U.S. patent application number 13/754658 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-06 for cell phone battery system with back-up reserve.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gary Bennis, Hannah Bennis, Elizabeth Lang. Invention is credited to Gary Bennis, Hannah Bennis, Elizabeth Lang.
Application Number | 20130143100 13/754658 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42631449 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130143100 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bennis; Gary ; et
al. |
June 6, 2013 |
CELL PHONE BATTERY SYSTEM WITH BACK-UP RESERVE
Abstract
The invention relates to a cell phone battery pack and a method
of providing backup battery power to a cell phone. The cell phone
battery pack is configured to be positioned within a cell phone.
The battery pack includes a first battery, a second battery and a
means to allow switching between the first battery and the second
battery for powering the cell phone. The first battery and the
second battery may differ in one or both of size and capacity.
Inventors: |
Bennis; Gary; (Eau Claire,
WI) ; Lang; Elizabeth; (Eau Claire, WI) ;
Bennis; Hannah; (Eau Claire, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bennis; Gary
Lang; Elizabeth
Bennis; Hannah |
Eau Claire
Eau Claire
Eau Claire |
WI
WI
WI |
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
42631449 |
Appl. No.: |
13/754658 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12712169 |
Feb 24, 2010 |
8369904 |
|
|
13754658 |
|
|
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|
61154929 |
Feb 24, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
429/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 52/0296 20130101;
Y02D 30/70 20200801; Y02E 60/10 20130101; H01M 2/0202 20130101;
H04M 1/0262 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
429/156 |
International
Class: |
H01M 2/02 20060101
H01M002/02 |
Claims
1.-23. (canceled)
24. A cell phone battery pack comprising two batteries joined
together, wherein the two batteries are of the same size and each
has a different capacity.
25. A cell phone battery pack comprising two batteries joined
together, wherein the two batteries differ in size and each has the
same capacity.
26. A cell phone battery pack comprising two batteries joined
together, wherein the two batteries differ in size and in
capacity.
27. The cell phone battery pack of claim 26, wherein each battery
is defined by a top surface, an opposite bottom surface, and four
edge surfaces positioned between the top surface and the bottom
surface, and a first edge surface of a first battery is in contact
with a first edge surface of a second battery.
28. The cell phone battery pack of claim 26, wherein the two
batteries are joined together by one or more of a tape, a band, by
interlocking, an adhesive, and an adhesive strip.
29. The cell phone battery pack of claim 26, wherein the each
battery contains an electrical terminal configured to be in
electrical connection with electrical contacts in a cell phone in
which the battery pack is placed.
30. The cell phone battery pack of claim 29, wherein two of the
four edge surfaces of each battery are positioned as ends of the
battery, the other two of the four edge surfaces are positioned as
side surfaces connecting the two end surfaces, and the electrical
terminal of each of the batteries is placed on the end surface.
31. The cell phone battery pack of claim 30, wherein the electrical
terminal of each of the batteries is on opposite end surfaces.
32. The cell phone battery pack of claim 30, wherein the electrical
terminal of each of the batteries is on adjacent end surfaces.
33. The cell phone battery pack of claim 29, wherein the electrical
terminal of each of the batteries is placed on the either the top
surface or the bottom surface adjacent an end of the battery.
34. The cell phone battery pack of claim 33, wherein the electrical
terminal on the top or bottom surface of each of the batteries is
on opposite end surfaces.
35. The cell phone battery pack of claim 33, wherein the electrical
terminal on the top or bottom surface of each of the batteries is
on adjacent end surfaces.
36. The cell phone battery pack of claim 27, wherein the edge
surface of the first battery in contact with the second battery is
a side surface and the edge surface of the second battery in
contact with the first battery is a side surface.
37. The cell phone battery pack of claim 27, wherein the edge
surface of the first battery in contact with the second battery is
an end surface and the edge surface of the second battery in
contact with the first battery is an end surface.
38. The cell phone battery pack of claim 26, wherein each battery
is defined by a top surface, an opposite bottom surface, and four
edge surfaces positioned between the top surface and the bottom
surface, and the bottom surface of a first battery is in contact
with a top surface of a second battery.
39. The cell phone battery pack of claim 38, wherein the each
battery contains an electrical terminal configured to be in
electrical connection with electrical contacts in a cell phone in
which the battery pack is placed and wherein two of the four edge
surfaces of each battery are positioned as ends of the battery, the
other two of the four edge surfaces are positioned as side surfaces
connecting the two end surfaces, and the electrical terminal of
each of the batteries is placed on the end surface.
40. The cell phone battery pack of claim 39, wherein the electrical
terminal of each of the batteries is on opposite end surfaces or on
adjacent end surfaces.
41. The cell phone battery pack of claim 39, wherein the electrical
terminal of each of the batteries is placed on the either the top
surface or the bottom surface adjacent an end of the battery.
42. The cell phone battery pack of claim 41, wherein the electrical
terminal on the top or bottom surface of each of the batteries is
on opposite end surfaces or on adjacent end surfaces.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application claiming
priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/154,929,
filed on Feb. 24, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated
herein in their entirety by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The field of the invention generally relates to cell phone
battery systems that ensure a user has reserve cell phone battery
power for emergency calls.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In the last twenty years, cell phones have become ubiquitous
with users purchasing cell phones for convenience as well as
safety. Cell phone batteries have been developed with the objective
of extending the battery life of the cell phone in both use
(talk-time battery life) and when unused (standby). Cell phone talk
time battery life ranges from less than two hours to more than ten
hours, depending on the phone. The objective of extending the
battery life responds to consumers who demand longer and longer
talk time battery life and reduced need to charge the phone. At the
same time, cell phone users are seeking smaller and more compact
cell phones, which increase the challenge for battery manufacturers
as they are being asked to increase talk time battery life in a
smaller and smaller battery. By merely looking at the size of cell
phones and reviewing their reported talk time batter life, it is
evident that cell phone battery manufacturers have responded well
to the demand for smaller batteries with longer talk time battery
life.
[0004] Cell phones offer more than just convenience, of course.
Many users carry a cell phone as a safety measure. For example,
cell phone users rely on their cell phones to make telephone
contact for assistance in the event of car problems, to seek
assistance in dangerous situations, to seek aid in response to
emergency medical needs, etc.
[0005] Cell phones typically have an alert system to ensure that
users know when their phone's battery life is low. A common means
of alerting the user to a low battery condition is by a warning
beep and/or a display on the screen alerting the user to a low
battery condition. The user knows at that time that very little
talk time remains and the phone should be connected to a charger to
recharge the battery. If the phone is not connected to a charger,
the battery will eventually discharge even if left in standby mode.
This is a problem when a user is not carrying the phone and it is
left unattended in standby mode, e.g., the owner leaves the phone
in a car in a briefcase, jacket or purse. In these situations, when
the warning beep is sounded the user does not hear it and the phone
battery completely discharges without the user knowing. Upon later
needing the phone, such as in an emergency situation, the user
likely will not have any battery power remaining to turn on the
phone.
[0006] As illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 7,388,349 it is known to add
a reserve battery to a car battery to provide an emergency starting
ability if the primary battery is dead or fails. The '349 patent
discloses a rechargeable battery system that includes a main
battery and at least on auxiliary battery. According to the patent,
the battery system is for a vehicle battery system in which the
batteries are configured to fit within a housing having
conventional external dimensions. The system also may include an
attachment for attaching an auxiliary battery to a conventional
battery and further include circuitry for switching between the
main battery and the auxiliary battery. It should be noted that a
car battery differs from a cell phone battery for a number of
reasons. For example, a car battery is not drained during use but
instead is constantly recharged during use by an alternator. As
such a reserve car battery is useful when the primary car battery
fails to start the car, such as a battery or alternator failure. In
contrast, a cell phone battery is designed to be drained during use
and later recharged.
[0007] Other dual battery systems also are known. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,223,351 discloses a dual battery system that includes a
first battery and a second battery electrically connected in
parallel to positive and negative terminals with the first battery
having an open circuit voltage greater than that of the second
battery so that, as current is drawn from both batteries, the
amount of current drawn from each respective battery at a given
voltage level varies depending on the magnitude of the current. The
first battery preferably supplies most of the current at low to
moderate current loads, whereas the second battery provides a
greater portion of the total current at high current loads.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,099 discloses a portable telephone and
an additional device for the portable telephone capable of
improving the portability of the portable telephone. The additional
device can be a battery that is attached to the existing battery of
the telephone.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,973,477 discloses a multiple battery system
used in a cell phone. The system includes a charging battery unit
with multiple batteries that is connected to a buzzer and a
high-voltage generator, both of which capable of forming a loop
with the charging battery unit when the press switch is pressed.
The high-voltage generator is connected to an electric guide rod
controllable by a push switch to extend from or retract into the
battery casing.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,756 discloses a power supply having a
high energy capacity battery module and a high energy power battery
module for providing power to a load. The high energy capacity
battery module is connected to a DC to DC converter via a first
switch for selectively providing power to the load. The high energy
power battery module is connected to the DC to DC converter via a
second switch for selectively providing power to the load.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,141 discloses a multi-battery system
that includes a device and a method to allow multiple batteries
with varying capacities and power capabilities to drive a common
load. The method also adjusts the output current of one or more of
the batteries driving a common load to maximize the operational
time of the load. The level of the current being supplied by the
battery unit is monitored and compared to a desired current level.
Upon detecting a change in the level of the current, the output
voltage of one or more of the battery systems is modified to return
the level of the battery current to the desired current level.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,784 discloses an external backup battery
for use with a cell phone or other device having a rechargeable
battery and system that allows the battery to be recharged while
still in the device. The backup battery plugs into the recharger
connector on the cell phone and permits the backup battery to
charge the main battery, thereby extending the life of the main
battery.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,179 discloses a system and method for
providing emergency reserve battery power. The system includes a
detector that detects battery power level and causes the system to
go into an emergency power reserve state that queries the user to
determine if the call is an emergency call before making the call.
The patent states that the battery reserve features may reserve a
special portion of the battery, e.g., 5% or 10%, for only emergency
situations.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,236,181 discloses a supplemental power
vehicle for a radio controlled car. The supplemental power cell
increases the top end speed of the vehicle and is generally a
battery or batteries that are provided between the power supply for
the vehicle and the motor that powers the vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0015] The objectives of the invention include one or more of the
following. For example, one objective is to provide a battery pack
made up of two batteries with one battery being smaller than the
other in either size or capacity. The smaller battery serves
primarily as a battery backup. The smaller battery also serves as a
portion of the overall normal battery life of a cell phone. As
another objective, the combined batteries take up the same or
smaller space than the original battery when being used to replace
the battery in a cell phone. As another objective, the combined
batteries may take up the same amount of space or more space than
the original battery of a cell phone.
[0016] As another objective, when the primary battery goes dead in
a cell phone, the cell phone shuts off and the reserve battery is
activated to power the cell phone by use of either a manual switch
on the back of the phone, a keypad activated switch, or merely
turning on the cell phone again.
[0017] As another objective, when the primary battery goes dead in
a cell phone, the user has the option to cause the primary battery
to automatically be replaced by the reserve battery to power the
cell phone without the requirement of manually switching to the
reserve battery. In this case the user is overriding the reserve
feature but is notified earlier of the reduced capacity of the
battery. The user also may be required to activate this feature of
a cell phone where the default feature is to allow the phone to die
when the primary battery dies. By allowing the primary battery to
die without immediately activating the reserve battery permits the
owner of the phone to be assured that there will be battery power
remaining when they activate the phone. Thus, another objective is
for the ability of the primary battery of the cell phone to use up
its battery capacity and go dead without also causing the reserve
battery to go dead. The system may be configured to determine the
capacity remaining, switch to the reserve battery shortly before
the primary battery would go below a minimum amount of power
remaining and automatically shut down the phone. In this manner,
when the user turns on the phone again the phone will be powered
from the reserve battery.
[0018] As another object, the primary battery and the reserve
battery may each be of a size such that a combined size of the
batteries is compatible for replacing the battery in existing cell
phones. The opposite ends of the battery may be configured to be
the same with respect to terminal and mounting features to allow
the battery to be flipped over and still fit within and function
with the cell phone.
[0019] As another objective, the user may want to have the ability
to use the reserve battery for day-to-day calls and save the larger
capacity battery for emergency reasons. This may be arranged for
certain discipline reasons such as limiting calls to a shorter
duration for economic or personal reasons.
[0020] As another objective, two or more batteries are banded
together, such as an adhesive tape or interlocked to hold each
other together. This allows one battery or the other to be replaced
without replacing the entire battery pack. The batteries can be
placed adjacent to each other without being banded together and the
phone configured to receive power from each battery as needed.
[0021] As another objective, a cell phone is programmed to shut off
upon reaching a set capacity threshold to force the user to
recognize that there is only a certain capacity remaining that may
be reserved for emergency usage. Once it is used up and restarted,
then the battery will discharge until fully drained.
[0022] In one general aspect, a cell phone battery pack is
configured to be positioned within a cell phone to power the cell
phone. The battery pack includes a first battery, a second battery
and a means to allow switching between the first battery and the
second battery for powering the cell phone.
[0023] Embodiments of the cell phone battery pack may include one
or more of the following features. For example, the means to switch
between the first battery and the second battery may be a switch on
the batteries. The means to switch between the first battery and
the second battery may be a switch on the cell phone. The means to
switch between the first battery and the second battery may be
software of the cell phone in which the first battery and the
second battery are placed. The means to switch between the first
battery and the second battery may be a positioning of terminals on
the first battery and the second battery whereby the battery can be
changed in orientation within the cell phone to switch between use
of the first battery and the second battery.
[0024] The first battery may discharge during use of the cell phone
without simultaneous discharge of the second battery. Upon
discharge of the first battery, the second battery may not be
automatically activated.
[0025] The battery pack may have terminals for the first battery
and the second battery at one end of the battery. The battery pack
may have terminals for the first battery and the second battery at
opposite ends of the battery. Upon replacing a cell phone battery
in a cell phone, the cell phone battery pack may have a size that
is the same size or smaller than the cell phone battery it
replaces. The first battery and the second battery may differ in
one or both of size and capacity. The first battery and the second
battery may be positioned together by one or more of banding,
clipping, adhering and taping.
[0026] In another general aspect, a method of providing backup
battery power to a cell phone includes:
[0027] providing a cell phone having a battery pack having at least
a first battery of a first size and capacity and a second battery
of a second size and capacity, the battery pack being configured to
provide power to the cell phone;
[0028] providing means to switch from the first battery to the
second battery for powering the cell phone, wherein during use the
cell phone is powered by either the first battery or the second
battery; and
[0029] upon switching to the second battery, having the ability to
use power from the second battery to make or receive a call without
using power from the first battery.
[0030] Embodiments of the method may include one or more of the
following features. For example, providing a cell phone with a
battery pack may include providing the first battery and the second
battery whereby the first battery and the second battery differ in
one or both of size and capacity.
[0031] The power may be switched from the first battery to the
second battery upon reaching a battery condition. The battery
condition may be a threshold battery capacity. The cell phone may
turn off upon reaching the battery condition. The method may
further include the cell phone switching from the first battery to
the second battery upon reaching the battery condition. The method
may further include requiring the user to switch from the first
battery to the second battery upon reaching the battery
condition.
[0032] The method may include requiring the cell phone to be
reactivated after the cell phone turns off in order to make a call.
Power from the second battery may not be used when the cell phone
is turned off. The cell phone may provide a notification upon
reaching the battery condition.
[0033] In another general aspect, a cell phone battery pack is
configured to be positioned within a cell phone to power the cell
phone. The battery pack includes a first battery and a second
battery. The first battery discharges during use of the cell phone
without simultaneous discharge of the second battery. Embodiments
of the cell phone battery pack may include one or more of the
features described above.
[0034] The details of various embodiments of the invention are set
forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other
features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the
description, the drawings, and the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the back of a cell phone for
use with a dual terminal cell phone battery pack showing the
position for the cell phone battery pack.
[0036] FIGS. 2a and 2b are front and end views, respectively, of a
dual terminal cell phone battery pack for the cell phone of FIG.
1.
[0037] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back of a cell phone for
use with a dual terminal cell phone battery pack showing the
position for the cell phone battery pack.
[0038] FIGS. 4a and 4b are front and end views, respectively, of a
dual terminal cell phone battery pack for the cell phone of FIG.
3.
[0039] FIG. 4c is an end view of a dual terminal cell phone battery
pack for the cell phone of FIG. 3.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a front view of a cell phone dual battery pack
having a built in switch to switch between the batteries to provide
power to the cell phone
[0041] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a dual
battery cell phone battery pack in a cell phone.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] The inventors have developed a cell phone battery system
made up of a battery pack and method of use that addresses users'
safety concerns by providing cell phone users a reserve battery for
emergency calls. In one general implementation of the cell phone
battery system, when the cell phone's primary battery capacity is
reduced as the phone is used or is otherwise discharged while idle,
the user has the option to switch to the reserve battery to ensure
the ability to make emergency calls.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b, a cell phone 100 includes a
battery pack space 105 that is configured to receive a cell phone
battery pack 110 to provide power to the cell phone. The battery
pack 110 contains a primary battery 115 and a reserve battery 120
with a divider or wall(s) 123 positioned between the two batteries.
The wall 123 can be configured as a simple electrical separation
between the primary battery and the reserve battery such that use
of either the primary battery or the reserve battery will not
simultaneously cause a discharge of the other battery. In this
manner, the user can make a phone call using the primary battery
115 as the source of power. Once the primary battery capacity is
emptied, the user then or later can switch to the reserve battery
120 to make a call.
[0044] The wall 123 can be configured to be a component of a
tubular battery holder that includes a pair of open ends with a
wall encircling a channel between the two ends. The wall 123 can be
positioned within the channel such that it partially reduces the
diameter of the channel. In use, each end can receive one of the
batteries. Each open end may be of a dimension such that an
interference fit is formed when inserting the battery into the open
end. The wall 123 can be positioned between the two open ends. The
wall may completely or partially block the channel formed between
the two open ends. Alternatively, the channel can be completely
unobstructed by a wall and the wall 123 instead formed by the outer
surfaces of the ends of the batteries 115, 120.
[0045] By using the battery holder, the cell phone batteries 115,
120 may be individually removed and replaced as the need arises.
For example, if the primary battery 115 loses its capacity to hold
a charge, the battery pack 110 may be removed from the cell phone
100 and the primary battery removed from the holder. An
off-the-shelf battery of the same dimensions can be inserted into
the holder and the battery pack positioned back within the cell
phone battery pack space 105.
[0046] The invention is not limited by the type or types of
batteries used. For example, each battery may be of any
conventional battery type, e.g., alkaline, nickel cadmium (NiCD),
nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium ion (Li-ion) and zinc air,
etc. and have a battery storage capacity that varies dependent on
its size and battery technology. The primary battery and the
reserve battery may be the same type or of a different type.
[0047] The battery pack 110 is insertable into the battery pack
space 105 in the back of the phone. The cell phone 100 has a first
pair of electrical connectors 125 within one end of the battery
pack space 105 and a second pair of electrical connectors 130 at
the opposite end of the battery pack space. The electrical
connectors 125, 130 are configured to mate with two pairs of
electrical terminals 135, 140 of the battery pack 110. The
electrical terminals 135 provide power from the primary battery 115
and the electrical terminals 140 provide power from the reserve
battery 120.
[0048] In the typical use of the cell phone 100, the user makes
calls that are powered by the primary battery 115. After a certain
amount of talk time has passed, the primary battery will lose its
charge and the cell phone will either warn the user and/or the
battery 115 will become completely discharged and die. The user
then would switch to using the reserve battery 120. Switching
between the batteries can be accomplished in a number of manners.
For example, the battery pack 110 and/or cell phone can be
configured such that the battery pack must be removed from the cell
phone and rotated or flipped to mate different battery terminals to
different connectors. Alternatively, the cell phone can have
software that allows the user to switch between batteries, e.g., by
use of the cell phone key pad, without the need to physically
manipulate the battery.
[0049] It should be evident from FIG. 2a that the battery pack 110
is configured to be inserted into the battery pack space 105 in two
orientations, in a first orientation having terminals 135 mated to
connectors 125 and terminals 140 mated to connectors 130 and in a
second orientation having terminals 135 mated to connectors 130 and
terminals 140 mated to connectors 125. Thus, the battery pack 110
can be flipped lengthwise or rotated about its width axis to switch
between the two orientations. This allows the user to customize
which of battery 115 or battery 120 is used first and which is used
next.
[0050] This capability of using the battery in two orientations is
particularly useful when the primary battery 110 and the reserve
battery 115 differ in one or both of size and capacity. A typical
manner in which battery capacity is reported by battery
manufacturers is based on the calculation of the product of 20
hours multiplied by the maximum constant current that a new battery
can supply for 20 hours at 68 F..degree. (20 C..degree.), down to a
predetermined terminal voltage per cell. Using this method, a
battery rated at 100 Amp-hours will deliver 5 Amps over a 20 hour
period at room temperature. It should be noted that if the battery
is discharged at a higher rate, the battery will lose its charge
quicker. For example, if the battery is discharged at 50 Amps, it
will run out of charge before the 2 hours. In one configuration,
the reserve battery 115 has between 5% and 25% of the capacity of
the primary battery 110. In another configuration, the reserve
battery has between 10% and 20% of the capacity of the primary
battery. In another configuration, the reserve battery has
approximately 15% of the capacity of the primary battery. It is
expected that eventually a user will be able to pick and choose
over a range of batteries to select the capacities of the primary
and reserve batteries. The choice can be, for example, based on a
user's individual preference for regular talk time versus emergency
talk time.
[0051] If the batteries 115, 120 differ in size and/or capacity,
the user may decide to use the battery with the lesser capacity for
making day-to-day calls and hold back on using the battery with the
higher capacity for making emergency calls. This arrangement also
may be used as a feature to economize by allowing the user to end
calls quicker under the pretense of the battery charge being
emptied.
[0052] The battery pack 110 can be recharged in a number of
manners. While the battery pack is operated such that only the
primary battery or the reserve battery is discharged during a call
(except potentially when switching between the batteries), the
battery pack and cell phone can be configured such that the primary
battery and the reserve battery are charged simultaneously upon
attaching the phone to a charger.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4a and 4b, in another configuration a
cell phone 200 includes a battery pack space 205 that is configured
to receive a cell phone battery pack 210 to provide power to the
cell phone. The battery pack 210 contains a primary battery 215 and
a reserve battery 220 with a divider or wall(s) 223 positioned
between the two batteries. As described above with reference to the
wall 123, the wall 223 can be an electrical separation between the
primary battery and the reserve battery such that use of either the
primary battery or the reserve battery will not simultaneously
cause a discharge of the other battery. In this manner, the user
can make a phone call using the primary battery 215 as the source
of power. Once the primary battery capacity is emptied, the user
then or later can switch to the reserve battery 220 to make a
call.
[0054] The battery pack 210 is insertable into the battery pack
space 205 in the back of the phone. The cell phone 200 has a single
pair of electrical connectors 230 within one end of the battery
pack space 205. The electrical connectors 230 are configured to
mate with either of two pairs of electrical terminals 235, 240
positioned on opposite sides of the battery pack 210. The
electrical terminals 235 provide power from the primary battery 215
and the electrical terminals 240 provide power from the reserve
battery 220. Circuitry, conductors or a switch may be provided with
either the phone or the battery to allow power to be provided from
one or the other of the batteries. For example, the batteries 215,
220 may include a switch (not shown) that controls which of the
primary battery 215 and the reserve battery 220 will provide
electric power to the cell phone. The switch may be a manual switch
that is operable from the outside of the battery pack when the pack
is mounted to the phone (e.g. a recessed two position switch on the
back cover of the phone), or it may be operable only upon removing
the battery pack from the phone and physically operating the switch
(e.g., the switch is positioned within the battery compartment or
on a surface of the batteries).
[0055] In contrast to the battery pack 110 with batteries 115, 120
of FIG. 2a which is configured to be inserted in the cell phone in
two configurations based on rotating around the width axis, the
battery pack 210 is configured to be inserted into the battery pack
space 205 in two orientations based on rotating around the length
axis. In this manner, the user can manually switch from one battery
to the other by rotating the battery around its length axis such
that the connectors are in contact with the terminals 235 in a
first orientation or the terminals 240 in a second orientation. As
illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the terminals 235 are, for example,
copper strips that extend from a top surface to an end surface and
the terminals 240 extend from a bottom surface to the same end
surface. The terminals 235, 240, however, do not connect on the end
surface because of a gap 245 positioned between the terminals to
form a nonconductive region. By flipping the battery over, the
connectors 230 will contact only one set of the terminals and
thereby consume electrical power from only one of the batteries. As
in the battery pack 110, the user can customize which of battery
215 or battery 220 is used first and which is used next.
[0056] In addition, it should be noted that a significant
difference between the cell phone 100 and battery pack 110 and the
cell phone 200 and battery pack 210 is the current existence of a
cell phone having the connector configuration illustrated in FIG. 3
for the cell phone 200. The battery pack 210 allows a user to
retrofit a current, existing cell phone with the new
primary-reserve battery system to ensure that a reserve battery
exists for emergency calls. However, because the inventors believe
that a battery system as disclosed herein does not exist, cell
phone are unlikely to be currently adapted to provide a software or
keypad controlled switch between the primary battery and the
reserve battery. Thus, in using the battery pack 210 to full
advantage, in a simplified implementation, the user must remove the
cover of the cell phone and flip over the battery to use the
reserve battery. Similarly, the user must charge each battery
separately by charging one battery and then flipping the battery
over to charge the other battery. Nonetheless, for some users, any
inconvenience caused by these manual operations will be offset by
the comfort and safety gained by having a reserve battery to rely
on in emergency situations.
[0057] FIG. 4c discloses a battery pack 250 that is a variation of
the battery pack 210. The battery pack 250 is configured with the
batteries being positioned one on top of the other in a sheet
configuration rather than being positioned end-to-end. The battery
pack 250 includes a primary battery 260 and a reserve battery 255
that are separated by a wall 265. Both batteries 255, 260 include
battery terminals 275, 270, respectively.
[0058] The battery packs 210 and 250 are configured to be used with
existing cell phone and switching between the primary battery and
the reserve battery is based on reorienting the battery pack. Thus,
the primary battery and the reserve battery are not discharged
simultaneously during a phone call. Similarly, charging of the
batteries is based on the orientation of the battery pack within
the cell phone with the battery having terminals in electrical
contact with the connectors 230 being the battery that will be
charged. Once that battery is charged, the user must remove and
reorient the battery pack within the cell phone to charge the other
battery.
[0059] As an alternative feature for the battery packs 210, 250,
the cell phone 200 can be configured to allow the connectors 230 to
be movable within the cell phone to switch between use or charging
of the primary battery or the reserve battery. The connectors 230
can be movable based on a simple mechanical or an electrically
controlled switch. In this configuration, the user does not need to
remove and reorient the battery but may instead operate a switch to
change between the two batteries.
[0060] FIGS. 2a, 2b, 4a and 4b show the batteries positioned end-to
end. However, referring to FIG. 5, in another implementation of the
battery pack, a battery pack 310 is made up of a primary battery
315 and a reserve battery 320 that includes a terminal 330 with the
batteries positioned side-by-side and banded together with a
conventional tape, adhesive strip, adhesive or other material (not
shown) to maintain the batteries together in a position adjacent to
one another. The terminal 330 is configured to allow a cell phone
to use one battery or the other without using both batteries
simultaneously, except in some instances where both batteries are
powering the phone during the transition from one battery to the
other. The terminal 330 may include a switch that allows the user
to switch between one battery and the other. The switch may extend
only on the surface of the terminal 330 or may instead extend out
through the back cover of the phone.
[0061] The battery packs 110, 210, 310 can be configured in a
number of ways to provide a useful battery pack with a reserve
battery. In one implementation, the battery pack is an aftermarket
battery pack that includes two batteries whose combined size in
terms of length, width and thickness is the same size or smaller
than that of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) battery pack.
In this implementation, the user can purchase the battery pack and
use it to replace the OEM battery pack, including using the same
cell phone battery cover or a new battery cover that in some
implementations may include a built in switch to switch between the
primary battery and the reserve battery.
[0062] In another implementation, the battery pack can is made up
of two batteries that have a combined size that is larger than the
OEM part. In this configuration, the battery pack may include a
substitute cover that mates with the cell phone but differs from
the OEM cover by extending outward more than does the OEM cover.
The objective of this implementation is to provide the reserve
battery feature without losing overall battery capacity in the
primary battery. By increasing the size of the primary battery to
provide the same capacity as the original battery, and modifying
the size to increase the thickness, the profile of the cell phone
100, 200 will be slightly increased but only to a degree that has
little perceived impact to the user. In this manner, the primary
battery and the reserve battery can be sized to be used with a
particular cell phone cover such that the primary battery has the
same capacity as the battery that it replaces so that the user has
the same talk time as the battery being replaced but also includes
the reserve battery with only a slight increase in thickness of the
phone. In another implementation, a spare battery can be carried
underneath the cell phone cover.
[0063] Referring also to FIG. 6, in another implementation,
switching between the batteries in the battery pack may be a
software controlled function of the cell phone. For example, in a
method 400 of using the cell phone battery system with reserve
battery, the user makes a call on the cell phone (step 405). During
the call, the user discharges some of the capacity of the cell
phone. Upon continuing to discharge a portion of the capacity of
the cell phone, the phone will reach a certain discharge threshold
at which point the user typically hears an audible low battery
alert along with a visual message on the phone screen warning of a
low battery condition (step 410). The discharge threshold can be
set to occur at a level that provides the user sufficient warning
that the call may suddenly end. It is well known in the art to
determine the charge level in a cell phone battery and provide an
alert to the user.
[0064] Upon reaching the threshold level and being alerted, the
cell phone user has a number of options available. One option may
be to continue with the phone call until the primary battery
completely discharges (step 420). In this situation the user
continues with the phone call until the call is terminated by the
lack of power being supplied by the primary battery (step 425). The
user then must switch from receiving power from the primary battery
to the reserve battery (step 430). Alternatively, the cell phone
can be configured such that upon reaching a certain remaining
capacity, e.g., shortly before complete discharge, the cell phone
follows a series of steps in which the battery is switched from the
primary to the reserve battery and the cell phone then shuts down.
Upon reactivating the cell phone, it will be powered by the reserve
battery.
[0065] An advantage of the cell phone battery system, the user may
determine not to switch to the reserve battery after the primary
battery discharges and instead leave the phone off to prevent
discharge of the reserve battery due to operation in the standby
mode or upon receipt of a call. This feature prevents the phone
from discharging at an accelerated rate as compared to leaving the
phone off, which provides assurance to the user that they will have
sufficient reserve power to make an emergency call.
[0066] Once the user switches from the primary battery to the
reserve battery, the user can make or receive an emergency call
(step 435). The software on the phone associated with the cell
phone battery system has the option of being configured to permit
the user to make outgoing emergency calls but not to receive
incoming calls. In this manner, the user has addition protection
against the cell phone battery pack being completely discharged and
being left in the undesirable situation of being without the
ability to make an emergency call. This feature may be included on
the cell phone as a requirement or may be included on the cell
phone as an option that the user can choose to activate.
[0067] A second option that is possible for the cell phone user
upon reaching the threshold level and being alerted to the low
battery condition is to switch to the reserve battery (step 440).
As described above, the step of switching between batteries can be
hardware driven, e.g., moving a switch on the back of the cell
phone or on the back of the battery pack, software driven, e.g.,
pressing a button on the keypad or entering a sequence on the
keypad to switch from the primary battery to the reserve battery,
or require manual removal and reorienting the battery pack within
the phone, such as by rotating or flipping. In either case, the
user can make the switch and continue with the call using battery
power from the reserve battery (step 445). Alternatively, the user
can terminate the call and switch batteries to ensure that reserve
battery capacity is available for emergency use (step 450).
[0068] While several particular forms of the invention have been
illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various
modifications and combinations of the invention detailed in the
text and drawings can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, the battery system described
herein is suitable for multiple applications in which there is a
benefit to having a guaranteed reserve battery. This can be, for
example, for an emergency communications device such as a police
radio, a laptop computer, a signaling device, etc. Similarly,
references to materials of construction, methods of construction,
specific dimensions, shapes, utilities or applications are also not
intended to be limiting in any manner and other materials and
dimensions could be substituted and remain within the spirit and
scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the
invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.
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