Abstract: A handheld device for jump starting a vehicle engine includes a rechargeable lithium ion battery pack (32) and a microcontroller (1). The lithium ion battery is coupled to a power output port of the device through a power switch circuit (15) actuated by the microcontroller. A vehicle battery isolation sensor (12) connected in circuit with positive and negative polarity outputs detects the presence of a vehicle battery (72) connected between the positive and negative polarity outputs. A reverse polarity sensor (10) connected in circuit with the positive and negative polarity outputs detects the polarity of a vehicle battery connected between the positive and negative polarity outputs, such that the microcontroller will enable power to be delivered from the lithium ion power pack to the output port only when a good battery is connected to the output port and only when the battery is connected with proper polarity of positive and negative terminals.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a system includes a battery configured to be charged by a power source, a charging circuit coupled to the battery, and a battery charging manager configured to communicate with the charging circuit to control a charging of the battery by the power source. The battery charging manager obtains a charge pattern including an end charge time corresponding to a time when the battery is estimated to be disconnected from the power source. The battery charging manager controls the charging circuit to charge, over a first charging period, the battery to a temporary charge level, maintain, over a relaxation period, a battery charge level between the temporary charge level and a maintenance charge level, and charge, over a second charging period after the relaxation period, the battery to a maximum battery charge level before the end charge time.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a timer based protection circuit and a lighting device. The protection circuit is configured to acquire a working current or an output voltage of a protected object, and compare a voltage value converted from a current value of the working current or a voltage value of the acquired output voltage with a predetermined threshold. When the voltage value converted from the current value of the working current or the voltage value of the acquired output voltage is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the protection circuit resets the timer to cause the timer to output a low voltage level; and when the voltage value converted from the current value of the working current or the voltage value of the acquired output voltage is less than the predetermined threshold, the timer works normally.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus, a charge controlling method, and a computer-readable recording medium are provided. The electronic apparatus includes a battery unit including a battery and configured to supply power to components of the electronic apparatus using power of the battery, a charging circuit configured to, in response to the power being received from an external adapter, charge the battery using the received power, and a controller configured to detect a charging state of the battery, divide a charging process into a plurality of charging periods according to the detected charging state, and control the charging circuit to provide different target voltages to the divided charging periods and target currents determined according to the different target voltages and preset power consumption to the battery.

Abstract: A self-contained EVCS accessory is electrically engaged to an electric vehicle charging stations to derive one or more operational parameters during the electric vehicle charging process. The self-contained EVCS accessory includes a display unit that can display detailed information to the users regarding the charging process. The EVCS accessory uses its own built-in display unit and power supply to display the detailed information and requires no modification to the charging station. The detailed information, which may include the charging level, charging status, elapsed time, power transferred, cost of power, and the like, may be derived directly by the EVCS accessory or it may be obtained by the accessory from a predefined source of such information. Such an arrangement provides users with much more meaningful information about the charging process compared to the LEDs or light indicators of existing charging stations.

Abstract: A hybrid or electric vehicle includes a traction battery to store and provide energy for the vehicle. The traction battery includes a number of battery cells. For effective operation of the traction battery, operating parameters, such as state of charge and battery power limits, may need to be known. The operating parameters may be a function of battery cell voltage and impedance parameters. A parameter estimation scheme may use measured cell voltages and a measured traction battery current as inputs. A current measurement bias may be modeled that incorporates measurement bias caused by asynchronous current and voltage measurements. The current measurement bias may be estimated for each cell and the value may differ between cells.

Abstract: A hybrid or electric vehicle includes a traction battery to store and provide energy for the vehicle. The traction battery includes a number of battery cells. For effective operation of the traction battery, operating parameters, such as state of charge and battery power limits, may need to be known. The operating parameters may be a function of battery cell voltage and impedance parameters. A parameter estimation scheme may use measured cell voltages and a measured traction battery current as inputs. A current measurement bias may be modeled that incorporates measurement bias caused by asynchronous current and voltage measurements. The current measurement bias may be estimated for each cell and the value may differ between cells.

Abstract: A battery fuel gauge apparatus comprises a current amplifier formed by a first transistor and a second transistor. Both transistors operate in the same operation conditions except that the second transistor has a smaller channel width in comparison with that of the first transistor. The first transistor is connected in series with a battery pack. The second transistor is connected in series with a sensing device. The sensing device comprises a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series. The first resistor has a positive temperature coefficient and the second resistor has a negative temperature coefficient.

Abstract: A charging circuit for an electronic device includes a battery pack for providing a battery voltage; an adaptor coupled to an external voltage source, for providing an input voltage; and a charging module coupled to the adaptor, for charging the battery pack. The charging module includes a buck charging unit for performing buck charging on the battery pack according to a comparison result; and a boost charging unit for performing boost charging on the battery pack according to the comparison result.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a solar cell pack and a method for balancing currents of solar cell modules. The solar cell pack includes a first solar cell module, a second solar cell module, a first balancer, a sampler and a controller. A negative pole of the first solar cell module is electrically connected to a positive pole of the second solar cell module. The first balancer is electrically connected to the first and the second solar cell modules in order to balance the current flowing through the both solar cell modules. An input terminal of the sampler is electrically connected to the first and the second solar cell modules. An output terminal of the sampler is electrically connected to an input terminal of the control unit. An output terminal of the control unit is electrically connected to an input terminal of the first balancer.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a rechargeable battery module including a battery bank having serial connected battery units, a charging transistor providing a charging current to the battery bank, a balancing circuit for detecting and balancing voltage values of battery units and battery bank and a control chip. When a first voltage value of a first battery unit reaches a charge-off voltage, the control chip estimates a first unbalanced voltage difference between the first voltage and the minimal voltage among battery units. The control chip disables the charging transistor and estimates a second unbalanced voltage difference between voltages of the first battery unit and the battery unit having a minimal voltage. The control chip enables the balancing circuit to balance the first battery unit. When the voltage of the first battery is dropped by a calibration target, the charging transistor is enabled.

Abstract: A method is provided for current-based detection of an electrical fault in an electrical network of a motor vehicle, the network having at least: one battery, one pulse-controlled inverter, one d.c. voltage converter, and an intermediate circuit associated with the pulse-controlled inverter. The method includes: detecting magnitudes of each a battery current, a d.c. voltage converter current, and an intermediate circuit current; comparing current magnitudes according to provided equations; and checking based on the comparison of whether a specifiable deviation has been exceeded. An alternative method for voltage-based detection of an electrical fault in an electrical network of a motor vehicle includes: detecting magnitudes of each a battery voltage, a d.c. voltage converter voltage, and an intermediate circuit voltage; comparing voltage magnitudes according to provided equations; and checking based on the comparison of whether a specifiable deviation has been exceeded.

Abstract: In a memory, the surface temperature and the internal resistance of an assembled battery detected under the condition where a difference between the surface and the internal temperature is within a predetermined value are stored, and an internal temperature diagnosis unit that diagnoses whether or not the internal temperature estimated by an internal temperature estimation unit is correct, detects the internal resistance with an internal resistance calculation unit when the internal temperature estimation unit estimates the internal temperature, searches for an internal resistance corresponding to the surface temperature equal to the estimated internal temperature value from among the stored internal resistances, and diagnoses the estimated internal temperature value based upon the result of comparison of a search result of the internal resistance and the internal resistance detected during internal temperature estimation.

Abstract: A charger device includes a switch, a voltage converter, a constant current circuit, and an automatic disconnecting circuit. The switch is connected to an alternating current (AC) power supply which triggers the charger device to work. The automatic disconnecting circuit is connected to the battery, the voltage converter and the constant current circuit automatically disconnect the voltage converter from the AC power supply when the battery is fully charged. The automatic disconnecting circuit comprises a first resistor, a voltage follower, a second resistor, a first zener diode, a variable resistor, a comparator, a third resistor, a first switch element, a diode and a relay. The relay comprises a coil and a normally-open switch connected between the AC power supply and voltage converter. The normally-open switch turns on or turns off to control a connection between the charger device and the AC power supply.

Abstract: A charger includes a power supply generating a direct current power supply potential, an output transistor, a USB connector, a controller, and a resistor bridge circuit. The controller has a potential setting circuit which sets the potentials of the first and second connection nodes of the resistor bridge circuit to a middle potential between a power supply potential and a ground potential in a first mode, and sets the potentials of the first and second connection nodes to the power supply potential in a second mode.

Abstract: A battery voltage monitoring circuit includes a first power supply terminal to be connected to the positive terminal of a battery pack having rechargeable cells connected in series; a first supply voltage sensing terminal to be connected to the positive terminal of the battery pack; a first resistor connected between the first power supply terminal and the first supply voltage sensing terminal; a second supply voltage sensing terminal to be connected to the negative terminal of a first rechargeable cell of the rechargeable cells, the first rechargeable cell being on the positive terminal side of the battery pack and connected to the positive terminal of the battery pack; a second resistor connected between the second supply voltage sensing terminal and the first power supply terminal; and a first comparator configured to compare a voltage at the first power supply terminal and a voltage at the first supply voltage sensing terminal.

Abstract: A power supply device capable of switching over semiconductor switches of a synchronous rectification means so as to efficiently charge up a battery in response to its charging status is provided. The device includes a switch control means for controlling the semiconductor switches in response to the battery charging status; a negative voltage detection means for detecting a negative voltage at each phase of three-phase AC voltages; and a voltage detection means for detecting the battery voltage being higher than a predetermined voltage, wherein when the negative voltage or the battery voltage higher than the predetermined voltage is detected, the switch control means controls the semiconductor switches.

Abstract: A combined battery charger and motor driver circuit assembly includes a rechargeable battery, a traction motor configured to accept a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) drive, a PNP transistor array, a charging source of chopped and rectified DC, and a control circuit configured to apply a discrete PWM drive signal to the gate of each transistor in the PNP transistor array.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of increasing efficiency of wireless power transfer. A wireless power transfer system includes features that allow the system to be deployed in public spaces such as airports or in commercial establishments such as restaurants or hotels to allow a user to recharge one or more portable electronic devices while away from home. To accommodate wireless recharging of a variety of device types and states, the system may receive parameters and/or state information associated with a portable electronic device to be recharged and may control the wireless power transfer in accordance with such parameters and/or state information. For instance, the system may increase efficiency of the wireless power transfer based on such parameters and/or state information. The system may also provide a secure and efficient means for obtaining required payment information from the user prior to the wireless power transfer, thereby facilitating fee-based recharging.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for measuring current and voltage of a secondary battery pack in synchronization manner, comprising a voltage measurement circuit for periodically measuring and outputting the level of a charging voltage of each of a plurality of battery cells contained in a battery pack; a current measurement circuit for periodically measuring and outputting the level of current flowing into or out of the battery pack; and a control unit for synchronizing a time difference between a current measurement time point of the battery pack and a voltage measurement time point of each battery cell with a reference delay time.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of increasing efficiency of wireless power transfer. A wireless power transfer system includes features that allow the system to be deployed in public spaces such as airports or in commercial establishments such as restaurants or hotels to allow a user to recharge one or more portable electronic devices while away from home. To accommodate wireless recharging of a variety of device types and states, the system may receive parameters and/or state information associated with a portable electronic device to be recharged and may control the wireless power transfer in accordance with such parameters and/or state information. For instance, the system may increase efficiency of the wireless power transfer based on such parameters and/or state information. The system may also provide a secure and efficient means for obtaining required payment information from the user prior to the wireless power transfer, thereby facilitating fee-based recharging.

Abstract: A charging circuit using a switch mode power supply to charge a battery from a connected external power adapter may periodically turn off the switch mode power supply and disconnect its input terminal from the switch mode power supply. A load may be connected to the input terminal. The input terminal is monitored for voltage collapse, indicating whether or not the power adapter is connected.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for easily detecting an abnormal status of power generation of a solar cell panel in a solar cell power generation system having the power generation of 1 MW or higher. The present invention provides an abnormality detecting apparatus for a solar cell power generation system including a plurality of solar cell strings each having a plurality of solar cell modules connected to each other in series and a backflow preventing diode connected to a power output terminal of each of the solar cell strings, characterized in that the abnormality detecting apparatus further includes measuring means for measuring a current flowing in the backflow preventing diode; and that the measuring means is supplied with electric power from both terminals of the backflow preventing diode.

Abstract: A charge-controlling semiconductor integrated circuit includes a current- controlling MOS transistor which is connected between a voltage input terminal and an output terminal and controls flowing current, a substratum voltage switching circuit connected between the voltage input/output terminal and a substratum to which an input/output voltage is applied, and a voltage comparison circuit to compare the input/output voltage. The charge-controlling semiconductor integrated circuit controls the substratum voltage switching circuit based on an output of the voltage comparison circuit, and the voltage comparison circuit includes an intentional offset in a first potential direction. A level shift circuit to shift the output voltage to a potential direction opposite to the first potential direction is provided in a preceding stage of a first input terminal of the voltage comparison circuit, and the input voltage is input to a second input terminal of the voltage comparison circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the status of a system of battery strings is described. The system includes a current sensor for each of the battery strings, and a controller configured to compute the average current from the measured currents. The state of the battery system is determined as being fully charged, discharging or charging, and the individual battery string currents are compared with the average measured current to determine if the currents are within a threshold value. An alarm indication is provided when one or more of the currents exceeds a threshold difference. The system may provide a local indication of status and may also interface with a communications network to provide for remote monitoring.

Abstract: A protection circuit module (PCM) for a secondary battery including a bare cell is provided. The PCM includes: a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB); and control circuitry mounted on the FPCB via adhesive material and configured for electrical coupling to the bare cell through the FPCB. The control circuitry is adapted to control charging and discharging of the bare cell.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement that has an energy source that can provide a charging voltage for charging an electrical energy storage unit in a charging circuit when it is connected to an energy supply, wherein it is possible to represent the charging voltage using an alternating quantity, and that has a capacitor circuit having a first capacitor element, a first valve element, and the energy source, wherein the first capacitor element is charged by the energy source via the first valve element if the charging voltage is negative, so that, if the charging voltage is positive, the voltage over the first capacitor element has the same orientation in the capacitor circuit, in terms of sign, as the charging voltage, and the voltage over the capacitor element.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for determining the start of a charging process for an energy storage device in a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle. The method includes, but is not limited to determining at least one first parameter that indicates that a passenger is about to exit the electric vehicle. In addition, a first time t1 at which the charging process concludes at the earliest is determined, and a second time t2 at which the charging process is to have concluded at the latest is set, where t2?t1. Further, a determination is made as to whether a third time t3 at which a lowered second energy rate relative to the first energy rate is present before the second time t2 has been reached, and the start of the charging process is set in such a way that the at least one third time t3 lies within the charging process, and the charging process concludes by the second time t2 at the latest.

Abstract: A current sensor includes a magnetic balance sensor and a switching circuit. The magnetic balance sensor includes a feedback coil which is disposed near a magnetic sensor element varying in characteristics due to application of an induction field caused by measurement current and which produces a canceling magnetic field canceling the induction field. The switching circuit switches between magnetic proportional detection and magnetic balance detection. The magnetic proportional detection is configured to output a voltage difference as a sensor output. The magnetic balance detection is configured to output, as a sensor output, a value corresponding to current flowing through the feedback coil when a balanced state in which the induction field and the canceling magnetic field cancel each other out is reached after the feedback coil is energized by the voltage difference.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of increasing efficiency of wireless power transfer. A wireless power transfer system includes features that allow the system to be deployed in public spaces such as airports or in commercial establishments such as restaurants or hotels to allow a user to recharge one or more portable electronic devices while away from home. To accommodate wireless recharging of a variety of device types and states, the system may receive parameters and/or state information associated with a portable electronic device to be recharged and may control the wireless power transfer in accordance with such parameters and/or state information. For instance, the system may increase efficiency of the wireless power transfer based on such parameters and/or state information. The system may also provide a secure and efficient means for obtaining required payment information from the user prior to the wireless power transfer, thereby facilitating fee-based recharging.

Abstract: A battery charger and method for a rechargeable battery pack which includes various elements in series with the cells to be charged, including but not limited to current control FETs, a fuse, current sense resistor, and internal series impedance of the series connected cells to be charged. The charging current Ichg flowing through these series elements reduces the voltage applied to the cells, thus lengthening charging time. A compensation voltage Vcomp, which when added to the nominal charging voltage for the series connected cells overcomes these voltage drops, facilitates more efficient charging while avoiding over-voltage damage to the cells. Three voltages representing substantially all of the voltage drops reducing the charging voltage on the cells, are summed, and the result is a compensation voltage which is utilized to change the nominal charge voltage for the battery to overcome these voltage drops.

Abstract: The battery saver includes a charge pump connected to a control switch to provide a time-hysteretic threshold feature wherein it takes a longer, elapsed time threshold to activate the control switch than it does to deactivate the control switch. Control switch output is connected to a main switch wherein activation of the control switch opens the main switch to de-energize a battery-powered device's battery circuit. Control switch deactivation closes the main switch, which energizes the battery circuit of the battery-powered device. A quick elapsed time threshold allows a vibration sensor, which indicates continuing use of the battery-powered device, to instantaneously deactivate the control switch when vibrations are sensed. When the vibration sensor no longer senses motion in the device, a longer elapsed time threshold is triggered in which the charge pump slowly ramps up current to activate the control switch to turn the battery-operated device off.

Abstract: A dual-mode charger circuit includes a first charge circuit and a second charge circuit connected in parallel between a power source and a battery, to charge the battery under a slow charge mode and a quick charge mode. A central processing unit detects a capacity of the battery and determines whether the detected capacity exceeds a predetermined capacity, and outputs a mode control signal according to the determination. A mode switch circuit switches the second charger circuit on/off according to the mode control signal. When the second charge circuit is off, the battery is charged under the slow charge mode, and when the second charge circuit is on, the battery is charged under the quick charge mode.

Abstract: A system for cooling a battery mounted on a vehicle using air within a vehicle, independently of the travelling state of the vehicle. The air within a vehicle compartment is guided to a battery mounted on a vehicle to cool the battery. A controller determines a basic fan speed v of the cooling fan based on a battery temperature and an ambient temperature. Further, the controller calculates an increment ?v of the fan speed in accordance with the vehicle speed and the degree of window opening and determines a final fan speed V according to V=v+?v, to drive the cooling fan. By controlling the fan speed to increase, it is possible to cool the battery even when the base pressure of the inlet-side static pressure of the cooling fan becomes negative pressure compared to when the windows are closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the state of a storage device prevents occurrence of a leakage current. A low-level detection unit is provided for each of blocks of a battery pack. Control units are connected to the blocks of the battery pack by way of first switches and are started upon receipt of power supply. The control units and measurement units are connected to the blocks by way of second switches. The control units activate the second switches after being started as a result of activation of the first switches, to thus receive power supply, and commence measurement of block voltages by means of the measurement units. The high-level detection unit supplies a read signal and a synchronous signal to the low-level detection units by way of the first switches.

Abstract: A dual-energy storage system is described, having two energy sources: (a) a fast-energy storage device (FES) such as an ultracapacitor, and (b) a long duration or steady power device, such as a fuel-cell or battery. A power converter or controller executes an energy management algorithm to determine when to provide bursts of additional power/current from the fast-energy storage device, and when to recharge the fast-energy storage device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a charge-controlling semiconductor integrated circuit including: a current-controlling MOS transistor; a current detection circuit including a 1/N size current-detecting MOS transistor; and a gate voltage control circuit, wherein the current detection circuit includes an operational amplifier circuit, a bias condition of the current-detecting MOS transistor becomes same as the current-controlling MOS transistor based on an operational amplifier circuit output, voltage drops in lines from drain electrode to a corresponding input point of the operational amplifier circuit become the same by a parasitic resistance, and when the output of the operational amplifier circuit is applied to a control terminal of the bias condition controlling transistor, the drain voltages become the same potential, and the line from the drain electrode of the current-detecting MOS transistor to the input point is formed to be redundantly arranged inside the chip so that a parasitic resistance becomes a predetermined valu

Abstract: The battery saver includes a charge pump connected to a control switch to provide a time-hysteretic threshold feature wherein it takes a longer, elapsed time threshold to activate the control switch than it does to deactivate the control switch. Control switch output is connected to a main switch wherein activation of the control switch opens the main switch to de-energize a battery-powered device's battery circuit. Control switch deactivation closes the main switch, which energizes the battery circuit of the battery-powered device. A quick elapsed time threshold allows a vibration sensor, which indicates continuing use of the battery-powered device, to instantaneously deactivate the control switch when vibrations are sensed. When the vibration sensor no longer senses motion in the device, a longer elapsed time threshold is triggered in which the charge pump slowly ramps up current to activate the control switch to turn the battery-operated device off.

Abstract: A method of operating battery power management unit (PMU) in over-discharge situation is disclosed. Furthermore, a power management unit (PMU) and a device comprising a power management unit (PMU) are disclosed. The power management unit (PMU) is part of a system, comprising a battery and a safety circuit connected to the battery. The state of the safety circuit of the battery is determined and the on/off control of the device is made inactive while the safety circuit remains active. Thereby avoiding an application run on the device to go into an active state, i.e. to be turned on, at a moment when the battery has not returned to its normal operation mode.

Abstract: A monitoring circuit for accurately monitoring a voltage level from each of a plurality of battery cells of a battery pack includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) and a processor. The ADC is configured to accept an analog voltage signal from each of the plurality of battery cells and convert each analog voltage signal to a digital signal representative of an accurate voltage level of each battery cell. The processor receives such signals and provides a safety alert signal based on at least one of the signals. The ADC resolution may be adjustable. A balancing circuit provides a balancing signal if at least two of the digital signals indicate a voltage difference between two cells is greater than a battery cell balance threshold. An electronic device including such monitoring and balancing circuits is also provided. Various methods are also provided.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit comprising: a semiconductor switch having an output connected to a rechargeable battery; a battery charge controller for receiving power from an external source, and supplying output power to a portable device and the input of the semiconductor switch, the current output of the battery charge controller being controllable; and a voltage sensing circuit for: measuring the voltage drop across the battery charge controller; and responding to the voltage drop across the battery charge controller by modulating the semiconductor switch to reduce the quantity of current supplied to the rechargeable battery when the voltage drop is too great; whereby the total power dissipated by the battery charge controller is controlled, the portable device receiving the power it needs to operate and the rechargeable battery receiving any additional available power.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembled battery total voltage detection and leak detection apparatus which is reduced in size and is reduced in manufacturing costs. Detection of a total voltage is performed at a measurement time of a total voltage of an assembled battery 1 by connecting an output of a positive electrode resistance voltage dividing circuit composed of resistors 9 and 10 to + input of a differential amplifier 20 and connecting an output of a negative electrode resistance voltage dividing circuit composed of resistors 12 and 11 to ? input of the amplifier 20, and it performs leak detection at a leak detection time by connecting an output of a positive electrode resistance voltage dividing circuit to + input of the amplifier 20 and connecting + input of the amplifier 20 to the minus input of the differential amplifier 20 to measure an output voltage of the amplifier 20.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) having an adjustable battery charger that generates a charger current, and a controller, coupled to the adjustable battery charger, that receives a signal representative of a system constraint and provides a reference, based on the signal, to the adjustable battery charger to control an amplitude of the charger current supplied by the adjustable battery charger based on the system constraint. The system constraint may include, for example, a maximum input current to the UPS, maximum charging current of the battery cell, and maximum and/or minimum charger current values.

Abstract: A battery that includes an electrochemical cell having an internal bore therethrough is described herein. The battery also includes a voltage converter module electrically coupled to the electrochemical cell and disposed within a portion of the internal bore The voltage converter is configured to convert a first voltage produced by the electrochemical cell into a second, different voltage.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit comprising: a semiconductor switch having an output connected to a rechargeable battery; a battery charge controller for receiving power from an external source, and supplying output power to a portable device and the input of the semiconductor switch, the current output of the battery charge controller being controllable; and a voltage sensing circuit for: measuring the voltage drop across the battery charge controller; and responding to the voltage drop across the battery charge controller by modulating the semiconductor switch to reduce the quantity of current supplied to the rechargeable battery when the voltage drop is too great; whereby the total power dissipated by the battery charge controller is controlled, the portable device receiving the power it needs to operate and the rechargeable battery receiving any additional available power.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit comprising: a semiconductor switch having an output connected to a rechargeable battery; a battery charge controller for receiving power from an external source, and supplying output power to a portable device and the input of the semiconductor switch, the current output of the battery charge controller being controllable; and a voltage sensing circuit for: measuring the voltage drop across the battery charge controller; and responding to the voltage drop across the battery charge controller by modulating the semiconductor switch to reduce the quantity of current supplied to the rechargeable battery when the voltage drop is too great; whereby the total power dissipated by the battery charge controller is controlled, the portable device receiving the power it needs to operate and the rechargeable battery receiving any additional available power.

Abstract: The invention provides an oscillator circuit that reduces the dependence of an oscillation frequency on a power supply voltage. When a first charging and discharging circuit completes its discharge, a terminal voltage of a first capacitor of the first charging and discharging circuit is initialized to a power supply voltage and simultaneously a second charging and discharging circuit starts its discharge. Then, when the second charging and discharging circuit completes its discharge, a terminal voltage of a second capacitor of the second charging and discharging circuit is initialized to the power supply voltage and simultaneously the first charging and discharging circuit starts its discharge. The first and second charging and discharging circuits alternately repeat the initialization and the discharge, and the discharge is always started from the power supply voltage.

Abstract: A time budget during which a portable device will be enabled to acquire content is established and the time budget as well as a filter is used to determine which content the portable device will acquire during a synchronization process.

Abstract: The invention provides a battery charger comprising a power input for receiving a power supply for charging a battery; an integrated circuit, operating at a voltage, supplying on-chip functions for battery charger operation coupled to said power input and adapted to communicate with said battery. The integrated circuit comprises a voltage input, Vchg, coupled to a charge controller and/or a charger circuit; and a voltage regulator interposed between the voltage input, Vchg, and said charge controller and/or charger circuit, such that the voltage regulator regulates the voltage at the voltage input, Vchg, to supply a regulated voltage, Vreg, load to be compatible with the integrated circuit voltage operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to battery chargers. A first controller can be configured to set, when a first power supply is coupled to a first port, a current produced by a variable current source at a safe rate to charge a battery. An ammeter can be configured to measure, when the battery is coupled to a second port, the current flowing into the battery. The first controller can be configured to increase, after a passing of a quantifiable amount of time, the current produced by the variable current source by a quantifiable amount of current. The first controller can be configured to continue iteratively to increase, after the passing of the quantifiable amount of time, the current produced by the variable current source by the quantifiable amount of current until the safe rate is near or at a highest safe rate to charge the battery.