fuel gauge activation state includes an oscillating state, wherein the initial activation voltage applied to fuel gauge 110 is pulled down to cause the voltage of battery 112 to be below the fuel gauge threshold. Method 400 then continues to step 434.

[0039] In step 434, the exemplary system provides a trickle current burst to the battery. In some embodiments, the deep discharge controller 104 provides the trickle current. In some embodiments, the battery receives the trickle current to gradually charge the battery to a fuel gauge threshold. In some embodiments, the battery 112 receives the trickle current in one or more bursts while the fuel gauge 110 is activated and subsequently deactivated. Therefore, even if the battery 112 provides a voltage below the fuel gauge threshold to the fuel gauge 110, the deep discharge controller 104 can gradually charge the battery 112. In some embodiments, step 432 includes all or part of step 434. Method 400 then continues to step 430.

[0040] In step 436, the exemplary system enters a stable fuel gauge activation state. In some embodiments, a periodic fuel gauge activation state occurs in response to the activation of fuel gauge 110 when the voltage of battery 112 is at or above a fuel gauge threshold. In some embodiments, a stable fuel gauge activation state begins as battery 112 is charged by trickle current from deep discharge controller 104 to a voltage at or above the fuel gauge threshold. Method 400 then continues to step 438.

[0041] In step 438, the exemplary system continuously provides trickle current to the battery. In some embodiments, the battery receives trickle current to gradually and continuously charge the battery until a fuel gauge threshold is reached. In some embodiments, the battery 112 continuously receives trickle current while the fuel gauge 110 is activated and remains activated in response to the battery 112's voltage being at or above a fuel gauge threshold. Therefore, the deep discharge controller 104 can transition the exemplary system from a deep discharge state where the battery 112 prevents the fuel gauge from continuously activating. In some embodiments, step 436 includes all or part of step 438. Method 400 then continues to step 420.

[0042] In step 440, the exemplary system disables trickle current to the battery. In some embodiments, one or more of the deep discharge controller 104, embedded controller 108, and fuel gauge 110 disable trickle current to the battery. In some embodiments, the exemplary system disables trickle current to the battery in response to the battery 112 reaching or exceeding a voltage corresponding to a deep discharge threshold. Therefore, the deep discharge controller 104 can also transition the exemplary system from a deep discharge state where the battery 112 is deeply discharged, although the battery is still fully charged to allow continuous activation of the fuel gauge 110. The method then continues to step 442.

[0043] In step 442, the exemplary system enters a standard charging state. In some embodiments, the standard charging state includes providing at least one of a charging voltage, a charging current, a charging power, etc., to the battery 112, rather than providing a trickle current. In some embodiments, the battery charges in response to an input from input 102. In some embodiments, the battery 112 is charged based on an input from an external power adapter operatively coupled to input 102. In some embodiments, method 400 terminates in step 442.

[0044] The topics described herein sometimes illustrate different components contained in or connected to other components. It should be understood that the architectures shown are illustrative, and many other architectures that achieve the same functionality can indeed be implemented. Conceptually, any arrangement of components that achieve the same function is effectively “associated” to achieve the desired function. Therefore, any two components combined in this document to achieve a particular function can be considered “associated” with each other to achieve the desired function, regardless of the architecture or intermediate components. Similarly, any two such associated components can also be considered “operationally connected” or “operationally coupled” to each other to achieve the desired function, and any two components that can be suchly associated can also be considered “operationally coupled” to each other to achieve the desired function. Specific examples of operational coupling include, but are not limited to, physically matchable and / or physically interacting components and / or wirelessly interacting components and / or logically interacting components.

[0045] Regarding the use of plural and / or singular terms in this document, those skilled in the art can convert from plural to singular and / or from singular to plural depending on the context and / or application. For clarity, various singular / plural permutations may be explicitly described herein.

[0046] Those skilled in the art will understand that, in general, the terms used herein (particularly in the appended claims (e.g., the subject of the appended claims)) are generally intended to be “open” terms (e.g., the term “comprising” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to”, the term “having” should be interpreted as “at least having”, the term “comprising” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to”, etc.).

[0047] Although the accompanying drawings and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of these steps may differ from the order shown and described unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, two or more steps may be performed simultaneously or partially concurrently. For example, such variations may depend on the selected software and hardware system and the designer's choices. All these variations are within the scope of this disclosure. Similarly, the software implementation of the method may be accomplished using standard programming techniques based on rule-based logic and other logic to perform various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.

[0048] Those skilled in the art will also understand that if a specific number of claims is intentional, such intention will be explicitly stated in the claims, and without such a statement, there is no such intention. For example, to aid understanding, the appended claims may include the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce the claims. However, the use of these phrases should not be construed as implying that introducing a claims statement with the indefinite article “a” limits any particular claim containing such an introductory claims statement to an invention containing only one such statement, even if the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles (such as “a”) (e.g., “a” should generally be interpreted as “at least one” or “one or more”); the same applies to the use of definite articles used to introduce claims statements. Furthermore, even when a specific number of introductory claims statements is explicitly stated, those skilled in the art will recognize that such statements should generally be interpreted as meaning at least a number of statements (e.g., a bare statement of “two statements” without further modification generally means at least two statements or two or more statements).

[0049] Furthermore, in cases where a convention similar to "at least one of A, B, and C" is used, this construction is generally intended to allow a person skilled in the art to understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" will include, but is not limited to, systems having only A, only B, only C, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). In cases where a convention similar to "at least one of A, B, or C" is used, this construction is generally intended to allow a person skilled in the art to understand the meaning of the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" will include, but is not limited to, systems having only A, only B, only C, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). A person skilled in the art will further understand that, whether in the specification, claims, or drawings, virtually any choice of words and / or phrases representing two or more alternative terms should be understood to account for the possibility of including one term, any term, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibility of "A" or "B" or "A and B".

[0050] In addition, unless otherwise stated, terms such as “approximately,” “about,” “around,” “basically,” etc., are used to indicate plus or minus 10%.

[0051] For illustrative and descriptive purposes, the above description of illustrative embodiments has been provided. The precise form of the disclosure is not exhaustive or limiting, but rather can be modified and varied in accordance with the foregoing teachings, or may be obtained from practice of the disclosed embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A charging method, comprising: Activate the trickle current flowing to the battery; In response to the condition that the battery voltage does not meet the deep discharge threshold, the battery enters the first charging state. In response to the condition that the voltage of the battery meets the deep discharge threshold, the battery enters a second charging state. In response to the condition that the battery voltage does not meet the fuel gauge threshold, the trickle current is supplied to the battery in a burst manner; as well as In response to the condition that the voltage of the battery meets the threshold of the fuel gauge, the trickle current is continuously supplied to the battery.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein entering the second charging state comprises: Obtain charging power from the power source.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein entering the second charging state further comprises: Get the charging command.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein entering the second charging state further comprises: The fuel gauge circuit operatively coupled to the battery is activated.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the fuel meter threshold includes the activation voltage of the fuel meter circuit.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: In response to the battery voltage not meeting the deep discharge threshold, the trickle current to the battery is deactivated.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the deep discharge threshold includes the activation voltage of the battery.

8. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: Enter system wake-up state.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein entering the system wake-up state comprises: Peak generation system circuit; as well as The battery is electrically isolated from the power source.

10. A charging device, comprising: Battery charger circuitry, operatively coupled to the battery; A deep discharge controller circuit is operatively coupled to the battery charger circuit. The deep discharge controller operates to obtain a charging command to activate a trickle current to the battery, respond to a condition that the battery voltage does not meet the deep discharge threshold by entering a first charging state, and respond to a condition that the battery voltage meets the deep discharge threshold by entering a second charging state. as well as A fuel gauge circuit, operatively coupled to the battery charger circuit, the battery, and the deep discharge controller circuit, operates to respond to a condition where the battery voltage does not meet a fuel gauge threshold by providing the trickle current to the battery in a burst manner, and to respond to a condition where the battery voltage meets the fuel gauge threshold by continuously providing the trickle current to the battery.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the deep discharge controller circuitry includes a current source operatively coupled to at least one of the battery charger and the fuel gauge.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one of the battery charger and the deep discharge controller is further operatively coupled to a system input node.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the battery charger and the deep discharge controller are further operatively coupled to an external power adapter.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the deep discharge controller circuit and the fuel gauge circuit are further operatively coupled to an embedded controller.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the battery charger circuit operates to obtain charging power, enter a first charging state, and enter a second charging state.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the deep discharge controller circuit further operates to receive a charging command and activate a trickle current.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the fuel gauge circuit is further operated to enter a first charging state and a second charging state.

18. A charging system, comprising: A battery charger operates to obtain charging power from a power source; A deep discharge controller operates to obtain a charging command to activate trickle current to the battery, responding to a condition that the battery voltage does not meet the deep discharge threshold by entering a first charging state, and responding to a condition that the battery voltage meets the deep discharge threshold by entering a second charging state. as well as The fuel gauge circuit operates to respond to a condition where the battery voltage does not meet the fuel gauge threshold by providing the trickle current to the battery in a burst manner, and to respond to a condition where the battery voltage meets the fuel gauge threshold by continuously providing the trickle current to the battery.

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