Abstract: A selector circuit configured to select among a DC power source and a plurality of batteries for an electronic device. The selector circuit is responsive to an output signal from an associated power management unit. The selector circuit is further configured to permit parallel operation of two or more of the batteries. The selector circuit may further act to independently verify power conditions and override instructions from the PMU in certain instances to enhance power supply safety and battery life such as by preventing inter battery current flow from a higher potential battery to a lower potential battery coupled in parallel.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a photoflash lamp, an ambient light sensor generating a signal representative of an ambient light level proximate the digital camera, and a photoflash controller. The photoflash controller may be capable of receiving the signal from the ambient light sensor and a host signal from a main controller of the digital camera. The photoflash controller may also be capable of being enabled by the host signal, and, when enabled, the photoflash controller may be capable of controlling a light output of the photoflash lamp in response to at least the ambient light level when a user of the digital camera utilizes a shutter-release button of the digital camera to instruct the digital camera to take a picture.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit is disclosed that includes protection circuitry and/or adapter current limit offset circuitry. The protection circuitry is operable to reduce or eliminate an overvoltage and overcurrent condition generated by a charge controller when a charging path is an open circuit, for example, when a battery is disconnected from the charging path. The adapter current limit offset circuitry is operable to generate an offset signal to an adapter current signal utilized by a charger controller.

Abstract: A selector circuit configured to select among a DC power source and a plurality of batteries for an electronic device. The selector circuit is responsive to an output signal from an associated power management unit. The selector circuit is further configured to permit parallel operation of two or more of the batteries. The selector circuit may further act to independently verify power conditions and override any instructions from the PMU in certain instances to enhance power supply safety and battery life. A power supply block including the selector circuit and an electronic device including the power supply block is also provided. The selector circuit may be integrated with a charging circuit on one integrated circuit.

Abstract: A DC to DC converter for converting an input DC voltage to an output DC voltage. The DC to DC converter may include at least one switch, an inductor coupled to the at least one switch, and a controller capable of providing a control signal. The at least one switch may be responsive to the control signal in a first state to enter an ON state for an ON time interval, the ON time interval based on the input DC voltage and a constant. An electronic device including such a DC to DC converter and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A capacitor charging circuit comprises, power transfer circuitry, power switching control circuitry and voltage measurement circuitry. The power transfer circuitry transfers power from a power source to a capacitor. The power switching control circuitry controls the switching that causes power to be delivered to the power transfer circuitry. The voltage measurement circuitry indirectly measures the output voltage to determine when to stop charging the capacitor.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment may include generating a signal indicative of ambient light in the vicinity of an LCD panel comprised in a digital camera. The method may also include controlling at least one of a brightness and contrast of the LCD panel based at least in part on the signal indicative of ambient light in the vicinity of an LCD panel. Of course; many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.

Abstract: A charging circuit system includes: a power supply; a sensor configured to sense a power level of the power supply and provide a first signal representative of the power level; and a charging circuit including: at least one input signal terminal and at least one output signal terminal; and a transmitter including an amplifier, wherein the amplifier has an input coupled to at least one input signal terminal, and the amplifier has an output coupled to at least one output signal terminal, wherein at least one input signal terminal is configured to receive the first signal from the sensor, and wherein the amplifier is configured to amplify the first signal and provide a second signal. The charging circuit system may be used by a charging circuit of a laptop computer in conjunction with a docking station.

Abstract: A selector circuit configured to select among a DC power source and a plurality of batteries for an electronic device. The selector circuit is responsive to an output signal from an associated power management unit. The selector circuit is further configured to permit parallel operation of two or more of the batteries. The selector circuit may further act to independently verify power conditions and override instructions from the PMU in certain instances to enhance power supply safety and battery life such as by preventing inter battery current flow from a higher potential battery to a lower potential battery coupled in parallel. A power supply block including the selector circuit and an electronic device including the power supply block is also provided. The selector circuit may be integrated with a charging circuit on one integrated circuit.

Abstract: A wake up circuit according to one embodiment includes a comparison circuit and an output decision circuit. The comparison circuit may be adapted to receive a first signal representative of a charging current level provided to a battery via a path and a second signal representative of a predetermined wake up current level and to provide a comparison output signal in response to the first and second signal. The output decision circuit may be adapted to receive at least the comparison output signal and a selector signal from a selector circuit, the output decision circuit providing one of the comparison output signal and the selector signal to a switch to control a state of the switch, the switch coupled to the path.

Abstract: A selector circuit configured to select among a DC power source and a plurality of batteries for an electronic device. The selector circuit is responsive to an output signal from an associated power management unit. The selector circuit is further configured to permit parallel operation of two or more of the batteries. The selector circuit may further act to independently verify power conditions and override any instructions from the PMU in certain instances to enhance power supply safety and battery life. A power supply block including the selector circuit and an electronic device including the power supply block is also provided. The selector circuit may be integrated with a charging circuit on one integrated circuit.

Abstract: A selector circuit configured to select among a DC power source and a plurality of batteries for an electronic device. The selector circuit is responsive to an output signal from an associated power management unit. The selector circuit is further configured to permit parallel operation of two or more of the batteries. The selector circuit may further act to independently verify power conditions and override instructions from the PMU in certain instances to enhance power supply safety and battery life such as by preventing inter battery current flow from a higher potential battery to a lower potential battery coupled in parallel. A power supply block including the selector circuit and an electronic device including the power supply block is also provided. The selector circuit may be integrated with a charging circuit on one integrated circuit.

Abstract: A power supply topology having a first path configured to be coupled to a controllable DC power source, a second path configured to be coupled to a battery, and a third path configured to be coupled to a system load, wherein the first, second, and third paths are coupled to a common node. A first switch is coupled to the first path to allow selective coupling of the controllable DC power source to the system load via the common node, and a second switch is coupled to the second path to allow selective coupling of the battery to the common node. The power supply topology may be used with existing adapters or with a controllable adapter to provide for a one step power conversion. The power topology may be utilized to enable the controllable DC power source and a battery to provide power in parallel to a system load.

Abstract: A charging circuit for controlling a system charging parameter provided to a host of rechargeable batteries, wherein the host of batteries includes at least a first battery and second battery that may be coupled in parallel. The charging circuit provides for fast charging of rechargeable batteries in parallel. Independent current and voltage sensing for each battery enables parallel charging of batteries at different charging currents. The charging circuit may be configured to accept either analog or digital signals from an associated power management unit.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit is disclosed that includes protection circuitry and/or adapter current limit offset circuitry. The protection circuitry is operable to reduce or eliminate an overvoltage and overcurrent condition generated by a charge controller when a charging path is an open circuit, for example, when a battery is disconnected from the charging path. The adapter current limit offset circuitry is operable to generate an offset signal to an adapter current signal utilized by a charger controller.

Abstract: A DC to DC controller for controlling an inrush current from a DC to DC converter to a battery system having an internal isolating switch. The DC to DC controller is configured to control the DC to DC converter based on a state of the internal isolating switch. If the switch is open, the DC to DC controller adjusts the output voltage of the DC to DC converter to a predetermined voltage level. Based on the value of such voltage level, in rush current from the DC to DC converter to the battery system can be reduced or eliminated when the isolating switch changes from an open state to a closed state. An electronic device including such a DC to DC controller is provided. Related methods for controlling inrush current are also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides an AC/DC or DC/DC adapter, comprising circuitry to generate a signal proportional to the maximum adapter current. In another aspect, the present invention provides a portable electronic device, comprising circuitry to receive a signal proportional to the maximum current supplied to the portable electronic device and a charger controller. Still another aspect of the present invention provides an adapter topology system, comprising an AC/DC or DC/DC adapter comprising circuitry to generate a signal proportional to the maximum adapter current; and a portable electronic device adapted to receive power from said adapter and to receive said signal proportional to the maximum adapter current.

Abstract: A buffer battery power supply circuit is provided. In one embodiment, a battery charger circuit supplies a total output current which is delivered to both an active system and a battery. The total output current and the current delivered to a battery are sensed and compared to a preset threshold total output current signal and threshold battery current signal, respectively. The compared signals generate error signals which are provided as feedback to the battery charger circuit, so that the total output current can be controlled. In another embodiment, in addition to sensing the total output current and the battery current, the total output voltage is sensed and multiplied by the total output current, generating a total output power error signal. The error signals are provided as feedback to the battery charger circuit, so that the total output current and/or the total output voltage can be controlled.

Abstract: A buffer battery power supply circuit is provided. In one embodiment, a battery charger circuit supplies a total output current which is delivered to both an active system and a battery. The total output current and the current delivered to a battery are sensed and compared to a preset threshold total output current signal and threshold battery current signal, respectively. The compared signals generate error signals which are provided as feedback to the battery charger circuit, so that the total output current can be controlled. In another embodiment, in addition to sensing the total output current and the battery current, the total output voltage is sensed and multiplied by the total output current, generating a total output power error signal. The error signals are provided as feedback to the battery charger circuit, so that the total output current and/or the total output voltage can be controlled.