Abstract: Printed circuit boards are provided with embedded components. The embedded components may be mounted within recesses in the surface of a printed circuit board substrate. The printed circuit board substrate may have grooves and buried channels in which wires may be mounted. Recesses may be provided with solder pads to which the wires may be soldered or attached with conductive adhesive. An integrated switch may be provided in an opening within a printed circuit board substrate. The integrated switch may have a dome switch member that is mounted within the opening. A cover member for the switch may be formed from a flexible layer that covers the dome switch member. Terminals for the integrated switch may be formed from conductive structures in an interior printed circuit board layer. Interconnects may be used to electrically connect embedded components such as switches, integrated circuits, solder pads for wires, and other devices.

Abstract: A smart cable apparatus includes resources that provide for additional functionality such as cable authentication and cable identification. The cable apparatus can be configured for coupling an electronic device such as a media player to other electronic devices such as media player accessories. The cable apparatus includes one or more processing components that can be integrated as part of the cable apparatus. The one or more processing components can be configured to identify the type of signal the cable apparatus is intended to carry, and to communicate that information to the electronic device to which it is connected. The one or more processing components can also be configured to process authentication inquires to indicate whether the cable apparatus is an authorized accessory for the electronic device.

Abstract: Power supply devices are provided that can include power regulating circuitry for regulating (e.g., transforming or converting) electric power to be passed to an electronic device. A power supply device can also include control circuitry coupled with the regulating circuitry. The control circuitry can determine when the power supply device is coupled with an electronic device. The control circuitry can control the operation of the regulating circuitry based on whether or not the power supply device is coupled with the electronic device.

Abstract: Accessories such as headsets for electronic devices are provided. A headset may be provided with a button controller assembly that has user-actuated buttons and a microphone. The microphone may be formed by mounting a microphone transducer on a printed circuit board. A housing may be mounted over the transducer to form a sealed cavity for the transducer. Circuitry may be mounted on portions of the printed circuit board that extend beyond the edges of the microphone housing. The button controller assembly may have dome switches. The dome switches may have a housing that encloses dome switch components and that forms a structural internal part for the button controller. The dome switch housing structure may have tabs or other engagement features that mate with corresponding engagement features in a button member. The button member may be pressed by a user to actuate a desired dome switch.

Abstract: A portable computing device (PCD) can selectively supply power to an accessory during PCD hibernation. In some embodiments, the PCD's default behavior is to disable accessory power output during hibernation, and this default behavior can be overridden in response to a request from a connected accessory. The accessory can use the power supplied during PCD hibernation to detect user input (or other) events and wake the PCD from hibernation in response to a detected event. Some accessories can wake the PCD by emulating accessory detachment and reattachment.

Abstract: An accessory for use with a portable computing device is provided. The accessory includes a keypad and a pedestal to house the control circuitry and provide mechanical stability for the accessory. The accessory includes a metal mass that performs dual functions of providing the mass for stability as well as acting as a ground connection for the keypad and other control circuitry. The accessory includes a connector for interfacing with a portable computing device and an additional connector for interfacing with an additional accessory.

Abstract: Power supply devices are provided that can include power regulating circuitry for regulating (e.g., transforming or converting) electric power to be passed to an electronic device. A power supply device can also include control circuitry coupled with the regulating circuitry. The control circuitry can determine when the power supply device is coupled with an electronic device. The control circuitry can control the operation of the regulating circuitry based on whether or not the power supply device is coupled with the electronic device.

Abstract: Power supply devices are provided that can include power regulating circuitry for regulating (e.g., transforming or converting) electric power to be passed to an electronic device. A power supply device can also include control circuitry coupled with the regulating circuitry. The control circuitry can determine when the power supply device is coupled with an electronic device. The control circuitry can control the operation of the regulating circuitry based on whether or not the power supply device is coupled with the electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a media device that controls input and output characteristics based on one or more associated conditions.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer-readable media, and other means are described for utilizing touch-based input components that provide localized haptic feedback to a user. The touch-based input components can be used and/or integrated into any type of electronic device, including laptop computers, cellular telephones, and portable media devices. The touch-based input components can use, for example, a grid of piezoelectric actuators to provide vibrational feedback to a user, while the user scrolls around a click wheel, slides across a trackpad, or touches a multi-touch display screen.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that enable identification of an accessory device or other peripheral device via a serial communication link. An electronic device (e.g., a media player or portable media device) may identify an accessory device using a serial communication link when the accessory device is attached or coupled to the electronic device. Based on serial communications, for example, the electronic device may discover and identify an accessory device to determine whether one or more preferences or functionalities should be set or enabled. The electronic device may also discover whether an accessory device or its manufacturer, distributor, or retailer is authorized or licensed to enable certain functionalities or set certain preferences when connect to the electronic device.

Abstract: A smart cable apparatus includes resources that provide for additional functionality such as cable authentication and cable identification. The cable apparatus can be configured for coupling an electronic device such as a media player to other electronic devices such as media player accessories. The cable apparatus includes one or more processing components that can be integrated as part of the cable apparatus. The one or more processing components can be configured to identify the type of signal the cable apparatus is intended to carry, and to communicate that information to the electronic device to which it is connected. The one or more processing components can also be configured to process authentication inquires to indicate whether the cable apparatus is an authorized accessory for the electronic device.