Behavior adaptive battery control system for mobile device case

{
  "publication_number": "US9509358B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Behavior adaptive battery control system for mobile device case",
  "abstract": "A mobile electronic device automatically receives an electrical charge from a proximate case that is equipped with a backup battery for the mobile device. The mobile device executes programming instructions that instruct its processor, when the mobile device is positioned proximate to the case, to identify a first trigger value and monitor a parameter of the mobile device to determine when the parameter reaches the first trigger value. Upon determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value, the mobile device issue a command to cause a controller of the case to cause the case battery to discharge energy to the mobile device. The mobile device may also identify a second trigger value and issue a command to cause the controller to cause the case battery to stop discharging energy to the mobile device when the second trigger value is reached.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A system for charging a mobile electronic device, the system comprising: a mobile device comprising a processor, a non-transitory memory device, and a rechargeable mobile device battery; a case configured to receive the mobile device comprising: a rechargeable case battery, a controller; and programming instructions configured to instruct the processor, when the mobile device is positioned proximate to the case, to: identify a first trigger value, monitor a parameter of the mobile device to determine when the parameter reaches the first trigger value, upon determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value, issue a command to cause the controller of the case to cause the case battery to discharge energy to the mobile device battery, identify a second trigger value, monitor the parameter of the mobile device to determine when the parameter reaches the second trigger value, and upon determining that the parameter reaches the second trigger value, issue a command to cause the controller of the case to cause the case battery to stop discharging energy to the mobile device battery.",
    "2. The system of claim 1, in which: the mobile device further comprises a battery level sensor; the first trigger value and the parameter each comprise a battery level; and determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value comprises determining that the battery level of the mobile device equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value.",
    "3. The system of claim 1, in which: the mobile device further comprises a battery level sensor; the first trigger value and the parameter each comprise a battery level; determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value comprises determining that the battery level of the mobile device equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value; the second trigger value also comprises a battery level; and determining that the parameter reaches the second trigger value comprises determining that the battery level of the mobile device value equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the second trigger value.",
    "4. The system of claim 1, in which: the mobile device further comprises a clock sensor; the first trigger value and the parameter each comprise a start time; and determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value comprises determining that a time as measured by the clock sensor equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value.",
    "5. The system of claim 1, in which: the mobile device further comprises a clock sensor; the first trigger value and the parameter each comprise a start time; determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value comprises determining that a time as measured by the clock sensor equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value; the second trigger value comprises a duration or stop time; and determining that the parameter reaches the second trigger value comprises determining that a time as measured by the clock sensor equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the second trigger value.",
    "6. The system of claim 1, wherein: the mobile device further comprises a touch-sensitive display device; and the programming instructions are further configured to instruct the processor to output, via the touch-sensitive display device, a user interface that includes input sectors configured to prompt a user to enter the first trigger value or the second trigger value, and to receive the first trigger value or the second trigger value in response to the prompt.",
    "7. The system of claim 1, wherein the programming instructions are further configured to instruct the processor to: monitor a start time and stop time, or a duration, for each of a plurality of charging events of the case battery; monitor one or more parameters of the mobile device that correspond to each monitored charging event; store the monitored start and stop times or durations, and the corresponding parameters for each charging event; and use the monitored start and stop times or durations, and corresponding parameters for each charging event to determine the first trigger value.",
    "8. The system of claim 7, wherein: the mobile device further comprises a touch-sensitive display device; and the programming instructions are further configured to instruct the processor to: after using the monitored start and stop times or durations, and the corresponding parameters for each charging event, to determine the first trigger value, cause the display device to output the determined first trigger value as a candidate trigger value, output, via an input field sector of the touch-sensitive display device, a prompt configured to prompt a user to confirm or modify the candidate trigger value, and use a user response to the prompt as the first trigger value.",
    "9. A method for transferring electrical charge from a device case to a mobile electronic device, the method comprising: by a processor of a mobile electronic device that is positioned within a case that includes a case battery: identifying a first trigger value, by a sensor of the mobile electronic device, monitoring a parameter of the mobile electronic device to determine when the parameter reaches the first trigger value, upon determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value, issuing a command to cause a controller of the case to cause the case battery to discharge energy to the mobile electronic device, identifying a second trigger value, monitoring the parameter of the mobile device to determine when the parameter reaches the second trigger value, and upon determining that the parameter reaches the second trigger value, issuing a command to cause the controller of the case to cause the case battery to stop discharging energy to the mobile device battery.",
    "10. The method of claim 9, in which: the mobile device further comprises a battery level sensor; the first trigger value and the parameter each comprise a battery level; and determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value comprises determining that the battery level of the mobile device equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value.",
    "11. The method of claim 9, in which: the mobile device further comprises a battery level sensor; the first trigger value and the parameter each comprise a battery level; determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value comprises determining that the battery level of the mobile device equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value; the second trigger value also comprises a battery level; and determining that the parameter reaches the second trigger value comprises determining that the battery level of the mobile device value equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the second trigger value.",
    "12. The method of claim 9, in which: the mobile device further comprises a clock sensor; the first trigger value and the parameter each comprise a start time; and determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value comprises determining that a time as measured by the clock sensor equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value.",
    "13. The method of claim 9, in which: the mobile device further comprises a clock sensor; the first trigger value and the parameter each comprise a start time; determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value comprises determining that a time as measured by the clock sensor equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value; the second trigger value comprises duration or stop time; and determining that the parameter reaches the second trigger value comprises determining that a time as measured by the clock sensor equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the second trigger value.",
    "14. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises, by the processor: causing a touch-sensitive display device of the mobile device to output a user interface that includes input sectors configured to prompt a user to enter the first trigger value or the second trigger value; and receiving the first trigger value or the second trigger value in response to the prompt.",
    "15. The method of claim 9, further comprising, by the processor: monitoring a start time and stop time, or a duration, for each of a plurality of charging events of the case battery; monitoring one or more parameters of the mobile device that correspond to each monitored charging event; storing the monitored start and stop times or durations, and the corresponding parameters for each charging event in a computer-readable memory device; and using the monitored start and stop times or durations, and corresponding parameters for each charging event to determine the first trigger value.",
    "16. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises, after using the monitored start and stop times or durations, and the corresponding parameters for each charging event, to determine the first trigger value: causing a touch-sensitive display of the mobile device to output the determined first trigger value as a candidate trigger value, causing the touch-sensitive display to output, via an input field sector of the touch-sensitive display device, a prompt configured to prompt a user to confirm or modify the candidate trigger value, receiving a user response to the prompt, and replacing the determined first trigger value with the received response.",
    "17. A system for charging a mobile electronic device, the system comprising: a mobile device comprising a processor, a non-transitory memory device, a rechargeable mobile device battery and a battery level sensor; a case configured to receive the mobile device comprising: a rechargeable case battery, a controller; and programming instructions configured to instruct the processor, when the mobile device is positioned proximate to the case, to: identify a first trigger value comprising a battery level, monitor a parameter of the mobile device, wherein the parameter comprises a battery level, determine when the parameter reaches the first trigger value based on at least determining when the battery level of the mobile device equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value, and upon determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value, issue a command to cause the controller of the case to cause the case battery to discharge energy to the mobile device battery.",
    "18. The system of claim 17, in which: the mobile device further comprises a clock sensor; the first trigger value and the parameter each comprise a start time; and determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value comprises determining that a time as measured by the clock sensor equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value.",
    "19. The system of claim 17, wherein: the mobile device further comprises a touch-sensitive display device; and the programming instructions are further configured to instruct the processor to output, via the touch-sensitive display device, a user interface that includes input sectors configured to prompt a user to enter the first trigger value, and to receive the first trigger value in response to the prompt.",
    "20. The system of claim 17, wherein the programming instructions are further configured to instruct the processor to: monitor a start time and stop time, or a duration, for each of a plurality of charging events of the case battery; monitor one or more parameters of the mobile device that correspond to each monitored charging event; store the monitored start and stop times or durations, and the corresponding parameters for each charging event; and use the monitored start and stop times or durations, and corresponding parameters for each charging event to determine the first trigger value.",
    "21. The system of claim 20, wherein: the mobile device further comprises a touch-sensitive display device; and the programming instructions are further configured to instruct the processor to: after using the monitored start and stop times or durations, and the corresponding parameters for each charging event, to determine the first trigger value, cause the display device to output the determined first trigger value as a candidate trigger value, output, via an input field sector of the touch-sensitive display device, a prompt configured to prompt a user to confirm or modify the candidate trigger value, and use a user response to the prompt as the first trigger value.",
    "22. A method for transferring electrical charge from a device case to a mobile electronic device, the method comprising: by a processor of a mobile electronic device that is positioned within a case that includes a case battery: identifying a first trigger value comprising a battery level, by a battery level sensor of the mobile electronic device, monitoring a parameter of the mobile electronic device, the parameter comprising a battery level, determine when the parameter reaches the first trigger value based on at least determining that the battery level of the mobile device equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value, and upon determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value, issuing a command to cause a controller of the case to cause the case battery to discharge energy to the mobile electronic device.",
    "23. The method of claim 22, in which: the mobile device further comprises a clock sensor; the first trigger value and the parameter each comprises a start time; and determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value comprises determining that a time as measured by the clock sensor equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value.",
    "24. The method of claim 22, wherein the method further comprises, by the processor: causing a touch-sensitive display device of the mobile device to output a user interface that includes input sectors configured to prompt a user to enter the first trigger value; and receiving the first trigger value in response to the prompt.",
    "25. The method of claim 22, further comprising, by the processor: monitoring a start time and stop time, or a duration, for each of a plurality of charging events of the case battery; monitoring one or more parameters of the mobile device that correspond to each monitored charging event; storing the monitored start and stop times or durations, and the corresponding parameters for each charging event in a computer-readable memory device; and using the monitored start and stop times or durations, and corresponding parameters for each charging event to determine the first trigger value.",
    "26. The method of claim 25, wherein the method further comprises, after using the monitored start and stop times or durations, and the corresponding parameters for each charging event, to determine the first trigger value: causing a touch-sensitive display of the mobile device to output the determined first trigger value as a candidate trigger value; causing the touch-sensitive display to output, via an input field sector of the touch-sensitive display device, a prompt configured to prompt a user to confirm or modify the candidate trigger value; receiving a user response to the prompt; and replacing the determined first trigger value with the received response.",
    "27. A system for charging a mobile electronic device, the system comprising: a mobile device comprising a processor, a non-transitory memory device, a rechargeable mobile device battery and a clock sensor; a case configured to receive the mobile device comprising: a rechargeable case battery, a controller; and programming instructions configured to instruct the processor, when the mobile device is positioned proximate to the case, to: identify a first trigger value comprising a start time, monitor a parameter of the mobile device, wherein the parameter comprises a start time, determine when the parameter reaches the first trigger value based on at least determining when a time as measured by the clock sensor equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value, and upon determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value, issue a command to cause the controller of the case to cause the case battery to discharge energy to the mobile device battery.",
    "28. The system of claim 27, wherein: the mobile device further comprises a touch-sensitive display device; and the programming instructions are further configured to instruct the processor to output, via the touch-sensitive display device, a user interface that includes input sectors configured to prompt a user to enter the first trigger value, and to receive the first trigger value in response to the prompt.",
    "29. The system of claim 27, wherein the programming instructions are further configured to instruct the processor to: monitor a start time and stop time, or a duration, for each of a plurality of charging events of the case battery; monitor one or more parameters of the mobile device that correspond to each monitored charging event; store the monitored start and stop times or durations, and the corresponding parameters for each charging event; and use the monitored start and stop times or durations, and corresponding parameters for each charging event to determine the first trigger value.",
    "30. The system of claim 29, wherein: the mobile device further comprises a touch-sensitive display device; and the programming instructions are further configured to instruct the processor to: after using the monitored start and stop times or durations, and the corresponding parameters for each charging event, to determine the first trigger value, cause the display device to output the determined first trigger value as a candidate trigger value, output, via an input field sector of the touch-sensitive display device, a prompt configured to prompt a user to confirm or modify the candidate trigger value, and use a user response to the prompt as the first trigger value.",
    "31. A method for transferring electrical charge from a device case to a mobile electronic device, the method comprising: by a processor of a mobile electronic device that is positioned within a case that includes a case battery: identifying a first trigger value comprising a start time, by a clock sensor of the mobile electronic device, monitoring a parameter of the mobile electronic device, wherein the parameter comprises a start time, determining when the parameter reaches the first trigger value based on at least when a time as measured by the clock sensor equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value, and upon determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value, issuing a command to cause a controller of the case to cause the case battery to discharge energy to the mobile electronic device.",
    "32. The method of claim 31, wherein the method further comprises, by the processor: causing a touch-sensitive display device of the mobile device to output a user interface that includes input sectors configured to prompt a user to enter the first trigger value; and receiving the first trigger value in response to the prompt.",
    "33. The method of claim 31, further comprising, by the processor: monitoring a start time and stop time, or a duration, for each of a plurality of charging events of the case battery; monitoring one or more parameters of the mobile device that correspond to each monitored charging event; storing the monitored start and stop times or durations, and the corresponding parameters for each charging event in a computer-readable memory device; and using the monitored start and stop times or durations, and corresponding parameters for each charging event to determine the first trigger value.",
    "34. The method of claim 31, wherein the method further comprises, after using the monitored start and stop times or durations, and the corresponding parameters for each charging event, to determine the first trigger value: causing a touch-sensitive display of the mobile device to output the determined first trigger value as a candidate trigger value; causing the touch-sensitive display to output, via an input field sector of the touch-sensitive display device, a prompt configured to prompt a user to confirm or modify the candidate trigger value; receiving a user response to the prompt; and replacing the determined first trigger value with the received response.",
    "35. A system for charging a mobile electronic device, the system comprising: a mobile device comprising a processor, a non-transitory memory device, and a rechargeable mobile device battery; a case configured to receive the mobile device comprising: a rechargeable case battery, a controller; and programming instructions configured to instruct the processor, when the mobile device is positioned proximate to the case, to: identify a first trigger value by: monitoring a start time and stop time, or a duration, for each of a plurality of charging events of the case battery, monitoring one or more parameters of the mobile device that correspond to each monitored charging event, storing the monitored start and stop times or durations, and the corresponding parameters for each charging event, and using the monitored start and stop times or durations, and corresponding parameters for each charging event to determine the first trigger value, monitor a parameter of the mobile device to determine when the parameter reaches the first trigger value, and upon determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value, issue a command to cause the controller of the case to cause the case battery to discharge energy to the mobile device battery.",
    "36. The system of claim 35, wherein: the mobile device further comprises a touch-sensitive display device; and the programming instructions are further configured to instruct the processor to: after using the monitored start and stop times or durations, and the corresponding parameters for each charging event, to determine the first trigger value, cause the display device to output the determined first trigger value as a candidate trigger value, output, via an input field sector of the touch-sensitive display device, a prompt configured to prompt a user to confirm or modify the candidate trigger value, and use a user response to the prompt as the first trigger value.",
    "37. The system of claim 35, further comprising additional programming instructions configured to cause the processor to: identify a second trigger value; monitor the parameter of the mobile device to determine when the parameter reaches the second trigger value; and upon determining that the parameter reaches the second trigger value, issue a command to cause the controller of the case to cause the case battery to stop discharging energy to the mobile device battery.",
    "38. The system of claim 37, in which: the mobile device further comprises a battery level sensor; the first trigger value and the parameter each further comprises a battery level; determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value further comprises determining that the battery level of the mobile device equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value; the second trigger value also comprises a battery level; and determining that the parameter reaches the second trigger value comprises determining that the battery level of the mobile device value equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the second trigger value.",
    "39. The system of claim 37, in which: the mobile device further comprises a clock sensor; the first trigger value and the parameter each further comprises a start time; determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value further comprises determining that a time as measured by the clock sensor equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value; the second trigger value comprises a duration or stop time; and determining that the parameter reaches the second trigger value comprises determining that a time as measured by the clock sensor equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the second trigger value.",
    "40. The system of claim 35, wherein: the mobile device further comprises a touch-sensitive display device; and the programming instructions are further configured to instruct the processor to output, via the touch-sensitive display device, a user interface that includes input sectors configured to prompt a user to enter the first trigger value, and to receive the first trigger value in response to the prompt.",
    "41. A method for transferring electrical charge from a device case to a mobile electronic device, the method comprising: by a processor of a mobile electronic device that is positioned within a case that includes a case battery: identifying a first trigger value by: monitoring a start time and stop time, or a duration, for each of a plurality of charging events of the case battery, monitoring one or more parameters of the mobile device that correspond to each monitored charging event, storing the monitored start and stop times or durations, and the corresponding parameters for each charging event in a computer-readable memory device, and using the monitored start and stop times or durations, and corresponding parameters for each charging event to determine the first trigger value, by a sensor of the mobile electronic device, monitoring a parameter of the mobile electronic device to determine when the parameter reaches the first trigger value, and upon determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value, issuing a command to cause a controller of the case to cause the case battery to discharge energy to the mobile electronic device.",
    "42. The method of claim 41, wherein the method further comprises, after using the monitored start and stop times or durations, and the corresponding parameters for each charging event, to determine the first trigger value: causing a touch-sensitive display of the mobile device to output the determined first trigger value as a candidate trigger value; causing the touch-sensitive display to output, via an input field sector of the touch-sensitive display device, a prompt configured to prompt a user to confirm or modify the candidate trigger value; receiving a user response to the prompt; and replacing the determined first trigger value with the received response.",
    "43. The method of claim 41, further comprising, by the processor of the mobile device: identifying a second trigger value; monitoring the parameter of the mobile device to determine when the parameter reaches the second trigger value; and upon determining that the parameter reaches the second trigger value, issuing a command to cause the controller of the case to cause the case battery to stop discharging energy to the mobile device battery.",
    "44. The method of claim 43, in which: the mobile device further comprises a battery level sensor; the first trigger value and the parameter each comprises a battery level; determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value comprises determining that the battery level of the mobile device equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value; the second trigger also comprises a battery level; and determining that the parameter reaches the second trigger value comprises determining that the battery level of the mobile device value equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the second trigger value.",
    "45. The method of claim 43, in which: the mobile device further comprises a clock sensor; the first trigger value and the parameter each comprises a start time; determining that the parameter reaches the first trigger value comprises determining that a time as measured by the clock sensor equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the first trigger value; the second trigger value comprises a duration or stop time; and determining that the parameter reaches the second trigger value comprises determining that a time as measured by the clock sensor equals or has crossed a threshold associated with the second trigger value.",
    "46. The method of claim 41, wherein the method further comprises, by the processor: causing a touch-sensitive display device of the mobile device to output a user interface that includes input sectors configured to prompt a user to enter the first trigger value; and receiving the first trigger value in response to the prompt."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "A typical mobile device case with embedded battery delivers charge to a mobile device when the two are connected and a physical switch on the mobile device case is triggered mechanically by a user. This mechanical switch causes the mobile device case battery to distribute energy to the mobile device which is electrically connected to the mobile device case battery. A physical switch can be accidentally activated; this is an inconvenience to users who want to preserve the mobile device case battery. Further, an unattended mobile device can fully deplete its battery and shut down even when the mobile device case battery is at full capacity and the mobile device and mobile device case with an integral battery are connected. A user who is not mindful of the mobile device battery status can run out of power if the user does not activate the mechanical switch on the mobile device case with integral battery.\n\nThis document describes systems for, and methods of, charging a mobile electronic device. In an embodiment, the mobile device includes a processor, a non-transitory memory device, and a rechargeable mobile device battery.",
  "cpc": [
    "H04B 1/3883",
    "H04B 1/3888"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "H04B 1/3883",
    "H04B 1/3888",
    "H04W 52/02"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "ALPHA AUDIOTRONICS Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Jonathan Everett Shaffer",
    "Jamie Robert Seltzer"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-09-04",
  "publication_date": "2016-11-29",
  "grant_date": "2016-11-29",
  "priority_date": "2015-09-04",
  "application_number": "US-201514845927-A",
  "family_id": "57352117",
  "cited_by_count": 35,
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}