Patent ID: 8248032

Claim:
A charging system comprising: a power source having a predetermined rating capacity; a first battery pack; a first charger; a first system load coupled to said first battery pack and said first charger; and a controller for determining whether or not a portable computer to be charged by said charging system includes a second battery pack, wherein said portable computer includes a second charger and a second system load, wherein said controller, in response to said portable computer includes a second battery pack, permits said first and second battery packs to be charged while ensuring the power consumptions of said first and second system loads are completely met when the total power consumption of said first and second chargers and said first and second system loads is less than a first predetermined output power threshold of said power source, and stops said first battery pack from being charged and permits said second battery pack to be charged while ensuring the power consumptions of said first and second system loads are completely met when the total power consumption of said first and second chargers and said first and second system loads exceeds said first predetermined output power threshold but less than a second predetermined output power threshold of said power source.