Appeal No. 96-0656
Application 08/099,277
cells, but there would inherently have been a required structure to hold the plural batteries
in electrical and physical contact with the charging circuity as shown in Figure 2. (See col.
3, paragraph 5.) Hodgman ('243) does not disclose the use of the battery voltage, across
the plural cells, as the parameter to discriminate between the primary and secondary
batteries. Hodgman ('243) discloses the user of conductive bands, 26 which are sensed,
complete the circuit and enable the charging if the correct type of battery is present. (See
col. 3, paragraphs 2-4.) Improper battery type operates the charging system in a non-
charging mode. Hodgman ('243) also discloses using the conductive band and an
impedance which produces a voltage which is compared to
reference voltages to determine if the battery is a rechargeable type. (See col. 5,
paragraph 2.) The conductive bands are placed in a manner so that the circuit will not
operate if the battery is inserted into the charger with reverse polarity. This too would
disable the charging of the battery cells by placing the charger in a non-charging mode.
(See col. 3, paragraph 4.) In Figure 4 Hodgman ('243) disclose a combination of the
conductive bands and sensing an impedance using a voltage divider.
Hodgman ('144) discloses a battery charging apparatus including discrimination
sensing circuitry to determine if the battery is of the type which is rechargeable. Hodgman
('144) disclose that the voltage of a primary battery is higher than that of a secondary
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