Abstract: A charger for recharging the batteries of a portable electronic device even when no external power source is available. A battery or cell is installed within the charger, and when no access is available to a fixed power source into which the charger can be plugged, the internal battery or cell can be used to recharge the electronic device. The internal battery can be a primary battery or a secondary battery. In the latter case, the internal battery can be maintained in a charged state by means of circuitry which, when the charger is plugged into the external power source, charges the internal battery as well as the battery of the electronic device. The external power source can be either an AC power wall socket, in which case the charger includes AC/DC voltage conversion circuits, or a car lighter socket, or the DC output of a conventional wall charger.

Abstract: A charger for recharging the batteries of a portable electronic device even when no external power source is available. A battery or cell is installed within the charger, and when no access is available to a fixed power source into which the charger can be plugged, the internal battery or cell can be used to recharge the electronic device. The internal battery can be a primary battery or a secondary battery. In the latter case, the internal battery can be maintained in a charged state by means of circuitry which, when the charger is plugged into the external power source, charges the internal battery as well as the battery of the electronic device. The external power source can be either an AC power wall socket, in which case the charger includes AC/DC voltage conversion circuits, or a car lighter socket, or the DC output of a conventional wall charger.

Abstract: A charger for recharging the batteries of a portable electronic device even when no external power source is available. A battery or cell is installed within the charger, and when no access is available to a fixed power source into which the charger can be plugged, the internal battery or cell can be used to recharge the electronic device. The internal battery can be a primary battery or a secondary battery. In the latter case, the internal battery can be maintained in a charged state by means of circuitry which, when the charger is plugged into the external power source, charges the internal battery as well as the battery of the electronic device. The external power source can be either an AC power wall socket, in which case the charger includes AC/DC voltage conversion circuits, or a car lighter socket, or the DC output of a conventional wall charger.

Abstract: To prevent the battery of a solar charged device from discharge when insufficient solar radiation is present, a control circuit is provided to disable the charging circuits under those conditions. A current load is applied to the output of the solar cell, and the level of power drawn by this load from the solar cell is measured. Control circuits disable the charging circuits of the device when the signal from the current monitor indicates that insufficient solar power is detected. The monitor current load should be such that the power drawn by it should be at least of the same order as the power required by the charging circuitry for its quiescent operation. A series switch may be used so that current is drawn through the load only when solar output is sufficient to enable charging. Alternatively, a periodically pulsed switch may be used to limit the load current.

Abstract: A charger for recharging the batteries of a portable electronic device even when no external power source is available. A battery or cell is installed within the charger, and when no access is available to a fixed power source into which the charger can be plugged, the internal battery or cell can be used to recharge the electronic device. The internal battery can be a primary battery or a secondary battery. In the latter case, the internal battery can be maintained in a charged state by means of circuitry which, when the charger is plugged into the external power source, charges the internal battery as well as the battery of the electronic device. The external power source can be either an AC power wall socket, in which case the charger includes AC/DC voltage conversion circuits, or a car lighter socket, or the DC output of a conventional wall charger.

Abstract: An overall standard sized battery having a physical characteristic for differentiation between rechargeable and non-rechargeable types, and a corresponding feature in the battery cavity of an electronic device, such that the electronic device can discern this physical characteristic. A mechanical modification may be made to the standard size rechargeable batteries. This is detected by the electronic product, and enables the product to easily distinguish between standard primary batteries and rechargeable batteries having the same overall standard size dimensions. The product is configured to safely recharge only secondary batteries. Possible mechanical modifications to the battery include: the size and/or shape of the positive tip or the negative end of the battery; the cross-sectional shape of the barrel of the battery; an added notch or projection on the battery; and extension or shortening the length of the battery. Detection methods may be mechanical, optical, electrical or magnetic.