Abstract: This invention includes a thermally stable, low-cost charging circuit for rechargeable batteries. The circuit includes a thermal control circuit that employs a temperature dependent component such as a thermistor or positive temperature coefficient device. The temperature dependent device is thermally coupled to a charging pass element, which is typically a power transistor. When the transistor enters a danger zone, which is a region of operation characterized by elevated power dissipation in the pass element, the thermal control circuit is actuated to regulate the pass element in a constant power mode until the circuit exits the danger zone.

Abstract: A cigarette lighter adaptor for a portable electronic device is provided. The adaptor includes a handle and dongle coupled together by way of a mechanical stepper joint. The stepper joint includes a hinge that engages to resist angular forces applied to the handle relative to the dongle. In one preferred embodiment, the stepper joint includes a convex member with protruding members that act as gear teeth. The stepper joint has a corresponding concave member with détentes. When assembled, these features create the détente positions for the stepper joint. The détente positions are accomplished by allowing the dongle to translate along the axis of the adaptor away from the handle. The stepper joint is preferably held together with an elastic member wrapped about a pin within the stepper joint.

Abstract: This invention includes a charger that may be mounted either in a horizontal configuration, e.g. on a desktop, or in a vertical configuration, e.g. on a wall. The charger has pockets geometrically oriented so as to support batteries in either configuration. Each pocket includes a corresponding display. As changing from a desktop configuration to a wall mount configuration requires the user to rotate the charger by 180 degrees, a switch is provided to rotate the information shown on the display by 180 degrees. The switch is preferably recessed below the surface of the charger so as to prevent nuisance actuation. The resulting orientation of the display is stored in a non-volatile memory to prevent resets when power is removed. By holding the switch down for a predetermined amount of time, a user can send the display into a test mode so as to run diagnostics and verify proper display operation.

Abstract: A group of electronic communications devices like cellular phones, for example, can be programmed with similar identification data and audible announcements. When the phones come into close proximity with each other, they verify that they have common identification data, and then emit audible messages. For example, when two Georgia Tech fans can program their cellular phones with the “Tech identifying code”. The first may program “Go Jackets!”, while the other may program “Sting 'em!”. When the fans' phones come into close proximity in a crowd, their phones acknowledge each other by recognizing the identification code. Once verified, the first phone would emit “Go Jackets!” while the second emits “Sting 'em!” Alternatively, the phones could play parts of the Georgia Tech fight song, with one phone starting the chorus with “I'm a Ramblin' Reck from Georgia Tech . . .

Abstract: This invention includes a spacer for a rechargeable battery pack. The spacer is hermaphroditic in that it may be rotated by 180 degrees and attached to itself. The spacer sits between two rechargeable battery cells and includes means for accommodating a circuit board. The spacer facilitates connections between the cells and circuit board by way of welding flexible metal tabs. The spacer allows assembly of a battery pack without the need for hand soldering.

Abstract: This invention is a method of charging a battery wherein false dT/dt measurements are identified. When a NiMH battery reaches full charge, the change in temperature per unit time increases. Thus, this dT/dt measurement can be used to properly terminate charging. Initial charging, however, causes a large dT/dt value that may falsely cause charging to terminate. This invention alleviates this condition by adding a wait state and then taking a second dT/dt measurement. As a fully charged battery's temperature briefly continues to rise after charging current is removed, a second, positive dT/dt measurement confirms that the battery has been completely charged to ensure proper charge termination.

Abstract: This invention includes an improved interconnect assembly for use in rechargeable battery packs for laptop computers. The invention eliminates manufacturing defects resulting from the hand soldering processes of the prior art. The assembly provides interconnection for rechargeable cells oriented end to end, in parallel rows. Insulated runners provide interconnection to a bus located along the center of the end to end cells. The bus is a flexible circuit that couples to a printed circuit board. In one preferred embodiment, the bus is less than two inches in diameter and less than the diameters of the parallel rows of end to end cells in length. The assembly eliminates the need for hand soldering, eliminates cumbersome wire routing, and offers multiple insulation features that prevent electrical shorts.

Abstract: This invention is an adapter that fits on a cellular phone that allows a plurality of batteries to be connected in parallel. More specifically, this invention is an adapter that allows a standard cellular telephone battery to be fitted on a phone in the same fashion that an extended capacity or “aux” battery would. The adapter has an aperture for accommodating a battery, as well as electrical connections which couple the battery contacts to the phone's electrical contacts. An end user can use this invention to power a phone. Additionally the device can be used in conjunction with a battery charger to charge a spare battery.

Abstract: A circuit and method are disclosed for pulse charging a battery. In this method, the duration of the charging interval of the pulse is governed by the time required to reach an upper threshold voltage. The duration of the non-charging interval is a function of the ionic relaxation of the battery. One preferred embodiment includes a method in which the charging interval is initiated at a voltage that corresponds to the current state of charge of the cell. For example, when the upper threshold is reached, charging is suspended. A microprocessor then determines the state of charge by way of a fuel gauge. If a cell is 70% charged, for instance, an on voltage corresponding to this state of charge is selected. When the cell reaches the on voltage, the charging interval is again initiated. Other alternatives to this method include sensing a slope to determine when ionic relaxation has occurred, and a mathematical approximation of the method.

Abstract: This invention includes a portable electronic device having telecommunication capabilities for use by a hearing-impaired user. The device includes a computer platform having storage for one or more programs, a display for displaying at least alphanumeric text, and at least a speech recognition program that is resident and selectively executable on the computer platform. When a communication connection is established with a communicating party, the speech recognition program translates the words of the calling party into equivalent text and displays the text on the display. The device can also include a text-to-speech program that translates text input by the user of the device into synthetic speech for transmission from the device to the communicating party. A preferred electronic device is a cellular telephone with an electronic organizer being the computer platform.

Abstract: This invention includes a battery pack having an environmental sensor. The battery pack can be coupled to an electronic communications device like a cellular telephone. The battery pack transmits an electronic signal corresponding to the environmental conditions through mating contacts to the electronic communications device so that it may display the information to a user. Alternatively, the display screen can be integrated into the battery pack such that the battery pack itself is an environmental sensor. The types of environmental sensors that may be used include ambient temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, smoke detectors, and pollen detectors. This invention also includes a system for measuring the ambient temperature with an electronic communication device that is an improvement over U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,101, in that the temperature sensor is disposed in the battery pack where the rechargeable cell can serve as an insulator from the heat generated by the electronic host device.

Abstract: A computer system having an integrated energy system on a system communication bus where the energy system includes a plurality of energy devices. Each energy device is integrated on the system communication bus and has a memory and processor. Each energy device processor selectively monitors the system communication bus for communication data idleness and upon the communication data being idle, each energy device attempts to communicate with other energy devices of the energy system. The energy devices attempt to communicate in a predetermined sequence after communication data idleness has been detected. Examples of energy devices are battery packs, desktop chargers, analyzers, and radios.

Abstract: This invention includes an improvement to a power regulation and thermal management circuit. The power regulation and thermal management circuit includes a pass element coupled serially between a power source and a load. A voltage sensing circuit senses the voltage across the serial element and selects a corresponding current path based upon the sense voltage from a plurality of current paths. The invention includes a filtering circuit coupled serially between the voltage sensing circuit and the plurality of current paths to reduce noise on the sensed pass element voltage. The power regulation and thermal management circuit also includes a linear regulator to terminate charging at the appropriate voltage. The invention includes a peak detection circuit with the linear regulator to reduce noise caused by, for example, a pulsing load during charging.

Abstract: This invention provides a means of protecting power dissipating pass elements from exceeding their predetermined thermal limits. In one preferred embodiment, the circuit protects a pass element in a battery charging circuit from exceeding its threshold junction temperature by predicting temperature based upon the voltage across the pass element and the current flowing through it. From this predicted temperature, current is reduced to provide charging of a battery at a constant power. The circuit includes a voltage sensing circuit and a plurality of comparators for selecting a predetermined current based upon the output of the voltage sensing circuit. The circuit provides a piecewise linear approximation of proper pass element voltage and current values to maintain a suitable threshold junction temperature.

Abstract: This invention includes an electrically-conductive contact, preferably for use in battery chargers. The contact is manufactured from a springy metal material, like stainless steel. The contact includes a triangular shaped contour, capable of withstanding battery insertion force, and further capable of mating to battery contacts of varying depths. The contact includes a mechanical stop for preventing the contour from protruding too far through apertures in the battery charger pocket. A stem preloads the mechanical stop against a retaining wall. A lanced barb on a charger mount allows the contact to reside in the charger without the need of other adhesives, screws or rivets. A protrusion makes contact with an electrical pad on a printed circuit board. A protrusion extensor preloads the protrusion against the pad.

Abstract: This invention includes a power management method and apparatus for portable electronic devices, like cellular phones for example, to which accessories may be attached. These accessories include MP-3 players, personal digital assistants, and pagers. In a simple embodiment, a battery pack having a fuel gauge and power management controller measure an energy profile required by the host. From this profile the power management controller can determine when accessories are attached to the host by the amount of power being drawn. When the capacity of the cell is reduced below a predetermined threshold, the power management controller notifies the user that a limited amount of operational time remains and accessories should be turned off. In another embodiment, the power management controller automatically allocates power between the host and accessories once the predetermined threshold has been reached.

Abstract: This invention includes a latch member for a latch assembly, suitable for a removable battery package. The latch member accommodates attachment to a latch coupler of an electronic device. A resilient, springy-metal, deflectable latch member is provided. The latch member includes arms for coupling with a latch coupler, a locking arm for adhering to a plastic housing, and spring arms that cause a torsion element to twist when force is applied to the arms. The torsion element is at least twice as long as it is wide, and provides reliable return force despite a short travel length of the arms. The latch member is suitable for battery packages in which space is a premium.