BATTERY PACK CONTAINING COMMUNICATION ELECTRONICS

• US 20160049697A1
• Filed: 08/05/2015
• Published: 02/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apollo America Inc. (Halma PLC)
• Original Assignee: Apollo America Inc. (Halma PLC)
• Inventors: McGee, Rochelle
• Granted Patent: US 9,768,475 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/10 Actuation by presence of smoke or gases , e.g. automatic alarm devices for analysing flowing fluid materials by the use of optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/117 by using a detection device for specific gases, e.g. combustion products, produced by the fire G08B17/103, G08B17/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• 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: H01M 50/247 specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/296 characterised by terminals of battery packs terminals of batteries H01M50/543
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A communication electronics module is provided having a casing like a conventional battery and includes terminals which enable the module to fit into a battery socket. The module may also be incorporated into a single-cell battery or a multiple-cell battery pack. The module communicates with both the battery, the electronic device powered by the battery and other remote electronics devices.

Claims

1. A communication electronics module comprising:

a casing having a positive circuit terminal and a negative circuit terminal;

a sensor for sensing a signal generated by an electronic device, the sensor being disposed in the casing and electrically connected to the terminals of the casing;

a transmitter for transmitting a signal upon sensing the signal from the electronic device, the transmitter being disposed in the casing and electrically connected to the terminals of the casing; and

wherein the casing is configured to fit in a battery socket such that the communication electronics module is electrically connected to the battery socket through the terminals of the casing.

2. The communication electronics module of claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits the signal to a remote receiver.

3. The communication electronics module of claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits an audio signal of its own.

4. The communication electronics module of claim 1, wherein the transmission is wired or wireless.

5. The communication electronics module of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a microphone or a vibration sensor.

6. The communication electronics module of claim 1, wherein the casing is metallic.

7. The communication electronics module of claim 1, wherein the signal generated by the electronic device is an audio signal.

8. The communication electronics module of claim 1, wherein the signal transmitted by the transmitter is an audio signal.

9. The communication electronics module of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver for transmitting a signal to a remote receiver upon sensing the signal from the electronic device, and for receiving an acknowledgement signal from the remote receiver after the remote receiver receives the signal transmitted by the transceiver, the transceiver being disposed in the casing and electrically connected to the terminals of the casing.

10. The communication electronics module of claim 1, wherein the module is configured to fit in a single slot of a multiple-slot battery socket and when other slots of the multiple-slot battery socket is filled with batteries, the module is powered by the batteries.

11. The communication electronics module of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery cell disposed in the casing and electrically connected to the terminals of the casing; and

wherein the communication electronics module is powered by the battery cell.

12. The communication electronics module of claim 11, wherein the electronic device is electrically connected to the communication electronics module and powered by the battery cell in the communication electronics module.

13. The communication electronics module of claim 1, wherein the module is operable to turn off the signal from the transceiver upon receiving the acknowledgement signal.

14. The communication electronics module of claim 12, further comprising a micro-switch for sensing the connection between the module and the electronic device.

15. The communication electronics module of claim 12, further comprising a switch for connecting or disconnecting the battery cell from the electronic device.

16. The communication electronics module of claim 1, further comprising a memory.

17. The communication electronics module of claim 1, wherein the signal from the transceiver is an Internet signal.

18. The communication electronics module of claim 11, further comprising a monitoring circuit for monitoring battery life of the battery cell.

19. The communication electronics module of claim 1, further comprising a compensating circuit for a lithium battery.

20. A battery pack comprising:

a communication electronics module comprising

a casing having a positive circuit terminal and a negative circuit terminal,

a sensor for sensing a signal generated by an electronic device, the sensor being disposed in the casing and electrically connected to the terminals of the casing,

a transmitter for transmitting a signal upon sensing the signal from the electronic device, the transmitter being disposed in the casing and electrically connected to the terminals of the casing;

at least one battery cell having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, wherein the module is powered by the at least one battery cell; and

a housing having a positive battery pack terminal and a negative battery pack terminal, both the battery cell and the communication electronics module are received by the housing, the positive battery pack terminal electrically connected to both the positive electrode and the positive circuit terminal, and the negative battery pack terminal electrically connected to both the negative electrode and the negative circuit terminal.

21. The battery pack of claim 20, wherein the transmitter transmits the signal to a remote receiver.

22. The battery pack of claim 20, wherein the transmitter transmits an audio signal of its own.

23. The battery pack of claim 20, wherein the communication electronics module further comprises a transceiver for transmitting a signal to a remote receiver upon sensing the signal from the electronic device, and for receiving an acknowledgement signal from the remote receiver after the remote receiver receives the signal transmitted by the transceiver, the transceiver being disposed in the casing and electrically connected to the terminals of the casing.

24. The battery pack of claim 20, wherein the casing is the size of the at least one battery cell.

25. The battery pack of claim 20, wherein the electronic device is powered by the at least one battery cell.

26. The battery pack of claim 20, wherein the communication electronics module further includes a switch for connecting or disconnecting the at least one battery cell from the electronic device powered by the at least one battery cell.

27. The battery pack of claim 20, further comprising a monitoring circuit for monitoring battery life of the at least one battery cell.