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BrianG · 09.16.2006, 01:34 AM

I really have no idea about the cost. For the raw components; probably right around $50 if not less. But the initial R&D, circuit board layout and etching; probably quite a bit more. After all, any charger is simply a constant current source, constant voltage source, or a combination of the two. Quite simple really. It's just a matter of controlling that via a USB controller IC and then writing software to utilize it. Seems like a neat idea if some company had the capital and designers to do something like this.

Neweuser: I was thinking the PC would be the full brains. Using a card to upload/download data would require a microcontroller in the charger. I was trying to simplify it further. But just imagine not being limited with display possibilities and any charging option you can think of!

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BrianG RC-Monster Admin Offline Posts: 14,609 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Des Moines, IA	09.16.2006, 01:34 AM I really have no idea about the cost. For the raw components; probably right around $50 if not less. But the initial R&D, circuit board layout and etching; probably quite a bit more. After all, any charger is simply a constant current source, constant voltage source, or a combination of the two. Quite simple really. It's just a matter of controlling that via a USB controller IC and then writing software to utilize it. Seems like a neat idea if some company had the capital and designers to do something like this. Neweuser: I was thinking the PC would be the full brains. Using a card to upload/download data would require a microcontroller in the charger. I was trying to simplify it further. But just imagine not being limited with display possibilities and any charging option you can think of!