Abstract: Battery chargers and combinations. In some aspects and in some constructions, the invention may provide a combination including a battery charger having a housing and a charging circuit, and protective structure separate from and connectable with the battery charger. The protective structure, when connected, extending from the housing beyond a battery connected to the battery charger. In some aspects and in some constructions, the invention may also provide a combination including a first battery charger, a second battery charger and a connecting structure operable to connect the first battery charger and the second battery charger as a unit. In some aspects and in some constructions, the invention may further provide a combination including a battery charger and a handle separate from and connectable with the battery charger. In addition, in some aspects and in some constructions, the invention may provide a battery charger including a housing having a base and an upper portion opposite the base.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery module includes a plurality of unit batteries disposed apart at predetermined intervals and barriers interposed therebetween. The barriers include a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of plates with at least one junction portion. The junction portion on one plate is fixed to another plate opposing the one plate.

Abstract: A signal detection circuit of a magnetic sensor includes a differential amplifier to which an output voltage of a detecting coil of the magnetic sensor is applied; a comparator to which the output of the differential amplifier is input, the comparator outputting a digital signal having one logical value during a time period between two adjacent spike voltages included in the output voltage; and a counter that counts the number of pulses of a clock in a period when the output of the comparator has one logical value.

Abstract: A rechargeable DC power supply includes a housing including an interior, an exterior, and an integral heat sink including a heat absorbing surface formed in said interior and a heat dissipating surface formed in said exterior. The rechargeable DC power supply includes a rechargeable battery having battery terminals positioned in said interior, power supply terminals positioned at said exterior of said housing, and a first printed circuit board (PCB) assembly including a bidirectional DC-DC converter module connected between said battery terminals and said power supply terminals. The first PCB assembly is in coplanar contact with said heat absorbing surface.

Abstract: A night vision system comprising a power system having a low voltage unit coupled to a high voltage unit; the low voltage unit including a low voltage controller generating a pulse width code; the high voltage unit including an opto-isolator for receiving the pulse width code from the low voltage controller, a high voltage controller operative in response to the pulse width code to generate an output pulse, a pulse shaping module receiving the output pulse and generating a control pulse; and power electronics operative in response to the control pulse.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for hand-held portable illumination, sensing and evidence collection is described. A uniquely configured multi-functional device selectively provides multi-purpose lighting and sensing in a hand-held portable device which is usable as a flashlight, camera and as an integrated device for evidence collection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a protection circuit module (PCM) including a protection circuit for controlling overcharge, overdischarge, and overcurrent of a battery. The protection circuit module includes a pair of connecting members, which are mounted to a rectangular lower end of the PCM and electrically connected to a protection circuit, and a pair of coupling members coupled to the corresponding connecting members while plate-shaped electrode terminals of a battery cell are interposed between the connecting members and the coupling members, and a battery pack including the protection circuit module, which is electrically connected to a battery cell. According to the present invention, a welding or soldering process, which requires a large amount of time and a high degree of technical skill to manufacture a battery pack, is not necessary, the coupling force between the battery cell and the PCM is increased, and the inner space of the battery pack is maximally utilized.

Abstract: A charger and battery combination for recharging batteries has a pair of snap arms for retaining a battery within the pocket of the charger. When the battery is inserted into the charger pocket, the snap arms provide a downward force against the battery, thereby ensuring a sound electrical connection between the battery and electrical contacts disposed within the pocket. In one embodiment, the charger pocket includes a pair of channel apertures in which the snap arms are placed. Upon battery insertion, a flex member of the snap arm deflects, thereby allowing a mating feature of the battery to pass. When the battery is fully inserted, a coupling member of the snap arm exerts a force against the battery, thereby pushing the battery towards the bottom of the pocket.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery. The tester includes a first connector configured to electrically couple to a first terminal of the battery via a first battery post adapter and a second connector configured to electrically couple to a second terminal of the battery via a second battery post adapter. The tester also includes an input configured to receive a battery-post-adapter-connection indicator. Test circuitry, which is coupled to the input, upon receipt of the battery-post-adapter-connection indicator, determines whether or not the first battery post adapter and the second battery post adapter are faulty.

Abstract: A self-excited, switched reluctance generator obtains excitation energy from a capacitor bank via an excitation bus during normal operation. During a short-circuit or load fault, one or more phases of the generator provide power to the excitation bus while the remaining phases send current to a faulted positive bus. The system does not require an external battery or power source for excitation energy. The system is capable of resuming normal operation after the load bus fault.

Abstract: An improved method of charging multiple batteries and battery powered devices of different types at one time. Utilizing multiple methods of supplying DC power to external batteries, a user can charge a variety of devices at the same time. The power is routed in three distinct ways: directly to the output ports, through resistors, and through a switch converter. Then, using methods established and known to one in the art, external electronic devices may be attached to the output ports. Thus, the external battery will be charged through whichever route delivers the proper voltage. This design utilizes the logic contained within the external device for charging purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately auto focusing a lens of an imaging device. In an exemplary embodiment, an imaged scene is split into an array of zones. The minimum and maximum sharpness score for each zone is determined over a plurality of lens positions. A histogram of the lens positions of the corresponding maximum sharpness score for each zone is created. The peak of the histogram is determined to be the best focus position for a given scene.

Abstract: A portable and integrated backup electric power supplies system, equipped with a battery. It comprises of an alternating current power supply, and a multifunction direct current power supply containing a variable voltage power supply, a dual polarity voltage power supply, a variable NIMH battery charger, a 12-volt lead-acid battery charger, and an automotive jumpstart system.

Abstract: A charging base has a generally C-shaped housing and a charging element. The generally C-shaped housing has an upper part and a lower part. The upper part has an upper surface substantially parallel to a lower surface and an opening extending from the upper surface to the lower surface. The opening has a first width and a second width. A notch is located at the intersection of the first width and the second width. The lower part has a beveled surface generally parallel to and beneath the lower surface of the upper part. The charging element, which provides power to recharge a battery, is located beneath the beveled surface of the lower part.

Abstract: When the mobile type information terminal is transferred between an operating state and a standby state, self diagnosis is performed. The fuel cell charges the secondary cells with a normal current of fixed value I1, and when the output voltage of the boost DC/DC converter (when PG=L), the charge current is reduced to the fixed value and aging is performed. After aging is performed for 60 seconds, charging is performed once again performed at the normal fixed value I1. This type of operation is repeated 30 times. During aging, when the output voltage from the boost DC/DC converter is reduced (when PG=L), aging is stopped and after 20 seconds aging is performed again, and this operation is done 10 times. The mobile type information terminal can perform self diagnosis and retrial of regeneration without the user being aware, in which secondary batteries and a fuel cell are loaded.

Abstract: A bandage incorporates sensor arrays. The sensor arrays may measure temperature and are fixed to a person's temple in use, or other suitable body part. An estimate of core body temperature may be made using the arrays. The bandage may carry processing electronics and a transmitter. Processing may be done on the bandage or remotely from the bandage. Other physiological parameters may be measured depending on the type of sensor used.

Abstract: A clamp mechanism for securing an in-ceiling surveillance camera housing assembly to a ceiling. The clamping mechanism advantageously allows easy installation of the camera housing in the ceiling via a camera housing aperture without requiring a large access aperture adjacent the camera housing aperture. The clamping mechanism also allows easy removal of the housing if, for some reason, the housing must be removed because the clamping mechanism is bidirectional and may be stowed within a groove on an outer surface of the housing. Once the clamping mechanism lowers a clamp to secure the housing assembly to the ceiling, a window and trim ring assembly is locked to the housing assembly to discourage removal of the window and trim ring assembly and prevent access to the clamping mechanism.

Abstract: A driving mechanism comprises: (i) an actuator comprising: an electro-mechanical conversion element; a driving member which is connected to one end of the electro-mechanical conversion element and moves according to elongation or contraction of the electro-mechanical conversion element; and a weight member provided on the other end of the electro-mechanical conversion element; (ii) a driven member frictionally engaged with the driving member; and (iii) a driving circuit that drives the actuator, wherein the actuator allows the driven member to move along the driving member, and the driving circuit drives the electro-mechanical conversion element at a driving frequency f which gives f?21/2·f0 when resonance frequency of a 1-freedom system is f0 in which the electro-mechanical conversion element and the driving member are designated as a mass and the weight member is designated as a spring, and driving frequency of the electro-mechanical conversion element is f.

Abstract: A system and method for a multi-temperature indicator stick. The multi-temperature indicator stick includes an elongated stick configured to indicate two or more predetermined temperatures. The elongated stick includes a first temperature indication material configured to indicate a first predetermined temperature upon being subjected to the first predetermined temperature. The elongated stick also includes a second temperature indication material configured to indicate a second predetermined temperature upon being subjected to the second predetermined temperature. The first temperature indication material and the second temperature indication material share a common interface extending longitudinally along the elongated stick.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling battery cell charge current based on the ambient temperature conditions to which battery cell/s of a battery are exposed, for example, to control battery cell charging current for battery systems that may be exposed to environments where ambient temperature conditions are not controllable.