Enhanced reliability in portable rechargeable devices

Details Enhanced reliability in portable rechargeable devices Enhanced reliability in portable rechargeable devices

1991-08-06

1994-01-11

Peng, John K.

Communications: electrical

Condition responsive indicating system

Specific condition

235101, 307 66, 320 48, 36446402, G08B 2100, G07G 100

Patent

active

052785416

ABSTRACT:
In a postage meter which has a meter section powered by house current in normal operation, but which requires auxiliary power source batteries while in transit, a circuit is provided which, in connection with a stored program, tests the auxiliary power source prior to the period away from the house current power, thus providing a warning if the auxiliary power is unlikely to sustain the device for the duration of the period away from house current power. The test circuit applies a test load approximating the load of the meter section to be powered. A loop in the program of a CPU determines the period of time during which the test load is applied to the batteries and then a voltage comparator assures that the battery output voltage is sufficiently high in the range of usable voltage therefrom to assure successful operation of the postage meter section during resetting at the post office. A post office switch for use by a postal worker can be closed only when a postal worker unlocks an associated lock. This delivers auxiliary power from the batteries to the meter electronics including the CPU. A routine detects this and causes the CPU to provide a output to a switching transistor that continues to supply the auxiliary power for the brief interval necessary for resetting.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4024523 (1977-05-01), Arnold et al.
patent: 4025916 (1977-05-01), Arnold et al.
patent: 4206450 (1980-06-01), Harden et al.
patent: 4275274 (1981-06-01), English
patent: 4316133 (1982-02-01), Locke, Jr.
patent: 4316185 (1982-02-01), Watrous et al.
patent: 4397317 (1983-08-01), Villa-Real
patent: 4426612 (1984-01-01), Wienienski et al.
patent: 4455523 (1984-06-01), Koenck
patent: 4517517 (1985-05-01), Kinney
patent: 4544910 (1985-10-01), Hoberman
patent: 4563628 (1986-01-01), Tietz et al.
patent: 4581606 (1986-04-01), Mallory
patent: 4644142 (1987-02-01), Payn
patent: 4644245 (1987-02-01), Brown
patent: 4916438 (1990-04-01), Collins et al.
patent: 4962347 (1990-10-01), Burroughs et al.
patent: 5130658 (1992-07-01), Bohmer

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Enhanced reliability in portable rechargeable devices does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Enhanced reliability in portable rechargeable devices, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Enhanced reliability in portable rechargeable devices will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1634010