Abstract: A system for securing a user device to a body includes a magnet and an attraction plate. One of the magnet or the attraction plate is mechanically coupled to the body, and the other of the magnet or the attraction plate is mechanically coupled to the user device. The magnet is selectively activated to hold the attraction plate and, thereby, secure the user device to the body.

Abstract: A method performed by an audio system comprising a headset. The method sends a playback signal containing user-desired audio content to drive a speaker of the headset that is being worn by a user, receives a microphone signal from a microphone that is arranged to capture sounds within an ambient environment in which the user is located, performs a speech detection algorithm upon the microphone signal to detect speech contained therein, in response to a detection of speech, determines that the user intends to engage in a conversation with a person who is located within the ambient environment, and, in response to determining that the user intends to engage in the conversation, adjusts the playback signal based on the user-desired audio content.

Abstract: An electronic system can include a charged system and a charging system. The charged system can include a charger and a battery configured to be charged thereby. The charger may be configured to receive power from a charging system that includes a power converter configured to supply power to the charger and a controller configured to control the power converter. The controller may be configured to receive feedback information from the charged system, including one or more voltages. The controller may be further configured to determine an output voltage compensation value for the power converter as a function of the feedback information and to set an output voltage of the power converter as a function of the compensation value. The compensation value and output voltage may be selected to maintain a preselected headroom between a battery charging target voltage of the charger and a voltage supplied to the charger.

Abstract: A method performed by an audio system comprising a headset. The method sends a playback signal containing user-desired audio content to drive a speaker of the headset that is being worn by a user, receives a microphone signal from a microphone that is arranged to capture sounds within an ambient environment in which the user is located, performs a speech detection algorithm upon the microphone signal to detect speech contained therein, in response to a detection of speech, determines that the user intends to engage in a conversation with a person who is located within the ambient environment, and, in response to determining that the user intends to engage in the conversation, adjusts the playback signal based on the user-desired audio content.

Abstract: A charging case for a pair of earbuds that comprises: a body having one or more cavities configured to receive the pair of earbuds; a lid attached to the body and operable between a closed position where the lid is aligned over the one or more cavities covering the pair earbuds and an open position that allows a user to remove the pair of earbuds from the body; one or more sensors that generates sensor data; a controller coupled to receive the sensor data from the sensor and operable to detect when the charging case is in freefall and/or suffers an impact event based, at least in part, on the sensor data and generate a trigger signal in response to detecting the impact event; and an earbud protection mechanism responsive to the trigger signal and operable to retain the pair of earbuds within the charging case.

Abstract: An electronic system can include a charged system and a charging system. The charged system can include a charger and a battery configured to be charged thereby. The charger may be configured to receive power from a charging system that includes a power converter configured to supply power to the charger and a controller configured to control the power converter. The controller may be configured to receive feedback information from the charged system, including one or more voltages. The controller may be further configured to determine an output voltage compensation value for the power converter as a function of the feedback information and to set an output voltage of the power converter as a function of the compensation value. The compensation value and output voltage may be selected to maintain a preselected headroom between a battery charging target voltage of the charger and a voltage supplied to the charger.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a battery utilizing an indicator to orient an unopposed portion of a cathode or anode with respect to a battery can, and a tag to generate an electromagnetic field to mitigate or eliminate an electromagnetic field generated by the unopposed portion of the cathode or anode. The battery includes a wound set of layers including a cathode, an anode, and a separator; a can housing the wound set of layers; a lid disposed atop of the can to enclose the wound set of layers within the can; and a tag coupled to the lid. An unopposed portion of the cathode or anode generates a first electromagnetic field. The tag generates a second electromagnetic field to oppose the first electromagnetic field.

Abstract: Simplified interfaces for charging and communication between accessories and docking stations. One example may provide an interface for charging and communication between an accessory and docking station where data and a charging voltage are provided over the same pins. An accessory may determine that it is in a powered docking station by receiving a charging voltage. The accessory may determine that it is in an unpowered docking station by providing a voltage to the unpowered docking station, where the unpowered docking station uses the voltage to power an oscillator. The oscillator signal may be received by the accessory, which may use the presence of the signal to determine that it is in an unpowered docking station.

Abstract: A system for securing a user device in a vehicle includes a magnet and an attraction plate. One of the magnet or the attraction plate is mechanically coupled to the vehicle, and the other of the magnet or the attraction plate is mechanically coupled to the user device. The magnet is selectively activated to hold the attraction plate and, thereby, secure the user device to the vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for digital bus operation. In one embodiment, the digital bus is a bidirectional, time-division multiplexing (TDM) audio bus operation, and a bus technology is described that enables multi-drop (e.g., multiple device, multiple node, etc.) connectivity for real-time audio over a small form factor interface (e.g., as few as two (2) wires). Specifically, an exemplary tri-level signaling scheme provides bidirectional functionality, real-time clock edges, audio data, in a multi-drop topology in one implementation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for equalization of a high speed serial bus. A well-tuned passive equalization circuit for use with high frequency differential signals suffer from e.g., impedance mismatches, impedance discontinuities (e.g., connectors, etc.). In one embodiment, a shunting circuit is inserted between the differential terminals of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable, connector, etc. The shunting circuit is configured to “open” at low frequencies to enable Full Speed (FS) enumeration, while also providing sufficiently high impedance at high frequencies to enable High Speed (HS) operation. In one such implementation, the shunting circuit includes a tuned resistor, capacitor, inductor, and switch element arranged in series.

Abstract: Simplified interfaces for charging and communication between accessories and docking stations. One example may provide an interface for charging and communication between an accessory and docking station where data and a charging voltage are provided over the same pins. An accessory may determine that it is in a powered docking station by receiving a charging voltage. The accessory may determine that it is in an unpowered docking station by providing a voltage to the unpowered docking station, where the unpowered docking station uses the voltage to power an oscillator. The oscillator signal may be received by the accessory, which may use the presence of the signal to determine that it is in an unpowered docking station.

Abstract: A removable case may receive an electronic device. A male connector in the case may mate with a female connector in the device. A battery in the case may supply power to the device through the male connector. The electronic device may have an antenna. The case may have a supplemental antenna that compensates for variations in performance in the antenna when the device is received within the case. The supplemental antenna may be a parasitic antenna resonating element that is formed from metal traces on a flexible printed circuit. The flexible printed circuit, a metal trim structure, and a plastic support structure may form portions of a connector support structure in the case.

Abstract: This application relates to a moisture ingress sensor. In particular, this application relates to a moisture ingress sensor that can detect liquid ingress into an electronic device. The moisture ingress sensor can include a resistor, an N-channel MOSFET, an operation amplifier, comparators, and an AND logic gate. The moisture ingress sensor is configured to provide a lower power means for accurately detecting moisture in an electronic device. Multiple areas of the electronic device can include the moisture ingress sensor in order to optimize the detection of moisture for at a variety of regions of the electronic device. Additionally, the electronic device can record signals from the moisture ingress sensor and shut down components of the electronic device that could be affected by the detected moisture. Furthermore, the moisture ingress sensor can be tuned to detect one or more types of liquids.

Abstract: A removable case may receive an electronic device. A male connector in the case may mate with a female connector in the device. A battery in the case may supply power to the device through the male connector. The electronic device may have an antenna. The case may have a supplemental antenna that compensates for variations in performance in the antenna when the device is received within the case. The supplemental antenna may be a parasitic antenna resonating element that is formed from metal traces on a flexible printed circuit. The flexible printed circuit, a metal trim structure, and a plastic support structure may form portions of a connector support structure in the case.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for equalization of a high speed serial bus. Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a well-tuned passive equalization circuit for use with high frequency differential signals that suffer from e.g., impedance mismatches, impedance discontinuities (e.g., connectors, etc.). In one embodiment, a shunting circuit is inserted between the differential terminals of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable, connector, etc. The shunting circuit is configured to “open” at low frequencies to enable Full Speed (FS) enumeration, while also providing sufficiently high impedance at high frequencies to enable High Speed (HS) operation. In one such implementation, the shunting circuit includes a tuned resistor, capacitor, inductor, and switch element arranged in series.

Abstract: Simplified interfaces for charging and communication between accessories and docking stations. One example may provide an interface for charging and communication between an accessory and docking station where data and a charging voltage are provided over the same pins. An accessory may determine that it is in a powered docking station by receiving a charging voltage. The accessory may determine that it is in an unpowered docking station by providing a voltage to the unpowered docking station, where the unpowered docking station uses the voltage to power an oscillator. The oscillator signal may be received by the accessory, which may use the presence of the signal to determine that it is in an unpowered docking station.

Abstract: This application relates to a moisture ingress sensor. In particular, this application relates to a moisture ingress sensor that can detect liquid ingress into an electronic device. The moisture ingress sensor can include a resistor, an N-channel MOSFET, an operation amplifier, comparators, and an AND logic gate. The moisture ingress sensor is configured to provide a lower power means for accurately detecting moisture in an electronic device. Multiple areas of the electronic device can include the moisture ingress sensor in order to optimize the detection of moisture for at a variety of regions of the electronic device. Additionally, the electronic device can record signals from the moisture ingress sensor and shut down components of the electronic device that could be affected by the detected moisture. Furthermore, the moisture ingress sensor can be tuned to detect one or more types of liquids.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for digital bus operation. In one embodiment, the digital bus is a bidirectional, time-division multiplexing (TDM) audio bus operation, and a bus technology is described that enables multi-drop (e.g., multiple device, multiple node, etc.) connectivity for real-time audio over a small form factor interface (e.g., as few as two (2) wires). Specifically, an exemplary tri-level signaling scheme provides bidirectional functionality, real-time clock edges, audio data, in a multi-drop topology in one implementation.