US 11258107

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 11258107:

Title: Vehicular battery charger, charging system, and method for transmitting battery charge threshold information

Assignee: CHARGELOGIC LLC

Inventors: Christopher B. Austin

Filing Date: 2019-01-16

Issue Date: 2022-02-22

Abstract:
A vehicular battery charger, charging system, and method are provided. The vehicular battery charger includes a controller, a display, and a user-manipulatable control. The user can enter a desired end time for a charging session. The controller then adjusts the power supply to the battery (increasing/decreasing charge rate, starting/stopping charging) based on the time needed to charge the battery by the entered end time. Some embodiments allow the charger to communicate with a remote controller (e.g., from a power utility) to manage charging. The charger can also display information such as remaining charge time, power consumed, and charging cost. Other features include charging to a minimum threshold level regardless of a programmed schedule, detection of power interruptions, and an inductive charging system with positional guidance.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

The patent includes several independent claims, each outlining a distinct aspect of the invention:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a vehicular battery charger that includes a controller, a display, and a user-manipulatable control. A user can set a specific time of day for the charging session to end. The controller then manages the electric power supply to the vehicle's battery (by increasing/decreasing the charge rate, starting, or stopping charging) to ensure the battery is charged by the user-defined end time, considering the time required for charging.
• Claim 11: This claim focuses on a vehicle charger designed to communicate with a first, remote controller (e.g., a power utility's system). The charger has an electrical power cord that connects to the vehicle and a power source, a second controller connected to the cord, and a transceiver for communication with the first controller. The second controller changes the charger's state (e.g., charging, not charging) in response to signals from the first remote controller.
• Claim 15: This claim describes a vehicle charger with a display and user-manipulatable controls located within the vehicle. A user can input a desired time of day, and the vehicle's controller then adjusts the battery charging process (increasing/decreasing charge rate, starting/stopping charging) based on this entered time.
• Claim 18: This claim details a vehicle charger with a controller and memory to store a user-entered time of day. The controller manages battery charging based on this time. A key aspect is that the controller will supply power to the battery if its charge level falls below a specified threshold, even if it's outside the user-entered time, and will continue charging until that threshold is met.
• Claim 24: This claim outlines a vehicle charger with a controller, a display, and accessible memory. The controller manages battery charging based on a time of day and can show at least two different screens on the display: one for charging session information and another for charger settings.
• Claim 25: This claim describes a vehicle charger with a controller and display, where the controller manages battery charging based on a time of day and can display the amount of time remaining to fully charge the battery.
• Claim 27: This claim covers a vehicle charger with a controller and display, where the controller manages battery charging based on a time of day and can display the amount of power consumed by the battery during the charging session.
• Claim 29: This claim describes a vehicle charger with a controller and display, where the controller manages battery charging based on a time of day and can display the cost of power supplied to the vehicle charger.
• Claim 31: This claim defines a vehicle charger with a controller that can change the power supply to the battery based on a time of day. A unique feature is that this controller transmits a signal if it detects an interruption in the power supply to the charger.
• Claim 35: This claim describes a vehicle charger that includes its own battery (vehicle charger battery) and an electrical power cord to supply power from the charger's battery to the vehicle's battery. The controller manages the charging of the vehicle charger battery based on a time of day.
• Claim 38: This claim describes a vehicle charger for inductive charging. It includes a first core on the vehicle and a second core in a stationary location that provides inductive charge. Sensors detect the relative position of the cores, and a display inside the vehicle, coupled to the controller, shows indicators guiding the user on how to move the vehicle for an improved positional relationship between the cores.
• Claim 41: This claim describes a vehicle charger with a first electrical connector on one side of the vehicle and a second electrical connector on a different side of the vehicle. Both connectors are designed for releasable connection to an external power cord.
• Claim 42: This claim describes a method for controlling the charging of multiple electric vehicle batteries connected to a power grid. The method involves establishing communication with each vehicle's battery charger, obtaining the desired charge completion time from each charger, and then adjusting the power supplied to at least some of the chargers based on these completion times.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
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