Charging system having electromagnetic field means for distinguishing between primary and secondary batteries
First Claim
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1. A battery charging system adapted to distinguish a rechargeable battery type from a non-rechargeable type, both said types being of substantially similar shape and size, said system comprising, in combination:
- a rechargeable battery circuit having a first non-charging mode and a second charging mode, said circuit having first and second contacts arranged for engagement with the first and second external load terminals, respectively, of said rechargeable battery;
a radiating device for radiating an electromagnetic field proximate to said battery when the battery is placed in engagement with said contacts of said charging circuit;
said rechargeable battery including indicating means responsive to the electromagnetic field for providing an indication distinguishing said rechargeable battery from a non-rechargeable battery; and
enabling means responsive to the indication from said indicating means and in response thereto enabling the charging mode of said charging circuit, whereby said charging circuit will be enabled for charging only batteries of the rechargeable type.
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Abstract
A battery charging system is provided for charging a rechargeable batteries and for distinguishing the rechargeable battery from a non-rechargeable battery. The charging system establishes an electromagnetic field proximate the battery. A circuit within the battery enters a resonant condition in response to the electromagnetic field and the resonant condition is sensed by the charging system to switch the charging system from a non-charging mode to a charging mode.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A battery charging system adapted to distinguish a rechargeable battery type from a non-rechargeable type, both said types being of substantially similar shape and size, said system comprising, in combination:
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a rechargeable battery circuit having a first non-charging mode and a second charging mode, said circuit having first and second contacts arranged for engagement with the first and second external load terminals, respectively, of said rechargeable battery; a radiating device for radiating an electromagnetic field proximate to said battery when the battery is placed in engagement with said contacts of said charging circuit; said rechargeable battery including indicating means responsive to the electromagnetic field for providing an indication distinguishing said rechargeable battery from a non-rechargeable battery; and enabling means responsive to the indication from said indicating means and in response thereto enabling the charging mode of said charging circuit, whereby said charging circuit will be enabled for charging only batteries of the rechargeable type. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A rechargeable battery for use in a battery charging system which includes a battery charger having a pair of charging contacts adapted to alternatively receive in engagement therewith either a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery, said charging contacts adapted to deliver charging current to the load terminals of said battery, said battery charging system adapted to expose a battery in the system to electromagnetic radiation and to switch said battery charging system between a non-charging mode and a charging mode, said rechargeable battery comprising:
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a housing of a size and configuration permitting said rechargeable battery to be received by said charging contacts which alternatively receive non-rechargeable batteries; a pair of load terminals for delivering current to a load, said load terminals adapted to electrically engage said pair of charging contacts and to receive charging current therefrom; and resonance means included in said housing which is responsive to the electromagnetic radiation from said battery charging system for indicating to said system that the battery is rechargeable. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A battery charging system adapted to distinguish a rechargeable secondary battery from a non-rechargeable primary battery, both said batteries being of substantially the same size and configuration, said system comprising:
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a rechargeable secondary battery having first and second external load terminals for delivering electrical energy to an energy-using device; a charging circuit for delivering charging current to said secondary battery; signal means providing an electromagnetic signal to said secondary battery; circuit means in said secondary battery responsive to the electromagnetic signal from said signal means for generating an indication that said secondary battery is a rechargeable battery; and enabling means responsive to the indication from said circuit means that said secondary battery is rechargeable for enabling the battery charging circuit to deliver charge current to said secondary battery only when the indication from said circuit means is detected. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification