Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for charging a battery. The method includes the steps of (a) charging the battery by a constant charging current with a first magnitude as a first pulsed charge over a first pulse-period. Then, the method is followed by charging the battery with a constant charging current with a second magnitude, substantially lower than the first magnitude, as a second pulsed charge over a second pulsed-period. The method further includes a step of (b) repeating step (a) over a first charge cycle for rapidly charging the battery to a significant percentage of full capacity. In another preferred embodiment, the method further includes a step of (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) by lowering the first magnitude and the second magnitude of the charge currents and by adjusting the first pulsed-period and the second pulsed-period for charging the battery over a second charging cycle.

Abstract: This invention discloses a power supply unit for providing DC input to a portable electronic device which is operable with a rechargeable battery and an AC/DC adapter receiving power from an AC power source. The power supply unit includes a set of DC jacks of different sizes for connecting to the AC/DC adapters to receive a DC input voltage. The power supply unit further includes a backup battery pack for providing input voltage to the portable electronic device. The power supply unit further has a charging circuit for charging the rechargeable battery for the electronic device and the backup battery pack of the power supply unit.

Abstract: This invention is a multi-function power supply, i.e., a power-mate unit, for providing DC input to a portable electronic device, e.g., a notebook computer, operable with a rechargeable battery. The power-mate unit includes an AC plug for electrically connecting to an AC power source for receiving the AC input current. The power-mate unit further includes an AC/DC power supply for converting the AC input current to an external DC operation current suitable for operating the portable electronic device. The power-mate unit further includes a backup battery pack connected to the AC/DC power supply for receiving a backup battery charging current for charging the backup battery pack wherein the backup battery pack further providing a backup DC current to the portable electronic device. The power-mate unit further includes a backup battery monitoring and display for continuously monitoring a charge capacity of the backup battery pack and for displaying the charge capacity.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a battery which is contained in a casing having an electrolyte as a conductive medium. The battery includes a first electrode of a first electric polarity formed as a single-body inserting electrode. The battery further includes a second electrode of a second electric polarity formed as a single-receiving-body with a cavity to receive the first electrode therein. The battery further includes a insulation layer for insulating the first electrode from the second electrode. In one of the preferred embodiments, the first electrode is formed as an elongated cylinder and the second electrode is formed as an elongated hollow-cylindrical shell to receive the first electrode therein. In another embodiment, the first electrode is formed as an elongated star-shape-body and the second electrode is formed as an elongated-hollow-body having a star-shape-cavity corresponding to the star-shape-body to receive the first electrode therein.