Abstract: An apparatus for indicating data transfer between a personal electronic device and a host device includes a common node that connects at least one data line to the personal electronic device and at least one data line to the host device. A high impedance amplifier has an input electrically coupled to the common node and generates an amplified signal corresponding to a signal value present on the common node. A monostable circuit is responsive to the amplified signal and generates a plurality of electrical pulses when the amplified signal exhibits changes in value corresponding to a data transfer through the common node. A lamp driver circuit, that is responsive to the plurality of electrical pulses, generates pulses of light correspond to the electrical pulses. Each of the plurality of electrical pulses is of sufficient duration so that each of the pulses of light is of sufficient duration to be perceived by a human eye.

Abstract: A fusing device with an adjustable current rating. The fusing device has a common conductive trace, a plurality of individual conductive traces, and a plurality of fusible links. Each fusible link electrically connects the common conductive trace with a corresponding individual conductive trace, and each fusible link has a current rating. The current ratings of the plurality of fusible links are substantially identical to each other or different. Each fusible link can have one or more fusible elements. The fusible elements can be coupled in parallel or in series. Optionally, at least one fusible element can be trimmed through an intermediate terminal. Fusible links can be disposed in a same surface of a substrate or in different surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery having at least an anode that includes phenol formaldehyde in a range of 0.1% to 10% by weight as a binder material. The phenol formaldehyde, or a mixture of phenol formaldehyde with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), is used as a binding material in a Li-ion battery negative electrode to decrease the exothermic reaction of the battery during charging and discharging, which accordingly lessens the risk of thermal runaway and rupture of the battery.

Abstract: A battery housing including a cover that has one or more semi-rigid legs depending outwardly therefrom, and the battery housing also including a battery tray for selectively receiving one or more batteries and one or more flexible circuits. The battery tray has one or more fixtures that provide access to at least one battery and at least one flexible circuit such that the flexible circuit can be spot-welded to the battery, and each fixture is placed about the battery tray whereby each of the one or more legs of the cover snap-fits into a fixture and such action preferably affixes the cover to the battery tray to form the battery housing.

Abstract: This invention includes a circuit for charging multiple batteries simultaneously. The circuit monitors the amount of current being delivered to a first battery and compares it to a maximum available current. The circuit then delivers the difference to at least a second battery. The circuit includes a current sensing resistor and comparator for actuating a series switch to electrically couple and decouple a second battery depending upon the demands of the first battery. An optional microprocessor can manipulate a reference threshold to allow simultaneous charging of multiple batteries. The invention greatly reduces the time needed to charge a primary and spare battery.

Abstract: This invention includes an apparatus and method of initiating reconditioning of a rechargeable battery cell without an auxiliary mechanical switch. When a battery is inserted into the charger, the charger identifies the battery. The charger determines whether to charge or recondition the battery based upon factors like chemistry and prior usage. The charger then begins either a charge or reconditioning cycle and indicates such to the user. The user may override the charger's decision by removing the battery from the pocket, at which time the charger starts a window timer. If the battery is reinserted prior to the expiration of the window timer, the charger stops the charge or reconditioning cycle and begins the corresponding opposite, i.e. it stops charging and begins reconditioning, or it stops reconditioning and begins charging.

Abstract: A clamp circuit for limiting output voltage from a power supply secondary inductor to a ground when a first secondary node has a first secondary node voltage above a predetermined value relative to ground includes a silicone controlled rectifier and a control circuit. The silicone controlled rectifier has a first anode that is electrically coupled to the first secondary node of the secondary inductor, a first cathode that is electrically coupled to the secondary ground, and a first gate. The control circuit is electrically coupled to the first secondary node and to the gate of the silicon controlled rectifier. The control circuit senses the first secondary node voltage and applies a control voltage to the gate of the silicon controlled rectifier when the first secondary node voltage is above the predetermined value.

Abstract: A capacitor has a first side and an opposite second side. The capacitor also includes a first conductive member having a first planar surface and a first side edge, a first electrical connection extending from the first conductive member adjacent the first side. A second conductive member has a second planar surface. The second planar surface is spaced apart from and parallel to the first planar surface of the first conductive member. The second planar surface and the first planar surface define a space therebetween. The second conductive member also includes a third planar surface that is spaced apart from and disposed parallel to the second planar surface opposite from the first planar surface. A second electrical connection extends from the second planar surface adjacent the first side. The second conductive member also includes an electrically conductive portion, disposed adjacent the second side, electrically connecting the second planar surface and the third planar surface.

Abstract: A dual actuating shutter safety system for a power supply interface having a housing having a plurality of apertures that provide access to conductive contacts for a first conductive prong and a second conductive prong such that when the prongs contact the conductive contacts, an electrical connection is made therebetween. The system includes a first resilient member and second resilient member that are each rigidly affixed within the housing, and each resilient member has a proximal non-conductive segment that is resiliently held in an aperture and a distal conductive segment that is resiliently held within the housing, whereby the non-conductive segment must be forced aside before the conductive segment of the resilient can be contacted.

Abstract: A switchable power supply includes a moveable electrical plug holding member that has a first position, which places an electrical plug pair in position for use with a first voltage standard, and a second position, which places the electrical plug pair in position for use with a second voltage standard. A switch is in a first state when the moveable electrical plug holding member is in the first position and is in a second state when the moveable electrical plug holding member is in the second position. When the switch is in the first state, a voltage modifier circuit generates a first output voltage and when the switch is in the second state, the voltage modifier circuit generates a second output voltage.

Abstract: This invention includes a compliant removable battery support for configuring a pocket to accommodate devices of varying size. In one preferred embodiment, a charger is provided having a pocket capable of receiving an electronic apparatus, like a cellular phone for instance. The electronic apparatus is capable of having different sized batteries attached. The pocket size is adjusted by inserting the compliant removable battery support into a guide slot that corresponds to the desired battery size. In a preferred embodiment, the compliant removable battery support has a compliant member that comprises a four bar compliance mechanism. The four bar compliant mechanism provides more robust coupling between the compliant removable battery support and the charger in that the deflection stress is distributed across the compliant mechanism.

Abstract: This invention includes an auto-calibration circuit for eliminating errors due to resistor tolerances in measurement circuits. In many instances, an analog to digital (A/D) converter is called upon to measure signals that have voltages higher than the operation voltage of the converter. As a result, resistive dividers are employed to step the voltage down to an acceptable level. One preferred embodiment of this invention includes an auto-calibration circuit comprising a comparator, transistor and voltage reference. When the auto-calibration circuit is enabled, the auto-calibration circuit switches in a reference voltage. The firmware embedded in a control device, like a microprocessor for example, is then able to extrapolate the tolerance error associated with the resistive divider.

Abstract: An electronic accessory, powered by a battery having a first terminal and a second terminal includes a voltage comparator capable of comparing the battery voltage to at least one reference voltage and that generates a voltage comparator signal having a value that is a function of the battery voltage relative to the reference voltage. A gain control circuit couples an input signal to a first signal path when the voltage comparator signal is above a first value and to a second signal path when the voltage comparator signal is below a second value. The first signal path includes a first component that causes an amplifier to have a first gain. The second signal path includes a second component that causes the amplifier to have a second gain.

Abstract: This invention includes a charger with at least two pockets capable of charging both a portable electronic device and a spare battery without charging circuitry in the charger. The invention includes takes advantage of an electronic device having charging circuitry disposed within, and also having external contacts for receiving an auxiliary battery. In a preferred embodiment, the invention couples the auxiliary contacts from a front pocket to battery contacts in the rear pocket. The connections are made directly with no charging circuitry in the series path. In so doing, when the portable electronic device and spare battery are placed in the charger, the portable electronic device's internal charging circuitry charges both batteries simultaneously.

Abstract: A battery charger that includes a data store that can receive, store, and send data files to other computer devices. The battery charger can specifically receive, send, and store multimedia files such as those in MP3 format. The battery charger has a charger platform with at least a charger main processor, a data store (memory), a charged device interface, and a charge control resident thereupon. The battery charger also includes a power link for selectively providing electricity to the charge control of the charger, and a data link for sending and receiving data from the charger main processor. The charger main processor selectively sends and receives data through the data link and stores and retrieves the data from the data store.

Abstract: The present invention includes a means for charging the battery of an electronic device by converting acoustic energy to electrical current. In one preferred embodiment, the protective layer of a liquid crystal display screen has a magnetic material disposed thereon. The housing of the liquid crystal display includes a corresponding coil of wire. As the protective layer has freedom of motion given by the liquid crystal panel, when acoustic energy is incident upon the protective layer, the protective layer moves, causing the magnetic material to generate a changing magnetic field in the coil. In an alternate embodiment, the protective layer is connected to piezoelectric transducers. When acoustic energy is incident upon the protective layer, the piezoelectric transducers are actuated. In another embodiment, the electronic device comprises an input for receiving concentrated acoustic energy from various sources including loudspeakers and acoustic waveguides.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery having a user-selected charge capacity whereby a user of the battery can select the voltage at which the battery is charged, and thus can control the capacity of the battery. The battery has a rigid casing with an exterior surface thereof, and a rechargeable electrochemical cell within the casing. A plurality of charge contacts are accessible at the exterior surface of the casing and are in conductive contact with the electrochemical cell to allow charging of the electrochemical cell when a current is placed across the charge contacts. The battery also has a charge control circuit in conductive contact with at least the charge contacts and the electrochemical cell, and the control circuit includes a voltage regulator that regulates the charge voltage from the charge contacts to the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: This invention is a series current regulator with an on-silicon temperature sensing means which forms an improved over current battery protection device. The invention regulates current in a pass element linearly while sensing the junction temperature of the pass element. If the temperature of the pass element reaches a predetermined threshold, the on-silicon temperature sensing means actuates a switch which causes the pass element to go into an open, or high-impedance, mode. The invention offers advantages over positive temperature coefficient (PTC) devices including smaller size, lower manufacturing defect incidents, improved performance, and improved circuit integration characteristics. The temperature response of a PTC can be exactly replicated with the present invention. Further, the invention offers advantages over PTC devices including faster trip time and lower leakage current.

Abstract: This invention includes a battery overprotection device comprising a thermal resistor, a zener diode, a pass element and a control circuit. The thermal resistor is used as an over-temperature limiting device, rather than an overcurrent device. By thermally coupling the thermal resistor to the zener diode, the thermal resistor protects the zener diode from “burning up” as a result of continuous power dissipation. When the zener is subjected to continuous power dissipation, its temperature rises. As the temperature rises, the thermal resistor's impedance increases, thereby reducing the power dissipation in the zener. The zener/thermal resistor combination serves as an auxiliary safety circuit for the transistor and control circuit.