Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for searching metadata are described herein. In one embodiment, an example of a process for search metadata includes, but is not limited to, in response to a search query for metadata stored in one or more of metadata stores, the search query is partitioned into multiple search query segments. Thereafter, searches corresponding to the search query segments are performed, where each search is performed independently within the one or more metadata stores. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include speaker grill structures. A speaker grill structure may be formed by creating an array of small holes (perforations) in a portable computer housing structure such as a planar housing wall. A speaker may be mounted adjacent to the array of holes. The planar housing wall may be formed in a block of milled aluminum and may have a thickness of less than 1 mm. The speaker holes may have with small diameters without overly attenuating sound from a speaker.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated systems, methods and computer program products relate to using information stored in a flash memory to adjust the operating voltage supplied to the flash memory. The voltage information indicates a minimum operating voltage at which to operate the flash memory device. In general, operating a flash memory device near a minimal operating voltage may substantially minimize power consumption. The minimum operating voltage for individual flash memory devices may vary from IC to IC, by manufacturing lot, and by manufacturer. In a product, the minimum operating voltage for a particular flash memory may be determined, for example, by a controller built-in to a flash memory reporting (automatically or in response to a query) the minimum operating voltage (e.g., 2.5 V, 3.15 V) to a memory controller or microprocessor. The stored voltage information may further include information to adjust the operating voltage based on temperature.

Abstract: Adaptive techniques for handling notifications and updating a directory of a file system in a graphical user interface of a computing environment are disclosed. The adaptive techniques include receiving a notification that at least something has been potentially changed in the node. A current time value of the notification is obtained, and a preferred time value or trigger time for responding to the notification is calculated. In a preferred embodiment, the preferred time value is calculated by adding an adjustment or incremental value to a recorded time of the last synchronization performed on the directory. The adjustment or incremental value is preferably calculated by weighting a duration of one or more synchronizations performed on the directory. The adaptive techniques then compare the current time value to the trigger time. If the current time is greater than the trigger time, the Finder and the directory are synchronized.

Abstract: An electronic device may operate in standby and active modes. A headset may be coupled to the electronic device. The electronic device may have audio codec circuitry. The audio codec circuitry may use general purpose input-output circuitry in handling button and headset activity during active mode. Processing circuitry may be used to reconfigure the audio codec in real time. When the electronic device is in the standby mode and activity is detected, the codec may be configured to provide an interrupt signal to a power management unit that wakes the device. When the electronic device is in active mode and no user inputs are received within a given period of time, the central processor in the electronic device may place the device in standby mode.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains wireless communications circuitry. The handheld electronic device may have a housing and a display. The display may be attached to the housing using a conductive bezel. The handheld electronic device may have one or more antennas for supporting wireless communications. A ground plane in the handheld electronic device may serve as ground for one or more of the antennas. The ground plane and bezel may define a opening. A rectangular slot antenna or other suitable slot antenna may be formed from or within the opening. One or more antenna resonating elements may be formed above the slot. An electrical switch that bridges the slot may be used to modify the perimeter of the slot so as to tune the communications bands of the handheld electronic device.

Abstract: Electronic devices such as portable electronic devices are provided. Power converters are provided that convert alternating-current power into direct-current power for powering the electronic devices. A power converter may rectify an alternating current line signal to produce a rectified alternating current signal having peaks and valleys. The power converter may have a capacitor and transformer coupled across the rectifier circuit. Power regulation switching circuitry in the power converter or the electronic device may regulate how much power is delivered to the electronic device. Relatively more power may be delivered during the peaks in the rectified signal than during the valleys. Pulsed power delivery may be controlled using control resources in the power converter, in the electronic device, or in both the power converter and electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving strength of thin displays, such as Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) displays, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a display can use an asymmetrical arrangement of layers (e.g., glass layers) where one layer is thicker than another layer. Different scribing techniques can also be used in singulating the different layers. The asymmetrical arrangement and/or scribing techniques can facilitate displays that are not only thin but also adequately strong to limit susceptibility to damage.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided for the gifting between multiple electronic devices of media content provided by an online digital media provider. An offer and acceptance of a selected gift file is accomplished between a gifter device and a receiving giftee device using a near-field communication (NFC) connection. If a connection to the online provider is available, the gifter device may transmit a gift request by which the gifter's account is charged for the gift file. Thereafter, a gift file created using DRM keys associated with the giftee's account may be downloaded to the giftee device. If a network connection is unavailable, the giftee device may transfer a locked gift file and a corresponding gift license to the giftee device using a peer-to-peer connection. The giftee device may authenticate the license and unlock the gift file once a connection to the online provider is available.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for efficient brightness control for an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display are provided. In one embodiment, such a method may include receiving image data into a data driver of an organic light emitting diode display and transforming the image data into a logarithmic domain. A dimming control value may be subtracted from this log-encoded image data. The resulting log-encoded dimmed image data may represent a darker version of the originally received image data. Thereafter, a pixel of the organic light emitting diode display may be driven based at least in part on the dimmed image data.

Abstract: The described embodiments comprise a PredCount instruction and a SegCount instruction. When executed by a processor, the PredCount instruction causes the processor to analyze a predicate vector to determine a number of active elements in the predicate vector that exhibit a predetermined condition (e.g., that are set to a predetermined value) and to return a result indicating that number. When executed by a processor, the segCount instruction causes the processor to determine a number of times that a GeneratePredicates instruction would be executed to generate a full set of predicates using active elements of an input vector.

Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to support structures including truss assemblies and purlins, the truss assemblies including struts, wherein utilities such as pipes and cables can be contained within the purlins, and can pass through openings in the struts, to thereby be retained by the support structures so as to be hidden from view.

Abstract: An interface and protocol allow a media player to communicate with external accessories over a transport link. The protocol includes a core protocol functionality and a number of accessory lingoes. Examples of accessory lingoes include a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, an RF transmitter lingo, and an extended interface lingo.

Abstract: Network evaluation grid techniques are presented. Local specifications for traffic patterns are evaluated for local traffic on local grids of a grid computing environment and reported out. The local traffic reported out is then evaluated in response to global traffic pattern specifications and a global traffic policy in order to identify one or more remedial actions to take or to recommend in response to that evaluation.

Abstract: A power converter is provided that has an alternating-current (AC) to direct-current (DC) switched-mode power converter circuit that converts alternating-current power into direct-current power for powering an attached electronic device. Power can be conserved by automatically placing the power converter circuit in a low-power standby mode of operation whenever the electronic device is detached from the power converter. A monitoring circuit can be powered by a capacitor or other energy storage element while the power converter is operating in the standby mode. If the monitoring circuit detects an output voltage change that is indicative of attachment of the electronic device or if the storage element needs to be replenished, the monitoring circuit can place the power converter circuit in an active mode of operation.

Abstract: Wireless circuitry in an electronic device may contain output power amplifier circuitry for amplifying transmitted radio-frequency signals. The power amplifier circuitry may be powered using a bias voltage. The magnitude of the bias voltage can be selectively reduced to conserve power. Control circuitry can maintain a table of bias voltage settings to use under various conditions. These conditions may include required output powers as determined by link quality, transmission mode status, and required data rates. When link quality is low or when high data rates are required, the bias voltage can be maintained at a relatively high level to ensure that the power amplifier operates linearly and does not exhibit excessive noise. When link quality is high or when data rates are low as with voice calls, the bias voltage can be reduced to conserve power.