Apparatus for selectively activating a plurality of devices

• US 5,814,969 A
• Filed: 09/23/1996
• Issued: 09/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Banyas, Timothy James
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHIN, KYUNG E
• Application Number:
  US08/717,970
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/112, 320/113, 320/114, 320/115, 320/106, 455/89, 379/61, 379/62
• US Class Current: 320/112
• 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: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3883 Arrangements for mounting batteries or battery chargers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An apparatus for selectively activating a plurality of functional devices, including a charging circuit for a battery, has a connector for making connection intermediate a battery and its associated devices, such as a cellular telephone, a portable computer, a battery charger or a combination telephone/charger. The connection is coupled to a plurality of signal distinguishing devices, at least one of which is coupled with the battery charging circuit. Each signal distinguishing device is coupled directly or intermediately to one or more additional signal distinguishing devices or to more or more functional devices.

The plurality of signal distinguishing devices preferably includes a first frequency discriminating filter and a second frequency discriminating filter. The first frequency discriminating filter is coupled intermediate the charging pole of the battery and the battery charging circuit. The second frequency discriminating filter is coupled intermediate the charging pole of the battery and a second functional device. At least one selected frequency discriminating filter is a low pass filter and at least one selected frequency discriminating filter is a high pass filter. The apparatus, which may be connected by a single connection intermediate a battery and its associated electronic device, is preferably integrally packaged with the battery.

Claims

1. An apparatus for selectively activating a plurality of functional devices within a battery housing, comprising:

at least one connection intermediate the battery housing and at least one external device; and

a plurality of signal distinguishing devices disposed within said battery housing and coupled with said at least one connection;

wherein each of said plurality of functional devices performs at least one function and each of the functional devices is coupled with said plurality of signal distinguishing devices in a configuration facilitating said selective operation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of functional devices is a battery charging circuit.

3. An apparatus for selectively activating a plurality of devices as recited in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is integrally packaged with said battery housing.

4. An apparatus for selectively activating a plurality of devices as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one selected signal distinguishing device of said plurality of signal distinguishing devices is a low pass filter.

5. An apparatus for selectively activating a plurality of devices as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one selected signal distinguishing device of said plurality of signal distinguishing devices is a high pass filter.

6. An apparatus for selectively activating a plurality of devices as recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises a positive pole, a negative pole, and a charging pole;

said charging pole comprising said at least one connection.

7. An apparatus for selectively activating a plurality of devices as recited in claim 6 wherein said plurality of signal distinguishing devices includes a first frequency discriminating filter and a second frequency discriminating filter;

said first frequency discriminating filter being coupled intermediate said charging pole and a first functional device;

said second frequency discriminating filter being coupled intermediate said charging pole and a second functional device.

8. An apparatus for distinguishing among a plurality of signals;

respective signals of said plurality of signals having different frequencies;

the apparatus comprising;

at least one connection intermediate a battery housing and at least one external device;

a plurality of signal distinguishing devices being disposed within said battery housing and coupled with said at least one connection to establish a signal distinguishing network;

said signal distinguishing network being coupled with a plurality of functional devices;

said plurality of functional devices including a charging circuit; and

each respective functional device of said plurality of functional devices performing at least one function;

said signal distinguishing network cooperating with said plurality of functional devices to perform respective said functions selectively in response to predetermined said frequencies.

9. An apparatus for distinguishing among a plurality of signals as recited in claim 8 wherein the apparatus is integrally packaged with said battery.

10. An apparatus for distinguishing among a plurality of signals as recited in claim 8 wherein at least one selected signal distinguishing device of said plurality of signal distinguishing devices is a low pass filter.

11. An apparatus for distinguishing among a plurality of signals as recited in claim 8 wherein said at least one selected signal distinguishing device of said plurality of signal distinguishing devices is a high pass filter.

12. An apparatus for distinguishing among a plurality of signals as recited in claim 8 wherein said apparatus further comprises a positive pole, a negative pole, and a charging pole;

said charging pole being said at least one connection.

13. An apparatus for distinguishing among a plurality of signals as recited in claim 12 wherein said plurality of frequency distinguishing devices includes a first frequency discriminating filter and a second discriminating filter;

said first frequency discriminating filter being coupled intermediate said charging pole and a first device of said plurality of devices;

said second frequency discriminating filter being coupled intermediate said charging pole and a second device of said plurality of devices.

14. An apparatus for selectively activating a plurality of functional means for performing a function;

said plurality of functional means including a charging means for charging a battery disposed within a housing;

the apparatus comprising;

a connection means for establishing connection;

said connection means establishing at least one connection intermediate said battery and at least one communication device;

a plurality of signal distinguishing means for distinguishing signals;

said plurality of signal distinguishing means being disposed within said battery housing and coupled with said connection means;

said charging means being connected with at least one signal distinguishing means of said plurality of signal distinguishing means; and

each respective functional means of said plurality of functional means performing at least one function, each said respective functional means being coupled with said plurality of signal distinguishing means in a configuration facilitating said selective operation.