The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 02, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 17, 1998
Sean P Ryan, Wake Forest, NC (US);
Ericsson, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC (US);
Abstract
A loose type battery cell detection method and apparatus controls a battery charging circuit so as to disable recharging when loose battery cells are detected. A battery contact is disposed adjacent to a battery power source. If the battery power source is loose battery cells, the battery contact operatively engages the loose battery cells such that an electrical path is created from one loose battery cell to another via the battery contact. If the battery power source is a rechargeable battery pack, no electrical path between the battery power source and the battery contact is created. A battery detection circuit monitors the battery contact for an electrical signal, such as a voltage or current level above zero. While the electrical signal is detected, the battery detection circuit directly or indirectly causes the battery recharge function of the battery charging circuit of the recharging device to be disabled.