Abstract: A drain cleaning device includes a power unit and a drum assembly coupled to the power unit for rotation by the power unit. The drum assembly includes a base, a cable received in the base that is configured to be fed from the base and rotated to clean a drain, and a cover releasably coupleable to the base. The drum assembly includes a plurality of taper locks releasably coupling an outer peripheral portion of the cover and an outer peripheral portion of the base. Each of the taper locks is moveable between a locked position in which the cover is retained on the base and an unlocked position in which the cover is removable from the base. Each of the taper locks being biased toward the locked position.

Abstract: A method for determining whether to activate an illumination source includes directing an air current across at least a portion of the illumination source and across at least a portion of a temperature sensor. The method also includes sensing the temperature of the air current with the temperature sensor and determining whether to activate the illumination source based on the temperature of the air current.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods associated with power adapter identification are described. In one embodiment the apparatus includes an adapter plug having at least two contacts and at least one circuit component connected to the at least two contacts.

Abstract: A plug includes a disabling mechanism that, upon activation, resists removal of the shaft when inserted into a socket. The plug can also include an indicator that provides an indication that the disabling mechanism has been activated. The plug, which once inserted, changes the state of an electronic device in a substantially permanent manner.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods associated with power adapter identification are described. In one embodiment the apparatus includes an adapter plug having at least two contacts and at least one circuit component connected to the at least two contacts.

Abstract: A plug includes a disabling mechanism that, upon activation, resists removal of the shaft when inserted into a socket. The plug can also include an indicator that provides an indication that the disabling mechanism has been activated. The plug, which once inserted, changes the state of an electronic device in a substantially permanent manner.

Abstract: A plug includes a disabling mechanism that, upon activation, resists removal of the shaft when inserted into a socket. The plug can also include an indicator that provides an indication that the disabling mechanism has been activated. The plug, which once inserted, changes the state of an electronic device in a substantially permanent manner.

Abstract: A battery pack includes battery storage. The battery storage has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. A power connector is connected to the positive terminal of the battery storage. A ground connector is to the negative terminal of the battery storage. The battery pack also includes an additional connector. Battery monitoring circuitry is used to monitor the battery storage. The battery monitoring circuitry has a power input. Disconnect circuitry is connected to the positive terminal of the battery storage, to the ground connector, to the additional connector and to the power input of the battery monitoring circuit. The disconnect circuitry, in response to a first voltage pattern on the additional connector, electrically connects the power input of the battery monitoring circuitry to the positive terminal of the battery storage.

Abstract: A common dictionary definition of a "diode" is "any electronic device that restricts current flow chiefly to one direction." This definition covers not only the conventional two lead PN junction semiconductor device presently known in the prior art (referred to herein as a "conventional diode") but also the electronic device of this invention (referred to herein as a "low power diode"). A low power diode has a comparator for comparing the voltage present at the anode and cathode of the diode. When the comparator determines that the voltage present at the anode of the low power diode equals or exceeds the voltage present at the cathode of the low power diode by a predetermined forward voltage, a signal is generated. This signal turns on a transistor acting as a switch, which in turn electronically connects the anode and the cathode of the low power diode together. Unlike conventional diodes that have a forward voltage (dependent on the physical silicon junction property of the diode) of approximately 0.