MXPA95004666A - Rechargeable battery pack with deidentification circuit, real time clock and autenticac capacity - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for identifying an individual battery pack, comprising: at least one resistor having a specific resistance value, a monitoring unit for reading the specific resistance value of at least one resistor, In order to determine the individual identity of the battery pack, a means for controlling a recharging operation of the battery pack, which responds to the monitoring unit, the means for controlling comprising means for determining the remaining useful life of the battery pack, depending of a number of charge cycles carried out in the battery pack, identified by the monitoring unit, and a discharge level of the battery pack in each discharge cycle, a circuit means connected to the battery pack, to allow recharging the battery pack, and a means to short circuit the circuit medium in order to prevent the battery pack to it recharges, in response to determination means

Description

"RECHARGEABLE BATTERY PACKAGE WITH IDENTIFICATION CIRCUIT, REAL TIME CLOCK AND AUTHENTICATION CAPACITY" INVENTORS: NILS R.C. RYDBECK, MAGNUS HANSSON and PETER HOLMQVIST, citizens of Sweden, domiciled in 207 - Queensferry Road, Cary, North Carolina 27511 United States of America, Svanevagen 11, S-212 23 Malmd, Sweden, and in Kamnársvagen 8C: 218, S-226 45 Lund, Sweden, assign all rights to ERICSSON GE MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS INC., A company duly organized and incorporated in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America with address at 1 Triangle Drive, POBox 13969, Research Triangle Park , North Carolina 27709 United States of America, for the invention that is described below.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a battery apparatus and, more particularly, to a battery apparatus having means for identifying individual batteries, a real-time clock and a means for authenticating batteries. Rechargeable batteries have some great advantages when compared to regular disposable batteries. For example, rechargeable batteries have a lower duration cost for most applications. However, rechargeable batteries also have some disadvantages. For example, every time a rechargeable battery is used or recharged, a considerable amount of material transport is carried out in the battery. In practice, it is impossible to design a battery so that the distribution of the material involved remains unchanged over time, even though this design would be desirable. An increased number of load cycles will result in an uneven distribution of material within the battery, with a high risk of malfunction, for example, an internal short circuit of the battery as a result of this. It is of such importance to minimize the risk of malfunction of a battery, because each malfunction means a potential risk to people and material in the vicinity of the battery. Today, battery manufacturers try to minimize risks by providing over-pressure ventilation ducts, safe explosion encapsulation, etc. One way to minimize the risk of malfunction is to allow only a limited number of charging cycles through the life of a rechargeable battery. In other words, the battery life can be defined by a number of charging cycles or a maximum charging time. When this type of battery is used, it would be valuable if environmental factors such as heat could also be used to calculate the acceptable number of load cycles. U.S. Patent No. 5,136,620 issued to Eaves discloses an electronic counter device for counting charge cycles accumulated in a battery. However, the counter device consists of a display device by means of which the counted value is supplied to the user. The user must know what the account means in terms of battery life; there is no mechanism by which the application circuit or recharging device to which the battery is connected can receive this information. Other combinations of batteries and charging circuits of the prior art have had either a simple way to identify a battery as a member of a certain class or family (U.S. Patent Number 5,184,059 issued to Patino et al. And U.S. Patent Number 5,200,686 issued to Lee. ) or a complicated arrangement within the battery pack to ensure that this individual battery pack is treated in the best way (U.S. Patent Number 4,553,081 issued to Koenck, U.S. Patent Number 5,057,083 issued to Sokira, U.S. Patent Number 4,965,738 issued Bauer et al. North American Patent Number 4, 289,836 granted to Lemelson). However, these devices do not provide a feature for each battery that is easy to produce and easy to recognize with a high degree of probability, so that the charging apparatus and / or the battery energizing device can recognize a single individual battery . Another problem found in existing rechargeable batteries results from the sale of batteries made by unauthorized manufacturers. In particular, manufacturers of portable equipment that is supplied with power or energy by rechargeable batteries wish to supply the market with their own batteries. This is a result of both commercial and technical considerations. If a customer purchases a battery from an unauthorized manufacturer, there may be a security risk because the batteries are not compatible with the original battery charger. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,593,409 issued to Miller discloses an appropriate warning and protection circuit arrangement for use in conjunction with the bidirectional portable transceiver having a removable battery / antenna package that includes a battery enclosure containing a structure of antenna. A circuit is enclosed within the battery enclosure to provide information indicative of certain predetermined parameters of the antenna or battery. This information can be used by the transceiver to provide the user with an alert notice in case an inappropriate battery / antenna package is being used. However, this requires the provision of a separate circuit, thereby increasing the size and cost of the battery pack. A cell phone that includes a battery time monitor that has a real-time clock is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,248,929 issued to Burke. This patent discloses the use of the battery time monitor that provides a user with a visual feedback as to the amount of time remaining for the operation of the cell phone so that the user can determine how long the next one can be call before the battery is discharged. However, this requires a separate circuit inside the cell phone to monitor the battery. In addition, because the watch is provided in the cell phone circuit, if the battery is fully discharged, the real-time clock may lose its ability to keep time exactly.

SUMMARY The present invention overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. The present invention relates to a battery pack that allows instantaneous identification of the battery pack and the use of this identification for purposes of controlling the operation of recharging the battery. In accordance with the present invention, each battery pack is provided with a feature that is easy to produce and easy to recognize with a high degree of probability so that it is possible for the charging apparatus and / or the battery powered apparatus to recognize a single battery individual. A real time clock is also provided inside the battery pack. In addition, in accordance with the present invention, a battery identification system is provided which allows easy identification of counterfeit battery packs. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for identifying an individual battery pack, comprising at least one resistor having a specific resistance value, and a monitoring unit for reading the specific resistance value of at least one resistor to determine the individual identity of the battery pack. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for controlling the recharging of a single battery pack comprising a means for identifying a specific battery pack, and a monitoring means for selectively enabling and preventing the recharging of the pack of individual battery in response to the means of identification. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for providing the date and time information to an application circuit using a battery pack, the apparatus comprising a real time clock that is provided in the battery pack. , and means for providing information of the real time clock from the real time clock to the application circuit to which the battery time is connected. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for controlling an operating state of an application circuit is provided, the apparatus comprises a means for modifying the authenticity of a battery pack that has been connected to an application circuit, the means for verifying comprises a means for storing a predetermined mathematical formula that is provided to the battery pack and in the application circuit, a means for generating a random number, a means for calculating a first result of the mathematical formula in the battery pack, using the random number, a means for calculating a second result 5 of the mathematical formula in the application circuit using the random number, and a means for comparing the first result with the second result and supplying a signal of verification, the apparatus also comprises a means _ ^ to place the application circuit in a state of no operation in response to the medium to verify, when the verification signal indicates that the first result is not equal to the second result. Still other objects, features and advantages inherent in the present invention will be made obvious to those skilled in the art when reading the following detailed description of the modalities ^ constructed in accordance with it, which are taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention of the present application will now be described in greater detail with reference to the aforementioned modalities of the device, which are provided only by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary configuration for the battery pack according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart for implementing an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3A illustrates an implementation of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3B is a cross section through line 3-3 of Figure 3A; Figure 4 is another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is an illustration of another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a flow chart for implementing a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the present invention, only a limited number of charge cycles are allowed through the duration of a rechargeable battery. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, the monitoring unit is provided in the charging apparatus (for example a separate charger apparatus, not shown) or in the battery powered equipment (for example). example a cellular mobile telephone, apparatus for calls by messenger or a video camcorder, not illustrated). The monitoring unit has the ability to identify individual batteries. When recognizing a specific individual battery, the charging device or battery-powered equipment will only accept recharging for a limited number of cycles. The number of available cycles is based on tests made by the manufacturer or an independent laboratory. A safety factor can also be incorporated into the number of each type of battery, whose safety factor can be selected from the test data. The graduation or adjustment of the cycles available for the different types of battery is believed to be within the skill of a connoisseur in the position of the present exposure. Exemplary implementation of this supervision circuit 12 is shown in Figure 1. In each battery pack 10, N resistors are installed, having N a minimum value of 1. Resistors are provided within the scale of zero to ° or ohms . As shown in Figure 1, resistors Rl and R2 are connected between connectors C_, C2 and C3 that can be reached on the surface of battery unit 10. One or more of the connectors can be connected with more than one resistor or with any part of the battery, for example, the "+" pole. In this way, the value or values of the resistor or resistors can be used as a fingerprint of the battery to recognize a specific individual battery and can be used as a key to allow the recharging of the specific battery pack. For example, by selecting two resistors in the E-12 series, 3,000 combinations are available that have different resistance values. This would provide reasonable individuality to allow the charging circuit to identify individual batteries with little conflict. When selecting the number of resistors N, a number of factors can be taken into account. These include what is practical and the necessary probability that the owner of the battery-powered device will not get two or more batteries with each set of resistors. A preferred scale for the value of each resistance is between 0 and 100 kohms and an open circuit. According to a preferred embodiment, the supervision circuit 12 includes an analog to digital converter (A / D) connected to the resistors and the terminal units or connectors C] _, C2 and C3 of the battery unit. The output of the A / D converter 14 provides the digital equivalent of the resistance value to the central processing unit (CPU) 16. The central processing unit 16 is connected to a memory unit 18 for storing the reload information associated with the specific people. The memory unit 18 has a non-volatile memory or volatile memory that is supplied with power either by the battery pack or a separate external power source. According to one embodiment, the memory unit 18 is a volatile memory that requires a relatively small amount of current such that the battery pack itself can supply the power to the memory unit independently of the charging condition of the battery pack. battery. The reference resistance value Rref and a reference current Iref are used to allow the monitoring unit 12 to read the values of Rj_ and R2 in order to identify the individual battery. In particular, a current Iref is passed through Rref 'Rl and R2 and the voltage potential across the resistors is measured by the A / D converter 14. The potential generated by Rref is admitted in the A / D converter 14 in order to allow the monitoring unit 12 to read the values of Ri and R2 ^ regardless of the degree of battery energization. An alarm means 20 is connected to the CPU 16 to allow the user to be informed that the battery pack has reached the end of its useful life. The alarm means 20 may consist of an audio alarm, a visual display, a light emitting diode, a vibrating alarm or any appropriate device. Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart for implementing the present invention whose program is carried out by the CPU 16. In particular, the battery is inserted into the recharging apparatus or the battery-powered equipment (step 201). The resistance values of R ^ and R2 are measured using I ef (step 203) which produces a difference of the measurable potential (voltage drop) through R] _ of the series connected resistance of the pair R] _, R2, and a resistor Rref that acts as a voltage divider circuit. In step 205, it is determined whether the individual battery identified by the resistors R ^ and R2 is a previously identified battery or a known battery. If it is not, in step 206 the battery is recorded and its identity is stored in the memory unit 18 and the memory 18 is increased by one to count e3 number of load cycles. Alternatively, the memory 18 can be used to track the total charge time experienced by the specific battery pack. If the individual battery is recognized in step 205, step 207 determines whether more cycles are available for that individual battery. If so, one is added to the cycle count in the memory unit 18 associated with that individual battery (step 209). If no more cycles are available, step 208 sends an alarm or takes any other action to inform the user that the duration of the individual battery has been terminated. Referring to Figure 1, the memory 18 stores the current state of charge of the identified battery pack, either by keeping in mind the number of charge cycles experienced by the battery pack, or the "full charge" time. They provide means for sending signals from the current state of charge to the memory As mentioned above, the current state of charge can be monitored by counting the number of charge cycles experienced by the battery pack or by following the total charge time experienced by the packet. The signal sending means 22 can be provided either in the monitoring circuit of the battery pack as shown in Figure 1, or in the battery charging circuit (not shown). Sending signals is provided in the battery charging circuit The signal can be transmitted either by a partially separated bus on the regular discharge wires. Signal sending signals signals a change in the current state of charge each time the 5 battery pack is connected to the battery charging circuit. Alternatively, the signal sending means 22 sends signals at a change in the current state of charge as a function of the total charge that is provided to the O battery pack during each charging period. In particular, the total charge time multiplied by the current input to the battery is monitored each time the battery pack is charged, and this total is sent to the memory 18 to be added with the charging time stored earlier. When the total charge time reaches a predetermined maximum, the additional charge is forbidden or the user is notified as described herein. In accordance with the preferred embodiments, there are a number of alternatives that can be taken in step 208 to indicate to the user that the useful life of the battery is limited to a few remaining cycles even if the useful life of the battery pack is over. That is, when the battery has been discharged, the predetermined number of cycles is permissible for that battery pack or the total charging time for the battery pack is being approximated or has been exceeded, a number of things can happen. An alternative is that a message is provided to the user on the display device (not shown) that the battery life is nearing its end and should be discarded due to security reasons. This message may be provided by a light signal, in a display device, by sound (a buzzer or voice) or by any other method that is normally used for messages. Another alternative is to refuse to accept the specific individual battery and provide the user or message for this effect as in the first alternative. A third alternative is that a circuit element in the battery pack can be destroyed so that the individual battery will be useless for future use. If desired, a message can be provided to the user for this purpose. In accordance with the third alternative, a transistor can be used to create a short circuit between the "+" and "-" terminals of the battery that melts a fuse inside the battery pack. This modality is described in more detail below. Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 3A and 3B. In particular, instead of using the resistances of the first embodiment, a resistive ink can be printed in an individual pattern on the surface of the battery. The contact springs 30 may be provided on the outside of the battery pack 10 that touch the surface of the battery pack at specified points. A resistor between the springs will be used to identify and control the recharge of the individual batteries in accordance with the software program shown in Figure 2. According to another embodiment, a resistive bar code or bar code can be used to identify the individual battery packs. Another embodiment of the present invention, not shown in the drawings, is that there are individual characteristics, for example a set of magnets, placed near the surface of the battery pack. The reading of the magnetic characteristic can be implemented using any magneto-sensitive arrangement such as for example the Hall elements or a formation of these elements that feeds the supervisory circuit with the required information. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, they can be used to identify individual battery packs, "smart cards" ie the family of more or less intelligent small cards with a semiconductor wafer in a contact pattern eg the card " SIM "used in Ericsson cell phones. In this mode, at least two connectors of which one can be a power connector will be connected to a pickup within the battery pack. The tablet in the simplest version can be only a memory, preferably a non-volatile serial ROM or a RAM with a serial number inside. Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 4 wherein the battery pack 10 'contains a circuit that will prohibit further charging of the battery pack when approaching or a predetermined number of charging cycles has been reached or is approaching or has reached a predetermined total charge time, or when any other situation occurs in such a way that an additional load is not recommended due to safety reasons or other reasons. As shown in Figure 4 this circuit consists of a load sensing circuit 43 for detecting the charge of the battery pack 10 ', a central processing unit (CPU) 47, a memory 44 and a backup battery or capacitor 46 The load detection circuit 43 can be implemented as a Schmitt trigger or an analog-to-digital converter. The memory 44 can be either a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. The backup / capacitor battery 46 can be omitted if the memory 44 is a non-volatile memory. A switch 40 is connected between the charge sensing circuit 43 and the battery 10 '. The switch 40, for example, can be provided as a FET axis transistor 42 and a diode 41. The diode 41 can be omitted in an alternative mode. When the CPU 47 determines that the individual battery has reached its charging capacity, it sends a signal to close the switch 40 which short-circuits the battery thereby prohibiting further recharging. It should be understood that the aforementioned implementations can be done by recording the discharge conditions instead of the battery charging conditions. It is within the skill of a connoisseur to implement the present invention using a discharge control method and apparatus once it is in the power of the present disclosure. In accordance with the present invention, if it becomes necessary to keep in mind the individual batteries, for example, if a manufacturing problem requires that all the battery packs of a specific plant have to be checked, the circuit will be able to signal these battery packs . For example, the identification number that is provided by the resistors could be displayed to the user in an application display device or a separate battery pack display device.

In addition, in accordance with another embodiment, battery packs that have been exerted by heat may need to be replaced after a smaller number of recharge cycles than battery packs that have been used under more appropriate conditions. A temperature sensor can be provided in the battery pack to detect if this effort has been experienced and if so it will be indicated to the CPU. The CPU can then take this effort into account to control the number of allowable rechargeable cycles for the specific individual battery. Another embodiment of the present invention is that shown in Figure 5 in which the real time clock is provided within the battery pack. The circuit can be used to communicate the real-time data to the application, that is, for example, to a cell phone. This can be achieved by having an extra pin in the battery pack and the application. If the battery pack is a rechargeable type, the battery may be fully discharged. This can cause the real-time circuit to lose real-time information. In this case, it will be possible to admit the data and time information of the application. The cell phone or other applications includes a microprocessor 50 and a display device 52 as well as a voltage regulator 54 that provides a constant voltage source to the circuit elements. A crystal element provides a 32 kHz signal around real time. The battery pack shown in Figure 5 includes a real-time clock 45, an alarm 58, a 32 kHz crsital and an arithmetic and logic unit 59 (ALU). A microprocessor may be used instead of the ALU 59. The display device 52 displays the time and data obtained from the real-time clock 45 from the data line connected to the microprocessor 50 in the application circuit. The data line is connected with a first pin that is provided in the battery pack that is connected with a second pin that is provided in the application circuit (shown in Figure 5 by a °). The integral alarm 58 provided in the battery pack, eg, a vibrator or a buzzer, can be activated for a predetermined period of time based on the information of the real time clock. The predetermined time can be graduated by a control board 48 in the battery pack (Figure 4) or the control board 56 normally used in the battery charging apparatus or in the application (Figure 5).

The real-time clock can also be used to activate or disconnect the battery-powered application in a predetermined manner. The predetermination of the disconnection time can be carried out by means of a control tray in the battery pack or a control board normally used with the application equipment. The microprocessor 50 in the application places the application circuit in a non-operating mode ie disconnects the application when the real-time clock reaches the predetermined time. In accordance with one embodiment, the real-time clock can be used to control the recharge of the battery pack. In particular, the real-time clock can provide the basis for counting the total charge time experienced by the battery pack, as described above. An advantage achieved by the present invention occurs by adding the watch to the battery pack itself since the watch will always have the energy to maintain the time correctly during charging and the backup or capacitor battery can be eliminated. Including one or more extra connections between the battery pack and the telephone or the application equipment, it is possible that the microprocessor in the application equipment communicates with the clock circuit to inquire as to "" * "at the current time, adjust or to set an alarm and adjust the time The connections would also enable the microprocessor to be awakened by the clock circuit in case of an alarm 5 Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in the flow chart of Figure 6. In accordance with this modality, the memory and the CPU of the battery pack such as that shown in Figure 4, is used together with the memory and the CPU in the iO application circuit (not illustrated) to be possible for the battery-powered application or The battery charger will distinguish a correct battery from a battery that is manufactured by a certain manufacturer. To prevent unauthorized manufacturers from copying this electronic circuit, the memory unit 44 contains a mathematical formula that is also known to the application circuit and stored in the memory thereof (not shown). When the application is energized, it removes the 0 mathematical formula stored from the application memory (step 60) At the same time the battery pack 10 'removes the stored mathematical formula from the unit 44 of the battery memory. A random number is generated by the application equipment (step 62). This random number is used as the input to the mathematical formula stored in the battery pack as well as that stored in the application. The first result of the mathematical formula is calculated in the battery pack using the random number generated in step 62 (step 64). The second result of the mathematical formula is calculated in the application using the random number generated in step 62 (step 66). The result of both calculations is communicated to the application where they are compared in step 68. If the first result is not equal to the second result, it indicates that the battery pack is a counterfeit battery pack and the application is placed in a non-functioning state (step 70). If the application is placed in the non-functioning state, the reason for this can be communicated to the user by means of a display or alarm device. If the first result is igaul to the second result, the application is allowed to function in step 72. If the application is placed in the non-functioning state, this reason can therefore be communicated to the user by means of a display device or alarm. In accordance with another embodiment, a view of two modular or a hidden number in the battery pack can serve to determine whether the battery pack is a counterfeit. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the charging or application apparatus sends a number in series form to the battery pack. The CPU in '~ the battery pack adds a number in the addition of a module two and returns the results to the monitoring unit, the battery charger or the application. After the new modular addition of two, the monitoring unit 5 checks whether or not the hidden number of the battery pack is a member of the accepted group of numbers. The foregoing description of the specific modalities will fully reveal the general nature of IO the invention that other people can, applying their current knowledge, easily modify and / or adapt the different applications such as the specific modalities without deviating from the generic concept and therefore these adaptations and modifications should and should be claim that they fall within the meaning and scale of equivalents of the modalities disclosed. It should be understood that the phraseology of the terminology used herein is for purposes of description and not limitation.

Claims (57)

N O V E D A D I N V E N C L I N Having described the invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following CLAIMS is claimed as property;

1. An apparatus for identifying an individual battery pack comprising: at least one resistor having a specific resistance value; a monitoring unit for reading the specific resistance value of at least one resistor in order to determine the individual identity of the battery pack.

The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for controlling a recharging operation of the battery pack that responds to the monitoring unit.

3. The device in accordance with the claim 2, wherein the means for controlling comprises means for determining the remaining duration of the battery pack, depending on a number of charge cycles carried out in the battery pack, identified by the monitoring unit, and a level of discharge of the battery pack during each discharge cycle.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising means for informing a user that the useful life of the battery pack is approaching its completion or that it has been terminated in response to the means to determine.

The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the means for supplying information comprises one of a light signal, an exhibit or an audio signal.

The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for avoiding additional recharging cycles from the identified battery pack, if the useful life of the battery pack is approaching its completion or that it has finished in response to the medium to determine.

The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a circuit means connected to the battery pack to allow recharging of the battery pack; and a means for short-circuiting the circuit medium to prevent the battery pack from recharging in response to said means to determine.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means for indicating to the user that the useful life of the battery pack is approaching its completion or has been completed in response to the circuit medium being short-circuited.

9. An apparatus for controlling the recharging of a single battery pack comprising: means for identifying a specific battery pack; and a monitoring means for selectively enabling and preventing the recharging of the individual battery pack in response to the means for identification.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the means for identifying comprises: at least one resistor having a specific resistance value; and wherein the monitoring means reads the specific resistance value where at least one resistor for determining the identity of the battery pack and selectively allows or prevents recharging depending on the identity and remaining useful life of the identified battery pack.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the means for identifying comprises: an individual pattern printed on the surface of the battery pack; and wherein the monitoring means reads the specific pattern printed on the battery pack to determine the identity of the battery pack and selectively allow or prevent recharging, depending on the identity and remaining useful life of the identified battery pack.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the pattern is printed using resistance ink.

The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the monitoring means comprises a means for determining the remaining useful life of the battery pack, depending on a number of charge cycles carried out on the battery pack identified by the means to identify and a level of discharge of the battery pack during each discharge cycle.

The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising means responsive to the means for determining, in order to inform a user that the useful life of the battery pack is approaching completion or has been terminated.

The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the information means comprises one of a light signal, an exhibit or an audio signal.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising means responsive to the means for determining, to avoid the additional battery recharging cycles identified and the useful life of the battery pack approaching a termination or finished.

The apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising: a circuit means connected to the battery pack to allow recharging of the battery pack; and a means for short-circuiting the circuit means to prevent the battery pack from recharging in response to the medium to be determined.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising means for indicating to the user that the useful life of the battery pack is approaching a termination or has been terminated in response to the circuit medium that has been short-circuited. .

19. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the monitoring means comprises: a memory means for storing the current charging state of the battery pack; a means for sending signals of the current state of charge to the memory medium.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the means for sending signals is provided in r0 the battery pack.

The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the means for sending signals is provided in the charging circuit.

22. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the means for sending signals sends a signal of a change in the current state of charge __ each time the battery pack is connected to a charging circuit.

23. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the means for sending signals sends signals of a change in the current state of charge as a function of the total charge that is provided to the battery pack during each charging period.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein this function is of the current time.

25. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the memory means comprises a non-volatile memory.

26. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the memory means comprises a volatile memory that requires a small amount of current such that the battery pack can supply power to the memory medium regardless of the charging condition. of the battery pack.

27. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the memory means comprises a volatile memory connected to an external power source.

28. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the memory means comprises a volatile memory connected to the external power source.

29. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the means for sending signals sends a signal of a change in the current state of charge each time the battery pack is connected to a discharge circuit. »

30. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a real-time clock that is provided in the battery pack; and a means for providing information of the real time clock from the real time clock to an application circuit to which the battery pack is connected.

The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the means for providing comprises: a first pin means that is provided in the battery pack; and a second pin means that is provided in the application circuit adapted to connect to the first pin means.

32. The apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising means for admitting the time and date information to the real time clock.

33. The apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising a means that is provided in the application circuit to disconnect the application circuit in response to the real time clock.

34. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the monitoring means comprises means for controlling the recharging of the battery pack using the real time clock.

35. The apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising a display device that is provided in the battery pack to display the time and data information.

36. The apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising an alarm circuit means that is provided in the battery pack to activate an alarm for a predetermined period of time.

37. The apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising a control board for admitting the predetermined time in the alarm circuit means.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the control board is provided in a battery pack.

39. The apparatus according to claim 37, where the control board is provided in the application circuit.

40. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the alarm circuit means is selected from an audio alarm, a vibrational alarm and a visual alarm.

41. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a means for verifying the authenticity of a battery pack that has been connected to an application circuit; means for placing the application circuit in a non-operating state in response to the means for verification.

42. The apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the means for verification comprises: means for storing a predetermined mathematical formula that is provided to the battery pack and in the application circuit; a means to generate a random number; a means to calculate a first result of the mathematical formula in the battery pack using the random number; a means to calculate a second result of the mathematical formula in the application circuit, using the random number; means for comparing the first result with the second result and providing a verification signal; and wherein the means for placing places the application circuit in the non-operating state when the verification signal indicates that the first result is not equal to the second result.

43. The apparatus according to claim 42, further comprising means for indicating that the battery pack is not authentic and that the verification signal indicates that the first result is not equal to the second result.

44. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the application circuit is a recharging circuit.

45. An apparatus for providing the date and time information to an application circuit using a battery pack, the apparatus comprising: a real time clock that is provided in the battery pack; and a means for providing the real time clock information from the real time clock to the application circuit to which the battery pack is connected.

46. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the means for providing comprises: a first pin means that is provided in the battery pack; and a second pin means that is provided in the application circuit, adapted to be connected with the first pin means.

47. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein it further comprises a means for admitting the time and data information around the real time.

48. The apparatus according to claim 47, wherein it further comprises a display device that is provided in the battery pack for displaying the time and data information.

49. The apparatus according to claim 45, further comprising a means that is provided with the application circuit to disconnect the application circuit in response to the real time clock.

50. The apparatus according to claim 45, further comprising an alarm circuit means which is provided in the battery pack to activate an alarm for a predetermined period of time.

51. The apparatus according to claim 50, further comprising a control board for admitting the predetermined time in the alarm circuit means.

52. The apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the control board is provided in a battery pack.

53. The apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the control board is provided in the application circuit.

54. The apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the alarm circuit means is selected from an audio alarm, a vibrational alarm or a visual alarm.

55. An apparatus for controlling an operating state of an application circuit, the apparatus comprising: means for verifying the authenticity of a battery pack that has been connected to an application circuit, the means for verification comprises: a means for store a predetermined mathematical formula that is provided in the battery pack and in the application circuit; a means to generate a random number; a means to calculate a first result of the mathematical formula in the battery pack using a random number; and means for calculating a second result of the mathematical formula in the application circuit using a random number; and to compare the first result with the second result and provide a verification signal; the apparatus further comprises means for placing the application circuit in a non-operating state in response to a means for verifying when the verification signal indicates that the first result is not equal to the second result.

56. The apparatus according to claim 55, further comprising means for indicating that the battery pack is not authentic when the verification signal indicates that the first result is not equal to the second result.

57. The apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the application circuit is a recharge circuit. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An apparatus is provided for identifying an individual battery pack and includes at least one resistor having a specific resistance value and a monitoring unit for reading the specific resistance value of at least one resistor in order to determine the individual identity of the battery. In testimony of locual, I have "signed the previous description and novelty of the invention as attorney of ERICSSON GE MOBILE COMMUNICATION INC., In Mexico City, Federal District, today, November 7, 1995. p.p.de ERICSSON GE MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS INC