Importance

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Abstract

An improved power source is provided incorporating a main battery pack and reserve battery pack. Both the main battery pack and reserve battery pack include rechargeable power sources and electrical power terminals. In addition, the power source includes a first mount for affixing the main battery pack to the reserve battery pack so that the respective power terminals engage and become electrically coupled. Moreover, the reserve battery pack includes an additional second set of power terminals for connection to an electrically powered device, such as a video camera. A second mount is provided for affixing the reserve battery pack to the electrically powered device so that the reserve battery pack's second set of power terminals engage electrical terminals of the electrically powered device. A controller is provided for controlling the electrical connection of the main battery pack and reserve battery pack to the electrically powered device. The controller further includes voltage and/or current detectors for detecting voltage and current values of the respective battery packs. Moreover, the controller includes a control processor for controllably providing an electrical connection between the main battery pack and/or reserve battery pack with the electrically powered device based upon predetermined voltage and current parameters. In a preferred embodiment, the main battery pack provides exclusive power the electrically powered device until detection of a current surge wherein the controller causes the battery packs to be connected in parallel to provide power to the electrically powered device. Also preferably, the controller causes power to be switched from the main battery pack to the reserve battery pack when the controller has determined that the main battery pack's charge level has dropped below a predetermined value.

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First Claim