Abstract: A charger system (100) for charging a battery power source for a portable host device (102) is provided. The charger system includes a charger circuit (202). The charger circuit operates to communicate a charge status. The charge status can be selected from a charge status group including a charging status and a charge completed status. Further, the charger system includes a battery (108) coupled between the portable host device and the charger circuit. The battery includes a switch circuit (206) operating to switch communication to the portable host device in response to the charge status communicated from the charge circuit. The charger system also includes the portable host device.

Abstract: An intrinsic safety approach is provided for a battery powered communication device. Sparking is prevented at radio contacts during attachment and removal of a battery (104, 204, 304, 404) from a radio (102, 202, 302, 402) through the use of switches (112, 212, 312, 412/424) to isolate the radio capacitors from the radio contacts and/or dissipate energy from the radio capacitor through a discharge resistor (214, 314, 414).

Abstract: A system for detecting liquid on a battery or on an electronic device connected with the battery is presented. The battery has an electrical contact for transferring current from the battery to the electronic device. The system includes a sensor for detecting liquid on the battery or on the electronic device and sensor circuitry connected with the sensor. The sensor circuitry prevents current from flowing through the electrical contact of the battery upon detecting liquid.

Abstract: An intrinsic safety approach is provided for a battery powered communication device. Sparking is prevented at radio contacts during attachment and removal of a battery (104, 204, 304, 404) from a radio (102, 202, 302, 402) through the use of switches (112, 212, 312, 412/424) to isolate the radio capacitors from the radio contacts and/or dissipate energy from the radio capacitor through a discharge resistor (214, 314, 414).

Abstract: A system for detecting liquid on a battery or on an electronic device connected with the battery is presented. The battery has an electrical contact for transferring current from the battery to the electronic device. The system includes a sensor for detecting liquid on the battery or on the electronic device and sensor circuitry connected with the sensor. The sensor circuitry prevents current from flowing through the electrical contact of the battery upon detecting liquid.

Abstract: A charger system (100) for charging a battery power source for a portable host device (102) is provided. The charger system includes a charger circuit (202). The charger circuit operates to communicate a charge status. The charge status can be selected from a charge status group including a charging status and a charge completed status. Further, the charger system includes a battery (108) coupled between the portable host device and the charger circuit. The battery includes a switch circuit (206) operating to switch communication to the portable host device in response to the charge status communicated from the charge circuit. The charger system also includes the portable host device.

Abstract: A method for determining time to completion is provided for a battery charging system. The system preferably includes a charger having a microprocessor and a battery with a memory. The memory includes information about the battery, including battery identifiers, charging states, charging procedures and charging termination information. The charger reads this battery and then determines the charging states associated with the battery. The charger then determines the present state of charge, and calculates a time to completion for that state. The charger then determines times to completion for the remaining charge states, optionally compensating for self discharge within the battery. A total time to completion is determined by summing the times to completion for the respective charging states.

Abstract: This invention includes an adaptor that facilitates reconditioning and charging of non-smart batteries in smart chargers. The adaptor includes a mechanical and electrical interface to the host-side of a non-smart battery, thereby bypassing any protection diode. The adaptor further includes at least one memory device that identifies the adaptor to a smart charger as an adaptor. Upon insertion, the smart charger reads the memory device in the adaptor begins the reconditioning process. The reconditioning process includes discharging the non-smart battery to a predetermined voltage stored memory device. The smart charger then waits a predefined period and begins charging the non-smart battery, preferably at a constant current. Charging is terminated at a V-peak inflection. Upon completion of charging, the smart charger may trickle charge for a time, and then indicates charge is completed.

Abstract: This invention includes a method for charging lithium-based batteries. Battery type is identified by a charger by way of a third terminal. For nickel-based cells, the third terminal is coupled to a thermistor for sensing temperature. For lithium-based cells, the third terminal is coupled to the rechargeable cell disposed within the battery pack. If a nickel cell is identified, the cell is charged by conventional means. If a lithium cell is identified, the charger applies a full current until any serial elements disposed between the battery pack terminals and the cell reach a high impedance state. The charger then reduces the charging current to a low level for a predetermined time. After this time has elapsed, the charger then reapplies a high current. If the voltage across the serial elements remains low, charging continues. However, if the voltage across the serial elements exceeds a predetermined threshold, the charger then decrements the current by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: This invention includes an adaptor that facilitates reconditioning and charging of non-smart batteries in smart chargers. The adaptor includes a mechanical and electrical interface to the host-side of a non-smart battery, thereby bypassing any protection diode. The adaptor further includes at least one memory device that identifies the adaptor to a smart charger as an adaptor. Upon insertion, the smart charger reads the memory device in the adaptor begins the reconditioning process. The reconditioning process includes discharging the non-smart battery to a predetermined voltage stored memory device. The smart charger then waits a predefined period and begins charging the non-smart battery, preferably at a constant current. Charging is terminated at a V-peak inflection. Upon completion of charging, the smart charger may trickle charge for a time, and then indicates charge is completed.

Abstract: This invention includes a method for charging lithium-based batteries. Battery type is identified by a charger by way of a third terminal. For nickel-based cells, the third terminal is coupled to a thermistor for sensing temperature. For lithium-based cells, the third terminal is coupled to the rechargeable cell disposed within the battery pack. If a nickel cell is identified, the cell is charged by conventional means. If a lithium cell is identified, the charger applies a full current until any serial elements disposed between the battery pack terminals and the cell reach a high impedance state. The charger then reduces the charging current to a low level for a predetermined time. After this time has elapsed, the charger then reapplies a high current. If the voltage across the serial elements remains low, charging continues. However, if the voltage across the serial elements exceeds a predetermined threshold, the charger then decrements the current by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: This invention includes a method that allows a charger to quickly identify a battery pack. Once the battery pack has been identified, the invention allows the charger to determine whether prior charging processes should be resumed, or whether the charging cycle should be started anew. In one preferred embodiment, the battery includes a memory device having a unique identifier like a serial number, for instance. When the battery is coupled to the charger, the charger identifies the battery and queries the charger memory. If the battery has been disconnected from the charger for more than a predetermined amount of time, the charger presumes the battery has been depleted and starts the charging cycle from the beginning. If the battery has been disconnected for a short period of time, the charger presumes that the battery has not been greatly depleted and begins the previous charging process that was running when the battery was disconnected from the charger.

Abstract: This invention includes an apparatus and method of initiating reconditioning of a rechargeable battery cell without an auxiliary mechanical switch. When a battery is inserted into the charger, the charger identifies the battery. The charger determines whether to charge or recondition the battery based upon factors like chemistry and prior usage. The charger then begins either a charge or reconditioning cycle and indicates such to the user. The user may override the charger's decision by removing the battery from the pocket, at which time the charger starts a window timer. If the battery is reinserted prior to the expiration of the window timer, the charger stops the charge or reconditioning cycle and begins the corresponding opposite, i.e. it stops charging and begins reconditioning, or it stops reconditioning and begins charging.

Abstract: A battery charger (12) is used for recharging a battery pack (10) when the battery pack is placed in a charging pocket (14). The battery pack generates heat upon being recharged, which is collected by a probe (22). The probe senses the temperature and changes in temperature of the battery pack by means of a temperature sensing element disposed (54) therein. The temperature sensing element provides an electrical signal indicative of the temperature of the battery pack to a charging circuit (58). The charging circuit, upon sensing sufficient temperature conditions, modifies the operation of the charger such that only low rate currents are thereafter applied to the battery pack.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for battery charging, a battery charger (20) charges a battery (11), preferably in a battery pack (10), by providing an initial battery charging current (I.sub.1) and terminating the initial charging current at a time t.sub.2 in response to a measured battery condition (for example, battery temperature rate of change; Delta T/Delta t) exceeding a limit. A battery parameter, preferably battery voltage, is measured at the time t.sub.2 and stored as a limit (V.sub.peak). After t.sub.2, battery charging current is provided in accordance with a predetermined criteria and battery charging current is altered (to I.sub.3 ; or to I.sub.1) in response to comparing a measured battery parameter, preferably battery voltage, after t.sub.2 to a threshold (V.sub.peak ; or V.sub.peak -Delta V) based on the stored limit (V.sub.peak). Preferably, rapid battery charging is implemented in response to a comparison of a measured battery parameter, preferably battery voltage, after the time t.sub.