Smart battery selector offering power conversion internally within a portable device
US5903764A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 11, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 2, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R31/36
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A controller for a smart battery selector included in a portable device has a plurality of switch-drivers at least equal to a plurality of smart batteries. The batteries provide battery-state data via a bus to a host computer included in the portable device. Each switch-driver effects selection of an associated battery. A control electronic-circuit in the controller directs operation of the switch-drivers for selecting the battery so that at any instant only one battery powers the portable device. A bus-snooper circuit permits the controller to independently monitor the bus for battery-condition alarm-messages. The controller may respond to such messages by selecting a different battery. The controller may also select a single battery for recharging, and may terminate charging upon receiving a battery overcharge message.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.