Battery identification and power interrupt system

• US 5,717,306 A
• Filed: 11/18/1994
• Issued: 02/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Surgicon, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Henry, McCord, Bean, Miller & Gabriel, PLLC
• Inventors: Shipp, John I.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US08/342,382
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2, 320/15, 320/20, 320/30, 320/39, 320/48, 429/90
• US Class Current: 307/125
• 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: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A system for battery identification and interruption of power to a battery powered device includes a battery pack having an encoder in which battery identification data is digitally stored. A decoder incorporated in the battery powered device receives and processes battery identification data and compares it to preprogrammed device identification data.

Claims

1. A power interrupt system for matching a battery to a battery powered device, the system comprising:

a. battery housing means for retaining the battery such that the battery is housed separately from other components of the device, said battery housing including positive, negative and data contact means for electrically contacting battery power and battery data terminals;

b. power interrupt means to enable and disable the flow of electrical current from at least one of said battery power contacts to the device, said power interrupt means switchable between a closed position and an open position in response to a power interrupt signal;

c. device memory means in the device for storing a device identification code;

d. decoder means to electrically receive a battery identification code through said battery data contact and to compare the battery identification code to said device identification code stored in said memory means; and

e. means for generating said power interrupt signal to interrupt power to said device when the battery identification code does not match said device identification code.

2. The system of claim 1 where said decoder means further comprises an input port for electrically receiving said device identification code from a source external to said device.

3. The system of claim 1, said decoder means comprising control signal means for generating and communicating battery encoder control signals to said data contact means.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said device memory means includes means for storing the device identification code in digitized format and said decoder means includes means for decoding and comparing the battery identification code in digital format.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising error detection means to detect data transmission errors in the battery identification code received by said decoder means.

6. The system of claim 5, said control signal means including means to generate a battery reset signal.

7. A battery identification and power interrupt system for a battery powered electrical device comprising:

a. a battery pack, said battery pack removable from other components of the device and including a battery cell and a battery encoder means for electrically storing and communicating battery identification data from said battery pack to the battery powered device, the battery identification dam including a battery identification code;

b. decoder means integral to the battery powered device for receiving the battery identification data, said decoder means further including means for decoding the battery identification code, means for comparing the battery identification code to a device identification code associated with said device, and means for generating an interrupt control signal in response to comparison of the battery identification code to the device identification code; and

c. power interrupt means for enabling and disabling operation of the device, said power interrupt means responsive to said interrupt control signal.

8. A battery pack comprising:

a. a battery pack enclosure;

b. positive and negative terminals on said enclosure;

c. a data terminal on said enclosure;

d. at least one battery cell internal to said enclosure and electrically connected to said positive and negative terminals;

e. encoder means integral to said battery pack for electrical communication of battery pack identification data to said data terminal;

f. said enclosure physically isolates said battery cell and;

g. said data terminal being integral with either of said positive or negative terminals.

9. The battery pack of claim 8, said encoder means further comprising memory means for electronically storing a digitized battery identification code.

10. The battery pack of claim 9, said encoder means further comprising means to receive and respond to battery control signals from said data terminal.