RELATED ART
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a device for controlling charging and discharging of battery-operated devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system and associated method for automatically controlling charging and discharging of battery-operated devices without disrupting associated data connectivity to a test automation system.
In recent years, there has been a huge proliferation of the number of applications developed for devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and other computing devices. Generally, performance of these applications has to be tested before launch on various devices having different operating platforms and other characteristics to identify whether these applications behave as expected. Further, the testing of applications may be carried out either in a test rig or in a device farm such as in Amazon's web service (AWS) device farm.
A test setup associated with testing an application generally includes a test personal computer (PC) acting as a test automation system and one or more mobile devices having a mobile application to be tested. The test setup further includes one or more universal serial bus (USB) cables that connect the mobile devices to the test PC. For enabling the test PC to run an automated test, the mobile devices may need to be connected to the test PC via the USB cables until completion of the automated test. Often, the test PC may need to perform such an automated test uninterruptedly for several days together. Therefore, in certain present test setups, the mobile devices are continuously charged by the test PC via the USB cables. Despite inclusion of automatic charging cut-off circuits in present day batteries, such continuous charging

keeps the battery charge continuously at 100 percent. Typical batteries operate optimally when the corresponding charge is between 40-70%. Therefore, operating continuously at 100 percent charge often damages the thermal characteristics of the battery, which in turn, may result in bulging, gassing, or even explosion of the battery.
[0004] Regulating the battery charging process by repeatedly connecting and
disconnecting the USB cables to keep the battery charged in the optimal range is unfeasible as any manual process is error prone. Furthermore, such repeated connections and disconnections may lead to failure of the automated tests if the test system is unable to access the mobile devices utilizing capabilities of the device farm, when needed, due to disconnection.
[0005] Certain presently available techniques employ software solutions to
achieve automatic control of the battery charging process. However, battery charging and automatic cut-off are privileged functions controlled directly by a device operating system, and are not available for independent configuration by a user. Accordingly, a presently available method requires the mobile devices, for example, running on Android operating system to be rooted to install an application that prevents continuous charging of batteries when the mobile devices are connected to the test PC via the USB cables. However, rooting the mobile devices may lead to serious repercussions related to associated performance and security, and therefore, is not a recommended practice.
[0006] Another conventional approach is described in Chinese patent application
CN109324246, which includes an auto-test system connected to mobile phones via USB cables for testing charging compatibility of mobile phones. The Chinese patent application describes switching over from one mobile phone to another mobile phone that needs charging. However, the auto-test system fails to describe a mechanism to prevent continuous charging of mobile phones and keeping the battery charge parameters within a specified range. Hence, there is a need for a device and associated system for optimal control of charging and discharging of battery-operated devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0007] It is an objective of the present disclosure to provide a battery management
system. The battery management system includes a first connector including a power line, one or more data communication lines, and a second connector including a power line and one or more data communication lines. The battery management system further includes a switch circuit and a charging command system. The switch circuit is operatively coupled to a host device via the first connector and a battery-operated device via the second connector and including one or more input lines. One or more of the input lines are configured to modulate a designated current continuously received from the host device and transmit the modulated current to the battery-operated device while maintaining data connectivity between the host device and the battery-operated device via the one or more data communication lines.
[0008] The charging command system operatively coupled to the switch circuit,
the battery-operated device, and the host device. The charging command system monitors a charge level associated with a battery in the battery-operated device, and determines an operating current needed by the battery-operated device when running a selected application. Further, the charging command system selects one of a charging current greater than the operating current and a discharging current lesser than the operating current to be provided to the battery as the modulated current. In addition, the charging command system transmits one or more control instructions to modulate a voltage supplied to one or more of the input lines in the switch circuit to output the selected charging current when the charge level reaches a specified lower state-of-charge limit to switch the battery from a discharging state to a charging state, and to output the selected discharging current when the charge level reaches a specified upper state-of-charge limit to switch the battery from the charging state to the discharging state while maintaining data connectivity between the host device and the battery-operated device via the one or more data communication lines.

[0009] The switch circuit includes one or more relays, one or more resistors
including a first resistor, a second resistor, and a third resistor that are in a series or parallel connection, and a master relay. The input lines include a first input line, a second input line, a third input line, and a fourth input line that are operatively connected to a first relay, a second relay, a third relay, and the master relay, respectively. The master relay operates in a closed state when the host device tests the selected application.
[0010] The switch circuit includes a switch controller. The switch controller
receives one or more control instructions from the charging command system to selectively switch the switch circuit to a first charging configuration by supplying a specified voltage to the first input line in the switch circuit to output a first charging current. The switch controller receives one or more control instructions from the charging command system to selectively switch the switch circuit to a second charging configuration by supplying the specified voltage only to the second and third input lines. The supply of the specified voltage to the second and third input lines enables the designated current to flow via the resistors that limit the designated current to a second charging current. The switch controller receives one or more control instructions from the charging command system to selectively switch the switch circuit to a first discharging configuration by disconnecting a voltage supply to the input lines. Disconnection of the voltage supply to the input lines makes the designated current flow via the first resistor that limits the designated current to a first discharging current.
[0011] The switch controller receives one or more control instructions from the
charging command system to selectively switch the switch circuit to a second discharging configuration by disconnecting the voltage supply to the first and third input lines. Disconnection of the voltage supply to the first and third input lines enables the designated current to flow via the first and third resistors that limit the designated current to a second discharging current. The charging command system selects the

discharging current lesser than the operating current from one of the first discharging current and the second discharging current. The charging command system selects the charging current from one of the first charging current and the second charging current, and selects the discharging current from one of the first discharging current and the second discharging current based on one or more battery parameters. The battery parameters include age of the battery, type of the battery, chemicals used in the battery, a desired charging rate, and a desired discharging rate of the battery.
[0012] The switch circuit includes a determined count of the input lines, the relays,
the master relay, and the resistors having resistance values that are selected to provide one or more desired currents as the modulated current for charging and discharging the battery as determined by the charging command system. The battery management system includes a third connector that couples the switch circuit to the host device. Each of the first connector, the second connector, and the third connector includes one of a wireless connector, a wireless universal serial bus (USB), a USB cable, an Ethernet cable, a thunderbolt connector, and a Firewire connector. The host device includes a test automation system. The selected application includes one of an over-the-top application, a video-on-demand application, and a web application. The battery-operated device includes one of an internet of things device, a smart sensor, a digital camera, a smartphone, a medical device, and a laptop.
[0013] It is another objective of the present disclosure to provide a method for
controlling charging and discharging of a battery in a battery-operated device. The method includes providing a switch circuit including one or more input lines and operatively coupled to a host device via a first connector and to the battery-operated device via a second connector. Each of the first and second connectors includes a corresponding power line, and one or more data communication lines. Further, the method includes monitoring a charge level associated with the battery, and determining an operating current needed by the battery-operated device when running a selected

application by executing a sample application in the battery-operated device. In addition, the method includes selecting one of a charging current greater than the operating current and a discharging current lesser than the operating current to be provided to the battery as the modulated current.
[0014] Furthermore, the method includes modulating a voltage supplied to one or
more of the input lines in the switch circuit to modulate a designated current continuously received from the host device and transmit the modulated current to the battery-operated device. The modulated current includes the selected charging current when the charge level reaches a specified lower state-of-charge limit to switch the battery (214A) from a discharging state to a charging state. The modulated current includes the selected discharging current when the charge level reaches a specified upper state-of-charge limit to switch the battery from the charging state to the discharging state while maintaining data connectivity between the host device and the battery-operated device. The operating current required by the battery is determined based on an energy capacity associated with the battery and a time taken by the battery to drain from a first charge level to a second charge level.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the claimed subject
matter will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a conventional test setup
associated with a mobile test rig or a device farm;

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram depicting an exemplary test system for
testing performance of an application running on a plurality of test devices, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary circuit diagram of a switch circuit in the test
system of FIG.2, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; and
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram depicting an exemplary method for
selectively controlling charging and discharging states of a battery of a mobile device using the switch circuit of FIG. 3, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The following description presents an exemplary system for controlling
charging and discharging of battery-operated devices. Particularly, embodiments described herein disclose a system and an associated method for controlling charging and discharging of battery-operated devices connected to a test system via one or more wired or wireless communication media without affecting data transmission between the battery-operated devices and the test system.
[0021] Generally, performance of an application has to be tested before releasing
the application for use in mobile devices that have different characteristics such as different operating systems, screen sizes, user input methods, and screen resolutions. Certain presently available test systems test performance of the application on different mobile devices one after another. Hence, such a test system requires a significant amount of time to complete testing of the application across all the mobile devices, which delays the release of application into the market. In addition, such a test system may not provide accurate test results, as the test system tests the application one after another at different time intervals, and accordingly, test and environmental conditions may vary from one test to another test.

[0022] Hence, certain test systems have been developed in recent times that test
performance of the application on all the mobile devices simultaneously under the same test and environmental conditions for improving accuracy of test results, reducing a time taken to complete an entire testing cycle, and effectively utilizing resources including processing power associated with the test system. These test systems, for example, include a mobile test rig or a mobile device farm such as Amazon’s web service (AWS) device farm, which facilitates testing the application across multiple mobile devices simultaneously under the same test and environmental conditions.
[0023] As used herein, the term “mobile test rig” refers to a physical device that
includes the infrastructure for supporting or mounting a set of hardware components such as a test system and a set of mobile devices required for testing performance of an application on different mobile devices. As used herein, the term “mobile device farm” refers to a cloud-based solution that enables a user to remotely select an application and a set of mobile devices that have different characteristics, and to remotely test the selected application across all selected mobile devices simultaneously. An embodiment of a conventional mobile test rig and/or mobile device farm is described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a test setup (100) associated
with a conventional mobile test rig or device farm. The test setup (100) includes a test system (102) that executes automated tests for testing performance of an application (104) across one or more mobile devices (106A-N). Examples of the application (104) include a mobile application, a media delivery application, an over-the-top application, a video-on-demand application, and a web application. Further, the test system (102) remains continuously connected to the mobile devices (106A-N), for example, via one or more communication media (108A-N) until completion of the automated tests. Examples of the communication media (108A-N) include one or more wireless connectors and/or wired connectors. Examples of wireless connectors include a

wireless universal serial bus (USB) cable, Wireless-Fidelity network connection, Bluetooth connection, and ZigBee connection. Examples of wired connectors include USB cables, Ethernet cables, FireWire connectors, and thunderbolt connectors.
[0025] The test system (102) generally executes automated tests repeatedly and
uninterruptedly for several days to weeks of time to identify how the application (104) performs in the long run, and how the application (104) affects performance of the mobile devices (106A-N). For example, the test system (102) repeatedly executes automated tests for a designated period to identify whether continuous usage of the application (104) affects a battery charge, memory, and processing resource associated with the mobile devices (106A-N).
[0026] Further, the test system (102) continuously charges batteries (110A-N) in
the mobile devices (106A-N) via the wired or wireless connectors (108A-N) throughout a testing cycle, and keeps the battery charge at 100 percent. Operating the batteries (110A-N) continuously at 100 percentage, however, may cause thermal runaways, which in turn, may cause the batteries (110A-N) to bulge, become dysfunctional, or even explode.
[0027] In order to address the previously mentioned issues with the conventional
system depicted in FIG. 1, embodiments of the present systems and methods include a charge control system (see FIG. 2). The charge control system controls charging and discharging cycles of batteries in mobile devices while the mobile devices are operating in a data connection and communication mode without needing to root the mobile devices. Specifically, the charge control system includes a switch controller and switch circuit that maintains charge levels in the rechargeable batteries between a specified upper threshold and a specified lower threshold by selectively varying an amount of current supplied to the batteries such that the batteries’ charge does not always stay at 100 percent.

[0028] For clarity, the present charge control system and method are described
herein with reference to controlling battery charging for a plurality of mobile devices deployed in a test rig connected to a test automation system. However, it may be noted that the present battery charging control system may also be used for controlling the charging and discharging of other battery-operated devices such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, smart sensors, digital cameras, medical devices, and laptops. An embodiment of the present charge control device configured to provide specific control over the charging and discharging cycles of battery-operated devices is described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 2.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram depicting an exemplary battery
management system (BMS) (200) for controlling charging and discharging cycles in one or more battery-operated devices (206A-N). Examples of the battery-operated devices (206A-N) include one or more of smartphones, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, smart sensors, digital cameras, medical devices, laptops, and any other battery-operated devices. For clarity, the present embodiment of the BMS (200) is described with reference to controlling the charging and discharging cycles while testing performance of an application (202) residing in the battery operated devices (206A-N) such as mobile devices (206A-N).
[0030] To that end, the BMS (200) is operatively coupled to a host device such as
a test automation system (204) that is configured to execute automated test scripts for automatically testing performance of the application (202) in the different mobile devices (206A-N) while also supplying power to the mobile devices (206A-N). In certain embodiments, the test automation system (204) is a processor-enabled device including one or more connection ports such as USB ports that may be used to connect the test automation system (204) to the mobile devices (206A-N). Examples of the test automation system (204) include a laptop, a desktop, a tablet, a smartphone, an application-specific integrated circuit, and a Field-programmable gate array.

[0031] In one embodiment, the test automation system (204) includes a database
(210) that stores automated test scripts for automatically testing performance of the application (202) across the different mobile devices (206A-N). Conventionally, during automated testing scenarios, the test automation system (204) is connected to a power source (211), for example, electric mains or an associated battery that continuously charges the mobile devices (206A-N) while they are connected to the test automation system (204). As previously noted, such continuous charging may damage corresponding batteries (214A-N) in the mobile devices (206A-N). Accordingly, in the present disclosure, the mobile devices (206A-N) are operatively coupled to the test automation system (204) via the BMS (200) that automatically regulates the charging and discharging cycles of the associated batteries (214A-N).
[0032] In one embodiment, the test automation system (204) and the mobile
devices (206A-N) are operatively coupled to the BMS (200) via a first set of communication media (218A-N) and a second set of communication media (224A-N), respectively. The first and second set of communication media (218A-N and 224A-N) may include one or more wired and/or wireless connectors that provide data transmission and/or charging capabilities. Examples of the wired connectors include USB cables, Ethernet cables, FireWire connectors, and Thunderbolt connectors. Further, examples of the wireless connectors include wireless USB, Wireless-Fidelity network links, Bluetooth communication links, and ZigBee communication links. For the sake of simplicity, the BMS (200) described herein employs USB cables for charging and establishing data connectivity between the test automation system (204) and the mobile devices (206A-N). However, it is to be understood that the BMS (200) may employ other types of wired and/or wireless connectors for establishing connectivity between the test automation system (204) and the mobile devices (206A-N) for charging and/or data transmission.

[0033] In certain embodiments, the BMS (200) includes a charging command
system (212) for controlling charging and discharging cycles of batteries (214A-N) in
the mobile devices (206A-N). The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 depicts the
charging command system (212) as an independent unit within the BMS (200).
However, in certain alternative embodiments, the charging command system (212)
may be implemented as part of the test automation system (204). In one embodiment,
the charging command system (212) is a processing subsystem that provides one or
more control signals or instructions based on predefined charging and discharging
parameters for the batteries (214A-N). To that end, the charging command system
(212), for example, includes one or more battery control integrated circuits, general-
purpose processors, specialized processors, graphical processing units,
microprocessors, programming logic arrays, field programming gate arrays, cloud-
based processing systems, cloud-computing processors, and/or other suitable
computing devices. Additionally, the batteries (214A-N), for example, include a solid
state battery, lithium ion battery, lead acid battery, lithium polymer battery, nickel-
cadmium battery, and/or a nickel metal hydride battery.
[0034] In certain embodiments, the charging command system (212) also includes
one or more application program interfaces and a graphical user interface (GUI) (216) that enables a user to select desired charging parameters for the batteries (214A-N) in the mobile devices (206A-N). For example, the GUI (216) enables the user to select an upper state-of-charge (SOC) limit and a lower SOC limit for each of the batteries (214A-N). Further, the graphical user interface (216) may also enable the user to set specific charging and discharging rates for the batteries (214A-N). In one embodiment, the charging command system (212) continuously monitors the prevailing charge of each of the batteries (214A-N), and accordingly switches the batteries (214A-N) between a charging and a discharging state. For example, the charging command system (212) provides control instructions to switch the batteries (214A-N) between a

charging and a discharging state upon detection of corresponding lower and upper SOC limits, respectively.
[0035] To that end, the BMS (200) includes one or more electrical and/or electronic
devices that switch the batteries (214A-N) to a charging or a discharging state based on specified charging parameters. Particularly, in one embodiment, the BMS (200) includes a switch controller (220) and one or more switch circuits (222) that are selectively configured by the charging command system (212) to switch the batteries (214A-N) between a charging and discharging state. For the sake of simplicity, FIG. 2 depicts only one switch circuit (222). However, it is to be understood that the BMS (200) may include additional switch circuits (222) operatively connected to the switch controller (220) for individually controlling charging and discharging cycles of each of the batteries (214A-N). Additionally, it may be noted that, in an alternative embodiment, the BMS (200) may include the switch controller (220) and one or more solid-state potentiometers instead of the switch circuits (222).
[0036] In one embodiment, the switch controller (220) is an electronic device such
as an Arduino board that receives control instructions from the charging command system (212) via a communication medium (226). The communication medium (226), for example, includes a wired or a wireless connector such as a USB cable, an Ethernet cable, or a WiFi link. In certain embodiments, the switch controller (220) controls operations of the one or more switch circuits (222) based on control instructions received from the charging command system (212) to control charging and discharging of the batteries (214A-N) in accordance with their specified charging parameters. To that end, in one embodiment, each of the switch circuits (222) includes a plurality of relays, and one or more resistors in series and/or parallel connection for controlling the amount of charging current transferred from the test automation system (204) to the batteries (214A-N). An example of the relays in the switch circuit (222) includes a solid-state relay.

[0037] In one embodiment, the switch circuit (222) transfers a current supplied by
the test automation system (204) to the batteries (214A-N) in the mobile devices (206A-N) for charging the batteries (214A-N) at a corresponding maximum charging rate. In certain embodiments, the switch circuit (222) modulates the current supplied by the test automation system (204) and transfers only part of the current to the batteries (214A-N) for enabling the batteries (214A-N) to charge at one or more specific charging and discharging rates. An exemplary method for controlling charging and discharging of the batteries (214A-N) in the mobile devices (206A-N) using the switch circuit (222) is described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 3-4.
[0038] In certain embodiments, the mobile devices (206A-N) are processor-
enabled devices having one or more connection ports such as USB ports for operatively connecting to the BMS (200) via the second set of USB cables (224A-N). However, it may be noted that the BMS (200) may include different numbers of the charge command systems (212), the switch controllers (220), the switch circuits (222), the first set of communication media (218A-N), and the second set of communication media (224A-N) depending on a number of mobile devices (206A-N) connected to the BMS (200). For example, the BMS (200) may include a single test automation system (204), a single switch controller (220), four switch circuits (222), four of the first set of USB cables (218A-N), and four of the second set of USB cables (224A-N) when there are four mobile devices (206A-N) involved in an automated test of the application (202). In another exemplary implementation, the BMS (200) may be connected to two test automation systems (204), and may include two switch controllers (220), and eight of each of the switch circuits (222), the first set of USB cables (218A-N), and the second set of USB cables (224A-N) when there are eight mobile devices (206A-N) involved in the automated test.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates a circuit diagram (300) depicting an exemplary
configuration of the switch circuit (222) that connects the mobile device (206A) to the

test automation system (204) and controls charging and discharging cycles of the battery (214A) in the mobile device (206A). In one embodiment, the switch circuit (222) is operatively connected to the test automation system (204) via a USB cable (218A). The USB cable (218A), for example, includes a plurality of lines including a power line (302), a ground line (304), a first data communication line (306), and a second data communication line (308). In addition, the switch circuit (222) is also connected to the mobile device (206A) via another USB cable (224A). The USB cable (224A) also includes a power line (303), a ground line (305), a first data communication line (307), and a second data communication line (309).
[0040] In one embodiment, the data communications lines (306, 307, 308, and 309)
in the USB cables (218A and 224A) transfer the data needed for testing the application (202) from the test automation system (204) to the mobile device (206A), and vice versa. In conventional test rigs, the mobile device (206A) is directly connected to the test automation system (204). Consequently, the battery (214A) in the mobile device (206A) is continuously charged by the power line (302) in the USB cable (218A) that delivers a designated amount of power received from the test automation system (204) while the mobile device (206A) is connected therein. In contrast, in the present disclosure, the mobile device (206A) is connected to the test automation system (204) via the BMS (200) that regulates the amount of power delivered for charging the mobile device (206A) using the switch circuit (222) and the power line (303) in the USB cable (224A). Specifically, the switch circuit (222) in the BMS (200) receives a designated current from the test automation system (204) via the power line (302). The switch circuit (222) modulates the received current to regulate the amount of current transmitted to the battery (214A) via the power line (303). By regulating the amount of current available to the battery (214A), the switch circuit (222) causes the battery (214A) to switch between charging and discharging states, as needed for maintaining optimal charge levels, while the mobile device (206A) is still connected to the test automation system (204).

[0041] To that end, in one embodiment, the switch circuit (222) includes one or
more relays (310A-C), one or more resistors (312A-C), and a master relay (314). The switch circuit (222) further includes a plurality of input lines (316A-D). For example, the switch circuit (222) includes a first input line (316A) operatively connected to a first relay (310A), and a second input line (316B) operatively connected to a second relay (310B). Moreover, the switch circuit (222) includes a third input line (316C) operatively connected to a third relay (310C), and a fourth input line (316D) operatively connected to the master relay (314).
[0042] In certain embodiments, the switch circuit (222) operates the battery (214A)
either in a charging state or in a discharging state via modulation of the associated input lines (316A-C) by the switch controller (220). The switch circuit (222) modulates the input lines (316A-C) to output an amount of current that is greater than an operating current required by the mobile device (206A) for operating the battery (214A) in the charging state. Hereinafter, the term “operating current” refers to a current required by the mobile device (206A) for associated operations such as for running the application (202), and for powering an associated processor, screen, and other components. Additionally, the switch circuit (222) modulates the input lines (316A-C) to output an amount of current that is lesser than the operating current required by the mobile device (206A) for operating the battery (214A) in the discharging state. An exemplary method for determining the operating current required by the mobile device (206A) for enabling the switch circuit (222) to selectively charge and discharge the battery (214A) is described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 4.
[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram depicting an exemplary method (400) for
selectively controlling charging and discharging states of the battery (214A) by determining an operating current required by the mobile device (206A). The order in which the exemplary method (400) is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described blocks may be combined in any order to

implement the exemplary method disclosed herein, or an equivalent alternative method. Additionally, certain blocks may be deleted from the exemplary method or augmented by additional blocks with added functionality without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.
[0044] Further, in FIG. 4, the exemplary method is illustrated as a collection of
blocks in a logical flow chart, which represents operations that may be implemented in hardware, software, or combinations thereof. The various operations are depicted in the blocks to illustrate the functions that are performed in the exemplary method. In the context of software, the blocks represent computer instructions that, when executed by one or more processing subsystems, perform the recited operations.
[0045] The present method may be used to determine the operating current
required by the mobile device (206A) for executing any application. However, for clarity, an embodiment of the present method is being described with reference to determining the operating current required by the mobile device (206A) for testing the application (202) using the test automation system (204). Accordingly, at step (402), the charging command system (212) stores a specified upper SOC limit and a specified lower SOC limit for the battery (214A). In one embodiment, the specified upper and lower SOC limits are selected by a user, or are automatically selected by the charging command system (212) prior to execution of an automated test in real-time based on a type and nature of battery (214A) used in the mobile device (206A) and corresponding stored battery specifications. For instance, the specified upper SOC limit may be 70% and the specified lower SOC limit may be 40% when the mobile device (206A) uses a lithium ion battery.
[0046] At step (404), the charging command system (212) determines an operating
current required by the mobile device (206A) for running a desired application, for example the sample-automated tests for testing the application (202), in the mobile device (206A). To that end, in one embodiment, the test automation system (204)

executes the sample-automated tests in the mobile device (206A) to test the application (202). The charging command system (212) monitors the energy consumption of the mobile device (206A) during execution of the sample-automated tests to determine the operating current required by the mobile device (206A) in real-time. Subsequently, the charging command system (212) determines one or more current values greater than the determined operating current to allow for optimal recharging of the battery when the determined energy consumption indicates depletion of the battery charge at an undesirable rate. Supplying current greater than the determined operating current recharges the battery (214A) to operate within the optimal range, while also preventing the mobile device (206A) from turning off and becoming unavailable during real time execution of the automated tests.
[0047] In certain embodiments, the charging command system (212) identifies a
time taken by the battery (214A) to drain from a first charge level to a second charge level during execution of each of the sample-automated tests. The charging command system (212) then determines the operating current based on the identified time and energy capacity associated with the battery (214A), for example, using equation (1).
������ �������� �� � �������
��������� ������� = ���� (1)
[0048] For example, during a sample-automated test, the energy capacity
associated with the battery (214A) corresponds to 2200 milliamp hour (mAh) and a time taken by the battery (214A) to drain from hundred percent charge to zero percent charge corresponds to 7.33 hours. Accordingly, the charging command system (212) uses equation (1) to determine the operating current required by the mobile device (206A) during execution of this sample-automated test to be approximately 300 mA.
[0049] At step (406), the charging command system (212) selects and stores one
or more “charging configurations” and “discharging configurations” of input lines (316A-C) based on the determined operating current. As used herein, the term

“charging configurations” corresponds to the configurations of input lines (316A-C) that enable the switch circuit (222) to output current greater than the determined operating current. Additionally, as used herein, the term “discharging configurations” corresponds to the configurations of input lines (316A-C) that enable the switch circuit (222) to output current lesser than the determined operating current.
[0050] The following Table 1 depicts exemplary values of output current generated
in response to a modulation of input lines (316A-C) by the switch controller (220) using the switch circuit (222) of FIG. 2 to operate in various charging and discharging configurations.
Table 1
Input Input Input Sample
line line line Configuration of resistors (312A-C) current
(316A) (316B) (316C) values
0 0 0 Via R1 (312A) 100 mA
Via R1 (312A) and R3 (312C) in
0 0 1 200 mA
parallel
Via R1 (312A) and R2 (312B) in
0 1 0 300 mA
parallel
Via R1 (312A), R2 (312B), and R3
0 1 1 400 mA
(312C) in parallel
1 0 0 No current flow via resistors (312A-C) 500 mA
1 0 1 No current flow via resistors (312A-C) 500 mA
1 1 0 No current flow via resistors (312A-C) 500 mA
1 1 1 No current flow via resistors (312A-C) 500 mA

[0051] For example, the charging command system (212) selects and stores a charging configuration of input lines (316A-C) that enables the switch circuit (222) to output a current that is equivalent to 400 mA, as shown in Table 1. For operating the switch circuit (222) in the first charging configuration, the switch controller (220) disconnects voltage in the input line (316A) while maintaining voltage in the input lines (316B-C). Consequently, the relay (310A) operatively coupled to the input line (316A) will turn to the “OFF” state, and the relays (310B-C) coupled to the corresponding input lines (316B-C) will remain in the “ON” state.
[0052] Turning the relay (310A) to “OFF” state introduces electrical resistance in the switch circuit (222). Further, an amount of electrical resistance introduced in the switch circuit (222) is controlled based on operational states of the other two relays (310B-C). In the previously noted example, turning the relay (310A) to “OFF” state and the relays (310B-C) to “ON” state causes a maximum current, for example 500 mA current received from the test automation system (204), to flow via the resistors (312A-C) in parallel. The resistors (312A-C) introduce electrical resistance to the flow of the current and reduce the maximum current of 500 mA to a first limited current. In one embodiment, the first limited current is determined using equation (2).
First Limited Current = ��� + ��� + ��� (2)
where ‘V corresponds to a voltage across the resistors (312A-C) that would be same as all the resistors (312A-C) are in a parallel connection, and where ‘RA’, ‘RB’, and ‘RC correspond to resistance values associated with the first resistor (312A), the second resistor (312B), and the third resistor (312C), respectively.
[0053] For example, the switch controller (220) uses equation (2) and configures the switch circuit (222) to limit a maximum current of 500 mA to a determined first limited current of 400 mA when voltage across all the resistors (312A-C) in a parallel

connection is 5 volts and their associated resistance values are 0.05, 0.025, and 0.05-kilo ohms, respectively.
[0054] In another example, the charging command system (212) selects and stores
a second charging configuration of input lines (316A-C) that enables the switch circuit (222) to output a current that is equivalent to 500 mA, as tabulated in Table 1. For example, the switch controller (220) supplies a specified voltage to the input line (316A that causes the relay (310A) to switch from “OFF” state to “ON” state for operating the switch circuit (222) in the second charging configuration. Irrespective of operational states of the other two relays (310B-C), the relay (310A) in “ON” state enables the switch circuit (222) to output a current equivalent to a maximum current, for example of 500 mA, received from the test automation system (204).
[0055] Similarly, the charging command system (212) also selects and stores one
or more discharging configurations of input lines (316A-C) based on the determined operating current. For example, the charging command system (212) stores a third discharging configuration of input lines (316A-C) using the switch circuit (222) to output a current that is equivalent to 100 mA. For example, the switch controller (220) disconnects voltage in all the input lines (316A-C) to turn the corresponding connected relays (310A-C) to an “OFF” state for operating the switch circuit (222) in the third discharging configuration. Turning the relays (310A-C) to “OFF” state causes a maximum current from the test automation system (204) to flow only via the resistor (312A), and further enables the switch circuit (222) to limit the maximum current received from the test automation system (204) to a second limited current, for example 100 mA in accordance with equation (2).
[0056] In another example, the charging command system (212) selects and stores
a fourth discharging configuration of input lines (316A-C) that enables the switch circuit (222) to output current that is equivalent to 200 mA. In this example, the relays (310A-B) are in ‘OFF’ state and the relay (310C) is in ‘ON’ state when the switch

circuit (222) operates in the fourth discharging configuration and outputs 200 mA current that is lesser than the determined operating current of 300 mA. Similarly, the charging command system (212) selects and stores a fifth configuration of input lines (316A-C) using the switch circuit (222) to output current that is equal to 300 mA as tabulated in Table 1.
[0057] Thus, the charging command system (212) selects and stores various
configurations of input lines (316A-C) using the switch circuit (222) to output different amounts of current such as greater than, lesser than, and equivalent to the determined operating current. Further, it is to be understood that the switch circuit (222) can be configured to provide any specific current for charging and discharging the battery (214A) at any desired charging and discharging rate, respectively. In particular, the switch circuit (222) can be configured to provide any specific output current by varying a total number of each of the input lines (316A-C), relays (310A-C), and resistors (312A-C) and associated resistance values in the switch circuit (222), and thereby achieve any desired charging and discharging rates.
[0058] Referring back to FIG. 4, at step (408), the desired application is executed
in real-time on the mobile device (206A). In a presently contemplated example, the test automation system (204) executes an automated test in real-time for testing the application (202) post completing the sample-automated tests. Further, at step (410), the charging command system (212) dynamically monitors a charge level associated with the battery (214A) when executing the desired application, for example the automated test, in real-time. At step (412), the charging command system (212) transmits one or more control instructions to the switch controller (220) to configure the switch circuit (222) to operate in one of the charging or discharging configurations based on the charge level associated with the battery (214A). In particular, when the charge level associated with the battery (214A) reaches the specified lower SOC limit, the switch controller (220) configures the switch circuit (222) to operate in one of the

charging configurations based on the received first control instruction. Accordingly, the switch circuit (222) configures the input lines (316A-C) to output current greater than the determined operating current, which causes the battery (214A) to switch from a discharging state to a charging state.
[0059] For example, the operating current required by the mobile device (206A)
during an automated test may vary from 300 mA to 320 mA. In this example, the switch controller (220) controls configurations of input lines (316A-C) associated with the switch circuit (222) to output 400 mA of current. Subsequently, the USB cable (224A) provides 400mA of output current to the mobile device (206A). The mobile device (206A) utilizes, for example, 300 mA to 320 mA of the output current for associated operation, and the remaining 80 mA to 100 mA of current for charging the associated battery (214A) at a first charging rate.
[0060] In another example, the switch controller (220) controls configurations of
input lines (316A-C) associated with the switch circuit (222) to output 500 mA of current. In this example, the mobile device (206A) utilizes, for example, 300 mA to 320 mA of the output current for associated operation, and the remaining 180 mA to 200 mA of current for charging the associated battery (214A) at a second charging rate greater than the first charging rate.
[0061] In the previously noted examples, the supply of both 400 mA and 500 mA
of current charges the battery (214A) as the operating current required by the mobile device (206A) is only 300 mA to 320 mA. However, the charging command system (212) selects one of the 400 mA and 500 mA of current as optimal for charging the battery (214A) based on one or more associated battery parameters stored in the database (210). Examples of the battery parameters include age of the battery (214A), type of the battery (214A), chemicals used in the battery (214A), and a desired charging rate of the battery (214A). In one example, the charging command system (212) identifies that the battery (214) will be optimally charged with 400 mA of current when

age of the battery (214A) is less than three years. Alternatively, the charging command system (212) may identify that the battery (214A) will be optimally charged with 500 mA of current when age of the battery (214A) is more than three years. This is because an aged battery may require more current when compared to current required by a newer battery for accumulating charge at a specific charging rate.
[0062] In another example, the charging command system (212) enables the switch
circuit (222) to supply 400 mA of current to the battery (214A) when a charge level in the battery (214A) is to be incremented by ten percentage every five minutes. Alternatively, the charging command system (212) enables the switch circuit (222) to supply 500 mA of current to the battery (214A) when a charge level in the battery (214A) is to be incremented by fifteen percentage every five minutes. It may be noted that generally a rate at which a battery accumulates charge is directly proportional to an amount of current provided to the battery. Hence, the battery (214A) may accumulate charge comparatively faster with a current supply of 500 mA when compared to a current supply of 400 mA.
[0063] In certain embodiments, the operating current required by the mobile device
(206A) may not always be within a specific range such as between 300 mA to 320 mA of current. For example, the operating current may exceed the specific range depending upon additional unanticipated processing that needs to be performed by the mobile device (206A). For example, a user may increase brightness of a display screen associated with the mobile device (206A) when the automated test of the application (202) is in progress. In this example, the mobile device (206A) may require 420 mA of operating current instead of 300 mA post increasing brightness of the display screen. In another example, another application may launch and run automatically on the mobile device (206A) when the actual automated test of the application (202) is in progress. In this example, the mobile device (206A) may then require 440 mA of

operating current instead of 300 mA for running both the application (202) under test and the newly launched application.
[0064] In such scenarios, the charging command system (212) and the switch
controller (220) dynamically adjust the configuration of input lines (316A-C) such that the switch circuit (222) outputs current greater than an operating current required by the mobile device (206A). For example, the charging command system (212) recalculates an operating current required by the mobile device (206A) from 300 mA to 440 mA due to launch of a new application. In this example, the charging command system (212) and the switch controller (220) adjust the configuration of input lines (316A-C) such that the switch circuit (222) outputs 500 mA of current instead of 400 mA of current to maintain the battery (214A) in the charging state. In one embodiment, the switch controller (220) and the switch circuit (222) enable the battery (214A) to charge only until an associated charge level reaches a specified upper SOC limit.
[0065] Similarly, when the charge level associated with the battery (214A) reaches
the specified upper SOC limit, the switch controller (220) configures the switch circuit (222) to operate in one of the discharging configurations based on the received first control instruction from the charging command system (212). Accordingly, the switch circuit (222) outputs a discharging current that is lesser than the determined operating current while operating in the discharging configuration. Supplying current lesser than the determined operating current to the mobile device (206A) causes the mobile device (206A) to utilize energy stored in the associated battery (214A) for its necessary operation, which causes the battery (214A) to switch from the charging state to the discharging state while the mobile device (206A) continues to be connected to the test automation system (204) via the USB cables (218A and 224A).
[0066] For example, when the operating current required by the mobile device
(206A) varies from 300 mA to 320 mA, the switch controller (220) configures the input lines (316A-C) associated with the switch circuit (222) to output 100 mA of current.

In this example, the mobile device (206A) requires additional 200 mA to 220 mA of current for associated operation. The mobile device (206A) derives the required additional current from energy stored in the battery (214A), which discharges the battery (214A) to reduce the charge level associated with the battery (214A) to below the specified upper SOC limit. Thus, the switch controller (220) and the switch circuit (222) operate the battery (214A) in a discharging state by supplying a current that is lesser than the operating current even when the mobile device (206A) is physically connected and receiving power from the power source (211).
[0067] It may be noted that the supply of both 100 mA of current and 200 mA of
current will discharge the battery (214A) as the operating current required by the mobile device (206A) is 300 mA to 320 mA. However, the charging command system (212) identifies whether the battery (214A) has to be discharged with 100 mA of current or 200 mA of current based on the one or more associated battery parameters, as noted previously with reference to step (412) of FIG. 4. For example, the charging command system (212) enables the switch circuit (222) to supply 200 mA of current to the battery (214A) when a charge level in the battery (214A) is to be decremented by ten percentage every five minutes. Alternatively, the charging command system (212) enables the switch circuit (222) to supply 100 mA of current to the battery (214A) when a charge level in the battery (214A) is to be decremented by fifteen percentage every five minutes. It may be noted that lesser the supply of charging current to the battery (214A), more is the dissipation of stored charge from the battery (214A) for meeting the operating current requirements of the mobile device (206A). Hence, the battery (214A) may dissipate stored charge comparatively faster with a current supply of 100 mA when compared to a current supply of 200 mA.
[0068] In one embodiment, the switch controller (220) and the switch circuit (222)
enable the battery (214A) to operate in the discharging state only until an associated charge level reaches the specified lower SOC limit. Post attaining the specified lower

SOC limit, the switch controller (220) modulates one or more of the input lines (316A-C) in the switch circuit (222) such that the switch circuit (222) outputs current greater than the operating current required by the mobile device (206A) for switching the battery (214A) to the charging state.
[0069] In one embodiment, the BMS (200) iteratively perform the steps (410 and
412) while the mobile device (206A-N) is connected to the test automation system (204) via the switch controller (220), the switch circuit (222), and the USB cables (218A-N and 224A-N). It may be noted that, the master relay (314) in the switch circuit (222) operates in a closed state throughout a testing cycle of the application (202). Operating the master relay (314) in the closed state provides consistent data connectivity between the test automation system (204) and the mobile device (206A) via the data communication lines (306, 307, 308, and 309) in the USB cables (218A and 224A). In conventional test rigs, the battery (214A) is operated in the charging and discharging states by physically connecting and disconnecting the USB cables (218A-N and 224A-N) from the mobile devices (206A-N), respectively, often leading to test disruptions. In contrast, the master relay (314) in the switch circuit (222) automatically simulates a charging scenario when a charge level associated with the battery (214A) reaches the lower SOC limit. Specifically, use of the master relay (314) enables simulation of the charging scenario without manual intervention by operating the switch circuit (222) to output current that is greater than the operating current required by the mobile device (206A). Supply of the great output current automatically toggles the associated battery (214A) from the discharging state to the charging state as soon as the associated charge level falls to a lower SOC limit.
[0070] Similarly, the switch circuit (222) can be used to simulate a discharging
state typically achieved by physical removal of the USB cables (218A-N) connecting the test automation system (204) to the mobile device (206A) to prevent continuous charging of the battery (214A) without actually disrupting the data connectivity

between these two devices (204 and 206A). Particularly, the switch circuit (222) can be configured to output current that is lesser than the operating current required by the mobile device (206A). Supply of the lesser current automatically toggles the associated battery (214A) from the charging state to the discharging state, as described previously with reference to FIG. 4. Thus, use of the switch circuit (222) ensures continuous and consistent data connectivity between the test automation system (204) and the mobile devices (206A) for seamless execution of automated test runs in the mobile device (206A) while preventing continuous charging of the associated battery (214A) via the USB cables (224A).
[0071] Thus, the BMS (200) automatically controls charging and discharging
cycles of batteries (214A-N) in the mobiles devices (206A-N) while being persistently being connected to the power source (211). In particular, use of the charge command system (212), the switch controller (220) and the switch circuit (222) ensure that data connectivity provided between the test automation system (204) and the mobile devices (206A-N) via the data communication lines (306, 307, 308, and 309) is not disrupted, thereby ensuring seamless automated test runs.
[0072] Furthermore, the BMS (200) also modulates a maximum current received
from the test automation system (204) to enable the batteries (214A-N) to charge at different desired charging and discharging rates. Use of the BMS (200), thus, ensures that the batteries (214A-N) operate within specified SOC limits, which in turn, improves performance of the batteries (214A-N). Specifically, operating the batteries (214A-N) within specified SOC limits prevents the batteries (214A-N) from bulging, malfunctioning, and exploding, thereby prolonging the life of the batteries (214A-N), and saving cost associated with repairing damaged batteries or replacing the damaged batteries with new ones. The BMS (200) also prevents the mobile devices (206A-N) from heating up extensively during the automated testing, thus improving performance

of the mobile devices (206A-N), and saving cost by obviating the usage of cooling systems as part of the BMS (200).
[0073] Moreover, as previously noted, the BMS (200) obviates the need to
manually connect and disconnect the USB cables (218A-N and/or 224A-N) to keep the charge of batteries (214A-N) in an optimal range. Such manual connection and disconnection leads to disruption of data connection between the test automation system (204) and the mobile devices (206A-N), and ultimately causes the automated tests to fail. In the present BMS (200), the USB cables (218A-N) are always connected to the host device (204) and the switch circuit (222) to automatically control charging and discharging cycles of the batteries (214A-N) and keep the batteries (214A-N) charged in their respective optimal range. Additionally, the USB cables (224A-N) are always connected to the switch circuit (222) and the mobile devices (206A-N) to provide consistent data connection and seamless execution of desired applications.
[0074] Although specific features of various embodiments of the present systems
and methods may be shown in and/or described with respect to some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. It is to be understood that the described features, structures, and/or characteristics may be combined and/or used interchangeably in any suitable manner in the various embodiments shown in the different figures.
[0075] While only certain features of the present systems and methods have been
illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the claimed invention.

LIST OF NUMERAL REFERENCES:
100 Test Setup 300 Circuit Diagram
102 Test System 302, 303 Power Lines
104, 202 Application 304, 305 Ground Line
106A-N, 206A-N Mobile Devices 306, 307 First Data Communications
Lines
108A-N, 218A-N, 224A-N 308, 309 Second Data
Communication Media Communications Lines
110A-N, 214A-N Batteries 310A-C Relays
200 Battery Management System 312A-C Resistors
204 Test Automation System 314 Master Relay
210 Database 316A-D Input Lines
211 Power Source 400-412 Steps of a method for
selectively controlling charging and discharging states of a battery
212 Charging Command System
216 Graphical User Interface
220 Switch Controller
222 Switch Circuits
226 Communication Medium

We claim:
1. A battery management system (200), comprising:
a first connector (218A) comprising a power line (302) and one or more data communication lines (306, 308) and a second connector (224A) comprising a power line (303) and one or more data communication lines (307, 309);
a switch circuit (222) operatively coupled to a host device (204) via the first connector (218A) and a battery-operated device (206A) via the second connector (224A) and comprising one or more input lines (316A-D), wherein one or more of the input lines (316A-D) are configured to modulate a designated current continuously received from the host device (204) and transmit the modulated current to the battery-operated device (206A) while maintaining data connectivity between the host device (204) and the battery-operated device (206A) via the one or more data communication lines (307, 309);
a charging command system (212) operatively coupled to the switch circuit (222), the battery-operated device (206A), and the host device (204), wherein the charging command system (212):
monitors a charge level associated with a battery (214A) in the battery-operated device (206A);
determines an operating current needed by the battery-operated device (206A) when running a selected application (202);
selects one of a charging current greater than the operating current and a discharging current lesser than the operating current to be provided to the battery (214A) as the modulated current;

transmits one or more control instructions to the switch circuit (222) to modulate a voltage supplied to one or more of the input lines (316A-D) in the switch circuit (222) to output the selected charging current when the charge level reaches a specified lower state-of-charge limit to switch the battery (214A) from a discharging state to a charging state, and to output the selected discharging current when the charge level reaches a specified upper state-of-charge limit to switch the battery (214A) from the charging state to the discharging state while maintaining data connectivity between the host device (204) and the battery-operated device (206A) via the one or more data communication lines (307, 309).
2. The battery management system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch circuit (222) comprises one or more relays (310A-C), one or more resistors (312A-C) comprising a first resistor (312A), a second resistor (312B), and a third resistor (312C) that are in a series or parallel connection, and a master relay (314), wherein the input lines (316A-D) comprise a first input line (316A), a second input line (316B), a third input line (316C), and a fourth input line (316D) that are operatively connected to a first relay (310A), a second relay (310B), a third relay (310C), and the master relay (314), respectively, and wherein the master relay (314) operates in a closed state when the selected application (202) is running on the host device (204).
3. The battery management system (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the switch circuit (222) comprises a switch controller (220), wherein the switch controller (220) receives one or more control instructions from the charging command system (212) to:

selectively switch the switch circuit (222) to a first charging configuration by supplying a specified voltage to the first input line (316A) in the switch circuit (222) to output a first charging current, and
selectively switch the switch circuit (222) to a second charging configuration by supplying the specified voltage only to the second and third input lines (316B-C), wherein the supply of the specified voltage to the second and third input lines (316B-C) enables the designated current to flow via the resistors (312A-C) that limit the designated current to a second charging current.
4. The battery management system (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
switch controller (220) receives one or more control instructions from the charging
command system (212) to:
selectively switch the switch circuit (222) to a first discharging configuration by disconnecting a voltage supply to the input lines (316A-C), wherein disconnection of the voltage supply to the input lines (316A-C) enables the designated current to flow via the first resistor (312A) that limits the designated current to a first discharging current; and
selectively switch the switch circuit (222) to a second discharging configuration by disconnecting the voltage supply to the first and third input lines (316A, 316C), wherein disconnection of the voltage supply to the first and third input lines (316A, 316C) enables the designated current to flow via the first and third resistors (312A, 312C) that limit the designated current to a second discharging current.
5. The battery management system (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
charging command system (212) selects the charging current from one of the first
charging current and the second charging current, and selects the discharging current

from one of the first discharging current and the second discharging current based on one or more battery parameters, wherein the battery parameters comprise age of the battery (214A), type of the battery (214A), chemicals used in the battery (214A), a desired charging rate and a desired discharging rate of the battery (214A).
6. The battery management system (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the switch circuit (222) comprises a determined count of the input lines (316A-D), the relays (310A-C), the master relay (314), and the resistors (312A-C) having resistance values that are selected to provide one or more desired currents as the modulated current for charging and discharging the battery (214A) as determined by the charging command system (212).
7. The battery management system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery management system (200) comprises a third connector (226) that couples the switch circuit (222) to the host device (204), wherein each of the first connector (218A), the second connector (224A), and the third connector (226) comprises one of a wireless connector, a wireless universal serial bus (USB), a USB cable, an Ethernet cable, a thunderbolt connector, and a Firewire connector.
8. The battery management system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the host device (204) comprises a test automation system, wherein the selected application (202) comprises one of an over-the-top application, a video-on-demand application, and a web application, and wherein the battery-operated device (206A) comprises one of an internet of things device, a smart sensor, a digital camera, a smartphone, a medical device, and a laptop.

9. A method for controlling charging and discharging of a battery (214A) in a
battery-operated device (206A), comprising:
providing a switch circuit (222) comprising one or more input lines (316A-D) and operatively coupled to a host device (204) via a first connector (218A) and to the battery-operated device (206A) via a second connector (224A), wherein each of the first and second connectors (218A, 224A) comprises a corresponding power line (302, 303), and one or more data communication lines (306, 307, 308, and 309);
monitoring a charge level associated with the battery (214A);
determining an operating current needed by the battery-operated device (206A) when running a selected application (202) by executing a sample application in the battery-operated device (206A);
selecting one of a charging current greater than the operating current and a discharging current lesser than the operating current to be provided to the battery (214A) as the modulated current;
modulating a voltage supplied to one or more of the input lines (316A-D) in the switch circuit (222) to modulate a designated current continuously received from the host device (204) and transmit the modulated current to the battery-operated device (206A), wherein the modulated current comprises the selected charging current when the charge level reaches a specified lower state-of-charge limit to switch the battery (214A) from a discharging state to a charging state, and wherein the modulated current comprises the selected discharging current when the charge level reaches a specified upper state-of-charge limit to switch the battery (214A) from the charging state to the discharging state while maintaining data connectivity between the host device (204) and the battery-operated device (206A) via the one or more data communication lines (307, 309).

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the operating current required by
the battery (214A) is determined based on an energy capacity associated with the battery (214A) and a time taken by the battery (214A) to drain from a first charge level to a second charge level.