Connecting multiple batteries to battery powered devices
First Claim
1. A circuit for connection between multiple batteries and a battery using device, comprisingat least first and second battery connectors for connection to said multiple batteries, said battery connectors including connections carrying electrical power,a device connector for connection to a battery socket of said battery using device, said device connector including connections carrying electrical power,a controllable switch circuit coupled between said battery connectors and said device connector, said switch circuit being enabled in response to a first control signal to provide an electrical connection between respective power connections of said device connector and respective power connections of said first battery connector, and enabled in response to a second control signal to provide an electrical connection between respective power connections of said device connector and respective power connections of said second battery connector,a power flow sensor sensing power flow between one of said battery connectors and said device connector, determining when said power flow decreases below a threshold, and generating a low power signal,a selector circuit producing said control signals, said selector circuit responding to said low power signal while producing said first control signal, by terminating said first control signal and initiating said second control signal, to thereby connect said second battery connector to said device connector when low power flow is detected between said first battery connector and said device connector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A circuit for serially connecting multiple batteries to a battery-powered device such as a notebook computer or camcorder so that the device will serially charge or discharge the batteries. The device includes at least two controllable switch circuits for selectively connecting batteries to the battery-powered device, a power flow sensor for sensing power flow from the device to the selected battery or vice-versa, and a selector circuit for sequentially enabling the switch circuits to sequentially connect the batteries to the battery-powered device so that the batteries will sequentially charge or discharge.
60 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A circuit for connection between multiple batteries and a battery using device, comprising
at least first and second battery connectors for connection to said multiple batteries, said battery connectors including connections carrying electrical power, a device connector for connection to a battery socket of said battery using device, said device connector including connections carrying electrical power, a controllable switch circuit coupled between said battery connectors and said device connector, said switch circuit being enabled in response to a first control signal to provide an electrical connection between respective power connections of said device connector and respective power connections of said first battery connector, and enabled in response to a second control signal to provide an electrical connection between respective power connections of said device connector and respective power connections of said second battery connector, a power flow sensor sensing power flow between one of said battery connectors and said device connector, determining when said power flow decreases below a threshold, and generating a low power signal, a selector circuit producing said control signals, said selector circuit responding to said low power signal while producing said first control signal, by terminating said first control signal and initiating said second control signal, to thereby connect said second battery connector to said device connector when low power flow is detected between said first battery connector and said device connector.
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14. A battery sequencer for connection between multiple batteries and a battery powered portable computer which has a socket for connection to a single battery, comprising
a housing having a surface profile compatible with a surface profile of said portable computer, at least first and second battery sockets in said housing for connection to said multiple batteries, said battery sockets including connections for carrying electrical power, a plug for connection to said socket of said portable computer, said plug including connections for carrying electrical power, a controllable switch circuit coupled between said battery sockets and said plug, said switch circuit being enabled in response to a first control signal to provide an electrical connection between respective power connections of said plug and respective power connections of said first battery socket, and enabled in response to a second control signal to provide an electrical connection between respective power connections of said plug and respective power connections of said second battery socket, a power flow sensor sensing power flow between said plug and one of said battery sockets, determining when said power flow decreases below a threshold, and generating a low power signal, a selector circuit producing said control signals, said selector circuit responding to said low power signal while producing said first control signal, by terminating said first control signal and initiating said second control signal, to thereby connect said second battery socket to said plug when low power flow is detected between said plug and said first battery socket.
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18. A method of sequentially connecting multiple batteries to a battery powered portable computer which has a socket for connection to a single battery, comprising
connecting said batteries to multiple battery sockets, said sockets including connections for carrying electrical power, connecting a plug to said socket of said portable computer, said plug including connections for carrying electrical power, coupling a first battery socket to said plug, to provide an electrical connection between respective power connections of said plug and respective power connections of said first battery socket, sensing power flow between said plug and said first battery socket via said power connections of said plug and first battery socket, and when said power flow decreases below a threshold, uncoupling said first battery socket from said plug and coupling a second battery socket to said plug to provide an electrical connection between respective power connections of said plug and respective power connections of said second battery socket.
Specification