Abstract: A mobile communication device (106) comprising a transceiver (202), and a processor (203) coupled to the transceiver. The processor is programmed to enter (304) an emergency mode corresponding to an alteration type of an element of the mobile communication device, and process (306) messages according to the emergency mode.

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 system (200) includes a battery charger (278) and a battery (202). The battery (202) includes a thermistor (230), a voltage identifying element (240), a switch (244), a memory device (232), and a battery data contact (228), connected to a data port of the memory device (232) and the voltage identifying element (240). The voltage identifying element (240) determines a voltage that controls the switch (244). When the switch (244) is enabled, the thermistor (230), connected to a battery clock contact (224), is active and a microprocessor (102) on the battery charger (278) reads the value of the thermistor (230) via an analog-to-digital converter. When the switch (244) is disabled, the thermistor (230) is switched out and the battery clock contact (224) is used to clock the memory device (232). The battery charger (278) has a data contact (226) for receiving the battery data contact (228) and a clock contact (222) for receiving the battery clock contact (224).

Abstract: Wireless communications devices, such as cellular telephones (100), include an integrated camera (202) and process image data captured by that camera (202) to determine desired device illumination levels. A controller (410) within the wireless communications device (100) causes an image to be captured by the integrated camera (202). The captured image data is processed to determine approximate ambient light levels. A level of device illumination, such as provided by a display backlight (416) and a keypad backlight (418) is controlled based upon the approximate ambient light levels.

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: The invention concerns a method (300) and system (100) for selectively charging a battery (112). In one arrangement, the method can include the steps of coupling (311) the battery to a first power supply (114), coupling (311) the battery to a second power supply (116), determining (312) an available charging current parameter for the battery and selectively enabling (314) a charging circuit (120) for the first power supply and a charging circuit (122) for the second power supply based on the available charging current parameter of the battery. The selectively enabling process can be based on maximizing (316) an available charging current of the battery and minimizing (320) a power dissipation of the battery. As an example, the first power supply can be a hard-wired charger (114), and the second power supply can be a wireless charger (116).

Abstract: A system includes a wireless device (101) and at least one stimulator pad (400, 500). The stimulator pad (400, 500) has a set of electrodes (404) that are in communication with the wireless device (101). The stimulator pad (400, 500) is worn on the skin of a user. The wireless device (101) is operable to receive an incoming signal and to place an electric potential on the conductors (404) so that various areas of the user's body are stimulated and the user will receive notification of the incoming signal in a completely silent manner. The pad (400) can be either wired or wireless and can be used to deliver therapeutic body stimulation as well. In another embodiment, the wireless device (101) controls at least one stimulator pad (400, 500) independent of any incoming signal received.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus (100) for indication of a charging condition. The apparatus includes an indication circuit (126) having at least one electromagnet (120) and a charge control circuit (128) for controlling charging current to a portable device (110). The indication circuit causes the apparatus to electromagnetically engage the portable device and the charge control circuit provides charging current to the portable device during the engagement. The indication circuit also causes the apparatus to electromagnetically decouple the portable device when the portable device is charged to a predetermined level to permit a user to remove the portable device from the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (300) and system (100) for obtaining ambient temperatures. The method can include the steps of coupling (312) an accessory (112) having a first temperature monitor (170) to a portable electronic device (110), operating (314) a power source (114) of the portable electronic device and monitoring (318) an ambient temperature with the first temperature monitor and a temperature of the power source. The method can also include the steps of discontinuing (322) operation of the power source if the temperature of the power source reaches a predetermined threshold and reinitiating (328) the operation of the power source if it is determined (324) that the ambient temperature was within a predetermined range of the predetermined threshold and that the ambient temperature is outside the predetermined range.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (300) and system (100) for affecting gaming conditions based on at least one predefined parameter of a power source (126, 131). The method can include the steps of storing (312) the predefined parameter, in a first gaming unit (110) that receives power from the power source, providing (314) a gaming environment and detecting (316) the presence of the predefined parameter of the power source. The method can also include the step of altering (320) at least one gaming condition in the gaming environment based on the detected predefined parameter.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (300) and system (100) for affecting gaming conditions based on operating conditions of a power source (126). The method includes the steps of—in a first gaming unit (110) that receives power from the power source—providing (312) a gaming environment and monitoring (314) at least one operating condition of the power source. When at least one of the operating conditions reaches a predetermined threshold, the method further includes the step of altering (320) at least one gaming condition in the gaming environment to indicate to a user that the operating condition has reached the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (300) and system (100) for selectively controlling the operation of a power source (126). The method can include the steps of—in a first gaming unit (110)—providing (314) a gaming environment, monitoring (316) a user's performance in the gaming environment and selectively controlling (318) a power capacity of the power source in response to the user's performance in the gaming environment. The power capacity can be a perceived power capacity. The selectively controlling step can include increasing (320) or decreasing (320) the perceived power capacity of the power source.

Abstract: A method (20 or 30) and system (40) for estimating a battery state of charge can include a memory (48) for storing at least one among an impedance value, a plurality of values for V drop 0-1, or a plurality of values for V drop 0-1 normalized for charge or discharge values providing a stored plurality of values. The system can include a processor (44) and can measure at least one among V drop C-0 providing a measured V drop C-0 value and V drop 0-1 for the providing a measured V drop 0-1 value. The processor can be programmed to perform the functions of dividing the V drop C-0 value by the impedance value to estimate a charging current at the battery or comparing the measured V drop 0-1 value with a value among the stored plurality of values to estimate the battery state of charge.

Abstract: A host device (500) is coupled to a peripheral device (104) which is initially not identified. To identify the peripheral device, the host device uses known information and information acquired from the peripheral device to determine the values of several electrical components (122) in the peripheral device. The host device applies different electrical conditions to the components by adjusting the state of I/O ports coupled to the peripheral device and measuring electrical conditions in response at other ports. Once sufficient information has been acquired, the measured values are used with known values of the system to calculate the values of the components in the peripheral device according to known electrical relationships.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) having a portable power source (11) can make use of a plurality of differing charge depleted threshold values (and, in a preferred embodiment, corresponding visual charge-remaining indicators) to determine what level of charge remains in the portable power source (11). This in turn permits the recharging advice as suggested by the visual indicator to better track and reinforce the ordinary recharging behaviors of a given user. So configured, the total lifetime of the portable power source may be extended while also ensuring that the portable power source will be fully charged upon completion of each charging cycle.

Abstract: A device, method and computer readable medium for configuring settings of a device, such as a wireless device (400), based upon detection of nearby surfaces. The device includes a detection signal generator (330, 334, 338) and a detection signal receiver (332, 336). Detection signals include light generated by a display backlight (334) or a keypad (338) that is detected by a camera (336) or other photo-detector. Further detection signals include non-audible frequency sound signals generated by a speaker (330) and that are detected by a microphone (332). The device includes a processor (320) that configures settings in response to the detection of a nearby surface, such as a portion (520, 522) of a holster (500). The settings of the device, such as the wireless device (400), include at least one of a ring setting, a battery setting, a keypad 338 setting, and a display 334 setting.

Abstract: A system for verification of a battery (100) includes the battery (100) and a device (400,500). The battery (100) includes a memory device (135) for storing an identification number and a verification number. The verification number is generated by applying a key to the identification number. The device (400,500) is coupled to the battery (100) and includes a device memory (515) for storing the key and a microprocessor (435,510) for verifying the identification number of the battery (100) by applying the key to the verification number.

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: The invention concerns a system (100) and method (300, 600) of conveying an image (400, 700, 800) position. The method includes the steps of displaying (312, 612) at least a portion of an image on a display (112) and modifying (314, 614) the portion of the image to convey to a user a position of the portion of the image in relation to the entire image. The image can include a background (412) and at least one symbol (410) superimposed on the background. The modifying step can include graduating (316) the contrast of at least a portion of the background in relation to the symbols. In addition, the step of graduating the contrast includes varying (318) at least one of the hue, brightness and saturation of the background.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus (100) for indication of a charging condition. The apparatus includes an indication circuit (126) having at least one electromagnet (120) and a charge control circuit (128) for controlling charging current to a portable device (110). The indication circuit causes the apparatus to electromagnetically engage the portable device and the charge control circuit provides charging current to the portable device during the engagement. The indication circuit also causes the apparatus to electromagnetically decouple the portable device when the portable device is charged to a predetermined level to permit a user to remove the portable device from the apparatus.