Charger with battery health status estimation

Abstract

A method for charging a rechargeable battery (2) of a device (50) such as an electronic cigarette (3) is disclosed. The method involves retrieving historical data related to the rechargeable battery from a memory unit (52) in the device (50), wherein the historical data relates to at least one previous charging operation. The method involves measuring one or more parameters related to the charging of the rechargeable battery during a charging period in which a charging voltage is applied; and determining a state of health of the rechargeable battery based on the one or more measured parameters and the historical data. An action is then performed on the device based on the determined state of health.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for determining the state of health of a battery in a device such as an electronic cigarette.

[0002] Rechargeable batteries are commonly used in devices such as electronic cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes, in particular, need to be compact to facilitate use by consumers (for example, they would be very convenient if they could somewhat mimic conventional smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes), and in particular to allow the user to easily bring them into contact with their lips, thereby drawing vapor from the device in a manner that the user finds comfortable during smoking. At the same time, the battery needs to have sufficient power to provide a large amount of power to the vaporizing element in order to produce a large amount of high-quality vapor. Therefore, electronic cigarettes tend to use small but relatively powerful batteries (such as modern lithium-ion batteries), which are constantly being developed to optimize the amount of power they can supply, the amount of charge they can hold, and the rate at which they can be recharged for a given battery size and weight (which are hopefully kept as small as possible).

[0003] The safety of these batteries can be affected by internal factors such as their design and manufacturing methods, as well as external factors related to how they are used and charged. The methods of use and charging can vary greatly depending on the user and device type, which can affect the safety and service life of the battery.

[0004] The performance of rechargeable batteries decreases over time after repeated charge and discharge cycles, and this degradation is exacerbated by how the battery is used and charged. Continued use of the battery despite this degradation can lead to safety issues. The present invention provides a technique for increasing the lifespan of rechargeable batteries and improving their safety.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for charging a rechargeable battery of an electronic cigarette is provided, the method comprising the following steps: acquiring historical data related to the rechargeable battery, wherein the historical data is related to at least one previous charging operation and / or to a default data set; measuring one or more parameters related to the charging of the rechargeable battery during a charging period in which a charging voltage is applied; determining a health state of the rechargeable battery based on the one or more measured parameters and the historical data; and performing an action on the electronic cigarette based on the determined health state.

[0006] In this way, the charging of the device can be controlled based on the determined state of health. In particular, if the battery health is found to be poor, charging can be modified or suspended. This can increase the lifespan of the battery and improve safety in use.

[0007] The default data set may be provided by the manufacturer and may be based on an analysis of multiple "healthy" batteries measured by the manufacturer in previous trials, and / or based on data results sent back to the manufacturer from multiple devices in use, etc.

[0008] The state of health is determined based on the one or more measured parameters and the historical data. The state of health may be a function of one or more aspects of the historical data and the one or more measured parameters. These parameters may be combined using a variety of conceivable mathematical models to determine a state of health related to the safety of battery use and / or the likelihood of battery failure.

[0009] The historical data may be retrieved from a memory unit, which may be located in the device or in a connected resource such as a mobile phone or a remote server. The determination is preferably performed by a processor, which may be located in the device, in the charging device, or in a connected resource such as a mobile phone, a computer, or a remote server.

[0010] The state of health determined by the present technology can represent a relative measure of battery health. Thus, the state of health can indicate the current health of the battery compared to the initial health of the battery, or at least its previous health. In one example, the state of health can be analyzed to determine the degradation of battery performance over time.

[0011] The electronic cigarette may include one or more rechargeable batteries, and charging may be performed wirelessly or through a wired connection to a power source.

[0012] The one or more measured parameters may include charging voltage and charging current. Charging voltage and charging current may also be measured as a function of time. Thus, the measured parameters may include the rate of change of charging voltage, the rate of change of charging current, and higher order differentials. In other examples, the measured parameters may include the duration of the charging cycle, open circuit voltage, internal resistance, and other parameters such as battery temperature.

[0013] Preferably, the method comprises the step of recording the one or more measured parameters as new entries in the historical data. In this way, the historical data can be continually updated based on new measurements taken during the charging operation.

[0014] The method may involve a step of identifying the device. Preferably, the historical data is associated with a specific device. Each device may have unique characteristics. Depending on the device being used, different methods for determining health status may be used.

[0015] The action may include displaying a notification if the health status is outside of a normal range. In this way, if the rechargeable battery is nearing the end of its useful life, the user may be notified. This may prompt the user to replace the rechargeable battery, even if it may continue to be used and charged under the modified charging mode.

[0016] Preferably, the step of measuring the one or more parameters related to the charging of the rechargeable battery occurs during a pre-charge period of a predetermined duration, or during a pre-charge period in which the rechargeable battery is charged to a predetermined state of charge, wherein a charging voltage is applied. The charging voltage may be applied specifically during the pre-charge period to enable the one or more parameters to be measured. This means that when the state of health of the battery may not support an extended charging period, analysis data can be acquired without subjecting the device to such an extended charging period. The action performed on the device includes performing this action if the state of health indicates that the rechargeable battery can be charged for an unspecified period of time.

[0017] Preferably, the rechargeable battery is rested after the pre-charge period, and the step of measuring the one or more parameters is performed after the rechargeable battery has rested. In this way, the battery chemistry can be allowed to stabilize before measurements are taken. This can improve the accuracy of the measurement results and the subsequent determination of the state of health.

[0018] After the pre-charge period and an optional rest period, the device can be partially discharged using a load separate from the heating element of the electronic cigarette. This can allow metrics to be determined during at least the partial discharge period in order to determine the health state.

[0019] The action may include: after the pre-charge period, if the state of health is within a normal range, charging the rechargeable battery. In another arrangement, the action may include: after the pre-charge period, if the state of health is outside a normal range but within an acceptable range, charging the rechargeable battery in a modified mode. The modified charging mode may involve applying at least one modified charging parameter, such as a reduced charging current, a pulsed charging current, or a reduced charging voltage, compared to normal charging to extend the life of the rechargeable battery.

[0020] Preferably, the action includes disabling charging of the rechargeable battery if the health status is within an unacceptable range. In one example, this can be achieved by setting a flag in a memory unit to indicate that charging of the relevant battery is prohibited, or by blowing a fuse to physically prohibit charging.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, a system for charging a rechargeable battery of an electronic cigarette is provided, the system comprising at least one processor configured to: obtain historical data related to the rechargeable battery from a memory unit, wherein the historical data is related to at least one previous charging operation and / or to a default data set; measure one or more parameters related to the charging of the rechargeable battery during a charging period in which a charging voltage is applied; determine a health state of the rechargeable battery based on the one or more measured parameters and the historical data; and perform an action on the electronic cigarette based on the determined health state.

[0022] The at least one processor may be a microcontroller or a computer. The at least one processor may be located in a charger, an electronic cigarette, or a computer. Of course, the functionality of the processor may be distributed among several processors, and skilled artisans will appreciate that operations may be performed by the processor regardless of its location.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which includes executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: obtain historical data related to a rechargeable battery of an electronic cigarette, wherein the historical data is related to at least one previous charging operation and / or a default data set; measure one or more parameters related to the charging of the rechargeable battery during a charging period in which a charging voltage is applied; determine a health status of the rechargeable battery based on the one or more measured parameters and the historical data; and perform an action on the electronic cigarette based on the determined health status.

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1A is a front perspective view of an electronic cigarette in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A a rear perspective view of the electronic cigarette shown;

[0027] Figure 1C yes Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of the electronic cigarette is shown;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a device (such as an electronic cigarette) and a charging device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating steps that may be performed in a method in an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0030] Figure 4 is a graph illustrating an example of a charging operation in an embodiment of the present invention, in which the state of charge is plotted against time.

[0031] As used herein, the term "inhaler" or "electronic cigarette" may include an electronic cigarette configured to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for smoking. An aerosol for smoking may refer to an aerosol having a particle size of 0.5 microns to 7 microns. The particle size may be less than 10 microns or 7 microns. The electronic cigarette may be portable.

[0032] Figures 1A to 1C An electronic cigarette 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The electronic cigarette 3 can be used as a substitute for conventional cigarettes containing tobacco. The electronic cigarette 3 includes an elongated body 5, a mouthpiece 6, and an oven 8 for receiving a tobacco rod (not shown). The oven 8 includes an electric heater 10 that heats the tobacco rod without burning it and produces vapor. In alternative embodiments, the electronic cigarette 3 may include a reservoir for holding a vaporizable liquid.

[0033] A vapor passage 12 is provided and extends between the oven 8 and the mouthpiece 6. The mouthpiece 6 has a pointed shape to correspond to the ergonomics of a user's mouth. The electronic cigarette additionally includes an air inlet 14 in fluid communication with the mouthpiece 6 and the vapor passage 12, such that a user's inhalation of the mouthpiece 6 causes air to flow into the air inlet 14 and through the oven 8 and the vapor passage 12 to the mouthpiece 6. An activation button 21 is provided, by which the user can control the electric heater 10 to produce vapor.

[0034] The electronic cigarette includes a battery 2 configured to supply power to the electric heater 10 under the control of a control circuit system in the PCB 4. In one example, the battery 2 is a LTO (lithium titanate oxide) cylindrical battery having a capacity of 1100 mAh and providing an operating voltage of approximately 2.4 V when fully charged.

[0035] Figure 2 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating various components that may be used in embodiments of the present invention. In this embodiment, a computer 30 is connected to a device 50 via a charger 40. The charger 40 may be internal to the computer 30 or the device 50, or may be a separate component. As described above, in one embodiment, the device 50 may be an electronic cigarette 3.

[0036] Device 50 includes a rechargeable battery 2, a memory unit 52, a microcontroller 54, and one or more sensors 56 (including a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of battery 2). Memory unit 52 can be configured as a flash memory device or any other suitable memory storage device. Memory unit 52 is configured to store historical data related to the device's usage and charge and discharge cycles. Historical data typically includes the following information: if device 50 is an e-cigarette, the number of puffs taken by the user, temperature profiles of battery 2 and oven 8, the battery 2 charge state, the type of consumables used, and measurements of the resistance of the heater in oven 8. Historical data also includes recorded information about charging events that have occurred. Recorded parameters may include charging voltage and charging current, both as instantaneous values ​​and as a function of time. In this manner, recorded parameters may include the rate of change of charging voltage, the rate of change of charging current, and higher-order differentials. In other examples, historical data may include the duration of a charging cycle and the open-circuit voltage. Furthermore, in other examples, historical data may include the load voltage. This can be achieved by powering the device's heater for a sufficiently short period of time that no aerosol or no significant amount of aerosol is generated (preferably less than 10 milliseconds), or alternatively by measuring the voltage of the battery while the user is using the device to generate an aerosol. Historical data can be increased over time by adding new data derived from each charging event.

[0037] In this example embodiment, the memory unit 52 is shown as part of the apparatus 50. However, the memory unit 52 may equally be provided as part of a companion device (such as a mobile phone) that is communicatively coupled to the apparatus 50. Likewise, the memory unit 52 may be located in the computer 30 or remotely in a server accessible via a network.

[0038] The charger 40 includes components that can charge the rechargeable battery 2 in the device 50 and monitor electrical parameters during charging and pre-charging events. In this embodiment, the charger 40 includes a microcontroller 42, a charging integrated circuit (IC) 44, and a timer 46, which together control charging events. A charging switch 48 is provided between the battery 2 of the device 50 and an external power source 31, which can be provided as part of the computer 30 or separately. The charger 40 is equipped with multiple sensors, including a voltage detector 41, a current detector 43, and a sensor 45 for measuring (ambient) temperature. The charger 40 also includes a resistive load 47, which the switch 48 can optionally connect between the battery 2 and the power source 31. When connected, the resistive load 47 is placed in series between the battery 2 and the power source 31. The resistive load 47 can also be connected to the battery 2 without being connected to the power source 31 to measure the battery 2. In the case of an electronic cigarette 3 as described above, the resistive load can be the device's heater, or it can be independent of the heater element. In other embodiments, the load may be a resistive load rather than a purely resistive load.

[0039] The power supply 31 is arranged in the computer 30 or is arranged to be connected in parallel with the computer. Figure 2 As shown schematically, the computer 30 also includes a central processing unit (CPU) 32, a memory 34 that may be provided internally or externally, and an operating system 36. The computer 30 includes a variety of functions provided in software. Specifically, the computer 30 includes a charge profile calculator 33, a state of health estimator 35, and a depth of discharge and state of charge estimator 37. Stored within the computer 30 is historical data 39 relating to the charge profiles of different devices. When a device 50 is communicatively connected to the computer 30, the historical data stored on the device can be transferred to the computer. The computer 30 can be used with a large number of different devices, and the historical data for each device can be transferred to the computer 30 when a communication interaction is established, which is typically, but not exclusively, during a charging event.

[0040] Figure 3is a flow chart illustrating steps that may be performed in a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method begins when a device 50 is connected to a computer 30 and a charger 40 so that a charging event can begin. In one example, this may involve physically connecting the device 50 to the computer 30 using a cable. In another example, this may involve placing the device 50 on a wireless charging dock connected to the computer 30. At step S1, the CPU 32 in the computer 30 identifies the connected device 50 and its rechargeable battery 2. This can be accomplished by detecting the serial numbers of the device 50 and battery 2. At step S2, the CPU 32 downloads historical data from the memory unit 52 in the device 50 and updates any stored historical data 39 for the associated (identified) device 50. At step S3, the microcontroller 42 in the charger 40 connects the battery 2 to a resistive load 47 so that the voltage detector 41 can measure the battery cell voltage and send this information to the CPU 32. At this point, the CPU 32 can correlate the usage data with the measured battery cell voltage to estimate the depth of discharge of the battery 2. At optional step S4, microcontroller 42 in charger 40 collects information from device 50, including the temperature of battery 2, as determined by sensor 56. At step S5, charge profile calculator 33 in computer 30 calculates the charge current, the maximum charge capacity to be achieved, and the time period for the pre-charge event. These calculations can be based on historical data, including previously used charge currents, the number of charge cycles performed, and the previous state of health determined for the relevant battery 2. In one example, the standard pre-charge voltage is approximately 4.2V. This value can be reduced for safety reasons based on historical data. In one example, if historical data indicates that battery performance has degraded, a pre-charge voltage of approximately 4.06V (approximately 80% of the standard pre-charge voltage) can be selected. The time period for the pre-charge event can also be adjusted proportionally to the pre-charge voltage.

[0041] At step S6, microcontroller 42 in charger 40 initiates a pre-charge event. The charging current determined at step S5 is applied for a relevant time period, allowing for monitoring of charging parameters. Specifically, charging voltage and charging current are monitored by voltage detector 41 and current sensor 43, respectively. The state of charge of battery 2 is also monitored. Furthermore, the temperature of battery 2 and the ambient temperature may be monitored. At the end of the relevant time period, pre-charge is terminated and the charging current ceases.

[0042] In one embodiment, at step S6 , pre-charging is applied so that the battery 2 is charged to a predetermined SoC. For example, the battery 2 may be charged to a predetermined level of 30% to 40% SoC_Full. Figure 4is a schematic graph showing the relationship between the SoC of the battery 2 and time during the charging operation. In the first time period from T0 to T1, the SoC increases during the pre-charging event until it reaches a predetermined threshold SoC 阈值 , the threshold may be 30% to 40% SoC_Full. The predetermined threshold may be selected to ensure that the battery 2 has been sufficiently charged to enable effective measurement of the cell voltage during a discharge event, as will be described below with respect to step S10.

[0043] At step S7, the microcontroller 42 checks whether the pre-charge event is complete, meaning that the pre-charge was successfully performed within the relevant time period. If the pre-charge is not complete, the microcontroller checks at step S8 whether the battery 2 is disconnected from the charger 40. If the battery 2 has not been removed, the pre-charge is attempted again at step S6. If the battery has been removed, the charging event is complete, and the relevant data acquired during the pre-charge event is added to the historical data in the device 50 and / or computer 30.

[0044] At step S9a, and after successfully completing the pre-charge event, the battery 2 is rested for a predetermined relaxation period from T1 to T2 to allow the battery to stabilize and any chemical reactions to complete before taking any measurements. In an embodiment, the predetermined relaxation period may be 10 to 15 minutes, or 15 to 30 minutes, or another value, depending on battery considerations or design considerations.

[0045] At step S9b, after the rest period, the microcontroller 42 measures the open circuit voltage of the battery 2 and the internal resistance of the battery 2 in the DC mode and the AC mode. At step S10, the microcontroller 42 operates the switch 48 to connect the battery 2 to the resistive load 47 in order to measure the battery cell voltage under the load condition. In other words, referring to Figure 4At step S10 , the battery is partially discharged via resistive load 47 during a third time period from T2 to T3. The temperature of battery 2 and the ambient temperature can also be determined by microcontroller 42 at step S10 using associated temperature sensors 45 and 56 . Measurements, including temperature, are preferably made at high resolution using an analog-to-digital converter operating at 12 bits within the range of 5°C to 50°C. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other resolutions, such as 10 bits or 14 bits, can also be used. By making measurements at high resolution, more accurate information can be obtained for more precise SoH determination and improved charging performance. At step S11 , microcontroller 42 sends the acquired data to computer 30 . A state of health estimator 35 in the computer then estimates the battery's state of health. The state of health is determined based on parameters measured from the pre-charge event and historical data retrieved from memory 52 in the device. In various embodiments, a variety of mathematical models can be used to determine the state of health. The determined value of the state of health is calculated based on a function of one or more aspects of the historical data and one or more measured parameters to determine a metric related to the safety of battery use and / or the likelihood of battery failure. The algorithms and / or data used in the state of health estimator 35 can be downloaded from a web server via the Internet, or can be updated by the web server. This allows the firmware in the charger to be updated so that new and improved algorithms or data can be deployed as they become available. In one example, the state of health estimator 35 can utilize actual data from other batteries used in similar devices in the field. This data can be uploaded by other devices to the web server, from which it can be accessed. In this way, the state of health of the battery can be assessed based on data determined based on charge and discharge cycles of similar batteries in other devices used worldwide.

[0046] In a simple example of determining the state of health of a battery, the following steps may be performed. First, baseline values ​​for state of health related parameters are determined. This may be done at the time of manufacture as part of the assembly and testing process, or it may be done when the user performs charging for the first time. To this end, the system estimates the charge level of the battery (this may be done by measuring the loaded cell voltage and / or open circuit cell voltage of the battery and comparing the measurement results with pre-specified loaded cell voltages and / or open circuit cell voltages associated with different state of charge levels, or by a specialized method provided by the battery manufacturer specifically for that battery). Using this method of estimating the state of charge of the battery, the method proceeds by measuring the loaded cell voltage after discharging the battery through a fixed load for a fixed period of time. A ratio is then calculated based on the voltage drop. The ratio is calculated for different state of charge levels, such as 25% state of charge (SoC), 50% SoC, 75% SoC, and a fully charged state (determined by the time charging was stopped). The ratio of these voltage drop measurements forms a A set of baseline measurements is formed. During each subsequent charging event, the health state parameter is calculated by taking new measurements during the charging event, calculating the voltage drop ratios, and comparing these ratios with the (historical) baseline ratios. The health state value is determined based on this comparison. For example, in an embodiment, if the average ratio of the measurement points of all different SoCs increases to more than a first predetermined amount (e.g., 30%) above the average (historical) baseline ratios of these different SoC measurement points or if the ratio of any SoC measurement point increases to more than a second predetermined amount (e.g., 40%) above the corresponding (historical) baseline ratio of the SoC measurement point, the health state value is set to "bad". Intermediate health state values ​​can be calculated between the two extremes of zero increase and 30% increase based on the increase in the above-mentioned average ratio.

[0047] For example, the following baseline ratios can be determined during the first charging event: 3.5V-3.2V / 3.5V=0.085 at 25% SoC; 3.8V-3.7V / 3.8V=0.026 at 50% SoC; 4.15V-4.14V / 4.15V=0.002 at 75% SoC; and 4.2V-4.18V / 4.2V=0.004 at 100% SoC. Average baseline ratio=(0.085+0.026+0.002+0.004) / 4=0.029.

[0048] When a battery is nearing the end of its life, the following measurements can be taken:

[0049] At 25% SoC, 3.1-2.8V / 3.1V = 0.096; at 50% SoC, 3.4-3.1V / 3.4V = 0.088; at 75% SoC, 3.8-3.6V / 3.8V = 0.052; at 100% SoC, 4.2-3.9V / 4.2V = 0.071. Average ratio = (0.096 + 0.088 + 0.0052 + 0.071) / 4 = 0.076.

[0050] A lookup table with data generated from cells at different states of health helps determine the corresponding SoH for a given ratio, with 0.029 corresponding to a SoH of 100% and 0.076 corresponding to a SoH of 37%.

[0051] In an example embodiment, a calculated state of health of less than 40% (as in the example described above) may be sufficient to trigger actions such as reducing the charging current during a fixed current charging phase and reducing the charging voltage during a fixed voltage charging phase to protect the battery from damage during charging. This may also warn the user that the battery is nearing the end of its life and that it is time to purchase a new battery (or a new device if the battery cannot be replaced, etc.). Similarly, in such an example embodiment, a state of health of 0% or less would cause the device to prohibit further charging of the battery and warn the user that the battery now needs to be replaced and that the device cannot continue to operate until the battery (or the device if the battery cannot be replaced) is replaced, etc.

[0052] At step S12, the CPU 32 determines whether the health status metric is within a normal range. If the health status is normal, then at step S13, charging is initiated. Therefore, normal charging of the battery 2 is initiated only when pre-charging is complete and the CPU 32 has determined that the health status satisfies safe charging. Figure 4 Normal charging is then applied during a fourth time period from T3 to T4 until the SoC is 100% or close to 100%. Once the charging operation is complete, the device data is reinitialized at step S14. Once battery 2 is fully charged, the relevant data acquired during the charging event is added as entries to the historical data stored in memory unit 52 of device 50 during a fifth time period (i.e., the time period after T4). This completes the charging event for device 50.

[0053] If, at step S12, the health status is found to be outside the normal range (and within an unacceptable range), then, at step S16, the historical data stored at the computer 30 and the device 50 is updated with the relevant diagnostic data. At step S17, charging of the battery is prohibited. This can be achieved by setting a flag in the memory unit 52 of the device 50 that prevents future charging events. Alternatively, charging events can be physically prohibited, such as by blowing a fuse or activating a switch.

[0054] In another arrangement, at step S12, the CPU 32 may determine whether the state-of-health metric is outside the normal range but within an acceptable range. In this case, a modified charging phase may be initiated. During the modified charging phase, a reduced charging current may be applied compared to normal charging. This may increase the time required to complete charging, but may improve the operating life and safety of the degraded battery 2. The absolute value of the charging current may be reduced, or pulse charging may be applied with a selected time interval between pulses. In some arrangements, the charging current may be reduced by approximately 20% to 30%. The amount of the charging current reduction may depend on the SoH value. The charging current or charging voltage may be gradually reduced based on the SoH value. For example, in some embodiments, the charging current may be reduced by up to approximately 50% for particularly poor SoH values. A reduced charging voltage of approximately 80% of the normal charging voltage may also be applied. For example, the reduced charging voltage may be 4.06V, while the normal charging voltage is 4.2V.

[0055] A display (not shown) may be provided to display information regarding the state of health metric. In one example, upon initiation of a modified charging phase, the display may provide a notification that the rechargeable battery 2 is nearing the end of its useful life. This may prompt the user to replace the rechargeable battery, even if it continues to be used in the modified charging mode. If it is determined that the state of health of the rechargeable battery 2 is within an unacceptable range, the display may provide a notification that the rechargeable battery must be replaced.

[0056] Determining the state of health can consume computing resources or extend charging time, so it may be desirable to schedule a state of health assessment periodically (rather than during every charging event). In one example, a state of health assessment can be scheduled weekly or monthly, or performed based on the user's specific requirements. This ensures safe operation of the battery without interfering with normal use.

Claims

1. A method for charging a rechargeable battery of an electronic cigarette, the method comprising the following steps: Retrieving historical data related to the rechargeable battery, wherein the historical data is related to at least one previous charging operation and / or to a default data set; measuring one or more parameters associated with the rechargeable battery; determining a state of health of the rechargeable battery based on the one or more measured parameters and the historical data; and Based on the determined health status, perform an action on the electronic cigarette, wherein the rechargeable battery is charged during a pre-charging period of predetermined duration, during which a charging voltage is applied, or during a pre-charging period in which the rechargeable battery is pre-charged to a predetermined state of charge, wherein the rechargeable battery is rested after the pre-charging period, and the rechargeable battery is at least partially discharged after the rechargeable battery resting, wherein the step of measuring the one or more parameters is performed during the pre-charging period, and / or after the rechargeable battery has been rested and before the rechargeable battery is at least partially discharged, and / or during the at least partial discharge, and The performing of an action on the electronic cigarette based on the determined health status includes: charging the rechargeable battery in a normal mode if the determined state of health is within a normal range; If the determined state of health is outside the normal range but within an acceptable range, charging the rechargeable battery in a modified mode in which at least one charging parameter is modified compared to charging in a normal mode, and providing a notification to a user of the electronic cigarette that the rechargeable battery is approaching the end of its useful life; or If the determined state of health is outside the acceptable range, subsequent charging of the rechargeable battery is prohibited, and a warning is provided to the user that the rechargeable battery or the electronic cigarette needs to be replaced.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The one or more measured parameters include one or more of a charging voltage and a charging current.

3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The one or more measured parameters include an open circuit voltage in the rechargeable battery.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, comprising the step of recording the one or more measured parameters as new entries in the historical data.

5. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising the step of identifying the electronic cigarette.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein: The rechargeable battery is discharged by connecting it to a resistive load that is separate from the main electrical heating element in the electronic cigarette.

7. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The action includes disabling charging of the rechargeable battery if the state of health is within an unacceptable range.

8. A system for charging a rechargeable battery of an electronic cigarette, the system comprising at least one processor configured to: Retrieving historical data related to the rechargeable battery from a memory unit, wherein: The historical data relates to at least one previous charging operation and / or to a default data set; measuring one or more parameters associated with the rechargeable battery; determining a state of health of the rechargeable battery based on the one or more measured parameters and the historical data; and Based on the determined health status, perform an action on the electronic cigarette, wherein the rechargeable battery is charged during a pre-charging period of predetermined duration, during which a charging voltage is applied, or during a pre-charging period in which the rechargeable battery is pre-charged to a predetermined state of charge, wherein the rechargeable battery is rested after the pre-charging period, and the rechargeable battery is at least partially discharged after the rechargeable battery resting, wherein the step of measuring the one or more parameters is performed during the pre-charging period, and / or after the rechargeable battery has been rested and before the rechargeable battery is at least partially discharged, and / or during the at least partial discharge, and The performing of an action on the electronic cigarette based on the determined health status includes: charging the rechargeable battery in a normal mode if the determined state of health is within a normal range; If the determined state of health is outside the normal range but within an acceptable range, charging the rechargeable battery in a modified mode in which at least one charging parameter is modified compared to charging in a normal mode, and providing a notification to a user of the electronic cigarette that the rechargeable battery is approaching the end of its useful life; or If the determined state of health is outside the acceptable range, subsequent charging of the rechargeable battery is prohibited, and a warning is provided to the user that the rechargeable battery or the electronic cigarette needs to be replaced.

9. A computer-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: Obtaining historical data related to rechargeable batteries for electronic cigarettes, wherein: The historical data relates to at least one previous charging operation and / or to a default data set; measuring one or more parameters associated with the rechargeable battery; determining a state of health of the rechargeable battery based on the one or more measured parameters and the historical data; and Based on the determined health status, perform an action on the electronic cigarette, wherein the rechargeable battery is charged during a pre-charging period of predetermined duration, during which a charging voltage is applied, or during a pre-charging period in which the rechargeable battery is pre-charged to a predetermined state of charge, wherein the rechargeable battery is rested after the pre-charging period, and the rechargeable battery is at least partially discharged after the rechargeable battery resting, and wherein the step of measuring the one or more parameters is performed during the pre-charging period, and / or after the rechargeable battery has been rested and before the rechargeable battery is at least partially discharged, and / or during the at least partial discharge, and The performing of an action on the electronic cigarette based on the determined health status includes: charging the rechargeable battery in a normal mode if the determined state of health is within a normal range; If the determined state of health is outside the normal range but within an acceptable range, charging the rechargeable battery in a modified mode in which at least one charging parameter is modified compared to charging in a normal mode, and providing a notification to a user of the electronic cigarette that the rechargeable battery is approaching the end of its useful life; or If the determined state of health is outside the acceptable range, subsequent charging of the rechargeable battery is prohibited, and a warning is provided to the user that the rechargeable battery or the electronic cigarette needs to be replaced.

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