A terminal product usable time management system includes a remote server and a local apparatus. The local apparatus includes a data memory storing an identifier and an encrypted usable time of the terminal product, a microprocessor used to send a start notification of a usable time management process, a product controller used to control a product load, and a wireless networking device used to communicate with the remote server to receive a new expiry date to update the usable time. The usable time management process includes: reading the encrypted usable time stored in the data memory, decrypting the encrypted usable time, decreasing the usable time per time unit, encrypting the decreased usable time, storing the encrypted and decreased usable time into the data memory, and instructing the product controller to disable some or all functions of the terminal product, if the usable time is inaccessible or decreased to zero.

A current detecting apparatus measures an input current or an output current of an electronic apparatus. The current detecting apparatus includes a current detecting module, a direct-current measurement module and a current detecting module. The current detecting module includes a coil configured to electromagnetically couple to a path of an input or a path of an output of the electronic apparatus to obtain a first voltage signal. The direct-current measurement module measures the path of the input or the path of the output to obtain a second voltage signal. The current detecting module converts the first voltage signal into a first current command, and converts the second voltage signal into a second current command. The first current command is an alternating-current component of the input current or the output current. The second current command is a direct-current component of the input current or the output current.

A domestic appliance heating apparatus includes a heating element having two heating connections connected to two supply connections of a supply network, respectively. A first switching element is connected between one of the two heating connections and one of the two supply connections and a second switching element is connected between the other one of the two heating connections and the other one of the two supply connections. A measuring unit has at least one measuring input, at which a potential is present in at least one heating operating state. A control unit interrupts in a network form recognition operating state a conduction path through the heating element by means of the first switching element while the second switching element is closed and takes into account a first potential present at the measuring input when determining a network form present at the heating element.

A battery charger and method is disclosed for detecting when a battery has a low state of health while simultaneously charging or maintaining the battery. A battery charger includes a processor; a non-transitory memory device; a power management device to receive an input power and to output a charging current; a pair of electrical conductors to electrically couple with a battery, and a display electrically coupled to the processor. The display being configured to indicate a bad battery indicator when the battery has a low state of health and whether the battery is good to start.

A current detecting apparatus measures an input current or an output current of an electronic apparatus. The current detecting apparatus includes a current detecting module, a direct-current measurement module and a current detecting module. The current detecting module includes a coil configured to electromagnetically couple to a path of an input or a path of an output of the electronic apparatus to obtain a first voltage signal. The direct-current measurement module measures the path of the input or the path of the output to obtain a second voltage signal. The current detecting module converts the first voltage signal into a first current command, and converts the second voltage signal into a second current command. The first current command is an alternating-current component of the input current or the output current. The second current command is a direct-current component of the input current or the output current.

A battery charger and method is disclosed for detecting when a battery has a low state of health while simultaneously charging or maintaining the battery. A battery charger includes a processor; a non-transitory memory device; a power management device to receive an input power and to output a charging current; a pair of electrical conductors to electrically couple with a battery, and a display electrically coupled to the processor. The display being configured to indicate a bad battery indicator when the battery has a low state of health and whether the battery is good to start.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that accurately and reliably updates a full charge capacity of a battery. During operation, the system charges the battery from an initial state to a rest point prior to reaching a fully charged state. The system then interrupts the charging process to allow the battery to relax to a resting voltage. Next, the system measures the resting voltage. The system then resumes the charging process toward the fully charged state. The system subsequently estimates the capacity of the battery based on the measured resting voltage and one or more other parameters.

A method determines a current flowing through at least one switching element of an electrical circuit arrangement. When the switching element is turned on the current flows through a switchable portion of the switching element. The switching element is associated with a temperature sensor and a voltage sensor. The temperature sensor measures a temperature of the switching element and the voltage sensor measures a voltage drop across the switchable portion of the switching element. The temperature sensor and the voltage sensor are connected to a computing device. The computing device determines a current value of the current based on the measured temperature and the measured voltage drop.