Abstract: A method and apparatus for wirelessly charging a chargeable device, such as a smart phone, digital music player, or navigation device, using a wireless charger. The wireless charger includes a connector, a retainer, and a wireless power transmitter. The connector is configured to secure the wireless charger to a visor in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The retainer is configured to selectively retain a chargeable device having a recipient coil. The wireless power transmitter includes a charging coil configured to carry a fluctuating electric current that generates a changing magnetic field for receipt by a recipient coil of the chargeable device. The changing magnetic field induces a fluctuating electric current in the recipient coil, which is used to charge a battery pack of the chargeable device.

Abstract: A battery pack selectively coupled to a portable electronic device and/or a recharging source, and configured to inhibit corrosion with discharge blocking features, the battery pack includes a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and a data terminal accessible from a housing of the battery pack, wherein each of the positive terminal, the negative terminal, and the data terminal are coupled to a battery in the battery pack; and a discharge blocking circuit configured to allow/block voltage across the positive terminal and the negative terminal based on a presence of a steady state pull up on the data terminal, wherein the steady state pull up is based on the battery pack being coupled to the recharging source, via the positive terminal, the negative terminal, and the data terminal.

Abstract: A battery pack selectively coupled to a portable electronic device and/or a recharging source, and configured to inhibit corrosion with discharge blocking features, the battery pack includes a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and a data terminal accessible from a housing of the battery pack, wherein each of the positive terminal, the negative terminal, and the data terminal are coupled to a battery in the battery pack; and a discharge blocking circuit configured to allow/block voltage across the positive terminal and the negative terminal based on a presence of a steady state pull up on the data terminal, wherein the steady state pull up is based on the battery pack being coupled to the recharging source, via the positive terminal, the negative terminal, and the data terminal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a self-heating battery pack uses a battery cells of a first battery cell circuit to power a device. However these battery cells become substantially inoperative below a very cold temperature, so a second battery cell circuit, having a second type of battery cells which can operate at the cold temperature, is used to power a heating element to warm up the first battery cells to a temperature at which they can operate.

Abstract: A printed circuit board includes at least one plated-through hole via drilled into at least one of a first layer on a first side of the printed circuit board and a second layer on a second side of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board also includes a core section laminated between the first layer and the second layer, wherein a length of the core section is shorter than a length of the first layer and a length of the second layer. The printed circuit board further includes an open slot configured to house a connection tab of an electronic product connected to the printed circuit board, wherein the open slot is formed adjacent to the core section and between sections of the first layer and the second layer that are longer than the core section.

Abstract: A printed circuit board includes at least one plated-through hole via drilled into at least one of a first layer on a first side of the printed circuit board and a second layer on a second side of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board also includes a core section laminated between the first layer and the second layer, wherein a length of the core section is shorter than a length of the first layer and a length of the second layer. The printed circuit board further includes an open slot configured to house a connection tab of an electronic product connected to the printed circuit board, wherein the open slot is formed adjacent to the core section and between sections of the first layer and the second layer that are longer than the core section.

Abstract: A dual-contact battery pack comprises a housing, a plurality of battery cells located within the housing, a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts coupled to the housing and to the plurality of battery cells. The dual-contact battery further comprises a first control circuit coupled between the plurality of battery cells and the first set of contacts and a second control circuit coupled between the plurality of battery cells and the second set of contacts. The first and second sets of contacts enable the dual-contact battery pack to selectively switch from a first state which prevents current from flowing from the plurality of battery cells to the respective first and second set of contacts to a second state in which current flows from the plurality of battery cells to the respective first and second set of contacts in response to the respective first and second control circuits.

Abstract: A battery pack (200) includes a power limiting apparatus (230) comprising a power limiting resistor (232) in series with an overcurrent protection device (234). A switch (236) under the control of a data line (202) is placed in parallel with the series coupled power limiting resistor (232) and overcurrent protection device (234). When the switch (236) is enabled via the data line (202), current limiting is provided via the switch and a fuse. When the switch (236) is disabled via the data line (202) current limiting is provided via the overcurrent protection device (234) which limits the maximum battery system current.

Abstract: A dual-contact battery pack comprises a housing, a plurality of battery cells located within the housing, a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts coupled to the housing and to the plurality of battery cells. The dual-contact battery further comprises a first control circuit coupled between the plurality of battery cells and the first set of contacts and a second control circuit coupled between the plurality of battery cells and the second set of contacts. The first and second sets of contacts enable the dual-contact battery pack to selectively switch from a first state which prevents current from flowing from the plurality of battery cells to the respective first and second set of contacts to a second state in which current flows from the plurality of battery cells to the respective first and second set of contacts in response to the respective first and second control circuits.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a cover coupled to a housing, wherein the cover and the housing are hermetically sealed to enclose one or more batteries. A wire is integrally molded within a perimeter of the cover to allow for the removal of the cover from the housing upon application of current to the wire. The wire is molded within the cover so as to be co-located along an edge of the housing. First and second contacts are coupled to the wire and remain exposed on the cover. The cover can be separated from the housing in response to current being applied to the first and second contacts and pulling of the wire.

Abstract: A battery pack (200) includes a power limiting apparatus (230) comprising a power limiting resistor (232) in series with an overcurrent protection device (234). A switch (236) under the control of a data line (202) is placed in parallel with the series coupled power limiting resistor (232) and overcurrent protection device (234). When the switch (236) is enabled via the data line (202), current limiting is provided via the switch and a fuse. When the switch (236) is disabled via the data line (202) current limiting is provided via the overcurrent protection device (234) which limits the maximum battery system current.

Abstract: A battery charger and method for communicating battery pack charging status information of a battery pack coupled to both the battery charger and an electronic device such as a radio is presented. An authenticity battery pack identifier and battery status information provided by the battery pack to the battery charger is read. The authenticity battery pack identifier and charging status information is transmitted over a wireless link from the battery charger to the radio. The charging status information is then processed by the radio when the authenticity battery pack identifier matches a currently coupled battery pack identifier stored on the radio. The currently coupled battery pack identifier identifies the battery pack that is coupled to the radio.

Abstract: Apparatus (230) for controlling over-current from a power supply (110) to a device (250), the apparatus comprising two power supply inputs (232a, 232b) and two respective device outputs (234a, 234b), a control circuit (120) having control inputs (126x, 126y) connected across a variable resistance circuit (240) coupled between a said power supply input (232a) and a said respective device output (234a), the control circuit arranged to disconnect one of the power supply inputs (232a) from the respective device output (234a) in response to detecting a predetermined over-current voltage across the variable resistance circuit (240), the resistance of the variable resistance circuit (240) being varied dependent on an over-current setting signal (270) received from the device (250).

Abstract: Apparatus (230) for controlling over-current from a power supply (110) to a device (250), the apparatus comprising two power supply inputs (232a, 232b) and two respective device outputs (234a, 234b), a control circuit (120) having control inputs (126x, 126y) connected across a variable resistance circuit (240) coupled between a said power supply input (232a) and a said respective device output (234a), the control circuit arranged to disconnect one of the power supply inputs (232a) from the respective device output (234a) in response to detecting a predetermined over-current voltage across the variable resistance circuit (240), the resistance of the variable resistance circuit (240) being varied dependent on an over-current setting signal (270) received from the device (250).

Abstract: A battery charger (180) and method (400) for communicating battery pack charging status information of a battery pack (140) coupled to both the battery charger (180) and an electronic device such as a radio (110). The method (400) performs reading an authenticity battery pack identifier and battery status information provided by the battery pack (140) to the battery charger (180). Next the method (400) performs transmitting in a status message over a wireless link (199) the authenticity battery pack identifier and charging status information from the battery charger (180) to the radio (110). Processing (555) the charging status information is then performed by the radio (110). This processing (555) is performed when the authenticity battery pack identifier matches a currently coupled battery pack identifier stored on the radio (110), the currently coupled battery pack identifier identifying the battery pack (140) that is coupled to the radio (110).

Abstract: A method (200) and radio frequency amplifier circuit (100) for adjusting a gain setting of a power amplifier (102) and a gain setting of a power amplifier driver (106) that form part of the radio frequency amplifier circuit (100). The method (200) includes selecting (220) a power output value for the power amplifier and an associated constant envelope modulated radio frequency signal supplied by the power amplifier driver (106) to the power amplifier (102) and then sensing variations (240) in a power output value of the power amplifier (102). Next there is performed adjusting (250) both the gain setting of the power amplifier (102) and adjusting the gain setting of the power amplifier driver (106) in response to the sensing so that the constant envelope modulated signal is within a linear operating region of the power amplifier (102). The gain settings of the power amplifier (102) and power amplifier driver (106) are concurrently adjusted until the power output value for the power amplifier is achieved.

Abstract: A method (200) and radio frequency amplifier circuit (100) for adjusting a gain setting of a power amplifier (102) and a gain setting of a power amplifier driver (106) that form part of the radio frequency amplifier circuit (100). The method (200) includes selecting (220) a power output value for the power amplifier and an associated constant envelope modulated radio frequency signal supplied by the power amplifier driver (106) to the power amplifier (102) and then sensing variations (240) in a power output value of the power amplifier (102). Next there is performed adjusting (250) both the gain setting of the power amplifier (102) and adjusting the gain setting of the power amplifier driver (106) in response to the sensing so that the constant envelope modulated signal is within a linear operating region of the power amplifier (102). The gain settings of the power amplifier (102) and power amplifier driver (106) are concurrently adjusted until the power output value for the power amplifier is achieved.

Abstract: This invention includes a circuit for the prevention of acoustic feedback between an electronic device and an audio accessory. In a preferred embodiment, the circuit prevents audio feedback between a cellular telephone and a speakerphone accessory. The circuit includes a current limiting device coupled serially in the receive (Rx) line. The current limiting device is actuated via a delay circuit coupled between the current limiting device and the transmit (Tx) line. When a bias current is presented to the Tx line, the bias propagates through the delay circuit, thereby actuating the current limiting device a predetermined time after the presentation of the bias. The circuit keeps the Rx line open long enough for the phone to deactivate its internal microphone.

Abstract: A battery pack for an electronic communications device having electronic circuitry, at least one rechargeable cell, a housing and a circuit substrate is provided. Included within the pack is a copper strip that is electrically isolated from the battery circuitry. The copper strip is tuned by adjusting the length and width of the strip, as well as the placement of the strip within the battery pack, so as to reduce the overall Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of the communications device-battery combination. In one preferred embodiment, the copper strip is 70 mm by 3 mm, made from 1 oz. copper, and formed into a “L” shape. The copper strip is placed along the side of the cell and about the end having the positive terminal. Overall SAR is reduced 13% by using the battery with the copper strip.

Abstract: This invention includes a circuit for the prevention of acoustic feedback between an electronic device and an audio accessory. In a preferred embodiment, the circuit prevents audio feedback between a cellular telephone and a speakerphone accessory. The circuit includes a current limiting device coupled serially in the receive (Rx) line. The current limiting device is actuated via a delay circuit coupled between the current limiting device and the transmit (Tx) line. When a bias current is presented to the Tx line, the bias propagates through the delay circuit, thereby actuating the current limiting device a predetermined time after the presentation of the bias. The circuit keeps the Rx line open long enough for the phone to deactivate its internal microphone.