Abstract: A power converter system for managing power between a power supply and a load, the system including: a first buck-boost circuit connected to the power supply; and a capacitor provided between the buck-boost circuit and the load to buffer power supply for the load. The system may include a second buck-boost circuit between the capacitor and the load. In another embodiment, a power converter system includes: a boost circuit connected to the power supply; a buck circuit connected to the load; and a capacitor provided between the boost circuit and the buck circuit to manage the supply of power to the load.

Abstract: There is provided a power source system which includes a self-charging system. In one embodiment, the power source system is used to power portable devices and may include a power source such as a set of rechargeable batteries or a battery pack. The power source system comprises a self-charging system which includes an energy harvester operatively connected to a vibrational energy source such as a plurality of piezoelectric elements (piezos). The piezos preferably include a plurality of cantilevers which are composed of a piezoelectric material which may be the same or may be different from the substrate material of the piezos.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a maximum sustained flash current over the whole length of a flash using a programmable current drive in a handheld portable device powered by a battery. The method involves measuring the battery voltage before and after a flash is initiated and calculating the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the battery. The calculated ESR is then used to adjust the flash current. The process may be repeated to correct for errors in the flash current.

Abstract: A holster for a handheld electronic device. The holster has integrated therein one or more piezoelectric elements that provide an output voltage to the handheld electronic device upon insertion of device in the holster. The output voltage can be used to charge the battery of the device, to power, at least in part, the device, or both. The output voltage is generated by harvesting vibration energy at the piezoelectric elements upon the holster being subjected to acceleration caused by a user carrying the holster when walking, running, or during any other suitable activity.

Abstract: A method includes displaying a projected image from a display of a portable electronic device, detecting an object near the portable electronic device, and when the object is associated with the projected image, actuating an actuator to provide tactile feedback.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for downloading battery data to a mobile communication device. A system for downloading battery data to a mobile communication device may include a mobile communication device and a data server. The mobile communication device may be configured to monitor a battery operating condition and to receive a battery profile, the battery profile including battery data for use by the mobile communication device to calculate battery status information. The data server may be used for storing battery data, the data server being configured to receive the battery operating condition from the mobile communication device and, based on the battery operating condition, send the battery profile to the mobile communication device.

Abstract: A holster for a handheld electronic device. The holster has integrated therein one or more piezoelectric elements that provide an output voltage to the handheld electronic device upon insertion of device in the holster. The output voltage can be used to charge the battery of the device, to power, at least in part, the device, or both. The output voltage is generated by harvesting vibration energy at the piezoelectric elements upon the holster being subjected to acceleration caused by a user carrying the holster when walking, running, or during any other suitable activity.

Abstract: An electronic device with an optical and electrical circuit connector. The electronic device includes a processor, a memory, a wireless communications component that provides wireless data communications between the processor and a wireless data network, and an optical and electrical circuit connector. The optical and electrical circuit connector includes a connector body configured to engage a corresponding connector, at least one optical terminal coupled to the connector body, and at least one electrical data interface terminal coupled to the connector body.

Abstract: A magnetically mating optical circuit connector. The magnetically mating optical circuit connector includes at least one optical terminal and a connector body configured to engage a corresponding connector. The connector body attached to the at least one optical terminal. The connector body comprising at least one alignment feature configured to align, when the connector body engages the corresponding connector, each of the at least one optical terminal with a respective corresponding optical terminal of the corresponding connector. The magnetically mating optical circuit connector further includes at least one magnetic attachment area, attached to the connector body. The at least one magnetic attachment area is configured to magnetically attach the connector body to the corresponding connector when the connector body is engaged into the corresponding connector.

Abstract: An optical and electrical circuit connector. The optical and electrical circuit connector has a connector body that engages a corresponding connector. The connector body has an inner portion and an outer portion, at least one optical terminal for the data interface disposed within the outer portion, at least one electrical data interface terminal for the data interface disposed within the inner portion. The connector body further has at least one magnetic attachment area disposed within the outer portion that magnetically attaches the connector body to the corresponding connector.

Abstract: An electronic accessory connectable to a remote electronic device through a data interface. The electronic accessory includes an electronic circuit exchanges data through a data interface and an optical and electrical circuit connector. The optical and electrical circuit connector includes a connector body that engages a corresponding connector, at least one optical terminal for the data interface coupled to the connector body, and at least one electrical data interface terminal for the data interface coupled to the connector body. The at least one electrical data interface terminal conforms to an electrical data communications standard.

Abstract: An electronic device with an optical and electrical circuit connector. The electronic device includes a processor, a memory, a wireless communications component that provides wireless data communications between the processor and a wireless data network, and an optical and electrical circuit connector. The optical and electrical circuit connector includes a connector body configured to engage a corresponding connector, at least one optical terminal coupled to the connector body, and at least one electrical data interface terminal coupled to the connector body.

Abstract: An optical and electrical circuit connector. The optical and electrical circuit connector includes a connector body that engages a corresponding connector, at least one optical terminal for the data interface coupled to the connector body, and at least one electrical data interface terminal for the data interface coupled to the connector body. The at least one electrical data interface terminal conforms to an electrical data communications standard.

Abstract: An electronic device with an optical and electrical circuit connector. The electronic device includes a processor, a memory, a wireless communications component that provides wireless data communications between the processor and a wireless data network, and an optical and electrical circuit connector. The optical and electrical circuit connector includes a connector body configured to engage a corresponding connector, at least one optical terminal coupled to the connector body, and at least one electrical data interface terminal coupled to the connector body. The optical and electrical circuit connector also has at least one magnetic attachment area that magnetically attaches the connector body to the corresponding connector. The at least one magnetic attachment area has an electrically conductive path with an electrical connection that conducts electrical power.

Abstract: An electronic accessory connectable to a remote electronic device through a data interface. The electronic accessory includes an electronic circuit that exchanges data through a data interface, and a magnetically mating optical circuit connector. The magnetically mating optical circuit connector includes at least one optical terminal for the data interface, and a connector body that engages a corresponding connector. The connector body is attached to the at least one optical terminal and includes at least one alignment feature that aligns each of the optical terminals with a corresponding optical terminal of the corresponding connector. The magnetically mating optical circuit connector has at least one magnetic attachment area attached to the connector body and configured to magnetically attach the connector body to the corresponding connector when the connector body is engaged into the corresponding connector.

Abstract: An electronic accessory connectable to a remote electronic device through a data interface. The electronic accessory includes an electronic circuit configured to exchange data through a data interface and an optical and electrical circuit connector. The optical and electrical circuit connector includes a connector body configured to engage a corresponding connector, at least one optical terminal for the data interface coupled to the connector body, and at least one electrical data interface terminal for the data interface coupled to the connector body.

Abstract: An electronic device. The electronic device includes a processor, a memory that stores information operated upon by the processor, and a wireless communications component that provides wireless data communications between the processor and a wireless data network. The electronic device further has a magnetically mating optical circuit connector with at least one optical terminal, a connector body that engages a corresponding connector. The connector body comprising at least one alignment feature that aligns, when the connector body engages the corresponding connector, each of the at least one optical terminal with a respective corresponding optical terminal of the corresponding connector. The connector body further has at least one magnetic attachment area that magnetically attaches the connector body to the corresponding connector.

Abstract: An electrical power source for a portable electronic device. The electrical power source includes at least one fuel cell adapted to receive fuel and generate therefrom electrical power for powering at least one component of the portable electronic device, a fuel tank adapted to provide fuel to the fuel cell, and at least one thermoelectric module in thermal contact with at least one of the fuel cell and fuel tank for regulating the temperature of the at least one fuel cell and at least one fuel tank.

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are described for moving air in a portable electronic device for purposes such as cooling. In a typical embodiment, the apparatus comprises an airflow-generating device and a vibration component. The vibration component may be used to drive the airflow-generating device. Further, techniques are described in which the airflow-generating device may be driven without causing the portable electronic device to vibrate.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for downloading battery data to a mobile communication device. A system for downloading battery data to a mobile communication device may include a mobile communication device and a data server. The mobile communication device may be configured to monitor a battery operating condition and to receive a battery profile, the battery profile including battery data for use by the mobile communication device to calculate battery status information. The data server may be used for storing battery data, the data server being configured to receive the battery operating condition from the mobile communication device and, based on the battery operating condition, send the battery profile to the mobile communication device.