US5594319A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Battery pack having theft deterrent circuit
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1996-06-05
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Granted: 1997-01-14
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Expires: 2016-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A battery pack (10) has a memory (26) for storing a password. Upon connecting to a host device (12), or similar load, the battery waits for a data word to be communicated from the host device over a communications channel (22). If an incorrect data word is received a predetermined number of time, or if an initial power time period, as defined by a timer (30), is reached, a switch (16) is opened, thereby disconnecting the battery cell or cells (14) from the load.
Inventors
- 👤 Iilonga P. Thandiwe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:40
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05F; G05F1/00; G05F1/10; G05F1/46; G05F1/56; G05F1/575; H; H01; H01M; H01M50/00; H01M50/50; H01M50/572; H01M50/574; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/40; H02J7/44; H02J7/485; H02J7/60; H02J7/663; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A battery pack, for use with a host device, having a battery current discharge prevention circuit, said battery pack comprising: at least one battery cell; a switch coupled in series with said host device and said at least one battery cell; memory for storing a password; means for comparing a data word received from said host device with said password; and means for controlling said switch, and said switch being opened upon a predetermined number of occurrences of said data word differing from said password.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A battery pack, for use with a host device, having a battery current discharge prevention circuit, said battery pack comprising: at least one battery cell; a switch coupled in series with said host device and said at least one battery cell; memory for storing a password; means for comparing a data word received from said host device with said password; and means for controlling said switch, and said switch being opened upon a predetermined number of occurrences of said data word differing from said password.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A battery pack as defined by claim 1, wherein said switch is a transistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A battery pack as defined in claim 1, wherein said memory is an EEPROM.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A battery pack as defined by claim 1, wherein said means for comparing is a microcontroller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A battery pack as defined by claim 1, wherein said means for controlling is a microcontroller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A battery pack as defined by claim 1, further comprising a timer for defining a lock out time period, and wherein said timer begins said lock out time period after said switch is opened, said means for controlling closing said switch upon the occurrence of the end of said lock out time period.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
A battery pack for powering a host device and having a battery current discharge prevention circuit, said battery pack comprising: at least one battery cell; a switch coupled in series with said host device and said at least one battery cell; a microcontroller circuit having a timer, a memory for storing a password, a communications circuit for receiving a data word from said host device, and a logic circuit for comparing said data word with said password; and wherein said timer provides an initial power time period, said microcontroller opening said switch upon either of a predetermined number of occurrences of said data word differing from said password, or the expiration of said initial power time period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
117 words
A battery pack for powering a host device and having a battery current discharge prevention circuit, said battery pack comprising: at least one battery cell; a switch coupled in series with said host device and said at least one battery cell; a microcontroller circuit having a timer, a memory for storing a password, a communications circuit for receiving a data word from said host device, and a logic circuit for comparing said data word with said password; and wherein said timer provides an initial power time period, said microcontroller opening said switch upon either of a predetermined number of occurrences of said data word differing from said password, or the expiration of said initial power time period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A battery pack as defined by claim 7, wherein said switch is a transistor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A battery pack as defined in claim 7, wherein said timer further provides a lock out time period, said microcontroller closing said switch upon he expiration of said lock out time period.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A battery pack as defined by claim 7, wherein said memory is non-volatile.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of preventing use or current discharge of a battery pack by an unauthorized user, said battery pack comprising at least one battery cell, a switch coupled in series with a host device and said at least one battery cell, and a memory for storing a password, said method comprising the steps of: detecting the occurrence of electrically connecting said battery pack with said host device; timing an initial power time period beginning upon completing said step of detecting; receiving a data word from said host device upon completing said step of detecting; comparing said data word with said password upon completing said step of receiving; opening said switch upon either a predetermined number of occurrences of said data word differing from said password, or the expiration of said initial power period.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of preventing use or current discharge of a battery pack by an unauthorized user, said battery pack comprising at least one battery cell, a switch coupled in series with a host device and said at least one battery cell, and a memory for storing a password, said method comprising the steps of: detecting the occurrence of electrically connecting said battery pack with said host device; timing an initial power time period beginning upon completing said step of detecting; receiving a data word from said host device upon completing said step of detecting; comparing said data word with said password upon completing said step of receiving; opening said switch upon either a predetermined number of occurrences of said data word differing from said password, or the expiration of said initial power period.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method of preventing use of a battery pack as defined by claim 11, further comprising the steps of: beginning a lock out time period upon performing said step of opening; and closing said switch after the expiration of said lock out time period.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-07-15 | 2001-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-14 | 2004-07-15 | 2005-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-14 | 2008-07-15 | 2009-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |