Patent US5592069A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5592069A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Battery charger
Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products Inc
•
Filing: 1992-10-07
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Granted: 1997-01-07
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Expires: 2012-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A battery charger with charging parameter values derived from communication with a battery pack to be charged. Communication is over a one-wire bus with battery pack transmissions in response to charger inquiries. The battery charger may be in the form an integrated circuit driving a power transistor or other controllable DC supply. A battery pack may contain a program with multiple charging currents and charging interval termination methods such as time, temperature rise, and incremental voltage polarity. A lack of communication may be invoke a default charging program or denial of access to the charger. The charger also communicates over a high-speed three-wire bus with an external computer for analysis of identification information acquired from the battery and for control of the charger.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald R. Dias
- 👤 Robert D. Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K7/00; G01K7/02; G01K7/10; G01K7/12; G01K7/13; H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/425; H01M10/4257; H01M10/48; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/40; H02J7/44; H02J7/485; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 90
Claim 1
Independent Claim
45 words
A battery charging system, comprising a battery charger; a battery pack including: at least one rechargeable battery cell and a memory having stored therein charge instructions; said charge instructions comprising information instructing said battery charger of procedures for charging the at least one battery cell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
45 words
A battery charging system, comprising a battery charger; a battery pack including: at least one rechargeable battery cell and a memory having stored therein charge instructions; said charge instructions comprising information instructing said battery charger of procedures for charging the at least one battery cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
The battery charging system of claim 1, said battery charger comprising: (a1) a current source coupled to said battery pack to charge said rechargeable battery cell(s); (a2) a communication bus; and (a3) a controller controlling said current source in response to said charge instructions, said controller comprising communication circuitry electrically coupled to said communication bus; (a4) wherein said controller receives said charge instructions stored in said memory of said battery pack via a communication module electrically coupled to said communication bus and further wherein said controller executes and follows said charge instructions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The battery charging system of claim 2, wherein: (a) said current source further comprising a current level detector with an output electrically coupled to said controller; and (b) said charge instructions comprising information pertaining to a current level detected by said current level detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The battery charging system of claim 2, wherein: (a) said controller further comprising a voltage level detector to detect battery voltage level of said battery(ies); and (b) said charge instructions comprising information pertaining to a voltage level detected by said voltage level detector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The battery charging system of claim 2, wherein: (a) said controller further comprising a comparator to detect changes in voltages of said rechargeable battery cell(s); and (b) said charge instructions comprising information pertaining to a voltage range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The battery charging system of claim 2, wherein: (a) said controller comprising a temperature comparator connected to at least one temperature sensor input terminal is electrically coupled to at least one temperature sensor; and (b) said charge instructions comprising a temperature increment determined by said temperature comparator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The battery charging system of claim 2 wherein: (a) said controller receiving an identification signal from said battery pack, said controller uses said identification signal to permit access to said battery pack.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The battery charging system of claim 1, wherein said charge instructions are comprised of information selected from the group consisting of temperature ranges, voltage levels, current levels, and any combination thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
101 words
The battery charging system of claim 1, wherein said battery charger comprises a (a) a current control output terminal; (b) a communication terminal; and (c) a controller connected to said current control output terminals, wherein said controller comprises communication circuitry to receive said charge instructions from said battery pack via a communication channel, said communication circuitry having a communication module electrically coupled to said communication terminal, and wherein said controller further comprises a driver connected to said current control output terminal and which can control a current source to charge said rechargeable battery cell(s), said driver controlled by said charge instructions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The battery charging system of claim 9, wherein said communication circuitry provides power at said communication terminal to said communication module.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
159 words
The battery charging system of claim 9, wherein said controller comprising a voltage level detector electrically coupled to a voltage level input terminal, said controller comprising a current level detector electrically coupled to a first and a second current level detector input terminal, said controller comprising a first temperature sensor electrically coupled to a first temperature input terminal, said controller comprising second communication circuitry electrically coupled to a second communication terminal, wherein said charge instructions comprise information selected from the group consisting of voltage level, current level, temperature levels, identification information, and any combination thereof; and wherein said controller acquires temperature information from said first temperature sensor, voltage information from said voltage level input terminal, and identification information from communication over said second communication terminal, and said controller can follow said charge instructions in conjunction with outputs of said voltage level detector, said current level detector, and said first temperature sensors, and said identification information to control said driver.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The battery charging system of claim 11, further comprising a second temperature sensor, said second temperature sensor electrically coupled to a second temperature input terminal, wherein said controller acquires temperature information from said second temperature sensor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The battery charger system of claim 11, further wherein said communication channel comprises a data wire and a ground wire.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The battery charging system of claim 11, further wherein said communication channel comprises exactly one electrical connection and said communication circuitry housed in said controller and said communication module housed in said communication module provides a multiplexed interface for said one electrical connection therebetween.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The battery charging system of claim 1, wherein said rechargeable battery cell(s) together form a battery, said battery having a battery chemistry selected from the group consisting of lithium, nickel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The battery charging system of claim 1, wherein said rechargeable battery cell(s) are used to power a host system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The battery charging system of claim 1, wherein said host system is a personal computer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The battery charging system of claim 1, wherein said rechargeable battery cell(s) when combined form a battery, said battery weighing just a few pounds and delivering 4-12 volts.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The battery charging system of claim 1, wherein said procedures are selected from the group consisting of constant current charging at various current levels, trickle charging, and any combination thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The battery charging system of claim 1, wherein said memory is selected from the group consisting of nonvolatile ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, and any combination thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The battery charging system of claim 1, wherein said battery charger communicates with a host system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The battery charging system of claim 21, wherein said battery charger communicates with a host system via a bus.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The battery charging system of claim 21, wherein said bus is a three-wire bus.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The battery charging system of claim 1, wherein said memory is electrically coupled to a memory power supply.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The battery charging system of claim 24, wherein said memory power supply is distinct from said rechargeable battery cell(s).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The battery charging system of claim 24, wherein said memory power supply is distinct from a system power supply powering said battery charger.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
43 words
The battery charging system of claim 1, wherein said battery pack has a second memory to store an identification code, said battery charger decodes said identification code to determine whether said battery charger should charge said rechargeable battery cell(s) on said battery pack.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
A battery pack, comprising at least one rechargeable battery cell and at least one memory having stored therein charge instructions; said charge instructions comprising information instructing a battery charger of procedures for charging the at least one rechargeable battery cell.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
A battery pack, comprising at least one rechargeable battery cell and at least one memory having stored therein charge instructions; said charge instructions comprising information instructing a battery charger of procedures for charging the at least one rechargeable battery cell.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
80 words
The battery pack of claim 28, wherein said charge instructions comprise charging information selected from the group consisting of a current level used to charge said rechargeable battery cell(s), a voltage level corresponding to said rechargeable battery cell(s), voltage ranges corresponding to changes in a voltage level(s) of said rechargeable battery cell(s), temperature ranges corresponding to a temperature(s) of said rechargeable battery cell(s) and to an ambient temperature, identification code(s) corresponding to said rechargeable battery cell(s), and any combination thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The battery pack of claim 28, wherein said rechargeable battery cell(s) form a battery, said battery having a battery chemistry are selected from the group consisting of lithium, nickel-cadmium, or nickel metal hydride.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The battery pack of claim 28, wherein said rechargeable battery cell(s) are used to power a host system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The battery pack of claim 31, wherein said host system is a personal computer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The battery pack of claim 28, wherein said rechargeable battery cell(s) form a battery, said battery weighing just a few pounds and delivering 4-12 volts.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The battery pack of claim 28, wherein said procedures are selected from the group consisting of constant current charging at various current levels, trickle charging, and for and combination thereof.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The battery pack of claim 28, wherein said memory is selected from the group consisting of nonvolatile ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, and any combination thereof.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The battery pack of claim 28, wherein said memory is electrically coupled to a memory power supply.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The battery pack of claim 28, wherein said battery pack has a second memory to store an identification code.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said information comprises digital information.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said battery pack is adapted to power a personal computer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said battery pack is adapted to power a cellular telephone.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said battery pack is adapted to power a video camera.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said battery pack is adapted to power an electronic device.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said battery pack is adapted to power an electrically operated device that uses a rechargeable battery.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
A battery charging system comprising: means for receiving information from a rechargeable battery; and means for selecting one of a plurality of procedures for charging said rechargeable battery based upon said received information.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
33 words
A battery charging system comprising: means for receiving information from a rechargeable battery; and means for selecting one of a plurality of procedures for charging said rechargeable battery based upon said received information.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
A battery charger comprising: means for receiving charge instructions from a rechargeable battery; and means for selecting a procedure for charging said rechargeable battery based upon said charge instructions.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
A battery charger comprising: means for receiving charge instructions from a rechargeable battery; and means for selecting a procedure for charging said rechargeable battery based upon said charge instructions.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
34 words
A battery charger comprising: means for charging a conventional rechargeable battery; and means for selecting a procedure for charging a rechargeable battery, having a memory associated therewith, based upon information received from the memory.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
34 words
A battery charger comprising: means for charging a conventional rechargeable battery; and means for selecting a procedure for charging a rechargeable battery, having a memory associated therewith, based upon information received from the memory.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
32 words
A circuit which is useable in a battery charger, said circuit comprising: means for receiving charge instructions from a rechargeable battery; and means for controlling charging procedures based upon said charge instructions.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
32 words
A circuit which is useable in a battery charger, said circuit comprising: means for receiving charge instructions from a rechargeable battery; and means for controlling charging procedures based upon said charge instructions.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
47 words
A circuit which is useable in a rechargeable battery pack, said circuit comprising: means to provide information to a charger circuit; and means to cause the selection of a procedure to provide a charge to said battery pack based at least in part on said provided information.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
47 words
A circuit which is useable in a rechargeable battery pack, said circuit comprising: means to provide information to a charger circuit; and means to cause the selection of a procedure to provide a charge to said battery pack based at least in part on said provided information.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
57 words
A battery management circuit comprising: means to couple said battery management circuit to a rechargeable battery pack; memory means associated with said battery management circuit, having stored therein identification data; and means for communicating the identification data to a battery charger, the identification data enabling the charger to select a procedure for charging the rechargeable battery pack.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
57 words
A battery management circuit comprising: means to couple said battery management circuit to a rechargeable battery pack; memory means associated with said battery management circuit, having stored therein identification data; and means for communicating the identification data to a battery charger, the identification data enabling the charger to select a procedure for charging the rechargeable battery pack.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
43 words
A battery management circuit for a battery, said battery management circuit comprising: an interface to a battery charger; and means for transmitting information to said battery charger, said transmitted information used by said battery charger to select a procedure for charging said battery.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
43 words
A battery management circuit for a battery, said battery management circuit comprising: an interface to a battery charger; and means for transmitting information to said battery charger, said transmitted information used by said battery charger to select a procedure for charging said battery.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
41 words
A battery pack comprising: at least one rechargeable battery cell and at least one memory having stored therein information; said information comprising address information for accessing a procedure for a battery charger to charge the at least one rechargeable battery cell.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
41 words
A battery pack comprising: at least one rechargeable battery cell and at least one memory having stored therein information; said information comprising address information for accessing a procedure for a battery charger to charge the at least one rechargeable battery cell.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
44 words
A battery pack comprising: at least one rechargeable battery cell and at least one memory having stored therein identification data; said identification data providing a battery charger with information as to selection of a procedure for charging said at least one rechargeable battery cell.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
44 words
A battery pack comprising: at least one rechargeable battery cell and at least one memory having stored therein identification data; said identification data providing a battery charger with information as to selection of a procedure for charging said at least one rechargeable battery cell.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
36 words
A battery pack comprising: means for coupling said battery pack to a system that implements procedures for charging batteries; and means for conveying information to said system, which information is used to affect the charging procedure.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
36 words
A battery pack comprising: means for coupling said battery pack to a system that implements procedures for charging batteries; and means for conveying information to said system, which information is used to affect the charging procedure.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
15 words
The battery pack of claim 53, wherein said information comprises at least battery-capacity monitor information.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
14 words
The battery pack of claim 53, wherein said information comprises at least charge instructions.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
18 words
The battery pack of claim 53, wherein said information comprises at least data used for selecting charge instructions.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
34 words
A battery management circuit comprising: means for coupling to a system that implements procedures for charging batteries; and means for conveying information to said system, which information is used to affect the charging procedure.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
34 words
A battery management circuit comprising: means for coupling to a system that implements procedures for charging batteries; and means for conveying information to said system, which information is used to affect the charging procedure.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
16 words
The battery management circuit of claim 57, wherein said information comprises at least battery-capacity monitor information.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
15 words
The battery management circuit of claim 57, wherein said information comprises at least charge instructions.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
19 words
The battery management circuit of claim 57, wherein said information comprises at least data used for selecting charge instructions.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
40 words
A method for charging a battery cell within a battery pack, said method comprising the steps of: receiving information from said battery pack; and selecting a charging procedure for said at least one battery cell based upon the received information.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
40 words
A method for charging a battery cell within a battery pack, said method comprising the steps of: receiving information from said battery pack; and selecting a charging procedure for said at least one battery cell based upon the received information.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
48 words
A method for providing for the charging of a battery cell within a battery pack, said method comprising the steps of: providing for receiving information from said battery pack; and providing for selecting a charging procedure for said at lean one battery cell based upon the received information.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
48 words
A method for providing for the charging of a battery cell within a battery pack, said method comprising the steps of: providing for receiving information from said battery pack; and providing for selecting a charging procedure for said at lean one battery cell based upon the received information.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 61, wherein said information is received in digital form.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 62, wherein said information is received in digital form.
Claim 80
Independent Claim
48 words
A method for providing for the charging of a battery cell within a battery pack, said method comprising the steps of: providing for transmitting information from said battery pack; and providing for selecting a charging procedure for said at least one battery cell based upon said received information.
Claim 81
Independent Claim
48 words
A method for providing for the charging of a battery cell within a battery pack, said method comprising the steps of: providing for transmitting information from said battery pack; and providing for selecting a charging procedure for said at least one battery cell based upon said received information.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 65, wherein said information is transmitted in digital form.
Claim 83
Independent Claim
17 words
The method of claims 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 or 66, wherein said information comprises identification information.
Claim 84
Independent Claim
17 words
The method of claims 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 or 66, wherein said information comprises address information.
Claim 85
Independent Claim
44 words
A method for charging a rechargeable battery pack including at least one battery cell, said method comprising the steps of: storing information in said rechargeable battery pack, said stored information instructing a battery charger of procedures for charging said at least one battery cell.
Claim 86
Independent Claim
44 words
A method for charging a rechargeable battery pack including at least one battery cell, said method comprising the steps of: storing information in said rechargeable battery pack, said stored information instructing a battery charger of procedures for charging said at least one battery cell.
Claim 87
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for enabling the charging of a rechargeable battery pack including at least one battery cell, said method comprising the steps of: providing for the storing of information in said rechargeable battery pack; and providing for instructing a battery charger of procedures for charging said at least one battery cell based at least in pan on said stored information.
Claim 88
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for enabling the charging of a rechargeable battery pack including at least one battery cell, said method comprising the steps of: providing for the storing of information in said rechargeable battery pack; and providing for instructing a battery charger of procedures for charging said at least one battery cell based at least in pan on said stored information.
Claim 89
Independent Claim
43 words
A method for charging a rechargeable battery pack including at least one battery cell, said method comprising the steps of: storing procedures for charging battery cells in said battery charger; and selecting a procedure based upon information received from said rechargeable battery pack.
Claim 90
Independent Claim
43 words
A method for charging a rechargeable battery pack including at least one battery cell, said method comprising the steps of: storing procedures for charging battery cells in said battery charger; and selecting a procedure based upon information received from said rechargeable battery pack.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-07 | 2000-07-08 | 2001-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-07 | 2004-07-08 | 2005-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-07 | 2008-07-08 | 2009-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |