One time operating state detecting method and apparatus

• US 7,589,533 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2006
• Issued: 09/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia, Inc. (Texas Instruments, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia, Inc. (Texas Instruments, Inc.)
• Inventors: Houldsworth, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Vincent Q
• Application Number:
  US11/467,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20070052422A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,114 Days
• Field of Search: 324/421, 324/426, 324/427, 324/538, 320/107, 320/106
• 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 moved.

Claims

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

a pair of contacts;

a member electrically coupling the pair of contacts, to each other in an original state, a portion of the member adapted to be only once movable to at least partially sever the portion from a remainder of the member to change the electrical coupling between the contacts, wherein the member is physically configured to prevent return to the original state; and

a detector, wherein the detector is configured to detect the change in the coupling between the pair of contacts when the member is moved,

wherein the electrical coupling between the pair of contacts is terminated once the member is moved to change the electrical coupling.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19. The detection device of claim 18, wherein the tape is adapted to be only once removable from the contacts.

20. The detection device of claim 1, wherein the member comprises a conductive line for electrically coupling the pair of contacts, the member adapted to be moved by pulling the member so as to sever the conductive line.

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

a pair of contacts;

a one-time operating member electrically coupling the pair of contacts in an original state, the member comprising a conductive line for electrically coupling the pair of contacts to each other, a portion of the member adapted to be pulled so as to at least partially sever the portion from a remainder of the member to sever conductive line, wherein the member is physically configured to prevent return to the original state; and

a detector, wherein the detector is configured to detect the change in the coupling between the pair of contacts when the conductive line is severed.

22. The detection device of claim 21, wherein the member further comprises an electronic component connected to the conductive line.

23. The detection device of claim 21, further comprising a printed circuit, wherein the pair of contacts are connected to the printed circuit.

24. The detection device of claim 23, wherein the printed circuit comprises one or more electrical connectors for connecting one or more electrical components.

25. The detection device of claim 23, wherein the printed circuit is constructed from a flexible material.

26. The detection device of claim 25, wherein the flexible material comprises a polymeric material.

27. The detection device of claim 26, wherein the polymeric material is a polyimide.

28. The detection device of claim 23, wherein the printed circuit comprises a tab portion partially cut out from the printed circuit.

29. The detection device of claim 28, wherein the tab portion includes the member.

30. The detection device of claim 28, wherein the tab portion is cut out in a rectangular-like shape.

31. The detection device of claim 28, wherein the conductive line extends into the tab portion such that when the tab is pulled to a certain extent the conductive line is severed.

32. The detection device of claim 23, wherein the printed circuit comprises a flap partially cut out from the printed circuit in a G-like shape.

33. The detection device of claim 32, wherein the flap portion includes the member.

34. The detection device of claim 32, wherein the flap comprises a first portion attached to the printed circuit and a second portion detached from the printed circuit and attached to the first portion.

35. The detection device of claim 34, wherein the conductive line extends through the first portion of the flap into the second portion of the flap.

36. The detection device of claim 35, wherein when the second portion of the flap is pulled to a certain extent to tear off the second portion of the flap from the first portion of the flap, the conductive line is severed.

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

coupling electrically a pair of contacts to each other using a member in an original state;

severing a portion of the member from a remainder of the member to change the electrical coupling between the contacts, wherein the member is physically configured to prevent return to the original state; and

detecting the change in the coupling between the pair of contacts.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the coupling includes conductively coupling the pair of contacts using the member.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the coupling includes capacitively coupling the pair of contacts using the member.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising selectively operating a battery management function in response to the detecting of the change in the coupling.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the battery management function comprises a battery discharge operation.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein the battery management function comprises a battery state of charge indication.

43. The method of claim 37, wherein the detecting of a change in the coupling comprises:

maintaining a first state prior to moving the member, and

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

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising triggering the change to a second state with a current.

45. The method of claim 43, further comprising triggering the change to a second state with an electrical current pulse.

46. The method of claim 43, further comprising triggering the change to a second state with a battery management circuit.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the battery management circuit comprises a battery state-of-charge indicator.

48. The method of claim 37, wherein the detecting of the change in the coupling comprises measuring a change in an RC time constant associated with the coupling.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the measuring comprises using an electrical pulse.

50. The method of claim 48, further comprising triggering the measuring with a battery management circuit.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the battery management circuit comprises a battery state-of-charge indicator.

52. The method of claim 37, wherein the coupling of the pair of contacts comprises coupling with a conductive line.

53. The method of claim 37, wherein the coupling of the pair of contacts comprises coupling the pair of contacts via an electronic component disposed in the member.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the coupling of the pair of contacts comprises conductively coupling, resistively coupling, capacitively coupling, inductively coupling, or semi-conductively coupling, or a combination thereof, of the pair of contacts.

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

coupling electrically a pair of contacts to each other using a member in an original state, the member comprising a printed circuit having a portion adapted to be only once movable to change the electrical coupling between the contacts;

changing the coupling between the pair of contacts by pulling a tab portion of the member, wherein the pulling includes severing a conductive line on the printed circuit and extending into the tab portion, wherein the member is physically configured to prevent return to the original state; and

detecting the change in the coupling between the pair of contacts when the conductive line is severed.

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

coupling electrically a pair of contacts to each other using a member in an original state, the member adapted to be only once movable to change the electrical coupling between the contacts;

changing the coupling between the pair of contacts by pulling a flap attached in a printed circuit including the pair of contacts, wherein pulling the flap comprises tearing off a first portion of the flap detached from the printed circuit from a second portion of the flap attached to the printed circuit to sever a conductive line extending from the first portion of the flap into the second portion of the flap and wherein the member is physically configured to prevent return to the original state; and

detecting the change in the coupling between the pair of contacts when the conductive line is severed.