Abstract:
A system (200) includes a battery charger (278) and a battery (202). The battery (202) includes a thermistor (230), a voltage identifying element (240), a switch (244), a memory device (232), and a battery data contact (228), connected to a data port of the memory device (232) and the voltage identifying element (240). The voltage identifying element (240) determines a voltage that controls the switch (244). When the switch (244) is enabled, the thermistor (230), connected to a battery clock contact (224), is active and a microprocessor (102) on the battery charger (278) reads the value of the thermistor (230) via an analog-to-digital converter. When the switch (244) is disabled, the thermistor (230) is switched out and the battery clock contact (224) is used to clock the memory device (232). The battery charger (278) has a data contact (226) for receiving the battery data contact (228) and a clock contact (222) for receiving the battery clock contact (224). The battery charger (278) further includes at least two switches (204,206), and the microprocessor (102) is programmed to selectively operate the switches (204,206).
Abstract:
The invention concerns a system (100) and method (300) for charging a battery. The method includes the steps of supplying (312) a charging current to a battery (110), sensing (314) the charging current to the battery and selectively signaling (316) an electronic device (118) from the battery to indicate at least one parameter of the battery as the battery is receiving the charging current. As an example, the charging current can be from a wireless charger (116). In addition, the parameter can be, for example, a charging state of the battery or a predetermined current threshold of the charging current.
Abstract:
A peripheral component (104) is attached to a portable electronic device (102), and indicates an option class of the peripheral component by use of an option select circuit. The option select circuit causes an interrupt to be generated in the portable electronic device, which then determines the option class by changing the logic levels of various option select lines. If an inversion of the logic state of one of the option select lines is detected, then the portable electronic device knows an option select circuit is present, and determines the option class of the peripheral component accordingly.
Abstract:
An apparatus (10) having a portable power source (11) can make use of a plurality of differing charge depleted threshold values (and, in a preferred embodiment, corresponding visual charge-remaining indicators) to determine what level of charge remains in the portable power source (11). This in turn permits the recharging advice as suggested by the visual indicator to better track and reinforce the ordinary recharging behaviors of a given user. So configured, the total lifetime of the portable power source may be extended while also ensuring that the portable power source will be fully charged upon completion of each charging cycle.
Abstract:
A charging system (100) for charging electronic devices. The charging system (100) includes a power distributor (110) and a power receiver (112) in which the power distributor (110) transfers power to the power receiver (112) when the power receiver (112) engages the power distributor (110). The power receiver (112) induces a charging current in an article that is supported by the power receiver (112). The power receiver (112) can include an inductor plate (146) having a first charging coil (148), and the article can be a garment (156) having an embedded electronic device (158). The garment (156) can include a second charging coil (162), and the first charging coil (148) can induce the charging current in the second charging coil (162).