Rechargeable Battery Assembly Having Data and Power Connector Plug

Abstract

A rechargeable battery assembly comprises a rechargeable battery unit and a data and power connector plug. The battery assembly has a deployed configuration in which the battery assembly has the general form of and functions as a conventional battery format, and a recharge configuration in which the data and power connector plug is made accessible to enable said connector to be connected to a suitable receptacle on a computing or peripheral device for recharging of the battery.

1 . A rechargeable battery assembly, the battery assembly comprising:
 a rechargeable battery unit; and,   a data and power connector plug;   the battery assembly having a deployed configuration in which the battery assembly has the general form of and functions as a conventional battery format, and a recharge configuration in which the data and power connector plug is made accessible to enable said connector to be connected to a suitable receptacle on a computing or peripheral device for recharging of the battery.   
   
   
       2 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said connector plug is a USB connector. 
   
   
       3 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said rechargeable battery unit has a smaller length than said battery assembly, and wherein said connector is located adjacent said rechargeable battery unit and is rigidly supported directly or indirectly by said rechargeable battery unit. 
   
   
       4 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the rechargeable battery unit is a discrete unit provided separately from said connector. 
   
   
       5 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the rechargeable battery unit incorporates at least part of the connector or circuitry or support therefor within the battery unit. 
   
   
       6 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 1 , comprising recharging circuitry at least some of which is accommodated within the envelope of the connecting part of said connector. 
   
   
       7 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 1 , comprising a cap for covering the data and power connector plug in the deployed configuration. 
   
   
       8 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the cap has a first terminal and the battery assembly has a second terminal to deliver current to a load connected between the first and second terminals. 
   
   
       9 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the cap has a prong for making an electrical connection between the first terminal and the rechargeable battery unit thus bypassing the connector. 
   
   
       10 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 1 , comprising a casing for containing the rechargeable battery unit and the connector. 
   
   
       11 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the battery assembly has at least one terminal formed on a movable section of the battery casing, and the movable section of the battery casing is movable to make the connector accessible. 
   
   
       12 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the connector can be made accessible by sliding a sub-section of the casing relative to the rest of the casing, the sub-section having a hole through which said connector can pass upon said sliding. 
   
   
       13 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the connector can be made accessible by sliding a sub-section of the casing relative to the rest of the casing to allow the connector to pivot out of the casing to an accessible position. 
   
   
       14 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said battery assembly has a casing and a first standard battery format, said rechargeable battery unit has a second standard battery format smaller than said first standard battery format so that the rechargeable battery unit can be contained in the casing, the rechargeable battery unit being removable from said battery assembly. 
   
   
       15 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector is constructed and arranged to be able to fold between a rigid form suitable for making a said connection when the battery assembly is in said recharge configuration, and a storage form suitable for being accommodated within the envelope of said battery assembly conventional battery format when the battery assembly is in said deployed configuration. 
   
   
       16 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein said connector is formed from two units hinged and sprung together along a central axis, where each unit supports a respective power and data connection prong and supports side plates that are sprung hinged or fixed, such that the connector in its rigid form has a partial box-section with rigid sides arranged in a perpendicular fashion. 
   
   
       17 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the rechargeable battery unit is arranged so as to be capable of being recharged by using a conventional battery recharger and applying recharging current via terminals of the battery assembly rather than via said connector. 
   
   
       18 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one of (i) circuitry for providing power management and recharging controls, and (ii) an indicator arranged and configured to indicate current battery power status. 
   
   
       19 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 1 , comprising a memory storing a software application. 
   
   
       20 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the software application when executed is operable to provide information concerning the battery and charging of the battery unit to a said computing device via the connector. 
   
   
       21 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein the software application when executed is operable to control a said computing device to display an icon representing the battery unit charging information. 
   
   
       22 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein the battery unit charging information comprises at least one of charge level information and charging state information. 
   
   
       23 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the software application when executed is operable to provide a user interface on a said computing device, through which a user can interact with the software application. 
   
   
       24 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 23 , wherein the software application when executed is operable to provide at least one battery management control on said computing device that is controllable through said user interface. 
   
   
       25 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the software application when executed is operable to provide a menu including selectable options on a said computing device. 
   
   
       26 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the software application when executed is operable to control a said computing device through the connector to access a remotely located resource. 
   
   
       27 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 19 , comprising a memory storing a battery identifier information. 
   
   
       28 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 27 , wherein the software application when executed is operable to provide the battery identifier information to a said computing device through the connector. 
   
   
       29 . A rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 28 , wherein said battery identifier is a unique battery identifier and used to provide at least one of:
 a. battery management and control information,   b. direct customer relationship management services,   c. marketing promotion,   d. unique identification for a lottery prize.   
   
   
       30 . A method of communicating the status of a rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 1  to a user, the method comprising:
 connecting said connector of said rechargeable battery assembly to a corresponding receiving connector of a computing device;   sending information about the status or history of the rechargeable battery unit to the computing device;   receiving said information by a software process running on said computing device; and, displaying a message by said software process on the screen of said computing device.   
   
   
       31 . A method of communicating the status of a rechargeable battery assembly according to  claim 1  to a user, the method comprising:
 connecting said connector of said rechargeable battery assembly to a corresponding receiving connector of a computing device;   sending information about the status or history of the rechargeable battery unit to the computing device;   receiving said information by a software process running on said computing device; and,   sending secondary information relating to said information to another computing device across a network attached to said computing device.