Abstract: A mobile phone recharger having a battery seat on the top surface, a light source pivotally connected to the front, and a clipping means on the back surface, is able to detect the power status of the battery and with the help of the illumination of the light source, the remaining power in the battery is consumed. The clipping structure enables the recharger to be hung by a hook (or the same) on the wall, therefore, the recharger is used as an emergency flash light.

Abstract: The battery charging system of the present invention charges the battery (105) of a portable, multiple mode radiotelephone (110) while the radiotelephone is operating. The radiotelephone (110) generates a clock signal having varying on/off times dependent on the radiotelephone's mode. This mode can include an analog cellular mode or a digital cellular mode. The battery charger (100) detects the clock signal's on/off times and changes the average charge current to compensate for one mode requiring a larger charge current. The clock signal is coupled to the charger using the same multiple function connection (160) as the battery's thermistor (150). The charger (100) uses the thermistor (150) to determine when the battery (105) is charged.

Abstract: A battery charger having a night light is described for use with a cordless telephone. The battery charger is energized by being plugged into a standard AC outlet and includes a cradle for receiving a cordless telephone handset having rechargeable batteries. The battery charger includes a phototransistor for detecting the level of light impinging on the battery charger and a lamp for providing illumination. When AC power is cut off and the phototransistor detects that the light level is below a predetermined level, the lamp is powered by the handset battery to provide illumination and to enable a user to locate the handset during low light conditions while it is being charged.

Abstract: A charging control device for a flash device is arranged to detect ambient temperature in controlling a flash device charging voltage and to perform the charging control up to a level corresponding to the temperature detected, so that the flash device can be allowed to flash at a constant guide number irrespective of any changes in temperature.

Abstract: A copying machine having the ability to read and store an image of an original document in a memory means is provided. An operator can interrupt a copying process of the original document and enter an image of a subsequent document into the copying machine and have it reproduced at a subsequent time period which can be preset. The copying machine can reserve and reproduce the reserved image, even if there is an inadvertent activation of an off switch on the power supply.

Abstract: A battery protector for providing overvoltage and undervoltage protection to one or more series-connected cells. The battery protector includes a voltage detection and comparison circuit, providing an overvoltage signal indicative of whether the voltage across any of the cells is greater than an overvoltage threshold level and an undervoltage signal indicative of whether the voltage across any of the cells is less than an undervoltage threshold level, and a switch connected in series with the current path between the cells and a charger and/or load. In one embodiment, the switch is a four-terminal FET and a bias control circuit is provided for selectively connecting the body region of the FET to ensure that current does not flow through the parasitic FET diodes.

Abstract: A thermal runaway detection apparatus is provided for use during charging of a battery. The thermal runaway detection apparatus includes circuitry for determining internal resistance (impedance) or conductance (admittance) of the battery under charge. Detection circuitry detects an increase in internal battery conductance or a decrease in internal battery resistance and provides an output. The output is indicative of a thermal runaway condition in the battery. The circuitry can be used to provide feedback which controls charging of the battery.

Abstract: A self-contained power system for powering a variable load uses a capacitor bank to power the load during periods of high current demand by the load at a steady load voltage. The capacitor bank is recharged during periods of lesser demand from a battery pack which has a lesser current output capability than the maximum load demand. The battery pack in turn is periodically recharged from an only intermittently available power source.

Abstract: A switched capacitor network includes a first capacitor being charged and discharged in alternation by a first switch device and being connected to a first voltage source for charging. A second capacitor is charged and discharged by the second switch device in synchronism with the first capacitor and is switched between the first voltage source and the second voltage source for charging. A product of the capacitance of the first capacitor and the voltage of the first voltage source is equal to a product of the capacitance of the second capacitor and a voltage difference between the two voltage sources. A product of the capacitance of the first capacitor and a contact resistance of the first switch device in a supply line path thereof, is equal to a product of the capacitance of the second capacitor and a sum of an internal resistance of the second voltage source and a contact resistance of the second switch device in a supply line path of the second capacitor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a battery current monitoring system for traction batteries in electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, in which battery current monitoring system the maximum battery current is monitored in order to avoid damage to the battery as a result of overheating due to excessively high battery currents and, if appropriate, the said maximum battery current is reduced to a normal value which is permitted for continuous operation. Monitoring is activated if the battery current exceeds a prescribed limit value. The battery current is however not reduced until the battery temperature exceeds a prescribed limit value. It is also proposed not to use the measured average battery temperature as the control variable, but rather to use a reference temperature calculated on the basis of heat balances for individual reaction zones of the battery. The monitoring is terminated as soon as both the average and the calculated battery temperatures drop below a prescribed uncritical value.

Abstract: A system for charging batteries having a system controller (12) and battery charging units (16) powered by a common power line (14). The system controller (12) contains charge instructions corresponding to various types of batteries and the battery packs (18) have an identifier to identify which set of instructions are used to charge the battery pack (18). Further, the battery charging units (16) and the system controller communicate over the common power line (14) by power line carrier communications. When a battery pack (18) is inserted into one of the battery charging units (16), it obtains the battery identification and sends it to the system controller (12). The system controller (12) alternatively sends the corresponding charge instructions to the charger, or begins to run the charge instructions and controls the charger remotely. In either case, the battery pack (18) is charged according to the charge instructions.

Abstract: A variable-capacitance power supply apparatus has an inexpensive structure for variably supplying a desired high power to a load by selecting an appropriate total capacitance for storing charge. A number "n" (an arbitrary integer) of series-coupled capacitors each having capacitance C are independently charged to produce an appropriate output voltage. The total capacitance Cs of the series-coupled capacitors is obtained as Cs=C/n. The total charge Q stored in the series-coupled capacitors is proportional to the total capacitance Cs. The series-coupled capacitors are selectively charged to produce an appropriate output voltage and the desired high power to be supplied to the load.

Abstract: A vehicular battery charging switch comprising a tubular vial having a front end, a rear end, and a small amount of electrically conductive liquid material disposed therein; a coupling mechanism for coupling the vial to a vehicle such that its front end is positioned below its rear end when the vehicle is positioned on a level grade; and a pair of electrical contact pins coupled to and extended within the front end of the vial with one contact pin adapted to be connected to an alternator and the other contact pin adapted to be connected to a voltage regulator that is associated with a battery; whereby when a vehicle is travelling on level-grades and on down-grades, the front end of the vial is held below the rear end thereof such that the conductive liquid material is placed in contact with the contact pins, thereby connecting the alternator with the voltage regulator and allowing charging of the associated battery, and when a vehicle is travelling on up-grades, the front end of the vial is tilted above the r

Abstract: Input image data and a generated background image pattern are input into a selection circuit. A determination circuit determines whether the image data exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and outputs a determination signal to the selection circuit. If the determination signal indicates that the image data exceeds the threshold value, the selection circuit selects the input image data. If the determination signal indicates that the image data does not exceed the threshold value, the selection circuit selects the background image pattern, thereby replacing areas of the image data which do not exceed the threshold value with the background image pattern.

Abstract: An image processing system has at least one rotatable drum which has an optical memory on its outer surface constituting an active write/read memory of a raster image processor for a digital image written thereon. The optical memory modulates light illuminating the optical memory from a light source for imaging the image from the optical surface onto a photographic material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a motor-powered appliance 10 for personal use as, for example, an appliance for oral or dental hygiene, a shaver or the like, with a housing 12 for accommodating the drive means 20 as well as at least one rechargeable energy-storage cell 18. The housing 12 is composed of at least two housing sections 13, 14 sealingly connectible with each other. The appliance 10 has an associated case structure 22 incorporating in particular means 24 for charging the energy-storage cells 18, or in particular means 26 for the storage of attachments for the appliance 10. The case structure 22 includes two abutment means which, in forming an integral part of the case structure 22, provide a tool for severing the housing sections 13, 14.

Abstract: A system for automatic loading, unloading and charging of rechargeable batteries used in battery electric traction motor powered vehicles comprises a battery recharge station, a battery load and unload station adapted for positioning a battery powered vehicle in a preselected position, and a programmable battery transport apparatus programmed for automatically removing discharged batteries from the vehicle, transporting the discharged batteries to a battery recharge station, unloading the discharged batteries into the recharge station, retrieving charged batteries from the recharge station, transporting the charged batteries to the vehicle and loading the charged batteries onto the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrical appliance, with a housing structure comprised of a first housing portion and a second housing portion for accommodating at least one rechargeable storage cell and/or a storage cell charging circuitry, and with an appliance plug for transmitting a line voltage and for coupling and decoupling the two portions of the housing.

Abstract: An electronic/copier printer apparatus includes a scanner for scanning original documents representing a copy from a first source of image information and printer input means for receiving electrical signals representing electronic information of a production job from a second source of information. A marking engine prints production jobs. The marking engine means includes means for communicating with the scanner and the printer input means. A memory forms a part of the marking engine and stores electrical signals representing production jobs from the first and second sources. The marking engine includes a security mode wherein in response to a loss of communication with one of the scanner and the printer input means while communication remains with the other there is selectively prevented production of production jobs stored in said memory means and derived from the one to which communication is lost while selectively printing production jobs from the other to which communication remains.

Abstract: A storage capacitor power supply adapted to be used as a power source for an electric vehicle. The storage capacitor power supply is equipped with a charging control circuit which stops charging when the voltage developed across the terminals of the capacitors reaches a given value. The charging control circuit can switch this voltage between at least two levels. In a power mode, the voltage is set to a higher value. In a long-life mode, the voltage is set of a lower value.