Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device that includes a fan. The fan can include a center shaft, fan blades that extend from the center shaft, and a plurality of magnets on an outside portion of at least two of the fan blades, where stator coils interact with the magnets to drive the blades around the center shaft. The center shaft and fan blades are a single component from the same material. In some examples, the center shaft and fan blades were created using a metal injection molding process.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a power monitor that can be used to dynamically change a power level of an electronic device and/or operational settings of a processor of the electronic device. Specifically, the power monitor may be configured to identify “droop” of power, and logic to update the power level and/or operational settings in accordance with identification of the droop. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus can include universal serial bus type C (USB-C) connection circuitry. The apparatus can also include input/output (I/O) circuitry coupled to the USB-C connection circuitry. The I/O circuitry can receive a power signal over the USB-C connection circuitry. The apparatus can include baseband circuitry to initiate wireless wide area network (WWAN) communication responsive to receiving a wake signal from the I/O circuitry. The WWAN communication can include messages received from the USB-C connection circuitry. Other apparatuses, systems, and methods are described.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to transmit laser energy to a first hollow-core transmission medium of a board, and to detect laser energy from a second hollow-core transmission medium of the board using a photodiode of the communication interface. A system can include a communication interface configured to be coupled to a chip carrier, the communication interface including a laser emitter configured to transmit laser energy to a first hollow-core transmission medium of a board, and a photodiode configured to detect laser energy communicated from a second hollow-core transmission. The system can further include the chip carrier and the board, as well as one or more alignment features to position the laser emitter and the photodiode over inputs of the first and second hollow-core transmission mediums, and an optically clear resin optionally between the communication interface and the board.

Abstract: A communication system communicates data elements on a conducting wire. In an embodiment, a sequence of data elements to be transmitted is electrically represented on a pair of terminals, and a transmission element located at a first portion of the conducting wire transmits the sequence in the form of a wave on a surface of the conducting wire. The transmission element includes a first conductor wrapped around the first portion of the conducting wire, a first insulator located between the first conductor and the first portion of the conducting wire, and a conductive structure disposed around the first conductor. The conductive structure has a narrow cross section at one end and extends outwardly to a broader cross section at the other end. A first terminal of the pair of terminals is electrically connected to the first conductor and the second terminal is electrically connected to the conductive structure.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to transmit laser energy to a first hollow-core transmission medium of a board , and to detect laser energy from a second hollow-core transmission medium of the board using a photodiode of the communication interface. A system can include a communication interface configured to be coupled to a chip carrier, the communication interface including a laser emitter configured to transmit laser energy to a first hollow-core transmission medium of a board, and a photodiode configured to detect laser energy communicated from a second hollow-core transmission. The system can further include the chip carrier and the board, as well as one or more alignment features to position the laser emitter and the photodiode over inputs of the first and second hollow-core transmission mediums, and an optically clear resin optionally between the communication interface and the board.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to transmit laser energy to a first hollow-core transmission medium of a board, and to detect laser energy from a second hollow-core transmission medium of the board using a photodiode of the communication interface. A system can include a communication interface configured to be coupled to a chip carrier, the communication interface including a laser emitter configured to transmit laser energy to a first hollow-core transmission medium of a board, and a photodiode configured to detect laser energy communicated from a second hollow-core transmission. The system can further include the chip carrier and the board, as well as one or more alignment features to position the laser emitter and the photodiode over inputs of the first and second hollow-core transmission mediums, and an optically clear resin optionally between the communication interface and the board.

Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device that can be configured to include a keycap with photoluminescent material, a light energy source to emit light energy at a wavelength to activate the photoluminescent material, and an ambient light sensor to activate the light energy source during low ambient light conditions. In an example, the photoluminescent material is quantum dot material.

Abstract: A first apparatus is disclosed, including: a detection circuitry to detect a first voltage level of reference current received from a second apparatus, where the second apparatus is to provide the reference current at a second voltage level; and a controller to negotiate a power transmission agreement with the second apparatus for transmission of power from the second apparatus to the first apparatus, based at least in part on a difference between the first voltage level and the second voltage level.

Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device that includes a first housing, a second housing, and a hinge. The hinge rotatably couples the first housing to the second housing and includes an off-center lobe that generates a field. The second housing includes a detection engine to detect a strength of the field generated by the off-center lobe and determines a hinge angle (or a position of the first housing relative to the second housing) based on the detected strength of the field generated by the off-center lobe.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to transmit laser energy to a first hollow-core transmission medium of a board, and to detect laser energy from a second hollow-core transmission medium of the board using a photodiode of the communication interface. A system can include a communication interface configured to be coupled to a chip carrier, the communication interface including a laser emitter configured to transmit laser energy to a first hollow-core transmission medium of a board, and a photodiode configured to detect laser energy communicated from a second hollow-core transmission. The system can further include the chip carrier and the board, as well as one or more alignment features to position the laser emitter and the photodiode over inputs of the first and second hollow-core transmission mediums, and an optically clear resin optionally between the communication interface and the board.

Abstract: Techniques for battery retention are disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, a thin polyurethane strap is used to hold a battery in place. The strap only requires a small amount of volume, allowing for a higher volume (and higher capacity) for the battery. In order to accommodate swelling, a computing device that has a battery held in place with such a strap can have an open area above the battery. The strap may have ridges to contact the battery and the component above the battery beyond the open area. If the battery swells, the ridges may be pressed down, accommodating the swelling battery.

Abstract: Techniques for video conferencing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a mirror assembly can be used to position a mirror in front of a camera, reflecting a view of the camera downward towards a whiteboard or other drawing surface, allowing a user to show a drawing during a video conference. In another embodiment, video data and audio data of a user in a video conference can be analyzed to determine what portions of the video data and audio data should be transmitted to a remote participant in the video conference. Unintentional input supplied by the user in the video data and audio data may be used to determine which portions of the video data and audio data to transmit.

Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device that can include a first housing, a second housing, where the second housing is rotatably coupled to the first housing using a hinge, and at least one thermal sensor to detect the position of a user relative to the electronic device, wherein the thermal sensor includes an array of thermopiles.

Abstract: A communication system communicates data elements on a conducting wire. In an embodiment, a sequence of data elements to be transmitted is electrically represented on a pair of terminals, and a transmission element located at a first portion of the conducting wire transmits the sequence in the form of a wave on a surface of the conducting wire. The transmission element includes a first conductor wrapped around the first portion of the conducting wire, a first insulator located between the first conductor and the first portion of the conducting wire, and a conductive structure disposed around the first conductor. The conductive structure has a narrow cross section at one end and extends outwardly to a broader cross section at the other end. A first terminal of the pair of terminals is electrically connected to the first conductor and the second terminal is electrically connected to the conductive structure.

Abstract: A system includes a communication interface including separate electrical connectors configured to communicate power and ground using electrical conductors, the communication interface includes a free-air optical interconnect including at least one of: a laser emitter configured to transmit laser energy across an air gap to a separate device; or a photodiode configured to detect laser energy received across the air gap from the separate device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an arrangement for single wire communications (SWC) for an electronic device. In one instance, the arrangement may comprise a cable assembly to connect with the electronic device, wherein the cable assembly may include a wire to conduct SWC and a cover portion to cover a portion of the wire. The cover portion may comprise a ferro-dielectric material. The arrangement may further include a control logic coupled with the cable assembly, to adjust characteristics associated with the ferro-dielectric material, to tune a signal termination impedance value associated with the cable assembly. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device that includes a fan. The fan can include a center shaft, fan blades that extend from the center shaft, and a plurality of magnets on an outside portion of at least two of the fan blades, where stator coils interact with the magnets to drive the blades around the center shaft. The center shaft and fan blades are a single component from the same material. In some examples, the center shaft and fan blades were created using a metal injection molding process.

Abstract: A system includes a first free-air optical interconnect of a first electrical component, the first free-air optical interconnect configured to mechanically couple to a second free-air optical interconnect of a second electrical component to communicate optical signals between the first and second electrical components. When coupled, an attach mechanism of the first free-air optical interconnect can retain the second free-air optical interconnect a fixed distance from the communication interface of the first free-air communication interface, including separate electrical connectors configured to communicate power and ground using electrical conductors, the communication interface includes a free-air optical interconnect including at least one of a laser emitter configured to transmit laser energy across an air gap to a separate device, or a photodiode configured to detect laser energy received across the air gap from the separate device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes: an input/output (I/O) port to be coupled to a device external to the apparatus; a battery having an output node; a voltage regulator to selectively supply power from the I/O port to the battery, to charge the battery; and a switch coupled between the I/O port and the output node, wherein the switch is to selectively allow flow of current from the device to the output node by bypassing the voltage regulator.