Method and system for discriminating between different types of batteries and charging the same
AssigneeIntermec IP Corp.
InventorsPatrick Helton, David Nierescher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A battery charging system for discriminating between different battery packs and charging the battery packs according to battery type and charging parameters of the battery pack. The battery charging system has a battery having a label and a charging dock for receiving the battery. Charging dock has a label reader for reading the label when the battery pack is operationally coupled to the charging dock. A discriminator, which is coupled to the label reader, generates at least one charge control signal based on information received from the label reader. A charger that is coupled to the discriminator receives the charge control signal and charges the battery pack based on the charge control signal.
Claims16
A battery charging system for determining battery type and charging parameters of a plurality of different battery pack types and adopting its charging parameters accordingly, said battery charging system comprising:
- a battery pack having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a label;
- and
- a charging dock for receiving the battery pack, said charging dock having a first terminal for contacting the first terminal of the battery pack when battery pack is operationally coupled to the charging dock;
- a second terminal for contacting the second terminal of the battery pack when battery pack is operationally coupled to the charging dock;
- a label reader for reading the label when the battery pack is operationally coupled to the charging dock;
- a discriminator, coupled to the label reader, for receiving information from the label reader and based thereon for generating at least one charge control signal;
- and
- a charger, coupled to the discriminator, for receiving the charge control signal and charging the battery pack based on the charge control signal.
A battery charging system, comprising:
- a) a battery pack having at least one of a plurality of batteries;
- the plurality of batteries including batteries of a first battery type and batteries of a second battery type, the batteries of the first battery type having charging parameters that are different from the batteries of the second battery type;
- and
- b) a charging dock for receiving the battery pack, the charging dock including a battery charger for charging the at least one of a plurality of batteries, the battery charger further including a battery discriminator for identifying whether the at least one of a plurality of batteries is of the first battery type or of the second battery type, the battery type identifying being a function of a reflective feature of the battery pack;
- wherein the reflective feature has at least one reflective section having a width;
- wherein information is encoded in the section by modifying the level of reflectivity of the section and wherein the encoded information is independent of the width of the reflective section;
- wherein the battery charger charges the one of a plurality of batteries in accordance with the identification of the battery type determined by the battery discriminator.
A method for charging a battery pack comprising the steps of:
- coupling the battery pack to a charging dock, the charging dock being adapted to charge at least one battery of the battery pack, the at least one battery being any one of a plurality of battery types having different charging parameters, the at least one battery being housed in a battery pack, the battery pack being any one of a plurality of types of battery packs corresponding to the plurality of battery types;
- using the charging dock to discriminate the type of the at least one battery from the plurality of battery types based on the type of battery pack, wherein the charging dock discriminates the type of the at least one battery based on a signal received from the battery pack corresponding to a reflective feature of the battery pack, the signal being representative of the type of the at least one battery;
- and
- charging the at least one battery according to the determined type of the at least one battery;
- wherein the reflective feature has at least one reflective section having a width;
- wherein information is encoded in the section by modifying the level of reflectivity of the section and wherein the encoded information is independent of the width of the reflective section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.