Motorola Corporation

Other

Robert B Ford

Joseph Patino

James V Pottala

Mike M Albert

David M Demuro

John A Kalenowsky

John C Barron

Mitchell E Goodman

Mehrdad Badie

Serafima Tsatskin

Sokphal Kchao

The present invention provides a power adapter (,) adapted to couple an external antenna (,) to a communication device (,) by way of a cable (,) which is typically plugged into a cigarette lighter of a vehicle or some other power source at one end, and an input connector of the communication device (,) at the other. In particular, the present invention provides a simple one-piece vehicle power adapter which also provides RF input/output capability for connection to an external vehicle antenna. According to certain aspects of the invention, the adapter can be configured to have a variety of selection mechanisms. For example, the communication device could include an RF switch (,) and control circuitry for selecting either the internal or external antenna for optimum reception. Alternatively, the cable could include an external switch (,) for allowing the user to select the desired antenna. Finally, the cable could include a component which automatically actuates the switch to select the external antenna when the external antenna is connected to the communication device.

Power adapter with integral radio frequency port

The present invention provides a power adapter (,) adapted to couple an external antenna (,) to a communication device (,) by way of a cable (,) which is typically plugged into a cigarette lighter of a vehicle or some other power source at one end, and an input connector of the communication device (,) at the other. In particular, the present invention provides a simple one-piece vehicle power adapter which also provides RF input/output capability for connection to an external vehicle antenna. According to certain aspects of the invention, the adapter can be configured to have a variety of selection mechanisms. For example, the communication device could include an RF switch (,) and control circuitry for selecting either the internal or external antenna for optimum reception. Alternatively, the power adapter could include an external switch (,) for allowing the user to select the desired antenna. Finally, the power adapter could include a component which automatically actuates the switch to select the external antenna when the external antenna is connected to the communication device.

A method and apparatus for a mobile battery charging arrangement (100, 104, 114) utilizes a controllable power switch (306) to selectively switch power from a vehicular power source (114), such as a vehicle battery, to a battery charging circuit (101) to provide a charge to a rechargeable portable battery (104) for a portable battery operated device such as a portable communication radio (106). A battery present detector (102) controls the controllable power switch (306) to switch in the power from the vehicular battery power source (114) to the battery charging circuit (101) only while the rechargeable portable battery (104) is electrically coupled to the battery charging circuit (101) for receiving a charge therefrom.

Low current vehicular adapter charger

Strain relief

By monitoring both charge current and the battery voltage (306, 308) the likelihood of overcharging a battery is reduced. Battery voltage is compared to a predetermined limit (310) and the battery goes into trickle charge if the predetermined limit is exceeded (312), but now by also determining if a positive delta in charge current has occurred (314), the charger can trickle charge the battery (312) even if the cutoff voltage is never exceeded.

Technique for avoiding overcharging a battery

A communication apparatus (100) includes an automatically configured multimode talk switch (154). The communication apparatus (100) can be operated in a simplex communication mode, for receive or transmit operations, and a duplex communication mode, for simultaneous receive and transmit operations. The switch (154) is automatically configured as a push-to-talk momentary switch when the communication apparatus operates in the simplex communication mode (232, 235), and automatically configured as an on-hook/off-hook switch, when the communication apparatus operates in the duplex communication mode (242,245).

Communication apparatus with an automatically configured multimode talk

A heatsink assembly (100) provides additional heat dissipation for a high-power integrated circuit package (102) contained within a communication product housing (130). There is an integral heatsink (104) protruding from the package. The heatsink frictionally mates with the first end (108) of a thermally conductive member (106). The second end (110) of the conductive member is magnetically-coupled to the rear surface (123) of a loudspeaker magnet (122). Tabs (111) extending away from the second end of the conductive member provide added mechanical support, preventing the second end from sliding against the rear surface of the magnet. Heat generated by the high-power device is transferred from the package heatsink, via the thermally conductive member, to the loudspeaker magnet such that heat is dissipated away from the package and toward the magnet.

Heatsink assembly for a high-power device

Available battery life of a rechargeable battery is assessed and indicated to a user (300). A temporary load is switched onto a fully charged battery (304, 308) and voltage measurements are taken in both unloaded and loaded conditions (306, 310). The battery's internal impedance is determined (312) based on the measured voltages and is compared to a predetermined threshold (314). The predetermined threshold is set based on a value representing a selected minimum available capacity of the battery. An indicator alerts the user as to the status (316, 318) of the available battery life of the battery.

Method and apparatus for assessing available battery life in a

A battery charging system (200) is capable of maintaining a fully charged battery (202) without overcharging or undercharging the battery regardless of the operating mode of the radio (204). Charging system (200) includes a charger (202) which senses the capacity of the battery (206) through a capacity resistor (224) at a capacity sense terminal (244). The charger (202) also senses the radio current through the same capacity sense terminal (244) using a current sensing device (226). Charger (202) continuously compensates for the current drain presented by the radio (204).

Method and apparatus for current compensation of a battery in a charger

A self-latching antenna field coupler (120) includes two housing members (210, 230). One of the housing members (230) is movable, relative to the other housing member (210), between a first position to define an antenna receiving channel (222), and a second position to define a secured antenna chamber (322). A latch actuator (250) is mechanically coupled to the movable housing member (230), to automatically effect movement of the movable housing member (230) from the first position to the second position when an antenna (195) is received in the antenna receiving channel (222).

Self-latching antenna field coupler

A tilt switch assembly (100) includes a hall-effect device (102) for determining if a magnet (110) which is placed within a housing (112) has tilted a predetermined amount causing the hall-effect device to actuate. In another embodiment of the invention (300), a movable magnetic filed concentrator (306) which moves in response to switch assembly (300) being tilted causes a tilt condition signal to be generated when the switch assembly (300) is tilted a predetermined amount. In still another embodiment of the present invention, a magnet (502) is stored within a cavity area which allows for the magnet to tilt when the switch assembly (500) is tilted a predetermined amount. Once the magnet (502) becomes tilted, a tilt condition signal is generated.

Switch assembly

Supply of energy to a radio device (220) as provided by a battery pack (210) is remotely controlled by coupling a transistor switch (213) between an energy source (212) within the battery pack (210) and battery terminals (222 and 224). The transistor switch (213) is controlled by a control signal (238) which is applied to the battery (210) through a control terminal (217) disposed on the battery.

Battery having a transistor switch for supplying energy

A battery charger for charging a battery (4) for a radio (12), is provided having two terminals (6 and 8). A charging circuit (24 and 26) has a controllable parameter for charging the battery (4). An operational mode detector (30) is coupled to the two terminals (6 and 8) for detecting an operational mode of the radio. A control circuit (22) is coupled to the operational mode detector (30) and to the charging circuit (24 and 26) for controlling the controllable parameter in response to the operational mode detected.

Transmit mode detector in a battery charger

A simplex radio-accessories interface connector (30) connects the simplex radio (10) having a speaker amplifier (102) and a push-to-talk (PTT) detector (103) to accessories which include an earpiece speaker (107) and a PTT switch (110). The connector (30) has a first connector mating assembly (25a-d and 84a-d) for coupling the connector (30) to the radio (10) and a second connector mating assembly (44a-c and 48a-c) for coupling the connector (30) to the accessories. Inside the connector (30), a receive audio line (104a) couples the speaker amplifier (102) to the earpiece speaker (107) and a PTT detect line (122) couples the PTT detector (103) to the PTT switch (110). At the second connector mating assembly (44a-c and 48a-c), the receive audio (104a) and the PTT detect (122) lines are combined (44a and 48a).

Minimum wire interface for multiple accessories

The alert circuit includes a minimum number of inexpensive descrete electronic components to provide a flashing alert when battery voltage drops below a predetermined trigger voltage. A single unijunction transistor circuit functions as a combination low voltage detector and oscillator to output periodic pulses to an LED annunciator circuit when battery voltage is low.

Growing community of inventors

Tamarac, FL, United States of America

Robert B Ford