Abstract:
An apparatus supporting both identification of a battery type and communications over an interface between a battery and an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a processor for communicating with communications circuitry of the battery. Identification circuitry associated with the processor enables a determination of the type of battery with which the electronic device is connected. If a "smart" battery capable of carrying out serial communications with the electronic device is connected, the electronic device further provides means for carrying out communications between the processor and the communication circuitry of the battery.
Abstract:
A message is communicated from a first short-range transceiver device to other short-range transceiver devices by determining a set of identifiers of other short-range transceiver devices known by the short-range transceiver device to be within direct communication range of the first short-range transceiver device. An outbound served nodes list is created that includes identifiers of other short-range transceiver devices known either to already have encountered the message or to be members of the set of identifiers. The message and the outbound served nodes list are incorporated into an outbound data structure. For each short-range transceiver whose identifier is a member of the set of identifiers, a previously nonexisting communication link is initiated; the outbound data structure is transmitted to the short-range transceiver; and in response to a completed delivery of the outbound data structure, the communication link is terminated.
Abstract:
An apparatus supporting both identification of a battery type and communications over an interface between a battery and an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a processor for communicating with communications circuitry of the battery. Identification circuitry associated with the processor enables a determination of the type of battery with which the electronic device is connected. If a "smart" battery capable of carrying out serial communications with the electronic device is connected, the electronic device further provides means for carrying out communications between the processor and the communication circuitry of the battery.
Abstract:
A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAINTENANCE CHARGING A BATTERY IS DISCLOSED. A BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED USING CONVENTIONAL CC-CV TECHNIQUES AND SUBSEQUENTLY IS MAINTENANCE CHARGED BY APPLYING (210, 220) A FIRST MAINTENANCE VOLTAGE (VM, 1) TO THE BATTERY FOR A FIRST PREDETERMINED TIME PERIOD. IF DESIRED, A SECOND MAINTENANCE VOLTAGE (VM, 2) MAY BE APPLIED (230, 240) TO THE BATTERY FOR A SECOND PREDETERMINED TIME PERIOD. AN APPARATUS FOR MAINTENANCE CHARGING A BATTERY UTILIZES A TIMER AND A CHARGE CONTROLLER TO APPLY A MAINTENANCE VOLTAGE TO A BATTERY FOR A PREDETERMINED TIME PERIOD. (FIGURE 2)
Abstract:
In a method of controlling a vibrator, the vibrator is first driven towards a first frequency during a first interval and then is driven towards a second frequency during a second interval. In a preferred embodiment the first frequency is higher than the lowest resonance frequency of the vibrator and the vibrator is then allowed to reduce the frequency to a frequency lower than the resonance frequency. By letting the frequency vary in a pulsating manner in the vibrating device, the vibration can be sensed more easily by a human, and thereby making it possible to use a very small mass in the vibrating device, which therefore can be made using a small weight, while still making it possible to sense the vibration.
Abstract:
A battery charger charges a battery in a portable chargeable electronic device, such as a cellular phone, with a long-term-constant current, even while the device is used. The charging current is controlled by circuitry in the portable device, avoiding the need for control circuitry in the battery charger or battery. A battery-charger connector that corresponds to the type of battery in the portable device is keyed to fit only a charger that matches the type of battery, thus assuring proper charging of the battery. Alternatively, a simple contact connects the battery charger to the battery. A belt clip covers the battery-charger connector when the battery charger is disconnected to prevent short-circuiting the battery.
Abstract:
A voltage/current regulator regulates charging of a rechargeable battery in a portable apparatus that includes a transistor and a controller means coupled to the transistor for controlling the charging current to the battery. The controller determines the power dissipation in the transistor of the regulator. If the power dissipation is above a maximum allowed power dissipation, the controller decreases the charging current by a particular current step. Otherwise, the controller determines if the power dissipation will exceed the maximum allowed power dissipation if the charging current is increased by the current step. If not, the controller increases the charging current by the current step.
Abstract:
AN APPARATUS SUPPORTING BOTH IDENTIFICATION OF A BATTERY TYPE (15) AND COMMUNICATIONS OVER AN INTERFACE BETWEEN A BATTERY (15) AND AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE (10) IS DISCLOSED. THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE (10) INCLUDES A PROCESSOR (60) FOR COMMUNICATING WITH COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITRY OF THE BATTERY (15). IDENTIFICATION CIRCUITRY (70) ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROCESSOR (60) ENABLES A DETERMINATION OF THE TYPE OF BATTERY (15) WITH WHICH THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE (10) IS CONNECTED. IF A "SMART" BATTERY CAPABLE OF CARRYING OUT SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE (10) IS CONNECTED, THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE (10) FURTHER PROVIDES MEANS FOR CARRYING OUT COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE PROCESSOR (60) AND THE COMMUNICATION CIRCUITY OF THE BATTERY (15). FIG 1.