Abstract: A reader device includes a housing for receiving a smart card, a processor in electronic communication with an integrated circuit chip of the smart card when the smart card is received in the housing, a wireless communications device in electronic communication with the processor for enabling the reader device to transmit first encrypted information wirelessly and to receive second encrypted information wirelessly, and a memory in electronic communication with the processor that includes one or more routines executable by the processor. The one or more routines include a cryptographic module adapted to encrypt first information to create the first encrypted information and decrypt the second encrypted information to obtain second information. In addition, a communication system that includes the reader device and a computing device, wherein the reader device and computing device are able to wirelessly exchange information in a secure manner.

Abstract: A method and computing device are provided for improving readability of a graphical user interface as provided on the display of a computing device.

Abstract: A battery charger may include a charger connector to be coupled to a corresponding device connector of a portable device including a rechargeable battery. The battery charger may also include a charging circuit connected to the charger connector, and a controller connected to the charger connector and the charging circuit. The controller may be for causing a portable device connected to the charger connector to identify its corresponding portable device type and its corresponding rechargeable battery type from among a plurality of different portable device types and different battery types, and for causing the charging circuit to charge the rechargeable battery based thereon.

Abstract: A reader device includes a housing for receiving a smart card, a processor in electronic communication with an integrated circuit chip of the smart card when the smart card is received in the housing, a wireless communications device in electronic communication with the processor for enabling the reader device to transmit first encrypted information wirelessly and to receive second encrypted information wirelessly, and a memory in electronic communication with the processor that includes one or more routines executable by the processor. The one or more routines include a cryptographic module adapted to encrypt first information to create the first encrypted information and decrypt the second encrypted information to obtain second information. In addition, a communication system that includes the reader device and a computing device, wherein the reader device and computing device are able to wirelessly exchange information in a secure manner.

Abstract: A battery charger may include a charger connector to be coupled to a corresponding device connector of a portable device including a rechargeable battery. The battery charger may also include a charging circuit connected to the charger connector, and a controller connected to the charger connector and the charging circuit. The controller may be for causing a portable device connected to the charger connector to identify its corresponding portable device type and its corresponding rechargeable battery type from among a plurality of different portable device types and different battery types, and for causing the charging circuit to charge the rechargeable battery based thereon.

Abstract: A battery charger may include a charger connector to be coupled to a corresponding device connector of a portable device including a rechargeable battery. The battery charger may also include a charging circuit connected to the charger connector, and a controller connected to the charger connector and the charging circuit. The controller may be for causing a portable device connected to the charger connector to identify its corresponding portable device type and its corresponding rechargeable battery type from among a plurality of different portable device types and different battery types, and for causing the charging circuit to charge the rechargeable battery based thereon.

Abstract: A battery charger may include a charger connector to be coupled to a corresponding device connector of a portable device including a rechargeable battery. The battery charger may also include a charging circuit connected to the charger connector, and a controller connected to the charger connector and the charging circuit. The controller may be for causing a portable device connected to the charger connector to identify its corresponding portable device type and its corresponding rechargeable battery type from among a plurality of different portable device types and different battery types, and for causing the charging circuit to charge the rechargeable battery based thereon.

Abstract: A battery charger may include a charger connector to be coupled to a corresponding device connector of a portable device including a rechargeable battery. The battery charger may also include a charging circuit connected to the charger connector, and a controller connected to the charger connector and the charging circuit. The controller may be for causing a portable device connected to the charger connector to identify its corresponding portable device type and its corresponding rechargeable battery type from among a plurality of different portable device types and different battery types, and for causing the charging circuit to charge the rechargeable battery based thereon.

Abstract: Various embodiments are provided herein for a connector that can provide electrical and mechanical coupling between first and second objects. In one broad aspect, the connector generally comprises at least one connecting element that has at least one first and at least one second contact portions; at least one guidance portion located towards an end of a given connecting element and adjacent to the at least one first contact portion; a straight end portion comprising the at least one second contact portion, and connected to one of the first and second objects by a solder connection; and a biasing portion that is adjacent to the at least one first contact portion and the straight end portion. The biasing portion is configured to provide an electrical connection between the at least one first and the at least one second contact portions and to resiliently move the given connecting element from a first position to a second position to provide a mechanical coupling force to the first and second objects.

Abstract: Various embodiments are provided herein for a connector that can provide electrical and mechanical coupling between first and second objects. In one broad aspect, the connector generally comprises at least one connecting element that has at least one first and at least one second contact portions; at least one guidance portion located towards an end of a given connecting element and adjacent to the at least one first contact portion; a straight end portion comprising the at least one second contact portion, and connected to one of the first and second objects by a solder connection; and a biasing portion that is adjacent to the at least one first contact portion and the straight end portion. The biasing portion is configured to provide an electrical connection between the at least one first and the at least one second contact portions and to resiliently move the given connecting element from a first position to a second position to provide a mechanical coupling force to the first and second objects.

Abstract: Various embodiments are provided herein for a connector that can provide electrical and mechanical coupling between first and second objects. The connector generally comprises at least one connecting element that has at least one first and second contact portion, at least one guidance portion located towards the end of the at least one connecting element and adjacent to one of the at least one first and second contact portions; and a biasing portion that is adjacent to the at least one first and second contact portions. The biasing portion is configured to provide an electrical connection between the at least one first and second contact portions and to resiliently move the at least one connecting element from a first position to a second position to provide a mechanical coupling force to the first and second objects.

Abstract: A battery charger may include a charger connector to be coupled to a corresponding device connector of a portable device including a rechargeable battery. The battery charger may also include a charging circuit connected to the charger connector, and a controller connected to the charger connector and the charging circuit. The controller may be for causing a portable device connected to the charger connector to identify its corresponding portable device type and its corresponding rechargeable battery type from among a plurality of different portable device types and different battery types, and for causing the charging circuit to charge the rechargeable battery based thereon.

Abstract: A battery charger may include a charger connector to be coupled to a corresponding device connector of a portable device including a rechargeable battery. The battery charger may also include a charging circuit connected to the charger connector, and a controller connected to the charger connector and the charging circuit. The controller may be for causing a portable device connected to the charger connector to identify its corresponding portable device type and its corresponding rechargeable battery type from among a plurality of different portable device types and different battery types, and for causing the charging circuit to charge the rechargeable battery based thereon.

Abstract: Various embodiments are provided herein for a connector that can provide electrical and mechanical coupling between first and second objects. The connector generally comprises at least one connecting element that has at least one first and second contact portion, at least one guidance portion located towards the end of the at least one connecting element and adjacent to one of the at least one first and second contact portions; and a biasing portion that is adjacent to the at least one first and second contact portions. The biasing portion is configured to provide an electrical connection between the at least one first and second contact portions and to resiliently move the at least one connecting element from a first position to a second position to provide a mechanical coupling force to the first and second objects.

Abstract: A charger has two or more separate charging ports to which two or more rechargeable batteries can be coupled, respectively. Current from a single current source is allocated to the two or more separate charging ports so that the two or more rechargeable batteries will be fully charged at substantially the same time.