Patent ID: 6768286
Filing Date: 2004-07-27
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
A method in a battery charger for charging one of a plurality of batteries, said method comprising the steps of:providing a controller within said battery charger, said controller being simultaneously coupled to said plurality of batteries; selecting one of said plurality of batteries; starting, utilizing said controller, a measurement cycle of said one of said plurality of batteries; during said measurement cycle, determining current battery characteristics of said one of said plurality of batteries utilizing said controller; determining, utilizing said controller, whether said one of said plurality of batteries is ready for charging by determining whether said current battery characteristics of said one of said plurality of batteries are within a specified range; determining a current charging state of said one of said plurality of batteries utilizing said controller; utilizing, by said controller, said battery characteristics and said current charging state to determine an appropriate charging method for said one of said plurality of batteries; causing, utilizing said controller, said battery charger to charge said one of said plurality of batteries utilizing said appropriate charging method; wherein the step of determining a current charging state of said one of said plurality of batteries utilizing said controller further comprises the step of determining, utilizing said controller, whether said one of said plurality of batteries is currently not being charged; determining, by said controller, whether a first flag in said controller is set, said first flag being set when said one of said plurality of batteries is to be discharged; and in response to a determination that said first flag is set, causing, utilizing said controller, said battery charger to discharge said one of said plurality of batteries.