Patent ID: 6989758
Filing Date: 2006-01-24
Classification: G03B,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. An electronic device for which at least two different types of batteries can be selectively used as a power source, said electronic device comprising: a battery chamber, in which at least two battery packs of the same type each having a shape interchangeable with two cylindrical cells of the same type can be accommodated so that either said two battery packs or two sets of said two cylindrical cells can be selectively accommodated in said battery chamber, wherein each of said two battery packs includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal which are formed on only one end of said each battery pack, and wherein each of said two cylindrical cells includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal which are respectively formed on opposite ends of said each cylindrical cell; first through fifth contacts, positioned alternately between opposite ends of said battery chamber, in a longitudinal direction of said cylindrical cells or battery packs which are accommodated in said battery chamber, wherein said first through fifth contacts connect said two sets of said two cylindrical cells in series in a case where each of said two sets of said two cylindrical cells is accommodated in said battery chamber in the correct direction, and wherein in the case where said two battery packs are accommodated in said battery chamber, said third contact is in electrical contact with said negative terminal of one of said two battery packs and said positive terminal of the other of said two battery backs while said first contact and said fifth contact are in electrical contact with said positive terminal of said one of said two battery packs and said negative terminal of said other of said two battery backs, respectively; two detection switches which are turned ON only when said two battery packs are accommodated in said battery chamber in the correct direction, respectively; a voltage detector capable of detecting each of a first voltage between said first contact and said second contact, a second voltage between said second contact and said third contact, a third voltage between said third contact and said fourth contact, a fourth voltage between said fourth contact and said fifth contact, a fifth voltage between said first contact and said third contact, and a sixth voltage between said third contact and said fifth contact; and a controller which allows either said two sets of said two cylindrical cells or said two battery packs that are accommodated in said battery chamber to be used as said power source only in one of the following two cases: a first case where both said two detection switches are ON while it is determined via said voltage detector that said fifth voltage and said sixth voltage are substantially the same as each other; and a second case where both said two detection switches are OFF while it is determined via said voltage detector that each of said first voltage, said second voltage, said third voltage and said fourth voltage is greater than zero volts and that said first voltage, said second voltage, said third voltage and said fourth voltage are substantially the same as each other.