Abstract: A handheld computing device includes a notification lamp, a melody circuit coupled to the notification lamp for providing a first type notification, an electronic switch coupled to the notification lamp for providing a second type notification, and a notification controller coupled to the melody circuit and the electronic switch for selecting between the notification types. The power consumption of the second type notification is less than that of the first type notification.

Abstract: A load device includes a power input having an interface to a power supply; a peripheral power bus including an internal capacitance, and an active switch coupled to the power input and the peripheral power bus for applying power from the power input to the peripheral power bus. The load device also includes a switch controller coupled to the active switch for regulating the in-rush current drawn by the internal capacitance through the active switch while the internal capacitance is being charged.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, a method and apparatus for handling a charging state in a mobile device is provided. A universal serial bus (USB) interface may be used for connecting the mobile device to a USB host. A processing device may be used to execute programs and to control operation of the mobile device, the processing device may be further operable to receive an enumeration acknowledgement signal from the USB host via the USB interface. A rechargeable battery may be used for powering the processing device. A voltage regulator may be coupled to the USB interface and operable to receive a USB bus voltage from the USB interface and use the USB bus voltage to power the processing device. A timing circuitry may be used to disable the voltage regulator from powering the processing device after a pre-determined amount of time has expired, the timing circuitry being operable to measure the passage of the pre-determined amount of time upon detecting the USB bus voltage.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, a method and apparatus for handling a charging state in a mobile electronic device is provided. A universal serial bus (USB) interface may be used for connecting the mobile device to a USB host. A processing device may be used to execute programs and to control operation of the mobile device. The processing device may be operable to receive an enumeration acknowledgement signal from the USB host via the USB interface and generate an enable signal upon receiving the enumeration acknowledgement signal. A rechargeable battery may be used to power the processing device. A battery charger may be used to receive a USB bus voltage from the USB interface and use the USB bus voltage to power the processing device and to charge the rechargeable battery. The battery charger may be further operable to receive a charge enable signal that enables and disables the battery charger from powering the processing device and charging the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device in conjunction with an improved holder for the handheld electronic device together form an improved electronic device. The handheld electronic device includes a first battery, and the holder includes a second battery and a charging apparatus. When the handheld electronic device and the holder are electrically connected together, such as when the handheld electronic device is received in a cavity formed in the holder and a plurality of first contacts on the handheld electronic device and a plurality of second contacts on the holder are electrically connected together, the charging apparatus charges the first battery on the handheld electronic device from the second battery on the holder.

Abstract: A convenient source of charging power for portable communication devices is an integral power node of a computer data bus, such as a USB (universal serial bus) port. Unfortunately, USB ports have limited power capacity, making them generally incompatible with battery charge controllers (BCCs) which are designed to receive a steady, high capacity input. The invention provides a battery charging circuit which adjusts to the parameters of an external power supply such as a USB port by adding a regulating circuit to a standard BCC design. This regulating circuit maximizes the current drawn by the BCC, while keeping the voltage to the BCC above a preset minimum (the low voltage shut off level for the BCC). If the voltage to the BCC begins to drop, the regulating circuit reduces the current drawn, so the voltage rises and stays within the operating range of the BCC.

Abstract: A convenient source of charging power for portable communication devices is an integral power node of a computer data bus, such as a USB (universal serial bus) port. Unfortunately, USB ports have limited power capacity, making them generally incompatible with battery charge controllers (BCCs) which are designed to receive a steady, high capacity input. The invention provides a battery charging circuit which adjusts to the parameters of an external power supply such as a USB port by adding a regulating circuit to a standard BCC design. This regulating circuit maximizes the current drawn by the BCC, while keeping the voltage to the BCC above a preset minimum (the low voltage shut off level for the BCC). If the voltage to the BCC begins to drop, the regulating circuit reduces the current drawn, so the voltage rises and stays within the operating range of the BCC.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for charging a rechargeable power source in a mobile device through a USB port. A power converter may be used to receive an input voltage from an external power source and generate a charger output having a regulated voltage. A signal generator may be used to generate a charger configuration signal having pre-selected waveform characteristics that are selected to identify operating characteristics of the charging apparatus. A USB connector may be used for coupling the charger output and charger configuration signal to the USB port on the mobile device. The USB connector may include a voltage bus (Vbus) contact coupled to the charger output, a positive data (D+) contact coupled to the charger configuration signal, and a negative data (D−) contact coupled to the charger configuration signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a method of handling a device charging state for a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connected mobile electronic device comprising the steps of sensing a presence of a bus voltage; sensing an enumeration acknowledgement signal between the device and a USB host; and transmitting a signal to instruct the device to enter the device charging state.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit comprising: a semiconductor switch having an output connected to a rechargeable battery; a battery charge controller for receiving power from an external source, and supplying output power to a portable device and the input of the semiconductor switch, the current output of the battery charge controller being controllable; and a voltage sensing circuit for: measuring the voltage drop across the battery charge controller; and responding to the voltage drop across the battery charge controller by modulating the semiconductor switch to reduce the quantity of current supplied to the rechargeable battery when the voltage drop is too great; whereby the total power dissipated by the battery charge controller is controlled, the portable device receiving the power it needs to operate and the rechargeable battery receiving any additional available power.

Abstract: A convenient source of charging power for portable communication devices is an integral power node of a computer data bus, such as a USB (universal serial bus) port. Unfortunately, USB ports have limited power capacity, making them generally incompatible with battery charge controllers (BCCs) which are designed to receive a steady, high capacity input. The invention provides a battery charging circuit which adjusts to the parameters of an external power supply such as a USB port by adding a regulating circuit to a standard BCC design. This regulating circuit maximizes the current drawn by the BCC, while keeping the voltage to the BCC above a preset minimum (the low voltage shut off level for the BCC). If the voltage to the BCC begins to drop, the regulating circuit reduces the current drawn, so the voltage rises and stays within the operating range of the BCC.