US 11721844

US Patent 11721844: Summary and Independent Claim Analysis

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

Assignee: CHARGELOGIC LLC

Inventors: Christopher B. Austin

Filing Date: March 14, 2022

Issue Date: August 8, 2023

Abstract:
A vehicle charger for charging a vehicle battery includes a controller, a display, and a user-manipulatable control. A user can enter a desired end time for the charging session. The controller then adjusts the power supply to the battery (increasing/decreasing charge rate, starting/stopping charging) to meet the entered end time. The charger can also supply power to the battery if the charge level is below a threshold, regardless of the user-entered time, until that threshold is met. The system can also communicate with a remote controller (e.g., from a power utility) to manage charging based on factors like power cost or grid demand.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

This patent includes 20 claims, with claims 1, 10, and 19 being independent claims.

Independent Claim 1:
This claim describes a vehicle charger that charges a vehicle battery. It includes an electrical power cord that can be attached to the vehicle and a power source. The charger has a controller connected to the power cord, and a transmitter/receiver that communicates with a first controller located remotely from both the vehicle and the charger itself. The charger's controller (the second controller) can change the charging state of the vehicle charger (e.g., start, stop, or adjust charging rate) in response to signals received from that first remote controller.

Independent Claim 10:
This claim focuses on a vehicle charger for charging a vehicle battery during a charging session. Key components include a controller, a display showing the current time, and a user-manipulatable control. A user can use this control to enter a specific time of day by which the charging session should conclude. The charger's controller then manages the supply of electric power to the battery (by increasing/decreasing charge rate, starting, or stopping charging) to ensure the battery is charged by the user-defined end time.

Independent Claim 19:
This claim describes a method for controlling the charging of batteries in multiple vehicles connected to a power generation and distribution system. The method involves first establishing communication with a controller associated with each vehicle's battery charger. Next, it obtains from each charger the time of day by which the respective vehicle's battery charging must be finished. Finally, it changes the power supply to at least some of these battery chargers, with these changes being based, at least in part, on the completion times received from the chargers.

CAFC 2026 Dockets Search:

As of April 26, 2026, a direct search of CAFC dockets specifically for patent 11721844 for cases filed or active in 2026 did not yield specific results within the provided search snippets. However, the general information for the patent (from the provided source document) states "Family has litigation" and references external legal databases (Darts-ip and Unified Patents) where litigation is noted, including a "US case filed in Texas Western District Court". This indicates ongoing or past litigation related to the patent family, but further specific details regarding any direct appeal to the CAFC in 2026 are not immediately available from the general search results.Title: Vehicular battery charger, charging system, and method for transmitting battery charge threshold information

Assignee: CHARGELOGIC LLC

Inventors: Christopher B. Austin

Filing Date: March 14, 2022

Issue Date: August 8, 2023

Abstract:
A vehicle charger for charging a vehicle battery includes a controller, a display, and a user-manipulatable control. A user can enter a desired end time for the charging session. The controller then adjusts the power supply to the battery (increasing/decreasing charge rate, starting/stopping charging) to meet the entered end time. The charger can also supply power to the battery if the charge level is below a threshold, regardless of the user-entered time, until that threshold is met. The system can also communicate with a remote controller (e.g., from a power utility) to manage charging based on factors like power cost or grid demand.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

This patent includes 20 claims, with claims 1, 10, and 19 being independent claims.

Independent Claim 1:
This claim describes a vehicle charger that charges a vehicle battery. It includes an electrical power cord that can be attached to the vehicle and a power source. The charger has a controller connected to the power cord, and a transmitter/receiver that communicates with a first controller located remotely from both the vehicle and the charger itself. The charger's controller (the second controller) can change the charging state of the vehicle charger (e.g., start, stop, or adjust charging rate) in response to signals received from that first remote controller.

Independent Claim 10:
This claim focuses on a vehicle charger for charging a vehicle battery during a charging session. Key components include a controller, a display showing the current time, and a user-manipulatable control. A user can use this control to enter a specific time of day by which the charging session should conclude. The charger's controller then manages the supply of electric power to the battery (by increasing/decreasing charge rate, starting, or stopping charging) to ensure the battery is charged by the user-defined end time.

Independent Claim 19:
This claim describes a method for controlling the charging of batteries in multiple vehicles connected to a power generation and distribution system. The method involves first establishing communication with a controller associated with each vehicle's battery charger. Next, it obtains from each charger the time of day by which the respective vehicle's battery charging must be finished. Finally, it changes the power supply to at least some of these battery chargers, with these changes being based, at least in part, on the completion times received from the chargers.

CAFC 2026 Dockets Search:

As of April 26, 2026, a direct search of CAFC dockets for patent 11721844 did not yield specific results indicating an active case in 2026. However, information from Unified Patents, dated June 8, 2026, mentions "Chargelogic EV battery patent prior art found". While this does not directly confirm a CAFC docket, it indicates ongoing activity related to patents held by CHARGELOGIC LLC, the assignee of US11721844, involving prior art challenges. This type of activity often precedes or is related to proceedings at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), which can subsequently be appealed to the CAFC. The patent information also notes "Family has litigation" and points to a "US case filed in Texas Western District Court". At present, specific dockets for US11721844 at the CAFC in 2026 are not directly available through the current search.