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Multi-type battery charger controlMulti-type battery charger control description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050248310, Multi-type battery charger control. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of Invention [0002] This invention pertains to a battery charging system capable of charging different types of batteries. More particularly, this invention pertains to a battery charging system with a user operable switch that selects the type of battery to be charged and controls the charging system to charge the battery in accordance with its type. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Chemical batteries that create electricity from chemical reactions have been known for many years. These types of batteries are used in automobiles and other vehicles, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, and portable electric devices, among other devices and equipment. An advantage of some chemical batteries is that they can be charged and the chemical process reversed by forcing electricity through the battery. Charging systems are widely known in the art and are widely available. [0005] Examples of rechargeable batteries include batteries made with nickel metal hydride (NiMh), nickel cadmium (NiCd), lithium ion (Li-ion), lithium/manganese dioxide (Li/MnO.sub.2), lithium/titanium disulfide (Li/TiS.sub.2), Lithium/iron sulfide (LiFeSx), Lithium/manganese titanium (LiMnTi), lithium/nickel oxide positive electrode (LiNiO.sub.2), Lithium/manganese oxide (LiMn.sub.2O.sub.4), nickel-zinc (Ni--Zn), Nickel-iron (NiFe), or Silver oxide (AgO). Such batteries also include a variety of lead-acid storage batteries, such as gel, wet, and absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries. Each of these battery types have specific charging requirements, and these requirements can also vary depending upon the application and construction of the batteries. [0006] Charging is the process of returning a discharged battery to a state in which it can be used again. There are various methods commonly used for recharging batteries: constant-current, constant potential (or voltage), float, pulse, ripple, taper, and trickle. It is important to charge a battery with the method recommended by the manufacturer for the type of battery. Although attempts have been made to sense the battery type by measuring the battery's electrical characteristics, such attempts have not been entirely successful. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an operator switch for controlling the battery charging for a specific type of battery is provided. A battery charging system includes a charging circuit, a processor, and a key, or identification device. The key has a value or code associated with the type of battery to be charged. The processor executes a software program that reads the value associated with the key. The software program charges the battery in a manner required by the battery type associated with the key value. In another embodiment, the program checks for changes to the key, such as when an operator swaps the key during charging. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which: [0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a battery charging system; [0010] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the steps for varying the manner of charging the battery based on a key value; [0011] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a battery charging system showing a switching network; [0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a narrow pulse waveform having a low effective voltage; and [0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a wider pulse waveform having a high effective voltage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0014] An apparatus for selectively charging a variety of batteries is disclosed. The apparatus is illustrated in the figures as a battery charging system 10. The battery charging system 10 is adapted to charge a variety of different types of batteries by varying the charging method and controlling the charging parameters. [0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a battery charging system 10 capable of charging different types of batteries 110. A charging circuit 104 is powered by a power supply 102. The charging system 10 includes a processor 106 that controls the charging circuit 104 and provides display and control 112. A key, or identification device, 108 operates a switch such that the processor 106 can determine the type of battery 110 for selecting the proper charging method. [0016] As used herein, the processor 106 should be broadly construed to mean any computer or component thereof that executes software. The processor 106 includes a memory medium that stores software, a processing unit that executes the software, and input/output (I/O) units for communicating with external devices. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the memory medium associated with the processor 106 can be either internal or external to the processing unit of the processor without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In one embodiment the processor 106 is a general purpose computer, in another embodiment, it is a specialized device for implementing the functions of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the processor 106 includes an input component, an output component, a storage component, and a processing component. The input component receives input from external devices, such as the charging circuit 104 and the key 108. The output component sends output to external devices, such as the charging circuit 104 and the display and control circuit 112. The storage component stores data and program code. In one embodiment, the storage component includes random access memory. In another embodiment, the storage component includes non-volatile memory, such as floppy disks, hard disks, and writeable optical disks. The processing component executes the instructions included in the software and routines. [0017] The processor 106 executes a software program charging different types of batteries. The program includes routines for charging different types of batteries 110. The routines control the voltage, current, time and rate of charge, as appropriate to the type of battery 110 to be charged. The key, or identification device, 108 includes a code that identifies a type of battery 110 and the key's 108 code is read by the processor 106. In this manner, the charging system 10 applies the proper charge to a battery 110 as specified by the key 108. [0018] In one embodiment, the key 108 is a physical key that is plugged into a receptacle in the charging system 10. The key 108, either mechanically or electrically, sets one or more switches to a specific configuration, which is read by the processor 106. For example, the key 108, when inserted in the receptacle, actuates a series of switches such that individual contacts are either grounded or raised to a specific voltage level, and the contacts correspond to a digital code defined by the key 108. The contacts are connected to an equal number of input/output (I/O) ports on the processor 106. The processor 106 reads the I/O ports to determine the state of the contacts, and thereby determines the code carried by the key 108. The software running on the processor 106 uses the code to select the manner of charging the battery 110. [0019] In another embodiment, the key 108 is an electronic device that is plugged into a receptacle in the charging system 10. The key 108 contains a digital code that is read by the processor 106. In still another embodiment, the key 108 is a multi-position switch on the charging system 10, with each switch position representing a battery type. [0020] The battery type varies depending upon the battery 110 to be charged by the charging system 10. The battery types include differences in chemistry type, size, capacity, voltage rating, number of cells and their configuration. Different battery types require different charging protocols, which is the manner of applying the proper voltage and/or current to the battery 110 for the proper time. The charging protocol optimizes the battery life for the battery type while permitting rapid charging of the battery 110. For example, a NiMH battery can be charged at a low, fixed current less than its C capacity for a specified period of time before being charged at 100% of C until a negative delta voltage is detected at the battery 110, at which time a trickle charge is applied to the battery 110. Continue reading about Multi-type battery charger control... Full patent description for Multi-type battery charger control Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Multi-type battery charger control patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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