One time operating state detecting method and apparatus

• US 7,248,053 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2005
• Issued: 07/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia, Inc. (Texas Instruments, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Powerprecise Solutions
• Inventors: Houldsworth, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Deb; Anjan
• Application Number:
  US11/181,841
• Publication Number:
  US 20060012333A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 324/421, 324/426, 324/427, 324/538, 320/107
• US Class Current: 324/426
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/66 Testing of connections, e.g. of plugs or non-disconnectable joints testing for incorrect line connections G01R31/55
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0036 using connection detecting circuits H02J7/0034 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0239 Signal transmission by AC coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0268 for electrical inspection or testing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/189 characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit H05K3/326 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10037 Printed or non-printed battery
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10053 Switch
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10189 Non-printed connector
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/163 Monitoring a manufacturing process
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/175 Configurations of connections suitable for easy deletion, e.g. modifiable circuits or temporary conductors for electroplating; Processes for deleting connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/222 Completing of printed circuits by adding non-printed jumper connections printed jumper connections H05K3/4685

Abstract

A method and apparatus for detecting a change in an electrical property between contacts. A one-time operating state detection device includes a member coupling a pair of contacts and a detector for detecting a change in the coupling between the pair of contacts when the member is removed.

Claims

1. A one-time operating state detection device comprising:

a pair of contacts;

a member electrically coupling said pair of contacts, said member adapted to be only once removable from said contacts, the member being bonded to the pair of contacts by a bond, wherein the bond is in a first state when the member electrically couples the pair of contacts and in a second state when the member is removed from the contacts, wherein when the bond is in the second state the bond is physically configured such that the member cannot be reattached to the pair of contacts; and

a detector, wherein said detector detects a change in the coupling between said pair of contacts when said member is removed.

2. The detection device of claim 1, wherein said member conductively couples said pair of contacts.

3. The detection device of claim 2, wherein said member includes a conductive member removably connected to said contacts.

4. The detection device of claim 1, wherein said member capacitively couples said pair of contacts.

5. The detection device of claim 4, wherein said member includes a conductive member removably spaced from at least one of said contacts by a dielectric.

6. The detection device of claim 1, wherein said detector selectively operates a battery management function.

7. The detection device claim 6, wherein said battery management function comprises a battery discharge operation.

8. The detection device of claim 6, wherein said battery management function comprises a state of charge indication.

9. The detection device of claim 1, wherein said detector comprises a latch circuit, said latch circuit being maintained in a first state prior to removal of said member, and said change in the coupling enabling said latch circuit to change to a second state.

10. The detection device of claim 9, wherein said change to a second state is triggered by a current.

11. The detection device of claim 9, wherein said change to a second state is triggered by an electrical current pulse.

12. The detection device of claim 9, wherein said change to a second state is triggered by a battery management circuit.

13. The detection device of claim 12, wherein said battery management circuit comprises a battery state-of-charge indicator.

14. The detection device of claim 1, wherein said detector measures a change in an RC time constant associated with said coupling.

15. The detection device of claim 14, wherein said measuring comprises using an electrical current pulse.

16. The detection device of claim 14, wherein said measuring is triggered by a battery management circuit.

17. The detection device of claim 16, wherein said battery management circuit commprises a battery state of charge indicator.

18. The detection device of claim 1, wherein said member includes a removable tape.

19. A method of detecting a change in operating state, comprising:

electrically coupling a pair of contacts using a member, said member adapted to be only once removable from said pair of contacts, wherein the member is not capable of being reattached to said contacts; and

detecting a change in the coupling between said pair of contacts when said member is removed.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said coupling includes conductively coupling said pair of contacts using said member.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said coupling includes capacitively coupling said pair of contacts using said member.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising selectively operating a battery management function in response to said detecting of a change in the coupling.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said battery management function comprises a battery discharge operation.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein said battery management function comprises a battery state of charge indication.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein said detecting of a change in the coupling comprises:

maintaining a first state prior to said removal of said member, and

enabling a change from said first state to a second state in response to said change in the coupling.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising triggering said change to a second state with a current.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising triggering said change to a second state with an electrical current pulse.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising triggering said change to a second state with a battery management circuit.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said battery management circuit comprises a battery state-of-charge indicator.

30. The method of claim 19 wherein said detecting of a change in the coupling comprises measuring a change in an RC time constant associated with said coupling.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said measuring comprises using an electrical pulse.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising triggering said measuring with battery management circuit.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said battery management circuit comprises a battery state-of-change indicator.