Abstract: An electronic device includes a backplane including a set of slots configured to receive user-removable modules; a printed circuit board, coupled to the backplane; and a set of interface blocks, electrically connected to the printed circuit board, that enable power and data transfer between modules coupled to the set of interface blocks.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a backplane including a set of slots configured to receive user-removable modules; a printed circuit board, coupled to the backplane; and a set of interface blocks, electrically connected to the printed circuit board, that enable power and data transfer between modules coupled to the set of interface blocks.

Abstract: A system and method for driving a vibrator in an electronic device, as well as electronic device employing such a system or method, are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the system for driving the vibrator includes an integrated circuit having one or more input terminals, one or more output terminals, a vibrator driver amplifier circuit, and one or more additional circuit components. The system further includes at least one processing portion for providing one or more input signals to the one or more of the input terminals. The system is configurable such that one or more control signals to be provided to the vibrator will include one or more first signals if the vibrator is a first vibrator device of a first type, and one or more second signals if the vibrator is a second vibrator device of a second type different from the first type.

Abstract: An alerting device, such as a radio (10), activates, responsive to the times when an information signal (12) is received, a silent alert, via a vibrator (24), during a first predetermined time period, and an audible alert, via a loudspeaker (22), during a second predetermined time period, exclusive of the first predetermined time period. A radio user can configure the priority and the duration of the silent and audible alerts. The radio (10) also detects the reception of the information signal and the intercoupling between an accessory 51 to the radio 10. Responsive to the detection thereof, the radio (10) activates the audible alert. Thus, the user gains a high degree of confidence that the radio (10) will activate the proper alert in situations having a wide range of ambient noise levels and distances of the radio relative to the user's body.

Abstract: An alerting device, such as a radio (10), activates, responsive to the times when an information signal (12) is received, a silent alert, via a vibrator (24), during a first predetermined time period, and an audible alert, via a loudspeaker (22), during a second predetermined time period, exclusive of the first predetermined time period. A radio user can configure the priority and the duration of the silent and audible alerts. The radio (10) also detect the reception of the information signal and the intercoupling between an accessory 51 to the radio 10. Responsive to the detection thereof, the radio (10) activates the audible alert. Thus, the user gains a high degree of confidence that the radio (10) will activate the proper alert in situations having a wide range of ambient noise levels and distances of the radio relative to the user's body.

Abstract: A device (100) includes detachable main and auxiliary batteries (101, 102) and a circuit (310) for discharging and charging the batteries (101, 102). Discharging is accomplished by an auxiliary switch (420) that connects the auxiliary battery (102) to power the device (100), a detector (422), and a main switch (424) that connects the main battery (101) to power the device (100), without interruption, when the auxiliary battery (102) drops below a predetermined voltage (508) as determined by a detector (422). Charging is performed by switches (440, 442, 446), an internal charger (444), and a controller (306). When both batteries (101, 102) are attached, the controller (306) uses the switches (440, 442, 446) to select and couple charging current generated by the internal charger (444) to the main battery (101). Once charged, the controller (306) switches to charge the auxiliary battery (102).

Abstract: A battery charger (100) with active feedback voltage controller includes a pass device (144), such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), and uses either hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software, to implement an active feedback voltage controller (130). The active feedback voltage controller (130) reduces the control voltage to a tracking regulator (110) which in turn reduces the power dissipation of the pass device (144) and allows for a smaller pass device to be implemented in the battery charger (100) while maintaining the desired charging current as determined by a current controller (120). With software flexibility, many types of batteries can be efficiently charged to capacity, including nickel-cadmium (NiCad), nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH), and lithium-ion (LiIon) batteries.

Abstract: An alerting device, such as a radio (10), activates, responsive to the times when an information signal (12) is received, a silent alert, via a vibrator (24), during a first predetermined time period, and an audible alert, via a loudspeaker (22), during a second predetermined time period, exclusive of the first predetermined time period. A radio user can configure the priority and the duration of the silent and audible alerts. The radio (10) also detect the reception of the information signal and the intercoupling between an accessory 51 to the radio 10. Responsive to the detection thereof, the radio (10) activates the audible alert. Thus, the user gains a high degree of confidence that the radio (10) will activate the proper alert in situations having a wide range of ambient noise levels and distances of the radio relative to the user's body.

Abstract: A device (100) includes detachable main and auxiliary batteries (101, 102) and a circuit (310) for discharging and charging the batteries (101, 102). Discharging is accomplished by an auxiliary switch (420) that connects the auxiliary battery (102) to power the device (100), a detector (422), and a main switch (424) that connects the main battery (101) to power the device (100), without interruption, when the auxiliary battery (102) drops below a predetermined voltage (508) as determined by a detector (422). Charging is performed by switches (440, 442, 446), an internal charger (444), and a controller (306). When both batteries (101, 102) are attached, the controller (306) uses the switches (440, 442, 446) to select and couple charging current generated by the internal charger (444) to the main battery (101). Once charged, the controller (306) switches to charge the auxiliary battery (102).

Abstract: The dual function switch of the present invention allows a radiotelephone user to enable or disable a feature of the radiotelephone while a call is being received and before it is answered. Before the call is received and after it is answered, the switch is a volume key. Otherwise, if the key is depressed twice (105), a feature or menu of features is displayed (109). When the call is answered, the displayed feature is activated (112).