Battery having user charge capacity control
First Claim
1. A rechargeable battery having a user-selected charge capacity, comprising:
- a. a rigid casing, the casing having an exterior surface;
b. an electrochemical cell within the casing;
c. a plurality of charge contacts accessible at the exterior surface of the casing, the charge contacts further in conductive contact with the electrochemical cell to allow charging of the electrochemical cell when a voltage is placed across the charge contacts;
d. a charge control circuit within the casing, the control circuit in conductive contact with at least the charge contacts and the electrochemical cell, the control circuit including a voltage regulator that regulates the charge voltage from the charge contacts to the electrochemical cell; and
e. a charge selector accessible at the exterior surface of the casing, the charge selector selectively alters the charging of the electrochemical cell.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rechargeable battery having a user-selected charge capacity whereby a user of the battery can select the voltage at which the battery is charged, and thus can control the capacity of the battery. The battery has a rigid casing with an exterior surface thereof, and a rechargeable electrochemical cell within the casing. A plurality of charge contacts are accessible at the exterior surface of the casing and are in conductive contact with the electrochemical cell to allow charging of the electrochemical cell when a current is placed across the charge contacts. The battery also has a charge control circuit in conductive contact with at least the charge contacts and the electrochemical cell, and the control circuit includes a voltage regulator that regulates the charge voltage from the charge contacts to the electrochemical cell. A charge selector for the battery is accessible at the exterior surface of the casing and preferably selectively prevents the voltage regulator from regulating the charging of the electrochemical cell.
114 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A rechargeable battery having a user-selected charge capacity, comprising:
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a. a rigid casing, the casing having an exterior surface;
b. an electrochemical cell within the casing;
c. a plurality of charge contacts accessible at the exterior surface of the casing, the charge contacts further in conductive contact with the electrochemical cell to allow charging of the electrochemical cell when a voltage is placed across the charge contacts;
d. a charge control circuit within the casing, the control circuit in conductive contact with at least the charge contacts and the electrochemical cell, the control circuit including a voltage regulator that regulates the charge voltage from the charge contacts to the electrochemical cell; and
e. a charge selector accessible at the exterior surface of the casing, the charge selector selectively alters the charging of the electrochemical cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A rechargeable battery having a selective charge capacity, comprising:
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a. at least one rechargeable cell;
b. a control circuit coupled to the at least one rechargeable battery cell having a multiplicity of charging modes, each charging mode having a unique charging termination corresponding thereto; and
c. a means of selecting between charging modes. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A rechargeable battery having a selective charge capacity, comprising:
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a. at least one rechargeable cell;
b. a plurality of charge contacts accessible at the exterior of the at least one rechargeable cell to allow charging of the at least one rechargeable cell when a voltage is placed across the charge contacts;
c. a charge control circuit, the control circuit in conductive contact with at least the charge contacts, the control circuit including means for regulating the charging of the at least one rechargeable cell; and
d. a charge selector, the charge selector selectively changing the termination voltage of the at least one rechargeable battery cell.
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Specification