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: 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: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for contactless battery discharging. One embodiment takes the form of a contactless power-transfer system that includes a wireless-communication interface, a controller connected to the wireless-communication interface, a magnetic-resonance circuit, a power-conditioning circuit connected to the magnetic-resonance circuit, and a load element connected to the power-conditioning circuit. The controller is configured to determine that a smart-battery system is in a discharge-needed state and responsively transmit, via the wireless-communication interface, a battery-discharge command instructing the smart-battery system to generate an oscillating magnetic field. The magnetic-resonance circuit is configured to couple with the generated oscillating magnetic field and responsively output a corresponding power signal.

Abstract: An internal charging system controls charging of a battery used to power an electronic device when an external power source is connected to the device. The internal charging system can charge a battery that has a higher operating voltage than the voltage provided by the external power source. While charging the battery from the external power source, an internal charge controller can operate and inhibit functions of the device to indicate to user that a charging operation is commencing, and to prevent operation of the device when the battery voltage is too low to support such operation.

Abstract: An internal charging system controls charging of a battery used to power an electronic device when an external power source is connected to the device. The internal charging system can charge a battery that has a higher operating voltage than the voltage provided by the external power source. While charging the battery from the external power source, an internal charge controller can operate and inhibit functions of the device to indicate to user that a charging operation is commencing, and to prevent operation of the device when the battery voltage is too low to support such operation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for contactless battery discharging. One embodiment takes the form of a contactless power-transfer system that includes a wireless-communication interface, a controller connected to the wireless-communication interface, a magnetic-resonance circuit, a power-conditioning circuit connected to the magnetic-resonance circuit, and a load element connected to the power-conditioning circuit. The controller is configured to determine that a smart-battery system is in a discharge-needed state and responsively transmit, via the wireless-communication interface, a battery-discharge command instructing the smart-battery system to generate an oscillating magnetic field. The magnetic-resonance circuit is configured to couple with the generated oscillating magnetic field and responsively output a corresponding power signal.

Abstract: Embodiments for a battery charger include a single conversion switched mode power supply having a bias winding on the primary side of the power transformer. The bias winding produces an output that is proportional to the voltage produced on the secondary winding, and is sensed by a programmable voltage sensing circuit. The programmable voltage sensing circuit is programmed by a voltage select signal from the secondary side of the charger to produce an sense signal that is proportional to the output of the bias winding by a selected factor corresponding to a battery type of a battery being charged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the condition of a rechargeable battery determines a dynamic impedance of the battery while discharging the battery, and determines a battery condition category based on the dynamic impedance. The battery can be discharged in a manner that recovers the stored energy being discharged from the battery.

Abstract: Embodiments for a battery charger include a single conversion switched mode power supply having a bias winding on the primary side of the power transformer. The bias winding produces an output that is proportional to the voltage produced on the secondary winding, and is sensed by a programmable voltage sensing circuit. The programmable voltage sensing circuit is programmed by a voltage select signal from the secondary side of the charger to produce an sense signal that is proportional to the output of the bias winding by a selected factor corresponding to a battery type of a battery being charged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the condition of a rechargeable battery determines a dynamic impedance of the battery while discharging the battery, and determines a battery condition category based on the dynamic impedance. The battery can be discharged in a manner that recovers the stored energy being discharged from the battery.

Abstract: Embodiments include a power supply arrangement where major components including an off-line switched power supply are shut off when not in use. When a load is coupled to the power supply arrangement, components are enabled so as to provide power to the load.

Abstract: Embodiments include a power supply arrangement where major components including an off-line switched power supply are shut off when not in use. When a load is coupled to the power supply arrangement, components are enabled so as to provide power to the load.

Abstract: A battery protection circuit is provided that includes current monitoring circuit. The current monitoring circuit senses current flowing to or from a rechargeable cell. When the current exceeds a maximum value, the current monitoring circuit actuates, whereby opening a transistor. The transistor has a resistor couple in parallel. When the transistor opens, current is forced through the resistor coupled in parallel with the transistor, thereby limiting the current to a maximum value. The current monitoring circuit also simulates an overcurrent condition in the safety circuit. The overcurrent condition causes a disconnect switch to open, thereby disconnecting the cell(s) from the external terminals.

Abstract: This invention offers an improved hands-free device for coupling to radio devices having mute and audio inputs. The invention couples serially between the radio and a portable electronic device such as a mobile telephone. The invention facilitates the delivery of appropriate audio signals to the radio. The invention also senses the activity of the portable electronic device and actuates a mute signal upon sensing such activity. The mute signal causes the radio to switch the input to its loudspeakers from a received signal to the audio being delivered by the invention from the portable electronic device. In so doing the invention offers an easy to install, inexpensive hands-free unit that takes advantage of the high fidelity loudspeakers in the automotive stereo system.

Abstract: A battery protection circuit is provided that includes current monitoring circuit. The current monitoring circuit senses current flowing from a rechargeable cell. When the current exceeds a maximum value, the current monitoring circuit actuates, whereby opening a transistor. The transistor has a resistor coupled in parallel. When the transistor opens, current is forced through the resistor coupled in parallel with the transistor, thereby limiting the current to a maximum value. When the voltage across the resistor exceeds a predetermined threshold, an overcurrent condition is simulated in the lithium ion protection IC. The overcurrent condition causes a disconnect switch to open, thereby disconnecting the cell(s) from the external terminals. The circuit additionally includes three current blocking elements coupled between charging terminals and the cells to ensure that fault conditions occurring within the charger do not adversely affect the performance of either the cells or a host electronic device.

Abstract: This invention includes a circuit for the prevention of acoustic feedback between an electronic device and an audio accessory. In a preferred embodiment, the circuit prevents audio feedback between a cellular telephone and a speakerphone accessory. The circuit includes a current limiting device coupled serially in the receive (Rx) line. The current limiting device is actuated via a delay circuit coupled between the current limiting device and the transmit (Tx) line. When a bias current is presented to the Tx line, the bias propagates through the delay circuit, thereby actuating the current limiting device a predetermined time after the presentation of the bias. The circuit keeps the Rx line open long enough for the phone to deactivate its internal microphone.

Abstract: A battery protection circuit is provided that includes a safety circuit and an overpower circuit. The safety circuit monitors the voltage and current of at least one rechargeable cell within the battery pack, and disconnects the cell(s) from the external terminals of the battery pack when either the voltage becomes too high or low, or when excessive current is being drawn from the battery pack. The overpower circuit monitors the power being delivered to or sourced from the battery pack to the load. The overpower circuit actuates when the power exceeds a predetermined threshold, thereby simulating an overcurrent condition in the safety circuit. The overcurrent condition causes a disconnect means, like a transistor, to open, thereby disconnecting the cell(s) from the external terminals. The battery protection circuit then latches in this disconnected state until a load is removed from the terminals of the battery pack.

Abstract: This invention includes a memory device having exactly three external terminals: a power external terminal; a ground or return external terminal; and a one-wire data communication external terminal. The memory is preferably employed in a rechargeable battery pack having exactly four terminals. The power external terminal is coupled to a battery terminal traditionally used for a thermistor. When a host device desires to read data from the memory, the host device closes a switch coupled between a power source and the thermistor battery terminal, thereby actuating the memory. The host then reads data by way of a communication channel established between a microprocessor in the host device and the data communication external terminal of the memory.

Abstract: A battery protection circuit is provided that includes a safety circuit and a charge monitoring circuit. The safety circuit monitors the voltage and current of at least one rechargeable cell within the battery pack, and disconnects the cell(s) from the external terminals of the battery pack when either the voltage becomes too high or low, or when excessive current is being drawn from the battery pack. The charge monitoring circuit can include any of a number of detectors or monitoring circuits, including those that monitor temperature, pressure, voltage, energy, current or power. In one embodiment, the charge monitoring circuit includes a power meter and a pulsed current detector. The charge monitoring circuit actuates when either the power or pulsed current exceeds a predetermined power or current threshold, respectively. When the charge monitoring circuit actuates, an overcurrent condition is simulated in the safety circuit.

Abstract: A protection circuit (100) for use with a battery operated device (50) which includes an over temperature detector (110), a controller (130), and a voltage divider circuit (102 and 106). The voltage divider circuit includes a multi-use thermistor (102) for monitoring a temperature of a battery cell (104), a battery charger, or a battery operated device. Further, the thermistor can be operatively connected to the over temperature detector. An input voltage at the input (114) of the over temperature detector can vary relative to a variance in the monitored temperature. The temperature detector can signal the controller to terminate the charging of the battery cell if the temperature exceeds a predefined value. The device discharge detector can signal the controller to terminate the discharging of the battery cell if the battery operated device determines a specific event such as water intrusion, circuit failure or a software problem.