APPARATUS FOR TESTING A BATTERY-POWERED DEVICE

• US 20170242054A1
• Filed: 02/07/2017
• Published: 08/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Zwipe AS
• Original Assignee: Zwipe AS
• Inventors: Montiel, Ed
• Application Number:
  US15/426,716
• Publication Number:
  US 20170242054A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/0416 Connectors, terminals G01R1/0425 and G01R1/0433 take precedence; with measurement function for battery poles G01R31/364
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0718 the sensor being of the biometric kind, e.g. fingerprint sensors fingerprint sensors in general G06V40/13; biometric access-control systems in general, see G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/216 adapted for button or coin cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/14 Cells with non-aqueous electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An apparatus for testing a battery-powered device is provided. The apparatus is configured to be inserted into a button cell battery slot of the device to provide temporary power for testing the device. The testing apparatus may include a button cell battery, electrical contacts connected to or provided by the button cell battery and configured to engage electrical contacts within the button cell battery slot of the device, and an extension portion shaped to project from the slot when the testing apparatus is inserted into the button battery slot.

Claims

1. A testing apparatus for temporary insertion into a button cell battery slot, the apparatus comprising a button cell battery, electrical contacts connected to or provided by the button cell battery and configured to engage electrical contacts within the slot, and an extension portion shaped to project from the slot when the apparatus is inserted into the button battery slot.

2. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the button cell battery is electrically connected to the contacts and located away from the contacts.

3. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contacts are of a size and shape so as to engage with contacts designed to engage terminals of the button cell battery.

4. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the button cell battery is removable from the testing apparatus.

5. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the testing apparatus to be inserted into the slot has a width approximately equal to or less than the width of the button cell battery.

6. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the testing apparatus to be inserted into the slot has a thickness approximately equal to the thickness of the button cell battery.

7. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a housing configured to enclose the button cell battery and expose the contacts.

8. A testing apparatus according to claim 7, comprising a cover configured to shield the contacts when not in use.

9. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the button cell battery is a lithium button battery.

10. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion is shaped to provide a grip surface.

11. A testing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a guide portion configured to align the testing apparatus with the slot.

12. A method of testing a battery-powered device having a slot configured to receive a button battery, the method comprising:

inserting into the slot a testing apparatus according to any preceding claim so as to power the device;

performing one or more tests of the device; and

removing the testing apparatus.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the battery-powered device is a device having an on-board, battery-powered biometric sensor and a biometric verification module, and wherein the at least one test includes testing at least one of the biometric sensor and the biometric verification module.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein performing one or more tests of the device comprises the device automatically performing a self-test when powered by the testing apparatus.

15. A method according to claim 12, further comprising testing a plurality of battery-powered devices, wherein the same testing apparatus is used to test each of the battery-powered devices.