Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for wirelessly charging are provided within a vehicular environment. The wireless charging system comprises a seatbelt receptacle containing a transmit coil integrated therein for transmitting a charging signal to a battery or powering a battery operated device. A repeater coil can be wirelessly coupled to the transmit coil via the seatbelt's buckle, as a buckle repeater coil or a retrofit cover repeater coil. Additional repeater coils may be added to a shoulder strap, a lap strap, or other portions of the seat belt harness for additional charging points. The additional repeater coils are slideable to adjust for different body sizes. One or more portable devices having receive coils can be charged or powered wirelessly from the transmit coil in the seatbelt receptacle, the repeater coil of the seatbelt buckle or cover, and/or the additional adjustable strap repeater coils.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for wirelessly charging are provided within a vehicular environment. The wireless charging system (500) comprises a seatbelt receptacle (102) containing a transmit coil (104) integrated therein for transmitting a charging signal to a battery or powering a battery operated device. A repeater coil (506) may be wirelessly coupled to the transmit coil (104) via the seatbelt's buckle, as a buckle repeater coil (206) or a retrofit cover repeater coil (308). Additional repeater coils (514, 524) may be added to a shoulder strap (510), lap strap (520), or other portions of the seat belt harness for additional charging points. The additional repeater coils (514, 524) are slideable to adjust for different body sizes. One or more portable devices having receive coils can be charged or powered wirelessly from the transmit coil (104) in the seatbelt receptacle (102), the repeater coil (506) of the seatbelt buckle or cover, and/or the additional adjustable strap repeater coils (514, 524).

Abstract: A method and system for efficiency compliance in a wireless battery charging system includes a wireless power source that provides a wireless charging power signal to devices in proximity to the wireless power source. The devices have a receiving coil to receive electrical energy from the wireless charging power signal, and they communicate battery charging metrics to the wireless power source. The wireless power source uses the battery charging metrics to determine a predicted system efficiency to charge the devices over a period of time, and when the predicted efficiency is below an efficiency standard, the wireless power source undertakes an action to improve system efficiency.

Abstract: The application discloses a method and apparatus for controlling the charging of a battery in a communication device. The method includes sensing temperature of the battery while charging the battery, and determining that the temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature threshold value. The method then includes monitoring a charging status of the battery when the determined temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature threshold value. The charging status indicates an amount of charge in the battery. The method further includes determining that the amount of charge in the battery is less than a predetermined charge threshold value. The method then includes suspending charging of the battery, until the temperature falls below the predetermined temperature threshold value, when the determined amount of charge in the battery is less than the predetermined charge threshold value.

Abstract: The application discloses a method and apparatus for controlling the charging of a battery in a communication device. The method includes sensing temperature of the battery while charging the battery, and determining that the temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature threshold value. The method then includes monitoring a charging status of the battery when the determined temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature threshold value. The charging status indicates an amount of charge in the battery. The method further includes determining that the amount of charge in the battery is less than a predetermined charge threshold value. The method then includes suspending charging of the battery, until the temperature falls below the predetermined temperature threshold value, when the determined amount of charge in the battery is less than the predetermined charge threshold value.

Abstract: A method for determining time to completion is provided for a battery charging system. The system preferably includes a charger having a microprocessor and a battery with a memory. The memory includes information about the battery, including battery identifiers, charging states, charging procedures and charging termination information. The charger reads this battery and then determines the charging states associated with the battery. The charger then determines the present state of charge, and calculates a time to completion for that state. The charger then determines times to completion for the remaining charge states, optionally compensating for self discharge within the battery. A total time to completion is determined by summing the times to completion for the respective charging states.

Abstract: A computer system having an integrated energy system on a system communication bus where the energy system includes a plurality of energy devices. Each energy device is integrated on the system communication bus and has a memory and processor. Each energy device processor selectively monitors the system communication bus for communication data idleness and upon the communication data being idle, each energy device attempts to communicate with other energy devices of the energy system. The energy devices attempt to communicate in a predetermined sequence after communication data idleness has been detected. Examples of energy devices are battery packs, desktop chargers, analyzers, and radios.

Abstract: This invention includes a method that allows a charger to quickly identify a battery pack. Once the battery pack has been identified, the invention allows the charger to determine whether prior charging processes should be resumed, or whether the charging cycle should be started anew. In one preferred embodiment, the battery includes a memory device having a unique identifier like a serial number, for instance. When the battery is coupled to the charger, the charger identifies the battery and queries the charger memory. If the battery has been disconnected from the charger for more than a predetermined amount of time, the charger presumes the battery has been depleted and starts the charging cycle from the beginning. If the battery has been disconnected for a short period of time, the charger presumes that the battery has not been greatly depleted and begins the previous charging process that was running when the battery was disconnected from the charger.