Patent ID: 6479962
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
A battery management system for an electronic device configured to be powered by either an AC-DC converted power source, or a battery, the battery management system comprising:a battery connector configured to couple the battery to the electronic device so that the battery provides power to the electronic device when the electronic device is not coupled with the AC-DC converted power source; an AC adapter connector configured to couple the AC-DC converted power source to the electronic device so that the AC-DC converted power source powers the electronic device; firmware coupled to the battery connector, including a chemistry identifier configured to determine whether the battery is rechargeable: and a charge switch coupled with and controlled by the firmware, where, when the electronic device is coupled to the battery and the AC-DC converted power source, activating the charge switch causes a charging current sourced by the AC-DC converted power source to be applied to the battery, where the firmware and charge switch prevent application of the charging current to the battery when the firmware determines that the battery is not rechargeable.