Abstract: A charging management system is provided based on communications between a charging device and a reporting device. The charging device may interface with the reporting device via a multi-contact surface, a conventional plug, or otherwise, the reporting device may typically comprise a portable, rechargeable device such as a smartphone, smart watch, camera, etc. Communications between the between the charging device and the reporting device take place via the same pair of power lines as are used for providing power from the charging device and the reporting device, by means of a non-volatile memory in the reporting device, which is accessed sequentially by one device or the other, and used to store information to be retrieved by the other to retrieve when activated. This exchange of information may implement a negotiation of a mutually acceptable power supply configuration, an authentication of a particular reporting device, etc.

Abstract: A multimodal electrical coupling, which may be comprised of any pair of conductive regions in a surface, is selectively coupled to a coupling communications interface in response to the detection of an article connected across the terminals of the coupling. The coupling communications interface obtains data characterising the article, and determines whether this information is consistent with the supply of power to the article, or communication with the article, in particular in terms of the power requirements of the article, and/or the identity, and corresponding authorisation status of the article. Where interaction is determined to be allowable, a transducer module is brought into connection with the multimodal electrical coupling, at which time the coupling communications interface may be decoupled. A corresponding reporting interface for integration in articles is also presented.

Abstract: A reporting device for association with an article having power requirements is provided, where the reporting device is capable of performing communications operations, for example to specify the article's power requirements, and power supply using a single pair of conductors. Communications are performed at a lower voltage than the voltage intended for power supply operations. Optionally the communications interface of the reporting device may be disconnected at higher voltages, and the operational circuits of the reporting device may be disconnected at lower voltages, and circuits preventing inversion of voltages across the conductors, or reverse currents when the operational circuits are connected to the conductors may be provided. The reporting device may be used in connection with charging surfaces providing a matrix of conductive surfaces, and supports operation with a corresponding coupling manager.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to real-time manipulation of images and video captured on mobile devices, and in particular to composite graphical elements applied in real-time to captured images and/or video. Some embodiments contemplate a method comprising receiving a captured image and/or video from a portable multi-function device, applying processing in real time via a Quality Engine, applying processing in real time via an Image Engine, applying an overlay process in real time, applying a filter process in real time, storing and/or streaming the processed content, and sharing the processed content.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to real-time manipulation of images and video captured on mobile devices, and in particular to composite graphical elements applied in real-time to captured images and/or video. Some embodiments contemplate a method comprising receiving a captured image and/or video from a portable multi-function device, applying processing in real time via a Quality Engine, applying processing in real time via an Image Engine, applying an overlay process in real time, applying a filter process in real time, storing and/or streaming the processed content, and sharing the processed content.