(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/012.1980 A1
`Bruwer
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jun. 9, 2005
`
`US 2005O121980A1
`
`(54) INTELLIGENT ELECTRICAL DEVICES
`(76) Inventor: Frederick Johannes Bruwer, Paarl
`(ZA)
`Correspondence Address:
`William A. Blake, Jones, Tullar & Cooper, PC
`P.O. Box 22.66 Eads Station
`Arlington, VA 22202 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/961,373
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 12, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/806,860,
`filed on Jul. 2, 2001, filed as 371 of international
`application No. PCT/ZA99/00107, filed on Oct. 8,
`1999, which is a continuation-in-part of application
`No. 09/169,395, filed on Oct. 9, 1998, now Pat. No.
`6,249,089.
`
`Publication Classification
`(51) Int. Cl." ........................................................ H02.J 3700
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................................ 307/87
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`An electronic circuit for use with an exhaustible power
`Source and load Such as a light bulb, a radio or motor,
`includes a microchip with an input that transmits a signal to
`the microchip when the load is activated or deactivated. The
`input does not form a Serial link between the power Source
`and the load. The power Switch, by on/off Switching, con
`trols energy flow from the power source to the load. The
`electronic circuit has an automatic delayed shut-off function
`for the load and, a find-in-the-dark indicator and a power
`Source level indicator which are active when the load is not
`energized and the power Source is not being charged. The
`input to the microchip acts as an activation/deactivation user
`interface. The microchip allows the user to Select specific
`functions based on the time duration of activation Signals,
`the time duration between activation signals and the number
`of activation Signals at the input.
`
`110
`
`
`
`MICROCHIP
`
`105
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1016, IPR2021-01160 Page 1 of 19
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2005 Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 2005/0121980 A1
`
`110
`
`102
`
`MICROCHIP
`
`1011 -
`
`105
`
`
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1016, IPR2021-01160 Page 2 of 19
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2005 Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 2005/0121980 A1
`
`
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1016, IPR2021-01160 Page 3 of 19
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2005 Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 2005/0121980 A1
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`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1016, IPR2021-01160 Page 4 of 19
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2005 Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 2005/0121980 A1
`
`
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1016, IPR2021-01160 Page 5 of 19
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2005 Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 2005/0121980 A1
`
`
`
`Mw AvPUT
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1016, IPR2021-01160 Page 6 of 19
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2005 Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 2005/0121980 A1
`
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`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1016, IPR2021-01160 Page 7 of 19
`
`

`

`US 2005/O121980 A1
`
`Jun. 9, 2005
`
`INTELLIGENT ELECTRICAL DEVICES
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`0001. This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S.
`application Ser. No. 09/806,860, filed Jul. 2, 2001, which is
`a U.S. National Stage of International Application No.
`PCT/ZA99/00107, filed Oct. 8, 1999, which is a Continua
`tion-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/169,395, filed
`Oct. 9, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,089.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0002 The present invention relates to new intelligent
`electrical current Switching devices and more particularly, to
`microchip controlled electrical current Switching devices.
`The invention further relates, in one embodiment, to intel
`ligent batteries having embedded therein a microchip for use
`with a variety of electrical devices to add heretofore
`unknown functionality to existing electrical devices. The
`invention also relates, according to another embodiment, to
`intelligent hand-held electronic devices, and in a preferred
`embodiment to hand-held light Sources, and more particu
`larly, to flashlights. According to one embodiment of the
`present invention, the invention relates to intelligent hand
`held flashlights having microchip controlled Switches
`wherein Said Switches can be programmed to perform a
`variety of functions including, for example, turning the
`flashlight off after a pre-determined time interval, blinking,
`or dimming, etc. According to a still further embodiment, the
`invention relates to low current Switches controlled by
`microchips of the present invention for use in building
`lighting Systems.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0003. In conventional flashlights, manually-operated
`mechanical Switches function to turn the flashlight “on” and
`“off.” When turned “on,” battery power is applied through
`the closed switch to a light bulb; the amount of power then
`consumed depends on how long the Switch is closed. In the
`typical flashlight, the effective life of the battery is only a
`few hours at most. Should the operator, after using the
`flashlight to find his/her way in the dark or for any other
`purpose, then fail to turn it off, the batteries will, in a very
`short time, become exhausted. Should the flashlight be left
`in a turned-on and exhausted condition for a prolonged
`period, the batteries may then leak and exude corrosive
`electrolyte that is damaging to the contact which engages the
`battery terminal as well as the casing of the flashlight.
`0004. When the flashlight is designed for use by a young
`child the likelihood is greater that the flashlight will be
`mishandled, because a young child is prone to be careleSS
`and forgets to turn the flashlight “off” after it has served its
`purpose. Because of this, a flashlight may be left “on” for
`days, if not weeks, and as a result of internal corrosion may
`no longer be in working order when the exhausted batteries
`are replaced.
`0005 Flashlights designed for young children are some
`times in a lantern format, with a casing made of Strong
`plastic material that is virtually unbreakable, the light bulb
`being mounted within a reflector at the front end of the
`casing and being covered by a lens from which a light beam
`is projected. A U-shaped handle is attached to the upper end
`
`of the casing, with mechanical on-off Slide Switch being
`mounted on the handle, So that a child grasping the handle
`can readily manipulate the Slide actuator with his/her thumb.
`0006 With a switch of this type on top of a flashlight
`handle, when the slide actuator is pushed forward by the
`thumb, the Switch “mechanically” closes the circuit and the
`flashlight is turned “on” and remains “on” until the slide
`actuator is pulled back to the “off” position and the circuit
`is opened. It is this type of Switch in the hands of a child that
`is most likely to be inadvertently left “on.”
`0007 To avoid this problem, many flashlights include, in
`addition to a slide Switch, a push button Switch which keeps
`the flashlight turned on only when finger preSSure is applied
`to the push button. It is difficult for a young child who
`wishes, say to illuminate a dark corner in the basement of his
`home for about 30 Seconds, to keep a push button depressed
`for this period. It is therefore more likely that the child will
`actuate the Slide Switch to its permanently-on position, for
`this requires only a monetary finger motion.
`0008. It is known to provide a flashlight with a delayed
`action Switch which automatically turns off after a pre
`determined interval. The Mallory U.S. Pat. No. 3,535,282
`discloses a flashlight that is automatically turned off by a
`delayed action mechanical Switch assembly that includes a
`compression Spring housed in a bellows having a leaky
`Valve, So that when a Switch is turned on manually, this
`action Serves to mechanically compress the bellows which
`after a pre-determined interval acts to turn off the Switch.
`0009. A similar delayed action is obtained in a flashlight
`for children marketed by Playskool Company, this delayed
`action being realized by a resistance-capacitance timing
`network which applies a bias to a Solid-State transistor
`Switch after 30 seconds or so to cut off the transistor and shut
`off the flashlight. Also included in the prior art, is a flashlight
`previously Sold by Fisher-Price using an electronic timing
`circuit to simply turn off the flashlight after about 20
`minutes.
`0010. It is also known, e.g. as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
`4,875,147, to provide a mechanical Switch assembly for a
`flashlight which includes a Suction cup as a delayed action
`element whereby the flashlight, when momentarily actuated
`by an operator, functions to connect a battery power Supply
`to a light bulb, and which maintains this connection for a
`pre-determined interval determined by the memory charac
`teristics of the Suction cup, after which the connection is
`automatically broken.
`0011 U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,538 discloses a flashlight hav
`ing the usual components of a battery, and on-off mechanical
`Switch, a bulb, and a hand-held housing, to which there is
`added a timing means and a circuit-breaking means respon
`Sive to the timing means for cutting off the flow of current
`to the bulb, which further has a by-pass means, preferably
`child-proof, to direct electric current to the lightbulb regard
`less of the State of the timing means. The patent also
`provides for the operation of the device may be further
`enhanced by making the by-pass means a mechanical Switch
`connected So as to leave it in Series with the mechanical
`on-off Switch. Furthermore, the patent discloses a lock or
`other “child-proofing” mechanism may be provided to
`ensure that the by-pass is disabled when the flashlight is
`Switched off.
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1016, IPR2021-01160 Page 8 of 19
`
`

`

`US 2005/O121980 A1
`
`Jun. 9, 2005
`
`0012 Most conventional flashlights, like those described
`above, are actuated by mechanical push or slide button-type
`Switches requiring, of course, mechanical implementation
`by an operator. Over time, the Switch suffers “wear and tear”
`which impairs operation of the flashlight as a result of, for
`example, repeated activations by the operator and/or due to
`the fact that the Switch has been left “on” for a prolonged
`period of time. In addition, Such mechanical Switches are
`Vulnerable to the effects of corrosion and oxidation and can
`cause Said Switches to deteriorate and to become non
`functioning. In addition, these prior art devices having these
`mechanical Switches are generally "dumb, i.e. they do not
`provide the user with convenient, reliable, and affordable
`functionalities which today's consumers now demand and
`expect.
`0013 The prior art switches typically provide two basic
`functions in prior art flashlights. First, the mechanical
`Switches act as actual conductors for completing power
`circuits and providing current during operation of the
`devices. Depending upon the type of bulb and wiring
`employed, the intensity of electrical current which must be
`conducted by the Switch is generally quite high leading to,
`after prolonged use, failure. Second, these mechanical
`Switches must function as an interface between the device
`and its operator, i.e. the man-machine-interface ("MMI")
`and necessarily requires repeated mechanical activations of
`the Switch which over time mechanically deteriorate.
`0.014.
`Also, currently the electrical Switches used in
`buildingS/houses for control of lighting Systems are of the
`conventional type of Switches which must conduct, i.e. close
`the circuit, upon command, thus also providing the MMI.
`These prior art Switches Suffer from the Same disadvantages
`as the Switches described above in relation to portable
`electronic devices, like flashlights. Moreover, the Switches
`are relatively dumb in most cases and do not provide the user
`with a variety of functions, e.g. but not limited to timing
`means to enable a user, for example, a shop owner or home
`owner to designate a predetermined shut off or turn on point
`in time.
`0.015 There is a need for inexpensive, reliable, and
`Simple intelligent electronic devices which provide
`increased functionality and energy conservation.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0016. According to one embodiment of the present inven
`tion, there is provided a microchip controlled Switch to
`manage both the current conducting functions and the MMI
`functions in an electronic device, Such as a flashlight, on a
`low current basis i.e. without the MMI device having to
`conduct or Switch high current. According to one aspect of
`the invention, the MMI functions are controlled by very low
`current Signals, using touch pads, or carbon coated mem
`brane type Switches. These low current Signal Switches of
`the present invention can be Smaller, more reliable, leSS
`costly, easier to Seal and leSS Vulnerable to the effects of
`corrosion and oxidation. Moreover, Since the Switch is a
`Solid State component, it is, according to the present inven
`tion, possible to control the functions of the device in an
`intelligent manner by the same microchip which provides
`the MMI functions. Thus, by practicing the teachings of the
`present invention, more reliable, intelligent, and efficient
`electrical devices can be obtained which are cheaper and
`easier to manufacture than prior art devices.
`
`0017 According to another embodiment of the invention,
`there is provided a microchip which can be embedded in a
`battery that will lend intelligence to the battery and thus, the
`device it is inserted into, So that many functions, including
`but not limited to, delayed Switching, dimming, automatic
`shut off, and intermittent activation may be inexpensively
`realized in an existing (non intelligent) product, for example
`a prior art flashlight.
`0018. According to a further embodiment, the invention
`provides a power Saving microchip which, when operatively
`asSociated with an electronic device, will adjust the average
`electric current through a current Switch, provide an on and
`off Sequence which, for example, but not limited to, in the
`case of a flashlight, can be determined by an operator and
`may represent either a flash code Sequence or a simple on/off
`oscillation, provide an indication of battery strength, and/or
`provide a gradual oscillating current flow to lengthen the life
`of the operating Switch and the power Source.
`0019. According to one embodiment of the invention, an
`intelligent flashlight, having a microchip controlled Switch is
`provided comprising a microchip for controlling the on/off
`function and at least one other function of the flashlight.
`According to a further embodiment of the invention, an
`intelligent flashlight having a microchip controlled Switch is
`provided comprising an input means for Sending activating/
`deactivating Signals to the microchip, and a microchip for
`controlling the on/off function and at least one other function
`of the flashlight. According to a further embodiment of the
`invention, there is provided an intelligent flashlight having
`a microchip controlled Switch comprising an input means for
`Selecting one function of the flashlight, a microchip for
`controlling at least the on/off function and one other function
`of the flashlight, wherein the microchip control circuit may
`further comprise a control-reset means, a clock means, a
`current Switch, and/or any one or combination of the Same.
`0020. According to another embodiment of the invention,
`there is provided a battery for use with an electrical device
`comprising a microchip embedded in the battery. According
`to still a further embodiment of the invention, a battery for
`use with an electronic device is provided comprising a
`microchip embedded in the battery wherein Said microchip
`is adapted Such that an input means external to the microchip
`can Select the on/off function and at least one other function
`of the electronic device.
`0021 According to one embodiment of the present inven
`tion, there is provided an intelligent battery for use with an
`electronic device, the battery having positive and negative
`terminal ends and comprising a microchip embedded in the
`battery, preferably in the positive terminal end, for control
`ling on/off functions and at least one other function of the
`electronic device.
`0022. According to another embodiment of the invention,
`there is provided a portable microchip device for use in
`Serial connection with a power Source, e.g. an exhaustible
`power Source, and an electronic device powered by Said
`Source wherein Said electronic device has an input means for
`activating and deactivating Said power Source, and Said
`microchip comprising a means for controlling the on/off
`function and at least one other function of the electronic
`device upon receipt of a signal from Said input means
`through Said power Source.
`0023. According to a still further embodiment of the
`invention, there is provided a microchip adapted to control
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1016, IPR2021-01160 Page 9 of 19
`
`

`

`US 2005/O121980 A1
`
`Jun. 9, 2005
`
`lighting in buildings. According to this embodiment, the
`normal Switch on the wall that currently functions as both a
`power-switch, i.e. conduction of electricity, and MMI can be
`eliminated, thus eliminating the normal high Voltage and
`high current dangerous wiring to the Switch and from the
`Switch to the load or light. Utilizing the present invention,
`these Switches can be replaced with connecting means
`suitable for low current DC requirements.
`0024. According to another embodiment, the present
`invention is directed to a battery comprising an energy
`Storage Section, a processor, e.g. a microchip and first and
`Second terminal ends. The first terminal end being connected
`to the energy Storage Section, the Second terminal end being
`connected to the processor, and the processor being con
`nected to the Second terminal end and the energy Storage
`Section. The processor controls the connection of the Second
`terminal end to the energy Storage Section.
`0.025 According to another embodiment, the present
`invention provides an electronic apparatus which includes
`an electrical device, comprising a power Supply, an activat
`ing/deactivating means, and a processor. The activating/
`deactivating means is connected to the processor and the
`processor is connected to the power Supply. The processor
`controls the on/off function of the device and at least one
`other function of the device in response to Signals received
`from the activation/deactivation means.
`0026. The present invention, according to a still further
`embodiment, provides a flashlight comprising a light source,
`an energy Storage means, a Switch means, and a processor
`means. The Switch means being in communication with the
`processor means and the processor means being in commu
`nication with the energy Storage means which is ultimately
`in communication with the light Source. The processor
`controls the activation/deactivation of the light Source and,
`in Some embodiments, further functions of the flashlight, in
`response to Signals received from the Switch means.
`0027. While the present invention is primarily described
`in this application with respect to either a flashlight or a
`battery therefore, the embodiments discussed herein should
`not be considered limitative of the invention, and many other
`variations of the use of the intelligent devices of the present
`invention will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0028 FIG. 1 is a schematic of a device having a micro
`chip controlled push button or sliding type input activation/
`deactivation Switch according to one embodiment of the
`present invention;
`0029 FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a microchip for use in
`asSociation with a push button or sliding input activation/
`deactivation Switch according to one embodiment of the
`invention;
`0030 FIG. 3 is a schematic of a second type of intelligent
`device having a microchip controlled push button or sliding
`type input activation/deactivation Switch according to
`another embodiment of the invention;
`0.031
`FIG. 4 is a schematic of a device having a micro
`chip controlled touch pad or carbon coated membrane
`activation/deactivation Switch according to a still further
`embodiment of the invention;
`
`0032 FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a microchip for use in
`asSociation with a touch pad or carbon coated membrane
`activation/deactivation Switch according to one embodiment
`of the invention;
`0033 FIG. 6 is a schematic of a second type of device
`having a microchip controlled touch pad or carbon coated
`membrane activation/deactivation Switch according to one
`embodiment of the invention;
`0034 FIG. 7 is a schematic of a battery having embedded
`therein a microchip according to a further embodiment of
`the invention;
`0035 FIG. 8A is a block diagram of a microchip for use
`in a battery according to one embodiment of the present
`invention;
`0036 FIG. 8B is a block diagram of a second type of
`microchip for use in a battery according to another embodi
`ment of the present invention;
`0037 FIG. 9 is a schematic of a device having a micro
`chip controlled Switch according to one embodiment of the
`invention;
`0038 FIG. 10 is a schematic of a device having a
`microchip controlled Switch according to one embodiment
`of the invention;
`0039 FIG. 11 is a schematic of a device having a
`microchip controlled Switch according to one embodiment
`of the present invention;
`0040 FIG. 12 is a schematic of a flashlight having
`therein a microchip controlled Switch according to one
`embodiment of the present invention;
`0041
`FIG. 13 illustrates a possible position, according to
`one embodiment of the present invention of a microchip in
`a battery;
`0042 FIG. 14 is a schematic of one embodiment of the
`present invention of a low current Switching device Suitable
`for lighting Systems in buildings,
`0043 FIG. 15 is a block diagram of one embodiment of
`the present invention, i.e. microchip 1403 of FIG. 14;
`0044 FIG. 16 is a flow diagram for a microchip as shown
`in FIGS. 4 and 5 for a delayed shut off function embodiment
`of one embodiment of the present invention; and
`004.5
`FIG. 17 is a flow diagram for a microchip as shown
`in FIGS. 7 and 8a for a delayed shut off function embodi
`ment of one embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`0046 According to one embodiment or aspect of the
`present invention, and referring to FIG. 1, a Schematic
`depiction of main circuit 100 of an electronic device, for
`example, a flashlight, is provided, wherein the device has a
`microchip 103 and a microchip controlled input activator/
`deactivator 102, for example, a push button or sliding
`Switch. Main circuit 100 of the device is powered by a
`current supplied by power source 101. Power source 101
`may be any power Source, e.g. a DC battery, as is well
`known to those of ordinary skill in the art. While the
`following discussion is limited to specific electronic devices,
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1016, IPR2021-01160 Page 10 of 19
`
`

`

`US 2005/O121980 A1
`
`Jun. 9, 2005
`
`that is flashlights, it is to be understood that the following
`description is equally applicable to other electronic devices
`including portable radioS, toys, for example but not limited
`to battery operated cars, boats, planes, and/or other electri
`cally powered toys.
`0047 Referring to FIG. 1, when an operator activates
`input push button or sliding command Switch 102 to the “on”
`position, the microchip 103 receives a signal. Switch 102 is
`a direct electrical input to microchip 103. Microchip 103 is
`grounded by grounding means 104. Microchip 103 is in
`series between power source 101 and load 105. Microchip
`103 also transfers sufficient power through means of a
`current Switch (not shown in FIG. 1) to load 105 which can
`be, for example, a resistor-type bulb in the case of a
`flashlight to provide illumination.
`0.048. The microchip 103, and other microchips of the
`present invention, can have its/their intelligence embedded
`in combinational or sequential logic, a PLA or ROM type
`Structure feeding into a State machine or a true microcon
`troller type structure. The memory for the above will nor
`mally be non-volatile, but should there be a need for
`Selectable options, EE or flash memory Structures may be
`used.
`0049. The structure and operational parameters of such a
`microchip 103 are explained in greater detail below with
`respect to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 1, power is supplied to
`microchip 103 by power source 101. When an operator
`activates input Switch 102 to the “on” position it represents
`a command which is communicated to microchip 103. Input
`means 102 requires very low current in preferred embodi
`ments. In one embodiment of the invention, microchip
`control/reset means 201 simply allows the current Switch
`202 to pass current provided from power source 101 to load
`105 in an unimpeded manner when the MMI Switch 102 is
`activated, and, in the case of a flashlight, illumination is
`obtained. It is important to recognize, however, that it is
`control circuit 201 which activates current Switch 202 upon
`acting on an input from MMI Switch 102. Unlike heretofore
`known prior art devices, activating Switch 102 does not
`conduct current to load 105, but is only a command input
`mechanism which can, according to the invention, operate
`on very low current. For example, according to the inven
`tion, touch Sensor input or carbon coated membrane type
`Switch devices are preferred.
`0050. If, for example, an emergency notification function
`is desired, the flashlight may be designed to alternately flash
`on and off every Second. First, the operator activates input
`102 into the appropriate position to indicate Such a function
`is desired. During the “on” segment of the flashing routine,
`control/reset means 201 commands current Switch 202 to
`close and let current flow through to load 105, thereby
`causing, in the case of a flashlight, the bulb to illuminate.
`Simultaneously, control/reset means 201 uses the timing
`means 203 as a clock for timing. After control/reset means
`201 determines one Second has elapsed, control/reset means
`201 instructs current Switch 202 to open and interrupt the
`current flow through to load 105, and bulb illumination is
`discontinued. It is important to note that both control/reset
`means 201 and current switch 202 are still active and fully
`powered; however, current delivery is now latent with
`respect to load 105. When another second has elapsed, a
`command is passed from control/reset means 201 which
`
`again allows current to be delivered through current Switch
`202 to load 105, and in the case of a flashlight, bulb
`illumination is immediately resumed. The device continues
`an alternating current delivery routine until either the opera
`tor Switches the setting of the activating input Switch 102 to
`the “off position, or until the conditions pre-programmed
`into the microchip, e.g. into the control/reset means 201, are
`Satisfied and current delivery is permanently discontinued.
`0051 Similar operating routines can be employed to
`generate other conspicuous flashing functions Such as the
`generation of the universal distress Signal S.O.S. in Morse
`code. Again, Such a function would require that the micro
`chip, e.g. control/reset means 201, be pre-programmed with
`the appropriate code for creating Such a signal, and to permit
`current transmission from Switch 202 to load 105 in accor
`dance with the code with the assistance of timing means 203.
`For example, it may be desirable to have an S.O.S. Sequence
`wherein flashes representing each individual letter are sepa
`rated by time intervals ranging from one-half (%) Second to
`one (1) full second, while the interval between each letter in
`the code comprises two (2) full seconds. After a certain
`number of repetitions of the routine, again determined by the
`operator or as pre-programmed within the microchip, e.g.
`within the control/reset means 201, the Signal is discontin
`ued.
`0.052 As shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to remove
`grounding means 104 from main circuit 100. However, it is
`then necessary to intermittently provide an alternative power
`Source for microchip 103 and to create a virtual ground
`reference level. A suitable microchip 103 for this configu
`ration is described in greater detail below with respect to
`FIGS. 8A and 8B.
`0053 Referring now to FIG. 4, utilizing the circuits in
`the microchip of Some embodiments of the present inven
`tion, carbon coated membrane or touch pad type Switches
`are preferred. Carbon coated membrane Switches and touch
`pad Switches have many advantages over conventional high
`current Switches, Such as those currently used in flashlights.
`According to the present invention, carbon coated mem
`brane type Switches, low current type Switches, and touch
`pad type Switches can be used which may be Smaller, leSS
`costly, easier to Seal, and leSS Vulnerable to corrosion and
`oxidation than conventional Switches which also transfer
`energy or current to the load. Moreover, according to one
`embodiment of the present invention, carbon coated mem
`brane type Switches, touchpad Switches, or low current type
`Switches can be formed Structurally integral with the prod
`uct, for example, with the casing of a flashlight.
`0054 Ablock diagram showing microchip 103 for use, in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
`in association with a carbon coated membrane, a touch pad
`Switch, or a low current type switch 106 is now explained in
`greater detail in respect to FIG. 5. According to this one
`embodiment of the present invention, current Switch 202 is
`powered directly by grounded power source 101. However,
`output of current from current Switch 202 to load 105 is
`dependent on control/reset means 201. When an operator
`depresses touch pad 106, carbon coated membrane Switch
`106 or low current type Switch 106, control/reset means 201
`allows current Switch 202 to flow current through to load
`105. However, in more intelligent applications according to
`certain embodiments of the present invention, control/reset
`
`Petitioner STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.,
`Ex. 1016, IPR2021-01160 Page 11 of 19
`
`

`

`US 2005/O121980 A1
`
`Jun. 9, 2005
`
`means 201 will coordinate, based on clock and/or timing
`means 203, to execute timing routines Similar to those
`described above Such as, but not limited to, intermittent
`flashing, the flashing of a conspicuous pattern Such as Morse
`code, dimming functions, battery maintenance, battery
`Strength/level, etc.
`0055 FIG. 16 is a flow diagram for a microchip 103 as
`shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and provides a delayed shutoff
`function. The flow sequence commences at START when the
`power source 101 is connected to the microchip 103, as
`shown in FIG. 4. The sequence of operation is substantially
`Self-explanatory and is not further elaborated herein.
`0056. As shown in FIG. 6, grounding means 104 can be
`removed from the System as a matter of design choice. A
`more detailed description of a suitable microchip 103 for
`this type of configuration is provided below with respect to
`FIGS. 8A and 8B.
`0057 Referring to FIG. 7, certain embodiments of the
`present invention also provide for a battery having a micro
`chip embedded for use in association with an electronic
`device. AS shown, direct current is provided to microchip
`103 by power source 101. When activating input switch 102
`is closed, current is complete and power is transferred to
`load 105 at the direction of microchip 103. Microchip 103
`embedded in the battery can have any number of intelligent
`functions pre-programmed therein, Such as, for example but
`not limited to, battery Strength monitoring, recharging,
`adjustment of average current through a current Switch,
`intermittent power delivery Sequences, and So on. Examples
`of suitable microchips 103 for this type of application are
`discussed below with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B.
`0.058 FIGS. 8A and 8B are block diagrams of two
`different further embodiments of the present invention.
`Microchip 803 is especially suitable for applications
`wherein microchip 803 is not grounded through the body of
`the electrical device or where a ground cannot otherw