Abstract:
A device (102) contains a battery (116) which is recharged under control of a charge controller (112). An external power supply (104) provides charging current and voltage (106). A linear regulator (110) regulates the raw voltage provided by the external power supply. The device (102) also contains a heat-generating sub-system (118). To prevent excess heat generation while charging the battery, the battery charging regime is altered from a conventional regime when the heat-generating sub-system is active. Once the battery voltage reaches a charge limit (208), charge current is ceased (210) until the battery voltage falls to a lower limit (212), at which time the charging current is recommenced.
Abstract:
A mobile communication device (106) comprising a transceiver (202), and a processor (203) coupled to the transceiver. The processor is programmed to enter (304) an emergency mode corresponding to an alteration type of an element of the mobile communication device, and process (306) messages according to the emergency mode.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a light detection power system (105). The system can include a solar cell charging circuit (120) having at least one solar cell (116) in which the solar cell charging circuit can provide power to a power source (114), a lighting circuit (122) that receives power from the power source and a controller (118) coupled to the solar cell charging circuit and the lighting circuit. The controller can enable the lighting circuit when a power level that the controller detects from the solar cell charging circuit fails to reach a first predetermined threshold. The solar cell charging circuit can include a switch (130) that is controlled by the controller. The controller can further enable the switch when the power level that the controller detects from the solar cell charging circuit reaches a second predetermined threshold.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a system (100) and method (300, 600) of conveying an image (400, 700, 800) position. The method includes the steps of displaying (312, 612) at least a portion of an image on a display (112) and modifying (314, 614) the portion of the image to convey to a user a position of the portion of the image in relation to the entire image. The image can include a background (412) and at least one symbol (410) superimposed on the background. The modifying step can include graduating (316) the contrast of at least a portion of the background in relation to the symbols. In addition, the step of graduating the contrast includes varying (318) at least one of the hue, brightness and saturation of the background.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a method (300) for charging a set of batteries. The method includes the steps of charging (314) a first battery (116) with a charging current from a power supply (138), monitoring (316) a parameter of the first battery during the charging step and selectively diverting (318) at least a portion of the charging current used to charge the first battery to charge a second battery (118). The first and second batteries are charged simultaneously after the parameter of the first battery reaches a predetermined threshold. As an example, the parameter can be a battery voltage or a battery temperature rate.
Abstract:
A lock-and-key system for selectively enabling and disabling a battery charger is provided. The system lock is provided by a Hall effect switch (140) which, when activated, will allow a battery charger (102) to properly charge a battery (106) loaded thereinto. The key for activating the Hall effect switch is a magnet (142) adapted to apply a magnetic field to the Hall effect switch (140). In embodiments in which the Hall effect switch is disposed in the charger, the magnet is disposed in the battery pack. Conversely, when the Hall effect switch is disposed in the battery pack, the magnet is provided in the battery charger.
Abstract:
A battery charging system (200) comprises a battery pack (206) and charger (202). Battery pack (206) includes a thermistor (212) for determining the temperature of battery pack (206) and a zener diode (210) in parallel with the thermistor (212) for informing charger (202) of the current capacity of battery (206) or of another battery parameter. Charger (202) includes a transistor (220) and zener diode (214) for effectively switching between measuring thermistor (212) and zener diode (210) at charger input terminal (224). This effectively reduces the number of battery and charger contacts required to measure two battery parameters as compared to the prior art.
Abstract:
A device (100) has a charging system (102) for coupling to a charger (103) operating in a vehicle, and a processor coupled to the charging system. The processor is programmed to detect a charging state while a user of the device is operating the vehicle, and detect an act by the user to exit the vehicle.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a method (300) and system (100) for selectively charging a battery (112). In one arrangement, the method can include the steps of coupling (311) the battery to a first power supply (114), coupling (311) the battery to a second power supply (116), determining (312) an available charging current parameter for the battery and selectively enabling (314) a charging circuit (120) for the first power supply and a charging circuit (122) for the second power supply based on the available charging current parameter of the battery. The selectively enabling process can be based on maximizing (316) an available charging current of the battery and minimizing (320) a power dissipation of the battery. As an example, the first power supply can be a hard-wired charger (114), and the second power supply can be a wireless charger (116).
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.