Patents by Inventor Danh Trinh
Danh Trinh has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8319475Abstract: A control module is included in a battery charger that is adapted to charge a plurality of battery packs of different types or a power tool that is adapted to be powered by at least one of the battery packs. The control module includes a remote sensing module that communicates remotely with one of the battery packs. The control module also includes a battery pack connection module that determines that the one of the battery packs is in electrical communication with at least one of the battery charger and the power tool. The control module also includes a battery pack identification (ID) module that determines a first type of the battery pack based on remote sensing module signals. The control module also includes a charge control module that determines at least one of a charge setting and a discharge setting for the battery pack based on the first type.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2008Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Snehal Choksi, Fugen Qin, Daniel Joseph White, Danh Trinh, Edward Allen Harrison, Bhanuprasad V. Gorti, David A. Carrier, Regina Gracia C. Cunanan, Nathan Cruise, Daniele Brotto, Geoffrey Stephen Howard, Michelle Lynn Bowers, Andrew Seman, Jr., Rouse Roby Bailey, Jr.
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Patent number: 7953965Abstract: A power tool system component has a microprocessor, a one wire communication terminal connecting the microprocessor to an external device, and a flash memory storing: (a) an application program governing operation of an application mode during which the power tool system component is operated; and (b) a boot loader program governing operation of a boot loader mode during which at least part of the application program can be updated. The microprocessor accesses the flash memory and implements the boot loader program and the application program by setting up and observing a temporal window during which one or more predetermined conditions must be met for the boot loader mode to be entered. The predetermined conditions include successful completion of a calibration process that includes sending a calibration byte to the external device according to a format predetermined to allow the external device to adjust its baud rate for sending and receiving information.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Fugen Qin, Daniele Brotto, Danh Trinh, Regina Cunanan, Andrew Seman
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Patent number: 7701172Abstract: A power tool may include a housing that supports an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit may include at least two terminal sets that are arranged in parallel to each other. The at least two terminal sets may include a first terminal set configured for engagement along a first axis to a battery pack having a first configuration and a second terminal set configured for engagement along a second axis to a battery pack having a second, different configuration. A battery charger may include a housing, and an interface that is electrically and mechanically compatible with at least two battery packs having different configurations and battery cell chemistries.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2005Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: James B. Watson, Danh Trinh, Alan Phillips, Daniel P. Wall
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Publication number: 20080309285Abstract: A control module is included in a battery charger that is adapted to charge a plurality of battery packs of different types or a power tool that is adapted to be powered by at least one of the battery packs. The control module includes a remote sensing module that communicates remotely with one of the battery packs. The control module also includes a battery pack connection module that determines that the one of the battery packs is in electrical communication with at least one of the battery charger and the power tool. The control module also includes a battery pack identification (ID) module that determines a first type of the battery pack based on remote sensing module signals. The control module also includes a charge control module that determines at least one of a charge setting and a discharge setting for the battery pack based on the first type.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2008Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Snehal Choksi, Fugen Qin, Daniel Joseph White, Danh Trinh, Edward Allen Harrison, Bhanuprasad V. Gorti, David A. Carrier, Regina Gracia C. Cunanan, Nathan Cruise, Daniele Brotto, Geoffrey Stephen Howard, Michelle Lynn Bowers, Andrew Seman, JR., Rouse Roby Bailey, JR.
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Publication number: 20080313452Abstract: A power tool system component has a microprocessor, a one wire communication terminal connecting the microprocessor to an external device, and a flash memory storing: (a) an application program governing operation of an application mode during which the power tool system component is operated; and (b) a boot loader program governing operation of a boot loader mode during which at least part of the application program can be updated. The microprocessor accesses the flash memory and implements the boot loader program and the application program by setting up and observing a temporal window during which one or more predetermined conditions must be met for the boot loader mode to be entered. The predetermined conditions include successful completion of a calibration process that includes sending a calibration byte to the external device according to a format predetermined to allow the external device to adjust its baud rate for sending and receiving information.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2008Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Fugen Qin, Daniele Brotto, Danh Trinh, Regina Cunanan, Andrew Seman
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Publication number: 20080037779Abstract: A method and system for authenticating a smart battery having a smart battery and an electronic device. Both the device and the smart battery generate encrypted random strings using key material based by A/D noise bits as a seed value. A pseudo random number is generated from the A/D noise that is transmitted to both the electronic device and the smart battery. The pseudo random number is used by both devices as a key index to select one of a plurality of keys stored in separate key libraries. The keys, or key material, is used to execute an encryption algorithm. The two encryption data streams are then compared to authenticate the smart battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Andrew Seman, Daniele Brotto, Danh Trinh, Fugen Qin
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Publication number: 20080003491Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a system to dissipate heat from the battery pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2007Publication date: January 3, 2008Inventors: Christopher Yahnker, Daniele Brotto, Erik Ekstrom, Andrew Seman, David Carrier, Steven Phillips, Michael Doyle, Danh Trinh, William Spencer, Jeffrey Francis, Daniel White
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Publication number: 20070236177Abstract: In a cordless power tool system, high temperature gases created in a battery pack by the battery cells during a charging or discharging operation can be routed into a housing of one of an attached power tool or charger to reduce the temperature of the gases, prior to venting the gases externally. In an example, a battery pack has at least one vent hole for relieving pressure and a movable device covering the vent hole and configured to expose the vent hole upon a pressure set-point within the pack housing being exceeded. In another example, the pack housing includes a thin-walled section designed to break if pressure within the pack housing exceeds a given pressure setpoint. In a further example, the pack housing includes a baffle having an S-shaped cross-section for providing a vent path for gases and for preventing external fluids from entering the pack housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2006Publication date: October 11, 2007Inventors: Steven Phillips, Daniel White, Adam Casalena, Danh Trinh, Daniele Brotto, Gregory Rice
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Publication number: 20070128505Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a system to dissipate heat from the battery pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2005Publication date: June 7, 2007Inventors: Christopher Yahnker, Daniele Brotto, Erik Ekstrom, Andrew Seman, David Carrier, Steven Phillips, Michael Doyle, Danh Trinh, William Spencer, Jeffrey Francis, Daniel White
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Publication number: 20070103113Abstract: In a method of charging a battery pack, the pack is inserted in a charger and an initial set of checks of cell voltage and pack temperature is performed. Once the initial set of checks is satisfied, the cells may be charged at a first constant current level. The first constant current level is adjusted to one or more lower levels of constant current until cell voltages of all the cells are within a full charge voltage window. The voltage window is defined between a minimum full charge cell voltage level and a maximum full charge cell voltage level. The charge may be terminated once all of the cells are within the full charge voltage window.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2006Publication date: May 10, 2007Inventors: Janet Embrey, Danh Trinh
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Publication number: 20070035274Abstract: A charging apparatus for charging a battery comprising a current source for providing current to the battery, a controller connected to the battery and to the current source for controlling charging of the battery, and a memory connected to the controller for storing information about the battery. The memory may also store information about the charging apparatus. Preferably, the memory is a non-volatile memory, such as E2PROM. Also disclosed are a battery having a memory for storing information, a power tool having a memory for storing information about the tool, and a reading apparatus for reading the information stored in the memory of the charger, battery and/or power tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2006Publication date: February 15, 2007Inventors: Daniele Brotto, Darnell Smith, Danh Trinh
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Patent number: 7138785Abstract: A charging apparatus for charging a battery comprising a current source for providing current to the battery, a controller connected to the battery and to the current source for controlling charging of the battery, and a memory connected to the controller for storing information about the battery. The memory may also store information about the charging apparatus. Preferably, the memory is a nonvolatile memory, such as E2PROM. Also disclosed are a battery having a memory for storing information, a power tool having a memory for storing information about the tool, and a reading apparatus for reading the information stored in the memory of the charger, battery and/or power tool.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2001Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Daniele Brotto, Darnell Smith, Danh Trinh
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Publication number: 20060234617Abstract: A power tool accessory identification system includes a power tool which has a motor, an output spindle actuatable by the motor, and a tool holder connected to the spindle and configured to hold an accessory therein. The power tool includes an accessory reader to decoding an identification device on the accessory. In a method of controlling the power tool with an accessory operatively coupled thereto, the accessory is inserted in the tool and a communication interface between the accessory and tool is read. An accessory identification is decoded via an accessory reader of the tool. A tool setting for the power tool is accessed based on the decoded accessory identification.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2006Publication date: October 19, 2006Inventors: Jeffrey Francis, Steven Phillips, David Carrier, Danh Trinh, Andrew Seman, Christopher Yahnker, Daniele Brotto, Joshua West, Gregory Rice
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Publication number: 20060091852Abstract: A power tool may include a housing that supports an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit may include at least two terminal sets that are arranged in parallel to each other. The at least two terminal sets may include a first terminal set configured for engagement along a first axis to a battery pack having a first configuration and a second terminal set configured for engagement along a second axis to a battery pack having a second, different configuration. A battery charger may include a housing, and an interface that is electrically and mechanically compatible with at least two battery packs having different configurations and battery cell chemistries.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2005Publication date: May 4, 2006Inventors: James Watson, Danh Trinh, Alan Phillips, Daniel Wall
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Publication number: 20060087284Abstract: A cordless system has cordless system components that include a cordless device, such as a cordless power tool, a battery pack and a charger. The battery pack is mated with either the cordless device to provide power to operate the cordless device or to the charger to charge the battery cells in the battery pack. In an aspect, the cordless system has an identification and communication system by which the battery pack identifies and communicates information about the battery pack to the cordless device or to the charger to which the battery pack is mated. In an, the battery pack of the cordless system is capable of multiple modes, such as controlling the cordless device and controlling the charger.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2005Publication date: April 27, 2006Inventors: Steven Phillips, Jeffrey Francis, Andrew Seman, Daniele Brotto, David Carrier, Danh Trinh, Christopher Yahnker, James Watson, Daniel White
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Publication number: 20060087285Abstract: A cordless system has cordless system components that include a cordless device, such as a cordless power tool, a battery pack and a charger. The battery pack is mated with either the cordless device to provide power to operate the cordless device or to the charger to charge the battery cells in the battery pack. In an aspect, the cordless system has an identification and communication system by which the battery pack identifies and communicates information about the battery pack to the cordless device or to the charger to which the battery pack is mated. In an, the battery pack of the cordless system is capable of multiple modes, such as controlling the cordless device and controlling the charger. In an aspect, the battery pack validates the cordless device or charger to which it is mated.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2005Publication date: April 27, 2006Inventors: Steven Phillips, Jeffrey Francis, Andrew Seman, Daniele Brotto, David Carrier, Danh Trinh, Christopher Yahnker, James Watson, Daniel White
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Publication number: 20060087283Abstract: A cordless system has cordless system components that include a cordless device, such as a cordless power tool, a battery pack and a charger. The battery pack is mated with either the cordless device to provide power to operate the cordless device or to the charger to charge the battery cells in the battery pack. In an aspect, the cordless system has an identification and communication system by which the battery pack identifies and communicates information about the battery pack to the cordless device or to the charger to which the battery pack is mated. In an, the battery pack of the cordless system is capable of multiple modes, such as controlling the cordless device and controlling the charger.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2005Publication date: April 27, 2006Inventors: Steven Phillips, Jeffrey Francis, Andrew Seman, Daniele Brotto, David Carrier, Danh Trinh, Christopher Yahnker, James Watson, Daniel White
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Publication number: 20060087286Abstract: A cordless system has cordless system components that include a cordless device, such as a cordless power tool, a battery pack and a charger. The battery pack is mated with either the cordless device to provide power to operate the cordless device or to the charger to charge the battery cells in the battery pack. In an aspect, the cordless system has an identification and communication system by which the battery pack identifies and communicates information about the battery pack to the cordless device or to the charger to which the battery pack is mated. In an, the battery pack of the cordless system is capable of multiple modes, such as controlling the cordless device and controlling the charger.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2005Publication date: April 27, 2006Inventors: Steven Phillips, Jeffrey Francis, Andrew Seman, Daniele Brotto, David Carrier, Danh Trinh, Christopher Yahnker, James Watson, Daniel White
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Publication number: 20060070555Abstract: A shipping method including shipping specialized pallets from a factory to a distribution center, shipping specialized pallets from a distribution center to a customer, returning specialized pallets from the customer to the factory, and reusing the specialized pallets, wherein the specialized pallets separate batteries of battery packs during the shipping.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2005Publication date: April 6, 2006Inventors: Steven Phillips, David Carrier, Danh Trinh, Andrew Seman, Daniele Brotto, Christopher Yahnker, Jeff Francis, Harry Campbell
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Publication number: 20060071643Abstract: A battery monitoring device of a battery pack configured for powering a cordless power tool may include an integrated circuit connected to a microprocessor of the pack that is external to the integrated circuit, and which is connected to each of N battery cells of the pack. The integrated circuit may be configured to take, singly or sequentially, a sampled reading comprising one of an individual cell voltage or a total pack voltage for all cells in the pack. The sampled reading is filtered in the integrated circuit prior to being read by the microprocessor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2005Publication date: April 6, 2006Inventors: David Carrier, Danh Trinh, Geoffrey Howard, Andrew Seman, Daniele Brotto