Abstract: A method of internally heating a power supply of an electronic device in reduced temperatures is provided. The method comprises positioning an antenna of the electronic device proximate to the power supply and receiving a “temperature” signal that is a function of a temperature of the power supply. When it is determined that the temperature is within a reduced operating-temperature range, the temperature is elevated and the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the power supply is correspondingly reduced by actively sending current through the antenna. The “current sending” operation is reduced when the temperature of the portable electronic device is outside the reduced operating-temperature range.

Abstract: A method mitigates or even prevents gas swelling of a battery of a portable electronic device at high temperatures and states of charge of the battery. The method comprises: receiving “temperature” and “state of charge” signals, which are functions of a temperature and state of charge of the battery, respectively; determining, as corresponding functions of the “temperature” and “state of charge” signals, whether the temperature is within an elevated operating-temperature range and the state of charge is within an elevated state-of-charge range; cycle-forming the battery a predetermined number of cycles; and terminating the “cycle-forming” operation of the battery when the pre-determined number of cycles is reached.

Abstract: A method and system to charge efficiently and safely batteries that power an electronic device and are comprised in an electronic device. The method and system performs measurement of electrical currents flowing in different branches of an electrical circuit that comprises the batteries and determines if there if there is a battery connection fault. The charge current used to charge the batteries is adjusted in accordance with the detected fault or absence thereof, in order not to exceed a safe current limit.

Abstract: The mechanical energy of an actuator is used for producing vibration alerts in a portable electronic device. The same mechanical energy is also utilized to control the flow of fuel or to mix the fuel in a fuel cell of the portable electronic device. Thus, the flow of fuel into a reaction area of a fuel cell is controlled or fuel is mixed in a fuel storage area of a fuel cell assembly. Such fuel flow control and mixing is performed passively whenever a vibration alert occurs, or is performed actively in response to monitoring the status of the fuel cell assembly.

Abstract: A method of internally heating a power supply of an electronic device in reduced temperatures is provided. The method comprises positioning an antenna of the electronic device proximate to the power supply and receiving a “temperature” signal that is a function of a temperature of the power supply. When it is determined that the temperature is within a reduced operating-temperature range, the temperature is elevated and the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the power supply is correspondingly reduced by actively sending current through the antenna. The “current sending” operation is reduced when the temperature of the portable electronic device is outside the reduced operating-temperature range.

Abstract: A method mitigates or even prevents gas swelling of a battery of a portable electronic device at high temperatures and states of charge of the battery. The method comprises: receiving “temperature” and “state of charge” signals, which are functions of a temperature and state of charge of the battery, respectively; determining, as corresponding functions of the “temperature” and “state of charge” signals, whether the temperature is within an elevated operating-temperature range and the state of charge is within an elevated state-of-charge range; cycle-forming the battery a predetermined number of cycles; and terminating the “cycle-forming” operation of the battery when the pre-determined number of cycles is reached.

Abstract: A method and system to charge efficiently and safely batteries that power an electronic device and are comprised in an electronic device. The method and system performs measurement of electrical currents flowing in different branches of an electrical circuit that comprises the batteries and determines if there if there is a battery connection fault. The charge current used to charge the batteries is adjusted in accordance with the detected fault or absence thereof, in order not to exceed a safe current limit.

Abstract: Various embodiments of devices and associated methods are described herein for authenticating electrical devices. In one aspect, an electrical device is provided comprising an interface configured to receive and transmit signals; a power line coupled to the interface and configured to provide a power signal thereto; and an authentication circuit coupled to the interface and the power line. The authentication circuit is configured to disable the power signal on the power line for a specified time period in response to an authentication request signal received at the interface and to provide an authentication response signal on the power line to represent the disabling of the power signal.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving a temperature indication, the temperature indication being a function of a temperature of a power pack of a portable electronic device; determining, as a function of the temperature indication, whether the temperature is within an elevated operating temperature range; and reducing a charge termination voltage and a charging current when the temperature is within the elevated operating temperature range.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to efficiently harnessing the mechanical energy of actuators used for producing vibration alerts in portable electronic devices to control the flow of fuel and mix the fuel in devices with fuel cells. Example embodiments control the flow of fuel into a reaction area and/or mix fuel in a fuel storage area of a fuel cell assembly. Such fuel flow control and mixing may be performed passively whenever a vibration alert occurs, or may be performed actively in response to monitoring the status of the fuel cell assembly.

Abstract: Various embodiments of devices and associated methods are described herein for authenticating electrical devices. In one aspect, an electrical device is provided comprising an interface configured to receive and transmit signals; a power line coupled to the interface and configured to provide a power signal thereto; and an authentication circuit coupled to the interface and the power line. The authentication circuit is configured to disable the power signal on the power line for a specified time period in response to an authentication request signal received at the interface and to provide an authentication response signal on the power line to represent the disabling of the power signal.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving a temperature indication, the temperature indication being a function of a temperature of a power pack of a portable electronic device; determining, as a function of the temperature indication, whether the temperature is within an elevated operating temperature range; and reducing a charge termination voltage and a charging current when the temperature is within the elevated operating temperature range.