TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Example embodiments generally relate to battery technology and, more particularly, relate to a smart battery for a smart garden.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Garden tasks are commonly performed using various tools and/or machines that are configured for the performance of corresponding specific tasks. Certain tasks, like cutting trees, trimming vegetation, blowing debris and the like, are typically performed by hand-held tools or power equipment. The hand-held power equipment may often be powered by gas or electric motors. Until the advent of battery powered electric tools, gas powered motors were often preferred by operators that desired, or required, a great deal of mobility. Accordingly, many outdoor power equipment devices are powered by gas motors because they may be required to operate over a relatively large range. However, as battery technology continues to improve, the robustness of battery powered equipment has also improved and such devices have increased in popularity.

[0003] The batteries employed in outdoor equipment, such as garden equipment, may, in some cases, be removable and/or rechargeable assemblies of a plurality of smaller cells that are arranged together in order to achieve desired output characteristics. The groups of smaller cells may be located or housed within a housing to form a battery pack. The battery pack may have physical and electrical design characteristics that determine which devices can be powered by the battery pack. In the past, specific unique battery packs have often been employed for each specific different type of outdoor power equipment or for different brands. Thus, each household or business may have substantially an equal number of battery packs to the number of devices that are powered by such battery packs. This can consume more storage space, and also typically means that a diverse array of different battery chargers is also necessary.

[0004] Thus, there is a desire to reduce the diversity of battery pack designs used to power outdoor power equipment. However, there is also a desire to incorporate outdoor power equipment into the ever expanding world of the Internet of Things. [0005] Generally, rechargeable batteries for cordless garden tools have very limited ability to communicate information with users, if the battery is configured to communicate information at all. One example of battery information communication is via light emitting diodes (LEDs) indicating the state of charge. In addition to the limited information, the LED based indicator requires the user to be proximate to the battery to see the indication.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

[0006] In an example embodiment, a smart garden system is provided including at least one piece of garden equipment, one or more computing devices, and at least one battery pack for the piece of garden equipment. The battery pack includes one or more rechargeable battery cells, a transceiver in data communication with a network and processing circuitry configured to receive battery data from one or more battery sensors associated with the battery pack and cause the transceiver to transmit the battery data to the one or more computing devices in data communication with the network.

[0007] A battery pack for garden equipment is provided including one or more rechargeable battery cells, a transceiver in data communication with a network, and processing circuitry configured to receive battery data from one or more battery sensors associated with the battery pack and cause the transceiver to transmit the battery data to one or more computing devices in data communication with the network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0008] Having thus described some example embodiments in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a concept diagram of a system in which a battery pack may operate in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of processing circuitry of the battery pack in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a control flow diagram for execution of a shutdown based on battery data extracted from a device in accordance with an example embodiment; [0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a control flow diagram for delayed transmission of operational parameters using a battery pack in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a control flow diagram for substantially real-time transmission of operational parameters using a battery pack in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a control flow diagram for identification based configuration of a device using a battery pack in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a control flow diagram for remote provisioning of configuration information for a device using a battery pack in accordance with an example embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates an example communication configuration and information received from the battery pack according to an example embodiment; and

[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates a method for a smart garden system according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "or" is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, operable coupling should be understood to relate to direct or indirect connection that, in either case, enables functional interconnection or interaction of components that are operably coupled to each other.

[0019] Some example embodiments may provide for a battery pack that can be useful in connection with battery powered tools or battery powered garden equipment. Garden equipment that is battery powered, and battery powered tools generally, typically include battery packs that have a given voltage or power rating, and have physical characteristics that must match the receptacle of the device that is to be powered. In order to achieve sufficient power, cells of the battery pack may be organized and interconnected (e.g., in an arrangement of series and/or parallel electrical connections) to group the cells within the battery pack in a manner that achieves desired electrical characteristics. The battery pack may be inserted into an aperture (e.g., a receptacle) of the piece of equipment that is to be powered so that the corresponding piece of equipment (e.g., hand-held, ride-on, walk-behind, or stationary garden equipment) is enabled to be powered and, in some cases, mobile. However, in some cases, the battery pack may be inserted into a backpack or other carrying implement that the equipment operator may wear, and the backpack may have an interface portion to be inserted into the aperture of the piece of equipment.

[0020] The battery pack is typically rechargeable, and may generate heat during charge and/or discharge due to the electrochemical reactions that are employed to produce electricity. Thus, the battery packs and/or their chargers may sometimes incorporate cooling assemblies for preventing heat generation from becoming excessive, and damaging the cells of the battery pack. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the battery pack generally needs to have a physical structure that supports the cells of the battery pack and cooling equipment (if employed), and that physical structure needs to further incorporate electrical contacts that allow the battery pack to be operably coupled to the electric motor of the device being powered and to the charger that will recharge the battery pack. To make the battery pack suitable for use with a plurality of different types of devices (including outdoor power equipment and chargers), the devices themselves must have consistently designed apertures or other battery receptacles that correspond to the physical characteristics of the battery pack. Moreover, the electrical contacts of the different types of devices must also be suitable for coupling with the contacts of the battery pack when the battery pack is inserted into the respective different types of devices.

[0021] Example embodiments are directed to a battery pack that has a physical structure that enables the battery pack to be used with a plurality of different types of devices. However, example embodiments further enable the battery pack to include a communication capability that enables processing circuitry on or associated with the battery pack to be used to extract operational parameters or other such data from or about the device being powered by the battery pack. Furthermore, the battery pack may include communications circuitry that enables the operational parameters to be communicated to one or more network devices. As such, the battery pack is essentially connected and connectable to network resources on a real time or post hoc basis. Thus, the operational parameters of the battery pack may be communicated to a remote device for remote monitoring and interface with the battery pack. In some cases, the remove device may have an app or application hosted thereon to provide the user with useful information associated with the operational parameters, charging activity, or other useful information about the battery and/or its environment.

[0022] In some example embodiments, the battery pack may be configured to receive battery data from battery sensors and/or equipment data from one or more equipment sensors. The equipment sensors may be associated with a device to which the battery pack is operably coupled. The battery pack may be configured to cause the battery and/or equipment data user equipment, such as a smart phone for display of reports including or based on the battery and/or equipment data.

[0023] The battery data may include a battery charging status of the battery pack. The battery charging status may include the charging condition, such as, charging, discharging (e.g. in use), charged, or inactive. Additionally or alternatively, the battery charging status may include a state of charge, such as the percent or fraction of charge of the battery. The battery charging status may be utilized to generate alerts that can be received remotely (e.g., on the remote device) to notify a user that the battery pack is nearing a full charge, is fully charged, or is in need of charging. Fault conditions or important environmental conditions that could impact the battery pack may also be remotely communicated in this way.

[0024] In some example embodiments, the battery pack or a user device of the smart garden system may determine the expected runtime or expected range of a device based on the battery data and or equipment data. For example, the discharge rate of the battery pack or a discharge rate based on the device type may used with the battery charging status to determine an expected runtime. Similarly, a rate of travel or default rate of travel of a device may be associated with a discharge rate, which can be used to determine the expected range of the device.

[0025] In some example embodiments, the battery data may include temperature data associated with the battery pack and alerts based on high or low temperature thresholds being met or exceeded. The alerts may prevent or limit damage caused by excessively cold storage temperatures, or excessively hot temperatures due to malfunction, excessive operation, environmental conditions, storage, or the like.

[0026] Additionally, in some example embodiments, the remote device may be configured to remotely activate or deactivate the battery pack and/or the device associated with the battery pack. Further, the battery pack and/or the UE may also automatically cause deactivation of the battery pack or associate device in an instance in which a shutdown threshold is met or exceeded.

[0027] The various displays of battery data, equipment data, and information derived therefrom, may provide a user with significantly more information than typical batteries. The additional information may be useful in planning of operation of devices utilizing the battery packs, planning battery change out for charging purposes, and scheduling maintenance operations. Additionally, the data may be used for trend or failure analysis, and/or determining more accurate or efficient device usage.

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a concept diagram of a system 100 in which a battery pack of an example embodiment may operate. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 includes a plurality of individual pieces of garden equipment, e.g. devices 110, including a blower, a trimmer, a mower, a pump, a primer, and a hedge trimmer. The system 100 also includes a charger (not shown) for charging a battery pack 150 of an example embodiment and an access point 160. The access point 160 enables the devices to be operably coupled to a network 170 to which UE 180 (e.g., a remote device) may be connected.

[0029] The example devices are merely shown to illustrate the potential for

interoperability of the battery pack 150 with a plurality of different types of devices 110 in the garden equipment context. Thus, other pieces of garden equipment could be substituted or added in other examples. Any battery powered piece of garden equipment that can be operably coupled to the battery pack 150 for both power provision purposes and communication purposes, as described herein, could be part of the system 100, and the system 100 could include as few as a single device 110 or as many as dozens of devices 110.

[0030] Additionally, the fact that multiple devices 110 that could be powered by the battery pack 150 are shown is merely illustrative of the potential for multiplicity relative to the number of devices 110 that the battery pack 150 can power, and the number of different instances of the battery pack 150 that can communicate with the access point 160. Moreover, it should further be appreciated that one instance of the battery pack 150 could be charged using the charger, and that same instance of the battery pack 150 could power each respective different one of the devices 110 in any order while charged. However, multiple battery packs 150 could also be included in the system 100 and used for various ones of the devices 110. After charge depletion, the instance of the battery pack 150 could be recharged at the charger. Alternatively, separate instances of the battery pack 150 could power each respective one of the devices 110 while another instance of the battery pack 150 is charging at the charger. Multiple chargers and battery packs 150 could also be used in some cases.

[0031] In the example in which a single instance of the battery pack 150 is used with each device, the single instance of the battery pack 150 may communicate with the access point 160 while powering any given one of the devices 110, and while being charged on the charger. Meanwhile, in an example in which multiple instances of the battery pack 150 are employed to power respective devices 110, each such instance may communicate with the access point 160 simultaneously or in sequence.

[0032] In one example embodiment the access point 160 may include or be associated with a gateway 165. The gateway 165 may subsequently have wired or wireless connection to the access point 160, which may be directly or indirectly connectable to UE 180. The UE 180 may include a computing device, including fixed computing devices, such as work stations; mobile computing devices, such as laptop computers, tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and smart phones; and/or wearable computing devices, such as smart watches and smart glasses; or the like. The access point 160 may be a router of a home network of the operator. In some cases, direct connection of the access point 160 to the UE 180 may be provided via short range wireless communication methods (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi and/or the like). . Indirect connection of the access point 160 to the UE 180 may occur via a network 170. The network 170 may be a data network, such as a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN) (e.g., the internet), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), and/or the like, which may couple devices (e.g., the deployed components) to devices such as processing elements (e.g., personal computers, server computers or the like) and/or databases such as the UE 180. Communication between the network 170 and other devices of the system 100 may be accomplished by either wireline or wireless communication mechanisms and corresponding communication protocols. Moreover, in some cases, if the UE 180 has, for example, Bluetooth communication capabilities, the UE 180 could actually act as the access point 160. Thus, for example, in some cases, the access point 160 could be a communication node that provides a gateway to the network 170 so that UE that is capable of communication with the network 170 can interface with the battery pack 150 and the devices (via the battery pack 150). However, in other cases, the UE 180 could be a smart phone with Bluetooth capability, or other wireless protocol, and the user can interact directly with the battery pack 150 without other network resources therebetween.

[0033] The gateway 165 may be a translation agent configured to interface with any or all of the deployed components via wired or wireless communication. In some embodiments, the gateway 165 may include a high performance antenna to enable the gateway 165 to communicate wirelessly with deployed components via an 868 mHz radio link (e.g., a first wireless link). However, other radio links may be employed in other cases, or even wireless links of other types such as, for example, infrared communication, optical communication or other techniques. The first wireless link, and the components connected thereby, may be part of a first network (e.g., a garden network) or deployed component network that extends outdoors. Components internal to the house or business, and extending to and between the UE 180 may form a second network. As such, the gateway 165 may be a translation agent between the first and second networks. The gateway 165 may be an aggregation point and communications center for communications in both networks.

[0034] As such, the gateway 165 may be provided within the home or other indoor environment of the operator, and still wirelessly communicate with the deployed components (via the first wireless link) to translate instructions thereto from the operator, which may be provided via a second wireless link to the access point 160. In an example embodiment, the wireless communications may be secured by employing encryption or other security techniques. The gateway 165 may also provide secure cloud data storage through connection to the network 170 (e.g., via the access point 160). In some examples, the first and second wireless links may be different wireless links that employ different communication protocols and/or frequencies,

[0035] The gateway 165 may also provide the ability for each of the devices 110 and/or battery packs 150 to be monitored, controlled, programmed, or otherwise interfaced with by an operator using the UE 180. In particular, in some cases, the UE 180 may be configured to execute an application (or app) that is tailored to providing an easy setup and/or easy to use interface for interaction with the gateway 165 (and the corresponding devices 110 or battery packs 150 that are reachable through the gateway 165. As such, the UE 180 may include processing circuitry that is enabled to interface with corresponding processing circuitry of the gateway 165 the devices 110 and/or battery packs 150 to program, control or otherwise interact with the devices 110 or battery packs 150 in a manner described in greater detail below.

[0036] The interaction between the UE 180 and the gateway 165 to facilitate programming of, control of, or interaction with the devices and the battery packs may create an interactive and fully connectable garden system. The app that may be executed at the UE 1 SO may be configured for control of any or all of the devices 110 on a real time or programmed basis. The resulting system may be a holistic and connected automatic garden system. Moreover, the connection to content on the internet via network 170 may allow educational content to be integrated into the system's operation to provide operators with an improved interface and more control over gaimng full satisfaction of their gardening experience. For example, the educational content may include videos that example how to start, program, or troubleshoot any operations regarding the components of the devices 110 and/or battery packs 150. In an example embodiment, the app may be used to program at least some of the devices 110, such as sprinklers, water pumps, robotic mowers, or watering robots; and/or battery packs 150 to facilitate, control and/or provide information related to battery charging or usage.

[0037] The battery pack 150 is configured to communicate with the access point 160 while installed for powering each of the devices 110, and while being charged by the charger. However, it should be appreciated that the battery pack 150 may also communicate with the access point 160 when not installed or being charged in some alternative examples. Moreover, in some cases, the battery pack 150 could be used in different ones of the devices 110 at respective different times and extract operational parameters from each respective device while installed therein. However, the operational parameters may be stored locally at the battery pack 150 for communication to the access point 160 at some later time.

[0038] It should also be appreciated that the battery pack 150 may have different triggers or stimuli that cause the battery pack 150 to communicate with the access point 160. In some cases, initiation of connection of the battery pack 150 with a device of the (e.g. devices 110, or the charger) may trigger communication with the access point 160. Alternatively or additionally, termination of connection may trigger communication, or various time or event based triggers may cause the battery pack 150 to connect to the access point 160. However, in some cases, the access point 160 may poll instances of the battery pack 150 for data, or may otherwise initiate communication with one or more instances of the battery pack 150. [0039] As may be appreciated from the discussion above, the battery pack 150 includes circuitry to enable the batteries of the battery pack 150 to be charged (e.g., by the charger) and to enable the power from the batteries to be delivered to the devices being powered by the battery pack 150, and also includes communication circuitry to support communication with the access point 160. Thus, the battery pack 150 is configured to be operably coupled to a device on two levels. First, there is a power transfer level of connectivity, and secondly there is a data communication level of connectivity. As such, the battery pack 150 can, for example, both provide power to a device and communicate with the device and other external devices or networks. In some cases, the battery pack 150 is configured to extract information about the operation of the device (e.g., operational parameters) that are both related to the power provision function of the battery pack 150 and unrelated to the power provision function of the battery pack 150. Thus, for example, the battery pack 150 may be configured to simultaneously power the device, manage that power provision or charging, extract information from the device or regarding charging activity and provide the extracted information to the network 170. Moreover, the battery pack 150 may connect the device to a local and/or remote network via which a user may be enabled to appreciate certain performance characteristics of the devices 110 (or operators thereof) or otherwise interact with such devices 110 to enhance maintenance, management or otherwise enhance the user experience.

[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the processing circuitry of the battery pack

150 in accordance with an example embodiment. The battery pack 150 may include processing circuitry 310 of an example embodiment as described herein. In this regard, for example, the battery pack 150 may utilize the processing circuitry 310 to provide electronic control inputs to one or more functional units of the battery pack 150 and to process data received at or generated by the one or more functional units regarding various indications of device activity (e.g., operational parameters and/or location information) relating to a corresponding one of the devices 110. In some cases, the processing circuitry 310 may be configured to perform data processing, control function execution and/or other processing and management services according to an example embodiment. However, in other examples, the processing circuitry 310 may be configured to manage extraction, storage and/or communication of data received at the processing circuitry 310. [0041] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 310 may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the processing circuitry 310 may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The processing circuitry 310 may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present invention on a single chip or as a single "system on a chip." As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

[0042] In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 310 may include one or more instances of a processor 312 and memory 314 that may be in communication with or otherwise control other components or modules that interface with the processing circuitry 310. As such, the processing circuitry 310 may be embodied as a circuit chip (e.g., an integrated circuit chip) configured (e.g., with hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software) to perform operations described herein. However, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry 310 may be embodied as a portion of an on-board computer housed in a battery pack with a battery manager 230 and/or communications manager 240 to control operation of the battery pack 150 relative to its interaction with other devices.

[0043] Although not required, some embodiments of the battery pack 1 0 may employ a user interface 330. The user interface 330 may be in communication with the processing circuitry 310 to receive an indication of a user input at the user interface 330 and/or to provide an audible, visual, tactile or other output to the user. As such, the user interface 330 may include, for example, a display, one or more switches, lights, buttons or keys (e.g., function buttons), and/or other input/output mechanisms. In an example embodiment, the user interface 330 may include one or a plurality of colored lights or a simple display to indicate charge status or other relatively basic information. However, more complex interface mechanisms could be provided in some cases.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the battery pack 150 may further include the battery manager

230 and the communications manager 240. The battery manager 230 and the communications manager 240 may be embodied as or otherwise controlled by the processing circuitry 310. However, in some cases, the processing circuitry 310 may be associated with only a specific one of the battery manager 230 or the communications manager 240, and a separate instance of processing circuitry may be associated with the other. Yet in some cases, the processing circuitry 310 could be shared between the battery manager 230 and the communications manager 240 and/or the processing circuitry 310 could be configured to instantiate both such entities. Thus, although FIG. 2 illustrates such an instance of sharing the processing circuitry 310 between the battery manager 230 and the communications manager 240, it should be appreciated that FIG. 2 is not limiting in that regard.

[0045] Each of the battery manager 230 and the communications manager 240 may employ or utilize components or circuitry that acts as a device interface 320. The device interface 320 may include one or more interface mechanisms for enabling communication with other devices (e.g., device 110, the access point 160, UE 180, and/or internal components). In some cases, the device interface 320 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware, or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from to components in communication with the processing circuitry 310 via internal communication systems of the battery pack 150. With respect to the communications manager 240, the device interface 320 may further include wireless communication equipment (e.g., a one way or two way radio) for at least communicating information from the battery pack 150 to the access point 160. As such, the device interface 320 of the communications manager 240 may include an antenna and radio equipment for conducting Bluetooth, WiFi, or other short range communication with the access point 160 or UE 180, or for employing other longer range wireless communication protocols for communicating with the access point 160 in instances where the access point 160 is directly associated with provision of access to a wide area network.

[0046] The processor 312 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processor 312 may be embodied as various processing means such as one or more of a microprocessor or other processing element, a coprocessor, a controller or various other computing or processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or the like. In an example embodiment, the processor 312 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 314 or otherwise accessible to the processor 312. As such, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, the processor 312 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry in the form of processing circuitry 310) capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor 312 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor 312 may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor 312 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor 312 to perform the operations described herein.

[0047] In an example embodiment, the processor 312 (or the processing circuitry 310) may be embodied as, include or otherwise control the operation of the battery pack 150 based on inputs received by the processing circuitry 310. As such, in some embodiments, the processor 312 (or the processing circuitry 310) maybe said to cause each of the operations described in connection with the battery pack 150 in relation to operation the battery pack 150 relative to undertaking the corresponding functionalities associated therewith responsive to execution of instructions or algorithms configuring the processor 312 (or processing circuitry 310) accordingly.

[0048] In an example embodiment, the memory 314 may include one or more non- transitory memory devices such as, for example, volatile and/or non-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable. The memory 314 may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions or the like for enabling the processing circuitry 310 to carry out various functions in accordance with example embodiments. For example, the memory 314 could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor 312. Additionally or alternatively, the memory 314 could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor 312. As yet another alternative or additional capability, the memory 314 may include one or more databases that may store a variety of data sets responsive to input from the device 110, or any other functional units or devices from which the battery pack 1 0 has previously extracted data while powering such devices. Among the contents of the memory 314, applications may be stored for execution by the processor 312 in order to carry out the functionality associated with each respective application. In some cases, the applications may include instructions for recognition of patterns of activity and for initiation of one or more responses to the recognition of any particular pattern of activity as described herein.

Additionally or alternatively, the applications may prescribe particular reporting paradigms or protocols for reporting of information from the battery pack 150 to a network device via the communications manager 240.

[0049] In some embodiments, the battery manager 230 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware, or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit battery data (e.g., operational parameters) to/from the device 110. The battery manager 230 may also control and/or provide electrical connections and/or interfaces between the cells 350 of the battery pack 150 and the device 110 to monitor power provision parameters and enable the battery manager 230 to implement safety or protective functions as appropriate. The protective functions may be implemented based upon examination of the battery data and comparison of such data to various thresholds or safety limits. Thus, the battery data may, in some cases, be acted upon locally by the battery manager 230. However, alternatively or additionally, the battery data may be provided to the communication manager 240 for transmission to the network 170 (or entities accessible through the network 170). In these and other instances, the battery data may be stored locally prior to such transmission or may be transmitted in real-time (or substantially real-time).

[0050] The battery manager 230 may receive the battery data (e.g. operation parameters) from one or more battery sensors 360. The battery sensors 360 may include, without limitation temperature sensors, current sensors, voltage sensors, or the like. Each of the battery sensors 360 may be a single sensor for the battery pack 150 or a plurality of sensors, such as a sensor for each of the cells 350 of the battery pack 1 0.

[0051] In an example embodiment, the battery manager 230 may receive or generate identification information that correlates a specific device (e.g., a specific one of devices 110, or the charger 140), or to users of such devices. Thus, all data may be transmitted and/or stored in association with the identification information so that such data can be associated with its respective device, device type, or user for analytical purposes. The identification information may include a specific device identifier (e.g. serial number), a type identifier indicating the type or model of the device 1 10 (e.g. model number), and/or a specific user identifier e.g. employee ID). The battery data may include, for example, information indicative of current draw at discrete intervals, continuously, or at discrete times. Temperature data, maximum current, state of charge, charging condition, and other data related to the state of the cells 350 or other aspects of the devices 110 or battery pack 150 relative to current draw or battery performance may also be included in the battery data.

[0052] In an example embodiment, the communications manager 240 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware, or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit equipment data from/to the device 110. The communications manager 240 may also control the storage and/or further communication (e.g., relaying) of equipment data (e.g., operational parameters) extracted from the device 110. The ECU 220 of the device 110 may receive or generate the equipment data based on data received from one or more equipment sensors, including without limitation, tachometers, accelerometers, torque meters, positioning sensors, or the like. Thus, for example, the equipment data may be extracted from the device 110 to which the battery pack 150 is operably coupled during such coupling. The extracted operational parameters of the service data may then be immediately transmitted (e.g., relayed) to the access point 160 for further provision to the network 170 or devices connected to the network 170 such as the UE 180, or the extracted operational parameters may be temporarily stored prior to later transmission to the access point 160. The equipment data may include information specific to device performance, at least some of which is not determined based on measuring battery parameters. Thus, for example, the equipment data may include engine RPM, working assembly RPM, torque, run time or run hours, position, orientation, temperature data, speed data, mode of operation, lubricating oil pressure or level, water pressure, volume delivered, instances of protective actions, motion, and/or the like. Data related to RPM, run hours, pump pressure and/or the like may be used to determine when components are becoming worn and need service.

[0053] In some example embodiments, the equipment data may be used for local analysis and protective action initiation at the device 110. For example, RPM limits may be enforced based on analysis of the RPM data provided via the equipment data. However, in some embodiments, the equipment data may instead be analyzed at the UE 180 after provision thereto. Corrective or protective instructions may then, in some cases, be provided to the user via a display or other user interface at the UE 180.

[0054] Similar to the battery data, the equipment data may also be transmitted and/or stored in association with the identification information so that all operational parameters (e.g., including both service data and battery data) are associated with a respective device, device type, or user. The identification information may therefore include a specific device identifier, a type identifier indicating the type or model of the device 110, and/or a specific user identifier. In some embodiments, operational parameters may also be transmitted and/or stored in association with temporal information that may indicate the time (or time period) that the operational parameters were obtained from the device 110 and/or the time that the operational parameters were transmitted from the battery pack 150.

[0055] The operational parameters may be extracted from the device 110 by the battery pack 150 at regular intervals, continuously, and/or as a response to specific predefined stimuli. After extraction, the communications manager 240 may determine whether to store the data temporarily or relay the operational parameters to the access point 160 in real-time (or substantially in real-time). The relaying may therefore be at the same schedule (e.g., at regular intervals, continuously, and/or in response to the specific predefined stimuli) as the data extraction occurs or may occur at a different schedule. Thus, for example, if the operational parameters are at least temporarily stored, the communications manager 240 may define a separate interval or period at which to communicate the operational parameters to the access point 160. Alternatively or additionally, the communications manager 240 may define different stimuli to trigger transmission of the operational parameters to the access point 160.

[0056] As an example, in some cases, insertion or removal of the battery pack 150 into the device 110 may trigger immediate transmission of operational parameters stored in the memory 314 of the battery pack 150 to the access point 160. Thus, the beginning and/or ending of a power provision cycle for the device 1 10 may trigger the communications manager 240 to transmit operational parameters to the access point 160. The fact that the transmission occurs from the battery pack 150 means that even after the device 110 is left unpowered (and therefore incapable of reporting information about the just completed session) the operational parameters associated with the just completed session can still be reported by the battery pack 150 (which remains powered by the cells 350).

[0057] However, if the cells 350 are depleted fully, then the battery pack 150 may not actually be able to transmit the data until power levels are recharged sufficiently. Thus, in some cases, insertion of the battery pack 150 may trigger transmission of the data from an immediately previous session with what is presumably a recharged group of cells 350. Moreover, in some cases, the battery pack 150 ma be configured to check to see if operational parameters are available for transmission as soon as recharging of the cells 350 is accomplished to at least a predetermined charge level. Thus, for example, if removal generally triggers transmission, a transmission instruction may be provided at the communications manager 240. However, the communications manager 240 may determine that the power level of the cells 350 is too low to complete transmission of the operational parameters. Thus, the communications manager 240 may provide the transmission instruction, but monitor battery charge status to determine when the cells 350 are sufficiently recharged to support transmission of the operational parameters to carry out the transmission instruction. After battery charge status reaches the predetermined charge level, the communications manager 240 may execute the transmission instruction and report the operational parameters to the access point 160.

[0058] As an alternative, an identity based communication trigger may be employed. For example, insertion of the battery pack 150 into the device 110 may trigger an initial identity query whereby the battery pack 150 obtains identification information, e.g. a device identifier, from the device 110. Once the identification information is received, the battery pack 150 may start a data log for operational parameters associated with the identity provided in the identification information. The battery pack 150 may also determine whether the identification information is different from the prior identification determined from the previous battery pack 150 insertion into a device. In some cases, the transmission instruction may be generated when the comparison of identification information indicates a change in identity. However, as an alternative, the transmission instruction could be generated when the comparison of

identification information indicates the same identity.

[0059] In some cases, the UE 180 may receive the operational parameters and execute one or more applications on the operational parameters. As such, the UE 180 may include processing circuitry that may be similar in capability and perhaps also structure to the processing circuitry described above. The UE 180 may execute applications for storage and/or analysis of the equipment data and/or battery data. Thus, for example, the UE 180 may be configured to analyze RPM data, engine run hours, and/or various other aspects of the operational parameters to determine when servicing of the device should be performed or when there are technical issues or problems that the operator or a fleet manager should be informed of have occurred. Additionally or alternatively, the UE 180 may be configured to analyze battery specific operational parameters, such as battery or cell temperatures, number of charging cycles, charging status, expected run time or expected range, and/or the like. The UE 180 may be configured to provide an alert to the user or fleet manager and the alert may be descriptive of the specific issue that has been identified. In some cases, the UE 180 may also determine an expected time for completion of charge based on the charging rate and the current state of charge. Additionally or alternatively, the UE 180 may be configured to determine the expected run time achievable for a specific device or task based on knowledge of discharge rates for the device or task and the current state of charge.

[0060] The applications executable at the UE 180 may include an application for reviewing, monitoring, and/or analyzing individual device or device type performance and or battery or battery type performance. In some cases, the applications at the UE 180 may include an application for cloud management of tools. Thus, for example, adaptive tool settings, instructions and/or the like may be used to specifically configure tools under specifically identified circumstances or scenarios to maximize control over, for example, a fleet of tools. Guided tool operation may therefore be controlled via the battery pack 150. Applications may also define triggers, codes and/or the like for locking or unlocking tools, and for the extraction of operational data. Similarly, the UE may include an application for battery management, for example battery charging rates, temperature limits, or the like.

[0061] In some example embodiments, either the UE 180 or the battery pack 150 may store configuration information specific to the device 110 or battery pack 150. Thus, for example, the operator may configure the device 110 in a particular way that is desirable by the specific user of the device 110. The configuration information may be input at the device 110 and transmitted for storage at the battery pack 150 and/or at the UE 180. Alternatively, the configuration information may be input at the UE 180 and transmitted to the battery pack 150 for storage and communication to the device 110 when the device 110 is operably coupled to the battery pack 150. The configuration information for the device may provide torque or RPM limits or settings; voltage or current limits or the like, and such information may be stored to guide operation of the device 110. The configuration for the battery pack 150 may include temperature limits, charge or discharge rates, or the like.

[0062] Of note, although FIG. 1 shows only one UE 180 it should be appreciated that several could be employed in some embodiments. For example, one UE could be a central node (e.g., a server or computer associated with a particular organization, household, fleet of devices, device manufacturer, and/or the like). Other UEs could be distributed nodes associated with individual users of the devices, or smaller organizations, individual households, and/or the like. The central node may perform analysis of the operational parameters, and generate alerts or processed information that is specific to the devices associated with respective ones on the distributed nodes to each respective UE of the corresponding distributed nodes. Thus, identification information with which the operational parameters are associated could be the discriminating factor to allow the central node to store data. The stored data, on a fleet wide basis or for all devices registered to the manufacturer, may then be analyzed for trends or other specific issues, and individual users or organizations can receive information specific to their devices. However, the information specific to their devices may be benchmarked against the performance of other devices not associated with the individual users or orgamzations. Thus, the individual users or organizations can determine how hard they run their equipment, how frequently they service their equipment, and/or how well their equipment performs relative to all other equipment monitored by the central node.

[0063] As can be appreciated from the example embodiments above, some embodiments may provide a battery pack 150 that can extract operational parameters (e.g., battery data and/or service data) from devices to which the battery pack 150 is operably connectable (e.g., the device 110). That extracted information may be transmitted by the battery pack 150 to the access point 160 and to other devices (e.g., the UE 180) that may be connected to the network 170. Various different communication paradigms and analyses may then be performed on the operational parameters. However, the battery pack 150 becomes the conduit between the device 110 and the network 170 and any devices on the network 170. Because the battery pack 150 is or includes a power source itself, the ability to report information about device operation is more reliably supported than if the device 110 itself was expected to report its operational parameters to some central node.

[0064] FIGS. 3-7 illustrate various example control flow diagrams illustrating a series of communication operations associated with operation of the battery pack 150 of an example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the battery pack 150 may initially detect insertion into the device 110 at operation 400. Thereafter, equipment data, may be extracted from the device 110 by the battery pack 150 at operation 402. Battery data may be received from the battery manager 230 of the battery pack at operation 403. The battery data may indicate a shutdown condition at operation 404 (e.g., current draw above a predetermined threshold). The battery pack 150 may initiate a shutdown to remove power provision to the device 110 at operation 406. At operation 408, the battery pack 1 0 may report the operational parameters, e.g. equipment data and/or battery data, and/or the occurrence of the shutdown condition to the access point 160 at operation 408.

[0065] In the example of FIG. 4, the battery pack 150 may initially detect insertion into the device 110 at operation 400. Thereafter, equipment data may be extracted from the device 110 by the battery pack 150 at operation 402. Battery data may be received from the battery manager 230 of the battery pack at operation 403. Operational parameters, e.g. equipment data and/or battery data, may be stored in association with identification information at operation 410. At operation 412, a triggering event may be detected to cause the battery pack 150 to generate or execute a transmission instruction. At operation 414, the operational parameters and/or an indication of the triggering event may be transmitted to the access point 160.

[0066] In the example of FIG. 5, the battery pack 150 may initially detect insertion into the device 110 at operation 400. Thereafter, equipment data may be extracted from the device 110 by the battery pack 150 at operation 402. Battery data may be received from the battery manager 230 of the battery pack at operation 403. Operational parameters, e.g. equipment data and or battery data, may be relayed in association with identification information at operation 420 so that the operational parameters are provided in real-time (or substantially in real-time) to the access point 160. Although not required, the access point 160 may provide the operational parameters to the UE 180 (e.g., via the network 170) at operation 422. The UE 180 may perform analysis at operation 424, and may provide a notification to the user at operation 426 and/or provide information or instruction back to the battery pack 150 (via the access point 160) at operation 428.

[0067] In the example of FIG. 6, the battery pack 150 may initially detect insertion into the device 110 at operation 400. Thereafter, the battery pack 150 determined identification information associated with the device 1 10 at operation 430. The battery pack 150 then determines configuration information for the device 110 at operation 432. The configuration information is then sent to the device 110 to configure the device 110 accordingly at operation 434. Equipment data may then be extracted from the device 110 by the battery pack 150 during device operation in accordance with the configuration information at operation 436. Battery data may be received from the battery manager 230 of the battery pack at operation 437. Operational parameters, e.g. equipment data and/or battery data, may be relayed in association with identification information at operation 438 and/or stored at operation 440 so that the operational parameters are provided in real-time (or substantially in real-time) to the access point 160. Although not required, the access point 160 may provide the operational parameters to the UE 180 (e.g., via the network 170) at operation 422. The UE 180 may perform analysis at operation 424, and may provide a notification to the user at operation 426 and/or provide information or instruction back to the battery pack 150 (via the access point 160) at operation 428.

[0068] In the example of FIG. 7, the user may insert configuration information into the

UE 180 to configure the device 1 10 at operation 450. The UE 180 may provide the

configuration information to the access point 160 at operation 452, and the access point 160 may provide the configuration information to the battery pack 150 at operation 454. The

configuration information may then be stored at the battery pack 150 at operation 456.

Thereafter, insertion of the battery pack 150 into the device 110 for which the configuration information is intended may be detected at operation 458. The battery pack 150 may then provide the configuration information to the device 110 to configure the device 110 accordingly at operation 460. Thereafter, equipment data may be extracted from the device 110 by the battery pack 150 during device operation in accordance with the configuration information at operation 462. Battery data may be received from the battery manager 230 of the battery pack at operation 463. Operational parameters, e.g. equipment data and/or battery data may be relayed in association with identification information at operation 464 and/or stored at operation 466.

[0069] FIG. 8 illustrates an example communication configuration 1000 and information received from the battery pack 150 according to an example embodiment. The communication configuration of the example embodiment includes at least one battery pack 150 installed in one or both device 110. The battery pack 150 includes a transceiver, such as a portion of the communication manager 240, as discussed above in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The battery pack 150 is in data communication with an access point 160 which is in turn in data communication with a network 170. In some example embodiments, the network 170 may include cloud data storage, as discussed above in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. One or more UEs 180, e.g. the depicted computer terminal, smart watch, and smart phone, may be in data communication with the network 170 and/or be in direct data communication with the battery pack 150. [0070] The UE 180 may receive battery data and/or equipment data from the battery pack

150 which may cause one or more alerts or reports to be displayed on a user interface. In a first example report 1002, the battery data may include battery or cell temperature data received from battery sensors, such as battery sensors 360, as discussed above in reference to FIG. 2. The report may indicate the temperature of the battery pack 150. The battery temperature may be displayed textually as a number or visually, such as on a red, green, blue scale. The red green blue scale may indicate the relative temperature of the battery pack, where green is associated with a normal operation band, blue is associated with a temperature band with is undesirably cold, and red is associated with a temperature band which is undesirably hot.

[0071] In some example embodiment, the battery pack and/or the UE 180 may compare the temperature data to one or more predetermined temperature thresholds, such as a high temperature limit and/or a low temperature limit. The battery high temperature limits may be indicative of the battery pack 150 malfunctioning, being left in direct sunlight, or other wise exposed to a heat source, which may damage the battery pack 150. The battery low temperature limits may be indicative of the battery being stored in an environment which is too cold and may cause damage to the battery pack, such as outside in a harsh winter climate. In an instance in which the battery pack 150 and/or the UE 180 determine that the temperature data satisfies, e.g., meets or exceeds the high or low temperature limit, the battery pack 150 or UE 180 may cause an alert. The alert may be an audio or visual alert, such as a vibration of the UE 180 or a warning display. In some instances, the alert may also include or be associated with an automatic shutdown of the device 110, such as when the device in operation and the high temperature limit is determined to be satisfied. The alerts based on temperature may indicate to a user that the battery condition should be changed, e.g., stop use, move to a cooler or warmer location, or the like, which may prevent damage to the battery pack that the user may not be otherwise aware of. The change to the battery condition based on the temperature alert may prolong battery life by avoiding damage caused by thermal events.

[0072] In a second example report 1004, the battery data may include a battery charging status. The battery charging status may include a charging condition, e.g., whether the battery pack 150 is currently being charged, discharged, or inactive. Additionally or alternatively, the battery charging status may include the state of charge, e.g., the fraction or percentage of charge, of the battery pack 150. The second example report 1004 may textually display the charging condition and or the state of charge textually, for example as a positive sign, negative sign, or no sign in combination with a percentage. In some example embodiments, the second example report 1104 may display the battery charging condition or battery charging status visually, such as an icon or graph.

[0073] In an example embodiment, the second example report 1004 may include a time until the battery pack 150 reaches full charge, a total capacity of the battery pack 1 0, a remaining capacity of the battery, or the like. The capacity may be displayed as a percentage, in Ah, or in any other suitable method.

[0074] In some example embodiments, the battery pack 150 and or the UE 180 may calculate battery use data by determining the number of charging cycles of the battery pack 150. For example, the number of battery charging cycles may be incremented when the battery charging status reaches a predetermined charging status limit, such as 50 percent charged or 100 percent charged. In another example the number of charging cycles my be based on the sharing condition such as, for example the number of charging cycles may be incremented each time the charging condition changes to charging. The number of charging cycles may be useful in determining maintenance schedules and operations for the battery pack 150.

[0075] In some example embodiments, the battery pack 150 and/or the UE 180 may compare the battery charging status to a predetermined battery charging threshold. The battery charging threshold may include one or more battery charging thresholds, for example a near charged threshold, such as 98 percent; a fully charged threshold, such as 100 percent; an inactive low charging threshold, such as 75 percent; a discharging (e.g. in use) charging threshold, such as 25 percent; a shutdown charging threshold, such as 5 percent; or the like. Each of the battery charging thresholds may cause an alert, such as a textual alert or visual alert on the user interface of the UE 180, which may indicate the battery charging threshold met or exceeded. In an example embodiment, the alert may include a command sent from the battery pack 1 0 to the device 110. The command may be, for example, to terminate charging, in an instance in which the fully charged threshold is met. In another example embodiment, the battery pack 150 may cause the device 110 to shut down in an instance in which the shutdown charging threshold is met or exceeded.

[0076] The near charge threshold and fully charged threshold may be useful in indicating to the user that batteries are available with a high charge status. Similarly, the inactive low charging threshold and/or the discharging low charging threshold may be useful in indicating to a user that one or more battery packs 150 have a low charge status for the battery condition and should be charged. The shutdown charging threshold may be useful to prevent complete discharge of the battery pack 150, which could cause damage to some types of batteries.

[0077] In some instances, the battery pack 150 may start or transition to a sleep mode

1006 to prevent unintentional discharge of the battery pack 150. For example, until the battery pack 1 0 has been attached to a device or registered, the battery pack 150 may have no device to communicate with. Therefore in the sleep mode 1006 the battery pack 150 may not send, receive, or query battery data or equipment data. Additionally or alternatively, the battery pack 150 may be transitioned to the sleep mode 1006 for a long storage period. The transition to the sleep mode 1006 may be manually initiated by the user, such as via a user interface on the UE 180 or battery pack 150.

[0078] The battery pack 150 may be transitioned out of the sleep mode 1006 to an active mode automatically, such as in response to connection to a device 110. In some example embodiments, the battery pack 150 may be transitioned to the active mode manually by user interaction, such as by interaction with the user interface of the battery pack 150 and/or by registering the battery pack 150. Registering the battery pack 150 may include entering a battery identifier in a field presented in the user interface of the UE 180 or searching for a battery pack 150. The UE 180, network 170, and/or access point .160 may transmit a wake signal to the battery pack 150 to transition to an active mode based on an identifier, such as a serial number or model type, or a search beacon signal.

[0079] In some example embodiments, the battery pack 150 and/or UE 180 may generate other reports 1008 based on battery data, equipment data, or a combination thereof. The other reports may be displayed on the user interface of the UE 180 as a textual display or a visual display such as a bar graph, a line graph, or the like. In some example embodiments, the battery pack 150 may time stamp the battery data and or the equipment data, such that the other reports 1008 may include the date and time at which the battery data and/or equipment data was captured or received.

[0080] In an example embodiment, the other reports 1008 may include data associated with operation of the battery pack 150 including battery output data, current, voltage, power, load, discharge rate, or the like. Reports 1008 may also include battery condition data, such as temperature; or battery use data, such as number of charging cycles or uses, duration of use, or the like. The other reports associated with the operation of the battery pack 150 may be useful for trend analysis, failure analysis, and or maintenance scheduling. In some example embodiments, the battery use data may be separated by device ty e or specific device, such as based on a device identifier. In some example embodiments, the other reports 1008 may include data associated with operation of the device 110, such as duration of use, motor torque, motor RPM, device position, device motion, or the like. The other reports associated with the operation of the device 110 may be useful in scheduling of maintenance, trend analysis, failure analysis, or the like. The device motion and or position may be useful for in operation or post operation analysis to determine optimum device motions, such as cut strokes for hedge trimming or mow paths, which may result in more accurate or efficient usage of the device 110. The device position may be helpful in locating the battery pack 150 and/or the device 110 to which the battery pack 150 is operably coupled.

[0081] In some example embodiments, the battery pack 150 and/or the UE 180 may compare the device position to a predetermined position threshold, such as a cite perimeter, or distance from a predefined point, such as the access point 160. In an instance in which the device position crosses or exceeds the predetermined position threshold, the battery pack 150 and/or UE 180 may cause the battery pack 150 and/or the device 110 to shutdown or enter the sleep mode 1006. The shutdown caused by crossing or exceeding the predefined position threshold may, in some instances, require a specific input or code to reactivate the battery pack 150 and/or the device 110. The shutdown based on crossing or exceeding the predetermined position threshold may prevent or discourage theft of a battery pack 150 and/or device 110.

[0082] In an example embodiment, the other reports may be based on the battery data and the equipment data. For example the battery pack 150 and/or the UE 180 may determine the expected runtime and/or expected range of the device 110 based on the battery data and/or the equipment data. In one example, the battery pack 150 and/or the UE 180 may determine the expected runtime based on the battery charging status and by current or discharge rate. In some embodiment, the discharge rate may be a default discharge rate based on the device identifier, e.g. type of device. The runtime may be displayed textually in seconds, minutes, and/or hours.

[0083] Expected range may be based on the battery charging status of the battery pack

150 and a discharge rate associated with a rate of travel of the device 110, such as a robotic lawn mower. The rate of travel may the current rate of travel based on device position over time or a default rate of travel. Similarly, the discharge rate may be the current discharge rate based on the battery data of a default discharge rate for the type of device. The expected range and/or expected run time may be useful for the user to plan which operations may be performed based on the current charging status of the battery pack 150, before a battery charging operation would be necessary.

[0084] In an example embodiment in which the equipment data include device identifiers, device report 1010 may be displayed on the user interface of the UE 180. The device report 1010 may include the mode and or serial number of the device 110 based on the received device identifier. In some instances, the battery pack may also receive a user identifier. The device 110 may be represented in the device report 1010 textually, e.g., a word description, such as device type, model, model number, serial number, or the like. Similarly, the user associated with the device 110 may be represented textually, e.g., name, title, employee number, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the device 110 and/or the associated user may be depicted in the device report visually, e.g., via a picture, an icon, or the like. Although the reports, 1002, 1004, 1008, and 1010 are described as separate reports, one of ordinary skill in the art would immediately appreciate that any combination of the battery data, equipment data or information depicted in the reports may be generated and displayed on the user interface of the UE 180 to assist the user in operation of the battery pack 150 and/or the device 110.

[0085] In an example embodiment, the battery pack 150 and/or device 110 may be remotely operated via the UE 180. For example, the UE 180 may be configured to send command signals to the battery pack 150 to activate or deactivate the battery pack 150 and/or device 110. The UE 180 may automatically cause the command signals to be transmitted in an instance in which a shutdown threshold is met or exceeded, as discussed above. Additionally, or alternatively the UE 180 may cause command signals to be transmitted in response to user input, such as activate the water pump, watering robot, robotic mower, or other device. The user input may directly trigger activation, or may define criteria that can be sensed and thereafter trigger activation. Thus, for example, the UE 180 may be employed to operate a mobile app with planning capabilities to enable the user to interact remotely with system components to define a schedule for watering, specific criteria to trigger watering, or to remotely initiate watering. [0086] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method and program product according to an example embodiment of the smart garden system 100. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor 312, processing circuitry 310, and/or other device associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by a memory device of a user terminal and executed by a microcontroller in the user terminal. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (e.g., hardware) to produce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block(s). These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture which implements the functions specified in the flowchart block(s). The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus implement the functions specified in the flowchart block(s).

[0087] Accordingly, blocks of the flowchart support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0088] In this regard, a method according to one embodiment is shown in FIG. 9. The method may be employed for a smart garden system. The method may include, activating a battery pack at operation 1102, receiving battery data from one or more battery sensors at operation 1104, and causing the battery data to be transmitted to one or more computing devices in data communication with the network at operation 1106.

[0089] In an example embodiment, the method may optionally include, as denoted by the dashed box, determining an expected runtime or expected range at operation 1108, and causing the expected runtime or expected range to be transmitted to one or more computing devices in data communication with the network at operation 1110. At operation 11 12, the method includes calculating battery use data, and causing the battery use data to be transmitted to one or more computing devices in data coimnunication with the network, at operation 1114. The method may also include comparing the battery data or equipment data to a predetermined threshold at operation 1116, and causing an alert in response to the battery data or equipment data satisfying the predetermined threshold at operation 1 118. The method may also include receiving equipment data from one or more equipment sensors at operation 1120 and causing the equipment data to be transmitted to one or more computing device in data commumcation with the network at operation 1 122.

[0090] In an example embodiment, an apparatus for performing the methods of FIGS. 3-

9 above may comprise a processor (e.g., the processor 312) or processing circuitry configured to perform some or each of the operations (1102-1122) described above. The processor may, for example, be configured to perform the operations (1102-1122) by performing hardware implemented logical functions, executing stored instructions, or executing algorithms for performing each of the operations. In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry is further configured to calculate battery use data based on the battery data and cause the transceiver to transmit the battery use data to the one or more computing devices. In some example embodiments, the battery data mcludes battery temperature. In an example embodiment, the battery data includes battery charging status. In some example embodiments, the battery data includes battery output data. In an example embodiment, the battery output data includes at least one of current, voltage, load, or discharge rate. In some example embodiments, the processing circuitry is further configured to receive equipment data for the piece of garden equipment from one or more equipment sensors, when the battery is installed in the piece of garden equipment, and cause the transceiver to transmit the equipment data to the one or more computing devices. In an example embodiment, the equipment data includes at least one of a device identifier, motor RPM, motor torque, device motion, or device position. In some example embodiments, the processing equipment is further configured to cause an alert in response to battery data satisfying a predetermined threshold. In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry is further configured to determine an expected runtime or an expected range based on the battery data, and cause the transceiver to transmit the expected runtime or the expected range to the one or more computing devices.

[0091] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. In cases where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits and/or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits or solutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical, required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.