Battery pack having theft deterrent circuit
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A battery pack, for use with a host device, having a battery current discharge prevention circuit, said battery pack comprising:
- at least one battery cell;
a switch coupled in series with said host device and said at least one battery cell;
memory for storing a password;
means for comparing a data word received from said host device with said password; and
means for controlling said switch, and said switch being opened upon a predetermined number of occurrences of said data word differing from said password.
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Abstract
A battery pack (10) has a memory (26) for storing a password. Upon connecting to a host device (12), or similar load, the battery waits for a data word to be communicated from the host device over a communications channel (22). If an incorrect data word is received a predetermined number of time, or if an initial power time period, as defined by a timer (30), is reached, a switch (16) is opened, thereby disconnecting the battery cell or cells (14) from the load.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A battery pack, for use with a host device, having a battery current discharge prevention circuit, said battery pack comprising:
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at least one battery cell; a switch coupled in series with said host device and said at least one battery cell; memory for storing a password; means for comparing a data word received from said host device with said password; and means for controlling said switch, and said switch being opened upon a predetermined number of occurrences of said data word differing from said password. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A battery pack for powering a host device and having a battery current discharge prevention circuit, said battery pack comprising:
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at least one battery cell; a switch coupled in series with said host device and said at least one battery cell; a microcontroller circuit having a timer, a memory for storing a password, a communications circuit for receiving a data word from said host device, and a logic circuit for comparing said data word with said password; and wherein said timer provides an initial power time period, said microcontroller opening said switch upon either of a predetermined number of occurrences of said data word differing from said password, or the expiration of said initial power time period. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of preventing use or current discharge of a battery pack by an unauthorized user, said battery pack comprising at least one battery cell, a switch coupled in series with a host device and said at least one battery cell, and a memory for storing a password, said method comprising the steps of:
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detecting the occurrence of electrically connecting said battery pack with said host device; timing an initial power time period beginning upon completing said step of detecting; receiving a data word from said host device upon completing said step of detecting; comparing said data word with said password upon completing said step of receiving; opening said switch upon either a predetermined number of occurrences of said data word differing from said password, or the expiration of said initial power period. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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Specification