Selfcharge

Other

Intermec IP Corporation

Intermec, Inc.

Data I/o Corporation

David S Nierescher

Christopher A Wiklof

Pixie Ann Austin

Edward M Millet

David E Jones

Jeffrey I Raper

Craig Steven Ranta

Loyd C Moore

Patrick Helton

Walter A Van Schalkwijk

Robert M Paratore

Douglas K Yip

Brian A Arthur

Alan W Gray

Samuel E Cassese

Steven M Swedenburg

A method and apparatus for separating a housing containing circuit charging components from a housing containing battery charging contacts and a rechargeable battery for the purpose of minimizing heat transfer from the components of the battery charging circuit to the rechargeable battery. This is accomplished by utilizing a thermally resistant bridge between the charging circuit components generating heat and the battery(s) under charge.

Battery charger configuration reducing thermal conduction

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.

Method and system for discriminating between different types of batteries and charging the same

A modular battery charging system is provided in two main embodiments. In a first embodiment, the modular battery charging system includes a power supply, an elongated track, a connector, and at least one battery charging module. The power supply converts an outlet alternating current voltage supply to a stepped-down direct current voltage supply of an amount equal to or less than about 30 volts. The elongated track includes a number of conductive strips, interfitting with each other. The battery charging module includes a housing, a charging unit supported within the housing, a number of electrical connection components to contact the track strips and to extend to the charging unit, and a battery device receiving port to receive the particular battery device in need of charging. In a second embodiment, the modular battery charging system includes a power supply and one or more battery charging module modules. The battery charging module modules include a housing having an electrical input port and an electrical output port, a charging unit positioned and supported within the housing, and a number of electrical connection components. During use, the electrical input port of a first battery charging module is connected directly to the power supply output port, and the electrical input ports of additional battery charging module modules are connected directly to the previous battery charging module electrical output port. In this manner a train of battery charging module modules is formed, headed by a single power supply.

Apparatus for charging multiple batteries

A printhead having multiple print lines of conventional design and a printhead control system for using the multiple print lines in a variety of operations. In one embodiment, the printhead control system prints an image by superimposing the printing from multiple print lines. In another embodiment, the image is printed by alternating the energization of one print line so that each print line is used to print only &frac13; of the image lines. As a result, the print lines are allowed a relatively long time to cool, thus allowing the printhead to be operated at a faster speed. In another embodiment, the printing elements of each print line print with a different image density, and images printed by superimposing the printing elements in the print lines with a variety of combinations depending upon the desired magnitude of the image density. In still another embodiment of the printhead control system, the resistance of each printing element is checked and, if found to be unacceptably high, corresponding printing elements of other print lines are used for printing.

Printhead having multiple print lines, and method and apparatus for using same

An adapter plug system connectable to AC and DC sources for powering an electrically powered device. The system includes an adapter power cord for translating AC or DC voltages into a predefined DC voltage and a DC adapter. The adapter power cord also includes an adapter circuit in a case that translates a received voltage into a voltage acceptable for an attached electrically powered device. The adapter power cord includes a switch for automatically or manually setting the adapter circuit to translate AC or DC voltages. The system also includes a DC adapter that inserts into a vehicle lighter outlet for supplying a DC voltage to plug prong receiving ports.

Lighter plug DC outlet and single AC and DC plug with adapter circuit

A rechargeable apparatus for mounting onto a battery-powered device and providing power. The apparatus includes a housing for slideably receiving the battery-powered device, a jack that is insertable into a power outlet on the battery-powered device, a rotatable AC plug mounted to the housing, and a night light coupled to the AC plug and positioned on the housing to supply illuminating light. Also, the apparatus includes at least one rechargeable battery and a charging circuit mounted inside the housing. The jack and night light may be mounted on a support arm that extends away from the housing.

Rechargeable charging cradle and night light

A printhead having multiple print lines of conventional design and a printhead control system for using the multiple print lines in a variety of operations. In one embodiment, the printhead control system prints an image by superimposing the printing from multiple print lines. In another embodiment, the image is printed by alternating the energization of one print line so that each print line is used to print only 1/3 of the image lines. As a result, the print lines are allowed a relatively long time to cool, thus allowing the printhead to be operated at a faster speed. In another embodiment, the printing elements of each print line print with a different image density, and images printed by superimposing the printing elements in the print lines with a variety of combinations depending upon the desired magnitude of the image density. In still another embodiment of the printhead control system, the resistance of each printing element is checked and, if found to be unacceptably high, corresponding printing elements of other print lines are used for printing.

Printhead having multiple print lines, and method and apparatus for

A rechargeable battery pack (10) for holding one or more batteries (19) and for connecting to an battery powered device (11). The battery pack batteries supplies electrical power to the peripheral device. The battery pack includes a case for holding at least one battery, a recharging circuit (57) connected to the at least one battery and disposed in the case and a plug (50) with prongs for electrically connecting the recharging circuit to an external source of electrical power. The plug rotates about a connection to the case from a first operational position having the plug mounted flush with the case and the prongs recessed in the case, to a second operational position with the prongs projecting from the case. The second and third operational positions of the plug are approximately orthogonal to the first operational position. The prongs are electrically connected to the recharging circuit in all operational positions. The battery pack also includes a discharging circuit (68) connected to the at least one battery and disposed within the case. A battery discharging arm (15) includes a discharging plug (61) and is rotatably connected to the case. The arm rotates from a first operating mode position having the arm rotated approximately flush with the case, to a second operating mode position with the arm projecting from the case. The first operating mode position of the arm enables the recharging circuit and disables the battery discharging circuit. The second operating mode position of the arm enables the battery discharging circuit and disable the recharging circuit.

Rechargeable battery pack for battery powered devices with a rotatably

Rechargeable battery pack for battery powered devices

A battery pack (20) holds one or more batteries (118) and connects to a mobile telephone (115). The battery pack includes a case (22) for holding the batteries, a recharging circuit (122) disposed in the case, a plug (86) rotatably connected to the case and electrically connected to the recharging circuit, and electrical terminals 46 mounted to the case. The plug includes a pair of generally parallel, spaced prongs (88). The plug rotates from a first position, having the prongs projecting from the case, to a second position having the prongs retracted into the case. Electrical leads (47) extend from each of the electrical terminals to battery terminals. A pair of contacts (110) and (112) spaced from another, interrupts each of the electrical leads. When the prongs retract, each electrical contact of a contact pair electrically connects to one another through a prong. When the prongs extend, the electrical contacts are disconnected from one another.

Rechargeable battery pack for mobile telephones

A battery pack for an electrical device contains rechargeable batteries for supplying power to the electrical device and a transformerless pulse charging circuit. The pulse charging circuit generates a pulse charging current from received AC current, and charges the rechargeable batteries with the generated pulse charging current. A semiconductor switch (12) generates the pulse charging current from the received AC current and supplies the pulse charging current to the batteries. A ramp generator circuit (14) generates a linearly rising waveform beginning at each zero crossing of the rectified AC current. A current sense amplifier circuit (15) measures the average value of current pulses through the battery and generates a signal proportional to an average charging current. A triggering circuit (18) generates the gate firing pulses for the semiconductor switch (12) according to the linearly rising waveform and the average charging current amplifier waveform.

Variable pulse recharging battery pack

A method and apparatus for adjusting a printhead. The position of a thermal printhead for printing on a print medium that passes between the printhead and a print medium support member can be adjusted relative to the print medium support member. The adjustment is accomplished by adjusting the position of a shaft, attached to a printhead heat sink and passing through a printhead support member, relative to the printhead support member. The adjustment mechanism, placed at the end of the shaft passing through the printhead support member, includes a lever that can be adjusted rotationally with respect to the axis of the shaft. In one embodiment, the lever has a series of wedging surfaces of differing longitudinal thickness which engage a fastener near the end of the shaft. In another embodiment, the adjustment mechanism includes two levers, each having a series of wedging surfaces, but the longitudinal thicknesses of the wedging surface on one of the levers is greater than the thickness of any of the wedging surfaces on the other lever. The two levers interact with one another, with the printhead support member, and with the fastener on the shaft to provide for coarse and fine adjustments of the printhead position relative to the print medium support member. The spacing between the printhead support member and the printhead heat sink is adjusted by a compliant washer.

Method and apparatus for adjusting a printhead

Modular socket technology is disclosed, which includes a contact board mounted to an electronic device for receiving voltage and current signals to be transmitted from the electronic device to a semiconductor circuit. A compression coupler is provided for receiving the semiconductor circuit. The compression coupler includes a printed circuit board having a plurality of conductors mounted to a first side thereof, and extending to a second side thereof for providing electrical contact between the leads of the semiconductor circuit and the contact board. The contact board further includes a resilient conductor adapted to mechanically and electrically engage the plurality of conductors of the compression coupler, thereby to couple voltage and current signals from the electronic device to the semiconductor circuit. The modular socket apparatus may further include a semiconductor carrier for receiving the semiconductor circuit. The compression coupler includes an elastic conductor for conducting voltage and current signals from the plurality of conductors to the leads of the semiconductor circuit. The semiconductor carrier includes a compression pad for engaging the semiconductor circuit to compress the leads of the semiconductor circuit to the elastic conductor, thereby to make mechanical and electrical contact between the leads of the semiconductor circuit and the elastic conductor so that voltage and current signals may be transmitted from the leads of the semiconductor circuit to the electronic device.

Modular socket apparatus

A zero insertion force socket for integrated circuits having a contact pattern formed on the upper surface of a resilient circuit on which an integrated circuit is adapted to be placed with its leads in contact with the contact pattern. A plurality of frames having different sized cutouts conforming to the shape of integrated circuit cases of different sizes are used to position integrated circuits having cases of different sizes at predetermined locations on the contact pattern. The positioning frames are pivotally mounted on a common pin, and they nest together so that at least some of the positioning frames fit within the rectangular cutout of the next larger positioning frame. In order to bias the integrated circuit into the resilient circuit, a lid having a plunger is positioned over the integrated circuit. The plunder contacts the upper surface of the integrated circuit case to force it against the resilient circuit either with a constant force or a constant displacement. The plunger may project through the lid when it is displaced by an integrated circuit in order to indicate that an integrated circuit is installed in said socket.

Growing community of inventors

Renton, WA, United States of America

David S Nierescher