Power supply for volatile memory devices and portable electrical appliance in vehicles
First Claim
1. An electrical power circuit for volatile electronic memory of electrical equipment in a vehicle, said vehicle having a primary power source, said electrical power circuit comprising:
- an ignition branch line coupled to said primary power source through an ignition switch and coupled to said electrical equipment, including portions of said electrical equipment other than said volatile electronic memory;
a power branch line coupled to said volatile memory and coupled to said primary power source to continuously provide power to said volatile memory from said primary power source independently of said ignition switch;
a rechargeable battery coupled to said power branch line to maintain power to said volatile memory in the absence of power from said primary power source and coupled to said primary power source for recharging said rechargeable battery in the presence of power from said primary power source; and
isolation means coupled to said ignition branch and to said rechargeable battery to prevent transfer of electrical power from said rechargeable battery to said ignition branch.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A nonswitched power circuit energizes volatile memories of electronic devices in an automobile. When the main vehicle battery is present and providing power, the volatile memories are energized by the main battery through a diode. The main battery also maintains a rechargeable battery in a charged state. When the main battery voltage drops due to a discharged or disconnected main battery, the rechargeable battery maintains power to the volatile memories. The rechargeable battery may be included as part of a flashlight for providing a portable, rechargeable light source.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An electrical power circuit for volatile electronic memory of electrical equipment in a vehicle, said vehicle having a primary power source, said electrical power circuit comprising:
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an ignition branch line coupled to said primary power source through an ignition switch and coupled to said electrical equipment, including portions of said electrical equipment other than said volatile electronic memory; a power branch line coupled to said volatile memory and coupled to said primary power source to continuously provide power to said volatile memory from said primary power source independently of said ignition switch; a rechargeable battery coupled to said power branch line to maintain power to said volatile memory in the absence of power from said primary power source and coupled to said primary power source for recharging said rechargeable battery in the presence of power from said primary power source; and isolation means coupled to said ignition branch and to said rechargeable battery to prevent transfer of electrical power from said rechargeable battery to said ignition branch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for maintaining volatile memory contents in electronic memory of electrical equipment in a vehicle having a primary power source and a rechargeable auxiliary power source, said vehicle including an ignition switch connected to said primary power source, said method comprising the steps of:
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when said primary power source is available, then; energizing said volatile memory substantially continuously from said primary power source independently of said ignition switch; energizing portions of said electronic equipment other than said volatile memory from said primary power source through said ignition switch; and recharging said rechargeable auxiliary power source from said primary power source through said ignition switch; and when said primary power source is not available, then; energizing said volatile memory from said rechargeable auxiliary power source; preventing energization of said portions of said electronic equipment other than said volatile memory by said rechargeable auxiliary power source; and preventing energization of said primary power source by said rechargeable auxiliary power source. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A vehicle electrical system comprising:
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a main vehicle battery; electronic equipment having volatile memory and high power components; an ignition branch line coupled to said main vehicle battery and said electrical equipment, including said volatile memory and said high power components; an ignition switch connected between said main vehicle battery and said ignition branch line; a power branch line coupled to said volatile memory and coupled to said main vehicle battery, wherein said volatile memory is connected to receive power directly from said main vehicle battery without said power passing through said ignition switch; and a rechargeable battery coupled to said power branch line to maintain power to said volatile memory in the absence of power from said main vehicle battery and coupled to said ignition branch line for recharging said rechargeable battery in the presence of power from said main vehicle battery. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification