Abstract: An adapter device includes a DC/DC adapter to receive DC power from a DC power source, and output a regulated DC voltage (Vout). A source determination circuitry receives the DC power from the DC power source and compares a magnitude of a voltage of the DC power with a reference magnitude of a reference voltage (Vref). When the magnitude of the voltage of the DC power is greater than the reference magnitude, a data signal (Vdata) having a first value is output. When the magnitude of the voltage of the DC power is less than the reference magnitude, the Vdata signal having a second value is output. The Vdata signal is received by control circuitry of an electronic device. When the Vdata signal has the first value, the electronic device operates in a first mode where battery charging circuitry is disabled. When the Vdata signal has the second value, the battery charging circuitry is enabled.

Abstract: A progammable power supply for providing a regulated DC output power is disclosed. The power supply provides the output power to any one of a plurality of electronic devices adapted for receiving the output power at an operational voltage or an operational current. The power supply receives a programming signal to maintain the output power at the operational voltage or operational current associated with a particular selected electronic device. Accordingly, by varying the programming signal, the power supply can be programmed to provide output power to any one of several electronic devices having differing input power requirements.

Abstract: A switching power supply includes a source of DC voltage and a transformer having primary and secondary windings. A switching circuit is coupled between the DC voltage and the primary winding to provide alternating current to the primary winding. A rectifier circuit is coupled to the secondary winding to provide a DC output voltage. A controller circuit controls the switching circuit to modulate the alternating current provided to the primary winding. A circuit receives a first input signal having a magnitude which is determined by the DC output voltage and a second input signal having a magnitude which is determined by a selected position of a multiposition switch. An output of the circuit generates a feedback signal which is coupled to the controller circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printed circuit board omni directional antenna. The omni directional antenna includes power dissipation elements. The power dissipation elements reduces the impact the power feed to the radiating elements has on the omni directional antenna's radiation pattern.

Abstract: A bi-directional boost circuit for power factor correction includes a power factor control circuit and a pair of diodes, a pair of inductors, and a pair of switches. A first diode, a second diode, a first inductor, a second inductor, a first switch, and a second switch convert the AC input voltage, rectify the AC input voltage, and output an intermediate DC voltage. The power factor control circuit receives the AC input voltage and receives the intermediate DC voltage. The power factor control circuit regulates the DC output voltage. Based on the AC input voltage and the intermediate DC output voltage, the power factor control circuit controls an inductor current waveform by driving the first switch and the second switch to create a substantially sinusoidal current as seen by the power source that is in phase with the AC input voltage.

Abstract: An antenna for a wireless device is provided. The antenna mounts on a substrate such as a printed circuit board. The antenna includes a carrier having sidewalls with inside surfaces defining an internal recess. A conductive trace resides on the carrier. The conductive trace having a first end and a second end opposite the first end with at least one lead extending from an end and extending the sidewall. The lead terminates in a hook that traversing the sidewall and has a portion extending along the inside surface of the internal recess. A locking clip is sized to fit in the internal recess and frictionally lock the portion between an outside surface of the locking clip and the inside surface of the internal recess such that the locking clip locks the portion, the at least one hook, the at least one lead, and the conductive trace in position on the carrier.

Abstract: An antenna for a foldable wireless device is provided. The foldable wireless device and antenna include a first housing and a second housing pivotally connected. A printed circuit board associated with the wireless device comprises a first PCB in the first housing and a second PCB in the second housing. The first and second PCB function as first and second radiating plates respectively. A gap, generally aligned with the pivotal connection separates the first and second PCBs. A short is provided that traverses the gap and connects the first and second PCBs. Radio frequency power is connected to the first and second PCB to supply radio frequency power.

Abstract: A small form factor power supply includes a switching transformer, control circuitry and rectifier circuitry, each contained within a housing. The switching transformer has a planar core and windings which surround at least a portion of the planar core. The control circuitry includes at least one surface mounted component, to control a switching device to couple a source of DC power to a primary of the switching transformer at a switching frequency. The rectifier circuitry is coupled to a secondary of the switching transformer to provide a DC voltage. The housing contains the switching transformer, the control circuitry and the rectifier circuitry, wherein a height of the housing is not greater than 0.75 inches.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible film antenna. The flexible film antenna includes a radiating element comprising a conductive trace on a flexible film. Flexible film is mounted on a core. The core comprises at least two parts that are releasably coupled together in snap or sliding relation. A feed post extends out a base of the core to connect to a power feed. Finally, a protective housing can be molded over the antenna.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for global wireless sensor network architecture and protocol for remote supervision, asset control and operational management based on localized clusters of autonomous sensor/supervision/operational sensor nodes capable of ad hoc interconnection with nearby nodes and connection to gateway nodes with increased network functionality. These localized cluster nodes send data to gateway nodes either directly or through multi-hop transactions. The gateway nodes are, in turn, connected to other gateway nodes and operations control centers either through wireless or wired data communications links. Utilizing the Internet for long range interconnectivity, the network is scaleable to a global level. The resulting network is based on an ad hoc mesh topology to allow flexibility in network modification and expansion and is comprised of a tiered structure defined by increasing functionality.

Abstract: A power supply system includes an adapter to receive power from a power source, and output a regulated output voltage (Vout). A tip receives Vout from the adapter, and output Vout to an electronic device. The tip includes active circuitry to adjust a programming voltage (Vprog). Vprog is fed back to the adapter to control a magnitude of Vout.

Abstract: A power converter with a fan assembly cools down a temperature of the power converter. The power converter with a fan assembly includes a housing, a plate, and a second plate. The housing includes a fan assembly (which is integral to the housing) to draw in air. The plate is coupled to the housing to create an air channel between the plate and the housing and the second plated is coupled to the housing to create a second air channel between the second plate and the housing. The fan assembly draws in air through one of the air channel or the second air channel and moves air out through the other of the air channel and the second air channel to cool down the temperature of the power adapter.

Abstract: Image viewing system and method for use with a video telephony application. The method includes forming a panoramic image by moving the camera about at least one axis, capturing images from at least two different camera positions, and joining the images together. The method also includes presenting the panoramic image on a visual display device, receiving input from a user indicating that a subset of the panoramic image has been selected, pointing the camera in a direction corresponding to the selected subset, and presenting images from the camera corresponding to the selected subset on the visual display device. The system includes a camera with a controllable pivot assembly that pivots in at least one direction in signal communication with a computer, and a software module that directs the pivot assembly to move the camera and presents images on a display.

Abstract: A common mode noise cancellation circuit eliminates common mode noise generated by a high-frequency switching device. The common mode noise reduction circuit includes a single switching device and a transformer. The switching device receives a rectified voltage and produces a switched voltage. The transformer includes a first primary winding, a second primary winding, and a secondary winding. The transformer couples the switched output from the first and the second primary winding to the secondary winding to generate a transformed voltage. A positive signed common mode noise waveform generated by the switching device is coupled from the first primary winding to the first secondary winding, and a negative signed common mode noise waveform generated by the switching device is coupled from the second primary winding to the first secondary winding, which results in a lower magnitude common mode noise waveform being present at the secondary winding.

Abstract: A bi-directional boost circuit for power factor correction includes a power factor control circuit and a pair of diodes, a pair of inductors, and a pair of switches. A first diode, a second diode, a first inductor, a second inductor, a first switch, and a second switch convert the AC input voltage, rectify the AC input voltage, and output an intermediate DC voltage. The power factor control circuit receives the AC input voltage and receives the intermediate DC voltage. The power factor control circuit regulates the DC output voltage. Based on the AC input voltage and the intermediate DC output voltage, the power factor control circuit controls an inductor current waveform by driving the first switch and the second switch to create a substantially sinusoidal current as seen by the power source that is in phase with the AC input voltage.

Abstract: Power supply equipment includes a power converter and connector adapters for coupling between the converter and various appliances. The connector adapters bear respective adapter indicators. A particular connector adapter, bearing a corresponding adapter indicator, is chosen for mating with a particular appliance. The power converter generates selectable output voltages which are identified by respective converter indicators. The power converter output voltage is selected so that the converter indicator matches the indicator on the adapter chosen for the particular appliance.

Abstract: A remote controller capable of outputting audio frequency signals is provided. The remote controller comprises a control circuit, a digital/analog converter and a wireless receiver/transmitter. The wireless receiver/transmitter is adopted for receiving audio frequency signals generated from an electronic device, and the control circuit is connected to the wireless receiver/transmitter and the digital/analog converter respectively and is adopted for outputting and transmitting the audio frequency signals to a sound output device connected to the remote controller. Thus, the audio frequency signals generated by the electronic device can be received by the remote controller within an effective range and output by the sound output device. Accordingly, the overall cost can be reduced and the remote controller of the present invention can be more attractive to the users.

Abstract: A single feed multiple band planar antenna is provided. The planar antenna includes a radiating plate having a first end and a second end opposite the first end residing in spaced apart relating to a ground plane. A shorting post couples the radiating element to the ground plane and a feeding post couples the radiating plate to radio frequency power. The planar antenna further includes a second radiating plate having a first end and a second end where the first end of the second radiating plate coupled to the feeding post and substantially aligned with the first end of the first radiating plate and located between the first radiating plate and the ground plane.

Abstract: A bidirectional boost circuit for power factor correction includes a power factor control circuit and a pair of diodes, a pair of inductors, and a pair of switches. A first diode, a second diode, a first inductor, a second inductor, a first switch, and a second switch convert the AC input voltage, rectify the AC input voltage, and output an intermediate DC voltage. The power factor control circuit receives the AC input voltage and receives the intermediate DC voltage. The power factor control circuit regulates the DC output voltage. Based on the AC input voltage and the intermediate DC output voltage, the power factor control circuit controls an inductor current waveform by driving the first switch and the second switch to create a substantially sinusoidal current as seen by the power source that is in phase with the AC input voltage.

Abstract: A power converter with a fan assembly cools down a temperature of the power converter. The power converter with a fan assembly includes a housing, a plate, and a second plate. The housing includes a fan assembly (which is integral to the housing) to draw in air. The plate is coupled to the housing to create an air channel between the plate and the housing and the second plated is coupled to the housing to create a second air channel between the second plate and the housing. The fan assembly draws in air through one of the air channel or the second air channel and moves air out through the other of the air channel and the second air channel to cool down the temperature of the power adapter.