Patent ID: 9201478
Filing Date: 2015-12-01
Classification: G06F,H02J,Y02B,Y04S

Abstract:
1. A method of charging a battery associated with a portable device, the method comprising the following operations performed by one or more processors: storing power rate data reflecting a value at which power is purchasable at a particular time from a power source; storing an association between a set of power rates and a respective charging threshold; determining whether a charge level associated with the battery is below a predetermined battery-power threshold by comparing the charge level to the charging threshold corresponding to the stored power rate data; enabling the power source to provide power to the battery for charging when the power source is available to the battery for charging and the charge level associated with the battery is below the predetermined battery-power threshold and the value of the power rate data is not above a predetermined amount; and enabling the device to draw power from the battery for operation, when the charge level associated with the battery is above the predetermined battery-power threshold.