# US 12,184,105 B2 · Charger, charge indicator, and associated methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,184,105 B2 - Document ID: US12184105B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/076,456 - Filed: 2022-12-07 - Published: 2023-03-30 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-30 - Assignees: Transform Sr Brands LLC - Applicants: Transform SR Brands LLC - Inventors: Brian Todd Reese; Mark Good; David Pozgay; Tom Arvia - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12184105B2 ## CPC - H02J 7/731: {specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries (H02J7/751 takes precedence)} - H02J 7/50: acting upon multiple batteries simultaneously or sequentially - H02J 7/56: Active balancing, e.g. using capacitor-based, inductor-based or DC-DC converters - H02J 7/70: characterised by the mechanical construction - H02J 7/825: {Detection of fully charged condition} - H02J 7/35: with light sensitive cells - H02J 7/90: Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage - H02J 2105/44: Portable electronic devices - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY ## Abstract A system and method for charging battery packs is provided. The system may include a charging pad comprising a power supply, a charging pad surface, and a microcontroller unit. The power supply may provide charging power. The charging pad surface may include a first charging region and a second charging region. The microcontroller unit may control delivery of charging power to the first charging region and the second charging region such that a device placed in contact with the first charging region is given a higher charging priority than a device placed in contact with the second charging region. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A charging system, comprising: a charging pad comprising a charging surface divided into at least a first surface region and a second surface region that are non-overlapping; and a controller configured to cause a first portion of available charging power to be delivered to the first surface region of the charging surface and cause a second portion of the available charging power to be delivered to the second surface region of the charging surface; wherein the first surface region of the charging surface recharges a first rechargeable device per the first portion of available charging power when the first rechargeable device is placed in contact with the first surface region of the charging surface; wherein the second surface region of the charging surface recharges the first rechargeable device per the second portion of the available charging power when the first rechargeable device is placed in contact with the second surface region of the charging surface; and wherein the first surface region recharges the first rechargeable device at a faster charging rate than the second surface region recharges the first rechargeable device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The charging system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to monitor charging. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The charging system of claim 1, wherein monitor a first charge level of a first rechargeable device when placed in contact with the first surface region of the charging surface; monitor a second charge level of a second rechargeable device when placed in contact with the second surface region of the charging surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The charging system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to direct the available charging power solely to the first surface region of the charging surface in response to the first rechargeable device being placed in contact with the first surface region and no rechargeable device being placed in contact with the second surface region of the charging surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The charging system of claim 1, comprising: a power supply; and a power cord configured to couple the power supply to a power outlet; wherein the power supply provides the available charging power based on power received via the power cord when coupled the power outlet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The charging system of claim 1, comprising one or more battery cells configured to provide the available charging power. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The charging system of claim 6, comprising one or more solar panels configured to recharge the one or more battery cells. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The charging system of claim 1, comprising: first metal strips arranged along the first surface region of the charging surface such that contact points of the first rechargeable device contact the first metal strips when the first rechargeable device is placed in contact with the first surface region of the charging surface, wherein the first metal strips conductively charge the first rechargeable device via the contact points in contact with the first metal strips; and second metal strips arranged along the second surface region of the charging surface such that the contact points of the first rechargeable device contact the second metal strips when the first rechargeable device is placed in contact with the second surface region of the charging surface, wherein the second metal strips conductively charge the first rechargeable device via the contact points in contact with the second metal strips. ### Claim 9 A charging system, comprising: a charging pad comprising a charging surface that is divided into a first surface region and a second surface region that is distinct from the second surface region; and a controller that is configured to: monitor a first charge level of a first rechargeable device when placed in contact with the first surface region of the charging surface; monitor a second charge level of a second rechargeable device when placed in contact with the second surface region of the charging surface; and direct first charging power to the first surface region and second charging power to the second surface region that is less than the first charging power in response to determining that a first partially charged level indicated by the first charge level of the first rechargeable device is lower than a second partially charged level indicated by the second charge level of the second rechargeable device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The charging system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to direct charging power solely to the first surface region of the charging surface in response to the first rechargeable device being placed in contact with the first surface region and no rechargeable device being placed in contact with the second surface region of the charging surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The charging system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to direct charging power solely to the first surface region in response to the first rechargeable device being placed in contact with the first surface region of the charging surface and the second rechargeable device placed in contact with the second surface region of the charging surface being fully charged. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The charging system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to determine the first charge level of the first rechargeable device and the second charge level of the second rechargeable device based on a first voltage of the first rechargeable device when placed in contact with the first surface region of the charging surface and a second voltage of the second rechargeable device when placed in contact with the second surface region of the charging surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The charging system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to determine the first charge level of the first rechargeable device and the second charge level of the second rechargeable device based on a first discharged amount of the first rechargeable device when placed in contact with the first surface region of the charging surface and a second discharged amount of the second rechargeable device when placed in contact with the second surface region of the charging surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The charging system of claim 9, wherein: first metal strips arranged along the first surface region of the charging surface such that first contact points of the first rechargeable device contact the first metal strips when the first rechargeable device is placed in contact with the first surface region of the charging surface, wherein the first metal strips conductively charge the first rechargeable device via the first contact points in contact with the first metal strips; and second metal strips arranged along the second surface region of the charging surface such that second contact points of the second rechargeable device contact the second metal strips when the second rechargeable device is placed in contact with the second surface region of the charging surface, wherein the second metal strips conductively charge the second rechargeable device via the second contact points in contact with the second metal strips. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The charging system of claim 9, comprising: a power supply; and a power cord configured to couple the power supply to a power outlet; and wherein the power supply provides charging power based on power received via the power cord when coupled the power outlet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The charging system of claim 9, comprising one or more battery cells configured to provide charging power. ### Claim 17 A method of charging, the method comprising: monitoring, via a controller, a first charge level of a first rechargeable device when placed in contact with a first surface region of a charging surface of the charging system; monitoring, via the controller, a second charge level of a second rechargeable device when placed in contact with a second surface region of the charging surface; and increasing an effective charge rate of the first surface region in response to the controller determining that a first partially charged level indicated by the first charge level of the first rechargeable device is lower than a second partially charged level indicated by the second charge level of the second rechargeable device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, comprising directing charging power solely to the first surface region of the charging surface in response to the controller: determining that the first rechargeable device is placed in contact with the first surface region of the charging surface; and determining that no rechargeable device is placed in contact with the second surface region of the charging surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, comprising directing charging power solely to the first surface region of the charging surface in response to the controller: determining that the first rechargeable device is placed in contact with the first surface region of the charging surface; and determining that the second rechargeable device placed in contact with the second surface region of the charging surface is fully charged. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, comprising conductively charging the first rechargeable device via first contact points of the first rechargeable device that are in contact with the first surface region of the charging surface.