Method and apparatus for controlling a charge current of a battery in a portable chargeable electronic unit
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a charging current of a battery in a portable chargeable electronic unit, including the steps of:
- delivering a charging current from a battery charger to the battery in the portable chargeable electronic unit; and
directly controlling flow of the charging current using control logic in the portable chargeable electronic unit to variably interrupt the charging current.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A battery charger charges a battery in a portable chargeable electronic device, such as a cellular phone, with a long-term-constant current, even while the device is used. The charging current is controlled by circuitry in the portable device, avoiding the need for control circuitry in the battery charger or battery. A battery-charger connector that corresponds to the type of battery in the portable device is keyed to fit only a charger that matches the type of battery, thus assuring proper charging of the battery. Alternatively, a simple contact connects the battery charger to the battery. A belt clip covers the battery-charger connector when the battery charger is disconnected to prevent short-circuiting the battery.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a charging current of a battery in a portable chargeable electronic unit, including the steps of:
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delivering a charging current from a battery charger to the battery in the portable chargeable electronic unit; and
directly controlling flow of the charging current using control logic in the portable chargeable electronic unit to variably interrupt the charging current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11)
sensing a current level of the charging current delivered from the battery charger; and
switching the charging current delivered from the battery charger on and off based on the sensed current level.
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11. The method of claim 7, wherein the charging current is switched on and off such that a long-term-constant current is obtained.
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8. A method of controlling a charging current of a battery in a portable chargeable electronic unit, including the steps of:
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delivering a charging current from a battery charger to the battery in the portable chargeable electronic unit; and
directly controlling flow of the charging current using control logic in the portable chargeable electronic unit by switching the charging current delivered from the battery charger on and off such that a long-term-constant current is obtained.
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12. An apparatus for controlling a charging current of a battery in a portable chargeable electronic unit, comprising:
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means for delivering a charging current from a battery charger to the battery in the portable chargeable electronic unit;
means, comprising a control logic circuit in the portable chargeable electronic unit, for directly controlling flow of the charging current to variably interrupt the charging current. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23)
means for sensing a level of the charging current delivered form the battery charger; and
means for switching the charging current delivered from the battery charger on and off based on the level sensed by the sensing means.
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23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the switching means switches the charging current on and off to obtain a long-term-constant current.
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19. An apparatus for controlling a charging current of a battery in a portable chargeable electronic unit, comprising:
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means for delivering a charging current from a battery charger to the battery in the portable chargeable electronic unit;
means, comprising a control logic circuit in the portable chargeable electronic unit, for directly controlling flow of the charging current by switching the charging current delivered from the battery charger on and off to obtain a long-term-constant current.
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22. An apparatus for controlling a charging of a battery adapted to connect to a portable chargeable electronic unit, comprising:
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means, in the portable chargeable electronic unit, for delivering a charging current from a battery charger to the battery; and
means, comprising a control logic circuit in the portable chargeable unit, for directly controlling flow of the charging current from the battery charger to variably interrupt the charging current.
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Specification