Method and apparatus for rapidly charging a battery of a portable computing device
First Claim
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1. A method for charging a battery within a portable computing device using a charge current, said method comprising:
- (a) coupling the portable computing device to a power source;
(b) obtaining a maximum charge current and a maximum charge voltage from the battery;
(c) determining an amount of power from the power source that is available for charging the battery;
(d) determining an efficient charge current based on the battery voltage and the amount of power available; and
(e) producing a charge current based on the lesser of the maximum charge current and the efficient charge current, the charge current being used to charge the battery.
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Abstract
Improved techniques for charging batteries within portable computing devices are disclosed. The improved techniques operates to charge a battery at an approximately constant power level by adjusting a charge current as the battery voltage changes. As a result, the battery is able to be charged at a rate that is significantly faster than previously performed. Also, by monitoring the amount of power that is available for charging, the improved techniques ensure that the portable computing device is not starved for power during its operation.
193 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for charging a battery within a portable computing device using a charge current, said method comprising:
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(a) coupling the portable computing device to a power source; (b) obtaining a maximum charge current and a maximum charge voltage from the battery; (c) determining an amount of power from the power source that is available for charging the battery; (d) determining an efficient charge current based on the battery voltage and the amount of power available; and (e) producing a charge current based on the lesser of the maximum charge current and the efficient charge current, the charge current being used to charge the battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for charging a battery of a portable computing device from a power supply, comprising:
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(a) determining an amount of power available for charging from the power supply; (b) determining power limits for charging the battery from the battery; (c) setting a power charge level for charging the battery based on the power limits and the available power; and (d) charging the battery in accordance with the power charge level. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A computer system, comprising:
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a power supply for providing DC power to said computer system from an AC power source; a battery for providing DC power to said computer system; a processing and storage apparatus for performing computations as well as storage and retrieval of data; a power management unit for monitoring status of said battery and determining a power charge level for charging said battery based on an amount of available power from said power supply after supplying power to said processing apparatus; and a battery charge circuit for delivering power from said power supply to said battery in accordance with the power charge level. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification