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 pack charging method and battery charging apparatus including: a plurality of charge units which charge respective battery cells of the battery pack, by outputting pulse currents, generated from a supplied DC voltage, in response to enable signal; and a plurality of signal detection units to detect a falling edge of the pulse currents and to output the enable signals to the charge units.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include techniques for charging a battery using a regulator. In one embodiment, the present invention includes an electronic circuit comprising a regulator having an input coupled to a power source for receiving a voltage and a current and an output for providing an output current, an input voltage detection circuit coupled to the power source, and an adjustable current limit circuit for controlling the input or output current of the regulator, wherein input voltage detection circuit monitors the voltage from the power source and the adjustable current limit circuit changes the input or output current of the regulator to optimize the power drawn from power source.

Abstract: A battery charging method is provided for extending life of batteries. The method includes providing an appropriate charge-off voltage with respect to variation in both of a remaining capacity and an idle time of the battery. Further, the charge-off voltage may vary according to the remaining capacity and the idle time of the battery, so as to increase charging efficiency of the battery. Additionally, the present invention also provides adjusting a charge-off current to a value according to the variation in an actual capacity of the battery.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle may include a battery charger that receives electrical energy, via an electrical connection including a ground wire, from an electrical source remote from the vehicle, and outputs the electrical energy to at least one electrical load. The vehicle may also include at least one controller that commands a change in the electrical energy output by the battery charger. The battery charger, in response to the command, may control a rate of change in the electrical energy output such that a coupling current to the ground wire resulting from the change in the electrical energy output by the battery charger has a magnitude less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A battery cell charging system, including a charger and a controller, for rapidly charging a lithium ion battery cell, the battery cell charging system having a circuit for charging the battery cell using an adjustable voltage charging-profile to apply a charging voltage and a charging current to the battery cell wherein the adjustable voltage charging-profile includes: a first charging stage with a constant first stage charging current and an increasing battery cell voltage with the first stage charging current provided until the first stage charging voltage is about equal to a first stage complete voltage less than a maximum battery cell voltage; an intermediate ramped charging stage, the intermediate ramped charging stage including both an increasing ramped voltage and a decreasing ramped iBat current for the battery cell for the voltage charging range of the first stage complete voltage to about the maximum battery cell voltage; and a final charging stage with a constant final stage charging voltage about

Abstract: A balanced differential signal communication system having at least two data lines connecting multiple nodes in series, each node comprising a signal generator for applying signals to the data lines that produce a controllable differential voltage across the data lines; a rechargeable storage device for receiving electrical energy from the data lines to charge the storage device; at least one device coupled to the storage device for receiving electrical energy from the storage device; and a controllable converter coupling the data lines to the storage device for controlling the charging and discharging of the storage device with power captured from the data lines.

Abstract: It is made possible to keep a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery in a charged state for a long period of time and minimize the degradation of the battery. A method for charging a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a cathode, an anode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte, includes: a first charging step of charging the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery at a first current value which increases the voltage of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery; and a second charging step of charging the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery at a second current value which decreases the voltage of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery. These two charging steps are repeated alternately.

Abstract: A powered system has a charging system and a controller arrangement. The charging system is capable of recharging the multi-cell power supply for the system and the controller arrangement enables selection between alternative modes of operation of the system. The charging system is arranged to operate in different regimes in which a target charging voltage across one or more cells or batteries is set to a different level dependent upon the selected mode of operation. There is provided a mode for optimising the battery management for maximum range or, alternatively, a mode for extending charge and discharge cycle life of the multi-cell power supply. There is also a storage mode where the target voltage is set to a minimum value.

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 battery charging method includes generating a plurality of charge profiles, each for a different one of a plurality of batteries, wherein a charge profile indicates a charge current as a function of charge time, and at least two of the charge profiles have a different charge current at a same charge time, and concurrently charging each of the plurality of batteries based on a corresponding charge profile.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery of an electronic device using a connected a/c power adapter comprising the steps of determining a state of a transistor connecting a regulated voltage to the battery and switching a charging current applied to the battery between a quick charge level and a trickle charge level responsive to the state of the transistor.

Abstract: One or more buttons, located either on a battery pack or on an electronic device powered by the battery pack, that allow the user to charge the battery of a portable device faster than normal. Electronic circuitry is provided for activating the charge mode choices.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery (126) is normally charged using a constant current/constant voltage charge regime (206, 210), where the battery is charged to a preselected normal voltage level (210) whereupon the voltage is maintained at the limit while the charging current diminishes. The battery charge capacity can be selectively increased by charging the battery to an enhanced voltage level (212). The enhanced charging mode is selected by a user via a device user interface (112), or alternatively by a broadcast command (304) transmitted to the device.

Abstract: A charging current for a secondary battery is reduced when the secondary battery voltage gets close to a previously set constant voltage. When the charging current has become less than a charging completion current value as a reference for determining whether the charging has been completed, a charging control sequence circuit determines that the charging of the secondary battery has been completed and proceeds to a first flow consumption current mode. The charging control sequence circuit turns off a first switch to cut off an electrical connection to stop the operation of the charging control circuit, whereby a switching element and a switching element for synchronous rectification are turned off to cut-off electrical connections so that the charging current becomes 0 mA.

Abstract: The object is to provide a safe non-contact electric power transmission apparatus reducing unnecessarily consumed electric power, while intermittently-operated or otherwise restrained electric power transmission is not performed, and heat is not generated when a metal such as a foreign object is placed.

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 discloses a charging method for equalization charging a battery array consisting of at least two cells, comprising the following steps: (a) charging the cells of the battery array with a constant charging current; (b) detecting the cell voltages of the individual cells to judge whether some of the cell voltages have reached a pre-set safe reference voltage; (c) repeating the step (a) when determining that none of the cell voltages has reached the safe reference voltage, or maintaining at least one of the cell voltages at the safe reference voltage and reducing the charging current at the same time when determining that said at least one of the cell voltages has reached the safe reference voltage; (d) judging whether all of the cell voltages have reached the safe reference voltage when the charging current is reduced to a pre-set minimum charging current; and (e) reducing the charging current continuously below the minimum charging current and then terminating the charging operation when

Abstract: The charging circuit for charging a battery of an electronic device using a connected AC power adaptor includes circuitry responsive to an applied regulated voltage for charging the battery connected to the charging circuitry. The circuitry prevents the regulated voltage applied to the circuitry from falling below a settable voltage level. Additionally, the circuitry switches a charging current between a quick charge level and a trickle charge level responsive to a state of a transistor.

Abstract: One of first through fourth target state of charge levels, which are set at values that increase gradually over time, is selected on the basis of an ON/OFF state of a specific current consumer installed in the vehicle and a state of charge immediately preceding an engine stoppage. A target state of charge is set on the basis of the selected target state of charge level and an elapsed time after the lead storage battery is installed in the vehicle, whereupon the target state of charge is compared with the actual state of charge of the lead storage battery. The lead storage battery is charged in accordance with the comparative result.

Abstract: Exemplary charging device includes a processor and charging current for coupling to a battery. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor defines charging profiles for charging the battery at different charge rates. A profile can be selected based on a determinable time event and may be modified based on a charging history. Adjustable charging power is supplied to the battery at a power level, a charging duration, or a combination thereof based on the selected profile. A wireless power transmitter can also define charging profiles and charging histories for receivers that receive power from the transmitter based on an identifier from the receiver. The transmitter can select the charging profile based on a determinable time event and may be modified based on a charging history. The transmitter supplies power through the wireless power link at a power level, a charging duration, or a combination thereof based on the selected profile.

Abstract: A system includes an input configured to connect to a power source providing an input voltage, an output configured to connect to a load and to transfer power from the power source to the load, a battery selectively coupled to the input to receive current from the power source, a detector configured to indicate whether the input voltage drops more than a threshold amount, and a processor configured to regulate the selective coupling of the battery to the input to regulate a charging current supplied to the battery, the processor configured to regulate the selective coupling such that if a first charge current induces a drop in the input voltage beyond the threshold amount, then the processor will change the charging current to a second charge current that is lower than the first charge current.

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 that stabilizes operation when switching between charge modes includes first and second transistors. The first transistor has a source connected to a first switch circuit. The first switch circuit connects the second transistor to either one of first and second external terminals. A mode switch circuit generates a switch signal for switching from a trickle charge mode to a fast charge mode. The mode switching circuit provides the switching signal to a comparison circuit. After a predetermined time elapses, the mode switching circuit provides the switching signal to the switch circuit. The comparison circuit lowers a current restriction reference voltage, which determines a charging current value, and returns the current restriction reference voltage to its original value after switching modes.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit and a battery charger that stabilizes operation when switching between charging modes. The battery charging circuit includes first and second transistors that form a current mirror circuit with an output transistor. The source terminal of the first transistor is connected to a first resistor, and the source terminal of the second transistor is connected to a second resistor. Each source terminal is connected to a switch circuit, which controls switching between a trickle charge mode and a fast charge mode. The supply of current to the first and second resistors from the discrete transistors reduces the difference in phase lag resulting from the CR time constant and stabilizes operation in the trickle charge and the fast charge modes.

Abstract: A method and integrated circuit for preserving a battery's charge and protecting electrical devices is disclosed. A maximum and a minimum battery voltage value at the output port are stored in a memory. A steady state battery voltage at the output port is measured and stored in the memory. A processor compares the measured steady battery voltage value to the maximum and the minimum battery voltage values. If the measured steady state battery voltage value is greater than the maximum battery voltage value, an over voltage state is reported by the processor. If the measured steady state battery voltage value is less than the minimum battery voltage value, a low battery voltage state is reported by the processor.

Abstract: Battery charging control methods, electric vehicle charging methods, battery charging apparatuses and rechargeable battery systems are described. According to one aspect, a battery charging control method includes accessing information regarding a presence of at least one of a surplus and a deficiency of electrical energy upon an electrical power distribution system at a plurality of different moments in time, and using the information, controlling an adjustment of an amount of the electrical energy provided from the electrical power distribution system to a rechargeable battery to charge the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A method of providing power to an electronic device in an energy-efficient manner includes transitioning between power states corresponding to charging and discharging a battery. The state of charge of the battery is detected. Upon detecting a high threshold state of charge, an external power source such as an AC-to-DC adapter is disabled, and the battery to provides primary power to the electronic device. Upon a low threshold state of charge, the AC-to-DC adapter is controlled to provide a high current output to charge the battery and provide primary power to the electronic device. The power states, when cycled over time based on the state of the battery, provide for an energy-efficient method of powering the electronic device.

Abstract: When detecting an abnormality in some storage batteries, the hybrid vehicle control system separates the faulty storage batteries and leads the sound storage batteries to a high SOC.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a power supply circuit configured to supply, to a battery, a first charge current for a quick charge and a second charge current for a normal charge smaller than the first charge current, the first charge current and the second charge current being generated from a power from the external power supply, and a controller configured to supply the first charge current to the battery to perform a quick charge when a difference value between a first voltage value of the external power supply wherein the power supply circuit supplies a third charge current smaller than the second charge current to the battery and a second voltage value of the external power supply wherein the power supply circuit does not supply the charge current to the battery is smaller than a threshold.

Abstract: A computer system, including a system unit having at least one device; a battery unit which supplies power to the system unit; a charging unit which charges the battery unit at a predetermined charging speed; a user input unit which receives a user input related to a charging speed of the battery unit; and a controller which controls the charging unit to charge the battery unit at the charging speed according to the user input.

Abstract: One or more buttons, located either on a battery pack or on an electronic device powered by the battery pack, that allow the user to charge the battery of a portable device faster than normal. Electronic circuitry is provided for activating the charge mode choices.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power source apparatus includes a secondary battery, an input terminal that inputs charging power for the secondary battery, a voltage measuring module which measures a voltage magnitude of power input from the input terminal, a switch that controls a charging current magnitude of the secondary battery stepwise, and a controller which controls a charging operation of the secondary battery. The controller controls the switch to gradually increase the charging current magnitude of the secondary battery from zero when the controller detects that input of the charging power from the input terminal is started, based on a measurement result of the voltage measuring module, and stops the increase of the charging current magnitude when the voltage magnitude measured by the voltage measuring module becomes a predetermined value lower than the lower limit of a preset range.

Abstract: A charging system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a charging unit having a primary coil, and an implantable medical device comprising a secondary coil to receive charge from the primary coil. The implantable medical device further includes a half-wave voltage-doubling rectifier coupled to the secondary coil, a full-wave rectifier coupled to the secondary coil, and a rechargeable power source. Control logic is provided to periodically configure the rechargeable power source to receive charge from a selected one of the voltage-doubling circuit and the full-wave rectifier in a manner that increases rate at which charge is transferred from the secondary coil to the rechargeable power source. The control logic may configure the rechargeable power source to receive charge based on one or more monitored conditions which may include, for example, an indication of a current, a voltage, a coupling coefficient, back-scatter, and temperature.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a battery management system includes a charger controller for controlling a charging current of a battery according to a status of a load which is powered by the battery, and a counter coupled to the charger controller for determining a charging time according to such status. Advantageously, a first charging current is selected when the load is off. A second charging current that is less than the first charging current is selected when the load is on. Furthermore, a frequency of the counter is set to a first frequency when the load is off. The frequency is set to a second frequency that is less than the first frequency when the load is on.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for electrically charging a plurality of rechargeable battery cells. The battery cells are embodied for a charging with a constant current and an increasing voltage in a first phase and for a charging with a constant voltage and a decreasing current in a second phase following the first phase. In the method, the battery cells are charged sequentially so that only one of the battery cells is charged at a time. The method features the fact that one battery cell is charged in the first phase, the charging of the relevant battery cell in the first phase is interrupted when a predetermined limit voltage is fallen below, and the charging is continued with another battery cell. The invention also relates to a charging system for electrically charging a plurality of rechargeable battery cells.

Abstract: A method and system for planning the journey of a submarine are provided using at least one electrical drive with a battery for energy supply and a charging device for the battery. For a selected future point in time, the remaining available energy reserve of the battery is predicted on the basis of the travel duration up to this point in time, of at least of one consumption profile selected for the travel duration, and of the type and duration of the charging cycles of the battery being effected up to this point in time.

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 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: A switching circuit coupled to one or more input sources and having one or more switching elements controlled to produce an output for charging a battery. A first control circuit is responsive to current of the switching circuit for producing a first control signal to drive the switching element so as to control the current. A second control circuit is responsive to voltage at the battery for producing a second control signal to drive the switching element so as to control voltage developed across the battery. A selector circuit is responsive to the first and second control signals for selectively controlling the switching element.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention relate to a novel apparatus and method for a battery charging system in a shared environment, as well as for monitoring battery usage and tracking battery location. In one embodiment, the battery charging chute comprises a housing configured to receive a battery via an insertion slot and configured to dispense a battery through a dispensing slot. Within the housing, charging terminals are disposed is a spaced or continuous manner, to come in contact with the charging terminals on batteries inserted into the housing. Optionally, solenoid-controlled gates may be employed at the insertion slot and dispensing slot, to inhibit the removal or insertion of batteries from the incorrect location, to ensure that the battery with the longest residence time in the chute is dispensed to a user. The housing may also include a radio-frequency identification tag reader to permit inventorying and tracking of batteries inserted into the housing.

Abstract: A method for charging portable electronic device is disclosed. When the portable electronic device is connected to a power source, the method selects a protecting mode or a fast charging mode to charge the battery according to the current operating status of the portable electronic device. Simultaneously, the battery power is also controlled within a safety range. Therefore, the invention can charge the battery of the portable electronic device at a high speed without affecting the efficiency of the device. Moreover, the battery is also protected from being overcharged to extend the life of the battery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a medium- or large-sized battery module having a plurality of battery cells (unit cells), wherein the battery module is constructed in a structure in which detection units for detecting physical operation state of the battery cells are mounted to the respective battery cells, the detection units are connected to a control unit of the battery module while the detection units are connected in series with each other, and signals (detected signals) detected from the respective battery cells are transmitted to the control unit while the detected signals are included in signals detected from the entire battery cells. The detection units are mounted to the respective battery cells, and therefore, the accuracy of information on the physical operation state of the battery cells is improved, and the circuit for transmitting the detected signals to the control unit is simple although the number of the detection units is large.

Abstract: A battery pack having a secondary battery is disclosed. The battery pack comprises at least one voltage converter; and switching means for switching an operation mode of the voltage converter to one of a charging mode and a discharging mode, in the charging mode, a charging voltage being output to the secondary battery, in the discharging mode, a voltage of the secondary battery being converted into a predetermined discharging voltage and the converted voltage being output.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for charging battery packs. A battery pack connects to an external battery charger. A processor of the battery pack recognizes that the processor is connected the external battery charger. The external battery charger provides charging parameters to the battery pack. The processor sends charging parameters to the external battery in response to recognizing that the processor is connected to the external battery charger.

Abstract: A charger device is configured with electric conducting devices corresponding to electric conducting contact points of a battery. The electric conducting contact points are correspondingly associated with the charger device, a detector device and an automatic switching device. When the charger device is connected to the battery, the detector device determines size of charge current, and when the detector device determines that the charge current has not reached a set value, then the automatic switching device switches a normal charge mode to a boosting charge mode. The detector device stops the charger device from charging if the battery has already been charged for a predetermined time but has not reached a set value, and a display device displays that an abnormal state has occurred, thereby enabling the charger device to achieve the objective of providing good charging effectiveness and functionality to detect abnormalities when connecting to a battery.

Abstract: A technology for charging the battery of a terminal device with efficiency. In a wireless game controller, a charge control unit supplies electric power from an external power supply to a battery. A communication management unit receives a drive request signal to a vibrating motor. A motor control unit supplies a drive current to the vibrating motor in accordance with the drive request signal. The charge control unit performs charge control for the battery in a first mode when the communication management unit does not receive the drive request signal, and performs charge control for the battery in a second mode when the communication management unit does receive the drive request signal. The charge control unit performs the charge control for the battery in the first mode using a charging current higher than that in the second mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a rate of charge/discharge, C rate, or state of charge, SOC, of a battery having unknown characteristics comprises a circuit for applying at least a two-pulse current load to said battery. A change in voltage, ?V, resulting from the application of the second or a subsequent pulse is used to determine the C rate of the battery as a function of ?V. An Open Circuit Voltage, OCV, of the battery a time interval after the completion of the application of the second or subsequent pulse is used to determine the SOC of the battery as a function of OCV.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed toward machine implemented method for estimating the ion density of the surface of either positive or negative electrode of a battery. The machine-implemented method includes dividing each electrode into N layers of active electrode material, determining the ion density variable for each one of the N layers of the active electrode, and determining the ion density of the electrode surface. In the presently disclosed method, the ion density variable of each of the N layers of the active electrode changes as a function of the difference between the respective ion density variables of adjacent N layers, and the ion density of the electrode surface changes as a function of the battery current and the difference between the respective ion density variables of adjacent N layers. The present method is particularly applicable to Li-ion batteries.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling temperature of a vehicle power source. The method includes determining a representative temperature of the power source, determining an ambient zone in which the power source is operating, determining a thermal control action based on the representative temperature and the ambient zone, and adjusting the temperature of the power source based on the thermal control action.