Abstract: A battery, method and battery operated portable communication device are provided with protection from excessive current and thermal conditions. A plurality of protection circuits are coupled in series within a common charge/discharge path of the battery. The first protection circuit is configured to block current by opening a switch in response to a voltage drop across the switch and a current sense resistor in the common charge/discharge path. The second protection circuit provides redundancy under conditions where the first switch might fail, where the second switch will block current through the current sense resistor.

Abstract: A battery, method and battery operated portable communication device are provided with protection from excessive current and thermal conditions. A plurality of protection circuits are coupled in series within a common charge/discharge path of the battery. The first protection circuit is configured to block current by opening a switch in response to a voltage drop across the switch and a current sense resistor in the common charge/discharge path. The second protection circuit provides redundancy under conditions where the first switch might fail, where the second switch will block current through the current sense resistor.

Abstract: A battery module includes a first load terminal, a second load terminal, a first charger terminal, a charger enable terminal, and a battery having a first battery terminal coupled to the first load terminal and a second terminal coupled to the second load terminal. A first isolation device is coupled between the first load terminal and the first charger terminal and has an enable terminal coupled to the charger enable terminal. A first protection circuit includes a second isolation device coupled between the second battery terminal and the second load terminal and a first sensing circuit configured to enable the second isolation device responsive to detecting a failure of the first isolation device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a selectively reduced voltage to a portable electronic device are disclosed. When a determination is made that an output voltage from a voltage source exceeds a predefined maximum permitted voltage, a plurality of circuitries, including an adaptive active current limiting circuitry, are enabled in order to derive the reduced voltage from the output voltage. The reduced voltage is at least at or below the predefined maximum permitted voltage and is supplied to the portable electronic device by battery circuitry that includes the active current limiting circuitry.

Abstract: Battery circuitry forms part of apparatus for connecting a battery power source to a portable electronic device. The battery circuitry is configured to detect a transitioning of an enable signal, caused by actuation of a power switch, from a de-asserted state to an asserted state. In response to detecting the transitioning of the enable signal, the battery circuitry is further configured to open an electrical path within the battery circuitry. The path, when opened, connects the battery power source in a manner that permits powering on of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method for dynamic limiting of battery voltage includes determining that a voltage delivered by a battery exceeds a predefined maximum safe voltage for operation of a portable electronic device in a hazardous environment and, in response, enabling a voltage restriction circuit in a supply line between the battery and the portable electronic device to reduce the voltage delivered by the battery below the maximum safe voltage, and supplying electrical power to the portable electronic device at the reduced voltage. Enabling the voltage restriction circuit may include deactivating a MOSFET switch that includes a forward biased body diode to allow the body diode to provide a fixed voltage drop. The method also includes determining that the voltage delivered by the battery no longer exceeds the maximum safe voltage and, in response, disabling the first voltage restriction circuit by activating the MOSFET, thus allowing the body diode to be bypassed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a selectively reduced voltage to a portable electronic device are disclosed. When a determination is made that an output voltage from a voltage source exceeds a predefined maximum permitted voltage, a plurality of circuitries, including an adaptive active current limiting circuitry, are enabled in order to derive the reduced voltage from the output voltage. The reduced voltage is at least at or below the predefined maximum permitted voltage and is supplied to the portable electronic device by battery circuitry that includes the active current limiting circuitry.

Abstract: Battery circuitry forms part of apparatus for connecting a battery power source to a portable electronic device. The battery circuitry is configured to detect a transitioning of an enable signal, caused by actuation of a power switch, from a de-asserted state to an asserted state. In response to detecting the transitioning of the enable signal, the battery circuitry is further configured to open an electrical path within the battery circuitry. The path, when opened, connects the battery power source in a manner that permits powering on of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A battery module includes a first load terminal, a second load terminal, a first charger terminal, a charger enable terminal, and a battery having a first battery terminal coupled to the first load terminal and a second terminal coupled to the second load terminal. A first isolation device is coupled between the first load terminal and the first charger terminal and has an enable terminal coupled to the charger enable terminal. A first protection circuit includes a second isolation device coupled between the second battery terminal and the second load terminal and a first sensing circuit configured to enable the second isolation device responsive to detecting a failure of the first isolation device.

Abstract: A battery module includes a first load terminal, a second load terminal, a load enable terminal, and a battery having a first battery terminal coupled to the first load terminal. A first protection circuit includes a first isolation device coupled between a second battery terminal of the battery and the second load terminal of the battery module. The first protection circuit further includes a first sensing circuit configured to measure a battery parameter and control the first isolation device based on the battery parameter. A driver circuit is coupled between the first battery terminal and the first protection circuit. The driver circuit is configured to control power to the first protection circuit based on a load enable signal asserted at the load enable terminal. A bypass circuit is coupled between the second battery terminal and the second load terminal.

Abstract: A method for dynamic limiting of battery voltage includes determining that a voltage delivered by a battery exceeds a predefined maximum safe voltage for operation of a portable electronic device in a hazardous environment and, in response, enabling a voltage restriction circuit in a supply line between the battery and the portable electronic device to reduce the voltage delivered by the battery below the maximum safe voltage, and supplying electrical power to the portable electronic device at the reduced voltage. Enabling the voltage restriction circuit may include deactivating a MOSFET switch that includes a forward biased body diode to allow the body diode to provide a fixed voltage drop. The method also includes determining that the voltage delivered by the battery no longer exceeds the maximum safe voltage and, in response, disabling the first voltage restriction circuit by activating the MOSFET, thus allowing the body diode to be bypassed.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery includes detecting, with an electronic processor, a presence of the battery coupled to a charging interface. The method includes receiving, with the electronic processor, a command, the command including a charge mode. The method includes, in response to receiving the command, controlling a charging circuit coupled to the charging interface to charge the battery to a predetermined level based on the charge mode. The method includes, when the battery reaches the predetermined charge level, sending a battery control command, based on the charge mode, to control an active limiting circuit of the battery via a single wire data line coupled to the charging interface.

Abstract: An apparatus, device, and charging system are provided. The apparatus comprises a primary stationary receive coil and a secondary rotatable receive coil, the primary stationary receive coil being electronically coupled to the secondary rotatable receive coil. The secondary rotatable receive coil provides a charge mode position when rotated in a same plane as the primary stationary receive coil. The secondary rotatable receive coil provides non-charge mode position when retracted back against the primary stationary receive coil. The coils may be coupled is series and or parallel configurations. The primary stationary receive coil may be integrated within or appended to a housing. The secondary rotatable receive coil may be integrated within or coupled to a rotatable clip coupled to the housing. Rotation of the clip extends a charging configuration with which to charge the primary stationary receive coil and the secondary rotatable receive coil.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery includes detecting, with an electronic processor, a presence of the battery coupled to a charging interface. The method includes receiving, with the electronic processor, a command, the command including a charge mode. The method includes, in response to receiving the command, controlling a charging circuit coupled to the charging interface to charge the battery to a predetermined level based on the charge mode. The method includes, when the battery reaches the predetermined charge level, sending a battery control command, based on the charge mode, to control an active limiting circuit of the battery via a single wire data line coupled to the charging interface.

Abstract: An apparatus, device, and charging system are provided. The apparatus comprises a primary stationary receive coil and a secondary rotatable receive coil, the primary stationary receive coil being electronically coupled to the secondary rotatable receive coil. The secondary rotatable receive coil provides a charge mode position when rotated in a same plane as the primary stationary receive coil. The secondary rotatable receive coil provides non-charge mode position when retracted back against the primary stationary receive coil. The coils may be coupled is series and or parallel configurations. The primary stationary receive coil may be integrated within or appended to a housing. The secondary rotatable receive coil may be integrated within or coupled to a rotatable clip coupled to the housing. Rotation of the clip extends a charging configuration with which to charge the primary stationary receive coil and the secondary rotatable receive coil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wirelessly charging a chargeable device, such as a smart phone, digital music player, or navigation device, using a wireless charger. The wireless charger includes a connector, a retainer, and a wireless power transmitter. The connector is configured to secure the wireless charger to a visor in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The retainer is configured to selectively retain a chargeable device having a recipient coil. The wireless power transmitter includes a charging coil configured to carry a fluctuating electric current that generates a changing magnetic field for receipt by a recipient coil of the chargeable device. The changing magnetic field induces a fluctuating electric current in the recipient coil, which is used to charge a battery pack of the chargeable device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for visually indicating battery pack information related to wirelessly charging a battery pack via a wireless charging mat. The method includes uniquely associating, with a controller of the wireless charging mat, each visual indicator of a first plurality of visual indicators on the wireless charging mat with one of a first plurality of sensors on the wireless charging mat. The method further includes receiving the battery pack information from the battery pack with one or more of the first plurality of sensors. The method further includes wirelessly charging the battery pack using the wireless charging mat, and illuminating the first plurality of visual indicators based on the battery pack information.

Abstract: A battery module for a portable communication device having a controller. In one embodiment, the battery module includes a battery accessory interface having a positive terminal, an identifying terminal, and a negative terminal. A voltage regulator is connected to the positive terminal of the battery accessory interface and configured to output a voltage on the positive terminal in response to a control signal. An addressable switch is connected to the identifying terminal of the battery accessory interface. The addressable switch is configured to communicate with the controller and generate the control signal based on input from the controller and the identifying terminal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a self-heating battery pack uses a battery cells of a first battery cell circuit to power a device. However these battery cells become substantially inoperative below a very cold temperature, so a second battery cell circuit, having a second type of battery cells which can operate at the cold temperature, is used to power a heating element to warm up the first battery cells to a temperature at which they can operate.

Abstract: A battery module for a portable communication device having a controller. In one embodiment, the battery module includes a battery accessory interface having a positive terminal, an identifying terminal, and a negative terminal. A voltage regulator is connected to the positive terminal of the battery accessory interface and configured to output a voltage on the positive terminal in response to a control signal. An addressable switch is connected to the identifying terminal of the battery accessory interface. The addressable switch is configured to communicate with the controller and generate the control signal based on input from the controller and the identifying terminal.