Graphic state of charge indicator for a battery charging system and method of use
US8125186B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 16, 2008 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 27, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S320/21
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A graphic state of battery charge indicator is used to provide the user with a visual indication of state of battery charge, magnitude of current flow and direction of current flow by using displays such as multi-segment LCD or LED displays in the shape of a battery. The indicator is able to provide these parameters by sequencing the on/off operation of the segmented displays. A microcontroller is provided battery state data from a battery monitor and converts this information to on/off commands for the segmented displays. There may be up to 10 segmented displays in the indicator with each segment proportionally representing a percentage of the state of battery charge. State of charge is indicated by a single on display at the appropriate location in the display. Current flowing into the battery is represented by a ripple effect in the displays in the positive direction. Current flowing out of the battery is represented by a ripple effect in the display in the negative direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.