Abstract: A load detecting circuit has a primary side and a secondary side with a secondary side patient load impedance input having a patient-side opto-isolator and a secondary side reference resistance load input having a reference-side opto-isolator coupled to the secondary side patient load impedance input. The circuit also includes at least one primary side output resistor, wherein the patient-side opto-isolator and the reference-side opto-isolator drive the at least one primary side output resistor and an integrator for operatively controlling the secondary side and conveying the patient load input and the reference load input to the primary side, where the patient load input and the reference load input are powered by a secondary side transformer winding.

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 temperature-indicating power adapter includes a case, a conversion module coupled to the case that receives a first voltage and produces a second voltage. The adapter also includes a temperature-indicating device that is also coupled to the case for indicating the temperature of the case.

Abstract: An electronic device has a case and a screen attached to the case. The screen indicates a cursor position. The electronic device further has an input device mounted to the case. The input device includes a curved surface for detecting an object disposed on the curved surface using a light path that transfers an image of the object to an optical sensor. The optical sensor detects the movement of the object across the curved surface and in response, the input device manipulates the cursor position.

Abstract: In an electronic device, a method for adjusting the power consumption of the electronic device includes the steps of presenting a power adapter that supplies power to the electronic device. The method continues with the electronic device sensing an attribute of power adapter, and modifying an aspect of the operation of the electronic device in response to the sensing step.

Abstract: In an electronic device, a method for adjusting the power consumption of the electronic device includes the steps of presenting a power adapter that supplies power to the electronic device. The method continues with the electronic device sensing an attribute of power adapter, and modifying an aspect of the operation of the electronic device in response to the sensing step.

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 temperature-indicating power adapter includes a case, a conversion module coupled to the case that receives a first voltage and produces a second voltage. The adapter also includes a temperature-indicating device that is also coupled to the case for indicating the temperature of the case.

Abstract: An electronic device has a case and a screen attached to the case. The screen indicates a cursor position. The electronic device further has an input device mounted to the case. The input device includes a curved surface for detecting an object disposed on the curved surface using a light path that transfers an image of the object to an optical sensor. The optical sensor detects the movement of the object across the curved surface and in response, the input device manipulates the cursor position.

Abstract: An electronic device has a case and a screen attached to the case. The screen indicates a cursor position. The electronic device further has an input device mounted to the case. The input device includes a curved surface for detecting an object disposed on the curved surface using a light path that transfers an image of the object to an optical sensor. The optical sensor detects the movement of the object across the curved surface and in response, the input device manipulates the cursor position.

Abstract: A method and system of indicating a charge storage level of an electronic device. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a signal regarding a status of a charge storage device; assigning a value to said status; and, indicating a representation of said value.

Abstract: A charger for a battery includes a power source and a control circuit. The battery has an internal resistance, at least one cell having a recommended charge voltage, and an aggregate recommended charge voltage. The power source is capable of providing an applied voltage and charge current to the battery. The control circuit is connected to the power source and is capable of detecting the applied voltage of the battery and enabling the charge current and applied voltage to the battery until the applied voltage is greater than the aggregate recommended charge voltage by an amount less than the product of the internal resistance and the charge current. The control circuit is capable of reducing the applied voltage towards the aggregate recommended charge voltage at a controlled rate such that the recommended charge voltage of the at least one cell is not exceeded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an integrated circuit in an electronic device by controlling the supply voltage to the integrated circuit (IC). A parameter of the IC is measured and used to adjust the supply voltage of the IC. The measured parameter is indicative of the effective channel mobility of the IC. One purpose of adjusting the voltage is to modify the effective channel mobility such that the individual channel currents are substantially constant over a predetermined operating temperature range of the IC. The modification of channel mobility is chosen to set the individual channel currents at levels that either maximizes operating speed, minimizes power consumption, extends the range of operating temperature, or increases the operational reliability of the IC.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an integrated circuit in an electronic device by controlling the supply voltage to the integrated circuit (IC). A parameter of the IC is measured and used to adjust the supply voltage of the IC. The measured parameter is indicative of the effective channel mobility of the IC. One purpose of adjusting the voltage is to modify the effective channel mobility such that the individual channel currents are substantially constant over a predetermined operating temperature range of the IC. The modification of channel mobility is chosen to set the individual channel currents at levels that either maximizes operating speed, minimizes power consumption, extends the range of operating temperature, or increases the operational reliability of the IC.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an integrated circuit in an electronic device by controlling the supply voltage to the integrated circuit (IC). A parameter of the IC is measured and used to adjust the supply voltage of the IC. The measured parameter is indicative of the effective channel mobility of the IC. One purpose of adjusting the voltage is to modify the effective channel mobility such that the individual channel currents are substantially constant over a predetermined operating temperature range of the IC. The modification of channel mobility is chosen to set the individual channel currents at levels that either maximizes operating speed, minimizes power consumption, extends the range of operating temperature, or increases the operational reliability of the IC.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an integrated circuit in an electronic device by controlling the supply voltage to the integrated circuit (IC). A parameter of the IC is measured and used to adjust the supply voltage of the IC. The measured parameter is indicative of the effective channel mobility of the IC. One purpose of adjusting the voltage is to modify the effective channel mobility such that the individual channel currents are substantially constant over a predetermined operating temperature range of the IC. The modification of channel mobility is chosen to set the individual channel currents at levels that either maximizes operating speed, minimizes power consumption, extends the range of operating temperature, or increases the operational reliability of the IC.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an integrated circuit in an electronic device by controlling the supply voltage to the integrated circuit (IC). A parameter of the IC is measured and used to adjust the supply voltage of the IC. The measured parameter is indicative of the effective channel mobility of the IC. One purpose of adjusting the voltage is to modify the effective channel mobility such that the individual channel currents are substantially constant over a predetermined operating temperature range of the IC. The modification of channel mobility is chosen to set the individual channel currents at levels that either maximizes operating speed, minimizes power consumption, extends the range of operating temperature, or increases the operational reliability of the IC.

Abstract: An electronic device has a heat producing component thermally coupled to a heat dissipation structure. The electronic device further has control circuitry connected to a temperature sensor that senses the component temperature of the heat producing component. The control circuit is further connected to a cooling device also thermally coupled to the heat dissipation structure. The control circuit varies the cooling rate in a manner that cancels out a lag time which occurs during a change from a steady state condition of the component temperature. The cooling rate of the cooling device is varied by the control circuit in proportion to variation in sensed component temperature from the temperature sensor.

Abstract: An electronic device has a heat pipe containing a heat transfer fluid. The heat pipe has a first section and a second section. Inside the heat pipe is a valve disposed between the first section and second section of the heat pipe. The valve has an actuator that is used to regulate the flow of the heat transfer fluid between the first section and the second section of the heat pipe in response to a changed state detected by a sensor.

Abstract: An electronic device has a heat pipe containing a heat transfer fluid. The heat pipe has a first section and a second section. Inside the heat pipe is a valve disposed between the first section and second section of the heat pipe. The valve has an actuator that is used to regulate the flow of the heat transfer fluid between the first section and the second section of the heat pipe in response to a changed state detected by a sensor.