Patent ID: 6100670
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
A control module for controlling battery cells, the control module being implemented as a single integrated circuit and comprising:a first port, the first port being configured to connect to a first battery cell;an input port, the input port being configured to connect to an external power supply;a detector module, the detector module configured to generate a detection signal when the external power supply is connected to the input port;a switching module, the switching module configured to connect to the input port and the first battery port and to select one of said ports;a selection module, the selection module configured to connect to the switching module to receive a signal indicative of an electrical characteristic, and to generate status signals indicative of a charging status;a feedback module, the feedback module configured to be associated with the selection module to receive the status signals and to generate a drive signal for controlling input from the external power supply; anda processor module, the processor module associated with the detection module to receive the detection signal, with the selection module to receive the status signals and with the feedback module to receive the drive signal, and to generate control signals to control and terminate charging of the battery cells.