Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method of charging a rechargeable battery. The system can further include a processor that is adapted to control one of the high power charger or the low power charger to charge the battery in response to the high power input voltage relative to a predetermined high power voltage value and the low power input voltage relative to a predetermined low power voltage value. The method can include the steps of determining a high power input voltage of the high power source, determining a low power input voltage of the low power source, causing a high power charger to charge the battery in response to a sufficient high power input voltage, and causing a low power charger to charge the battery in response to an insufficient high power input voltage and a sufficient low power input voltage.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method of charging a rechargeable battery. The system can further include a processor that is adapted to control one of the high power charger or the low power charger to charge the battery in response to the high power input voltage relative to a predetermined high power voltage value and the low power input voltage relative to a predetermined low power voltage value. The method can include the steps of determining a high power input voltage of the high power source, determining a low power input voltage of the low power source, causing a high power charger to charge the battery in response to a sufficient high power input voltage, and causing a low power charger to charge the battery in response to an insufficient high power input voltage and a sufficient low power input voltage.

Abstract: A battery monitoring apparatus that senses battery conditions such as low battery charge, end of battery capacity, and end of battery life, and responds by taking actions such as sending messages to a remote site and/or powering down. A rechargeable battery is coupled to one or more power-consuming electrical components, including battery monitoring equipment. The battery monitoring equipment senses battery charge. In response to a low-battery-charge condition, the battery monitoring equipment transmits a battery status message to a remote site and powers-down some of the electrical components. Whenever the battery nears the end of its capacity, the monitoring equipment powers down all electronic components and awaits the application of external power. The invention also tracks the time required for the battery charge to deplete. Charge duration decreases over time, and whenever it reaches a predetermined minimum, the battery monitoring equipment transmits a representative status message to the remote site.

Abstract: An especially low power, fast completion battery charge process varies the voltage, current, and time of charging a battery according to the battery's state of charge. Initially, a battery charger apparatus applies a fast charge current to the battery. When the battery voltage increases to a target voltage, the battery charger applies a fast charge voltage to the battery. This continues until the current flowing through the battery decreases to a prescribed minimum current. The battery charger then calculates the elapsed time between the battery's initially receiving the fast charge current and later achieving the minimum current. Using the elapsed time, the charger computes a proposed overcharge time comprising a multiplicative product of the elapsed time and a temperature-dependent adjustment factor. Next, the battery charger applies an overcharge voltage to the battery for the proposed overcharge time, unless the proposed overcharge time exceeds a prescribed maximum time.