Abstract: Methods, structures, and apparatus that are able to detect the presence of a connection to a device contact of an electronic device and are also able to detect the presence of contamination at the device contact. A host device includes a connection detection circuit and a contamination detection circuit connected to the device contact. The connection detection circuit includes a pull-up resistor that is pulled down by a pull-down resistor in an accessory device following a connection. The contamination detection circuit includes a current source to provide a current at the device contact and measurement circuitry to measure a resulting voltage.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating health research by utilizing one or more wearable sensor devices with a research mode are provided herein. Systems include a wearable sensor device that can pair with a first portable computing device of a user and a second computing device of a researcher in a first and second pairing, respectively. The wearable sensor device obtains one or more health parameters of a user. In one aspect, the wearable sensor device communicates research related and non-research related health information to the first computing device via the first pairing link and communicates only research related health information to the second computing device via the second pairing link. Methods for pairing one or more wearable sensor devices with one or more research computing devices and switching between operating modes to provide additional research related features are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating health research by utilizing one or more wearable sensor devices with a research mode are provided herein. Systems include a wearable sensor device that can pair with a first portable computing device of a user and a second computing device of a researcher in a first and second pairing, respectively. The wearable sensor device obtains one or more health parameters of a user. In one aspect, the wearable sensor device communicates research related and non-research related health information to the first computing device via the first pairing link and communicates only research related health information to the second computing device via the second pairing link. Methods for pairing one or more wearable sensor devices with one or more research computing devices and switching between operating modes to provide additional research related features are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, structures, and apparatus that are able to detect the presence of a connection to a contact of an electronic device and are also able to detect the presence of contamination at the contact.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating health research by utilizing one or more wearable sensor devices with a research mode are provided herein. Systems include a wearable sensor device that can pair with a first portable computing device of a user and a second computing device of a researcher in a first and second pairing, respectively. The wearable sensor device obtains one or more health parameters of a user. In one aspect, the wearable sensor device communicates research related and non-research related health information to the first computing device via the first pairing link and communicates only research related health information to the second computing device via the second pairing link. Methods for pairing one or more wearable sensor devices with one or more research computing devices and switching between operating modes to provide additional research related features are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating health research by utilizing one or more wearable sensor devices are provided herein. Systems include a wearable sensor device that can pair with a first portable computing device of a user and a second computing device of a researcher in a first and second pairing, respectively. The wearable sensor device obtains one or more health parameters of a user. In one aspect, the wearable sensor device communicates research related and non-research related health information to the first computing device via the first pairing link and communicates only research related health information to the second computing device via the second pairing link. Methods for pairing one or more wearable sensor devices with one or more research computing devices and switching between operating modes to provide additional research related features are also provided.

Abstract: An audio system has a connector with a signal pin that interfaces the audio system with an external device. An audio integrated circuit has a digital to analog converter (DAC) and an audio power amplifier having an input coupled to an output of the DAC and an output coupled to an output pin of the audio integrated circuit. Data storage contains stored instructions that program a processor to select an audio output mode of operation namely line-out mode or headphone mode. A configurable output conditioning circuit is coupled between the output pin of the audio integrated circuit and the signal pin of the connector. The conditioning circuit changes the output impedance that is presented at the signal pin, under control of the programmed processor when selecting the audio output mode of operation. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Whether an audio output amplifier of an electronic device is connected through an accessory connector to a headphone or a self powered audio device is determined by sensing the signature of the input power signal in an input power line to a voltage regulator circuit that ultimately powers the amplifier. The signature is sensed flowing through a sense circuit that is in series in the input power line while the amplifier outputs a high power, inaudible signal to the connected device. The signature is output to a controller. The controller indirectly determines from the signature, whether the impedance of the connected device is that of (1) a headphone (speaker) for which a headphone amplifier is selected to provide more power for a lower impedance load, or (2) a self powered output device (“line in” input) for which a “line out” amplifier and isolation resistor are selected to drive a high capacitive load.

Abstract: A vibrator designed to be integrated into a portable electronic device as part of a haptic alert device has a linear electric motor that is coupled to actively drive a moveable weight in back-and-forth directions to produce the desired vibration. A lock mechanism has a restraining member that is biased into a lock position, which prevents the moveable weight from moving in the back-and-forth directions when the vibrator is inactive. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A gas gauge circuit has a power supply pin, a power return pin, power-on reset capability, and a communications signal pin. A reset control circuit is coupled between the power supply pin and the communications signal pin, or between the power return pin and the communications signal pin. The reset control circuit removes power to the gas gauge circuit in accordance with a control signal asserted on the communications signal pin. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An electronic device has a chassis, and a printed wiring board (PWB) having a hole. A fastener is installed in the hole thereby securing the PWB to the chassis. A pair of conductive traces is formed in the PWB. A cap, being an amount of conductive glue, covers a part of the fastener and fills an electrically insulating gap between the two traces, to thereby form a conductive path that connects the two traces. A sensing circuit is coupled to the traces, to detect a change in impedance of the path and signal a tamper event alert. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An electronic audio host device has an audio accessory connector with multiple pins. An ultrasonic test signal source has an output coupled to a first pin of the connector. A programmable switch circuit couples a second or third pin of the connector, to a ground of the audio host device. A controller measures a signal on one of the pins of the connector while the test signal source is on, and compares the measured signal to a predetermined, stored signature. The signature is associated with one of several different accessory plug pin assignments for the connector, which can be configured using the programmable switch circuit. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Whether an audio output amplifier of an electronic device is connected through an accessory connector to a headphone or a self powered audio device is determined by sensing the signature of the input power signal in an input power line to a voltage regulator circuit that ultimately powers the amplifier. The signature is sensed flowing through a sense circuit that is in series in the input power line while the amplifier outputs a high power, inaudible signal to the connected device. The signature is output to a controller. The controller indirectly determines from the signature, whether the impedance of the connected device is that of (1) a headphone (speaker) for which a headphone amplifier is selected to provide more power for a lower impedance load, or (2) a self powered output device (“line in” input) for which a “line out” amplifier and isolation resistor are selected to drive a high capacitive load.

Abstract: A portable electronic device has a connector with a first pin and a second pin, and a battery charging circuit having an input coupled to receive current through the second pin to charge a battery of the device. The portable device also has a controller to determine whether the connector is coupled to an external power source (EPS) having a power converter circuit that can provide the current. The controller on that basis drives the first pin to stimulate the power converter circuit to raise voltage on the second pin. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A passive filter circuit filters an input signal to attenuate an undesired frequency. The passive filter circuit includes a first stage and a second stage. The input to the first stage is the input signal. The first stage includes a first inductor and a first branch coupled to the output of the first inductor. The first branch includes a first capacitor and a second inductor. The first stage is coupled to the second stage. The second stage includes a third inductor and a second branch coupled to the output of the third inductor. The second branch includes a second capacitor. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A component carrier has formed therein a water sensor, having a first patterned conductor piece formed in a metal layer of the component carrier and a bridge being an amount of water-soluble conductive glue filling an electrically insulating gap between the patterned conductor piece and another conductor in the carrier. This forms a conductive path between the patterned conductor piece and the another conductor. A sensing circuit is coupled to detect changes in impedance of the path. In another embodiment, a discrete component has a pair of terminals with a bridge being an amount of water-soluble conductive glue filling the electrically insulating gap between the terminals to form a conductive path whose impedance changes in response to coming into contact with a sufficient amount of water. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An electronic device has a chassis, and a printed wiring board (PWB) having a hole. A fastener is installed in the hole thereby securing the PWB to the chassis. A pair of conductive traces is formed in the PWB. A cap, being an amount of conductive glue, covers a part of the fastener and fills an electrically insulating gap between the two traces, to thereby form a conductive path that connects the two traces. A sensing circuit is coupled to the traces, to detect a change in impedance of the path and signal a tamper event alert. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A dual channel audio coder decoder (codec) chip that has two output pins, which can be used to drive a pair of speakers in stereo mode, or a vibrator and a single speaker in mono mode. Each channel has its own DAC and audio power amplifier to receive an audio signal for driving a speaker. Each channel also has a variable signal generator to generate a vibrator signal for driving a vibrator. The DAC and variable signal generator outputs of each channel are input into a respective multiplexer. The multiplexer and the vibrator frequency are configured via an external digital communication interface. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An audio system has a connector with a signal pin that interfaces the audio system with an external device. An audio integrated circuit has a digital to analog converter (DAC) and an audio power amplifier having an input coupled to an output of the DAC and an output coupled to an output pin of the audio integrated circuit. Data storage contains stored instructions that program a processor to select an audio output mode of operation namely line-out mode or headphone mode. A configurable output conditioning circuit is coupled between the output pin of the audio integrated circuit and the signal pin of the connector. The conditioning circuit changes the output impedance that is presented at the signal pin, under control of the programmed processor when selecting the audio output mode of operation. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An audio host device has an electrical interface having a speaker contact, a microphone contact, and a reference contact. The reference contact is shared by a microphone and a speaker. The reference contact is also directly coupled to a power return plane of the audio host device. A difference amplifier is provided, having a cold input and a hot input. The hot input is coupled to the microphone contact. A switched attenuator circuit is also provided that has first and second states. In the first state, the attenuator circuit couples a sense point of the reference contact to the cold input, while in the second state the cold input is isolated from the reference sense point. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.