METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EFFICIENT BATTERY CHARGING AND USAGE

摘要

Battery charging methods and systems for devices that have rechargeable batteries provide an efficient way to know when to charge a device's battery, and when to switch between the device's battery and an external power source as the device's power source. The methods and systems receive signals associated with an external information service including instructions to conduct processing, access thresholds for a plurality of power rates, obtain information about when different power rates are in effect and, after determining a charge level associated with a battery, compare the threshold of the current power rate to the device's battery's charge level. Based on such a comparison, the methods and systems can determine whether the battery should be charged and whether the device's battery or an external power source should be used as the device's power source.

主权项

1. A method for charging a battery associated with a device, wherein the device is configured to draw power from either one of a battery or an external power source, the method comprising the following operations performed by one or more processors:
receiving a signal from an external information service, the signal including power rate data reflecting a value at which power is purchasable at a particular time; determining a usage threshold and a charge threshold corresponding to the power rate data in response to receiving the signal; and enabling the device to draw power from the battery as a function of whether a charge level associated with the battery exceeds the usage threshold, and enabling the device to charge the battery with power drawn from the external power source as a function of whether the charge level is below the charge threshold and whether the external power source is available.