Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting abnormality of a battery pack are disclosed. The battery pack includes multiple battery cells coupled in series via at least one connecting wire. A first voltage drop between a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the battery pack is detected. A first set of voltage drops between a positive electrode and a negative electrode of each battery cell in the battery pack is also detected. A total voltage drop across the at least one connecting wire in the battery pack is calculated based on an absolute difference between the first voltage drop and a sum of the first set of voltage drops. Whether the battery pack is abnormal is determined by assessing the total voltage drop across the at least one connecting wire with respect to a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for wirelessly charging an electronic device is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a charging controller coupled to a power source, a power switch coupled to the power source, a logic controller coupled to the power switch, and a wireless charger transmitter coupled to the power source via the power switch and coupled to the logic controller. The charging controller is configured to transmit power from the power source to a load in the apparatus. The logic controller is configured to detect if the electronic device is wirelessly coupled to the apparatus and to switch on the power switch when the electronic device is detected to be wirelessly coupled. The wireless charger transmitter is integrated in the apparatus and configured to wirelessly transmit power from the power source to the electronic device when the power switch is on.

Abstract: A circuit includes a bridge circuit, a converter, and a controller. The bridge circuit receives power from first and second power lines of a switch and generates a rectified voltage. The switch is capable of operating in a first state in which the switch conducts power to the first power line but not the second power line, a second state in which the switch conducts power to the second power line but not the first power line, and a third state in which the switch conducts power to both the first and second power lines. The converter converts the rectified voltage to an output voltage to drive a light source, and controls a current through the light source according to a driving signal. The controller monitors the operation state of the switch and generates the driving signal based on the operation state to control brightness/dimming of the light source.

Abstract: Method, system, and programs for regulating battery operation. A signal indicative of an atmospheric pressure outside a battery is first obtained. Based on the obtained signal, one or more parameters to be used for controlling an operation of the battery are then determined. Eventually, the operation of the battery is adjusted based on the determined one or more parameters.

Abstract: A circuit for driving a light source includes a voltage converter, a switch and a controller. The voltage converter converts an AC input voltage signal to a first rectified AC voltage signal. The voltage converter further generates an average signal proportional to an average voltage level of the first rectified AC voltage signal. The switch is coupled to the light source in series. The controller coupled to the voltage converter and the switch compares the first rectified AC voltage signal with the average signal to generate a pulse signal. The controller further generates a dimming control signal based on the pulse signal to control the switch thereby controlling dimming of the light source.

Abstract: Method and system for estimating an object of interest are provided. Visual information of a customer's face is obtained. Pupil location information indicative of at least a location of a pupil of an eye of the customer is determined based on the visual information. A field of view of the customer is determined based on the visual information. Then a focal point of the customer is determined based on the pupil location information, the field of view, and a predetermined focus condition. An object of interest of the customer is estimated based on the focal point. Information associated with the object is provided to the customer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting abnormality of a battery pack are disclosed. The battery pack includes multiple battery cells coupled in series via at least one connecting wire. A first voltage drop between a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the battery pack is detected. A first set of voltage drops between a positive electrode and a negative electrode of each battery cell in the battery pack is also detected. A total voltage drop across the at least one connecting wire in the battery pack is calculated based on an absolute difference between the first voltage drop and a sum of the first set of voltage drops. Whether the battery pack is abnormal is determined by assessing the total voltage drop across the at least one connecting wire with respect to a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A device, a system and a method are provided for multi-modal identity recognition. The device includes a face recognition unit, a voice recognition unit, and a control unit. The face recognition unit is configured for generating a first recognition result by obtaining and processing face recognition information of a customer and by comparing the processed face recognition information with face recognition information stored in a facial feature database. The voice recognition unit is configured for generating a second recognition result by obtaining and processing voice recognition information of a customer and by comparing the processed voice recognition information with voice recognition information stored in an audio signature database. The control unit is configured for confirming an identity of the customer based on the first recognition result and the second recognition result.

Abstract: A differential driving circuit for powering a light source is disclosed. The differential driving circuit includes a first set of switches and a second set of switches. A first current from a power source flows through the first set of switches to charge a first energy storage element when the first set of switches are turned on. A second current from the first energy storage element flows through the second set of switches to power the light source when the second set of switches are turned on. The differential driving circuit further includes a second energy storage element coupled to the light source in parallel and for providing a differential voltage to the light source.

Abstract: A circuit for driving a light source includes a voltage converter, a switch and a controller. The voltage converter converts an AC input voltage signal to a first rectified AC voltage signal. The voltage converter further generates an average signal proportional to an average voltage level of the first rectified AC voltage signal. The switch is coupled to the light source in series. The controller coupled to the voltage converter and the switch compares the first rectified AC voltage signal with the average signal to generate a pulse signal. The controller further generates a dimming control signal based on the pulse signal to control the switch thereby controlling dimming of the light source.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit includes a solar panel and a power converter. The solar panel is operable for providing electric power having an output voltage. The power converter coupled to the solar panel is capable of selectively operating in a charging mode and a powering mode. The power converter transfers the electric power from the solar panel to a power source and maintains the output voltage at a threshold voltage in the charging mode. The power converter delivers power from the power source to a load in the powering mode.

Abstract: A method for managing a battery with multiple battery cells is disclosed. The method includes monitoring parameters of the battery cells by an information acquisition unit. Parameters of the battery cells include individual cell voltages. The method further includes selecting, by a controller one of multiple charging modes in which the battery cells are charged according to the cell voltages. The charging modes include a constant current charging mode, a constant voltage charging mode, and a pulse charging mode.

Abstract: A driving circuit for controlling a light source includes a frequency controller and a switch module. The frequency controller is operable for receiving a first dimming signal for controlling the light source to achieve a predetermined brightness, and for generating a second dimming signal having a frequency out of one or more predetermined ranges according to the first dimming signal when the frequency of the first dimming signal is within the predetermined ranges. The switch module coupled to the frequency controller is operable for switching on and off alternately to achieve the predetermined brightness of the light source according to the second dimming signal when the frequency of the first dimming signal is within the predetermined ranges and according to the first dimming signal when the frequency of the first dimming signal is out of the predetermined ranges.

Abstract: An electronic system in a vehicle includes a motor, a charger, a battery pack, and a bus. The motor drives wheels and propellers of the vehicle. The charger generates charging power according to a control signal. The battery pack coupled to the charger and the motor is operable for generating the control signal based upon a status of each cell of multiple cells in the battery pack, for receiving the charging power via a charging path when the vehicle is stalled, and for powering the motor via a discharging path when the vehicle is started. The bus coupled to the charger and the battery pack is operable for transmitting the control signal from the battery pack to the charger.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting an input voltage includes a voltage-to-current converter and a current comparator. The voltage-to-current converter is operable for generating a monitoring current that varies in accordance with the input voltage. The current comparator coupled to the voltage-to-current converter is operable for comparing the monitoring current to a threshold current proportional to the temperature of the circuit, and for generating a detection signal indicating a condition of the input voltage based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A GPS receiver includes a demodulator for obtaining ephemeris data and almanac data from a navigation message sent by satellites, and includes a calculator. The calculator is used for calculating almanac correction parameters according to coordinate differences between ephemeris-based coordinates of the satellites and almanac-based coordinates of the satellites. The GPS receiver also includes a satellite position calculator for calculating the ephemeris-based coordinates of the satellites according to the ephemeris data, for calculating the almanac-based coordinates of the satellites according to the almanac data, and for calculating positions of the satellites according to the ephemeris data, the almanac data and the almanac correction parameters.

Abstract: A power supply system can include a primary power supply coupled to an output, and a secondary power supply coupled to the output. The primary power supply provides power to the output when a voltage level of the secondary power supply is less than a first predetermined level. The secondary power supply provides power to the output when the voltage level of the secondary power supply is greater than the first predetermined level. The secondary power supply not only provides power to the output, but also charges the primary power supply when the voltage level of the secondary power supply is greater than a second predetermined level that is greater than the first predetermined level.

Abstract: An electronic system includes a plurality of primary power sources operable for powering a load and charging a secondary power source, and a power management unit coupled to the plurality of primary power sources and the secondary power source. The power management unit is operable for selectively directing power of each of the primary power sources to the load according to a power requirement of the load. The power management unit is further operable for directing power of the secondary power source to the load if the power requirement of the load exceeds a total power capacity of the plurality of primary power sources.

Abstract: There is provided a driving circuit for powering a plurality of light sources. The driving circuit includes a power converter, a plurality of switching regulators and a plurality of switching balance controllers. The power converter is operable for receiving an input voltage and for providing a regulated voltage to the light sources. The switching regulators are operable for adjusting forward voltages of the light sources respectively. The switching balance controllers are operable for generating pulse modulation signals to control the switching regulators respectively.

Abstract: A battery pack is disclosed. The battery pack includes a battery cell and a cell monitor. The cell monitor is embedded in the battery cell and is operable for monitoring the battery cell and for generating an alert signal indicative of a predetermined condition of the battery cell.