Abstract: Dual mode headphones, and methods for constructing the same are provided. Headphones can be connected to an electronic device to provide an audio output. The headphones can include a transducer or other component for providing sound waves at appropriate levels near a user's ear. To provide audio as a speaker, however, circuitry in the headphones can include a powered amplifier that may be selectively used. The headphones can be moved between a first, in-ear position and a second, speaker position. A sensor in the headphones can detect the current position of the headphones, and can change the mode of the circuit to correspond to the detected current position. For example, the sensor can change between an in-ear mode in which the amplifier is bypassed and a speaker mode in which the amplifier is powered and used. In some cases, the headphones can include a sensor for preventing the speaker mode when the headphones are positioned near a user's ears.

Abstract: Dual mode headphones, and methods for constructing the same are provided. Headphones can be connected to an electronic device to provide an audio output. The headphones can include a transducer or other component for providing sound waves at appropriate levels near a user's ear. To provide audio as a speaker, however, circuitry in the headphones can include a powered amplifier that may be selectively used. The headphones can be moved between a first, in-ear position and a second, speaker position. A sensor in the headphones can detect the current position of the headphones, and can change the mode of the circuit to correspond to the detected current position. For example, the sensor can change between an in-ear mode in which the amplifier is bypassed and a speaker mode in which the amplifier is powered and used. In some cases, the headphones can include a sensor for preventing the speaker mode when the headphones are positioned near a user's ears.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing media content to electronic equipment includes transferring media content to the electronic equipment, and using rules to determine how pre-existing media content and the cached media content are stored in memory when free memory in the electronic equipment is insufficient to store the cached media content. At least part of the transferred media content is cached in memory of the electronic equipment for use at a later time.

Abstract: A system for automatic disconnect of an AC source from a converter that includes a converter and a converter. The converter includes a power supply capable of being connected to an alternating current (AC) power source and converting an AC voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage. The portable device contains a rechargeable battery where the portable device uses the DC voltage to charge the rechargeable battery. The connection of the converter to the AC power source is automatically disconnected responsive to the rechargeable battery reaching a full charge or the portable device being disconnected from the converter and automatically reconnected responsive to the rechargeable battery being below a full charge or the portable device being reconnected to the converter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a low battery life warning that includes detecting when a battery life of a battery in a device has fallen below a certain level, and generating a warning of a low battery life by decreasing an audio level output by the device to a percentage of an audio volume set on the device responsive to the battery life having fallen.

Abstract: A system for automatic disconnect of an AC source from a converter that includes a converter and a converter. The converter includes a power supply capable of being connected to an alternating current (AC) power source and converting an AC voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage. The portable device contains a rechargeable battery where the portable device uses the DC voltage to charge the rechargeable battery. The connection of the converter to the AC power source is automatically disconnected responsive to the rechargeable battery reaching a full charge or the portable device being disconnected from the converter and automatically reconnected responsive to the rechargeable battery being below a full charge or the portable device being reconnected to the converter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a low battery life warning that includes detecting when a battery life of a battery in a device has fallen below a certain level, and generating a warning of a low battery life by decreasing an audio level output by the device to a percentage of an audio volume set on the device responsive to the battery life having fallen.

Abstract: A portable communication device is equipped with silent push-to-talk (PTT) call pacing. The portable communication device includes a tactile alert generator, a controller for the tactile alert generator, and a PTT processor in operative communication with the controller for the tactile alert generator.