Abstract: A smart battery that has a network communication interface such that the battery can send and receive battery-related data. The battery is in conductive and communicative interface with a device, such as a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), or laptop computer, which has a network communication pathway that the battery uses for data exchange. The smart battery can alternately be in conductive and communicative interface with a charger that is interfaced with a computer, and the charger selectively establishes a network communication pathway through the charger-computer interface for the smart battery to exchange data across the network. The smart battery preferably exchanges data with a manufacturer web site across the Internet.

Abstract: A cell current limiting circuit includes a current-limiting device that electrically couples a cell to a battery terminal. A bypass current path is in parallel with the current limiting device and is selectively interruptible by a switch. A switch control circuit is capable of sensing if the battery terminal is electrically coupled to a selected host. The switch control circuit closes the switch if the battery terminal is electrically coupled to the selected host and opens the switch if the battery terminal is not electrically coupled to the host.