Intelligent multiple battery charging station

A method for charging a plurality of batteries in a multiple battery charging station, the method comprising:

• determining a status of a parameter for each of the plurality of batteries, wherein the parameter is one of,
• an identification or serial number of a given battery;
• a type of device to be powered by a given battery;
• or
• a type of user to use a device powered by a given battery;
• determining if the plurality of batteries are to be charged during a peak usage time period or an off-peak usage time period;
• calculating a peak charge schedule, if the plurality of batteries are to be charged during the peak usage time period including,
• determining a priority rating for each of the plurality of batteries based upon the status of the parameter corresponding to the battery, and
• setting a charge rate for charging each of the plurality of batteries based upon the determined priority rating for each of the plurality of batteries;
• calculating an off-peak charge schedule, if the plurality of batteries are to be charged during the off-peak usage time period including,
• setting the charge rate for charging each of the plurality of batteries based at least upon the status of the parameter corresponding to the battery and a time available for charging the battery;
• and
• charging each of the plurality of batteries in accordance with the charge rate associated with the peak charge schedule or the charge rate associated with the off-peak charge schedule.

A computer readable medium with program instructions tangibly stored thereon for charging a first battery of a plurality of batteries in a multiple battery charging station, the program instructions comprising instructions for:

• determining a status of a parameter for the first battery, wherein the parameter is one of,
• an identification or serial number of the first battery;
• a type of device to be powered by the first battery;
• or
• a type of user to use a device powered by the first battery;
• determining whether the first battery is to be charged during a peak usage time period or an off-peak usage time period;
• responsive to a determination that the first battery is to be charged during the peak usage time period, determining a priority rating for charging the first battery relative to a second battery of the plurality of batteries based upon the status of the parameter for the first battery;
• and
• charging the first battery in accordance with the determined priority rating.

A computer readable medium with program instructions tangibly stored thereon for charging a plurality of batteries in a multiple battery charging station, the program instructions comprising instructions for:

• determining a status of a parameter for each of the plurality of batteries, wherein the parameter is one of,
• an identification or serial number of a given battery;
• a type of device to be powered by a given battery;
• or
• a type of user to use a device powered by a given battery;
• determining if the plurality of batteries are to be charged during a peak usage time period or an off-peak usage time period;
• calculating a peak charge schedule, if the plurality of batteries are to be charged during the peak usage time period including,
• determining a priority rating for each of the plurality of batteries based upon the status of the parameter corresponding to the battery, and
• setting a charge rate for charging each of the plurality of batteries based upon the determined priority rating for each of the plurality of batteries;
• calculating an off-peak charge schedule, if the plurality of batteries are to be charged during the off-peak usage time period including,
• setting the charge rate for charging each of the plurality of batteries based at least upon the status of the parameter corresponding to the battery and a time available for charging the battery;
• and
• charging each of the plurality of batteries in accordance with the charge rate associated with the peak charge schedule or the charge rate associated with the off-peak charge schedule.