Research in Motion Corporation

Blackberry Corporation

Steven Carkner

Perry Jarmuszewski

Lizhong Zhu

Peter J Edmonson

Mihal Lazaridis

Matthias Wandel

Bryan Taylor

Robert L Lowles

Daniel Fischer

Yihong Qi

Robert James Lowles

Carl D Schaaff

Kent Arnold Nickerson

Jonathan Thomas Malton

Quang A Luong

Daniel M Fischer

An apparatus and method is disclosed which allow a limited energy source (such as a low voltage battery stack or a low current computer auxiliary device power connection) to charge a high performance capacitive device, which in turn powers a low duty-cycle, high power load circuit (such as a packet-switched radio data transmitter).

Power supply system for a packet-switched radio transmitter

A system includes a recharging device to which an electronic hand-held device powered by a battery can be connected. A controller associated with the recharging device performs a method of intemal-device battery cell detection, i.e., distinguishing between NiMH/NiCd and other types of cells in the battery, before recharging the battery. A method determines the cell chemistry without any modifications to the battery and/or without any user input by performing tests on the battery. The tests include a Battery Voltage Test, an Internal Resistance Test, and a Timed Voltage Test. The testing is performed through a combination of hardware and software in the charging cradle. By performing the tests in a preferred order, detected alkaline, lithium, rechargeable alkaline, and carbon-zinc cells, damaged NiMH and NiCd cells, and close to fully charged NiMH and NiCd cells cause termination of a recharging operation before damage to the device or battery is sustained&mdash;without requiring input from a user.

Battery recharging device and method and an automatic battery detection system and method therefor

A battery disconnect system is provided for a device having a battery and load. The battery disconnect system includes a switch that is operative to connect the battery to the load when the switch is in a closed state. The switch is also operative to disconnect the battery from the load when the switch is in an open state. The battery disconnect system also includes a switch controller that is coupled to the switch. The switch controller is operative to cause the switch to enter the closed state in response to receipt of a first signal from a first external source. The switch controller is also operative to cause the switch to enter the open state in response to receipt of a second signal from a second external source.

Battery disconnect system

A system includes a charging cradle that receives a electronic hand-held device powered by a battery. Inside the charging cradle a controller performs a method of internal-device battery cell detection, i.e., distinguishing between NiMH/NiCd and other types of cells in the battery, before recharging the battery. A method determines the cell chemistry without any modifications to the battery and/or without any user input by performing tests on the battery. The tests include a Battery Voltage Test, an Internal Resistance Test, and a Timed Voltage Test. The testing is performed through a combination of hardware and software in the charging cradle. By performing the tests in a preferred order, detected alkaline, lithium, rechargeable alkaline, and carbon-zinc cells, damaged NiMH and NiCd cells, and close to fully charged NiMH and NiCd cells cause termination of a recharging operation before damage to the device or battery is sustained.

Automatic battery detection system and method for detecting a rechargeable battery with low remaining charge

A battery recharging system and method are provided that include a rechargeable battery coupled to a recharging circuit. A recharging operation performed by the recharging circuit is controlled by a temperature measuring system, which is both electrically and thermally coupled to a contact engaging a terminal of the rechargeable battery. The temperature measuring system includes a contact temperature sensor and determination circuit, an ambient temperature sensor and determination circuit, a processing unit, and a threshold value unit. The contact temperature sensoris mechanicallyisolated from the battery such that the battery can be removed from the apparatus without removing the sensor. The determination circuits output first and second signals to the processing unit. The processing unit determines a difference value between these signals and compares the difference value to a threshold value from the threshold value unit. Based on this comparison, the processing unit sends control signals to the recharging circuit to control the recharging operation.

Indirect contact battery temperature detection for rechargeable battery

An RF data communications device antenna system is shown that includes a dipole and an electromagnetic coupler that provides coupling between each dipole arm to establish a desired resonant bandwidth. An LC matching circuit is provided for matching the dipole to the impedance of the RF data communications device and for transforming the RF signal between the dipole arms of the antenna system.

Antenna system for an RF data communications device

A wireless radio modem for incorporation into a host system includes radio frequency modulation/demodulation circuitry employing electronic device elements that operate in a frequency range that minimize the RF interference between the radio modem and the host system. Radio modem power conservation is further maximized by 1) simplifying signal modulation processing by use of a single sideband suppressed carrier waveform transition table, thereby reducing processing requirements; and 2) incorporating a 'sleep mode' feature in which all non-timer circuitry is powered-down when not in use.

Wireless radio modem with minimal interdevice RF interference

A radio telecommunications antenna includes a telescoping antenna portion for substantially receiving an electromagnetic signal. The telescoping portion is attached by an antenna mast for conducting the electromagnetic signal. A dielectric spacer and an inductor are in electrical contact with the antenna mast. An RF connector is in electrical contact with the dielectric spacer, opposite the antenna mast, so as to form a capacitor. The RF connector is also in electrical contact with the inductor so that the capacitor and the inductor form an LC circuit with values selected to provide a predetermined impedance match with the remainder of the antenna.

Antenna for a radio telecommunications device

A wireless radio modem that may be incorporated into a host system or connected through a PCMCIA or similar port to a host system includes radio frequency modulation/demodulation circuitry employing electronic device elements that operate in a frequency range that minimizes the RF interference between the radio modem and the host system. Radio modem power conservation is maximized by 1) simplifying signal modulation processing by use of a two-point waveform transition table, thereby reducing processing requirements; and 2)incorporating a 'sleep mode' feature in which all non-timer circuitry is powered-down when not in use.

Wireless radio modem with minimal inter-device RF interference

A wireless radio modem for incorporation into a host system includes radio frequency modulation/demodulation circuitry employing electronic device elements that operate in a frequency range that minimize the RF interference between the radio modem and the host system. Radio modem power conservation is further maximized by 1) simplifying signal modulation processing by use of a single sideband suppressed carrier waveform transition table, thereby reducing processing requirements; and 2)incorporating a 'sleep mode' feature in which all non-timer circuitry is powered-down when not in use.

Growing community of inventors

Waterloo, Canada

Steven Carkner