Patent ID: 8259221

Claim:
A digital camera configured to be powered by rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, the digital camera comprising: one or more rechargeable NiMH batteries; first internal circuitry configured to receive power from a universal serial bus (USB) port associated with an external power source and to charge the rechargeable NiMH batteries without removing the rechargeable NiMH batteries from the digital camera; and second internal circuitry configured to: detect the presence of the rechargeable NiMH batteries within the digital camera as opposed to non-rechargeable batteries; allow the rechargeable NiMH batteries to be charged when the presence of the rechargeable NiMH batteries is detected; upon detecting the presence of the rechargeable NiMH batteries within the digital camera, set a first charge timeout value based on the internal circuitry supplying a first charge current to the rechargeable NiMH batteries for a first duration of time when the received power has a first current level and to set a second charge timeout value based on the first internal circuitry supplying a second charge current to the rechargeable NiMH batteries for a second duration of time when the received power has a second current level, and wherein the first duration of time is less than the second duration of time, and the first current level is greater than the second current level.