Microprocessor controlled battery reconditioner for portable radio transceivers

A method of reconditioning a rechargeable battery in portable radio, the battery producing a predetermined nominal voltage and having a predetermined minimum voltage when deep discharged, and the portable radio further including a receiver, a transmitter and a keyboard having a plurality of actuable keys, said method comprising the steps of:

• sensing the magnitude of the battery voltage;
• switchably applying the battery voltage to at least a portion of one of the radio receiver and radio transmitter in response to an enable signal;
• producing the enable signal in response to actuation of a pre-selected sequence of keys
• comparing the sensed magnitude of the battery voltage to a predetermined minimum voltage magnitude and removing the battery voltage from said at least a portion of one of the radio receiver and radio transmitter when the sensed magnitude of the battery voltage is substantially the same as the predetermined minimum voltage magnitude, whereby the battery is deep discharged to the predetermined minimum voltage.

A portable radio, comprising in combination:

• a rechargeable battery producing a predetermined nominal voltage and having a predetermined minimum voltage when deep discharged;
• a keyboard having a plurality of actuable keys;
• a radio receiver;
• a radio transmitter;
• and
• battery reconditioning circuitry comprising:
• detecting means coupled to the battery for sensing the magnitude of the battery voltage and converting the battery voltage to a digital representation thereof;
• transistor switching means for applying the battery voltage to at least one of the radio receiver and radio transmitter in response to an enable signal;
• computer processing means coupled to said detecting means, switching means and keyboard for producing the enable signal in response to actuation of a pre-selected sequence of keys, said computer processing means comparing the sensed magnitude of the battery voltage to a predetermined minimum voltage magnitude and disabling said switching means when the sensed magnitude of the battery voltage is substantially the same as the predetermined minimum voltage magnitude, whereby the battery is deep discharged to the predetermined minimum voltage.