Abstract: Applications for use with a rechargeable power unit. In one embodiment, the rechargeable power unit is configured to be releasably connected to one or more interchangeable attachments having an electric functionality. In one embodiment, an electric device is configured having a compartment and connection portion configured to receive and use the rechargeable power unit as a power source. In some embodiments, the rechargeable power unit can be obtained or exchanged at a battery exchange machine.

Abstract: Two-way exchange vending can be performed by a two-way exchange based vending machine. The two-way exchange based vending machine can vend rechargeable batteries. The two-way exchange based vending machine can include different modules to perform different functionalities. The two-way exchange based vending machine can include a communications module, a dispensing module, a rejection module, and a receiving module. The communications module can communicate information to and receive inputs from a user. The dispensing module can dispense one or more rechargeable batteries or other requested products to a user. The receiving module can receive one or more rechargeable batteries from a user.

Abstract: In some aspects, a method of associating an item with a user profile is disclosed. The method comprises receiving an input indicating that the item will be deposited, receiving the item, determining whether an identifier of the user profile is not received relative to receipt of the item, concurrent with receiving the item, monitoring a vicinity of the receiving receptacle, generating identifying information for a user that deposits the item, identifying a source from which to request user identity information, contacting the identified source, receiving the user identity information for each individual in the vicinity of the receiving receptacle when the item is received, identifying the user that deposits the item into the receiving receptacle, identifying the user profile associated with the identified user, and associating the item received with the identified user profile.

Abstract: Applications for use with a rechargeable power unit. In one embodiment, the rechargeable power unit is configured to be releasably connected to one or more interchangeable attachments having an electric functionality. In one embodiment, an electric device is configured having a compartment and connection portion configured to receive and use the rechargeable power unit as a power source. In some embodiments, the rechargeable power unit can be obtained or exchanged at a battery exchange machine.

Abstract: Two-way exchange vending can be performed by a two-way exchange based vending machine. The two-way exchange based vending machine can vend rechargeable batteries. The two-way exchange based vending machine can include different modules to perform different functionalities. The two-way exchange based vending machine can include a communications module, a dispensing module, a rejection module, and a receiving module. The communications module can communicate information to and receive inputs from a user. The dispensing module can dispense one or more rechargeable batteries or other requested products to a user. The receiving module can receive one or more rechargeable batteries from a user.

Abstract: Applications for use with a rechargeable power unit. In one embodiment, the rechargeable power unit is configured to be releasably connected to one or more interchangeable attachments having an electric functionality. In one embodiment, an electric device is configured having a compartment and connection portion configured to receive and use the rechargeable power unit as a power source. In some embodiments, the rechargeable power unit can be obtained or exchanged at a battery exchange machine.

Abstract: Two-way exchange vending can be performed by a two-way exchange based vending machine. The two-way exchange based vending machine can vend rechargeable batteries. The two-way exchange based vending machine can include different modules to perform different functionalities. The two-way exchange based vending machine can include a communications module, a dispensing module, a rejection module, and a receiving module. The communications module can communicate information to and receive inputs from a user. The dispensing module can dispense one or more rechargeable batteries or other requested products to a user. The receiving module can receive one or more rechargeable batteries from a user.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a plurality of batteries is disclosed. A battery charging hub may have a plurality of charging/discharging ports capable of applying varying charging programs based on the state of a battery. A battery charging hub may include wired or wireless communication ability to allow the battery charging hub to communicate with remote units regarding the state and quality of batteries at the charging hub. A virtual disposable battery is also disclosed.

Abstract: Two-way exchange vending can be performed by a two-way exchange based vending machine. The two-way exchange based vending machine can vend rechargeable batteries. The two-way exchange based vending machine can include different modules to perform different functionalities. The two-way exchange based vending machine can include a communications module, a dispensing module, a rejection module, and a receiving module. The communications module can communicate information to and receive inputs from a user. The dispensing module can dispense one or more rechargeable batteries or other requested products to a user. The receiving module can receive one or more rechargeable batteries from a user.

Abstract: Two-way exchange vending can be performed by a two-way exchange based vending machine. The two-way exchange based vending machine can vend rechargeable batteries. The two-way exchange based vending machine can include different modules to perform different functionalities. The two-way exchange based vending machine can include a communications module, a dispensing module, a rejection module, and a receiving module. The communications module can communicate information to and receive inputs from a user. The dispensing module can dispense one or more rechargeable batteries or other requested products to a user. The receiving module can receive one or more rechargeable batteries from a user.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for identifying a battery are generally described. In some embodiments, the battery identification system comprises a battery with a portion of exposed can and electrodes configured to measure an electrical property of the battery. In some embodiments, the measured electrical property is the voltage between the can and a first terminal of the battery. In some embodiments, a battery is identified based on an identification mark such as a ringed barcode or two-dimensional barcode.

Abstract: Applications for use with a rechargeable power unit. In one embodiment, the rechargeable power unit is configured to be releasably connected to one or more interchangeable attachments having an electric functionality. In one embodiment, an electric device is configured having a compartment and connection portion configured to receive and use the rechargeable power unit as power source. In some embodiments, the rechargeable power unit can be obtained or exchanged at a battery exchange machine.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a plurality of batteries is disclosed. A battery charging hub may have a plurality of charging/discharging ports capable of applying varying charging programs based on the state of a battery. A battery charging hub may include wired or wireless communication ability to allow the battery charging hub to communicate with remote units regarding the state and quality of batteries at the charging hub. A virtual disposable battery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery system can include features to facilitate determination of the charge state of a battery or a battery power unit. A rechargeable battery system can include a battery case that can hold a plurality of batteries. The batteries held by the battery case can include a tab located on a portion of the battery, such as, the terminal. The tab can include indicia of the charge state of the battery, and can be detached when the battery is at least partially discharged. The tab can facilitate determination of the charge state of the battery by allowing identification of batteries with the tab attached and batteries from which the tab has been detached.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for identifying a battery are generally described. In some embodiments, the battery identification system comprises a battery with a portion of exposed can and electrodes configured to measure an electrical property of the battery. In some embodiments, the measured electrical property is the voltage between the can and a first terminal of the battery. In some embodiments, a battery is identified based on an identification mark such as a ringed barcode or two-dimensional barcode.

Abstract: Two-way exchange vending can be performed by a two-way exchange based vending machine. The two-way exchange based vending machine can vend rechargeable batteries. The two-way exchange based vending machine can include different modules to perform different functionalities. The two-way exchange based vending machine can include a communications module, a dispensing module, a rejection module, and a receiving module. The communications module can communicate information to and receive inputs from a user. The dispensing module can dispense one or more rechargeable batteries or other requested products to a user. The receiving module can receive one or more rechargeable batteries from a user.

Abstract: Two-way vending can be performed by a two-way vending machine for vending rechargeable batteries. A two-way vending machine can include different modules to perform different functionalities. A two-way vending machine can include a communications module, a payment module, a dispensing module, and a receiving module. A communications module can communicate information to and receive inputs from a user. A payment module can transact payment with the user. A dispensing module can dispense one or more rechargeable batteries or other requested products to a user. A receiving module can receive one or more rechargeable batteries from a user.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery system can include features to facilitate determination of the charge state of a battery or a battery power unit. A rechargeable battery system can include a battery case that can hold a plurality of batteries. The batteries held by the battery case can include a tab located on a portion of the battery, such as, the terminal. The tab can include indicia of the charge state of the battery, and can be detached when the battery is at least partially discharged. The tab can facilitate determination of the charge state of the battery by allowing identification of batteries with the tab attached and batteries from which the tab has been detached.

Abstract: Control of the self-testing of a plurality of elements (12.sub.1 -12.sub.m), each having a Built-In, Self-Test (BIST) capability, and arranged in one or more groups (14.sub.1 -14.sub.n), is carried out by a network (16) of one or more standard BIST resource interface controllers (SBRICs 18.sub.1 -18.sub.n). Each SBRIC in the network controls the self-testing of the elements in a separate one of the groups in sequence by broadcasting a test command to the elements in parallel which, in response, generate test signatures stored by the SBRIC. The SBRICs in the network are coupled in series in daisy chain fashion to enable the test signatures stored by the SBRICs to be concatenated for easy retrieval by shifting out the test signatures therefrom, using a technique such as boundary scan.

Abstract: A system (10) for testing one or more circuit boards (12.sub.1 -12.sub.n), each containing at least one chain of Boundary-Scan cells (14.sub.1 -14.sub.p), includes a system test and diagnosis host (16) for managing overall testing of the system formed by the circuit boards. A Boundary-Scan Virtual Machine (BVM) (17) is operative to receive an initiate test command from the system test and diagnosis host independent of the number and nature of the boards to be tested. In response to the test command, the BVM (17) causes each circuit board to execute a test program (23) specific thereto to determine the errors, if any, in the board. The errors from each board are passed back to the BVM (17) which, in turn, interprets the errors to yield test information, indicative of the operation of the boards, which is then passed back to the system test and diagnosis host (16).