Patent ID: 8310207

Claim:
A multi-purpose battery charging circuit configuration configured to be selectively configurable in a charge-and-play mode that is configured to operate a circuit that is separated from an associated battery and simultaneously charge the battery or operate in a simple charge mode to charge the battery coupled to the circuit, the multi-purpose battery charging circuit configuration comprising: a first switching means coupled between a first node and a fourth node; a bi-directional switching means coupled between a second node and a third node, the bi-directional switching means configured to allow a current flowing from the second node towards the third node to be reverted in order to flow from the third node towards the second node, the bi-directional switching means comprising a semiconductor switching device configured to be controlled by a fourth driver means, wherein the driver means is configured to allow the current flowing from the second node towards the third node to be increased; a first multiplexing means configured to select a driver means from among at least a first, a second, and a third driver means, the selected driver means configured to control the first switching means; a second multiplexing means configured to select the second driver means when the first multiplexing means selects the second driver means, the second driver means configured to control a second switching means coupled to the fourth node, and to deactivate the second driver means when the first multiplexing means selects the first driver means or the third driver means, wherein the current is configured to flow through an external energy storage means when the first multiplexing means selects the second driver means, or a short-circuit means when the first multiplexing means selects the first driver means or the third driver means, the external energy storage means or the short-circuit means being coupled between the fourth node and the second node; and a voltage regulator means comprising at least the first switching means, the second switching means, and the second driver means.