What is claimed is:
1. A digital device capable of recharging a rechargeable battery comprising;
a consuming current detect unit for detecting a consuming current input to the digital device;
a control unit;
a recharging current detect unit for detecting the battery recharging current as the battery is recharged; and
a recharging control unit for regulating the consuming current to the rechargeable battery in proportion to a control signal output from the control unit and the battery recharging current detected by the recharging current detect control unit.
2. The digital device capable of recharging a rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein the control signal includes a pulse width modulation signal.
3. The digital device capable of recharging a rechargeable battery according to claim 2, wherein the pulse width module control signal has a duty ratio adjusted according to the consuming current detected by the consuming current detect unit.
4. The digital device capable of recharging a rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein the consuming current detect unit comprises:
a first current detecting resistor for detecting the consuming current; and
a first operational amplifier, wherein a first end of the first current detecting resistor is coupled to an inverting input of the first operational amplifier and the second end of the first current detecting resistor is coupled to the non-inverting input of the first operational amplifier.
5. The digital device capable of recharging a rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein the recharging current detect unit comprises:
a second current detecting resistor;
a third current detecting resistor for detecting the rechargeable battery recharging current; and
a second operational amplifier, wherein a first end of the second current detecting resistor is coupled to a non-inverting input of the second operational amplifier and to the negative terminal of the rechargeable battery, and a first end of the third current detecting resistor is coupled to an inverting input of the third operational amplifier, and further wherein the second end of the second and third current detecting resistors are coupled together to earth ground.
6. The digital device capable of recharging a rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein the recharging control unit comprises:
an integrator, an input of which is coupled to a first output of the control unit;
a third operational amplifier;
a fourth current detecting resistor; and
a transistor, wherein a first output of the integrator is coupled to a non-inverting input of the third operational amplifier, an inverting input of the third operational amplifier is coupled to an output of the recharging current detect unit, a first end of the fourth current detecting resistor is coupled to an output of the third operational amplifier and a second end of the fourth current detecting resistor is coupled to a first input of the transistor, a second input of the transistor is coupled to a power source, and an output of the transistor is coupled to a positive terminal of the rechargeable battery.
7. The digital device capable of recharging a rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a microprocessor.
8. A method for controlling a digital device to recharge current of a rechargeable battery comprising:
detecting a consuming current input to the digital device;
detecting a battery recharging current as the battery is recharged; and
regulating the consuming current to the rechargeable battery in proportion to a control signal and the detected battery recharging current
9. The method for controlling recharging current of a rechargeable battery according to claim 8, wherein control signal is a pulse width modulation signal.
10. The method for controlling recharging current of a rechargeable battery according to claim 8 further comprising:
adjusting the control signal according to the detected consuming current.
11. The method for controlling recharging current of a rechargeable battery according to claim 8, further comprising:
displaying a recharging complete message if the recharging current equals a predetermined value.
12. The method for controlling recharging current of a rechargeable battery according to claim 10, wherein the step of adjusting the control signal according to the detected consuming current comprises:
determining whether the magnitude of the consuming current increases or decreases; and
varying the pulse width modulation signal duty cycle in accordance with the increase or decrease of the magnitude of the consuming current.
13. The method for controlling recharging current of a rechargeable battery according to claim 8, further comprising:
outputting a control signal according to a magnitude of the consuming current.
14. The method for controlling recharging current of a rechargeable battery according to claim 8, wherein the step of outputting a control signal according to a magnitude of the consuming current comprises:
maintaining the pulse width modulation duty cycle substantially at a first constant for a first range of consuming current values;
maintaining the pulse width modulation duty cycle substantially at a second constant for a second range of consuming current values; and
varying the pulse width modulation duty cycle linearly from about the first constant to about the second constant, for a third range of consuming current values.
15. The method for controlling recharging current of a rechargeable battery according to claim 13, wherein the first constant is in the range of about 50 to about 60 percent duty cycle.
16. The method for controlling recharging current of a rechargeable battery according to claim 13, wherein the second constant is in the range of about 20 to about 30 percent duty cycle.
17. The method for controlling recharging current of a rechargeable battery according to claim 13, wherein the first range of consuming current values is in the range of at or about 0 milliamps to at or about 275 milliamps.
18. The method for controlling recharging current of a rechargeable battery according to claim 13, wherein the second range of consuming current values is in the range of about 950 milliamps to about 1200 milliamps.
19. The method for controlling recharging current of a rechargeable battery according to claim 13, wherein the third range of consuming current values is in the range of about 275 milliamps to about 950 milliamps.
20. A method for recharging a rechargeable battery in a digital device comprising:
determining whether the battery voltage is greater than 5 volts, and if so, determining that the battery is partially discharged and performing a recharge operation according to the state of the digital device being used.
21. The method according to claim 20 wherein the step of performing a recharge operation according to the state of the digital device being used comprises;
determining the consuming current;
outputting a control signal according to the consuming current; and
supplying a portion of the consuming current according to the pulse width modulation control signal to the rechargeable battery for recharging.
22. The method according to claim 21 wherein the control signal includes a pulse width modulation signal.
23. The method according to claim 22 wherein the step of supplying a portion of the consuming current according to the pulse width modulation control signal to the rechargeable battery comprises;
determining whether the battery recharging current is between approximately 1000 and 300 milliamps, and if so, illuminating an illumination device at least one time; and
determining if the recharging current reaches 300 milliamps within 12 hours, and if so, switching to a second recharge mode.
24. The method according to claim 22 wherein the step of switching to a second recharge mode comprises:
charging the rechargeable battery for substantially one hour at a recharging current of less than or equal to 300 milliamps and illuminating the illumination device for substantially one hour; and
illuminating the illumination device continuously after the first time period has elapsed.
25. The method according to claim 21, further comprising:
determining that the rechargeable current does not reach 300 milliamps within 12 hours, and checking the battery voltage; and
determining whether the battery voltage is greater than 7 volts, and if so, illuminating an illumination device continuously.
26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising:
determining that the battery voltage is less than or equal to 7 volts; and
displaying an error message and terminating the recharge.
27. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:
determining that the battery voltage is less than or equal to 5 volts; and
charging the battery for approximately 2 seconds at about 80 milliamps; and
determining whether the battery voltage is more than 5 volts, and if so, performing a quick recharge, otherwise performing a trickle recharge.
28. The method according to claim 27, wherein performing the trickle recharge comprises:
supplying approximately 80 milliamps to the battery for approximately one-half hour and illuminating the illumination device momentarily; and
determining whether the battery voltage is greater than approximately 5 volts approximately one half hour after of recharging, and if so, performing a recharge operation according to the state of the digital device being used.
29. The method according to claim 28 wherein the step of performing a recharge operation according to the state of the digital device being used comprises;
determining the consuming current;
outputting a pulse width modulation control signal according to a magnitude of the consuming current; and
supplying a portion of the consuming current according to the pulse width modulation control signal to the rechargeable battery for recharging.
30. The method according to claim 29 wherein the step of supplying a portion of the consuming current according to the pulse width modulation control signal to the rechargeable battery comprises;
determining whether the battery recharging current is between approximately 1000 and 300 milliamps, and if so, illuminating an illumination device at least one time; and
determining if the recharging current reaches 300 milliamps within 12 hours, and if so, switching to a second recharge mode.
31. The method according to claim 30 wherein the step of switching to a second recharge mode comprises:
charging the rechargeable battery for substantially one hour at a recharging current of less than or equal to 300 milliamps and illuminating the illumination device for substantially one hour; and
illuminating the illumination device continuously after the first time period has elapsed.
32. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:
determining that the rechargeable current does not reach 300 milliamps within 12 hours, and checking the battery voltage; and
determining whether the battery voltage is greater than 7 volts, and if so, illuminating an illumination device continuously.
33. The method according to claim 32, further comprising:
determining that the battery voltage is less than or equal to 7 volts; and
displaying an error message and terminating the recharge.
34. The method according to claim 27, further comprising:
determining that the battery voltage is less than or equal to approximately 5 volts within approximately one half hour; and
determining whether the recharge current is not more than approximately 30 milliamps for approximately 2 seconds, and if not, continuing to recheck the magnitude and duration of the trickle recharge and if so, displaying an error message and terminating the recharge.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An electrical probe comprising:
a conductive sleeve defining a bore;
a signal-carrying conductor connected to the sleeve;
a probe pin movably received in the bore to reciprocate axially within the bore;
at least a portion of the probe pin and the sleeve being electrically connected to each other for all conditions of axial reciprocation;
the probe pin having a metal free end contact tip extending in a first direction;
the probe pin being biased in the first direction; and
the probe pin including an electrical component serially intervening between the free end contact tip and an opposed end of the pin, such that the electrical component reciprocates with respect to the sleeve.
2. The probe of claim 1 wherein the electrical component includes a capacitor.
3. The probe of claim 1 wherein the electrical component includes a resistor having substantially greater resistance than the pin.
4. The probe of claim 3 wherein the electrical component includes a capacitor in parallel with the resistor.
5. The probe of claim 1 wherein the pin has a first conductive portion received within the sleeve, a second conductive portion including the tip, and wherein the electrical component is connected between the first and second portions.
6. The probe of claim 5 wherein the first and second portions are electrically isolated except for connection by the electrical component.
7. The probe of claim 5 wherein the second portion has a length less than double its diameter.
8. The probe of claim 5 wherein the second portion has a length less than 0.50 inch.
9. The probe of claim 5 wherein the first and second portions each have a flange, the flanges being spaced apart and connected to the electrical component with the electrical component attached between the flanges.
10. The probe of claim 9 including a cylindrical sleeve encompassing the flanges and the electrical component.
11. An electrical connector comprising:
a body;
a plurality of probes connected to the body;
each probe having a spring biased pin with a metal contact tip;
each pin including an electrical component proximate to the tip and serially intervening between the tip and an opposed end of the pin; and
wherein the body is a circuit board having a periphery, and wherein each of the tips extends beyond the periphery.
12. The connector of claim 11 wherein the electrical component includes a resistor and a capacitor arranged in parallel.
13. The connector of claim 11 wherein each pin is received in a sleeve mounted electrically connected to a conductor on the body, and wherein each pin axially reciprocates within the sleeve.
14. The connector of claim 13 including a cable electrically connected to the body, such that each of a plurality of conductors of the cable is independently connected to each probe.
15. The connector of claim 13 wherein each pin has a first conductive portion received within the sleeve, a second conductive portion including the tip, and wherein the electrical component is connected between the first and second portions.
16. The connector of claim 15 wherein the first and second portions are electrically isolated except for connection by the electrical component.
17. The connector of claim 15 wherein the first and second portions each have a flange, the flanges being spaced apart and connected to the electrical component.
18. The connector of claim 15 wherein the second portion has a length of less than double its diameter.
19. The connector of claim 15 wherein the probes are arranged at a first pitch distance, and wherein the distance between the tip and the component is less than the first pitch distance.
20. An electrical probe comprising:
a conductive sleeve defining a bore;
a probe pin movably received in the bore and electrically connected to the sleeve;
the probe pin having a free end contact tip extending in a first direction;
the probe pin being biased in the first direction; and
the probe pin including a capacitor;
wherein the first and second portions each have a flange, the flanges being spaced apart and connected to the electrical component; and
including a cylindrical sleeve encompassing the flanges and the component.
21. The probe of claim 20 wherein the probe pin includes a resistor having substantially greater resistance than the pin.
22. The probe of claim 21 wherein the capacitor is connected in parallel with the resistor.
23. The probe of claim 20 wherein the pin has a first conductive portion received within the sleeve, a second conductive portion including the tip, and wherein the electrical component is connected between the first and second portions.
24. The probe of claim 23 wherein the first and second portions are electrically isolated except for connection by the electrical component.
25. The probe of claim 23 wherein the second portion has a length less than double its diameter.
26. The probe of claim 23 wherein the second portion has a length less than 0.50 inch.
27. An electrical connector comprising:
a body;
a plurality of probes connected to the body;
each probe having a spring biased pin with a metal contact tip;
each pin including an electrical component proximate to the tip and serially intervening between the tip and an opposed end of the pin; and
including a cable electrically connected to the body, such that each of a plurality of conductors of the cable is independently connected to each probe.
28. The connector of claim 27 wherein the electrical component includes a resistor and a capacitor arranged in parallel.
29. The connector of claim 27 wherein each pin is received in a sleeve mounted electrically connected to a conductor on the body, and wherein each pin axially reciprocates within the sleeve.
30. The connector of claim 29 wherein each pin has a first conductive portion received within the sleeve, a second conductive portion including the tip, and wherein the electrical component is connected between the first and second portions.
31. The connector of claim 30 wherein the first and second portions are electrically isolated except for connection by the electrical component.
32. The connector of claim 30 wherein the first and second portions each have a flange, the flanges being spaced apart and connected to the electrical component.
33. The connector of claim 30 wherein the second portion has a length of less than double its diameter.