The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 11, 2001
Filed:
May. 15, 2000
Shigefumi Odaohhara, Yamato, JP;
Keiji Suzuki, Fujisawa, JP;
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling battery charging current selectively receive electrical power from either a first external power source or a second external power source and outputs part of the power source to a charger for charging a battery. A reference value supplying apparatus gives a first reference value equivalent to the output current capability of the first external power source when a charging-current controller is connected to the first external power source and gives a second reference value equivalent to the current capability of the second external power source when the charging-current controller is connected to the second external power source. A current detection circuit detects current that the charging-current controller receives from either the first external power source or the second external power source and a charging current control circuit controls a charging current in the charger so that the charging current does not exceed the first or second reference value detected by the current detection circuit.