Abstract: A system comprises a battery cell, control logic, and a battery drain latch circuit. The control logic is coupled to the battery cell and determines whether a battery pack has experienced a failure condition. The battery drain latch circuit is activated by the control logic, upon detection of a failure condition, to cause the battery cell to drain energy therefrom.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a bidirectional display for a portable electronic device. According to one embodiment, a bidirectional display assembly is configured to present an image on both a first side and a second side opposite the first side of the display assembly. Furthermore, a viewable display is provided on the first side and/or the second side of the display assembly based on a desired or selected operating mode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recharging a rechargeable battery (202) having step charge requirements, where the charge current is tapered as successive voltage thresholds of the step charge requirements are approached. The battery (202) is programmed with a charge tapering algorithm, so that the battery charger (208) need not be programmed with battery-specific information. The charge tapering algorithm is used in conjunction with the step charge requirements and a measurement of one or more properties of the battery to determine an appropriate charge current as a function of time.

Abstract: A system comprises a battery cell, control logic, and a battery drain latch circuit. The control logic is coupled to the battery cell and determines whether a battery pack has experienced a failure condition. The battery drain latch circuit is activated by the control logic, upon detection of a failure condition, to cause the battery cell to drain energy therefrom.

Abstract: A processor-based device includes a hot-plug capability which permits a peripheral device to be connected to the processor-based device without first removing power. The hot plug capability is implemented by a control circuit in the processor-based device which controls the application of power to the peripheral device in response to a device detect signal provided by the peripheral device when it is connected to the processor-based device. The control circuit also monitors the voltage applied to the power rail for the peripheral device. When the voltage on the peripheral device power level reaches a threshold, the control signal provides a signal indicating that the processor-based device may access the peripheral device.