Abstract: A circuit for generating a constant current includes a reference voltage generating circuit configured to generate a reference voltage and a constant current circuit including one or more resistors configured to determine an amount of an electric current generated in response to the reference voltage, the one or more resistors being formed of a metal thin film.

Abstract: A serial charger with the function of automatic change of charging speed for NiCd/NiH batteries is provided where the different charging modes for multi-speed (four speed) charging process, two speed charging process or two speed charging process in two charging phases can be achieved by use of the speed-changing principle with a low power consumption of an exchange power unit. The finished charging time of each battery varies inversely as the number of the detected batteries to be charged. No matter whether the charging voltage is variable or constant, the charging current varies automatically to achieve the speedy charging process or the normal charging process even under low power consumption. Accordingly, an exchange power unit can be reduced in size and built in the charger so that the charger is convenient to carry and the finished charging time can be adjusted automatically according to the demand of battery consumption of customers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for disabling a charging counter circuitry within a battery charger is disclosed. The apparatus includes circuitry connected to a pin associated with the charging counter circuitry of the battery charger, said circuitry receiving a signal from a device connected to the battery charger. The circuitry disables the charging counter circuitry responsive to a signal from the device at a first level and enables the charging counter circuitry responsive to the signal from the device at a second level.

Abstract: In a portable power source system comprising a battery pack for accommodating at least one secondary battery and a mounting part for mounting the battery pack, the mounting part is disposed in power using equipment, the battery pack comprises a charge circuit having a charge terminal and a discharge circuit having a discharge terminal, the charge circuit comprises a control circuit for controlling a voltage and a current during charging, the mounting part comprises a protruding external terminal for connecting with the discharge terminal, the battery pack comprises an inserting part for inserting the external terminal, the discharge terminal is disposed in a concealed position inside the inserting part, the battery pack is movable from an initial position to a fixing position while the external terminal has been inserted in the inserting part, and connection between the external terminal and the discharge terminal is achieved at the fixing position.

Abstract: A battery cover assembly having integrated battery condition monitoring for measuring electrical current passing to and from a battery post, including an electrically conductive collar for connecting to a post of a battery, and an electrically conductive terminal for receiving a connector of a load. An electrically conductive resistor having a known resistance extends between outer surfaces of the collar and the terminal.

Abstract: Circuits and methods to provide an LDO output stage implemented with low-voltage devices and still allowing higher voltage levels have been achieved. The output stage has been built using two low voltage MOS devices in series. During the time the regulator is in active mode the second MOS device acts as a small resistor in series to the pass device. During power down this second device actively protects the MOS pass device and itself from high voltage stress levels. This is achieved by a robust regulating mechanism that compensates leakage currents. These leakage currents normally determine the different potentials of the output stage during power down. Although the second transistor presents a resistive obstacle during active mode the total chip area required is smaller compared to a single pass device tolerating e.g. 5 Volts.

Abstract: A desktop charger for a portable wireless terminal, comprising: a charger housing; a slot for receiving and holding a stationary body of the terminal, the slot being recessed a determined depth from the front side toward the rear side of the charger housing; and an opening for providing a rotation space for a rotatable body coupled to an end of the stationary body rotatably, the opening extending from a side of the slot in the transverse direction and penetrating the charger housing from its front side to its rear side. The lower body of the terminal can rotate even when the terminal is mounted on the desktop charger. Therefore, the user can perform video communication during charging by using the provided display device and camera lens unit. In addition, wireless communication modules installed at the desktop charger make the connection with an auxiliary device or data communication device easier.

Abstract: A method for extending the power duration of lithium ion cells or groups of lithium ion cells connected in parallel and in series by providing a continuously balanced state of charge while in a discharge phase, a charge phase, a quiescent phase, a storage phase, or combinations of these phases.

Abstract: A redundant battery power supply with combined battery charge indication which incorporates a main cell, conductively coupled to the supply bus which powers the load when activated, and a predictive cell, coupled to the bus by an optional diode which becomes forward biased when the main cell voltage drops below the predictive cell voltage. If the main cell becomes discharged, the predictive cell powers the bus. Each cell is coupled to a voltage comparator which compares the cell output voltage to a common reference voltage. When a cell voltage drops below the reference voltage, the corresponding comparator output goes low. The output of the two comparators are combined by a logical AND gate which controls a flashing light. When both the main cell and predictive cell have voltages greater than the reference voltage, the light flashes, but when either cell (or both) has a voltage less than the reference voltage, the light does not flash.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining the state of a vehicle battery in which the battery voltage is measured and information regarding the state of the vehicle battery is derived from the measured battery voltage by means of an integration procedure. A variable weighting factor is taken into account in the integration procedure.

Abstract: When an output voltage of a secondary battery cell E1 is obtained, only SW1 and SW2 are turned on. As a result, a capacitor C1 is charged by a secondary battery cell E1. With a delay of a time period ÄT, SW1 and SW2 are turned off. SW4 and SW5 are turned on. As a result, electric charges of the capacitor C1 are moved to a capacitor C2. Those operations are repeated until the potential of the capacitor C2 becomes almost equal to the output voltage of the secondary battery cell E1. When the potential of the capacitor C2 becomes almost equal to the output voltage of the capacitor C2, the potential of the capacitor C2 is detected by the voltage detector 11. A first terminal of the capacitor C2 is connected to a ground potential. As a result, the voltage of the secondary battery cell E1 can be stably detected. When the secondary battery cell E2 is detected, only SW5 is turned on. As a result, the capacitor C2 is charged by the secondary battery cell E2.

Abstract: The present invention provides an overcharge/overdischarge detection apparatus includes a detection terminal being in an open state, a detection part for detecting application of voltage to the detection terminal, a switch part for switchably connecting and disconnecting a secondary battery with an external circuit, and a control part for controlling the switch part in a case where the detection part detects the application of voltage to the detection terminal.

Abstract: The battery charger is provided with temperature detection sections 12 to contact and detect the temperature of AA batteries 2A and AAA batteries 2B loaded in a battery pocket 3, and a charging circuit to detect battery temperature and control battery 2 charging. The battery charger is provided with AA battery 2A holders 11, which are circular openings 13 in the case 1, and AAA battery 2B holders 11, which are flexible arches 14. An AAA battery 2B is inserted into a flexible arch 14 and retained in a fixed position in the battery pocket 3. An AA battery 2A is not inserted into a flexible arch 14, but rather moves the flexible arch 14 causing it to incline, and is inserted into a circular opening 13 for retention in a fixed position in the battery pocket 3. The battery charger charges batteries 2 set in fixed positions in the battery pocket 3 while detecting battery 2 temperature via the temperature detection sections 12.

Abstract: A battery housing structure for portable devices includes a battery chamber and a movable seat located in a portable device. The battery chamber has two housing compartments for holding batteries. The movable seat is slidable in the battery chamber and confined between a first position and a second position. The movable seat has a first connector and a second connector to be coupled with the batteries to form an electric connection to transmit battery electricity to the portable device.

Abstract: A charging control unit decides the number of battery cells on the basis of an output voltage of a battery pack, and an output voltage of a charging circuit is determined in accordance with the decided number of battery cells. Even though supply of an external power supply is detected, when a battery connection is not detected, the power supply circuit of the charging control unit is set in a stop state. In addition, when disconnection of the battery is detected, a canceling voltage for canceling a cutoff state caused by overdischarging of the battery is output. In a power supply device for a portable terminal, a capacitor electrically charged by an output voltage of main DC/DC converter is connected as an auxiliary power supply of a backup DC/DC converter to make exchange of the auxiliary battery unnecessary.

Abstract: A charging mechanism includes means for generating electrical current and means connected to the generating means for distributing the generated current. At least one battery bank formed from a plurality of batteries is connected in series. A means for charging the batteries is connected between the bank and the distribution means. A voltage controller controls a voltage level provided by at least one battery bank from at least one of exceeding and falling below a predetermined voltage level. Upon the controlling means detecting the voltage level is below the predetermined voltage level, the controlling means causes the generating means to generate the electric current to be provided to at least one battery bank by the distribution means and the charging means charges at least one battery bank.

Abstract: In a frequency modulation type switching regulator for producing an output voltage to a load, an error amplifier produces an error voltage indicative of a difference between the output voltage and a reference voltage. A switching device is turned on and off at a switching frequency corresponding to the error voltage. A voltage-frequency modulation circuit monitors an operation condition of the load. The modulation circuit generates a varying voltage, which varies around the error voltage, when the monitored operation condition is substantially unchanged. The switching frequency is switched to another frequency corresponding to the varying voltage, so that noise level may be reduced.

Abstract: A handheld tool has an attached position in which the tool is removably attached to a battery pack. The battery pack has an auxiliary battery and output terminals for outputting electricity from the auxiliary battery. The tool includes a load and a primary battery. Input terminals of the tool are configured to connect to the battery output terminals when the tool is in the attached position. A circuit is connected to the load, the primary battery and the input terminals. The circuit is configured to power the load solely from the primary battery when the housing is not in the attached position, and to power the load from both the primary and auxiliary batteries in series when the housing is in the attached position.

Abstract: A battery performance monitoring system anticipates the sudden fall of battery output. The system measures the battery voltage at a time point when the discharge current of a battery becomes smaller than the reference current value or at a time point when the current to the load which is connected to the battery becomes smaller than the reference current value, and judges the battery to be abnormal if the difference of the measured battery voltage from the approximate formula in regard to the current-voltage relation in the former half of a same discharge event becomes out of the reference range.

Abstract: A half-controlled silicon control rectifying system and method thereof are provided. In this case, the first detection unit detects the zero cross phase of the triphase AC in input port thereof. The second detection unit detects the voltage of the DC bus. Then the control unit controls the silicon-controlled rectifying unit by software. Therefore, the efficiency of soft actuation is achieved.