Method and apparatus for controlling access to a logic circuit in a battery by multiple components connected to the battery
First Claim
1. A rechargeable battery system, comprising:
- a battery including a logic circuit; and
a component connected to the battery, the component comprising;
a set of contacts for connecting to the battery, including a data contact;
a high side switch that is electrically in series with a pull up resistance between the data contact and a voltage source in the component, and that is in a normally open state;
a low side switch that is electrically in series with a pull down resistance between the data contact and an electrical ground in the component, and that is in a normally closed state;
an interface circuit connected to the data contact that, when the high side switch is in an open state and the low side switch is in a closed state, samples a voltage level at the data contact to determine whether another component is connected to the battery; and
wherein when the interface circuit determines that the voltage at the data contact indicates no other device is connected to the battery, the component changes the high side switch to a closed state and the low side switch to an open state, and thereafter the interface circuit communicates with the logic circuit in the battery through the data contact.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling access to a logic circuit in a battery by one or more components connected to the battery includes the components initially providing no voltage to a data contact, and sampling a voltage level at the data contact to determine if another component is presently connected to the logic circuit. When the sampled voltage indicates no other component is presently accessing the logic circuit, the component applies a voltage to the logic circuit via the data contact and access the logic circuit. When the sampled voltage indicates that a prior-connected component is connected to the battery, the component uses a voltage level provided by the prior-connected component to access the logic circuit.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A rechargeable battery system, comprising:
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a battery including a logic circuit; and a component connected to the battery, the component comprising; a set of contacts for connecting to the battery, including a data contact; a high side switch that is electrically in series with a pull up resistance between the data contact and a voltage source in the component, and that is in a normally open state; a low side switch that is electrically in series with a pull down resistance between the data contact and an electrical ground in the component, and that is in a normally closed state; an interface circuit connected to the data contact that, when the high side switch is in an open state and the low side switch is in a closed state, samples a voltage level at the data contact to determine whether another component is connected to the battery; and wherein when the interface circuit determines that the voltage at the data contact indicates no other device is connected to the battery, the component changes the high side switch to a closed state and the low side switch to an open state, and thereafter the interface circuit communicates with the logic circuit in the battery through the data contact. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification