Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to power supply devices and methods for managing DC power. In one example, a method comprises: providing DC power at a first voltage until determining that a standby time period has elapsed; determining that a load is connected to the power supply device; and based on determining that the standby time period has elapsed, entering a restricted power mode, wherein the restricted power mode comprises either: deactivating the DC power, or (1) providing the DC power at a second voltage until determining that a load detection time period has elapsed, (2) deactivating the DC power after determining that the load detection time period has elapsed, and (3) repeating (1) and (2) until determining that the load is no longer connected to the power supply device.

Abstract: Disclosed in some examples are methods, systems, devices, and machine-readable mediums for securing biometric data using distance-preserving transformations. A distance-preserving transformation is a function which maps elements to the same or another metric space such that the distance between the elements in the new metric space is equal to the distance between the elements in the original metric space.

Abstract: Disclosed in some examples are methods, systems, devices, and machine-readable mediums for securing biometric data using an encryption technique that does not require key storage or distribution. In some examples, a first biometric template of a user is input into a function that selects or determines parameters (such as an encryption key) of an encryption function that is then used to encrypt a second biometric template of the user.

Abstract: A spreading sequence generator for a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver receives an RF signal from a second RF transceiver. The first RF transceiver measures power levels of the received RF signal at a plurality of instants to generate respective digital power level values and uses the plurality of digital power level values to create a first spreading sequence. The second RF transceiver receives an RF signal from the first RF transceiver and performs the same functions to create a second spreading sequence. Due to the reciprocal nature of the RF channel between the first and second RF transceivers, the first and second cryptographic keys match.

Abstract: A spreading sequence generator for a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver receives an RF signal from a second RF transceiver. The first RF transceiver measures power levels of the received RF signal at a plurality of instants to generate respective digital power level values and uses the plurality of digital power level values to create a first spreading sequence. The second RF transceiver receives an RF signal from the first RF transceiver and performs the same functions to create a second spreading sequence. Due to the reciprocal nature of the RF channel between the first and second RF transceivers, the first and second cryptographic keys match.

Abstract: A leakage reduction circuit is described herein that is configured to reduce high voltage leakage that may occur in electrical power step-down scenarios. The leakage reduction circuit, for instance, may be employed in a power adapter for a client device, such as a mobile computing device. For example, a power adapter may include a high voltage alternating current (AC) input, and circuitry for converting the AC input into lower voltage direct current (DC) for output to a client device. Implementations of the disclosed leakage reduction circuit include an arrangement of capacitors that provides a noise return path (e.g., for common mode noise) in a power adapter, while reducing high voltage leakage that may occur from a high voltage AC input to a lower voltage DC output of the power adapter.

Abstract: Problems of bandwidth utilization and delay, with a computer having a wirelessly connected display, are addressed by having the computer instruct a display device to access content from remote resources and combine that content with content processed locally at the computer and sent to the display device. The display device includes a processor, or display computer, associated with a display. When the computer transmits data to the display device, the data includes information indicating the resource, such as a server accessible over a computer network, which stores the content to be displayed. The processor associated with the display uses this information to access the content directly from its resource. The processor associated with the display can be embedded in the housing for the display or can be housed in a separate housing that is electrically connected directly to the display.

Abstract: The following discloses using avatars to provide feedback to users of a gesture-based computing environment about one or more features of the gesture-based computing environment. Gesture-based computing environments may not, in some circumstances, use a physical controller that associates a player with the computing environment. Accordingly, a player may not be provided with a player number. Thus rights and features typically associated with a particular controller may not be available to a user of a gesture-based system.

Abstract: Sounds sensed by a microphone of a device include sounds from a cooling fan of the device that varies based on the speed of the cooling fan, and other sounds used by a program of the device such as voice inputs. The sound level of sounds used by the program is determined, and the speed of the fan is adjusted so that a desired cooling level is attained while keeping the fan speed low enough that the noise from the fan does not interfere with the sounds used by the program.

Abstract: Sounds sensed by a microphone of a device include sounds from a cooling fan of the device that varies based on the speed of the cooling fan, and other sounds used by a program of the device such as voice inputs. The sound level of sounds used by the program is determined, and the speed of the fan is adjusted so that a desired cooling level is attained while keeping the fan speed low enough that the noise from the fan does not interfere with the sounds used by the program.

Abstract: Anti-arcing circuits are described herein that are configured to prevent or substantially mitigate arcing when a power adapter is connected/disconnected from a client device. The anti-arcing circuit restricts power supplied when a connection of a connector of a power adapter to the adapter interface is not fully established. The anti-arcing circuit is further configured to detect when a connection is made and remove the restriction to supply power for operations of the client device. In one approach, the anti-arcing circuit includes two different paths and components associated with a detection mode and operational mode respectively. In the detection mode, power supply is suppressed and a current pulse may be sent to determine if a connection is established. If current is detected, a switch is made to operational mode and power for normal device operations is supplied.

Abstract: A leakage reduction circuit is described herein that is configured to reduce high voltage leakage that may occur in electrical power step-down scenarios. The leakage reduction circuit, for instance, may be employed in a power adapter for a client device, such as a mobile computing device. For example, a power adapter may include a high voltage alternating current (AC) input, and circuitry for converting the AC input into lower voltage direct current (DC) for output to a client device. Implementations of the disclosed leakage reduction circuit include an arrangement of capacitors that provides a noise return path (e.g., for common mode noise) in a power adapter, while reducing high voltage leakage that may occur from a high voltage AC input to a lower voltage DC output of the power adapter.

Abstract: Problems of bandwidth utilization and delay, with a computer having a wirelessly connected display, are addressed by having the computer instruct a display device to access content from remote resources and combine that content with content processed locally at the computer and sent to the display device. The display device includes a processor, or display computer, associated with a display. When the computer transmits data to the display device, the data includes information indicating the resource, such as a server accessible over a computer network, which stores the content to be displayed. The processor associated with the display uses this information to access the content directly from its resource. The processor associated with the display can be embedded in the housing for the display or can be housed in a separate housing that is electrically connected directly to the display.

Abstract: Anti-arcing circuits are described herein that are configured to prevent or substantially mitigate arcing when a power adapter is connected/disconnected from a client device. The anti-arcing circuit restricts power supplied when a connection of a connector of a power adapter to the adapter interface is not fully established. The anti-arcing circuit is further configured to detect when a connection is made and remove the restriction to supply power for operations of the client device. In one approach, the anti-arcing circuit includes two different paths and components associated with a detection mode and operational mode respectively. In the detection mode, power supply is suppressed and a current pulse may be sent to determine if a connection is established. If current is detected, a switch is made to operational mode and power for normal device operations is supplied.

Abstract: Accessory device authentication techniques are described. In one or more embodiments, connection of an accessory device to a host computing device is detected. Responsive to the detection, an authentication sequence may occur to verify an identity and/or capabilities of the accessory device. Upon successful authentication of the accessory device, the host device may authorize the accessory device for power exchange interactions with the host device. The host device may then draw supplemental power from a power source associated with the authorized accessory device, such as a battery or power adapter. The host device may also enable the accessory device to obtain and use power supplied by the host device in some scenarios. Power exchange between a host device and an authorized accessory may be managed in accordance with capabilities of the accessory device that are identified during authentication.

Abstract: Accessory device authentication techniques are described. In one or more embodiments, connection of an accessory device to a host computing device is detected. Responsive to the detection, an authentication sequence may occur to verify an identity and/or capabilities of the accessory device. Upon successful authentication of the accessory device, the host device may authorize the accessory device for power exchange interactions with the host device. The host device may then draw supplemental power from a power source associated with the authorized accessory device, such as a battery or power adapter. The host device may also enable the accessory device to obtain and use power supplied by the host device in some scenarios. Power exchange between a host device and an authorized accessory may be managed in accordance with capabilities of the accessory device that are identified during authentication.

Abstract: An input device, such as game peripheral, for a computing device, such as a game console, may have some components that may be powered by AC power only, and some components that may be powered by either AC power or battery power. The switch from AC power to battery power, or vice versa, can be made on-the-fly, in realtime, without disrupting the underlying software application that is being run on the computing device.

Abstract: Sounds sensed by a microphone of a device include sounds from a cooling fan of the device that varies based on the speed of the cooling fan, and other sounds used by a program of the device such as voice inputs. The sound level of sounds used by the program is determined, and the speed of the fan is adjusted so that a desired cooling level is attained while keeping the fan speed low enough that the noise from the fan does not interfere with the sounds used by the program.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for activating an electric device from a standby power mode to a full power mode. The system may include one or more microphones for monitoring audio signals in the vicinity of the electric device, and a standby power activation unit including a low-power microprocessor and a non-volatile memory. Audio captured by the one or more microphones is digitized and compared by the microprocessor against predefined activation pattern(s) stored in the non-volatile memory. If a pattern match is detected between the digital audio pattern and a predefined activation pattern, the electric device is activated.

Abstract: Techniques involving management of a heat transfer device are described. In one or more implementations, a device includes a housing, a heat-generating device disposed within the housing, and a heat transfer device disposed within the housing. The heat transfer device has a powered active cooling device. The device also includes one or more modules that are configured to adjust operation of the powered active cooling device based on a likely orientation of the heat transfer device.