Abstract: The present document describes techniques associated with right-to-repair battery-replacement methodologies and applications thereof. These techniques include detecting a replacement battery in an electronic device (a new battery or the same battery reinstalled), authenticating the replacement battery, and monitoring battery characterization and health of the replacement battery. Using these techniques fulfills sustainability and right-to-repair options, aligning with customer rights and government regulations. Further, these techniques enable replacement of an embedded battery in a user's device and detection that the replacement battery was installed and is safe for use by the device. A battery health monitor may be implemented on the device to monitor the health of the replacement battery. In some aspects, the battery health monitor may be a subscription-based service implemented via an application executed on the device or via a system-level application.

Abstract: This application is directed to an electronic device powered by one or more rechargeable battery cells. The electronic device includes a first negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor proximate to the battery cells, and an open capacitor coupled in parallel with the NTC thermistor. The open capacitor has an open area and two electrodes that are at least partially exposed via the open area and electrically isolated. The electronic device further includes a control circuit coupled to the NTC thermistor and the open capacitor. The control circuit is configured to detect a voltage drop across the NTC thermistor and the open capacitor if conductive liquid enters the open area of the capacitor and electrically connects the two electrodes that are at least partially exposed via the open area.

Abstract: An accessory interface for an electronic host device includes a digital communication bus including a plurality of communication lines configured to pass data between the electronic host device and an electronic accessory device. The accessory interface further includes detection circuitry selectively coupled to the plurality of communication lines via a multiplexer and configured to detect analog voltage levels across the plurality of communication lines, determine a device type of the electronic accessory device based on the detected analog voltage levels, and control the multiplexer to couple the plurality of communication lines to a host processor of the electronic host device upon determining the device type of the electronic accessory device. The host processor is configured to receive the device type of the electronic accessory device and transmit data via the plurality of communication lines to the electronic accessory device in accordance with the device type of the electronic accessory device.

Abstract: The present document describes battery zero-voltage (0V) detection methodologies and applications thereof. These techniques detect the occurrence of the 0V condition and enable the device to continue operation after one 0V condition. These techniques may, however, shut down the device after detecting a second occurrence of the 0V condition of the battery. In an aspect, a combination of hardware and software is used at a system side of a device, when the device is connected to an external power source, to detect a 0V condition and/or distinguish the 0V condition from an undervoltage-protection (UVP) condition.

Abstract: This application is directed to protecting a battery or battery by a battery protection system including two distinct protection integrated circuits (PICs). The two PICs are configured to determine whether a drive current of the battery is at fault and generate distinct switching signals indicating whether the drive current of the battery is at fault. The two PICs are interchangeable with each other. The battery protection system further includes control logic and two switching components. The control logic is configured to combine the switching signals provided by the two PICs to provide a combined switching signal. Each switching component is coupled to the control logic and configured to control a current path of charging and discharging the battery based on the combined switching signal.

Abstract: This application is directed to a battery protection system including a sense resistor, a comparator, a switching component, and a protection integrated circuit (PIC). The sense resistor is electrically coupled in series with one of a plurality of rechargeable battery cells that are coupled in parallel in a battery. The comparator is coupled to the sense resistor and configured to compare a voltage drop across the sense resistor with a reference voltage to determine whether a subset of the rechargeable battery cells is not charging in the battery. The switching component is coupled to the battery, while the PIC is coupled to the comparator and the switching component. The PIC is configured to control charging and discharging of the battery including disabling the battery from being charged in accordance with a determination that a subset of the rechargeable battery cells is not charging in the battery.

Abstract: This application is directed to an electronic device powered by one or more rechargeable battery cells. The electronic device includes a first negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor proximate to the battery cells, and an open capacitor coupled in parallel with the NTC thermistor. The open capacitor has an open area and two electrodes that are at least partially exposed via the open area and electrically isolated. The electronic device further includes a control circuit coupled to the NTC thermistor and the open capacitor. The control circuit is configured to detect a voltage drop across the NTC thermistor and the open capacitor if conductive liquid enters the open area of the capacitor and electrically connects the two electrodes that are at least partially exposed via the open area.

Abstract: This application is directed to an electronic device powered by one or more rechargeable battery cells. The electronic device includes a first negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor proximate to the battery cells, and an open capacitor coupled in parallel with the NTC thermistor. The open capacitor has an open area and two electrodes that are at least partially exposed via the open area and electrically isolated. The electronic device further includes a control circuit coupled to the NTC thermistor and the open capacitor. The control circuit is configured to detect a voltage drop across the NTC thermistor and the open capacitor if conductive liquid enters the open area of the capacitor and electrically connects the two electrodes that are at least partially exposed via the open area.

Abstract: An accessory interface for an electronic host device includes a digital communication bus including a plurality of communication lines configured to pass data between the electronic host device and an electronic accessory device. The accessory interface further includes detection circuitry selectively coupled to the plurality of communication lines via a multiplexer and configured to detect analog voltage levels across the plurality of communication lines, determine a device type of the electronic accessory device based on the detected analog voltage levels, and control the multiplexer to couple the plurality of communication lines to a host processor of the electronic host device upon determining the device type of the electronic accessory device. The host processor is configured to receive the device type of the electronic accessory device and transmit data via the plurality of communication lines to the electronic accessory device in accordance with the device type of the electronic accessory device.

Abstract: This application is directed to an electronic device powered by one or more rechargeable battery cells. The electronic device includes a first negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor proximate to the battery cells, and an open capacitor coupled in parallel with the NTC thermistor. The open capacitor has an open area and two electrodes that are at least partially exposed via the open area and electrically isolated. The electronic device further includes a control circuit coupled to the NTC thermistor and the open capacitor. The control circuit is configured to detect a voltage drop across the NTC thermistor and the open capacitor if conductive liquid enters the open area of the capacitor and electrically connects the two electrodes that are at least partially exposed via the open area.

Abstract: This application is directed to protecting a battery or battery by a battery protection system including two distinct protection integrated circuits (PICs). The two PICs are configured to determine whether a drive current of the battery is at fault and generate distinct switching signals indicating whether the drive current of the battery is at fault. The two PICs are interchangeable with each other. The battery protection system further includes control logic and two switching components. The control logic is configured to combine the switching signals provided by the two PICs to provide a combined switching signal. Each switching component is coupled to the control logic and configured to control a current path of charging and discharging the battery based on the combined switching signal.

Abstract: This application is directed to a battery protection system including a sense resistor, a comparator, a switching component, and a protection integrated circuit (PIC). The sense resistor is electrically coupled in series with one of a plurality of rechargeable battery cells that are coupled in parallel in a battery. The comparator is coupled to the sense resistor and configured to compare a voltage drop across the sense resistor with a reference voltage to determine whether a subset of the rechargeable battery cells is not charging in the battery. The switching component is coupled to the battery, while the PIC is coupled to the comparator and the switching component. The PIC is configured to control charging and discharging of the battery including disabling the battery from being charged in accordance with a determination that a subset of the rechargeable battery cells is not charging in the battery.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for swelling resistant pouch batteries. In one embodiment, an example battery may include a pouch having an aluminum layer with a first portion and a second portion, and at least one cell that is partially positioned within the pouch. The at least one cell may include an anode, a separator, a cathode, and an electrolyte. Example pouch batteries may include a circuit electrically coupled to the cathode and to the first portion of the aluminum layer, where the circuit is configured to cause a electric potential difference at the aluminum layer with respect to the anode, and a first electrical contact electrically coupled to the first portion of the aluminum layer.

Abstract: A head-mounted wearable device (HMWD) may incorporate bone conduction speakers (BCS) to generate audio output that is perceptible to a wearer. During operation, vibrations of the BCS may produce sound in the surrounding air that is perceptible to bystanders. An active noise cancellation module monitors the output and generates cancellation audio that is out of phase with the sound leaked by the BCS. An air conduction speaker emits the cancellation audio, producing destructive acoustic interference to the leaked sound. As a result, the user of the HMWD is able to hear audio clearly while bystanders are not.