Systems including replaceable fuel cell apparatus and methods of using replaceable fuel cell apparatus

• US 6,713,201 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2001
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited (Lb-shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Bullock, Michael L., Childers, Winthrop D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): YUAN, DAH WEI D
• Application Number:
  US10/002,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20030082416A1
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• Field of Search: 429/12, 429/13, 429/50, 347/7
• US Class Current: 429/462
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/30 Fuel cells in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04 Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04208 Cartridges, cryogenic media or cryogenic reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A system in accordance with a present invention includes a host device and a fuel cell apparatus with an information storage device. A method of operating a host device in accordance with a present invention includes the step(s) of writing data to, and/or accessing data on, a fuel cell apparatus information storage device.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a replaceable fuel cell fuel cartridge including a fuel reservoir and a fuel cell information storage device; and

a host device, including at least one fuel cell and a host processor, configured to receive the fuel cell cartridge such that the fuel cell information storage device is operably connected to the host processor.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the host device is configured to record data on the fuel cell information storage device related to operation of at least one of the fuel cell fuel cartridge and the host device.

3. A system, comprising:

a replaceable fuel cell apparatus including a fuel reservoir and a fuel cell information storage device; and

a host device, including a host processor, configured to receive the fuel cell apparatus such that the information storage device is operably connected to the host processor and to record marketing information on the fuel cell information storage device related to operation of at least one of the fuel cell apparatus and the host device.

4. A system, comprising:

a replaceable fuel cell apparatus including a fuel reservoir and a fuel cell information storage device; and

a host device, including a host processor, configured to receive the fuel cell apparatus such that the information storage device is operably connected to the host processor, to record data on the fuel cell information storage device related to operation of at least one of the fuel cell apparatus and the host device, and to monitor fuel consumption and to alter data stored on the fuel cell information storage device in a manner indicative of the amount of fuel consumed from the fuel cell apparatus.

5. A system, comprising:

a replaceable fuel cell apparatus including a fuel reservoir and a fuel cell information storage device; and

a host device, including a host processor, configured to receive the fuel cell apparatus such that the information storage device is operably connected to the host processor, to access data on the fuel cell information storage device during operation of the host device and to adjust fuel consumption rates in response to the accessed data.

6. A system, comprising:

a replaceable fuel cell apparatus including a fuel reservoir and a fuel cell information storage device; and

a host device, including a host processor and at least one of an audible communication device and a visible communication device, configured to receive the fuel cell apparatus such that the information storage device is operably connected to the host processor, to access data on the fuel cell information storage device during operation of the host device and to produce at least one of an audible indication and a visible indication related to the accessed data.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one of an audible indication and a visible indication related to the accessed data comprises at least one of an audible indication and a visible indication of fuel cell apparatus acceptability.

8. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one of an audible indication and a visible indication related to the accessed data comprises at least one of an audible indication and a visible indication of fuel level.

9. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one of an audible indication and a visible indication related to the accessed data comprises an invitation for the user to cause the host device to be connected to a remote device.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the invitation comprises a displayed clickable icon.

11. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one of an audible and a visible indication related to the accessed data comprises displayed marketing information.