Abstract: An apparatus and a method in a wireless device provide for reestablishing a dropped call, wherein a wireless device determines a wireless device callback priority, wherein the wireless device callback priority is relative to a second communication device callback priority associated with a second communication device, wherein the wireless device and the second communication device are established in a communication session. A dropped call between the wireless device and the second communication device is detected. In response to detecting the dropped call, and the wireless device callback priority being higher than the second communication device callback priority, the wireless device calls back the second communication device. If, during the calling back, a match between a callback identifier and an incoming caller identifier of an incoming call is detected, the calling back is terminated, and the incoming call is answered.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and associated methods are described herein for providing automatic selection of an operating communication mode for a mobile communication device in which a communication mode is selected depending on various conditions including power pack voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect particular levels of remaining battery capacities. A ratio of changes in battery output voltage over changes in battery capacity (?V/?C) is calculated. Detected rises in the value of this ratio are used to detect that a battery has a remaining capacity level that is near depletion. In a certain temperature range, the ?V/?C ratio is used to provide an indication that the battery is approaching a low remaining capacity state. In another temperature range, an increase in the ?V/?C ratio indicates that the battery has reached a mid-range remaining capacity level.

Abstract: A method and system for programming rechargeable battery characteristics is provided. The system having: a memory component for storing user profiles; a power management integrated circuit; and a processor for retrieving the user profiles and directing power from the battery to the power management integrated circuit in accordance with the user profiles. The method consists of: determining the type of battery; retrieving user profiles stored in a memory component; and adjusting the battery characteristics according to the user profiles.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a power pack charging circuit. While a device is connected to an electrical charging source, a determination is made that an operating condition of a device satisfies a condition for halting charging of a power pack of the device. While the operating condition of the device satisfies the condition for halting charging of the power pack, a power pack output value is determined. While the operating condition of the device satisfies the condition for halting charging of the power pack, a power pack charging circuit output characteristic is set to an output value that is determined based upon the power pack output value to preclude charging of the power pack.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method in a wireless device provide for reestablishing a dropped call, wherein a wireless device determines a wireless device callback priority, wherein the wireless device callback priority is relative to a second communication device callback priority associated with a second communication device, wherein the wireless device and the second communication device are established in a communication session. A dropped call between the wireless device and the second communication device is detected. In response to detecting the dropped call, and the wireless device callback priority being higher than the second communication device callback priority, the wireless device calls back the second communication device. If, during the calling back, a match between a callback identifier and an incoming caller identifier of an incoming call is detected, the calling back is terminated, and the incoming call is answered.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining a communications mode. An operating condition of a device is monitored to determine if the operating condition satisfies a condition for loss of charging of a power pack of the device. Examples of operating conditions that satisfy a condition for loss of charging of a power pack of the device include determining that a power pack temperature of the power pack exceeds a power reduction temperature threshold and determining that a net electrical current drawn from the power pack exceeds a net charging electrical current delivered to the power pack. In response to determining that an operating condition of a device satisfies a condition for loss of charging of a power pack of the device, a wireless communications mode of the device is switched from a first mode to a second mode, where the second mode consumes less energy than the first mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect a failure of a subset of component power packs within a multiple component rechargeable power pack. At least one parameter of a charging current that is provided for a time duration to a rechargeable power pack is determined. A measured capacity change quantity for the rechargeable power pack during the time duration is estimated. The measured capacity change quantity is compared, after the time duration, to an expected capacity change quantity that is based upon the at least one parameter. A determination is made that at least one component power pack within the rechargeable power pack has failed based on a difference between the measured capacity change quantity and the expected capacity change quantity. A charging current parameter is modified in response to the determining that the at least one component power pack has failed.

Abstract: Systems and methods to determine a power pack charging state. A difference between a first power pack capacity of a power pack at a first time and a second power pack capacity of the power pack at a second time is estimated, where the second time is a time duration after the first time. A determination is made that the charging state is “not charging” if the power pack capacity decreases between the two times. A determination is made that the charging state is “charging” if the power pack capacity increases between the two times. If a change in power pack capacity is not observed between the two times, the power pack charging state of the previous determination is used. Various techniques are used to determine the difference in power pack charging state.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a method for a portable electronic device comprising measuring a temperature of the portable electronic device and switching a power path for the portable electronic device from an external power source to an internal power pack, such as a battery, based on the temperature of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery (126) is normally charged using a constant current/constant voltage charge regime (206, 210), where the battery is charged to a preselected normal voltage level (210) whereupon the voltage is maintained at the limit while the charging current diminishes. The battery charge capacity can be selectively increased by charging the battery to an enhanced voltage level (212). The enhanced charging mode is selected by a user via a device user interface (112), or alternatively by a broadcast command (304) transmitted to the device.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery (126) is normally charged using a constant current/constant voltage charge regime (206, 210), where the battery is charged to a preselected normal voltage level (210) whereupon the voltage is maintained at the limit while the charging current diminishes. The battery charge capacity can be selectively increased by charging the battery to an enhanced voltage level (212) and it can recorded that the battery voltage passed the normal voltage limit. The enhanced charging mode is selected by a user via a device user interface (112), or alternatively by a broadcast command (304) transmitted to the device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a light detection power system (105). The system can include a solar cell charging circuit (120) having at least one solar cell (116) in which the solar cell charging circuit can provide power to a power source (114), a lighting circuit (122) that receives power from the power source and a controller (118) coupled to the solar cell charging circuit and the lighting circuit. The controller can enable the lighting circuit when a power level that the controller detects from the solar cell charging circuit fails to reach a first predetermined threshold. The solar cell charging circuit can include a switch (130) that is controlled by the controller. The controller can further enable the switch when the power level that the controller detects from the solar cell charging circuit reaches a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A mobile communication device 100 has a digital subsystem (110) and a radio frequency subsystem (108), and is powered by a battery (102) which is charged via a charge control circuit (106) using an external power supply (104) connected to the mobile communication device in a single path configuration. The mobile communication device permits limited operation of the mobile communication device by a user while the battery voltage is sufficient to power the digital subsystem but not yet sufficient to power the radio frequency subsystem. The delay in operation is minimized, however, because once charging commences, the battery voltage rises sufficiently fast that, typically, by the time the digital subsystem is initialized, enabled, and powered up, the battery voltage will be sufficient to enable the radio frequency subsystem.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system (100) and method (300) for charging a battery. The method includes the steps of supplying (312) a charging current to a battery (110), sensing (314) the charging current to the battery and selectively signaling (316) an electronic device (118) from the battery to indicate at least one parameter of the battery as the battery is receiving the charging current. As an example, the charging current can be from a wireless charger (116). In addition, the parameter can be, for example, a charging state of the battery or a predetermined current threshold of the charging current.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and system (100) for flash control. The method can include the steps of—in a portable electronic device (122)—detecting (212) a request to operate a flash component (132), determining (214) whether to delay a timing of the operation of the flash component and if the timing will not be delayed, selectively disabling (224) a transmission component (114) for the portable electronic device. The selective disablement can create an operational opportunity (324) for the flash component. The method can also include the step of operating (224) the flash component during the created operational opportunity. As an example, the portable electronic device can be a mobile communications unit having a camera (136), the flash component can provide a flash for the camera and the transmission component can be a power amplifier (128).

Abstract: A charging system (108) supplies a source voltage (Vco, FIG. 5) and a source current (Ico, FIG. 5) to a plurality of battery cells (110). The charging system operates according to a method (200) including the steps of determining (202) a capacity for each of the plurality of battery cells (120 and 130), determining (204) a desired cutoff current (Ico1, FIG. 5) for a select one of the plurality of battery cells (120) having the smallest capacity, determining (206) an optimal source cutoff current according to the capacity of the select one of the plurality of battery cells, adjusting (208) the source current according to the optimal source cutoff current, and upon the source current reaching the optimal source cutoff current, switching out the select one of the plurality of battery cells to allow continued charging of another cell until it is fully charged.

Abstract: The invention concerns an accessory (112) for coupling to a portable electronic device (110). The accessory includes an interface (120) for coupling to the portable electronic device, an identifier (124) in which the identifier generates at least in part a parameter and at least one speaker (128). Only if the accessory contains more than one speaker, the parameter generated at least in part by the identifier causes an audio amplifier (148) that drives one of the speakers to be activated. In addition, the parameter generated at least in part by the identifier can cause the audio amplifier to be deactivated if the accessory contains only one speaker.

Abstract: A portable electronic device and a method to protect the portable electronic device from a battery bounce are provided. The portable electronic device (100) can comprise a free-fall condition sensor (105) enabled to detect a pre-battery bounce condition in the portable electronic device and a processor (110) coupled to the free-fall condition sensor (105). The processor (110), in response to a detection of the pre-battery bounce condition by the free-fall condition sensor (105), can be programmed to place the portable electronic device (100) in a pre-battery bounce setting. The method can include detecting a pre-battery bounce condition in the portable electronic device (405) and in response to the detection of the pre-battery bounce condition (405), placing the portable electronic device in a pre-battery bounce setting (410).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and system (100) for charging a battery (110). The method includes the steps of receiving (212) an input power supply signal (300), monitoring (216) the input power supply signal to determine when the input power supply signal reaches first and second predetermined thresholds (314, 316) and in response to the monitoring step, selectively controlling (217) a charging switch (122) that controls the flow of the input power supply signal to the battery. The controlling step can include activating (220) the charging switch when the input power supply signal reaches the first predetermined threshold and deactivating (226) the switch when the input power supply signal reaches the second predetermined threshold.