Abstract: Method and apparatus for synchronizing communication between a battery and an electronic device are disclosed. Bytes consisting of a number of bits are transmitted between the electronic device and the battery. A predetermined bit sequence is appended to at least some of the bytes prior to transmission. The time interval between given shifts in the predetermined bit sequence is used to synchronize the communication.

Abstract: Digital, serial communication over an interface between an electronic device (102) and a battery (103) attached thereto comprises transmission of bytes (300) consisting of a number of bits. Each bit is defined by one of a high level and a low level, and a leading bit (304) of each byte is of a first one of said high and low levels. The method comprises the step of transmitting the other of the high and low levels for a first period of time (403, 405) immediately prior to said leading bit (304). When the leading bit of a byte is always of the same level (i.e. either high or low) and a period of the opposite level precedes the leading bit, it is very easy and simple to ensure that the sending as well as the receiving party is ready for the communication to take place and adjusted to the actual direction of communication.

Abstract: An electronic circuit board (6) has a surface. with at least one conducting island (7), and the surface is arranged proximate to a first insulating material (3) having a number of holes (8) which correspond to at least some of the conducting islands (7) and through which the conducting islands (7) may be reached. At an end thereof facing the surface, each hole (9) has an area which is larger than the area of the corresponding conducting island (7). A conducting area (10; 14, 15, 16, 17) adapted to carry off an electrostatic discharge (ESD) is located on the surface proximate to the conducting islands (7) and within the area of the holes (8), and elements (9; 19) of a second insulating material are provided in the holes (8). Thus the electronic circuit board can withstand electrostatic discharges without the circuitry of the board being damaged.

Abstract: A battery system and method are disclosed. The battery system and method include battery means for supplying operating power during battery operation of a battery power receiving device (e.g. a mobile phone). The battery system and method further includes a battery information circuit carried as a unit together with the battery means (e.g. in the form of a so-called battery pack for a mobile phone) for assembly with the battery power receiving device. The battery information circuit includes memory cells and is capable of communicating information with the battery power receiving device. The memory cells include bits encoded to represent an index for a table including battery information; and the battery power receiving device includes a memory capable of storing the table.

Abstract: Method and system for communication between a battery power receiving device and a battery pack are disclosed. The battery power receiving device has a battery information circuit that is carried with the battery power receiving device as a single unit. Battery information such as battery identification and capacity are stored in the battery power receiving device and the battery information circuit. The battery power receiving device uses the battery information if the battery identification stored therein coincides with the battery identification stored in the battery information circuit.

Abstract: A method enables digital, serial communication over an interface between an electronic device (102) and a battery (103) attached thereto. The digital, serial communication comprises transmission of bytes (300) consisting of a number of bits. The method comprises the steps of transmitting a byte from a first one of said electronic device and said battery, receiving said byte in the other of said electronic device and said battery, and retransmitting said received byte unchanged. Hereby, it is possible to compare the contents of the returned byte with the contents of the byte originally transmitted, and thus ensure that the byte was transmitted correctly. This simple procedure makes other error handling procedures such as parity bits unnecessary.

Abstract: It is shown a method and an apparatus for determining a temperature of a battery pack connected via a single communication line to an electric device. The battery pack and electric device both include control and signaling units capable of exchanging digital signal sequences. The batter pack includes an impedance unit having a temperature dependent impedance value. Signaling between the battery pack and the electric device is followed by a sequence of steps where the control and signaling unit of the battery pack is disconnected from the communication line and the temperature dependent impedance unit is connected to the communication line. Electric current is supplied to the impedance unit via the communication line and a voltage level is measured on the communication line. Then an impedance value is calculated based on the supplied current level and the measured voltage level.