Charging method, battery charging management method, overcharge protection unit and battery charging management system

Abstract

The present invention provides a charging method, a battery charging management method, an overcharge protection unit and a battery charging management system, which can avoid frequent and repeated charging and improve the battery life. The battery charging management method includes the following steps: counting the interval between two battery full behaviors exceeding a predetermined time, and executing the protection mode after the count reaches the maximum threshold; when the battery is in the protection mode, if the battery power is lower than the minimum threshold, exit the protection mode and count again; the protection mode includes the following steps: judging whether the battery power is higher than the maximum threshold, if it is higher than the maximum threshold, adopting the low-voltage charging mode to gradually reduce the battery power; judging whether the battery power is lower than the minimum threshold, if it is lower than the minimum threshold, adopting the normal-voltage charging mode to gradually increase the battery power.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of intelligent information terminals, and in particular to a charging method, a battery charging management method, an overcharge protection unit, and a battery charging management system. Background Art

[0002] Android handheld POS is a smart terminal device for accepting payment services. It looks like a thickened version of a mobile phone, but it integrates peripherals required for payment acceptance, such as magnetic stripe card reader, chip card reader, camera, NFC, fingerprint recognition, etc. It is powered by Android system. The handheld POS machine comes with a soft pack battery to provide power for the host. The soft pack battery can be charged by connecting a dedicated power adapter through the USB port on the handheld POS machine.

[0003] Android handheld POS machines are often placed at the cash register, with their USB ports connected to a charging adapter for charging. Android handheld POS machines are in a charging state for a long time, but not in a charging state for a short time. After the soft-pack battery is fully charged, the Android handheld POS machine and the charging adapter remain connected, which keeps the soft-pack battery in a high-charge, high-voltage state for a long time. In this scenario, the Android handheld POS machine is prone to battery swelling, which affects its service life. Summary of the invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a charging method, a battery charging management method, an overcharge protection unit and a battery charging management system, which can avoid frequent repeated charging and improve battery life.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a charging method, comprising the following steps: judging whether the battery power is higher than a maximum threshold value, if so, adopting a low-voltage charging mode to gradually reduce the battery power; judging whether the battery power is lower than a minimum threshold value, if so, adopting a normal-voltage charging mode to gradually increase the battery power.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a battery charging management method, comprising the following steps: counting the situation where the interval between two battery full charge behaviors exceeds a predetermined time, and executing a protection mode after the count reaches a maximum threshold; when the battery is in the protection mode, if the battery power is lower than the exit threshold, exiting the protection mode and re-counting; the protection mode comprises the following steps: judging whether the battery power is higher than a maximum threshold, if it is higher than the maximum threshold, adopting a low-voltage charging mode to gradually reduce the battery power; judging whether the battery power is lower than a minimum threshold, if it is lower than the minimum threshold, adopting a normal-voltage charging mode to gradually increase the battery power.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an overcharge protection unit, which is arranged in the battery, connected to the charging port of the battery, and configured to perform the following steps: judging whether the battery power is higher than a maximum threshold value, if it is higher than the maximum threshold value, adopting a low-voltage charging mode to gradually reduce the battery power; judging whether the battery power is lower than a minimum threshold value, if it is lower than the minimum threshold value, adopting a normal-voltage charging mode to gradually increase the battery power.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a battery charging management system, including a monitoring unit and an overcharge protection unit, wherein the monitoring unit is arranged in the battery, connected to the charging port of the battery, and configured to perform the following steps: counting the situation where the interval between two battery full charges exceeds a predetermined time, and starting the overcharge protection unit after the count reaches a maximum threshold; when the overcharge protection unit is started, if the battery charge is lower than an exit threshold, the overcharge protection unit is turned off and the count is restarted; the overcharge protection unit is connected to the charging port of the battery and the monitoring unit, and configured to perform the following steps: judging whether the battery charge is higher than a maximum threshold, and if so, adopting a low-voltage charging mode to gradually reduce the battery charge; judging whether the battery charge is lower than a minimum threshold, and if so, adopting a normal-voltage charging mode to gradually increase the battery charge.

[0009] The present invention identifies the above-mentioned usage scenarios by counting charging behaviors, and switches the charging mode in real time: turning on or off the protection mode. This prevents the soft-pack battery from being in a high-charge, high-voltage state for a long time, and prevents the battery from bulging. Specifically, the overcharge scenario can be identified by counting charging behaviors; and after the overcharge scenario is found, the charging mode is switched in real time to prevent the soft-pack battery from being in a high-charge, high-voltage state for a long time, and prevent the battery from bulging. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Attached Figure 1 Shown is a schematic diagram of the implementation steps of a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Attached Figure 2 Shown is a schematic diagram of the implementation steps of a specific embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The specific implementation methods of the charging method, the battery charging management method, the overcharge protection unit and the battery charging management system provided by the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] The specific implementation of the charging method of the present invention is given below. Figure 1The figure is a schematic diagram of the implementation steps of this specific embodiment, including: step S10, judging whether the battery power is higher than the maximum threshold, if it is higher than the maximum threshold, adopting the low-voltage charging mode to gradually reduce the battery power; step S11, judging whether the battery power is lower than the minimum threshold, if it is lower than the minimum threshold, adopting the normal-voltage charging mode to gradually increase the battery power.

[0014] The implementation steps of the above method are not restricted in order, but are implemented synchronously when the battery is working, that is, the battery status is detected in real time when the battery is working. If it is higher than the highest threshold, the low-voltage charging mode is adopted to gradually reduce the battery power; if it is lower than the lowest threshold, the normal-voltage charging mode is adopted to gradually increase the battery power. The above method can avoid the battery being repeatedly charged in the standby state, which may cause damage too quickly. For example, the highest threshold can be set to 85% and the lowest threshold can be set to 15%. Then, the low-voltage mode or normal mode is used for charging between 15% and 85% of the power. When the power rises to or exceeds 85%, the low-voltage mode is used for charging, and the power will gradually decrease; when the power drops to or below 15%, the normal mode is used for charging, and the power will gradually increase. This will ensure that the battery is always between 15% and 85% when it is in standby for a long time, so that it can meet the requirements of being awakened at any time, and will not be repeatedly charged in standby mode, resulting in a reduced lifespan.

[0015] The specific implementation of the battery charging management method of the present invention is given below. Figure 2 The figure shows a schematic diagram of the implementation steps of this specific embodiment, including: step S20, counting the situation where the interval between two battery full behaviors exceeds a predetermined time, and executing the protection mode after the count reaches the maximum threshold; step S21, when the battery is in the protection mode, if the battery power is lower than the exit threshold, then exit the protection mode and count again. The protection mode includes the following steps: step S10, judging whether the battery power is higher than the highest threshold, if it is higher than the highest threshold, adopting the low-voltage charging mode to gradually reduce the battery power; step S11, judging whether the battery power is lower than the lowest threshold, if it is lower than the lowest threshold, adopting the normal-voltage charging mode to gradually increase the battery power.

[0016] The device used in the above method can be customized to send a "full battery" broadcast once each time the battery is fully charged. As an optional specific implementation method, the rule for the terminal to continue charging after it is fully charged is: after the battery is fully charged to 100, the battery will drop back to 95, and then continue to charge upward until it is full of 100, and then drop back to 95 again, and repeat the cycle. If the power adapter is unplugged (or powered off) in the middle, it will directly charge upward until the battery is fully charged when it is connected again for charging, and then drop back and enter the aforementioned cycle again. It is generally estimated that it takes 20 minutes to charge from 95 to 100, and it is generally estimated that it takes 200 minutes to drop from 100 to 95 in sleep mode.

[0017] For the Android system commonly used in smart terminals, two interfaces need to be developed to set the protection mode recharge capacity (default 15%) and upper limit (default 85%) for the calling module; the system stops charging when the charging capacity reaches the upper limit of the protection mode and notifies the calling module of the relevant status; the system restarts charging when the power is lower than the protection mode recharge capacity. The full power broadcast is defined as a new system broadcast; when the power changes and becomes 100%, a full power broadcast is sent; the low power broadcast does not need to be developed, as this broadcast is the default in the Android system.

[0018] Step S20 includes counting the situations where the interval between two battery full charge behaviors exceeds a predetermined time, and executing the protection mode after the count reaches the maximum threshold. Its purpose is to monitor whether the battery is in a long-term standby state. The maximum threshold of the count can be set to 20 times. As an optional specific implementation, when a full battery broadcast is received, it is judged that the interval with the last broadcast is greater than 120 minutes, the counter is +1, and the algorithm will be set to enter the protection mode when the counter reaches 20 times. In the above process, if a low battery broadcast occurs, the counter is reset. The fastest time period for entering the protection mode when the system is not asleep is: 120*20=2400 minutes=40 hours; the time period for entering the protection mode when the system is asleep is: 200*20=4000 minutes=66.6 hours, of which 200 minutes is the interval between two full battery charges in the dormant state under the factory configuration.

[0019] Step S21 includes exiting the protection mode and recounting if the battery power is lower than the exit threshold when the battery is in the protection mode. The purpose is to ensure that the terminal does not enter the protection mode under normal use. As a specific implementation, the trigger condition for exiting the protection mode is that when charging again, it is found that the charging cable has been disconnected for more than 5 hours or the power is lower than the exit threshold at this time. At this time, the algorithm will reset the counter and set the exit protection mode. Both of these behaviors, that the charging cable has been disconnected for more than 5 hours or the power is lower than the exit threshold at this time, mean that there is an active user using this terminal, so the protection mode can be exited.

[0020] In the above method, when the battery is fully charged continuously, the count value will gradually approach the "threshold for judging overcharging behavior". After reaching the threshold, the user is judged to be overcharging. When the battery is low once, it is predicted that the user will resume normal use, and the count value will return to the starting point and restart the judgment. When the power adapter is plugged in for charging, if the battery is less than the exit threshold, it is predicted that the user finds that the battery is too low and expects to be fully charged this time, and the charging behavior judgment mechanism will exit the protection mode. When the continuous non-charging time exceeds the "mobile use threshold", it is judged that the user has given up the overcharging behavior, and the charging behavior judgment mechanism will exit the protection mode.

[0021] The steps to be implemented in the protection mode include: step S10, judging whether the battery power is higher than the highest threshold, if higher than the highest threshold, adopting the low-voltage charging mode to gradually reduce the battery power; step S11, judging whether the battery power is lower than the lowest threshold, if lower than the lowest threshold, adopting the normal-voltage charging mode to gradually increase the battery power. The above steps are implemented simultaneously in the protection mode, and there is no order of precedence. That is, when the battery is working, the battery status is detected in real time. If it is higher than the highest threshold, the low-voltage charging mode is adopted to gradually reduce the battery power; if it is lower than the lowest threshold, the normal-voltage charging mode is adopted to gradually increase the battery power. The above method can avoid the battery being repeatedly charged in the standby state, although it is almost fully charged, resulting in excessive damage. As a specific implementation method, the highest threshold can be set at 85% and the lowest threshold can be set at 15%. Then use the low-voltage mode or normal mode to charge between 15% and 85% of the power. When the battery level reaches or exceeds 85%, the battery level will be gradually reduced by using the low-voltage mode; when the battery level drops to or below 15%, the battery level will be gradually increased by using the normal mode. This will ensure that the battery level is always between 15% and 85% during long-term standby mode, and can be awakened at any time without being repeatedly charged during standby mode, which will reduce the battery life.

[0022] The above method identifies the above usage scenarios by counting the charging behavior, and switches the charging mode in real time: turning on or off the protection mode. Prevent the soft-pack battery from being in a high charge and high voltage state for a long time to prevent the battery from bulging. Especially for devices such as POS machines whose usage scenarios are concentrated at the cash register, charging is convenient and their mobile use frequency is low, so the power reserve does not need to be as much as that of mobile phones. Compared with the technical solutions of mobile phones, the above method is sensitive to overcharging behavior (protection is activated as fast as 32 hours) and has a strong protection for soft-pack batteries (minimum retention of 15% of the power). Specifically, the overcharging scenario (continuing to charge for a long time when the battery is full) can be identified by counting the charging behavior; and after the overcharging scenario is found, the charging mode is switched in real time to prevent the soft-pack battery from being in a high charge and high voltage state for a long time to prevent the battery from bulging.

[0023] A specific implementation of an overcharge protection unit. The overcharge protection unit is disposed in a battery, connected to a charging port of the battery, and configured to perform the following steps: determining whether the battery power is higher than a maximum threshold, if higher than the maximum threshold, using a low-voltage charging mode to gradually reduce the battery power; determining whether the battery power is lower than a minimum threshold, if lower than the minimum threshold, using a normal-voltage charging mode to gradually increase the battery power.

[0024] As a specific implementation, the highest threshold is 85% of the maximum battery power, and the lowest threshold is 15% of the maximum battery power.

[0025] A specific implementation of a battery charging management system. The system includes a monitoring unit and an overcharge protection unit. The monitoring unit is arranged in a battery, connected to the charging port of the battery, and configured to perform the following steps: counting the interval between two battery full charges exceeding a predetermined time, and starting the overcharge protection unit after the count reaches a maximum threshold; when the overcharge protection unit is started, if the battery charge is lower than a minimum threshold, the overcharge protection unit is turned off and the count is restarted; the overcharge protection unit is connected to the charging port of the battery and the monitoring unit, and configured to perform the following steps: judging whether the battery charge is higher than a maximum threshold, and if so, adopting a low-voltage charging mode to gradually reduce the battery charge; judging whether the battery charge is lower than a minimum threshold, and if so, adopting a normal-voltage charging mode to gradually increase the battery charge.

[0026] As a specific implementation, the step of counting the situations where the interval between two battery full charge behaviors exceeds a predetermined time further includes the step of resetting the counter when the battery charge is lower than a minimum threshold.

[0027] As a specific implementation, the maximum threshold of the count is 20 times.

[0028] As a specific implementation, the highest threshold is 85% of the maximum battery power, and the lowest threshold is 15% of the maximum battery power.

[0029] The above-mentioned units and systems identify the above-mentioned usage scenarios by counting the charging behavior, and switch the charging mode in real time: turn on or off the protection mode. Prevent the soft-pack battery from being in a high-charge, high-voltage state for a long time to prevent the battery from bulging. Especially for devices such as POS machines whose usage scenarios are concentrated at the cash register, charging is convenient and their mobile use frequency is low, so the power reserve does not need to be as much as that of mobile phones. Compared with the technical solutions of mobile phones, the above-mentioned method is sensitive to overcharging behavior (protection is activated as fast as 32 hours) and has a strong protection for soft-pack batteries (minimum 15% of the power is retained). Specifically, the overcharging scenario (continuing to charge for a long time when the battery is full) can be identified by counting the charging behavior; and after the overcharging scenario is found, the charging mode is switched in real time to prevent the soft-pack battery from being in a high-charge, high-voltage state for a long time to prevent the battery from bulging.

[0030] The following are examples of the above technical solution.

[0031] The application effects in common scenarios are as follows:

[0032] Example 1: User A's terminal usage habits are: the terminal is placed at the cashier counter, the frequency of use is low, and it is always connected to the charging cable and charged continuously. The user's terminal is in a dormant state for a long time and is charged continuously. After the counter reaches the threshold (20), the algorithm automatically sets it to enter the protection mode. The user will see the power level fluctuate between 15% and 85% for a long time.

[0033] Note: The time period for the user to enter protection mode is: 200*20=4000 minutes=66.7 hours, of which 200 minutes is the interval between two full charges in the dormant state under the factory configuration.

[0034] Example 2: User B's terminal usage habit is: the terminal is placed at the cashier counter, always connected to the charging cable, charging continuously, and used while charging. After the counter reaches the threshold (20), the algorithm automatically sets it to enter the protection mode. The user will see the power level fluctuate between 15% and 85% for a long time.

[0035] Note: The time period for this user to enter protection mode is shorter than 1) because the use of the terminal is reduced and the time it takes for the battery to drop to 95% is shortened.

[0036] Example 3: User C's terminal usage habit is: the terminal is placed on the cashier's counter with the charging cable connected, and the charging cable is unplugged when it is used on the move, and it returns to "placed on the cashier's counter with the charging cable connected" after use. Because "full battery" appears after mobile use, it is evidence of long-term overcharging. After the counter reaches the threshold (20), the algorithm automatically sets it to enter protection mode. The user will see the battery level fluctuate between 15% and 85% for a long time.

[0037] Example 4: User D's terminal usage habits are: the terminal is placed at the cashier counter, always connected to the charging cable, charging continuously, and used while charging. The cashier counter is turned off when the store closes at night. Because the power outage lasts for more than 5 hours at night, the trigger condition for automatically setting the exit protection mode is met, so the algorithm ensures that the user's terminal will not enter the protection mode. The user will see that the power can be charged to 100% normally for a long time.

[0038] Example 5: User E's terminal usage habit is: the terminal is placed on the cashier counter with the charging cable connected, and the charging cable is unplugged when it is used on the move, and after use, it is often forgotten to "place it on the cashier counter with the charging cable connected". When the user does not forget to plug in the power, the protection mode is entered as in scenario 3), but soon the "trigger condition for automatically setting the exit from the protection mode" is met because of forgetting to plug in the power. This usage habit will make the terminal not be in the protection mode most of the time. The user will see that the power can be charged to 100% normally for a long time.

[0039] Example 6: User F's terminal usage habits are: the terminal is placed at the checkout counter, always connected to the charging cable, charging continuously, and used while charging. Occasionally, one day, he forgets to charge after using it. The user's previous habits are as in 2), and the algorithm ensures that the terminal is in protection mode for a long time. Forgetting to charge one day will result in the "trigger condition for automatically setting exit from protection mode" being met. After this day, habit 2) is entered again, and the algorithm ensures that the terminal will be in protection mode again. Occasionally (around the day when he forgot to charge), the user will see that the battery can be charged normally to 100%, and most of the time he will see that the battery level varies between 15% and 85%.

[0040] Example 7: User G's terminal usage habit is: the terminal is placed at the cashier counter for use, and only remembers to charge when the battery is low, and does not charge when the battery is sufficient (not low). The user's terminal will not enter the protection mode, and the algorithm will ensure that "automatically set to exit the protection mode" every time the battery is low. The user will see that the battery can be charged to 100% normally for a long time.

[0041] Example 8: User H's terminal usage habits are: the terminal is placed at the cashier counter for use, and he only remembers to charge it when the battery is low. He does not charge it when the battery is sufficient (not low). However, when the terminal is not used at night or on weekends, it is always connected to the charger for charging. The terminal is in sleep mode on weekends. When charging continuously, it generally takes 66.7 hours to reach the threshold (20). The user did not meet the "trigger condition for automatically setting to enter protection mode" for 65 hours from Friday 18:00 to Monday 11:00. The user will see that the battery can be charged to 100% normally for a long time.

[0042] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that ordinary technicians in this technical field can make several improvements and modifications without departing from the principle of the present invention. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery charging management method, characterized in that: The steps include: A predetermined time is set for each terminal system state of a dormant state and a non-dormant state. According to whether the terminal system state is a dormant state or a non-dormant state, a count is performed on the situation where the interval between two battery full charges exceeds the predetermined time corresponding to the terminal system state. After the count reaches the maximum threshold, the protection mode is executed. When the terminal system state is a dormant state, the predetermined time is the interval between two full charges in the dormant state under the factory configuration. When the battery is in protection mode, if the battery level is lower than the exit threshold, or the continuous uncharged time of the battery exceeds the mobile use threshold, the protection mode is exited and the counting is restarted; The protection mode comprises the following steps: Determine whether the battery power is higher than the maximum threshold. If it is higher than the maximum threshold, use the low-voltage charging mode to gradually reduce the battery power. Determine whether the battery power is lower than the minimum threshold. If it is lower than the minimum threshold, use the normal voltage charging mode to gradually increase the battery power. The highest threshold is 85% of the maximum battery power, and the lowest threshold is 15% of the maximum battery power.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The step of counting the situations where the interval between two battery full charge behaviors exceeds the corresponding predetermined time in the state according to whether the terminal system state is a sleep state or a non-sleep state further includes the step of resetting the counter when the battery power is lower than a minimum threshold.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The maximum threshold of the count is 20 times.

4. A battery charging management system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a monitoring unit and an overcharge protection unit, wherein the monitoring unit is arranged in the battery, connected to the charging port of the battery, and configured to perform the following steps: A predetermined time is set for each terminal system state being in a dormant state and a non-dormant state. According to whether the terminal system state is in a dormant state or a non-dormant state, a situation where the interval between two battery full charges exceeds the predetermined time corresponding to the terminal system state is counted, and the overcharge protection unit is started after the count reaches a maximum threshold. When the terminal system state is in a dormant state, the predetermined time is the interval between two full charges in the dormant state under the factory configuration. When the overcharge protection unit is activated, if the battery power level is lower than the exit threshold, or the continuous uncharged time of the battery exceeds the mobile use threshold, the overcharge protection unit is turned off and the count is restarted; The overcharge protection unit is connected to the charging port of the battery and the monitoring unit, and is configured to perform the following steps: Determine whether the battery power is higher than the maximum threshold. If it is higher than the maximum threshold, use the low-voltage charging mode to gradually reduce the battery power. Determine whether the battery power is lower than the minimum threshold. If it is lower than the minimum threshold, use the normal voltage charging mode to gradually increase the battery power. The highest threshold is 85% of the maximum battery power, and the lowest threshold is 15% of the maximum battery power.

5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that The step of counting the cases where the interval between two battery full charge behaviors exceeds a predetermined time further includes the step of resetting the counter when the battery charge is lower than a minimum threshold.

6. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that The maximum threshold of the count is 20 times.

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