Method and apparatus for determining battery type and modifying operating characteristics

• US 5,237,257 A
• Filed: 03/16/1992
• Issued: 08/17/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Robert M., Metroka, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hickey, R. J.
• Application Number:
  US07/851,460
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 320/15, 320/20, 320/48, 320/2
• US Class Current: 320/106
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/5044 Cells or batteries structurally combined with cell condition indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/5066 Type recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00038 using passive battery identification means, e.g. resistors or capacitors identification by mechanical connections H02J7/0045
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007182 in response to battery voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0277 according to available power supply, e.g. switching off when a low battery condition is detected
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A battery type detector for battery-using and battery-charging equipment is disclosed. Operational characteristics of the using and charging equipment is modified in accordance with the battery type detected.

Claims

1. A battery type detector for determining which type of battery is coupled to a battery charger, the battery and the battery charger each having a housing, the battery type detector comprising:

means for producing a predetermined one of a plurality of sense levels corresponding to a battery type comprising;

a regulated voltage,

a first resistor disposed within the battery charger housing, and

a second resistor having a resistance selected in accordance with said particular battery type and disposed within the battery housing, the battery housing having positive, negative, and sense terminals disposed thereon, and said first resistor coupled between said regulated voltage and said sense terminal and said second resistor coupled between said sense terminal and said negative terminal;

means for detecting said one of a plurality of sense levels; and

means, responsive to said means for detecting, for enabling a predetermined battery charging control in the battery charger corresponding to said battery type.

2. A battery type detector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for detecting further comprises a window detector having a plurality of output terminals, one of said output terminals providing said signal identifying said one of a plurality of sense levels.

3. A battery type detector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for detecting further comprises a microprocessor.

4. A battery type detector in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means for detecting further comprises an analog to digital converter coupled to said microprocessor.

5. A battery type detector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for enabling a predetermined battery charging control further comprises means for selecting one of at least two temperature cutoff thresholds.

6. A battery type detector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for enabling a predetermined battery charging control further comprises means for selecting one of at least two voltage cutoff thresholds.

7. A battery type detector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for enabling a predetermined battery charging control further comprises means for selecting one of at least two battery charge rate switch points at which switch point the battery charger switches from high charge rate current to low charge rate current.

8. A battery type detector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for enabling a predetermined battery charging control further comprises means for selecting one of at least two battery charge times.

9. A battery type detector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for enabling a predetermined battery charging control further comprises means for selecting one of at least two battery charge methods.

10. A battery type detector for determining which type of battery is coupled to a battery charger, the battery and the battery charger each having a housing, the battery type detector comprising:

means for producing a predetermined one of a plurality of sense levels corresponding to a battery type comprising;

a regulated voltage,

a first resistor disposed within the battery charger housing, and

a short circuit selected in accordance with said particular battery type and disposed within the battery housing, the battery housing having positive, negative, and sense terminals disposed thereon, and said first resistor coupled between said regulated voltage and said sense terminal and said short circuit coupled between said sense terminal and said negative terminal;

means for detecting said one of a plurality of sense levels; and

means, responsive to said means for detecting, for enabling a predetermined battery charging control in the battery charger corresponding to said battery type.

11. A battery type detector for determining which type of battery is coupled to a battery charger, the battery and the battery charger each having a housing, the battery type detector comprising:

means for producing a predetermined one of a plurality of sense levels corresponding to a battery type comprising;

a regulated voltage,

a first resistor disposed within the battery charger housing, and

a short circuit selected in accordance with said particular battery type and disposed within the battery housing, the battery housing having positive, negative, and sense terminals disposed thereon, and said first resistor coupled between said regulated voltage and said sense terminal and said short circuit coupled between said sense terminal and said positive terminal;

means for detecting said one of a plurality of sense levels; and

means, responsive to said means for detecting, for enabling a predetermined battery charging control in the battery charger corresponding to said battery type.

12. A battery type detector for determining which type of battery is coupled to a battery charger, the battery and the battery charger each having a housing, the battery type detector comprising:

means for producing a predetermined one of a plurality of sense levels corresponding to a battery type comprising;

a regulated voltage,

a first resistor disposed within the battery charger housing, and

an open circuit selected in accordance with said particular battery type and disposed within the battery housing, the battery housing having positive, negative, and sense terminals disposed thereon, and said first resistor coupled between said regulated voltage and said sense terminal and said open circuit coupled between said sense terminal and said negative terminal;

means for detecting said one of a plurality of sense levels; and

means, responsive to said means for detecting, for enabling a predetermined battery charging control in the battery charger corresponding to said battery type.