Abstract: A charging device may include firmware configured to execute and control charging functions and updating functions performed by the charging device. The firmware includes a first section configured to store instructions associated with the charging functions and a second section configured to store instructions associated with updating the first section. The charging device may also include a charging slot for insertion of one of a rechargeable device and an updating device. The charging device may further include a micro-controller configured to execute instructions stored on the firmware. Responsive to the updating device being inserted into the charging slot, the charging device executes instructions stored in the second section to enter an updating mode and update the firmware.

Abstract: A charging device may include firmware configured to execute and control charging functions and updating functions performed by the charging device. The firmware includes a first section configured to store instructions associated with the charging functions and a second section configured to store instructions associated with updating the first section. The charging device may also include a charging slot for insertion of one of a rechargeable device and an updating device. The charging device may further include a micro-controller configured to execute instructions stored on the firmware. Responsive to the updating device being inserted into the charging slot, the charging device executes instructions stored in the second section to enter an updating mode and update the firmware.

Abstract: A charging device may include firmware configured to execute and control charging functions and updating functions performed by the charging device. The firmware includes a first section configured to store instructions associated with the charging functions and a second section configured to store instructions associated with updating the first section. The charging device may also include a charging slot for insertion of one of a rechargeable device and an updating device. The charging device may further include a micro-controller configured to execute instructions stored on the firmware. Responsive to the updating device being inserted into the charging slot, the charging device executes instructions stored in the second section to enter an updating mode and update the firmware.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for charging a battery. The system includes a processor powered by a battery; and a controller determining a remaining battery charge of the battery. The controller sets a first charge current to recharge the battery when the remaining battery charge is insufficient to operate the processor. The controller wakes the processor when the battery has been recharged so that the remaining battery capacity is sufficient to operate the processor. The processor negotiates for a second charge current to recharge the battery. The controller sets the second charge current when the processor successfully negotiated.

Abstract: A charging device may include firmware configured to execute and control charging functions and updating functions performed by the charging device. The firmware includes a first section configured to store instructions associated with the charging functions and a second section configured to store instructions associated with updating the first section. The charging device may also include a charging slot for insertion of one of a rechargeable device and an updating device. The charging device may further include a micro-controller configured to execute instructions stored on the firmware. Responsive to the updating device being inserted into the charging slot, the charging device executes instructions stored in the second section to enter an updating mode and update the firmware.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for charging a battery. The system includes a processor powered by a battery; and a controller determining a remaining battery charge of the battery. The controller sets a first charge current to recharge the battery when the remaining battery charge is insufficient to operate the processor. The controller wakes the processor when the battery has been recharged so that the remaining battery capacity is sufficient to operate the processor. The processor negotiates for a second charge current to recharge the battery. The controller sets the second charge current when the processor successfully negotiated.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for charging a battery. The system includes a processor powered by a battery; and a controller determining a remaining battery charge of the battery. The controller sets a first charge current to recharge the battery when the remaining battery charge is insufficient to operate the processor. The controller wakes the processor when the battery has been recharged so that the remaining battery capacity is sufficient to operate the processor. The processor negotiates for a second charge current to recharge the battery. The controller sets the second charge current when the processor successfully negotiated.

Abstract: A method of fault detection for battery chargers includes sensing a charge current applied to a battery with a resistive element. The method includes measuring a voltage across the resistive element. The method includes generating a trigger signal when the measured voltage across the resistive element exceeds a predetermined value. The method includes generating from the trigger signal an interrupt signal for a microprocessor. The method includes initiating an over-current handling routine in the microprocessor.

Abstract: A method of fault detection for battery chargers includes sensing a charge current applied to a battery with a resistive element. The method includes measuring a voltage across the resistive element. The method includes generating a trigger signal when the measured voltage across the resistive element exceeds a predetermined value. The method includes generating from the trigger signal an interrupt signal for a microprocessor. The method includes initiating an over-current handling routine in the microprocessor.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for authenticating a power source. The system comprises a battery including a first encryption engine storing a first key, and a battery charger including a microcontroller and a second encryption engine storing a second key. When the microcontroller detects a coupling of the battery to the charger, the microcontroller issues a challenge to the first encryption engine and the second encryption engine. The first encryption engine generates a first response as a function of the challenge, the first key and a predefined algorithm, and the second encryption engine generates a second response as a function of the challenge, the second key and the predefined algorithm. The microcontroller compares the first and second responses to authenticate the battery.

Abstract: A battery comprises a housing, a plurality of contacts, and a pass around electrical contact. The housing includes a plurality of rechargeable cells. The plurality of contacts electrically couple to the rechargeable cells. The plurality of contacts are configured to couple to first corresponding contacts of an electronic device. The pass around electrical contact is electrically isolated on the battery from the plurality of contacts and is configured to couple to second corresponding contacts of the electronic device. The pass around electrical contact is further configured to be connected to at least one of an external power supply and a data source.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for charging a battery. The system includes a processor powered by a battery; and a controller determining a remaining battery charge of the battery. The controller sets a first charge current to recharge the battery when the remaining battery charge is insufficient to operate the processor. The controller wakes the processor when the battery has been recharged so that the remaining battery capacity is sufficient to operate the processor. The processor negotiates for a second charge current to recharge the battery. The controller sets the second charge current when the processor successfully negotiated.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for determining determining a present state of charge of a battery and determining a rate of change of the state of charge of the battery, the rate of change being determined based on a charge current being supplied to the battery. Then, an updated state of charge is determined based on the rate of change.

Abstract: Described is a method wherein a computer terminal is coupled to a power supply through a docking arrangement. The docking arrangement includes a protection circuit. A current supplied to the computing terminal is detected. When the current is greater than a predetermined value, the computer terminal is decoupled from the power supply. After the computer terminal is decoupled from the power supply, the computer terminal is recoupled to the power supply, and the method repeats beginning with detecting the current supplied to the computing terminal.

Abstract: A battery charging device includes (i) a first circuit receiving a pulse width modulated signal, (ii) a second circuit receiving the pulse width modulated signal, and (iii) a third circuit receiving the pulse width modulated signal. The first circuit generates a first input to set a maximum battery charge current produced by the battery charging device. The second circuit generates a second input to disable the battery charging device based on the pulse width modulated signal. The third circuit generates a third input to select a charging mode of the battery charging device.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for determining determining a present state of charge of a battery and determining a rate of change of the state of charge of the battery, the rate of change being determined based on a charge current being supplied to the battery. Then, an updated state of charge is determined based on the rate of change.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for authenticating a power source. The system comprises a battery including a first encryption engine storing a first key, and a battery charger including a microcontroller and a second encryption engine storing a second key. When the microcontroller detects a coupling of the battery to the charger, the microcontroller issues a challenge to the first encryption engine and the second encryption engine. The first encryption engine generates a first response as a function of the challenge, the first key and a predefined algorithm, and the second encryption engine generates a second response as a function of the challenge, the second key and the predefined algorithm. The microcontroller compares the first and second responses to authenticate the battery.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting the breakage of glass. A glass breakage detector that uses an acoustic transducer, an analog-to-digital converter, and a processing means which uses software algorithms to determine if a signal received by the acoustic transducer is a result of glass breaking. The glass breakage detector also uses amplifiers which have a greater gain response for higher frequency components in the received signal. The glass breakage detector is also able to correct the offset error generated by the amplifiers. The processing means or digital signal processor (DSP) uses a feature extraction software algorithm that extracts characteristics of the received sound using a plurality of filters centered at different frequencies and a rules analysis software algorithm to compare the extracted features to features from glass breakage and false alarms. The DSP is also capable of transmitting the extracted features to an external computing device for further analysis.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting the breakage of glass. The glass breakage detector comprises an acoustic transducer, an analog-to-digital converter, and a processing means which uses software algorithms to determine if a signal received by the acoustic transducer is a result of glass breaking. The glass breakage detector further comprises amplifiers which have a greater gain response for higher frequency components in the received signal. The glass breakage detector is also able to correct the offset error generated by the amplifiers. The processing means or digital signal processor (DSP) uses a feature extraction software algorithm that extracts characteristics of the received sound using a plurality of filters centered at different frequencies and a rules analysis software algorithm to compare the extracted features to features from glass breakage and false alarms. The DSP is also capable of transmitting the extracted features to an external computing device for further analysis.

Abstract: A glass breakage detector that uses an acoustic transducer, an analog-to-digital converter, and a processing means which uses software algorithms to determine if a signal received by the acoustic transducer is a result of glass breaking. The glass breakage detector also uses amplifiers which have a greater gain response for higher frequency components in the received signal. The glass breakage detector is also able to correct the offset error generated by the amplifiers. The processing means or digital signal processor (DSP) uses a feature extraction software algorithm that extracts characteristics of the received sound using a plurality of filters centered at different frequencies and a rules analysis software algorithm to compare the extracted features to features from glass breakage and false alarms. The DSP is also capable of transmitting the extracted features to an external computing device for further analysis.