Battery pack with built in communication port

• US 20040263117A1
• Filed: 06/30/2003
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Yakhnich, Vladimir, Kogan, Eduard
• Granted Patent: US 7,019,420 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/114
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A system and method for providing a communication port integral with a battery pack assembly is disclosed. The system provides a pathway between an external unit and a host unit via a printed circuit board of the battery pack. The battery pack can include communication ports mounted on the printed circuit board for interfacing with external units. The printed circuit board further includes a substrate(s) formed with a predetermined wiring pattern electrically and/or mechanically joined to the CPU of the host unit, as well as the battery cell(s).

Claims

1. A power supply battery pack for providing power to a host unit, comprising:

a battery cell assembly;

a printed circuit board; and

a port coupled to the printed circuit board for transferring at least one of a signal and communication data from an external unit to a CPU of the host unit.

2. The power supply of claim 1, the port comprising a communication port.

3. The power supply of claim 1, the port charges the battery cell assembly.

4. The power supply of claim 1, the port is integral with the printed circuit board.

5. The power supply of claim 1, the port comprising a flexible joint.

6. A battery pack system that provides power to a portable terminal comprising:

a printed circuit board encased within a battery housing, that passes signals between an external unit and the portable terminal, and

a communication port connected to the printed circuit board.

7. The battery pack system of claim 6, the printed circuit board comprising a flexible printed circuit board.

8. The battery pack system of claim 7, the flexible printed circuit board comprising electrode bumps.

9. The battery pack system of claim 6, the printed circuit board extending substantially parallel to a battery cell of the battery pack.

10. The battery pack system of claim 6, the battery housing comprising a top housing and a bottom housing.

11. The battery pack system of claim 9, the battery cell kept in a spaced position relative to the circuit board via a latch member.

12. The battery pack system of claim 6, the communication port mounted on a side of the printed circuit board.

13. The battery pack system of claim 6, the signals comprising communication data.

14. The battery pack system of claim 11, the battery cell coupled to the circuit board.

15. The battery pack system of claim 14, the battery cell powers the portable terminal via the printed circuit board.

16. A method for a portable terminal having a battery pack, to communicate with an external unit assembly comprising:

receiving a signal form the external unit at a communication port coupled to a printed circuit board of the battery pack;

transferring the signal via the printed circuit board to the portable terminal.

17. A battery pack for a mobile terminal comprising:

a communication port mounted on a printed circuit board of the battery pack; and

,

means for transferring the signal to the portable terminal.

18. A mobile terminal comprising:

a bar code reader; and

a battery pack compartment that accepts a battery pack assembly including a communication port integral therewith.

19. The mobile terminal of claim 19, the battery pack assembly further comprising a printed circuit board with a predetermined wiring pattern for a communication pathway between an external unit and the host unit.

20. The mobile terminal of claim 19, the battery pack assembly further comprising an access for connection of the circuit board to a back plane or external devices.