Auxiliary battery sensor switch
First Claim
1. An apparatus for switching between a main battery and a removable second battery in an electronic device, comprising:
- means for interconnecting the main battery and the auxiliary battery to a power system of the electronic device;
means for sensing a voltage drop initiated by connection of the removable auxiliary battery to the electronic device and for generating a voltage signal indicating a presence of the removable auxiliary battery; and
a processor, responsive to the voltage signal generated by the means for sensing, for instructing the means for interconnecting to connect the auxiliary battery to system power and disconnect the main battery from system power.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for sensing the presence of an auxiliary battery connected to a cellular telephone is disclosed. An internal battery and a removable auxiliary battery are connected to the power system of the cellular telephone through first and second switches respectively. Connection of the auxiliary battery creates a current flow that is detected by a current sensing circuit which generates a current signal indicating the detection of current flow. A voltage sensing circuit determines whether the auxiliary battery can provide a predetermined voltage level and generates a voltage signal indicating the results of this test. A processor then utilizes the signals from the voltage sensing circuit and the current sensing circuit to control the pair of switches to connect the main and auxiliary batteries to the power circuitry of the cellular telephone.
85 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for switching between a main battery and a removable second battery in an electronic device, comprising:
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means for interconnecting the main battery and the auxiliary battery to a power system of the electronic device; means for sensing a voltage drop initiated by connection of the removable auxiliary battery to the electronic device and for generating a voltage signal indicating a presence of the removable auxiliary battery; and a processor, responsive to the voltage signal generated by the means for sensing, for instructing the means for interconnecting to connect the auxiliary battery to system power and disconnect the main battery from system power. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for switching between a main battery and a removable auxiliary battery associated with a portable communications device, comprising:
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first and second switches, associated with the main and the auxiliary batteries respectively, for interconnecting the first battery and the second battery to power circuitry of the portable communications device; a current sensing circuit for detecting a current flow initiated by connection of the auxiliary battery and generating a current signal indicative thereof; a voltage sensing circuit for determining if the auxiliary battery provides a preselected voltage level and generating a voltage signal indicative thereof; and a processor for controlling the first and the second switches to connect and disconnect the main battery and the auxiliary battery in response to the voltage signal and the current signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for switching between a main battery and a removable auxiliary battery associated with a portable communications device, comprising:
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first and second switches, associated with the main and auxiliary batteries, respectively, for interconnecting the first battery and the second battery to power circuitry of the portable communications device; a resistor connected to the portable communications device across which a voltage drop occurs in response to connection of the auxiliary battery; a voltage sensor for generating a first voltage signal in response to the voltage drop across the resistor, said voltage sensor further determining if the auxiliary battery provides a preselected voltage level in generating a second voltage signal indicative thereof; and a processor for controlling the first and second switches to connect and disconnect the main battery and the auxiliary battery in response to the first and second voltage signals. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for sensing the presence of current flow through a circuit, comprising:
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a resistor in series with the circuit; first and second operational amplifiers for measuring the differential voltage across the resistor; and an OR gate responsive to outputs of the first and second operational amplifiers for generating the signal indicating a current flow in the resistor. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. An apparatus for switching between a main battery and a removable auxiliary battery in an electronic device, comprising:
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means for interconnecting the main battery and the auxiliary battery to a power system of the electronic device; a current sensing circuit for detecting a current flow initiated by connection of the auxiliary battery and generating a current signal indicative thereof; and a processor, responsive to the current signal generated by the current sensing circuit, for instructing the means for interconnecting to connect the auxiliary battery to system power and disconnect the main battery from system power.
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Specification