Abstract: An accessory strobe device for a mobile device may operate to provide illumination at the same time as an internal built-in strobe (flash) of the mobile device. The accessory strobe device may receive a single, unidirectional signal from the mobile device that provides signals related to the timing of the internal strobe. The accessory strobe device may process the received signal to control its illumination using the timing and relative intensity levels of the internal strobe during metering and main (normal) flash operations associated with a camera on the mobile device. With the accessory strobe device operating using timing and relative intensity levels in a predetermined relationship with the timing and relative intensity levels of the internal strobe, the accessory strobe device may be used to complement the internal strobe during the metering and main (normal) flash operations for the camera.

Abstract: A wireless power system may include an accessory configured to transfer or relay wireless power to a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device may include wireless charging circuitry and sensors configured to detect compatible accessories currently coupled with the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device performs wireless charging or related functions in accordance with the coupled accessories.

Abstract: A wireless power system may include an accessory configured to transfer or relay wireless power to a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device may include wireless charging circuitry and sensors configured to detect compatible accessories currently coupled with the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device performs wireless charging or related functions in accordance with the coupled accessories.

Abstract: An accessory strobe device for a mobile device may operate to provide illumination at the same time as an internal built-in strobe (flash) of the mobile device. The accessory strobe device may receive a single, unidirectional signal from the mobile device that provides signals related to the timing of the internal strobe. The accessory strobe device may process the received signal to control its illumination using the timing and relative intensity levels of the internal strobe during metering and main (normal) flash operations associated with a camera on the mobile device. With the accessory strobe device operating using timing and relative intensity levels in a predetermined relationship with the timing and relative intensity levels of the internal strobe, the accessory strobe device may be used to complement the internal strobe during the metering and main (normal) flash operations for the camera.

Abstract: A power system for a battery powered device can include a first stage power converter, a charge injector, and a bypass switch. The first stage power converter can be configured to have an input coupled to a battery and operable to convert a battery voltage to a level higher than a main voltage bus of the battery powered device. The charge injector can include an input coupled to the output of the power converter and an output configured to be coupled to the main voltage bus. The bypass can include one or more bypass switches operable to selectively couple an output of the power converter to the main voltage bus, bypassing the charge injector. The charge injector may be selectively operable as a current source configured to draw power from an output of the power converter and the battery to reduce voltage dips of the main voltage bus.

Abstract: An accessory strobe device for a mobile device may operate to provide illumination at the same time as an internal built-in strobe (flash) of the mobile device. The accessory strobe device may receive a single, unidirectional signal from the mobile device that provides signals related to the timing of the internal strobe. The accessory strobe device may process the received signal to control its illumination using the timing and relative intensity levels of the internal strobe during metering and main (normal) flash operations associated with a camera on the mobile device. With the accessory strobe device operating using timing and relative intensity levels in a predetermined relationship with the timing and relative intensity levels of the internal strobe, the accessory strobe device may be used to complement the internal strobe during the metering and main (normal) flash operations for the camera.

Abstract: A wireless power system may include an accessory configured to transfer or relay wireless power to a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device may include wireless charging circuitry and sensors configured to detect compatible accessories currently coupled with the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device performs wireless charging or related functions in accordance with the coupled accessories.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a conductor sensing assembly for sensing movement of a conductor, for example, in order to provide an input assembly that may be operative to detect a user's manipulation of a distance between the conductor and a portion of the conductor sensing assembly for controlling a functionality of the device. The conductor sensing assembly may include an oscillator that may produce oscillations that decay at different rates dependent upon a variable distance between a component of the conductor sensing assembly and a conductor of the input assembly. As the decay rate may be dependent on or otherwise correlate with the magnitude of a distance between the oscillator and a conductor, detection of the decay rate of the oscillator may enable determination of a state of a button input assembly that includes a conductor operative to be movable by a user with respect to the oscillator.

Abstract: An accessory strobe device for a mobile device may operate to provide illumination at the same time as an internal built-in strobe (flash) of the mobile device. The accessory strobe device may receive a single, unidirectional signal from the mobile device that provides signals related to the timing of the internal strobe. The accessory strobe device may process the received signal to control its illumination using the timing and relative intensity levels of the internal strobe during metering and main (normal) flash operations associated with a camera on the mobile device. With the accessory strobe device operating using timing and relative intensity levels in a predetermined relationship with the timing and relative intensity levels of the internal strobe, the accessory strobe device may be used to complement the internal strobe during the metering and main (normal) flash operations for the camera.

Abstract: Interface circuits that may utilize a limited number of pins to detect a presence of an accessory, determine whether the accessory can provide or receive power, communicate with the accessory regarding at least that transfer of power, and transfer power accordingly. One example may provide detection circuitry for a host that may detect the presence of a pull-down resistor on a data pin of an accessory. The pull-down may indicate that a power consuming accessory has been connected. This example may detect the presence of power on a power pin. The presence of the power on the power pin may indicate that a power providing accessory has been connected.

Abstract: Capacitors, including multilayer ceramic capacitors, may be subject to faults and failures that create short circuits between their dielectrics. Capacitors having fuses that protect the capacitors or the electrical devices using the capacitors when such faults occur are described herein. Embodiments include the presence of monolithic and non-monolithic structures including the fuse. Embodiments also include capacitors with multiple fuses that may prevent or mitigate capacitor failure. Methods for manufacturing and using the capacitors are also described.

Abstract: Power supply topologies can leverage relatively smaller component sizes while meeting the power requirements of loads. In a first stage, a determination is made as to whether a high current limit is exceeded for a first duration, or whether an average current provided exceeds an average current limit, such that a power supply component (e.g., inductor) is thermally stressed. In either event, a clock frequency is reduced by a first factor. In a second stage, a determination is made as to whether an output voltage drops below a voltage threshold. If so, the clock frequency may be further reduced by a second factor.

Abstract: Interface circuits that may utilize a limited number of pins to detect a presence of an accessory, determine whether the accessory can provide or receive power, communicate with the accessory regarding at least that transfer of power, and transfer power accordingly. One example may provide detection circuitry for a host that may detect the presence of a pull-down resistor on a data pin of an accessory. The pull-down may indicate that a power consuming accessory has been connected. This example may detect the presence of power on a power pin. The presence of the power on the power pin may indicate that a power providing accessory has been connected.

Abstract: Portable electronic devices may be wirelessly charged while resting on a wireless charging surface of a wireless power transmitting device. The wireless power transmitting device may have an array of coils for transmitting wireless power. The portable electronic devices may have coils for receiving the transmitted wireless power. Magnetic sensors may be used in the portable electronic devices to sense magnetic fields produced by the wireless power transmitting device. The magnetic fields may be produced by permanent magnets, electromagnets that are separated from the coils, or coils in the array of coils. Sensors may also be used in the portable electronic devices and wireless power transmitting device such as sound sensors, light sensors, capacitive sensors, proximity sensors, and other sensors. These sensors may be used in measuring lateral position and orientation for the portable devices so that content may be displayed across multiple portable devices.

Abstract: Methods, circuits, and apparatus to distribute power among devices in an electronic system where a device may receive power from more than one source, may have a bidirectional power connector, or both. One example may resolve conflicts when an electronic device receives power from more than one source. In this example, the device may determine which source may provide the most power, and may select to receive power from the power source that may deliver the most power. Other examples may have a preference to receive power from a particular source or via a specific connector. Other examples may switch from receiving power over a first connector to providing power over the first connector, while others may receive and provide power over different connectors at the same time. Another may be connected to a battery, and may draw power from the battery or not depending on the type of battery.

Abstract: At a processor of a camera-equipped electronic device, a first data set generated at a sensor incorporated within a camera module is obtained, and a second data set generated at one or more sensors external to the camera module is obtained. Based on the first set and second data sets, a first set of control signals is transmitted to the camera module. At a disturbance rejection controller integrated within the camera module, a second set of control signals is generated, based on the first set of control signals and on a third set of data obtained from the sensor incorporated within the camera module. The second set of control signals is transmitted to an actuator, which causes a displacement of a camera lens.

Abstract: Power supply topologies can leverage relatively smaller component sizes while meeting the power requirements of loads. In a first stage, a determination is made as to whether a high current limit is exceeded for a first duration, or whether an average current provided exceeds an average current limit, such that a power supply component (e.g., inductor) is thermally stressed. In either event, a clock frequency is reduced by a first factor. In a second stage, a determination is made as to whether an output voltage drops below a voltage threshold. If so, the clock frequency may be further reduced by a second factor.

Abstract: Interface circuits that may utilize a limited number of pins to detect a presence of an accessory, determine whether the accessory can provide or receive power, communicate with the accessory regarding at least that transfer of power, and transfer power accordingly. One example may provide detection circuitry for a host that may detect the presence of a pull-down resistor on a data pin of an accessory. The pull-down may indicate that a power consuming accessory has been connected. This example may detect the presence of power on a power pin. The presence of the power on the power pin may indicate that a power providing accessory has been connected.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a conductor sensing assembly for sensing movement of a conductor, for example, in order to provide an input assembly that may be operative to detect a user's manipulation of a distance between the conductor and a portion of the conductor sensing assembly for controlling a functionality of the device. The conductor sensing assembly may include an oscillator that may produce oscillations that decay at different rates dependent upon a variable distance between a component of the conductor sensing assembly and a conductor of the input assembly. As the decay rate may be dependent on or otherwise correlate with the magnitude of a distance between the oscillator and a conductor, detection of the decay rate of the oscillator may enable determination of a state of a button input assembly that includes a conductor operative to be movable by a user with respect to the oscillator.

Abstract: In a portable camera device, a variable voltage regulator produces a power supply voltage of a VCM driver circuit that conducts the coil current of a VCM actuator as part of an optical image stabilization (OIS) mechanism. A processor signals the variable voltage regulator to increase the power supply voltage when the camera device transitions from still capture mode or preview mode to video capture mode, where the increase causes an increase in stroke of the VCM OIS actuator. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.