Abstract: A fuel cell-based powerpack for use with an electronic device that requires multiple voltages is provided. The power pack includes an interface between a direct oxidation fuel cell and one or more rechargeable batteries coupled to supply power to the electronic application device. The interface is connected to receive the output of the fuel cell and includes one or more DC-DC converters that not only boost power to said one or more batteries, but are further coupled to the electronic device such that the fuel cell can be used to directly provide one or more subvoltages, at required voltage rails, directly to said electronic device. The output voltage can also be linearly regulated if needed in a particular application.

Abstract: A portable electronic device (100) comprises an attached device (190,195), a vibrator (175), and a processor (105) coupled between the attached device (190, 195) and the vibrator (175). The processor (105) is adapted to detect the attached device (190, 195), determine an identification for the attached device (190,195), associate a drive voltage with the identification, and drive the vibrator (175) using the drive voltage.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (100) employs a method and apparatus for automatically initiating a communication with a target device. The communication device includes, inter alia, a user interface (115), an acoustic transducer (113), and an acoustic receptor (109). The user interface receives an identification of the target device (e.g., a telephone number) from a user while the communication device is configured in a first physical or mechanical configuration of at least two user-selectable configurations. Responsive to detecting a reconfiguration of the communication device from the first configuration (e.g., closed) into a second configuration (e.g., open), the communication device automatically initiates the communication with the target device, thereby eliminating the need for manual call initiation after the communication device is properly positioned for in-call use.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (100) employs a method and apparatus for automatically initiating a communication with a target device. The communication device includes, inter alia, a user interface (115), an acoustic transducer (113), and an acoustic receptor (109). The user interface receives an identification of the target device (e.g., a telephone number) from a user while the communication device is configured in a first physical or mechanical configuration of at least two user-selectable configurations. Responsive to detecting a reconfiguration of the communication device from the first configuration (e.g., closed) into a second configuration (e.g., open), the communication device automatically initiates the communication with the target device, thereby eliminating the need for manual call initiation after the communication device is properly positioned for in-call use.