Abstract: Charging at least one rechargeable battery includes regulating a voltage applied to the at least one rechargeable battery by coupling a circuit between an output of a rectifier circuit and the at least one rechargeable battery, limiting the charging current to be within a first predetermined range and when a predetermined battery charging voltage is reached, dropping the charging current to be within a second predetermined range.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit arrangement. The circuit arrangement includes a plurality of rechargeable batteries each having at least one rechargeable electrochemical cell, and current-carrying members connecting the plurality of batteries such that when the plurality of batteries are charging the plurality of batteries are in a series electrical circuit arrangement and when the plurality of batteries are discharging the plurality of batteries are in a parallel electrical circuit arrangement.

Abstract: A hybrid power supply includes a fuel cell and an interface between the fuel cell and a fuel cartridge or external battery and a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from the fuel cell or external battery and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell. The hybrid power supply also includes a fuel cell current sensor/comparator, included in a feedback control loop disposed about the DC/DC converter, which controls in part operation of the converter to provide constant current discharge on the fuel battery side of the hybrid power supply. An adapter that couples a source of AC power such as a charger to the interconnect is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a charger device. The charger device includes a housing, defining a volume, that includes a power conversion module to provide output power of between 3-300 W, and a controller configured to determine a current level to direct to one or more rechargeable batteries, and cause the output power to be directed to the one or more rechargeable batteries at a charging current substantially equal to the determined current level. A ratio of the output power directed to the one or more rechargeable batteries and the volume is equal to at least 10 W/in3.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for charging a rechargeable battery having at least one rechargeable electrochemical cell. The method includes determining a corresponding battery capacity based on identification information received from the rechargeable battery, determining a charging current level to apply to the rechargeable battery based on the determined corresponding battery capacity such that the battery achieves a pre-determined charge that is reached within a charging period of time of 15 minutes or less, and applying a charging current having substantially about the determined current level to the battery.

Abstract: Chargers for charging a rechargeable battery determine a current level to apply to the rechargeable battery such that the battery has a pre-determined charge that is reached within a charging period of time of between 4-6 minutes and apply a charging current having substantially about the determined current level to battery and terminating the charging current after a period of charging time substantially equal to the particular period of time has elapsed.

Abstract: A hybrid power supply includes a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from a primary battery cell and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell, set to provide a fixed output voltage that is less than the full charge voltage of the rechargeable cell. The hybrid power supply includes a circuit including a primary battery current control that senses primary battery current, and controls in part operation of the converter to provide constant current discharge on the primary battery side of the hybrid power supply.

Abstract: A hybrid power supply includes a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from a fuel cell cell and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell, set to provide a fixed output voltage that is less than the full charge voltage of the rechargeable cell. The hybrid power supply includes a circuit including a fuel cell current control that senses fuel cell current, and controls in part operation of the converter to provide constant current discharge on the fuel cell side of the hybrid power supply.

Abstract: A hybrid power supply includes a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from a primary battery cell and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell, set to provide a fixed output voltage that is less than the full charge voltage of the rechargeable cell. The hybrid power supply includes a circuit including a primary battery current control that senses primary battery current, and controls in part operation of the converter to provide constant current discharge on the primary battery side of the hybrid power supply.

Abstract: A battery tester, includes a voltage controlled display. The battery tester is disposed on a battery with a first voltage divider having a terminal coupled to a terminal of the voltage controlled display and a second voltage divider having a terminal coupled to a second terminal of the voltage controlled display. The second voltage divider includes a non-linear device. A major advantage of the tester compared to other testers is that a consumer can merely look at the tester on the battery to determine whether the battery is good or not. This tester eliminates the need to hold the battery and depress a switch to engage the battery tester.

Abstract: A battery tester, includes a voltage controlled display. The battery tester is disposed on a battery with a first voltage divider having a terminal coupled to a terminal of the voltage controlled display and a second voltage divider having a terminal coupled to a second terminal of the voltage controlled display. The second voltage divider includes a non-linear device. A major advantage of the tester compared to other testers is that a consumer can merely look at the tester on the battery to determine whether the battery is good or not. This tester eliminates the need to hold the battery and depress a switch to engage the battery tester.

Abstract: A battery includes a battery tester including a display that is disposed around a substantial portion of the circumference of the battery. Also describe is a battery operated electronic device including a case that houses electronic components that comprise the electronic device, said case including a door that opens up to a battery compartment, with the door having at least a transparent window portion in the door.

Abstract: A battery pack for a portable electronic device includes a case for carrying a battery. The case supports a charge sensing circuit carried by the case, the charge sensing circuit producing a discharge signal corresponding to a measurement of an amount of charge removed from a battery. The case also supports a processor responsive to the discharge signal from the charge sensor circuit to produce a signal corresponding to an amount of time prior to discharge of the battery based on a current rate of discharge and a display responsive to the signal to display a time period corresponding to the amount of time to discharge the battery based upon the current rate of discharge of the battery.