AU711360B2

AU711360B2 - Reprogrammable battery

Info

Publication number: AU711360B2
Application number: AU40879/96A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Alfredo Spinelli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-05-29
Filing date: 1996-01-09
Publication date: 1999-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2016-01-09
Also published as: AU4087996A

Description

P/00/0O11 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: REPRQ.GRAWMABLE.BATTERY following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best ,.::mrethod of performing it known to me:- :V0 S. *S #S S P U S O UM A IA 8 3 1 1S AISTAUSTRAL INDUSTAI r PROPERTY.ORUANISflN_ 6omm00 PROPERTY OAIW4SATION -1- REPROGRAMMABLE BATTERY FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in battery terminal(s) current output flow locking, (blocking).

This invention has a particular but not exclusive application to a battery. It can be connected to any different circumstance where battery power is to be transferred to. A particular application of the invention relates to battery associated with a motor vehicle which is utilised to provide the necessary power to that motor vehicle.

It is an object of the invention to provide a means whereby the particular connection of the battery power is locked to prevent unauthorised or inadvertent use of the battery's 0: applying power.

Disclosure of the Invention Accordingly, the invention resides in a locking means associated with a battery and o which is adapted to be connected in line, the output of the transferable battery power, said locking means comprising a switching means controlled from a microprocessor circuit which is associated with a coding means whereby the microprocessor on activation by the coding means will govern the switching means to govern the delivery 0 of current from the battery transferable power.

0. According to a preferred feature of the invention, the coding means comprises a remotely operated transmitting means and a receiver means associated with the microprocessor. According to a further preferred feature of the invention, the coding means can comprise one or more remotely operated transmitters. According to one embodiment, each transmitter provides a distinctive coded signal which is recognised by the microprocessor.- According to an alternative embodiment, each transmitter provides the same coded signal which is recognised by the microprocessor. According to a further feature, the coding means comprises a push button pad connected to the microprocessor. The coding pad may be provided in addition to the remotely operated transmitting means to be able to be operated independently of the remotely operated transmitting means and or in association with the remotely operated transmitting means. According to one embodiment the coding pad is readily disconnectable and reconnectable from the microprocessor.

According to a further preferred feature of the invention, the switching means comprises a plurality of switching devices connected to separate fimunctions whereby each switching means can be selectively activated by the microprocessor and wherein said microprocessor has capacity of accepting a plurality of signals from the coding means to activate one or more of said switching devices.

According to a further preferred feature of the invention, the microprocessor memory is expandable so that a number of different practical programmes can be imposed.

According to a further preferred feature, the microprocessor incorporates a timing means which is able to govern the activation of the switching means to cause the switching means to be activated and or de-activated at an adjustable time after receipt of a coded signal from the coding means.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the locking means includes a current 15 detection circuit adapted to monitor the magnitude of the current flow from the battery, said microprocessor being adapted to be capable of de-activating the switching means in the event of the current flow exceeding an adjustable level. According to one embodiment the switching means enables the adjustable level of current to flow when in the locked condition and a greater current flow when in the unlocked condition wherein the greater current flow is sufficient to enable any normal operation.

0& According to a preferred feature of the invention, the locking means is provided integrally with the battery.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the transferring amounts comprises a motor vehicle.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the locking device means it can be located at any desired position in line from the battery terminal(s).

The description is made with reference to the following description of several specific embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a power supply for a locking system in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of circuits and devices according to the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of a partial of an optional mechanical output device according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a battery with a locking system provided integral therewith.

S: 10 Description of several Specific Embodiments

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The first embodiment is directed towards a locking system for a battery as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

•c •Figure 1 shows a schematic circuit diagram of a power supply circuit for the system.

The power supply circuit comprises a diode 17, a capacitor 18 and a voltage regulator 19. Conveniently, power is derived from the battery via connectors 16. The diode 17 is provided between the positive terminal 12 of the battery and an input of the voltage O" .regulator 19. The capacitor 18 is provided in parallel across the input of the voltage regulator 19. The diode 17 and the capacitor 18 provide protection against fluctuations in the voltage of the battery and also against incorrect wiring of the connectors 16 to the battery. The voltage regulator 19 produces an output voltage 5 suitable for the locking system, such as 5 volts.

0* The locking system is shown in figure 2 and comprises a push button coding device I, remote control received 2, a microprocessor 8 and an output switch designated generally at 41.

-4- The push button coding device 1 can be of any suitable type, and is in communication with the microprocessor 8 via connectors 4a and 4b. A first resistor pack 6 is provided between the connector 4b and the microprocessor 8 to protect against transients when the connectors 4a and 4b are connected or disconnected and to provide short circuit protection. A second resistor pack 7 is provided to pull down the inputs of the microprocessor 8 to ground. The push button coding device 1 allows the user to enter codes to microprocessor.

The remote control receiver 2 provides signals to the microprocessor 8 received from a remote control (not shown).

A light emitting diode(s) (LED) 3 is connected to the microprocessor 8 via a resistor and provides a mechanism for displaying conditions or signals from the microprocessor 8.

The microprocessor 8 has bias circuitry comprising a capacitor 9, resistors 10 and 11, a reset circuit device 13 and a capacitor 14. The capacitor 9 and resistor 10 are used to set the clock frequency of the microprocessor 8. The resistor 11 and reset circuit device 13 ensures that the microprocessor 8 resets correctly when power is first applied. The capacitor 14 provides power supply decoupling these components are not in any way restricted; can be omitted.

The output switch 41 comprises a first field effect transistor (FET) 31 and associated 20 bias resistor 30 and a second FET 34 and associated bias resistor 33 arranged in parallel. One terminal of the FETs 31 and 34 are connected together and to a terminal 37 from which power will be drawn. The other terminal of the FETs 31 and 34 are connected to ground. The resistors 30 and 33 are each connected at one end to an input terminal of the corresponding FET 31 and 34 respectively, and are connected together 25 at their other ends. A Zener diode 32 is connected to the other ends of the resistors and 33 provides protection to the FETs 31 and 34 from negative voltage spikes. The output switch 41 also includes a bias pull-up resistor 29 connected to the other ends of the resistors 30 and 33 and to the positive terminal 12 of the battery.

Operation of the output switch 41 is controlled by the microprocessor 8 via resistor 28 and a transistor 38. The transistor 38 is connected between the other ends of the resistors 30 and 33 and ground. When the microprocessor 8 applies a low signal to the transistor 38 via the resistor 28, the transistor 38 is switched off. Power is then applied to the FETs 31 and 34 via resistors 29, 30 and 33, switching the FETs 31 and 34 on.

This enables current to flow from the terminal 37 through the FETs 31 and 34 to ground, effectively "unlocking" the battery.

Alternatively, when the microprocessor 8 applies a high signal to the transistor 38 via the resistor 28, the transistor 38 switches on which reduces the voltage applied to the input terminals of the FETs 31 and 34, thereby switching the FETs off. This prevents current from flowing from the terminal 37 to ground, thereby preventing current transfer from the battery.

The microprocessor 8 is arranged to enable power to be drawn from the battery via the terminal 37 upon entry of a correct code via the push button coding device 1 or a 15 remote control and the remote control receiver 2. Entry of a further code results in the microprocessor 38 preventing current being drawn from the battery via the terminal 37.

The second embodiment is directed towards a locking system for a battery of a similar general form to the first embodiment. The control system of the second embodiment is shown in figure 2, with like reference numerals denoting like parts.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a current sensing circuit comprising amplifiers 22a and 22b and resistor 39. The resistor 39 is provided between the FETs 31 and 34 and ground.

The amplifier 22a measures the voltage across the resistor 39 via input resistors 20 and 009 21. A feedback resistor 23 is provided between the output of the amplifier 22a and the resistor 21. The output of the amplifier 22a forms one input to the amplifier 22b via resistor 24. The other input of the amplifier 22b is a reference voltage provided by a resistor 25 and a diode 26. A feedback resistor 27 is provided between the output of the amplifier 22b and the resistor 24 at the input of the amplifier 22b. The output of the amplifier 22b is input to the microprocessor 8.

7/ll 4/i, -6- The current sensing circuit allows for a different limited amount of current to be drawn from the battery via terminal 37 when the locking system is in the locked state. In this embodiment, when the microprocessor 8 enters the locked state, a low signal is maintained to the transistor 38, keeping it in the off state, and enabling current to be drawn from terminal 37. Since the resistor 39 is in the current path from the terminal 37 to ground, the voltage across the resistor 39 will be proportional to the current drawn from the terminal 37. The voltage is amplified by the amplifier 22a. When the output of the amplifier 22a exceeds the reference voltage formed by the resistor 25 and diode 26, the output of the amplifier 22b connected to the microprocessor 8 changes.

The microprocessor 8 reads the change and sends a high signal to the transistor 38 to switch the FETs 31 and 34 off, thereby preventing further current from being drawn from the terminal 37. Note that if the locking system was in an unlocked state, no action would be taken by the microprocessor 8 and the current sensing circuit registered a current in excess of the predefmined threshold.

*°o 15 The gain of the amplifier is adjustable via the feedback resistor 23 to select a desired amount of current before triggering the current sensing circuit.

*-999 The third embodiment is directed towards a locking system for a battery of the same general form as the second embodiment. Like reference numerals are used to denote like parts to those in the second embodiment. The third embodiment is shown in figure 3. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the output switch 41 uses a mechanical switch instead of a solid state FETs 31 and 34.

The output switch 41 of the second embodiment replaces the FETs 31 and 34, resistors and 33 and Zener diode 32 with a diode 36, a coil 35 and a switch 42. The coil and the diode 36 are provided in parallel between the positive power terminal 12 of 25 battery and the resistor 29 and transistor 38. The switch 42 is provided between the terminal 37 and the resistor 39. The transistor 38 is controlled by the microprocessor 8 to apply or remove power to the coil 35. The diode 36 provides protection to the transistor 38 from transient voltages produced by the coil 35. The coil 35 activates the switch 42 to enable or disable current to be drawn from the terminal 37. One suitable form for the coil 35 and the switch 42 is mechanical contacts.

-7- Figure 4 shows a battery 43 incorporating the locking device system of the first, second or third embodiments. The battery has a positive terminal 44 of the normal type.

Instead of a negative terminal, the push button coding device is provided. The terminal 37 is provided for connection. Further, a connection socket 40 is provided to allow further devices to interact with the microprocessor 8.

Providing the locking device system integrally with the battery 43 makes it more difficult to bypass the system at will.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the specific form of the invention as described in relation to the embodiments. U

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Claims

1. A re-programmable battery lock device means connected in line with a battery terminal(s) and which can be adapted to be connected between the output of the battery and the load said locking means comprising a switching means controlled from a microprocessor circuit which is associated with a coding means whereby the microprocessor on activation by the coding means will control the switching means to govern the delivery of current from the battery terminal(s).

2. A re-programmable battery lock device means as claimed at claim 1 wherein the coding means comprises a remotely operated transmitting means and a receiver means associated with the microprocessor.

3. A re-programmable battery lock device means as claimed at claim 2 wherein the coding means can comprise one or more remotely operated transmitters.

4. A re-programmable battery lock device means as claimed at claim 3 wherein 15 each transmitter provides a distinctive coded signal which is recognised by the microprocessor.

A re-programmable battery lock device means as claimed at claim 2 wherein each transmitter provides the same coded signal which is recognised by the microprocessor. s*

6. A re-programmable battery lock device means as claimed at any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the coding means comprises a push button coding pad connected to the microprocessor.

7. A re-programmable battery lock device means as claimed at claim 6 as dependant from any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the push button pad is able to be operated independently of the remotely operated transmitting means. -9-

8. A re-programmable battery lock device means as claimed at claim 6 as dependant from any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the push button pad is able to be operated in association with the remotely operated transmitting means.

9. A re-programmable battery lock device means as claimed at any one of claims 6, 7 or 8 wherein the push button pad is readily disconnectable and reconnectable with the microprocessor.

A re-programmable battery lock device means as claimed at any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the switching means comprises a plurality of switching devices connected to separate functions whereby each switching means can be selectively activated by the microprocessor and wherein said microprocessor has capacity of accepting a plurality of signals from the coding means to activate one or more of said switching devices.

11. A re-programmable battery lock device means as claimed at any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the microprocessor has re-programmable memory. 15

12. A re-programmable battery lock device means as claimed at any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the microprocessor incorporates a timing means which is able to govern the activation of the switching means to cause the switching means to be activated and or deactivated at a predetermined time after receipt of a coded signal from the coding means. 20

13. A re-programmable battery lock device means as claimed at any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the lock means includes a current detection circuit adapted to monitor the magnitude of the current flow from the battery, said microprocessor being adapted to be capable of deactivating the switching means in the event of the current flow exceeding an adjustable amount.

14. A re-programmable battery lock device means as claimed at claim 13 wherein the switching means enables an adjustable amount of current to flow when in the activated condition and a greater current flow when in the deactivated condition wherein the greater current flow is sufficient to enable the normal operation.

N .J 7- A re-programmable battery lock device as claimed at any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the final expandable electronic output switch means comprises a plurality of FETs or similar devices so connected in parallel to total the battery current capacity, means for any of the different proposals, with reference to current controlled limiting switch.

16. A re-programmable battery lock device as claimed at claims 1 to 15 means includes an automatic override means.

17. A re-programmable battery lock device as claimed at claim 16 wherein automatic override means said microprocessor and or associated components, switching devices, including microprocessor power regulator fails to operate, means and equals to transistor 38 is switched off, means battery current free to flow just as a normal operating battery. 3 S

18. A re-programmable battery lock device as claimed at any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein incoming current means is acceptable wherein said battery lock is in a locked and or unlocked state.

19. A re-programmable battery lock device means as claimed at any one of the preceding claims, wherein the current lock device means it can also be located at any desired position between the battery terminal(s) and that of the battery current transferring cables to means. o* 15

20. A re-programmable battery lock device means as claimed at any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein the current locking device means is provided integrally with the battery.

21. A re-programmable battery lock device means as claimed at any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transferred amounts of current comprises a motor vehicle.

22. Are-programmable battery lock device means substantially as herein described with reference to any one of figures 1 and 2, 3, or 4. 14. SP/J^Z^/ V Z- A) V (gpcpAO,,