Back to results
US 7,116,079 B2Granted
Methods and apparatus for simultaneously charging multiple rechargable batteries
AssigneeResearch In Motion Limited
InventorsRyan Mitchell Bayne, Michael L. Purdy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A charger has two or more separate charging ports to which two or more rechargeable batteries can be coupled, respectively. Current from a single current source is allocated to the two or more separate charging ports so that the two or more rechargeable batteries will be fully charged at substantially the same time.
Claims11
A method of charging two or more rechargeable batteries from a single current source by use of two or more separate charging ports, the batteries being coupled to different respective charging ports, the method comprising:
- determining a charging current to be allocated to each charging port at least in part on an average current drain during usage of the rechargeable battery coupled to the respective charging port;
- and
- allocating charging currents from the single current source to the two or more separate charging ports so that said two or more rechargeable batteries will be fully charged at substantially the same time.
A charger comprising:
- a single current source;
- two or more separate charging ports;
- a current allocator to allocate charging currents from said single current source to said two or more ports;
- a controller to determine said charging currents so that two or more rechargeable batteries coupled respectively to said two or more ports will be fully charged at substantially the same time;
- and
- one or more lookup tables, wherein the controller is configured to determine from the one or more lookup tables an amount of charge required to fully charge each battery based on measured voltage differences at the two or more ports, a battery type of the respective battery and an average current drain of each battery during usage.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.