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Battery charger system and method for providing detailed battery status and charging method information about multiple batteries

  • US 6,768,286 B2
  • Filed: 08/20/2002
  • Issued: 07/27/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method in a battery charger for charging one of a plurality of batteries, said method comprising the steps of:

  • providing a controller within said battery charger, said controller being simultaneously coupled to said plurality of batteries;

    selecting one of said plurality of batteries;

    starting, utilizing said controller, a measurement cycle of said one of said plurality of batteries;

    during said measurement cycle, determining current battery characteristics of said one of said plurality of batteries utilizing said controller;

    determining, utilizing said controller, whether said one of said plurality of batteries is ready for charging by determining whether said current battery characteristics of said one of said plurality of batteries are within a specified range;

    determining a current charging state of said one of said plurality of batteries utilizing said controller;

    utilizing, by said controller, said battery characteristics and said current charging state to determine an appropriate charging method for said one of said plurality of batteries;

    causing, utilizing said controller, said battery charger to charge said one of said plurality of batteries utilizing said appropriate charging method;

    wherein the step of determining a current charging state of said one of said plurality of batteries utilizing said controller further comprises the step of determining, utilizing said controller, whether said one of said plurality of batteries is currently not being charged;

    determining, by said controller, whether a first flag in said controller is set, said first flag being set when said one of said plurality of batteries is to be discharged; and

    in response to a determination that said first flag is set, causing, utilizing said controller, said battery charger to discharge said one of said plurality of batteries.

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