United States Patent [19J
`Kfoury et al.
`
`[54] BATTERY CHARGER HAVING MOVING
`DOOR HOUSING FOR A BATTERY
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Tony N. Kfoury, Lisle; Jon Godston,
`Chicago; Robert Hertlein, Round Lake
`Beach; Andrew A. Powell, Chicago, all
`of Ill.
`
`[73] Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 09/271,831
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Mar. 18, 1999
`
`Int. Cl.7 .................................................... HOlM 10/46
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl. ............................................. 320/113; 320/115
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 320/107, 110,
`320/112, 113, 114, 115; D13/103, 107,
`108; 429/99, 100
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`D. 349,883
`D. 353,131
`5,059,885
`5,327,067
`
`8/1994 Gallagher et al. .
`12/1994 Nagele .
`10/1991 Weiss et al. .
`7/1994 Scholder.
`
`I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006049192A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,049,192
`Apr. 11, 2000
`
`5,347,208
`5,525,888
`5,656,914
`
`9/1994 Iida .
`6/1996 Toya .
`8/1997 Nagele et al. .
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`NTT Do Co Mo, Mo Va, 94-4, Japan, pp. 1, 88, 90, year
`1994.
`
`Primary Examiner-Edward H. Tso
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael C. Soldner; Randall S.
`Vaas
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A battery charger includes a main housing (103). A well
`(108) in the main housing is for receipt of an electronic
`device (102) including a battery. A door housing (104) is
`movably carried on the main housing. At least one contact
`( 422) is carried on the main housing for connection to a
`battery (200, 300) inserted between the door housing and the
`main housing, wherein the door housing is movable between
`an open position for receipt of a battery and a compact
`closed position. A circuit is positioned in the main housing
`for electrical connection to the electronic device and the
`contacts for charging a battery.
`
`20 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
`108
`
`106
`
`108
`
`ZTE/SAMSUNG 1016-0001
`IPR2018-00276
`
`

`

`U .S . P a t e n t
`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 1 of 11
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 11, 2000
`
`Sheet 2of11
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`204
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`108
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`Apr. 11, 2000
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`Apr. 11, 2000
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`6,049,192
`
`1
`BATTERY CHARGER HAVING MOVING
`DOOR HOUSING FOR A BATTERY
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention pertains generally to battery charg-
`ers and more particularly to battery chargers having a pocket
`for receiving batteries.
`
`5
`
`2
`FIG. 10 is a top plan view illustrating the fully assembled
`battery charger in a closed position.
`FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of
`the battery charger taken along plain line 10-10 in FIG. 10.
`FIG. 12 is a partial enlarged view illustrating the charger
`and communication device according to FIG. 1.
`FIG. 13 is top plan view of a battery and charger accord(cid:173)
`ing to FIG. 3.
`FIG. 14 is a partial enlarged view illustrating the battery
`and charger according to FIG. 13.
`FIG. 15 is a circuit schematic in block diagram form
`illustrating the charger, communication device and battery
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`A battery charger includes a main housing having a well
`for receipt of an electronic device including a battery. A door
`housing is movably carried on the main housing. At least one
`contact is carried on the main housing for connection to a
`20 battery inserted between the door housing and the main
`housing, wherein the door housing is movable between an
`open position for receipt of a battery and a compact closed
`position. A circuit is positioned in the main housing for
`electrical connection to the electronic device and the con-
`25 tacts for charging a battery.
`A battery charger 100 for use with a portable battery(cid:173)
`powered electronic device 102 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The
`electronic device 102 is a battery powered communication
`device, and may for example be a cellular radiotelephone, a
`satellite telephone, a cordless radiotelephone, a two-way
`radio, a pager, or any other portable device that requires
`battery power during portable operation. The communica(cid:173)
`tion device is illustrated with a thin battery mounted behind
`cover 124, but can optionally have a thick battery. If a thick
`battery is attached to the communication device, the rear
`portion 109 of the well 108 will be filled by the communi(cid:173)
`cation device and the thick battery inserted into the well.
`The battery charger 100 includes a main housing 103 and
`40 a door housing 104. The main housing 103 includes a well
`108 for receipt of the communication device 102 during
`charging or storage. The main housing 103 is comprised of
`an upper housing section 110 in which the well is positioned
`and a lower housing section 112. The door housing 104 is
`45 position to partially circumscribe a connector 106. The
`connector 106 is for connection to a cord, which in turn is
`connected to a main alternating current (AC) power supply
`of the type utilized with a common wall outlet. For example,
`the connector 106 can be connected via a cable to a 110 Volt
`AC power supply. The power supply may be any conven(cid:173)
`tional power supply of the type commonly used throughout
`the world.
`Thus the main housing preferably houses a power regu(cid:173)
`lator which converts an external power supply to a standard
`55 DC voltage which is usable by the communication device
`102 for charging a battery therein and also includes circuitry
`for generating a regulated voltage for charging a battery 200,
`300 removed from the communication device. Indicators
`126 and 128 are provided in the housing for identifying the
`60 charging status of a battery being charged whether the
`battery is in the device 102, behind cover 124, or connected
`in the pocket created by housing 104 being open.
`To accommodate a battery 200 that has been removed
`from the communication device 102, battery charger 100
`65 includes the door housing 104 moveably carried on main
`housing 103. The door housing 104 slides open to the
`position illustrated in FIG. 2 for receipt of a thick battery
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Portable electronic devices are powered using a recharge- 10
`able battery. The rechargeable battery typically includes one
`or more electrochemical cells disposed within a housing.
`The housing includes a latching apparatus that allows the
`rechargeable battery to be detachably coupled to the portable
`electronic device. Contacts carried on the housing electri- 15
`cally connect the electrochemical cells to the portable elec(cid:173)
`tronic device.
`To recharge the batteries, a communication device may
`include a charging circuit, which controls charging of the
`battery through the communication device when the com(cid:173)
`munication device is connected to an external power supply.
`For example, the communication device may be connected
`to a vehicle electrical system through a cigarette lighter or to
`a conventional main power supply through a wall outlet. A
`transformer is employed to convert the wall outlet power
`supply to a standard DC voltage. Alternatively, the battery
`may be detached from the communication device and
`inserted into a charger that provides the necessary power
`regulation for charging the battery.
`Conventionally, battery chargers have a pocket that
`receives and holds the rechargeable battery during charging.
`The charging pocket includes contacts positioned to mate
`with the contacts of the rechargeable battery. Alternatively,
`the charger can receive a battery in one pocket and phone
`having a battery thereon in another pocket. However, these
`chargers are relatively large. What is needed is a more
`versatile battery charger that can accommodate both con(cid:173)
`nection of the communication device and the battery without
`requiring a large housing which is difficult to transport.
`
`35
`
`30
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a top, back, right side perspective view illus(cid:173)
`trating a battery charger and associated portable battery
`powered electronic device.
`FIG. 2 is a top, front, right side perspective view illus(cid:173)
`trating a battery charger and associated battery usable there(cid:173)
`with.
`FIG. 3 is a top, front, and right side perspective view
`illustrating a battery charger and a different sized battery 50
`usable therewith.
`FIG. 4 is an exploded right side, top perspective view
`illustrating the battery charger according to FIG. 1.
`FIG. 5 is an exploded left side, bottom perspective view
`illustrating the battery charger according to FIG. 1.
`FIG. 6 is a top perspective view illustrating a bottom
`housing section of the battery charger according to FIG. 1.
`FIG. 7 is a top plan view illustrating a battery charger base
`and circuit board with the top housing section removed and
`in a closed position.
`FIG. 8 is a top plan view illustrating a battery charger base
`and circuit board with the top housing section removed and
`in a partially extended position for receipt of a thin battery.
`FIG. 9 is a top plan view illustrating the base and circuit
`board with the top housing section removed and in a fully
`extended position for receipt of a thick battery.
`
`ZTE/SAMSUNG 1016-0013
`IPR2018-00276
`
`

`

`6,049,192
`
`20
`
`3
`200. The battery is electrically connected to the charger
`circuitry within main housing 103 when inserted.
`Alternatively, the battery 300 (FIG. 3), which has a smaller
`thickness than battery 200, can be inserted between the door
`housing 104 and the main housing 103. The thin battery 300
`and the thick battery 200 have contacts 310 (FIG. 3) and 210
`(FIG. 2) that are in the same position. Consequently, either
`battery will be connected to the internal circuitry when the
`battery is inserted between the door housing 104 and the
`main housing 103. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the
`contacts 210, 310 are on the side of the batteries 200, 300,
`instead of the ends for easier connection to the electronic
`device 102.
`The battery charger 103 will now be described in greater
`detail with reference to FIG. 4. The battery charger includes
`a top housing section 110, a printed circuit board assembly
`404, and a lower housing section 112. The top housing
`section 110 includes device rails 204 and 205 for receipt in
`grooves 1202 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1) on
`opposite sides of the communication device 102 housing.
`The device rails 204, 205 of communication device 102
`align a connector (not shown, 1550 in FIG. 15) on the
`communication device with the connector 202, and hold the
`communication device 102 in an upright position.
`An aperture 408 in well 108 is for receipt of the connector 25
`202. Additionally, apertures 412 and 414 are provided in the
`upper housing section 110. The apertures 412 and 414
`provide a passage to the terminal ends 126, 128 of light pipe
`410 so that a visible indication of the battery charging status
`can be provided to the user.
`The upper housing section 104 is preferably molded from
`an organic polymer, but can be manufactured from any
`suitable material.
`A light pipe 410 and a contact block 420 are positioned 35
`between the printed circuit board assembly 404 and the top
`housing section 110. The light pipe 410 is of any suitable
`manufacture such as manufactured of a transparent material,
`and may for example be clear plastic that provides a channel
`for light to pass to opening 412 and 414.
`The contact block 420 includes battery contacts 422 for
`connection to contacts 212 (FIG. 2) of battery 200 or
`contacts 310 (FIG. 3) of battery 300. The contact block also
`includes board contacts 424 (FIG. 4) for connection to
`surface contacts 426 on printed circuit board 405 of printed 45
`circuit board assembly 404. The contact block 420 com(cid:173)
`prises continuous conductors terminating in contacts 422
`and 424. The conductors are positioned in a dielectric block,
`which may for example be a molded polymer block.
`A connector 202 is mounted to printed circuit board 405. 50
`Circuit components 428, which are interconnected to form
`the charger circuit, are also mounted on the top surface of
`printed circuit board (PCB) 405. Light sources, such as light
`emitting diodes (not shown) are positioned behind recesses
`416 and 418 into which light pipe 410 is inserted. The
`printed circuit board 405 also includes a large PCB aperture
`434 and a small PCB aperture 436. The printed circuit board
`405 may be of any suitable conventional manufacture.
`The bottom housing section 112 includes a cylinder 446
`having an opening 444 and a rim 451. The bottom housing
`section 112 is assembled by receiving the door housing 104,
`springs 440 and 442, feet 493-496, and label 498. The
`springs 440 and 442 provide bias to push the door housing
`104 into the closed position for storage and transport. The
`feet 494--496 provide a non-scratching material for the base
`of the charger. The bottom housing section and the door
`housing can be manufactured of the same material as the
`
`4
`upper housing section 110, or of a different material. They
`may be manufactured from an organic polymer or stamped
`metal.
`With reference to FIG. 5, additional elements of the
`5 battery charger housing are visible. The upper housing
`section 110 includes fins, or spring retainers, 510 and 512
`which are aligned with the spring wells 601 and 603 (FIG.
`6) to hold the springs in the well after the charger is
`assembled. The upper housing section 110 also includes a
`10 compartment 511 for receiving and holding the contact
`block 420. The compartment 511 includes openings 506 in
`a back wall 1308 (FIG. 13) for passage of contacts 422. An
`opening 508 (FIG. 5) is provided for connector 106.
`In the front of the top housing section around aperture 408
`(FIG. 5), the top housing section 110 includes snap connec-
`15 tors 516, 518 and 520 that hold the connector 202 in position
`against fins 517 and 519.
`The door housing 104 includes arm beams 472 and 474
`extending outwardly from a wall 470 (FIG. 4). Arm beam
`472 includes orthogonal base 476 extending from the arm
`beam side wall. A stop 478 and a finger 480 are positioned
`on the distal end of arm beam 472. Arm beam 474 similarly
`includes a finger 482 and a stop 578 (FIG. 5) on a distal end
`thereof. An orthogonal base 576 extends from the base of the
`side wall of arm beam 474.
`As can be seen in FIG. 5, the door housing 104 is
`symmetrical, such that each of the arm beams 472 and 474
`is a mirror image of the other arm beam. The arm beam 474
`includes an orthogonal base 576 and a stop 578. The
`30 orthogonal bases 476 and 576 provide shelves on which a
`battery, inserted in the pocket between front housing 104 and
`main housing 103, will sit. The orthogonal bases 476 and
`576 need not be at right angles to the side walls of arms 472
`and 474, but are at such an angle in the illustrated embodi(cid:173)
`ment.
`With reference to FIG. 6, the bottom housing section 112
`includes a spring well 601 and a spring well 603. The spring
`well 602 includes a side wall 614 and an end wall 610. A
`channel 606 is provided between the bottom of end wall 610
`40 and the top surface of bottom housing section 112 for receipt
`of the orthogonal base 478 of arm beam 474. A retainer rib
`618 is formed on the top of side wall 614 and is used to hold
`the spring 416 within the spring well 602. The spring well
`603 similarly includes side wall 616 and an end wall 612. A
`channel 608 is provided between the bottom of end wall 612
`and the top surface of bottom housing section 112 for receipt
`of the orthogonal base 576 of arm beam 472. A retainer rib
`620 is provided at the top of side wall 616 to hold the spring
`in the spring well during assembly.
`To assemble the battery charger 103, the feet 493 through
`496 are attached to the bottom surface of the bottom housing
`section 112. The feet are secured in respective recesses 497
`(FIG. 5) using a suitable adhesive.
`To assemble the door housing 104 to the main housing
`55 103, the stop 478 and finger 480 of arm beam 472 are
`dropped into spring well 601 behind end wall 610. Similarly,
`the stop 578 and finger 480 of arm beam 474 are dropped
`into spring well 603 behind end wall and 612. The end wall
`610 will pass between the stop 478 and the end of orthogonal
`60 base 476 of arm beam 472. The orthogonal base 476 and the
`orthogonal base 576 are then slid through channel 606 and
`608, respectively, under the end walls until the door housing
`edge 473 of wall 470 abuts with bottom housing section 112.
`This position is generally shown in FIG. 7, and is the closed
`65 position for travel and storage.
`Spring 442 and spring 440 are then dropped into the
`spring well such that they extend between the stops 478 and
`
`ZTE/SAMSUNG 1016-0014
`IPR2018-00276
`
`

`

`6,049,192
`
`5
`
`5
`578 and the end walls 610 and 612, respectively. The
`retainer ribs 618 and 620 hold the springs in position during
`the remainder of assembly. The printed circuit board assem(cid:173)
`bly 405 is then positioned in the housing by inserting
`cylinder well 448 through large PC aperture 434 and posi-
`tioning small PCB aperture 436 in alignment with base
`aperture 446. The light pipe 410 is inserted into recesses 416
`and 418 and the contact block is positioned in a contact
`block well 507 in the upper housing section 110. The
`connector 202 is held in aperture 408 by side snap 516, side 10
`snap connector 520 and rear snap connector 518. Fins 517
`and 519 also hold the connector 202 in a fixed position
`within aperture 408.
`The top housing section is then positioned in alignment
`with the lower housing section such that the rear internally 15
`threaded cylinder 504 is positioned inside of wall 450 on the
`end of cylindrical wall 448 and rear internally threaded
`cylinder 504 is aligned with small aperture 436 and base
`aperture 446. Screw 490 is then screwed into internally
`threaded cylinder 502 and screw 492 is screwed into rear 20
`internally threaded cylinder 504 to hold the upper housing
`section 110 firmly in place with bottom housing section 112.
`The label 497 is then attached to bottom housing section 112
`to cover opening 448.
`With reference to FIG. 11, a cross section of the spring
`well 603 with the spring 442 inserted is illustrated. When the
`spring 440 is inserted into the well with the housing fully
`assembled, the spring is held against lateral movement by
`the side wall of the well recess, a beam 1102, the arm of the
`front housing and the spring retainer in the upper housing
`section. This insures that the spring when compressed must
`compress along its longitudinal axis with a minimal amount
`of lateral movement permitted.
`In operation, the user connects the communication device
`102 (FIG. 1) to charger 100 by sliding the device guides 204,
`205 into respective channels on the end of the communica(cid:173)
`tion device. One of the channels, 1202, is shown in FIGS. 1
`and 12 and receives channel guide 205. Another channel (not
`shown) on the opposite side of the communication device
`receives channel guide 204. When inserted into the well 108
`in this manner, a plug (not shown) on the communication
`device 102 is interconnected with connector 202 in the
`battery charger. The battery charger can then provide a DC
`voltage from the power supplied to the charger 103 through
`connector 106.
`A battery can be inserted between the door housing 104
`and the main housing 103 by sliding the door housing 104
`to a first position shown in FIG. 2 or a second position
`shown in FIG. 3, depending on the thickness of the battery. 50
`To extend the door housing 104, the finger 480 and finger
`482 will press the arm 450 and arm 750 (FIG. 7) outwardly
`as they slide over projections 452 and 752 on the distal ends
`of these arms to move into the position illustrated in FIG. 8.
`In the first indexed position, finger 480 is nestled between 55
`projection 452 and 456. Similarly, the finger 482 is nestled
`between projection 752 and 756. The springs 440 and 442
`will exert a force holding the battery between the edge 473
`of door housing 104 and back wall 1308 of the main housing
`103. The battery contacts 422 and block 420 will connect 60
`with contacts 310 on the battery 300.
`If a thick battery is inserted, the door housing 104 will
`move to the second indexed position shown in FIG. 9. To get
`to this position the finger 480 slides past projection 456 by
`pushing arm 450 outwardly. Similarly, the finger 482 slides 65
`past projection 756 by pushing arm 750 outwardly. The
`resilient arms 450 and 750 will snap back to the position
`
`6
`illustrated in FIG. 9 once the fingers 480 and 482 slide past
`projections 456 and 756 respectively. The springs 440, 442
`will push the door housing 104 against the battery, holding
`the thick battery firmly in position in the charger 103 with
`contacts 210 connected to contacts 422 and the battery 300
`pressed between the edge 473 of wall 470 and back wall
`1308.
`The lips 122 on the door housing 104 together with the
`sloping surface 120 of the main housing section 103 provide
`a shoe horn to ease insertion of the battery 200, 300 if the
`user desires to press the battery into the charging position.
`Alternatively, the user can slide the front door housing out
`and insert the battery. Upon removal of the battery 200,300,
`the springs 440, 442 will push the door housing shut.
`It is envisioned that batteries 200 and 300 can include
`projections 1302 (FIG. 13) for receipt in recesses 1304 in the
`battery charger. Thus, when the battery 200 or 300 is
`inserted into the charger, the projections 1302 will be
`inserted into recesses 1304 and 1306 as shown in FIG. 14 to
`prevent the battery from moving away from the battery
`contacts. This insures that the battery will be held in a
`reliable electrical connection within the charger.
`The electrical circuits of battery charger 100, communi-
`25 cation device 102, and a battery 200 are illustrated in FIG.
`15. Battery charger 100 includes controller 1500, switch
`1502, and charge circuitry 1504. Battery charger 100 is
`connected via cable 1579 to tracking supply 1503. Tracking
`supply 1503 is connected to wall plug 1505. Wall plug 1505
`is connected to a conventional wall outlet 1501 of a main
`power supply (e.g., 110 Volt AC power supply in the U.S.).
`Tracking supply 1503 transforms AC power input by wall
`plug 1505 into DC power and then outputs DC power
`supplied to battery charger 100 via cable 1579. Tracking
`supply 1503 adjusts output DC power according to feedback
`received from charge circuitry 1504 of battery charger 100,
`or feedback received from electronic device 102 via cable
`1579. Tracking supply 1503 is coupled to switch 1502 via
`cable 1579.
`Controller 1500 controls the charging operation of battery
`charger 100. Controller 1500 is coupled to connector 202 via
`bus 1506 to communicate with electronic device 102. Con(cid:173)
`troller 1500 inputs control signals to switch 1502 via bus
`1508. Controller 1500 controls switch 1502 to connect
`tracking supply 1503 to either connector 202, via bus 1516
`when electronic device 102 is attached, or to charge circuitry
`1504, via bus 1518 when thick battery 200 or thin battery
`300 is attached.
`Controller 1500 is connected to thermistor contacts 422
`via wire 1512 to sense the presence of thick battery 202 or
`thin battery 300. Controller 1500 is connected to data
`contacts 422 via wire 1514 to read battery data from thick
`battery 200 or thin battery 300. Controller 1500 is coupled
`to charge circuitry 1504 via bus 1510. Controller 1500
`controls charge circuitry 1504 to deliver charging current to
`positive contact 422 via wire 1520 according to a predeter(cid:173)
`mined charging algorithm stored in controller 1500. Those
`skilled in the art will recognize that charge circuitry 1504
`includes a current source and a switched power converter,
`such as a pulse width modulator (PWM), that generates an
`output current at a level determined by a switch (not shown)
`controlled by controller 1500. Controller 1500 controls the
`switch as a function of default data read from a local
`memory (not shown) or battery data read from thick battery
`200 or thin battery 104.
`The thick battery 200 includes memory 1534, electro(cid:173)
`chemical cells 1536, and thermistor 1538. Electrochemical
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`ZTE/SAMSUNG 1016-0015
`IPR2018-00276
`
`

`

`6,049,192
`
`7
`cells 1536, which are coupled in series, include a positive
`polarity terminal and a negative polarity terminal. The
`positive polarity terminal is coupled to positive contact
`1560. The negative polarity terminal is coupled to negative
`contact 1560. Electrochemical cells 1536 are preferably
`rechargeable, and can be any one of the following types:
`Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH),
`Alkaline, or Lithium Ion. Memory 1534, which is coupled to
`data contact 1560, characterizes the large battery 200 as a
`"smart battery" because the memory 1534 stores data that 10
`may be used to optimize charging. Such data includes
`battery type data, discharge/charge hysteresis data, and
`history data. Thermistor 1538 is coupled between the nega(cid:173)
`tive polarity terminal of electrochemical cells 1536 and
`thermistor contact 1560. A voltage level across thermistor 15
`1538 indicates the temperature of electrochemical cells
`1536. Thin battery 300 includes the same circuitry as thick
`battery 200, but fewer or smaller electrochemical cells.
`Insertion of the thick battery 200 or thin battery 300 in the
`pocket between door housing 104 and main housing 103 20
`initiates charging. Controller 1500, responsive to a voltage
`level on wire 1512, reads the battery data on wire 1514,
`connected to memory 1534. Controller 1500 configures
`charge circuitry 1504 via bus 1510 according to the battery
`data received from the memory. Controller 1500 also inputs 25
`a control signal to switch 1502 via bus 1508 that controls
`switch 1502 to connect tracking supply 1503 to charge
`circuitry 1504. Tracking supply 1503 delivers power to
`charge circuitry 1504 via cable 1579 and bus 1518.
`Electronic device 102 includes connector 1550, radio 30
`circuitry 1540 coupled to antenna 129, internal charger
`circuitry 1542, and battery 1554. Radio circuitry 1540,
`which preferably includes a microprocessor (not shown),
`communicates with battery charger 100 via bus 1544 when
`inserted in front well 108 and attached to connector 202 of 35
`battery charger 100. Responsive to this communication and
`the presence of tracking supply 1503 at connector 202 (also
`sensed via bus 1544), radio circuitry 1540 senses the pres(cid:173)
`ence of batteries 1554, which may be a thick battery 200 or
`a thin battery 300 attached to the communication device, via 40
`bus 1552. Radio circuitry 1540 then reads battery data from
`either the battery 1554 via bus 1552. Radio circuitry 1540,
`which includes a controller (not shown), controls internal
`charger circuitry 1542 via bus 1548 to deliver charging
`current to battery 1554 via bus 1551.
`It will be recognized that the internal charger circuitry
`1542 includes a controlled current source, such as a PWM.
`Under control of radio circuitry 1540, internal charger
`circuitry 1542 generates a charging current on bus 1551
`according to a predetermined charging algorithm and either
`default data or previously read battery data. Internal charger
`circuitry 1542 is powered by tracking supply 1503 via
`connector 1502 and bus 1546.
`The communication device 102 can include control cir- 55
`cuitry to control the charging current provided to the battery
`or the communication device 102 can provide a circuit
`through which the charging current is provided from battery
`charger 112 to the battery within the communication device.
`Thus it can be seen that a charger is disclosed having a 60
`compact esthetically pleasing shape when the charger is
`collapsed in a storage position. Additionally, the charging
`contacts (battery contacts), are hidden from view by the door
`housing wall 407 (FIG. 4) in the closed position. The
`detenting action of at the two indexed extended positions is
`controlled by the material characteristics of the door arms
`472, 474 and the base material of spring arms 450, 750, in
`
`8
`particular the resiliency of these materials. Additionally, the
`lead angle on the projections 452, 456, 752, 756 and the
`fingers 480, 482 will contribute to the force required to move
`the door housing 104 in and out. Thirdly, the force of the
`5 compression springs 440, 442 in each of the positions of the
`door housing 104 will contribute to the force required to
`move the door housing 104