Abstract: Example implementations relate to docking stations. A docking station can include a power sensing component to determine an amount of supplied power received from a power supply coupled to the docking station, a host power port to power a host device (HD), a peripheral power port (PPP) to power a peripheral device, and a controller to receive a signal indicative of a change in power demands of a HD or power demands of a PPP, redetermine an amount of host power in response to on the detected change, redetermine an amount of dock power in response to the detected change, and cause transmission of the redetermined host power to the HD and the redetermined dock power to the PPP.

Abstract: An apparatus including a host system is provided. The apparatus includes a peripheral device in communication with the host system. The apparatus also includes a programmable memory unit within the peripheral device. The programmable memory unit is to receive a configuration profile from the host system. The configuration profile is to re-configure as an embedded device. In addition, the apparatus includes a power delivery system to provide power to the programmable memory unit and to provide power to an accessory of the peripheral device separately. The power delivery system provides power to the programmable memory unit to allow re-configuration of the peripheral device as the embedded device.

Abstract: An apparatus including a host system is provided. The apparatus includes a peripheral device in communication with the host system. The apparatus also includes a programmable memory unit within the peripheral device. The programmable memory unit is to receive a configuration profile from the host system. The configuration profile is to re-configure as an embedded device. In addition, the apparatus includes a power delivery system to provide power to the programmable memory unit and to provide power to an accessory of the peripheral device separately. The power delivery system provides power to the programmable memory unit to allow re-configuration of the peripheral device as the embedded device.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to docking stations. A docking station can include a power sensing component to determine an amount of supplied power received from a power supply coupled to the docking station, a host power port to power a host device (HD), a peripheral power port (PPP) to power a peripheral device, and a controller to receive a signal indicative of a change in power demands of a HD or power demands of a PPP, redetermine an amount of host power in response to on the detected change, redetermine an amount of dock power in response to the detected change, and cause transmission of the redetermined host power to the HD and the redetermined dock power to the PPP.

Abstract: A single button contrast control which can bi-directionally adjust a contrast function in one of two directions so as to increase or decrease the contrast of a display. An interrupt generator generates an interrupt for each user activation of a single button control key. A control circuit incrementally adjusts the contrast function in accordance with the interrupts generated. If no interrupts are generated within a predetermined period of time following a previous interrupt, the control circuit changes the direction in which the contrast is incrementally adjusted so that the next time a user activates the single button control key the control will be adjusted in the other direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery discrimination system which provides for charging a battery of a mobile terminal where the battery may be any one of a plurality of types of batteries each having different charge characteristics. The system includes a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal including a battery pack housing for storing at least one of a plurality of batteries. The plurality of batteries including batteries of a first battery type and batteries of a second battery type, the batteries of the first battery type having charge characteristics different from the batteries of the second battery type. The system further includes a docking cradle for receiving and storing the mobile terminal. The cradle includes a battery charger for charging the at least one of a plurality of batteries.

Abstract: A secondary battery boost system which includes a primary power supply for a computing device, and a secondary power supply for the computing device. The boost system also includes a boost circuit operative to increase the power output of the secondary power supply applied to the computing device. Upon the output of the primary power supply falling below a level suitable for properly powering the computing device, the boost circuit feeds the computing device power from the secondary power supply. The boost circuit also boosts the power output of the secondary power supply so that the secondary power supply can be smaller and more light weight.

Abstract: A monitoring circuit for a Li-Ion battery pack charging apparatus is disclosed. The monitoring circuit modifies charging time for a Li-Ion battery pack inserted in the charging apparatus to compensate for temperature effects on the charging current input to the battery pack. In one embodiment of the monitoring circuit, a comparator is utilized to compare a voltage across the battery pack, V.sub.charge, to a set point voltage value, V.sub.sp. The set point voltage value, V.sub.sp, is taken off a temperature sensor circuit comprising a voltage divider circuit. The voltage divider circuit includes at least one thermistor in a ground connected leg of the divider. In a second embodiment of the monitoring circuit of the present invention, a differential amplifier is coupled to opposite ends of a low resistance sensor resistor. The sensor resistor is coupled between charging circuitry and the Li-Ion battery pack to be charged. The voltage differential across the resistor, V.sub.

Abstract: A battery pack adapted to be removably inserted into a battery receiving compartment of a portable electronic device for supplying power to the device is disclosed. The battery pack includes a plurality of cylindrically shaped battery cells and an elongated casing having two spaced apart ends and defining an interior region in which the plurality of battery cells are disposed. Outer cylindrical surfaces of first and second cells and an inner surface of the casing define two elongated open regions extending away from the first end of the casing. The battery pack also includes an integrated circuit board disposed intermediate a first end of the casing and negative and positive connector plates of the cells and includes conductive traces electrically coupled to the connector plates of the first and second cells.

Abstract: A charging system monitors the rate of change in battery voltage, adjusts the rate of charging, and checks the changes in battery voltage following adjustments in the rate of charging to observe a predetermined sequence of voltage changes that signifies when a battery is fully charged. The charging system determines the slope between consecutive battery voltage measurements. The charging system charges a battery at the full battery capacity in response to positive or zero voltage slope measurements and reduces the charging rate in response to negative voltage slope measurements. A nickel-cadmium battery is fully charged when at least one sequence of a negative slope, followed by a decrease in charging rate, then a positive or flat slope, followed by an increase in charge rate, and finally another negative slope is observed.

Abstract: An electric switch assembly for use with a magnetic reed switch includes a trigger that is movable with respect to a housing between an open position and a closed position and that includes a trigger magnet. The switch assembly further includes a second magnet, fixed relative to the housing, that is located adjacent the first magnet when the trigger is in the open position. The magnets are oriented such that their magnetic fields tend to cancel each other when the trigger is in its open position. This provides an increased disparity in the magnetic field reaching the magnetic reed switch between the open position and closed position and eliminates the need for precision alignment and individual adjustment of the magnetic reed switch at the point of manufacture.