US 11909011

US Patent 11,909,011: Vehicular Battery Charger, Charging System, and Method Displaying Charge Information

Title: Vehicular battery charger, charging system, and method displaying charge information

Assignee: CHARGELOGIC LLC

Inventors: Christopher B. Austin

Filing Date: September 21, 2022

Issue Date: February 20, 2024

Abstract:
A vehicular battery charger, charging system, and method are provided for charging an electric vehicle battery and displaying charge information. The charger can include a controller and a display. The controller can change the supply of electric power to the vehicle battery during a charging session based on a user-entered time of day for the session to end. The controller can increase or decrease the charge rate, start, or stop charging based on the time needed to charge the battery by the user-specified end time. Various information can be displayed, such as remaining charge time, power consumed, and cost of power. Communication with a remote controller (e.g., a power utility) is also possible, allowing the remote controller to influence charging based on factors like power demand and cost. The charger can also automatically provide a minimum charge level regardless of the programmed schedule. Inductive charging and multiple electrical connectors are also contemplated.

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Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

US Patent 11,909,011 includes multiple independent claims covering various aspects of the invention, broadly categorized as a vehicular battery charger, a vehicular charging system, and a method for controlling battery charging.

Independent Claim 1: Vehicular Battery Charger with Time-Based Control and Display
This claim describes a vehicular battery charger for charging a vehicle's battery. It includes a controller, a display connected to the controller for showing the time, and a user-operable control for entering a desired charging session end time. The controller manages the power supply to the battery during charging (e.g., increasing/decreasing charge rate, starting/stopping charging) based on the time required to fully charge the battery by the user-defined end time.

Independent Claim 13: Vehicular Battery Charger with Remote Communication
This claim details a vehicular battery charger designed to communicate with a first controller located remotely from both the vehicle and the charger. The charger itself has an electrical power cord that can be connected to the vehicle or a power source, a second controller linked to the power cord, and a transmitter/receiver for communicating with the first remote controller. The second controller in the charger adjusts its charging state (e.g., starts/stops charging, changes rate) in response to signals received from the first remote controller.

Independent Claim 14: Vehicular Battery Charger with Minimum Charge Override
This claim focuses on a vehicular battery charger that includes a controller and a memory to store a user-entered time of day. The controller regulates the power supply for charging the battery (increasing/decreasing rate, starting/stopping) based on this stored time. Crucially, if the battery's charge level drops below a set threshold, the controller will supply power to the battery until that threshold is met, regardless of the user-entered time of day.

Independent Claim 15: Vehicular Battery Charger with Multiple Display Screens
This claim describes a vehicular battery charger with a controller, a display, and accessible memory for storing a time of day. The controller manages the battery's power supply during charging based on the time of day. A key feature is the controller's ability to show at least two distinct screens on the display: one for displaying information about the current charging session and another for displaying settings that define how the charger operates.

Independent Claim 18: Vehicular Charging System for Multiple Vehicles
This claim describes a method for controlling battery charging in multiple vehicles, each connected to a power generation and distribution system. The method involves establishing communication with a controller linked to each vehicle's battery charger. It then obtains from each charger the desired completion time for battery charging. Finally, it adjusts the power supplied to at least some of the battery chargers, taking into account the received completion times.

Independent Claim 21: Vehicular Battery Charger with In-Vehicle Display and Inductive Alignment
This claim describes a vehicular battery charger for inductive charging. It includes a first core on the vehicle and a second core in a stationary location that provides an inductive charge when the cores are in a suitable position. The system also has at least one sensor to detect the relative position of the two cores, a display inside the vehicle visible to a user, and a controller connected to the display. The controller uses signals from the sensor to show indicators on the display, guiding the user on how to move the vehicle to improve the alignment between the cores.

Independent Claim 22: Vehicular Battery Charger with Multiple Charging Ports
This claim describes a vehicular battery charger comprising a controller and the battery. The charger is characterized by having a first electrical connector on one side of the vehicle and a second electrical connector on a different side, both connected to the battery and the controller. Both connectors are designed to be interchangeably connected to an external power cord for supplying power to the vehicle.

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CAFC 2026 Dockets:

A search of the CAFC 2026 dockets did not identify any specific litigation involving patent US11909011 as of April 26, 2026. The search results provided general patent infringement cases in the Federal Circuit for 2026, but none were directly linked to this patent number.