Abstract: Wireless communications devices, such as cellular telephones (100), include an integrated camera (202) and process image data captured by that camera (202) to determine desired device illumination levels. A controller (410) within the wireless communications device (100) causes an image to be captured by the integrated camera (202). The captured image data is processed to determine approximate ambient light levels. A level of device illumination, such as provided by a display backlight (416) and a keypad backlight (418) is controlled based upon the approximate ambient light levels.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and a system (100) for charging a battery (112). The method includes the steps of determining (214) a charge termination point for the battery, in which the charge termination point produces a charge on the battery that is less than an initial maximum charging capacity of the battery, and charging (224) the battery using the charge termination point for at least a portion of the charge cycles of the battery. The method reduces at least in part the variation of battery capacity over the cycle life of the battery.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) having a portable power source (11) can make use of a plurality of differing charge depleted threshold values (and, in a preferred embodiment, corresponding visual charge-remaining indicators) to determine what level of charge remains in the portable power source (11). This in turn permits the recharging advice as suggested by the visual indicator to better track and reinforce the ordinary recharging behaviors of a given user. So configured, the total lifetime of the portable power source may be extended while also ensuring that the portable power source will be fully charged upon completion of each charging cycle.

Abstract: A system for verification of a battery (100) includes the battery (100) and a device (400,500). The battery (100) includes a memory device (135) for storing an identification number and a verification number. The verification number is generated by applying a key to the identification number. The device (400,500) is coupled to the battery (100) and includes a device memory (515) for storing the key and a microprocessor (435,510) for verifying the identification number of the battery (100) by applying the key to the verification number.