A control system for charging enabling efficient charging of rechargeable batteries in an electronic apparatus which charges its rechargeable batteries by using a charger circuit when driving the apparatus by using an external power source, including first detecting unit for detecting a differential value between a maximum permissible charging current allowed by the rechargeable batteries and a charging current flowing to the rechargeable batteries; second detecting unit for detecting a maximum usable current by detecting a differential value between a maximum supplyable current allowed by the external power source and the current consumption of the apparatus; third detecting unit for detecting a differential value between a maximum useable current and the charging current flowing to the rechargeable batteries; and control unit for controlling the system in accordance with the differential values detected by the first and third detecting units so that the charger circuit generates the maximum charging current within the range where the charging current flowing to the rechargeable batteries does not exceed either of the maximum permissible charging current and the maximum useable current.

Control system for charging batteries and electronic apparatus using same

A power supply is disclosed for use in battery powered electronic devices. The power supply includes a power source which supplies power to the electronic device itself as well as to battery charging circuitry integral to the power supply. The battery charging circuitry monitors an output current, or other parameter, of the power source output. Feedback circuitry regulates the output of the battery charging circuitry so that output current, or other parameter of the power source output, is kept within predetermined limits.

Battery charging circuitry having supply current regulation

An external universal battery charging apparatus which can include external universal battery charger circuitry having at least one universal battery charger circuitry input and at least one universal battery charger circuitry output. The universal battery charger circuitry output can include at least one battery charger output, which itself can include at least one universal battery connector and at least one universal battery charger cable. The at least one universal battery charger circuitry output can include at least one adapter pass through output, which itself can include at least one connector adapted to operably connect to an electronic device. The external universal battery charger circuitry can include at least one battery recognition and parameter adjustment circuit, battery current parameter adjustment circuit, charged voltage parameter adjustment circuit, and maximum power draw parameter adjustment circuit. The external universal battery charging apparatus can include a maximum rated power supply determination unit. The method can include detecting a battery, identifying characteristics of the battery, and adjusting at least one parameter in universal battery charger circuitry in response to the characteristics of the battery such that optimum battery charging is achieved.

External universal battery charging apparatus and method

An adaptive battery charger for charging batteries used in portable electronic devices. The battery charger monitors power provided from an AC adapter to the portable electronic device, and adaptively utilizes all available power from the AC adapter for charging the batteries, both when the portable electronic device is off, and when it is in use. As the power required for the portable electronic device increases, the power provided to the batteries decreases. As the power required to power the portable electronic device decreases, the power available to charge the batteries increases.

Adaptive power battery charging apparatus

A power supply control apparatus (113) for an electronic device (102) includes a terminal (115) to couple to a battery (103), a connector (122) to couple to an external power supply (172), a switch circuit (140) coupled to the terminal (115) and the connector (122), and a controller (108) coupled to the switch circuit (140). The switch circuit (140) connects the terminal (115) to power the electronic device (102) from the terminal (115) when the battery (103) is attached and disconnects the terminal (115) to power the electronic device (102) from the connector (122) when the external power supply (172) is attached. The controller (108) selectively controls the switch circuit (140) to connect the connector (122) to the terminal (115) so as to charge the battery (103) from the external power supply (172).

Power supply control apparatus and method suitable for use in an electronic device

A switching circuit, comprising a first input for receiving power from an external power supply; a second input for receiving power for rapid charging a battery; means for selectively coupling to a power output for driving a device at least one of such power from the external power supply and power from the battery; and means for coupling such power for rapid charging a battery to the battery at the same time such power from the external power supply is coupled to the power output.

David F. Wissel

Papers

Switching circuit for simultaneous rapid battery charge and system operation