Patent ID: 7550948

Claim:
A method of charging a battery, comprising: providing a first level of current from a power source to the battery via a path extending from a selection module to the battery; providing a second level of current from the same power source to the battery via the same path extending from the selection module to the battery; generating a periodic control signal including a plurality of periods, wherein each period includes a first duration during which the control signal is in a first state and a second duration during which the control signal is in a second state; turning a switch on and off in accordance with the periodic control signal, the switch being turned on during the first duration to couple the power source to the battery and being turned off during the second duration to decouple the power source from the battery; sensing a temperature of an apparatus powered by the battery; responsive to the sensed temperature being in a first temperature state, decreasing the first duration relative to the second duration; and responsive to the sensed temperature being in a second temperature state, increasing the first duration relative to the second duration.