WO2016166735A1

WO2016166735A1 - Smart batteries

Info

Publication number: WO2016166735A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/052191
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kwong Hang LEUNG; Chun Kuen KONG; Tsz Leung LEUNG; Weigong Zheng
Original assignee: Gp Batteries International Limited
Priority date: 2015-04-17
Filing date: 2016-04-18
Publication date: 2016-10-20

Abstract

A smart battery having an operation power mode selectable from a plurality of operation power modes is disclosed. The smart battery comprises a battery module or battery pack, a controller, a wireless communication frontend, a data communication port and a power output. The battery pack is operable in a plurality of alternative operation modes including a power saving mode at a lower power consumption rate and a wake up mode at a higher power consumption rate. The controller is to determine the operation mode according to actual power requirements and to set the smart battery into a mode of operation selected according to outcome of the determination. A smart battery having a power management controller to operate the battery in an appropriate mode according to actual power requirements is advantageous for power efficiency and long operability.

Description

SMART BATTERIES

Field

[001] The present disclosure relates to batteries, and more particularly to intelligent batteries or smart batteries. Background

[002] Many devices are battery operated and many battery operated devices are located in places or situation where charging or replacement of batteries may not be convenient. Battery lifetime is a critical design constraint in many wireless applications since many wireless devices are required to operate for months or years without maintenance or exchange.

Disclosure

[003] A smart battery having a power management controller to select an operation power mode from a plurality of operation power modes is disclosed. The smart battery is to monitor a wake up condition. When a wake up condition has arisen and detected, the battery will change to operate in a wake up mode or normal power mode from a standby or power saving mode upon detection of the wake up condition. The smart battery may comprise a wake up port for detecting a wake up condition from a device powered by the battery. The smart battery may comprise a wake up port which is for detecting a wake up condition from an external device not powered by the battery. The wake up condition may be generated internally by a power management controller, for example, at predetermined times.

[004] The smart battery comprises a battery module or battery pack, a controller, a wireless communication frontend, a data communication port and a power output. The battery pack is operable in a plurality of alternative operation modes including a power saving mode at a lower power consumption rate and a wake up mode at a higher power consumption rate. The controller is to determine the operation mode according to actual, expected or anticipated, power requirements and to set the smart battery into a mode of operation selected according to outcome of the determination. A smart battery having a power management controller to operate the battery in an appropriate mode according to actual, expected or anticipated, power requirements is advantageous for power efficiency and long operability.

[005] In some embodiments, the controller is to set the battery pack to operate in the power saving mode to supply essential operation power and to change the battery pack to operate in the wake up mode to supply a higher power than the essential operation power upon detection of a wake up condition. [006] In some embodiments, the controller is to communicate with external devices using a low energy communication protocol, especially a communication protocol conforming to an industrial standard. The protocol may conform to a standard such as DECT, DECT ULE, Bluetooth, Zigbee protocols or other known standard protocols. A smart battery or battery pack which is set to communicate using a standard communication protocol means that the battery can readily work with a battery powered device and operate in an environment established using standard protocols such as wireless sensing networks (WSN) or other networks.

Figures

[007] The disclosure will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows an apparatus comprising a smart battery according to the present disclosure and a battery powered device,

Figure 1 A is a block diagram depicting an example smart battery of the present disclosure, Figure 2 is a block diagram depicting another example smart battery of the present disclosure,

Figure 3 shows example operation flows of the example smart battery of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a block diagram depicting an example battery operated apparatus according to the present disclosure,

Figure 5 is a flow diagram depicting example operation logic of the example battery operated apparatus of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a block diagram depicting another example battery operated apparatus of the present disclosure,

Figure 7 is a block diagram depicting yet another example battery operated apparatus of the present disclosure, and

Figure 8 is a flow diagram depicting example operation logic of the example battery operated apparatus of Figure 7.

Description

[008] An example battery operated apparatus 1 comprises a battery powered device 10 and an intelligent battery pack 100. A sensor or a sensor module would be a useful example of a battery powered device herein. [009] The intelligent battery pack 100 depicted in Figure 1A comprises a battery module 110, a wireless communication frontend 120, a controller 130, a data communication port 140 and a power output device 150. The controller 130 comprises a processor 132 in the example form of a microprocessor (μΡ) core, a communication portion and a data storage device 134 comprising volatile and/or non-volatile memory devices such as RAMs, ROMs and/or EPROM, and is connected to optional peripheral devices 136 such as a charge pump or LEDs. The wireless communication frontend is connected to the controller 130 and comprises an antenna to facilitate wireless communication with external wireless devices. The data storage device 134 is to store instructions in the form of computer programs, instructions and/or data. The data communication portion include at least one data communication port to facilitate data communication between the processor and the battery powered device 10. The power output device 150 includes for example a pair of power output terminals to provide an interface through which the battery powered device can obtain operation power from the battery module 110. The battery module 110 may comprise a single battery or a group of batteries in electrical connection. The battery may be a lithium- ion battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, a carbon zinc battery, a lead acid battery or other types of primary or secondary batteries without loss of generality. Each battery may be a cylindrical battery, a prismatic battery or a combination thereof without loss of generality. To enhance compactness and service reliability, the components including the wireless communication frontend 120, the controller 130, the data communication port 140 and the power output device 150 maybe grouped to form a module or a modular assembly of intelligent components which is connectible to the battery module 110. The battery module and the modular assembly of intelligent components may be detachably connectible for ease of replacement.

[0010] The processor 132 is to operate the apparatus using power of the battery module 110 to perform various predefined functions during normal operations. In some embodiments, the processor is to execute instructions stored in the data storage device 134 to implement various functions including predefined functions. Example functions to be performed by the processor 132 may include communication with an external device via the wireless communication frontend, communication with the senor module 10 via the data communication port, controlling operation of the peripheral devices and/or controlling power available for output at the power output. The functions may be predefined, preset or sent from time to time as update instructions to the processor.

[001 1] So that the intelligent battery 100 can cooperate with devices of different manufacturers or makers or to cooperate with other smart devices not being a sensor module, the processor 132 may be set to operate using protocols or signals that are common, standard or universal.

[0012] The apparatus is set to operate or to be operable in a 'power saving mode' (for example, stand-by mode) or alternatively, in a 'wake up mode'. When in the wake up mode, the apparatus will consume power which is necessary to perform predefined functions. When in the power saving mode, the apparatus will consume power which is necessary to maintain the apparatus in a standby mode when only essential functions will be performed. In some embodiments, essential functions would include detection of wireless signals incoming paging or polling requests and responding to the external sources or devices, detecting conditions for which the battery powered device 10 is primarily designed, and/or responding to alerts coming from the battery powered device 10. To enable the apparatus to detect incoming paging or polling requests, the wireless communication frontend would need to be operational at all appropriate time. In both modes, the processor 132 will be operational. Power consumption during the 'power saving mode' would be lower, and preferably significantly or substantially lower, than the power consumption during the 'wake up' or 'normal' mode to facilitate a long operation life to maximize time between battery change or battery charging.

[0013] In order that the apparatus can respond quickly to ad hoc incoming paging or polling requests, the wireless communication frontend would be operational during the power saving or standby mode. To preserve battery power while maintaining essential operation of the wireless communication frontend, a low energy ("LE") or ultra-low energy ("ULE") protocol is to be used for wireless communication via the wireless communication frontend. To preserve battery power, the processor is configured to evaluate and determine an optimal operating power which is necessary to operate the wireless communication frontend for optimal detection of incoming paging or polling requests and to store the optimal operating power in the memory for subsequent use. For example, the processor may determine the optimal operating power for optimal operation with an external wireless device after establishing initial communication therewith and to store the relevant information in the memory device as part of the profile of the external wireless device. After the relevant information has been stored, the apparatus will operate using the optimal power setting whenever in communication with that external wireless device as an identified device unless and until changes are necessary. For example, changes in operation power would be necessary when the quality of detection or communication drops below a quality threshold. When this happens, the processor will operate again to determine a new optimal operating power and to update and store the latest power setting in the data storage device. [0014] In operation, the processor is to set the apparatus in the power saving mode after initialization, after each wake up, and on reset. When a wake up situation is detected or encountered, the processor will operate to wake up the apparatus so that the apparatus will operate in the wake up mode to perform predefined or stored functions. A wake up condition may for example be set to correspond to the receipt of a wake up request in the form of a paging request or a polling request received via the wireless communication frontend, to correspond to the receipt of an event triggered alert signal received via the data communication port, for example, upon detection of an alerting event by the sensor module, or a upon receipt or detection of wake up signal generated internally by the processor at predetermined times or intervals. The first type of wake up will be conveniently referred to as an 'external wireless wake up' ("EWW"), the second type as 'external event wake up' ("EEW") and the third type as 'timer' or 'internal wake up' ("IW").

[0015] When the apparatus is in the wake up mode, the processor will access and retrieve event data stored in the battery powered device 10 and forward the event data, for example, out of the apparatus via the wireless communication frontend. The data to be sent out via the wireless communication frontend may be processed by the processor before sending or may be forward without further processing without loss of generality. After data has been retrieved from the battery powered device 10 and/or forwarded, the processor will set the apparatus back into the power saving mode unless further operations are required in which case the apparatus will remain in the wake up mode until subsequently changed back into the power saving mode.

[0016] Another example smart battery 200 according to the present disclosure and depicted in Figure 2 comprises a battery module 210, a wireless communication frontend 220 comprising an antenna 222, a controller 230, a first data communication port 242, a second data communication port 244 and a power output device comprising, for example, a first or positive power output terminal 252 and a second or negative power output terminal 254. The battery module 210 comprises a single 9-V battery cell as a convenient example. The controller 230 comprises a microprocessor 232, an EEPROM 234A and a RAM 234B having a protocol stack defined. The microprocessor may for example comprise an ARM926 processor core of Texas Instruments (RTM). The peripheral devices may optionally include a charge pump for converting the battery voltage to a higher voltage to appear at the power output device, a data acquisition device ("DAQ") and/or a low dropout regulator ("LDO"). The first data communication port 242 is set to receive an EEW and the second data communication port is set to outwardly transport data. In some embodiments, the first and second data communication ports may share a single physical data path without loss of generality. An EEW may be a toggle signal as a convenient example. [0017] The example apparatus is set to operate using DECT ULE (RTM) as an example protocol to attain benefits including standard compatibility and low-energy or ultra-low energy operation.

[0018] DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) is a standard originally designed for cordless phone systems. DECT ULE (Ultra Low Energy) is a ultra-low energy variant of DECT (RTM) which is commonly used in home automation, security, healthcare and energy monitoring applications. DECT based devices can more easily connect to the web using DECT enabled modems and be managed conveniently using a smartphone application ("APP").

[0019] Technical properties of the DECT standards are set out in ETSI standards documentation, including ETSI EN 300 175-1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8 and REN/DECT-000268- 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8 and technical specifications of the low energy version of DECT, namely, DECT ULE are set out for example in ETSI TS 102 939-1. The standard documentations and their equivalents are incorporated herein by reference. The ETSI standard stipulates that DECT carriers are in the frequency ranges of 1880 MHz to 1980 MHz and 2010 MHz to 2025 MHz. Carrier positions in the 902 MHz to 928 MHz ISM band and the 2400 MHz to 2483.5 MHz ISM band have been defined for the US.

[0020] The DECT physical layer uses dynamic channel allocation of 24 time slots arranged into 12 up and 12 down streams and utilizes:

- Frequency division multiple access (FDMA),

Time division multiple access (TDMA) and

Time division duplex (TDD)

[0021] In the DECT system, the radio spectrum is divided into physical channels in both frequency and time domains. DECT Average transmission power of DECT devices are in the region of 10 mW (250 mW peak) in Europe and 4 mW (100 mW peak) in the US. The maximum allowed power for portable equipment as well as base stations in DECT is 250 mW. A portable device radiates an average of about 10 mW during a call as it is only using one of 24 time slots to transmit. DECT ULE provides bi-directional radio communication with medium range, data protection, and ultra-low power consumption between different types of devices which are called 'Portable Devices' and 'Radio Fixed Parts' in DECT terminology. DECT provides a mechanism called "Fast Locking" so that a Portable Part device can remain in long sleep cycles and regain the timing information of the DECT network quickly. DECT ULE adds fast switching to the devices, enabling a "deep sleep" mode, waking up by a pulse from external events or internal counter - for example enabling a smoke alarm to intermittently run a battery check and report that everything is running well. [0022] The HAN-FUN application layer protocol (Home Area Network Functional protocol) developed by the ULE Alliance enables device and application developers to manage the operation of home automation systems using DECT ULE wireless network technology is used herein as a convenient example, as the HAN-FUN protocol defines profiles of devices and sets requirements for application level interoperability of ULE based devices.

[0023] The example smart battery 200 is DECT ULE and HAN-FUN enabled. DECT ULE, HAN-FUN and other operation instructions are stored in EEPROM 234A and the processor 232 is to execute stored instructions such as DECT ULE and HAN-FUN instructions, general purpose instructions and application specific instructions during operations.

[0024] Example operation flow and/or logic of the example smart battery 200 as depicted in Figure 3 comprising the example smart battery 200 in a "deep sleep" mode at 1100 when most peripheral devices 236 are turned off or are set to maintain only essential operations. When the processor 232 detects a wake up condition, including an EEW condition at 1102, an EEW condition at 1104 or a time-flag as an example of IW condition at 1106, the processor 232 will wake up the smart battery 200 at 1110. For example, when the processor 232 receives an ad hoc inquiry (EWW) from an external device such as the sensor module 10 via the wireless communication frontend 220 at 1102, the processor 232 will in response to the EWW wake up the smart battery 200 including the peripheral devices so that the DAQ will retrieve data through the second data communication port and the processor 232 will feed the acquired data to the external device via the wireless communication frontend 220. When an external event triggered alert (EEW) appears at the first data communication port at 1104, the processor 232 will respond to the EEW and wake up the smart battery 200 (including the peripheral devices) to acquire event related data by the DAQ through the second data communication port, and the processor 232 will feed the acquired event data to the external device via the wireless communication frontend 220. In addition, the processor 232 may respond to an internally set alert (IW) to wake up the smart battery 200 and its peripheral devices 236 to acquire event related data by the DAQ through the second data communication port and perform routine status check such as battery check at 1106 and provide an update. For example, the processor 232 may wake up the smart battery 200 and its peripheral devices 236 at 20 seconds interval for 20 milliseconds (ms) and at 200 mA current to report status update. The EWW may be by DECT ULE or Bluetooth ® in combination or as alternatives without loss of generality.

[0025] When the smart battery 200 is in the 'wake up' state, the peripheral devices will be set to operate their assigned functions, such as performing data acquisition and data feeding at 1110. When in the 'wake up' mode, the smart battery 200 will consume substantially higher power that when in the 'deep sleep' mode. After data have been acquired, the processor 232 will perform optional analyses on the acquired data at 1112 and send the data and/or result of analyses to the external device at 1114.

[0026] The example smart battery 200 applies schemes of dynamic transmission power control to achieve optimal power management at 1120. After the smart battery 200 is in the wake up state, the processor 232 will determine and select an appropriate transmission scheme from a plurality of transmission schemes to feed data at 1122. For example, the processor may begin by investigating whether a lower power mode transmission is useable. If so, the processor 232 will proceed with outward data transmission using a lower power mode at 1124. If the low power mode is not feasible, for example, if there is no enough channel or bandwidth, the processor will switch to use a high power mode at 1124b and proceed with outward data transmission. After data transmission or feeding has finished, the processor 232 will set the smart battery 200 back to the deep sleep mode 1100, including turning off the high power mode transmission at 1128 while leaving the lower power mode transmission in operation to monitor for next receipt of EWW or other incoming wireless signals. The wireless communication frontend is operable alternatively in a lower power mode or a higher power mode. The lower power mode is usually set as the default mode and would be the mode for use during 'deep sleep' to minimise power consumption during standby.

[0027] An example application of the smart battery is in the form of an example battery powered smoke detecting apparatus 2 comprising a smoke detector 20 and a smart battery 200, as depicted in Figure 4. The smoke detector 20 comprises an infrared signal emitter, an infrared signal receiver for receiving infrared signals originating from the infrared signal emitter and an RS flip flop connected to an output of the infrared signal receiver. The smoke detector also comprises a first data communication port in connection with the first data communication port of the smart battery 200, a second data communication port in connection with the second data communication port of the smart battery 200 and a power output in connection with the corresponding power output terminals of the smart battery 200. Output of the RS flip flop is connected to the first data communication port of the smart battery for detection of an EEW alert. The infrared signal emitter and the infrared signal receiver are aligned so that infrared signals of the infrared signal emitter will be received by the infrared signal receiver under normal ambient conditions but the infrared signals will be absorbed or substantially attenuated before reaching the infrared receiver when under smoke is present in the signal path. The RS flip flop will output an alert signal EEW at its output when a substantial attenuation of infrared signal corresponding to a smoke threshold is detected. [0028] Example operation flows of the example smoke detecting apparatus 2 as depicted in Figure 5 include the example smart battery 200 in "deep sleep" mode at 1200 when most peripheral devices 236 are turned off or set to maintain essential or bare operations. When the processor 232 detects a wake up condition, including an EWW condition at 1202, an EEW condition at 1204, or a time-flag as an example of IW condition at 1206, the processor 232 will wake up the smart battery 200 at 1210. For example, when the processor 232 receives an EWW or an EEW signal, the processor 232 will in response wake up the smart battery 200 and re-read the status of the RS flip flop at 1220 and then send status output through the wireless communication frontend using DECT ULE protocols. Optionally, the processor 232 may access the infrared signal receiver and the infrared signal emitter to obtain output information of the infrared signal receiver to determine whether there is a situation corresponding to smoke detected or malfunction. Optionally, the smoke detector module may include a memory device to store output history of the infrared signal receiver for use by the processor.

[0029] An example application of the smart battery depicted in Figure 6 is in the form of an example battery powered door sensor 3 comprising a passive infrared (PIR) sensor 30 and a smart battery 200. The basic operation logic of the door sensor 3 is substantially identical to that of the smoke detecting apparatus 2 and the operation flow of Figure 5 is applied mutatis mutandis and incorporated herein by way of reference and adapted for door sensing operations.

[0030] An example application of the smart battery depicted in Figure 7 is in the form of an example IR extender 4 comprising an IR repeater module 40 and a smart battery 200. The IR repeater module 40 comprises an EEPROM, a timer, an infrared (IR) emitter and a PWM (pulse width modulation) driver for driving the IR emitter to extend range. The basic operation logic of IR extender 4 as depicted in the flow diagram in Figure 8 is substantially identical to that of the smoke detecting apparatus 2 and the operation flow of Figure 5 is applied mutatis mutandis and incorporated herein by way of reference and adapted for door sensing operations. More specifically, operation logics of the IR extender are identical between deep sleep and wake up. After entering into the wake up mode by a EWW, the processor will get control command from an extender control source to set PWM signals to drive the IR emitter. After entering into the wake up mode by internal timer, the processor will provide the extender control source with a status update such as battery level, PWM setting and IR intensity.

[0031] While the disclosure has been described herein with reference to examples, the examples are not intended and should not be used to limit the scope of disclosure.

Claims

A battery pack comprising a battery module, a controller, a wireless communication frontend, a data communication port and a power output, wherein the battery pack is operable in a plurality of alternative operation modes including a power saving mode or a deep sleep mode and a wake up mode or a normal power mode, wherein the controller is to monitor incoming data arriving at the wireless communication frontend and/or at the data communication port and to set the battery pack into an operation mode according to information carried by the incoming data, and the controller is to operate to transmit data by the wireless communication frontend when set in the wake up or normal power mode, the data to be transmitted relating to information received at the data communication port.

A battery pack according to Claim 1 , wherein the controller is to set the battery pack to operate in the power saving mode to supply essential operation power and to change the battery pack to operate in the wake up mode to supply a higher power than the essential operation power upon detection of a wake up condition.

A battery pack according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the wake up condition is represented by a wake up signal coming in from the wireless communication frontend, coming in from the data communication port, or internally generated by the controller.

A battery pack according to any preceding Claim, wherein the controller is to monitor the data communication port to detect reception of an event triggered wake up signal and to set the battery pack to operate in the wake up mode upon detection of the event triggered wake up signal.

A battery pack according to any preceding Claim, wherein the controller is to monitor the wireless communication frontend to detect reception of an event triggered wake up signal and to set the battery pack to operate in the wake up mode upon detection of the event triggered wake up signal.

A battery pack according to any preceding Claim, wherein the controller is to determine whether a wake up signal has been generated internally.

A battery pack according to any preceding Claim, wherein the controller is to generate an internal wake up signal at predetermined wake up cycles.

A battery pack according to any preceding Claim, wherein the controller is to communicate with an external controller via the wireless communication frontend.

9. A battery pack according to any preceding Claim, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with an external controller via the wireless communication frontend using a low power protocol such as DECT ULE protocols.

10. A battery pack according to any preceding Claim, wherein the controller is to adjust the essential operation power to a level which is sufficient to detect wake up signals coming in through the wireless frontend.

1 1. A battery pack according to Claim 10, wherein value of the essential operation power is stored in a re-writeable protocol stack.

12. A battery pack according to any preceding Claim, wherein the power output includes power output terminals for supplying battery power to an external device, and the controller is to set or adjust output power according to the operation mode.

13. A battery pack according to any preceding Claim, wherein the controller is to retrieve, receive or collect data from an external device connected to the power output after the battery pack is set to operate in the wake up mode.

14. A battery pack according to any preceding Claim, wherein the controller is to operate to forward data out of the battery pack via the wireless communication frontend when the battery pack is in the wake up mode.

15. A battery pack according to any preceding Claim, wherein the controller is to operate to retrieve event data from an external device connected to the data communication port upon detection of an event triggered wake up condition.

16. A battery pack according to any preceding Claim, wherein the controller is to communicate with external devices via the wireless communication frontend using a low energy communication protocol, in particular a communication protocol conforming to an industrial standard, including any one of Bluetooth protocols, Zigbee protocols and ULE protocols.

17. A battery pack according to any preceding Claim, wherein the controller, the wireless communication frontend, the data communication port and the power output are contained in a module.

18. A battery pack according to any preceding Claim, further comprising peripheral devices which are operable in first power mode consuming only essential power or a second power mode consuming normal operation power, and wherein the peripheral devices are to operate in the first power mode when the battery pack is in the power saving mode and in the second power mode when the battery pack is in the wake up mode.

19. A sensing apparatus comprising a battery pack according to any preceding Claim and a sensing module, wherein the sensing module comprises a sensing device, a power input connected to the sensing device, a data storage device and a data communication port connected to the data storage device.

20. A sensing apparatus according to Claim 19, wherein the battery pack is set to operate in the power saving mode until a wake up condition is detected by the controller, and the sensing module is operated using essential power supply provided by the battery pack.