Selective call receiver with rechargeable battery

• US 6,157,316 A
• Filed: 08/06/1996
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kokusai Electric Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Kokusai Electric Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Yuyama, Miki, Okayama, Kouichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III, Edwin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/692,471
• Time in Patent Office: 1,582 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.44, 340/311.1, 340/636, 340/825.07, 395/750.01, 364/707, 364/483, 455/38.3, 455/343, 455/573, 320/136, 320/160, 320/162, 320/164, 702/63, 713/321, 713/300, 713/340
• US Class Current: 340/7.32
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/227 with call or message storage means

Abstract

A selective call receiver includes a receiver circuit for receiving calling information and message information, a processor for processing the calling information to determine whether the calling information identifies the selective call receiver, a message memory for storing the message information if the processor determines that the calling information does identify the selective call receiver, a message information output circuit for outputting the message information stored in the message memory to a portable data processing apparatus, a power receiving terminal for receiving power from the portable data processing apparatus, a rechargeable battery for powering the selective call receiver, a detector for detecting a state of charge of the rechargeable battery, and a charging circuit, responsive to the detector, for charging the rechargeable battery with the power received by the power receiving terminal from the portable data processing apparatus.

Claims

1. A selective call receiver comprising:

receiving means for receiving calling information and message information;

processing means for processing the calling information to determine whether the calling information identifies the selective call receiver;

storing means for storing the message information if the processing means determines that the calling information does identify the selective call receiver;

message information output means for outputting the message information stored in the storing means to a portable data processing apparatus;

power receiving means for receiving power from the portable data processing apparatus;

a rechargeable battery for powering the selective call receiver;

detecting means for detecting a state of charge of the rechargeable battery;

charging means, responsive to the detecting means, for charging the rechargeable battery with the power received by the power receiving means from the portable data processing apparatus; and

sending means for sending to the portable data processing apparatus information indicating that the charging means has begun charging the rechargeable battery every time the charging means starts charging the rechargeable battery;

wherein the portable data processing apparatus includes;

a display; and

means for displaying on the display a message indicating that the rechargeable battery is being charged in response to the information sent by the sending means every time the charging means is charging the rechargeable battery and only when the charging means is charging the rechargeable battery.

2. A selective call receiver comprising:

receiving means for receiving calling information and message information;

processing means for processing the calling information to determine whether the calling information identifies the selective call receiver;

storing means for storing the message information if the processing means determines that the calling information does identify the selective call receiver;

message information output means for outputting the message information stored in the storing means to a portable data processing apparatus;

power receiving means for receiving power from the portable data processing apparatus;

a rechargeable battery for powering the selective call receiver;

voltage detecting means for detecting an output voltage of the rechargeable battery, the output voltage of the rechargeable battery being indicative of a state of charge of the rechargeable battery;

comparing means for comparing the detected output voltage of the rechargeable battery with a first reference voltage and determining whether the detected output voltage of the rechargeable battery is less than the first reference voltage, and for comparing the detected output voltage of the rechargeable battery with a second reference voltage and determining whether the detected output voltage of the rechargeable battery is equal to or greater than the second reference voltage; and

charging means, responsive to the comparing means, for charging the rechargeable battery with the power received by the power receiving means from the portable data processing apparatus;

wherein the charging means starts to charge the rechargeable battery when the comparing means determines that the detected output voltage of the rechargeable battery is less than the first reference voltage;

wherein the charging means stops charging the rechargeable battery when the comparing means determines that the detected output voltage of the rechargeable battery is equal to or greater than the second reference voltage;

wherein the selective call receiver further comprises sending means for sending to the portable data processing apparatus information indicating that the charging means has begun charging the rechargeable battery every time the charging means starts charging the rechargeable battery; and

wherein the portable data processing apparatus includes;

a display; and

means for displaying on the display a message indicating that the rechargeable battery is being charged in response to the information sent by the sending means every time the charging means is charging the rechargeable battery and only when the charging means is charging the rechargeable battery.