Abstract: A charging device includes a plurality of pins and a first configured to perform operations, the operations comprising: in response to the plurality of pins physically contacting an object, determining, via an authentication operation, whether the object corresponds to a wearable computing device, in response to determining the object corresponds to the wearable computing device, communicating to the wearable computing device an available level of current for the charging device to provide to the wearable computing device, and providing the current to the wearable computing device.

Abstract: Antenna structures and methods of operating the same of a dual-loop-slot antenna of an electronic device are described. One dual-loop-slot antenna includes a first loop antenna coupled to a radio frequency (RF) feed and a ground plane, a second loop coupled to the RF feed and the ground plane. At least a portion of the second loop antenna is formed by the first loop antenna. The dual-loop-slot antenna also includes a slot antenna formed at least in part by a portion of at least one of the first loop antenna or the second loop antenna.

Abstract: Methods and systems of detecting objects in proximity to user devices and distinguishing between object types are described. One method includes measuring a magnitude of mutual coupling between two antennas of the user device using a transmitted signal by a first antenna and a received signal by a second antenna. The method distinguishes between the user device being proximate to free space, a first object type or a second object type using the magnitude of mutual coupling or magnitude of received signal strength. The first object type includes non-water-based objects that do not absorb electromagnetic radiation and the second object type includes objects that absorb electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive panel is provided for a display assembly and computing device. Individual cells of the panel are structured to include electrically inactive interior portions or centers to enhance the sensitivity and performance of the panel.

Abstract: At least two devices are provided that can each form part of a system to inductively exchange power and data. One device is capable of inductively transmitting a power signal to a second device, and to receive feedback from the second device in order to regulate the power signal.

Abstract: A mobile computing device and an accessory device are individually equipped with features and components that enable magnetic coupling of the two devices. Specific embodiments provide for the use of one or more horseshoe magnets for use in the magnetic coupling mechanisms. As an addition or alternative, electromagnetic coupling may be used to selectively maintain and/or orient the two devices in a mated position.

Abstract: A user device includes a conductive structure coupled to a receiver and a sensor. The conductive structure is configured to operate as an antenna for the receiver and as a sensor pad for the sensor.

Abstract: A docking station is provided for a computing device. The docking station may be used by, for example, a mobile computing device, such as a cellular or wireless telephony/messaging device. The docking station includes a housing comprising a receiving surface top receive and retain the mobile computing device. An inductive signal transfer interface is included with the housing to inductively signal at least one of power or data to the mobile computing device. The docking station further provides an output component and processing resources. The processing resources are configured to detect placement of the mobile computing device on the receiving surface. The data is received from the mobile computing device, and an output is signaled to the output component based on the received data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting one of a plurality of antennas to be used as a transmit antenna based on an orientation of a user device are described. A user device determines an orientation of the user device, and selects one of multiple antennas to use as a first transmit antenna based on the orientation of the user device. The user device transmits information using the first transmit antenna.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting one of a plurality of antennas to be used as a transmit antenna based on an orientation of a user device are described. A user device determines an orientation of the user device, and selects one of multiple antennas to use as a first transmit antenna based on the orientation of the user device. The user device transmits information using the first transmit antenna.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a computing device that is capable of inductive signal transfer with other computing devices. Such computing devices are provided a shield that protects the device and other components from electromagnetic interference and unwanted electrical affects resulting from the inductive signal transfer.

Abstract: A mobile computing device (‘MCD’) and docking station (‘dock’) are individually equipped with features and components that enable charging/power signals to be communicated from the dock to the MCD without use of connectors. Other embodiments provide for the MCD or the dock to identify an orientation of the MCD as retained on the docking station. As an addition or alternative, magnetic coupling may be used to maintain and/or orient the two devices in a mated position.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive panel is provided for a display assembly and computing device. Individual cells of the panel are structured to include electrically inactive interior portions or centers to enhance the sensitivity and performance of the panel.

Abstract: A docking station is provided for a computing device. The docking station may be used by, for example, a mobile computing device, such as a cellular or wireless telephony/messaging device. The docking station includes a housing comprising a receiving surface top receive and retain the mobile computing device. An inductive signal transfer interface is included with the housing to inductively signal at least one of power or data to the mobile computing device. The docking station further provides an output component and processing resources. The processing resources are configured to detect placement of the mobile computing device on the receiving surface. The data is received from the mobile computing device, and an output is signaled to the output component based on the received data.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a computing device that is capable of inductive signal transfer with other computing devices. Such computing devices are provided a shield that protects the device and other components from electromagnetic interference and unwanted electrical affects resulting from the inductive signal transfer.

Abstract: A mobile computing device and an accessory device are individually equipped with features and components that enable magnetic coupling of the two devices. Specific embodiments provide for the use of one or more horseshoe magnets for use in the magnetic coupling mechanisms. As an addition or alternative, electromagnetic coupling may be used to selectively maintain and/or orient the two devices in a mated position.

Abstract: At least two devices are provided that can each form part of a system to inductively exchange power and data. One device is capable of inductively transmitting a power signal to a second device, and to receive feedback from the second device in order to regulate the power signal.

Abstract: A mobile computing device (‘MCD’) and docking station (‘dock’) are individually equipped with features and components that enable charging/power signals to be communicated from the dock to the MCD without use of connectors. Other embodiments provide for the MCD or the dock to identify an orientation of the MCD as retained on the docking station. As an addition or alternative, magnetic coupling may be used to maintain and/or orient the two devices in a mated position.

Abstract: A fast charging method and apparatus for secondary cells, especially for lithium ion cells. The charging process has two charging phases. In the first charging phase, a constant current is supplied to the secondary cell from a charging apparatus whilst monitoring the output voltage of the charging apparatus. The first phase terminates when the output voltage of the charging apparatus reaches a predetermined maximum voltage (e.g., 4.2 volt for a lithium ion cell). Then, in the second charging phase, the output voltage of the charging apparatus being monitored and constant current pulses of fixed duration (e.g., 10 seconds) are supplied to the secondary cell in a manner such that the duration of intervals between such constant current pulses is controlled to maintain an average output voltage of the charging apparatus at a predetermined average voltage (e.g., 4.2 volt for a lithium ion cell). The charging is terminated when the duty cycle of the pulses falls below a predetermined value.

Abstract: The apparatus for metering the state of charge of a battery has a battery current sensor providing a voltage signal dependent on a current flowing into or out of the battery, an integrator for integrating the voltage signal, a window detector circuit providing an output signal each time an output of the integrator reaches an upper or lower threshold voltage level, a digital processing device utilizing the output signals of the window detector circuit to construct a digital battery charge state model, and a switch arrangement for reversing connection of the battery current sensor to the integrator periodically so as to cancel effect of any voltage offset in the output of the integrator.