Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6981895?dq=mirroring+data+in+a+remote+data+storage+system
Timestamp: 2017-01-16 11:23:53
Document Index: 772758952

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'art 101']

Patent US6981895 - Interface apparatus for selectively connecting electrical devices - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsAn interface apparatus for power and/or data connections, comprised of a connector assembly (101F in FIGS. 1A and 1B) which has a configurable plug (101A) with conductors (123A and B, and 125A and B), and a barrel-style assembly (103) that engages a receptacle (101B) having conductors (157, 159, 161,...http://www.google.com/patents/US6981895?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6981895 - Interface apparatus for selectively connecting electrical devicesAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS6981895 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/402,709Publication dateJan 3, 2006Filing dateMar 29, 2003Priority dateAug 23, 1999Fee statusLapsedAlso published asUS6866527, US20030207603, US20040009702Publication number10402709, 402709, US 6981895 B2, US 6981895B2, US-B2-6981895, US6981895 B2, US6981895B2InventorsPatrick PotegaOriginal AssigneePatrick PotegaExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (9), Referenced by (26), Classifications (8), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetInterface apparatus for selectively connecting electrical devices
US 6981895 B2Abstract
An interface apparatus for power and/or data connections, comprised of a connector assembly (101F in FIGS. 1A and 1B) which has a configurable plug (101A) with conductors (123A and B, and 125A and B), and a barrel-style assembly (103) that engages a receptacle (101B) having conductors (157, 159, 161, and 163), and related elements (127, 130, 133A, and 133B in FIG. 3) that redirect electrical signals upon insertion of the plug. Redirecting electrical signals enables host devices, power sources, and peripherals—such as a host device (168 in FIG. 1B), its battery source (166), as well as one or more attachable peripherals (150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162 and 164 in FIG. 1A)—to transfer signals in ways they could not without such an apparatus. By locating a receptacle (101B in FIG. 1B) in replaceable modules, such as battery packs (166), users can upgrade and enhance the functionality of a multiplicity of existing (and future) electronic and electrical goods.
This application is a division of “Method and Apparatus for Transferring Electrical Signals Among Electrical Devices,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,896, issued 21 October 2003, previously filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/378,781, dated 23 Aug. 1999 as a CIP of “Apparatus for Monitoring Temperature of a Power Source,” filed previously as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/105,489, dated 26 Jun. 1998, and subsequently as U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,597 issued 28 Nov. 2000; and claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/051,035, dated 27 Jun. 1997, and “A Resistive Ink-Based Thermistor,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/055,883, dated 15 Aug. 1997, as well as International Patent Application No. PCT/US98/12807, dated 26 Jun. 1998; and further claims the benefit of “Apparatus for a Power and/or Data I/O,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/097,748, filed 24 Aug. 1998; “Hardware to Configure Battery and Power Delivery Software,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/114,412, dated 31 Dec. 1998, and subsequently U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,946, “Hardware for Configuring and Delivering Power,” dated 31 Dec. 1999; “Software to Configure Battery and Power Delivery Hardware,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/114,398, dated 31 Dec. 1998, and subsequently U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,945, “Software for Configuring and Delivering Power,” dated 31 Dec. 1999; and “Universal Power Supply,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,175, issued 1 Oct. 2002, previously filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/193,790, dated 17 Nov. 1998 (also as International Patent Application No. PCT/US98/24403, dated 17 Nov. 1998), filed previously as U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/065,773, dated 17 Nov. 1997.
The invention relates to connector-interface assemblies, specifically to a connector apparatus that is configurable to selectively inter-connect power sources, powered devices, and a multiplicity of attachable peripherals.
Because batteries do wear out, consumers will—sooner or later—require a replacement battery pack. For example, today's Lithium-Ion battery cells claim about 500 charge/discharge cycles. In reality, the average battery user can expect only about 300. That usually equates to the battery's storage capacity starting to show signs of decreased run time in approximately 1-1.5 years. The user's awareness of decreased capacity may happen even sooner, especially with cellular phone battery packs. Reduced talk time or wait time is often noticed quickly by a cellular phone user. But, whatever the application, battery-powered device users inevitably are required to replace a worn-out battery.
Devices that use external power-conversion adapters invariably are designed to always charge the device's removable battery pack every time the external adapter is used. It seems logical that keeping the battery capacity at 100% is a sound practice. However, certain rechargeable battery chemistries don't offer the charge/recharge cycle life that was available with “older” battery technologies. Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries, for example, can last for only 300 cycles, and sometimes even less than that. In average use, an Li-Ion battery can have a useful life (full run-time, as a function of capacity) of less than a year, and nine months isn't uncommon. Constantly “topping-off” a Lithium-Ion battery only degrades useful battery life.
Battery charging is a destructive process in other ways than repeated unnecessary battery charging sessions. Low-impedance batteries, such as Lithium-Ion, generate heat during the charging process. This is especially true if a cell-voltage imbalance occurs for, as resistance increases, the entire battery pack can overheat. Lithium-ion cells have a reputation for volatility. For example, an article in the Apr. 2, 1998, edition of The Wall Street Journal reported on the potentials of fire, smoke and possible explosion of Li-Ion batteries on commercial aircraft (Andy Pasztor, “Is Recharging Laptop in Flight a Safety Risk?”, The Wall Street Journal, Apr. 2, 1998, pp. B1, B12).
Compared to the multiplicity of vast and diverse input voltages battery-powered host devices require, input voltages at battery power ports are not only limited, but more flexible. Since battery output voltages are a function of an individual cell voltage, multiplied by the number of cells wired in series or parallel, there are a limited number of output voltages for battery packs. For example, Lithium-Ion cylindrical cells are manufactured at only 3.6-volts (some are 4.2-volt cells). Thus, virtually every Li-Ion battery pack made outputs either 10.8, or 14.4 volts (with some relatively rare 12.6-volt cell clusters). If an external power-conversion adapter was designed to provide power to a notebook computer host device through the host device's battery port, it is possible that only two output voltages would be required, since the external adapter would electrically “look” to a host device as a battery pack. This adds value to a connector assembly that can eliminate the problem of there being some 42 different types of existing laptop power connectors.
1) Small package size, especially for the receptacle, since available space within battery packs is limited. 2) Straightforward way to integrate a receptacle into an existing battery pack, or to install the receptacle in a new battery pack design in a way that doesn't require an inordinate amount of extra tooling or assembly. 3) Inexpensive 4) Simplicity of use SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a barrel-style connector assembly with configurable segments, that may be mounted internally to a host device, or within a power source such as a battery pack.
FIG. 8 shows a simple “jumper” plug that serves to re-establish electrical and/or data paths when a segmented plug, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 4, 5, and 7, is removed.
The invention provides a method and apparatus for transferring electrical signals including power and input/output information among multiple electrical devices and their components. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. However, in order not to unnecessarily obscure the invention, all various implementations or alternate embodiments including well-known features of the invention may have not been described in detail herein.
In certain modalities of the invention, the concept of “Dominant Voltage” is applied as a means of delivering power to a battery-powered device. The positionable connector assembly illustrated herein is configurable to simultaneously electrically couple both a battery and an external power source along shared conductors. By such a configuration, the battery is immediately available to the host device should the power supply be turned off or fail. This provides a simple, yet effective, uninterruptable power supply capability.
As discussed, since both the battery and the power supply are connected and accessible to the host device, then a method must be established to make sure that the power supply, and not the battery, is the primary source of power. The concept of Dominant Voltage comes into play when two similar power sources are connected to a load. An example is a 12-volt light bulb to which are attached two 12-volt batteries, each battery being connected to the light bulb by a separate set of conductors. Assuming that the two batteries are not exactly matched in output, e.g., one of the batteries is further discharged than the other, thus the battery that is more deeply discharged outputs a slightly lower voltage than the other. Dominant Voltage would result in the battery with the most charge—higher voltage—delivering power to the light bulb.
On the other hand, that same device's input voltage requirement at its external power port (the “jack” to which AC/DC power adapters attach), typically will have a narrow +/−1-volt input tolerance. Thus, the connector assembly of the invention achieves its maximum potential when interfacing external devices at the battery-to-device circuit, even though the design of the connector embodiments herein are quite well suited as replacements for the traditional power-port “jack.” One of the major benefits achieved is that the external power supplies do not have to be built to exacting critical output-voltage tolerances. Lower cost power supplies are the result.
In summary, a configuration of three interconnected devices wherein a battery and an attached power supply are both available to deliver power to a host device, the power supply is safely configured at a higher voltage than the battery's typical voltage, which allows the concept of Dominant Voltage to play a significant role in ensuring that the power supply—not the battery—is the primary source of power.
Since the subject connector assembly of the invention employs a discrete “jumper” plug 167 (FIG. 8) which replaces plug 101E in FIG. 6 when external power is not in use, its conductive surfaces 173/113 electrically couple receptacle spring contact 139B to contact 137, thus re-establishing a circuit between battery 166 and its host device 168.
A non-limiting operation of a multi-segmented “barrel-style” plug, and its mating receptacle, are to provide a means of reconfiguring electrical (power and/or data) circuits so that devices external to a host device and its associated battery perform functions as if they were embedded in the device. Also, electrical signals from peripherals address specific device sub-systems which, without such a connector assembly, would be inaccessible to external peripherals. As in the Theory of Operation section above, mating the plug and receptacle creates an operational “Y-connector” that temporarily disrupts and reconfigures a host device's original internal circuits. Such a Y-connector can be used, for example, to monitor one or more activities of a host device (or its sub-systems) by isolating and redirecting the I/O port of that sub-system for purposes such as monitoring, powering, or sending/receiving data.
An example of a specific connector assembly function is to disrupt the power circuit between a host device and its battery. This disruption may be necessary because battery charging is not deemed appropriate at the time, or in a specific location, yet external power to the device is needed. As in the example cited in the previous Dominant Voltage discussion, the host device 168 (FIGS. 1A and B) is temporarily disengaged from its battery 166, so that an external power supply 152 can, by accessing the battery independently, as well as power the device directly. In the “Y-connector” metaphor, the power supply is at the base of the “Y,” and the battery and host device are at the terminuses of each of the branches. Yet, by implementing a means of controlling the direction of flow and a simply shunt, the battery remains available to the host device.
Connector assemblies discussed in this document, as well as non-limiting referenced alternative modalities, are capable of establishing a “Y-connector” circuit that interrupts an existing mode of operation. Restoring the device's original circuits and operations once the plug of the subject barrel-style assembly is retracted is by means of a “jumper” plug. FIG. 8 depicts such a reconnecting jumpered plug that reestablishes the device and battery's original circuits. Referencing both FIGS. 1A-B, and 8, plug 167 has a surface 113 that is continuously conductive along the length of its barrel, while its counterpart 101A in FIG. 1A has a barrel 103 that segmented as conductive elements 105 and 109. The two segments correspond to the interior conductive surfaces of identified receptacle conductive sleeve segments 149 and 147 (see inner conductive segments 133A and 133B in FIG. 3 for a clearer view). The fully conductive barrel 173 of jumpered plug 167 in FIG. 8 causes isolated segments 149 and 147 to be recoupled electrically, thus returning a host device (and its peripherals) to the original “as-manufactured” electrical configuration.
Most connector assembly embodiments herein allow for additional features, such as “hot insertions.” By the location, selection, and wiring of the plug's conductive segments along its barrel, staging electrical contacts is achievable, so that one contact is electrically active prior to a second contact. Strategic placement of insulators in plug and receptacle elements of a connector assembly provides circuit disruption, rerouting of electrical paths, and the creation of Y-connector electrical branches within existing circuits.
Various embodiments of a connector assembly of the present invention are configured differently, based on four generic variables. The first variable is the desired specific function/operation of any external devices. Intended external devices, and their uses, determine the configuration and wiring of a connector assembly. For example, if there are two external devices, the first functioning as a battery charger, and the second as a power supply, the routing of power signals through the plug and receptacle elements is specific to charging a battery, and powering a host device. If the external battery-charging device is to operate independently of the power supply, then a connector assembly should be used which has at least four electrical segments (as does the barrel-style interface apparatus here). If a battery charging function, and providing power to a host device function, are to be performed simultaneously, then a four-segmented connector assembly that has a “Y-connector” capability is called for.
A four-wire cord between one or more external devices, in conjunction with a four-segment connector plug, provides two independent operations simultaneously. In some inter-connect combinations, such as an external monitoring a battery while simultaneously delivering power to a host device from an external power supply, sharing conductors can extend the number of external peripherals attached beyond two. By the use of insulators to create more conductive segments, in combination with appropriately configured “jumpered” plugs that restore original circuits at the receptacle when no external peripherals are attached, a segmented barrel-style connector assembly can be designed that performs a multiplicity of diverse operations. As has already been described, the plug 101E in FIG. 7 and the receptacle 101B in FIG. 3 deliver power from an external power supply to a host device, while enabling a battery to still be engaged to its host device should the external power supply shut-down, while also disabling battery charging. Then, simply inserting jumpered plug 167 (FIG. 8) into receptacle 101B in FIG. 3 restores the original circuit between the battery and its associated host device.
The functions/operations a connector assembly of the invention performs are not necessarily the receiving or sending of an electrical signal. A disruption of an electrical path is a function, so eliminating battery charging is considered a valid function, for example. The use of insulators, “Y-connector” branching and redirecting of electrical paths, and various means of making electrical signals flow only in one direction (e.g., diodes, switches, etc.), all combine to optimize the functional and operational capabilities of a connector assembly of the invention.
Design-in more insulators. Placing more insulator rings 107 along the exterior length of the barrel creates more exterior conductive segments (e.g., resulting in a hypothetical construct of original segments 109 and 105 with newly created segments 109A and 105A (not shown). Extend the thickness of an insulator 107 to disrupt contiguous interior conductive element 113 so as to create hypothetical segments 113 and 113A. Segment center pin 115 by introducing one or more insulators along its length. Convert conductive plug segments to insulators. Certain functions/operations are easier to achieve if an insulator disrupts an existing circuit. For example, a battery charging peripheral attaches to the connector assembly so as to introduce an insulator along the conductive path leading to the host device, thus effectively isolating the battery for purposes of charging. Note: a similar result is achieved by configuring the conductors of the plug to not attach to every available conductive contact segment. Using one or more plug contact segments as conductor-less jumpers to re-attach previously electrically uncoupled devices, sources, or peripherals at the receptacle. Gang multiple device conductors at a single conductive contact segment. A shared ground is obvious, but a shared positive-signal conductor is practical if one branch of the “Y”-connector is controlled as to its direction of signal flow. Also, ganging devices on a single conductive segment works well for monitoring-type operations. For example, an external monitoring peripheral is attached into an existing circuit between a “smart” battery and its data-enabled host device, in order to monitor data signals being bi-directionally transferred between the battery and its host device. IN concept, this interconnecting configuration is diagrammatically more a “T”-connector than a “Y”-connector. For clarification, herein a “T”-connector does not disrupt an existing electrical circuit, while a “Y”-connector can disrupt, redirect, and/or create new electrical paths. All of the above methodologies apply to the receptacle, and designers and manufacturers of the interface apparatus of the present invention should pay particular attention to a properly-designed receptacle that can accommodate multiple diversely-configured plugs, each dedicated to specific functions/operations.
Depending on the function to be achieved, an interface apparatus can function with no conductive contact elements at all. For example, the obverse of the jumper plug 167 in FIG. 8 is comprised of at least one attachable segment or surface that is non-conductive. Unlike the previous discussion regarding introducing one or more non-conductive segments into a plug configuration, with the jumper plug, there are no external conductors whatsoever for attaching peripherals, etc. By incorporating one of more insulator surfaces on a plug 167, an anticipated function/operation is disabled when the plug is inserted. For example, if the anticipated to be disabled is battery charging, then inserting a plug 167 that is configured with an insulator that disrupts the existing electrical circuit between a host device and its battery easily achieves that result. For that matter, a plug 167 can be configured so as to have no conductive elements at all—only insulators.
The third variable that determines the configuration of an interface apparatus and its related wiring, use of diodes, insulators, segments, etc., is the number of contacts in a preexisting battery-to-host circuit. Simple two-contact battery packs (or battery holders) are easily addressed. But, even non-data-enabled batteries have more than two discrete connector contacts, with additional contacts dedicated to charging, voltage splitting, sensing. “Smart” battery connectors typically have three data and two power contacts, but only four contacts usually need to be accessed.
FIGS. 1A and B illustrate a modality of the connector of the present invention that uses four-conductors, so as to monitor a battery while simultaneously delivering power to a host device. The same functionality can be achieved by incorporating an N-signal switch that responds to the application of power by switching a pair of power pins. A switch so configured can be used to establish a junction between a battery and a host device, so that a Y-connection is created. This switch responds to the current flow from a battery along one branch of the Y-connector, so that it closes a circuit between an external power source and a host device. The presence of a battery in the circuit automatically triggers the flow of power between an external power device and a host device. Should the battery be removed, loss of power to the N-signal switch causes it to go open between the external power source and the host device. This adds an additional layer of safety to the connector apparatus (see the section “Cables and Muxes” below for more on N-signal switches).
A Multi-Segmented Barrel-Type Interface Apparatus
In my U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,896, “Method and Apparatus for Transferring Electrical Signals Among Electrical Devices” (28 Oct. 2003), a key connector 330, for example, in FIG. 20, is removed, rotated then reinserted. Connector 330 in FIG. 20 is both aligning its conductive contact 340 to either mating receptacle contact 378, or 374, thereby activating one of two electrical paths of a Y-connector. At the same time, insulator 344 is deactivating the opposing branch of the Y-connector. By comparison, the barrel-style connector assembly herein eliminates these user manipulations, thus simplifying user interaction when mating a plug.
At receptacle 101B of FIG. 1B (reference FIG. 3 for detailed elements), a “smart” battery 166 and its host device 168 are separately attached to the receptacle by four conductors each (two for data and two for power). Thus, a first battery data conductor (and a separate first host device data conductor) both terminate at receptacle outer spring contact 139B, while a second battery data conductor (and a separate second host device data conductor) both terminate at receptacle conductive receptor tube 127. For power, a first battery power conductor (and a separate first host device power conductor) both terminate at receptacle outer spring contact 139A, while a second battery power conductor (and a separate second host device power conductor) both terminate at receptacle contact 139A. A means of controlling the direction of signal flow 178 (FIG. 7) is installed along the battery's first power conductor, so that power (and data) flows only from the battery.
Since the power supply 152 is fully data enabled, it could query the host device itself as to power requirements. Typically, the battery serves as Master, and the battery-powered device is the Slave, so the logic of querying the battery directly makes sense. Designers and software developers note that, when a peripheral is attached to a “smart” battery and host device, a processor-enabled peripheral attached by the interface apparatus is normally assumed to be the Master, and the host device continues to operate as a Slave. This is important in SMBus, wherein it is the battery that calls for charging and other functions. Thus, a power supply 152 is expected to participate properly with the host device in any acknowledgements, handshaking, host queries, because the power supply replaces the battery when it delivers power, and it is expected to operate as a true battery surrogate.
Any of the four conductive plug elements 105, 109, 113 and pin 115 can be electrically attached to either conductor 125 or 123. Since only two of conductive plug elements are required with the two-conductor arrangement in FIG. 2—as compared to four-conductor cable 145 in FIGS. 1A and 1B—two non-attached conductive surfaces on barrel 103 are not electrically active. These unused conductive elements of the plug can be jumpered together, or allocated to other circuits. With conductive surfaces 109 and 115 electrically tied together, the insertion of a plug 101 into its mating receptacle 101B creates a conductive path between receptacle spring contact 139B and sleeve 127. An electrical path thus configured serves, for example, as a ground “sense” line used to indicate that the plug and receptacle are properly engaged, therefore power (or data) can be initiated.
Because the diode causes a slight drop in voltage, the uninterrupted power supply implementation that results from the interface apparatus configured this way is not perfect, but it will suffice. The small voltage loss attributable to the diode is easily overcome by simply inserting a jumpered plug 167 (FIG. 8). This rectifies the diode-loss concerns as power flows along the continuous external conductive surface 173 of the jumpered plug, thereby allowing the power signal to flow along the lower impedance conductive element 173 instead of through the higher-impedance diode. How this arrangement of the two-conductor plug operates, refer to the previous section titled “Theory of Operation.”
Plug 101E in FIG. 4 features a “twist and lock” cylindrical base 112 that affords easy removal and replacement of the entire plug sub-assembly. Cylindrical base 112 is comprised of outer conductive shell 114, and inner conductive post 126, for transferring power (or data) signals from any of the available conductive elements (105, 109, 113, and 115) on barrel assembly 103. An insulator layer 128 prevents shorting of conductive post 126 to conductive shell 114. The subassembly comprised of elements 128 and 126 may be spring loaded, so that conductive post 126 extends slightly past the aft edge of outer shell 114. Two flanges 114A and B provide a twist lock attachment to a mating receptacle (not shown).
Interchangeable and replaceable plug 101E in FIG. 4 provides a simple, reliable, and low-cost solution to this adapter-to-device incompatibility dilemma. The flexibility in configuring a receptacle and matching plug of the barrel-style interface apparatus enables vendors to individualized connector solutions. Which contact points conductors attach to, integration of various means of directing signal flow, number of conductors used to achieve a specific application, insulating certain contacts by not attaching a conductor (or, in the obverse, attaching multiple conductors to a single shared contact), jumpering contacts, individualizing a jumpered plug, adding more insulator rings to expand the number of available contacts, etc., all contribute to enabling a vendor to continue the “one-device-per-distinctive-connector” paradigm. But, by continuing that paradigm, the issue of available plug variants is controlled by a removable plug 101E as in FIG. 4.
The combination of a barrel-style interface apparatus and a configurable power supply should serve to bring a more rational approach to the connector-selection behavior of device designers and manufacturers. Replacing the ever-growing legion of distinct AC/DC power-conversion adapters is at the root of solving the problem. An external configurable power supply 152 (FIG. 1A) that can automatically output any power signal across a wide range of voltages is pivotal. This universal, “plug 'n play” power adapter—configured with an onboard A/D converter (and/or “smart”-battery-compliant communications capabilities), a processor and appropriate program instructions—first queries any previously unknown host device's battery to determine the power requirement of the device. Then, after configuring a power supply 152's power output signal, delivers a battery-compatible power signal to the host device at the device's battery I/O port. A power supply 152, thus configured and in conjunction with the barrel-style interface apparatus herein, anticipates potential plug-receptacle electrical mismatches. A receptacle that is mechanically compatible (i.e., the mechanical fit is proper when mated to a plug 101E), has to be properly wired so that an external power supply 152 can access a battery. Since the first state of the power supply is to poll a battery in order to determine the power supply's output, only receptacle and plug configurations that causes battery signals to flow to the power supply will result in the power supply proceeding to its second state of power configuration. Since the receptacle just connected to inherently must be configured to enable signal flow between the battery and its host when a plug 101E is not engaged, then it is assumptive that if the battery signal flows to the external power supply, that a signal sent from the power supply back to the receptacle will correctly flow to the host device. See my U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,175 “Universal Power Supply,” (1 October 2002) for additional safeguards in the power supply that insure that a suitable electrical circuit between the power supply and an attached host device is in place prior to the power supply outputting its configured power signal.
Cross-sectional views 5—5 (FIG. 5), 6—6 (FIG. 6), and 7—7 (FIG. 7) of plug 101E's barrel assembly 103 (FIG. 4) shows a construct of insulator layers and conductive surfaces.
The first view of barrel assembly 103 is shown in cross-sectional view 5—5 in FIG. 5. Conductive center pin 115 is surrounded by open space 122. The inner perimeter of this open space is where receptacle conductive receptor tube 127 of receptacle 101B in FIG. 3 engages center pin 115. The outer perimeter of this open space is where the receptacle's outer conductive surface 130 engages plugs conductive inner sleeve 113, and this conductive sleeve runs the length of barrel assembly 103 (see cross-sectional view 77 in FIG. 7). Conductive sleeve 113 is electrically isolated from conductive layer 109 by insulator layer 106. It should be noted that insulator 106 is not continuously expressed at this thickness along the entire length of barrel assembly 103 (compare element 106 in FIG. 6, and see cross-sectional view 7—7 in FIG. 7).
“Conductive layer” 109 shown here is not the same as the actual exposed conductive contact segment 109 depicted in FIG. 4. This layer 109 is the continuation of the conductive element that runs along the length of the barrel assembly and terminates in the backshell of the plug, where a conductor is attached. See the designated cross-section identifier 5—5 in FIG. 7 for more details. In FIG. 4, the designated location of this cross-sectional view 5—5 places conductive external contact segment 105 at the outermost perimeter of the plug representation in FIG. 5. When mated to a receptacle 101B (FIG. 3), inner conductive segment 133A engages the outer surface of plug contact segment 105. View 6—6 in FIG. 6 shows a further cross-sectional representation of the interrelationships of elements in a plug 101E (FIG. 4 and elsewhere). Unique to this view is the plug's outer insulator ring 107 that electrically isolates external conductive contact segment 109 from its longitudinal counterpart contact segment 105 further back along the length of barrel assembly 103. As in FIG. 5, the “conductive layer” 109 is not the same as the actual external conductive contact segment 109.
Longitudinal cross-section view 7—7 in FIG. 7 illustrates barrel assembly 103. Ring-type insulator 111 at the insertable tip of the plug protects from damage (including inadvertent electrical shorts), and the ring also facilitates insertion. External conductive contact segment 109 transitions at its juncture with insulator ring 107 to a smaller-thickness “conductive layer” that is electrically isolated from adjacent conductive contact segment 105 by a second insulated layer 106A. Conductive segment 109 is electrically isolated from conductive inner sleeve 113 by an insulated layer 106. Notice that insulated layer 106 also changes its thickness profile near the juncture of insulator ring 107, so as to allow space in the total thickness of the plug assembly to accommodate contact segment 105. Thus, the two external conductive segments 109 and 105 maintain a uniform diameter along the length of barrel assembly 103.
FIG. 8 shows a “jumpered” plug 167 that serves as a terminator element to reconnect the circuits at a receptacle 101B in FIG. 1B (and 101B in FIGS. 2 and 3). Terminator plug 167 has no external wires, but is internally “jumpered” so that the open circuits in the receptacle that couple conductive traces 161/157, and 163/159 in FIG. 1B, are reestablished by the insertion of a plug 167.
Once the external power supply and charger are disconnected, inserting a “jumper” plug 167 (FIG. 8) re-establishes the electrical circuit between the host device and its now recharged battery. When inserted into a receptacle 101B in FIG. 3, configured to be compatible with the polarities at the contact points indicated above, jumpered plug 167 renders a receptacle electrically “invisible.”
A reasonable mounting location for a receptacle 101B (FIGS. 1B and 3) is in an existing battery housing. For cell packs that use cylindrical cells, the “valley” created between two adjacent battery cells provides ample space for the barrel-style receptacle in FIG. 3. The mountable backshell 151 of receptacle 10 IB is for mounting on a circuit board 155, as depicted in FIG. 1B. The shape and size of this backshell can be modified to suit space requirements in a battery pack enclosure, or it can be eliminated entirely and only the barrel assembly is affixed (glued, double-sided mounting taped, etc.) into the valley between adjacent battery cells.
Any dimensional considerations or proportions indicated or suggested by any of the figures presented herein should only be interpreted as suggested relative sizes of parts or sub-assemblies. Actual size, shape, and proportions may differ depending on specific applications and implementations. So, too, will there be variations in plug-retaining mechanisms, spring contacts, attachment points for conductors, insertion/retraction staging, number and location of insulators, shape and dimensions of a plug's backshell, as well as plug and receptacle contact sizes and arrangement along the barrel assembly. For further information regarding installation of the interface apparatus, see the section “Design Considerations.”
The circuits created in configuring conductor attachments at a receptacle 101B in FIGS. 1B and 3, in combination with conductor configuration at a mating plug 101A (FIG. 1A), or 101 (FIG. 2), results in a “Y”-connector that interfaces a peripheral apparatus (items 150-164 in FIG. 1A), a host device 168 and the device's battery 166.
As an example of a “T”-connector, an external monitoring peripheral is attached into an existing circuit between a “smart” battery and its data-enabled host device, in order to monitor data signals being bi-directionally transferred between the battery and its host device. Conceptually, in this “T”-connector configuration, the interface apparatus of the present invention is located at the intersection of the top and base bars of the “T,” and electrical signals flow along the horizontal top bar of the “T,” from a battery located at one terminus of the top bar, to a host device located at the other terminus of the top bar of the “T.” An external peripheral is located at the terminus of the vertical bar of the “T,” attached by the plug of the interface apparatus to the receptacle at the intersection of the vertical and horizontal bars of the “T.” In “T”-connector configurations, the attached peripheral is has operational functions that are typically limited, such as here monitoring the signals being transferred from the battery to its host device. Thus, this example of a “T”-connector does not disrupt an ongoing inter-device operation.
“Y”-connectors implicitly have an attached peripheral(s) that is interactive, i.e., performing more than passive monitoring operations. By example, the previously cited monitoring peripheral operates through a “T”-connection because the attached apparatus is only monitoring an ongoing signal-transfer operation. However, when that same monitoring apparatus is integrated with a configurable power supply as a single attached peripheral, a “Y”-connector configuration occurs. With the interface apparatus at the juncture of the three branches of the “Y,” the battery at the terminus of one of the top branches has its signal flow down the branch, through the subject connector, then down the vertical branch to its base where the attached monitor/power supply peripheral is. Because the conductor attachments of the interface apparatus' plug and receptacle are configured differently than for a “T”-connector, the original battery signal is now disrupted to the host device (albeit, the battery signal will technically continue to flow to the host device until the output signal of the power supply overrides it, causing the battery signal to be disrupted).
The battery signal is received by the monitoring element of this multi-function peripheral but, that signal is now used to configure the output signal of the power supply element, so the monitoring element is now performing more than simple monitoring . . . it is also diagnosing a received signal—more complex operations usually point to “Y”-connector than “T”-connector configurations. The power supply element delivers power, so it has an implicit interactive operation, which is another indicator of a “Y”-connector configuration, instead of a “T”-connector.
To continue the metaphor, the power supply at the base of the vertical bar of the “Y,” is now the source of power for the host device, instead of the battery. The outputted power signal flows from the power supply peripheral upward along the vertical bar to the interface apparatus at the juncture of the base branch and the two top branches of the “Y.” The configuration of the plugs contacts and conductors includes a means of controlling the direction of signal flow which both causes the battery signal to flow only downward along the vertical bar of the “Y” to the peripheral but, also, prevents the power supply's signal from traveling up the branch to which the battery is attached. The power signal only flows from the power supply to the host device. Thus, the “Y”-connector configuration does disrupt existing circuits, redirects signals, and creates new electrical paths.
In a “T”-connector configuration, it is not essential to the proper operation of the interface apparatus 10 IF (FIGS. 1A and B) that all conductive plug elements 105, 109, 113 and 115 be attached to conductors 123A and B, and 125A and B. Even though there are sufficient plug and receptacle contacts to accommodate a four-conductor interface, the simple operation being depicted here of an attached monitoring device 154 accessing signal transfers from a battery 166 to a host device 168 requires only two conductors for attaching the external peripheral. For reference, FIG. 3 is the preferred drawing for viewing the details of a receptacle.
To define the horizontal top bar of the “T,” battery 166 (FIG. 1B) is attached by a conductive trace 157 along which its negative signal flows to receptacle's outer spring contact 139A. Since the plug for attaching the peripheral is not yet engaged to the receptacle, a jumpered plug 167 (FIG. 8) is inserted into the receptacle. This jumpered plug closes circuits that are left open when no plug is inserted. The battery signal at spring contact 139A transfers to plug 167's external conductive surface 173, then flows along it and transfers the negative signal to outer spring contact 139B of the receptacle then, finally, the signal flows along conductive trace 163 to host device 168 (FIG. 1B).
The positive signal from a battery 166 that flows along the top bar of the “T” starts with the signal flowing along conductive trace 159 to receptacle 101B (FIG. 1B), where the signal is received at inner spring contact 137 (for reference, see FIG. 3). Since the jumpered plug 167 (FIG. 8) is inserted into the receptacle, the signal transfers to its conductive inner sleeve 113A, where a jumper (shunt, not shown) electrically couples sleeve 113A to the plug's center pin 115A. From center pin 115A, the signal transfers to receptacle's conductive receptor tube 127, which is attached to conductive trace 161 at the host device 168(FIG. 1B).
To attach a monitoring peripheral 154, the addition of which will create the vertical bar of this metaphorical “T”-connector, the jumpered plug 167 above is removed, to be replaced by a two-conductor plug 101 (FIG. 2) that is attached to the peripheral by a cable 121 that provides conductors 123 and 125.
To now redefine the signal flow of a battery 166 (FIG. 1B) in a complete “T”-connector configuration, the negative signal flows first along conductive trace 157 to receptacle's outer spring contact 139A. Since the plug 101 (FIG. 2) for attaching the peripheral is now engaged to the receptacle, the battery signal transfers from spring contact 139A to plug 101's external conductive contact segment 105, to which is attached cable conductor 123 that directs the negative signal to monitoring peripheral 154 (FIG. 1A). But, according to the “T”-connector metaphor, the host device 168 is also supposed to receive the battery signal. This is accomplished by a simple shunt that electrically couples contact segment 105 with plug's contact segment 109. Thus, the battery's negative signal also flows from contact segment 105 to coupled contact segment 109 at the plug and, since contact segment 109 is engaged to receptacle's outer spring contact 139B (FIG. 3), the signal transfers there, then along conductive trace 163 to host device 168 (FIG. 1B).
Note that plug contact segment 105 is attached to both the cable conductor 123, and the shunt (not shown) that jumpers together segment 105 with contact segment 109. Contact segment 105 is the literal juncture of the horizontal and vertical bars of the metaphorical “T,” where the signals branch both toward the attached monitoring peripheral 154, and the host device 168.
The positive signal from a battery 166 (FIG. 1B) first flows along conductive trace 161 to receptacle 101B (FIG. 1B), where the signal is received at inner spring contact 137 (for reference, see FIG. 3). Since plug 101 (FIG. 2) is now inserted instead of the previous jumpered plug 167, the signal transfers to conductive inner sleeve 113 at the plug. Sleeve 113 has two attached conductors. The first is conductor 125 of cable 121 (FIG. 2), which directs the positive battery signal to the attached monitoring peripheral 154 (FIG. 1A). This conductor 125 is the metaphorical equivalent of the vertical bar of the “T.” The second conductor attached to plug's sleeve 113 is a shunt that electrically couples sleeve 113 to the plug's center pin 115, so that the signal available at sleeve 113 is now available at pin 115. From pin 15, the signal transfers to mated receptacle's conductive receptor tube 127, and, from there, the positive signal that originated at the battery then flows along conductive trace 161 to host device 168.
Thus, the original flow of signals from a battery 166 to a host device 168 along the horizontal top bar of the “T”-connector is still uninterrupted and is not redirected. By attaching a monitoring peripheral 154, the battery signals are transferred to both the host device and the peripheral.
Turning to the “Y”-connector modality of the interface apparatus, it differentiates itself from a “T”-connector by disrupting one or more existing circuits, redirecting signals (not simply splitting signals, as does the “T”-connector), or by creating new electrical paths. The plug and receptacle configuration presented here is for comparison to the above-detailed signal flow paths of a “T”-connector configuration. Here, an external monitoring device 154 (FIG. 1A) and a configurable power supply 152 are treated as one attached apparatus, the monitoring device representing signal flow from a battery 166 (FIG. 1B), and the power supply representing signal flow from it to a host device 168 (FIG. 1B). For simplicity, a four-conductor cable 145 in FIG. 1A is used, although a three- or even two-conductor cable achieves the same result, when a means of controlling the direction of signal flow is incorporated into one of the electrical paths.
Notice that plug 101A does not have the shunts that were used in the “T”-connector version, those shunts being used to continue the electrical path from the battery to the host device. In the “Y”-connector, the electrical paths between the battery and its host device are disrupted, and battery-signal flow is redirected from the host device to the attached external peripheral.
Thus, implementing a “Y”-connector configuration by the way conductors are attached to selected contacts at the plug and receptacle, resulting in disrupted and redirected signals, external peripherals—whether the integrated monitoring device and configurable power supply in the above example, or even two (or more) discrete external devices—interact with both a host device and its associated battery for simultaneously transferring power (and/or data) signals through a single interface apparatus. Ganging together multiple devices is achievable by congregating a plurality of conductors at a single conductive contact element of the plug and/or receptacle. A shared ground is obvious, but a shared positive-signal conductor is practical if one branch of the “Y”-connector is controlled as to its direction of signal flow. Also, ganging devices on a single conductive segment works well for monitoring-type operations.
The section herein titled “Cables and Muxes” further explores ways to eliminate one or more of the four conductors used in this example of a “Y”-connector configuration.
In designing and fabricating plug and mating receptacle contacts, the current-carrying capability of the conductive materials should be sufficient to handle the power required by a host device. With laptop computers, for example, 50-Watts is not uncommon. The “ampacity” rating (at temperature) of contacts, conductors, etc., should be optimized to not cause any power loss. The confined space limitations inside a typical battery pack might well pose potential barriers to using large-surface-area electrical contacts, or the use of heavy-gauge conductors. Space-saving flat metal zinc (or nickel-plated zinc) strip conductors is advantageous in routing receptacle powerlines inside a battery enclosure (see conductive traces 155, 157, 159 and 161 in FIG. 1B).
Polymer Lithium-Ion cells, with their rectangular shape and variable form factors, can also replace existing cylindrical cells in existing battery enclosures. Rectangular cells yield more energy-density per square inch The unused space left as “valleys” between adjacent columns of cylindrical cells can be eliminated by using rectangular polymer cells, thus freeing considerable room (as much as 20% of an existing battery pack's volume) for a receptacle.
How a battery pack inserts into its bay (“cavity”) in a host device is a noteworthy consideration when designing this multi-contact connector assembly for battery pack installation. Most battery packs insert end-wise into a battery bay, leaving the face at one end of the pack housing exposed. A receptacle 101B (FIG. 1B) is accessible through an opening along this exposed face of the battery housing as depicted as prior art element 153. Packs with cylindrical cells typically have their cells stacked end-to-end in columns. A convenient “V” (in the end-view of two adjacent columns of cells) between cell columns is available as a valley for installing a receptacle and related conductors. The open end of the receptacle is situated directly behind the pack's housing wall (see FIG. 1B), and an opening in the wall provides access for the plug. With a battery pack thus configured, a user can inter-connect a variety of external peripherals through this interface. Depending on the wiring schema of the connector assembly, any external peripheral can transfer electrical signals either with a host device 168, or its battery 166— even multiple peripherals can concurrently (or simultaneously) access either/both the host and/or its battery.
A switch so configured establishes an attached peripheral with a junction between a battery and a host device, so that a three-branched Y-connection is created. For purposes of this non-limiting example, the switch is at the juncture of the three branches of the “Y.” A battery is at the terminus of the first branch of the Y-connection, the host device is at the terminus of the second branch, and a user-selectable peripheral is attached electrically at the terminus of the third branch. In this example, the attached peripheral is a multi-function device that is capable of both receiving electrical signals for monitoring battery power output, and the peripheral also has a variable-output power supply incorporated that is capable of outputting a power signal for powering the host device.
In this configuration of the peripheral delivering power to the host device, the need for a battery in the circuit is not essential, and the battery can actually be removed. But leaving the battery attached adds an additional layer of safety to the operation of the connector assembly because, should the power delivery from the power supply peripheral along the third branch be disrupted, the N-signal switch immediately re-establishes the previous configuration, with the battery as the source of power to the host device along the first and second branches—thus providing a battery backup capability.
In order to determine the correct voltage to which to configure the output of the power supply, a second pair of conductors 125A and B (FIG. 1A) is used. This second pair of conductors is configured in plug 101A and its mating receptacle 101B (FIG. 1B), so that the output voltage of battery 166 is readable along these conductors. Conductors 125A and B serve as voltage “sense” lines that transfer a power signal from the battery to an attached battery monitoring peripheral 154. This peripheral “awakens” when battery power is received, then acquires the incoming battery signal at an A/D converter 158.
Where practical, embedding the sensing function in a host device 168 (FIG. 1B) does have the benefit of potential access to an existing A/D converter 174, processor 172, and perhaps even already-resident resources for embedding sensing software 170. Even though the host device might have a suitable processor and other voltage-sensing hardware and software, it is usually impractical to modify an existing host device. The voltage sensing and processing circuit, in this modality of the invention, is embedded—typically, in an external peripheral such as the battery monitoring unit 154 (FIG. 1A), or the configurable power supply 152, itself. A host device's battery pack, especially if it is a removable module, is an acceptable location for an embedded A/D converter 174, processor 172, and resident program instructions 170. This is especially a valid approach with “smart” batteries, which often have onboard processors and A/D converters. Should a “smart” battery be the site for the embedded sensing circuit, then the signal transferred along conductors 125A and B is for acquiring digital data signals. Digital data acquisition usually requires at least a third conductor, so one of the available power conductors 123A or B is then used.
Battery monitor 154 (FIG. 1A) uses both a load and no-load sampling of battery 166's output voltage to ascertain whether the battery is in a relative state of full-charge, or almost completely discharged. Should battery 166 be fully charged, its no-load output voltage will be substantially higher than its manufactured “design” output voltage. For example, a battery pack manufactured as “12 VDC” may read nearly 14-volts output under a no-load condition, even though it has less than 40% remaining capacity, but that output voltage may drop to less than 10.5-volts when tested under load A fully charged battery will not likely read less than 12-volts output when sampled under the same load. Since battery output may cover a range of voltages, depending on the load vs. no-load sampling results, program instruction in battery monitor 154 (alternatively 170 at battery 166 or host 168) uses a look-up table and an algorithm to determine what the manufacturer's “design” voltage is for battery 166.
Of course, if battery 166 (FIG. 1B) is a smart battery, and if there are data lines available at the connector assembly, battery monitor 154 simply polls the battery's data registers for information about its “design” voltage and fuel gauge reading. However, even smart battery technology, with its sophisticated fuel gauges, is not very accurate when it comes to determining the amount of energy reserves remaining in a battery. Error rates are sometimes 10-20%. Knowing this, host device manufacturers tend to allow an adequate margin of capacity in a battery at the prescribed Vmin battery shut-down voltage.
The processor 160 in FIG. 1A (or 172 of host 168 in FIG. 1B) that controls the configurable power supply operates on information about the battery. Specifically, based on acquired battery voltage information, the proper calculated input voltage of the host device is sent to power supply as a Vref value. Being a controllable switching power supply, it can output whatever Vref voltage is required. Power supply 311 is also capable of matching Vref as a function of its voltage-sense feedback loop (not shown). Specific information about the operation and characteristics of such a power supply is available in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,175, “Universal Power Supply” (1 Oct. 2002).
A battery charging module 156 (FIG. 1A) is also available either as a stand-alone unit, or integrated into an external peripheral 150. The role of battery monitor 154 in conjunction with a battery charger, is similar to that already described for a battery monitor and a power supply 152. The battery monitor gathers data about a battery 166 (FIG. 1B). Once the presence of a battery 166—and the appropriate user-selected plug configuration for charger connectivity—are verified, battery monitor 154 determines the appropriate charge type and charger peripheral output configuration. Charge type is based on battery chemistry. See my U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,175, “Universal Power Supply,” (1 October 2002) for information on charging based on battery chemistry.
Further, the connector apparatus is configured to create an electromechanical redirection of battery 166's circuit. There is no path for host device 168's internal charger circuit (not shown) to access its battery 166 and switches, while the plug 101A is inserted. (See discussions in the section “Cables and Muxes” about using diodes in circuits to enable a battery to deliver power to its associated host device even while a connector assembly is in use.
Referencing my U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,175, “Universal Power Supply” (1 Oct. 2002) and my U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,896, “Method and Apparatus for Transferring Electrical Signals Among Electrical Devices” (21 Oct. 2003), an external processor-enabled peripheral is capable of determining whether or not the interface apparatus configuration is appropriate for performing the operations of the attached peripherals. For example, if a combined power supply 152 (FIG. 1A) and a battery charger 156 are attached, the program instructions 162 of processor 160 and an A/D converter 158 use basic voltage and current sensing methodologies to verify that the anticipated circuits at the connector assembly 101F. are correctly configured. If an incorrect connector configuration is detected, neither the charger nor power supply will operate. If data lines are available, they are to pre-confirm the proper configuration, functioning, and operation of the connector apparatus.
To disable battery charging, for example, any of the connectors shown (but not limited to those shown or equivalents) can effectively interrupt and reroute a data line. In a smart battery circuit, for example, rerouting a Clock (C), or Data (D) line will disrupt the circuit of a host device's charging circuit, battery selector, or keyboard controller—the disruption of any one of which is sufficient to prevent battery charging. A battery cannot effectively communicate its request to be charged if Clock or Data lines are not available. The data lines communicate in conjunction with the negative (−) polarity power signal in the SMBus Smart Battery Bus topology, so intervening a connector assembly of the invention on a powerline will have an impact on battery data communications.
Computer-readable data is then output to a radio transmitter, or to an infrared port. A comparably-equipped external peripheral, such as a charger or power supply, shares data with the wireless module. Software filters the data stream coming from a host device and/or a smart battery, looking for data relevant to battery charging. It may see requests from the smart battery, for example, to be charged. An external module would, in that situation, send a wireless signal back to the module, with a message for the smart battery advising it that the charger is not available. That “faux” information from the external peripheral is then routed internally in the host device through the connector I/O port that couples the host to its battery, into the battery's data circuit.
Malfunctions, such as spurious data on the smart battery bus that is misunderstood as a request to battery charge, are handled by having an external power supply 152 (FIG. 1A) (which is attached at the battery connectors in the host device, and not at the host device's power input jack), send “faux” data to a module previously described, which is routed to a host device through a connector assembly 101F. Viewed in one way, an external power supply's data intervention into a battery-to-host interface is one of emulating a battery when communicating to a host, and emulating a host when communicating to a battery. The task is, in this example, to prevent battery charging, so one approach is to send appropriate misinformation to a host system, that emulates a malfunctioning battery. Data sent to a battery emulates host messages which indicate that charging functions are not available.
In context of SMBus-based smart batteries, the host receives “aux” information from an external power source that the temperature level in a battery is exceeds a pre-set alarm level, for example. That will disable the host device's internal charger. A battery can receive alarm or alert states, which indicate a “no-charge-available” condition in the host device.
The issue of a host device turning on its internal charging circuit while an external peripheral is using those same battery lines to input power to a host device is moot. The probability of this happening is very remote, for two reasons. First, the host device is not drawing power from its AC/DC power-conversion adapter attached to the power input jack but, instead, the host device is drawing power from what it perceives is a battery but is actually an external power supply emulating that battery. There is no acknowledged power source connected to the host device that indicates available power to charge a battery, i.e., there is no AC/DC adapter or wall adapter connected to the power input jack of the host device. This makes any possibility of a host device being able to charge a battery essentially zero. Second, there is no request for a charge activity from a battery because this battery is temporarily disengaged by the connector assembly 101F (FIG. 1A) disrupting the previous host-to-battery conductors, so a host's charging circuit has no valid reason to turn on the charging circuit. (Many of the alternative approaches discussed here are further detailed in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,175, “Universal Power Supply,” 1 Oct. 2002, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,896, “Method and Apparatus for Transferring Electrical Signals Among Electrical Devices,” 21 Oct. 2003).
The benefits of an interface apparatus creates different electrical paths when a plug is inserted or replaced include (but are not limited to) the following non-limiting examples:
(h). In certain modalities of the connector that use a “jumpered” terminator plug 167 (FIG. 8) to reinstate a circuit, the need for an ON/OFF power switch in conjunction with a power input jack is eliminated. The plug is configurable to turn the host device ON when inserted.
Thus, the reader will see that the interface apparatus of the invention provides a convenient, low-cost, and when the receptacle is embedded in an a battery enclosure, inconspicuous and easily upgradeable connector assembly that not only provides safe power delivery by disabling battery charging, but enhances the overall functionality of any existing (or future) electronic and electrical goods by providing an interface to which a multiplicity of peripherals can be attached.
Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Many other variations are possible. For example, a receptacle 101B in FIG. 3 can be configured so that spring contacts 137, 139A and 139B engage adjacent conductive surfaces. When a plug is removed, contact 137 electrically engages conductive surface 133B with conductive surface 130, thereby closing a circuit. The receptacle is reconfigurable to even have inward spring contact 139B oppose and self-close with outward spring contact 137. By the placement and movement of the spring contacts, all circuits of the interface apparatus would automatically be reinstated, thus eliminating the need for a “jumpered” terminator plug 167 (FIG. 8). Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the embodiments illustrated herein
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