Automated composite battery

Abstract

A composite battery capable of adjusting its own power output in response to predetermined signals or lack of predetermined signals is provided. The composite battery has a set of terminals, a battery, a sensing device and a switch, all housed within a casing, which can be in the shape of a conventional battery. The sensor captures signals which upon reaching a certain threshold cause the switch to engage or disengage to selectively provide a load current to an electronic device. The battery may be used in battery-controlled consumer electronics articles, such as toys, to prevent avoidable battery drain or unintended activation when the electronics article is not in use.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of controlling power delivered from a composite battery including a battery means and a switch comprising the steps of:
 placing the composite battery in a power delivering state;   detecting a predetermined signal or lack of a predetermined signal via a sensor disposed in the composite battery and associated with the switch;   transitioning the composite battery from the power delivering state to a non-power delivering state via the switch in response to the predetermined signal or the lack of a predetermined signal.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising continuing to monitor, via the sensor, for the predetermined signal or the lack of a predetermined signal while the composite battery is in the power delivering state. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of transitioning the composite battery from the power delivering state to the non-power delivering state includes starting a timer set at a predetermined time limit. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the composite battery transitions from the power delivering state to the non-power delivering state upon expiration of the timer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the composite battery resets the timer, thereby preventing its expiration, in response to detecting the predetermined signal or the lack of a predetermined signal during the continued monitoring. 
     
     
         21 . A self-contained composite battery assembly for use in an electronic device comprising:
 an portable dry cell battery comprising an anode and a cathode contained by a container, respective electrical terminals fixed to the container and connected to the anode and cathode, the portable dry cell battery configured in a package of standard shape and dimensions;   a sensor integrated in the package with the portable dry cell battery;   a switch integrated in the package with the portable dry cell battery and electrically interposed between one of the anode or cathode and one of the respective electrical terminals, the switch selectively providing a connection between the one of the anode and the cathode and the one of the electrical terminals in response to a signal indicative of a stimulus sensed by the sensor; and   a processor integrated in the package with the portable dry cell battery and connected to the switch and to the sensor, the processor configured to control the switch in response to input from the sensor, wherein the processor is configured to open the switch, thereby cutting connection between the one of the anode and the cathode and the one of the respective electrical terminals, in response determining that the input from the sensor meets a predefined condition.   
     
     
         22 . The self-contained composite battery assembly of  claim 21 , further comprising a timer integrated in the package with the portable dry cell battery and connected to the switch and to the sensor, the timer capable of measuring an elapsed time from a time of receiving a signal from the sensor, and wherein the switch is further capable of selectively providing a connection between the one of the anode and the cathode and the one of the respective electrical terminals in response to a signal indicative of elapsed time measured by the timer. 
     
     
         23 . The self-contained composite battery assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the package is configured to conform to a type selected from a PP3, AA, AAA, AAAA, C, or D battery type. 
     
     
         24 . The self-contained composite battery assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor comprises a MEMS device. 
     
     
         25 . The self-contained composite battery assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor comprises a liquid-based switch sensor. 
     
     
         26 . The self-contained composite battery assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor comprises a proximity sensor. 
     
     
         27 . The self-contained composite battery assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor comprises a current load sensor. 
     
     
         28 . The self-contained composite battery assembly  claim 21 , wherein the processor is selected from the group consisting of a microprocessor, programmable logic controller (“PLC”), a microcomputer, programmable digital processor and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The self-contained composite battery assembly  claim 21 , wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer and the processor is configured to open the switch, thereby cutting connection between the battery and the terminal, in response to sensor input indicative of an absence of battery movement for a defined time period. 
     
     
         30 . The self-contained composite battery assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor comprises a pyroelectric detector, and the processor is configured to open the switch, thereby cutting connection between the battery and the terminal, in response to sensor input indicative of an absence of human movement within range of the detector for a defined time period. 
     
     
         31 . The self-contained composite battery assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor comprises a microphone and the processor is configured to open the switch, thereby cutting connection between the one of the anode and the cathode and the one of the respective electrical terminals, in response to sensor input indicative of ambient noise less than a defined threshold for a defined time period. 
     
     
         32 . The self-contained composite battery assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor comprises a visible light sensor and the processor is configured to open the switch, thereby cutting connection between the one of the anode and the cathode and the one of the respective electrical terminals, in response to sensor input indicative of ambient light less than a defined threshold for a defined time period. 
     
     
         33 . The self-contained composite battery assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor comprises a temperature sensor and the processor is configured to open the switch, thereby cutting connection between the one of the anode and the cathode and the one of the respective electrical terminals, in response to sensor input indicative of a temperature exceeding or falling below a limit for a defined time period. 
     
     
         34 . The self-contained composite battery assembly of  claim 21 , further comprising a substrate contained inside the container interposed between one of the anode or cathode and a respective one of the respective electrical terminals, the substrate holding at least one of the switch, sensor, and processor. 
     
     
         35 . The self-contained composite battery assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the switch comprises a solid-state device.