Abstract: A battery charger is connected to a power source via an input cable. The battery charger has charge switching circuitry for delivering a charge to a battery under the control of a controller. The controller has state detection logic for detecting the current state of the battery, and charging logic for charging the battery by selectively enabling and disabling the charge switching circuitry based on the condition of the battery. An output cable is connected to the battery charger. The output cable delivers power from the power source to a second battery charger for charging a second battery for the electronic device. The output cable can be placed in a stowage position or a non-stowage position. The second battery charger may be external or internal to the electronic device. If the second battery charger is internal to the electronic device, two batteries can be charged at the same time the electronic device is being operated.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 4, 1994
Date of Patent:
February 11, 1997
Assignee:
Hewlett-Packard Company
Inventors:
Charles S. Stephens, David Williams, Tuan Tran, Masahiko Muranami, Terry Bradley, Preston Brown, Curtis Rose