AUTOMATED COMPOSITE BATTERY

• US 20080274395A1
• Filed: 05/02/2007
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gary S. Shuster
• Original Assignee: Gary S. Shuster
• Inventors: Shuster, Gary Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 8,431,263 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/61
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2200/00 Safety devices for primary or secondary batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A composite battery capable of adjusting its own power output in response to predetermined signals or lack of predetermined signals is provided. The composite battery has a set of terminals, a battery, a sensing device and a switch, all housed within a casing, which can be in the shape of a conventional battery. The sensor captures signals which upon reaching a certain threshold cause the switch to engage or disengage to selectively provide a load current to an electronic device. The battery may be used in battery-controlled consumer electronics articles, such as toys, to prevent avoidable battery drain or unintended activation when the electronics article is not in use.

Claims

1. A composite battery and sensor combination for use in an electronic device comprising:

a battery comprising an anode and a cathode;

a container encasing the anode and cathode;

a pair of electrical terminals fixed relative to the container, each of the pair electrically connected to a respective one of the anode and the cathode;

a sensor fixed relative to the container; and

a switch fixed relative to the container and electrically interposed between one of the anode or cathode and a respective one of the pair of terminals, the switch capable of selectively providing a connection between the battery and the terminal in response to a signal indicative of a stimulus sensed by the sensor.

2. The composite battery of claim 1, further comprising a timer fixed relative to the container and connected to the switch and to the sensor, the timer capable of measuring an elapsed time from a time of receiving a signal from the sensor, and wherein the switch is further capable of selectively providing a connection between the battery and the terminal means in response to a signal indicative of elapsed time measured by the timer.

3. The composite battery of claim 1, wherein the container and battery are configured to conform to a battery type selected from a PP3, AA, AAA, AAAA, C, or D battery type.

4. The composite battery of claim 1, wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of a MEMS device, a motion sensor, a liquid-based switch sensor, a contact switch sensor, a proximity sensor, and a current load sensor.

5. The composite battery of claim 2, wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of a MEMS device, a liquid-based switch sensor, a contact switch sensor, a proximity sensor, and a current load sensor.

6. The composite battery of claim 1, further comprising a processor fixed relative to the container and connected to the switch and to the sensor, the processor configured to control the switch in response to input from the sensor.

7. The composite battery of claim 6, wherein the processor is selected from the group consisting of a microprocessor, programmable logic controller (“

PLC”

), a microcomputer, programmable digital processor and combinations thereof.

8. The composite battery of claim 6, wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer and the processor is configured to open the switch, thereby cutting connection between the battery and the terminal, in response to sensor input indicative of an absence of battery movement for a defined time period.

9. The composite battery of claim 6, wherein the sensor comprises a pyroelectric detector, and the processor is configured to open the switch, thereby cutting connection between the battery and the terminal, in response to sensor input indicative of an absence of human movement within range of the detector for a defined time period.

10. The composite battery of claim 6, wherein the sensor comprises a temperature sensor, and the processor is configured to open the switch, thereby cutting connection between the battery and the terminal, in response to sensor input indicative of a sensor temperature less than a defined threshold.

11. The composite battery of claim 6, wherein the sensor comprises a microphone and the processor is configured to open the switch, thereby cutting connection between the battery and the terminal, in response to sensor input indicative of ambient noise less than a defined threshold for a defined time period.

12. The composite battery of claim 6, wherein the sensor comprises a visible light sensor and the processor is configured to open the switch, thereby cutting connection between the battery and the terminal, in response to sensor input indicative of ambient light less than a defined threshold for a defined time period.

13. The composite battery of claim 6, further comprising a substrate contained inside the container interposed between one of the anode or cathode and a respective one of the pair of terminals, the substrate holding at least one of the switch, sensor, and processor.

14. The composite battery of claim 1, wherein the sensor is mounted on an exterior of the container.

15. The composite battery of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a solid-state device.

16. A method of controlling power delivered from a composite battery including a battery means and a switch comprising the steps of:

placing the composite battery in a power delivering state;

detecting a predetermined signal or lack of a predetermined signal via a sensor disposed in the composite battery and associated with the switch;

transitioning the composite battery from the power delivering state to a non-power delivering state via the switch in response to the predetermined signal or the lack of a predetermined signal.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising continuing to monitor, via the sensor, for the predetermined signal or the lack of a predetermined signal while the composite battery is in the power delivering state.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of transitioning the composite battery from the power delivering state to the non-power delivering state includes starting a timer set at a predetermined time limit.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the composite battery transitions from the power delivering state to the non-power delivering state upon expiration of the timer.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the composite battery resets the timer, thereby preventing its expiration, in response to detecting the predetermined signal or the lack of a predetermined signal during the continued monitoring.