Abstract: An electronic device having a battery assembly is disclosed. Unlike traditional battery assemblies that include rectilinear electrodes with two sides of equal length, the battery assemblies described herein may include electrodes having a shape/configuration resembling an L-shape electrode used to form chemical reactions in order to generate electrical energy. However, other shapes/configurations are possible. The shape/configuration of the housing of the battery assembly confirms to the shape/configuration of the electrodes. Further, in order to accommodate an internal component (such as a circuit board assembly), the shape of the battery assembly provides additional space in the electronic device. In order to form the electrodes, the electrodes may undergo a die cutting operation. Also, the housing may include a channel, or reduced dimension, that accommodates a flexible circuit in the electronic device that passes over the battery assembly at the channel.

Abstract: Techniques for providing wired and wireless charging to a device are provided. An example of an apparatus for receiving power from a wired power supply and a wireless power supply according to the disclosure includes a wireless power receiver configured to receive power from the wireless power supply, a direct current input circuit configured to receive power from the wired power supply, a control circuit operably coupled to the wireless power receiver and the direct current input circuit and configured to determine a power transfer capability for each of the wired power supply and the wireless power supply, and select the wireless power receiver from the wireless power supply or with the direct current input circuit from the wired power supply to receive power based on the power transfer capabilities.

Abstract: A card reading transaction system includes a transaction control device, an intermediate server, a smart card server, an internet dongle, and a card reader. The transaction control device transmits a transaction message according to a transaction type and a transaction amount. The intermediate server generates a transaction request message according to the transaction message. The smart card server generates a transaction confirmation message according to the transaction request message. The intermediate server generates a first card reader operation message according to the transaction confirmation message, and converts a transmission format of the first card reader operation message to generate a second card reader operation message. The internet dongle converts a transmission format of the second card reader operation message received through the internet to generate a third card reader operation message for the card reader to debit or credit the transaction amount.

Abstract: An earbud includes a housing that includes a driver assembly positioned within the housing forming a front volume in front of the driver and a back volume behind the driver. An acoustic insert is positioned behind the driver assembly and attached to an interior surface of the housing such that it forms a bass channel that is routed from the back volume to a vent in the housing.

Abstract: A battery pack charger system may include a first charger configured to charge a first battery pack, a second charger configured to charge a second battery pack, a support arranged between the first charger and the second charger, and a power cord configured to deliver power. The first charger may be attached on a first side of the support and the second charger may be attached on a second side of the support that is opposite the first side of the support. The first charger and the second charger may be arranged directly opposite of each other. The power cord may be connected to one of the first charger or the second charger.

Abstract: A portable electronic device is described. This portable electronic device includes an external housing with a cavity defined by an edge. A keyboard, having a front surface and a back surface, is disposed in the cavity with the front surface facing the external housing. Moreover, a tray is disposed over the back surface of the keyboard, and is mechanically coupled to the external housing adjacent to the edge. Furthermore, battery cells are mechanically coupled to an opposite side of the tray from the back surface of the keyboard. The tray may allow the battery cells to be removed from the portable electronic device without damaging the keyboard. In addition, the tray may increase the compression strength and/or the bending strength of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Battery sub-modules are selecting to electrically connect to a common power bus, including by: determining if a discharge-related fault indication for a given battery sub-module indicates that the given battery sub-module is in a discharge-related fault condition. If so, the given battery sub-module is excluded from the selected battery sub-modules such that said given battery sub-module is electrically disconnected from the common power bus. The selected battery sub-modules are configured so that the selected battery sub-modules are electrically connected to the common power bus; the selected battery sub-modules that are electrically connected to the common power bus are charged.

Abstract: An intelligent mobile power supply and a method for USB data communication therewith. The intelligent mobile power supply includes a battery, a charging control module, a discharging control module, a first USB interface and a second USB interface. In the single charging mode, a charged device receives a discharge of the intelligent mobile power supply through the discharging control module, but the intelligent mobile power supply does not perform USB data communication with the charged device. While in the charging and communication mode, the charged device receives the discharge of the intelligent mobile power supply through the discharging control module and can perform USB data communication with the intelligent mobile power supply through the first USB interface simultaneously. The second USB interface is connected with the charging control module, and the second USB interface can be connected with a power adapter or a PC host to charge the battery.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a homopolar generator charger with an integral rechargeable battery. A method is provided for converting rotational kinetic energy to electrical energy for charging one or more battery cells. The method can include rotating, by a shaft, a rotor in a magnetic flux field to generate current, wherein the rotor comprises an electrically conductive portion having an inner diameter conductive connection surface and an outer diameter conductive connection surface, and wherein a voltage potential is induced between the inner and outer diameter connection surfaces upon rotation in the magnetic flux field. The method can also include selectively coupling the generated current from the rotating rotor to terminals of the one or more battery cells.

Abstract: A protocol conversion apparatus includes: a first communication unit that communicates with a power conditioner that supports a first charging protocol; a second communication unit that communicates with an electric vehicle that supports a second charging protocol; and a control unit that is a conversion unit placed between the first communication unit and the second communication unit, which receives from the first communication unit a communication signal received from the power conditioner, and upon the reception, converts the received signal to a communication signal that conforms to the second charging protocol to output the resultant signal to the second communication unit, and which receives from the second communication unit a communication signal received from the electric vehicle, and upon the reception, converts the received signal to a communication signal that conforms to the first charging protocol to output the resultant signal to the first communication unit.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for ascertaining the time required to fully charging a battery of the device. The device ascertains the type of power supply being used when charging the device by ascertaining the time required to fully charge the device based on a historical charging speed and an empirical charging speed corresponding to the power supply's type. Using the method and device provided by the present disclosure can ascertain the required charging time with more accuracy.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a docking station for the mechanical alignment of an autonomous robotic platform. A correlator may receive the wheels of a moving autonomous robotic platform. A first set of rollers in the correlator may align the wheels, in a substantially linear direction, into a space created by a second set of rollers attached to a frame of a backstop. The second set of rollers may continue to align the wheels of the moving autonomous robotic platform until the wheels come in contact with a stopping roller coupled to the backstop. The stopping roller may be vertically oriented at a height above a wheel radius of the autonomous robotic platform. The stopping roller provides a force to prevent further forward travel. Upon being stopped by the stopping roller, the autonomous robotic platform is positioned for mating with charging contacts in the docking station.

Abstract: A battery pack includes one or more battery cells including a plurality of electrode tabs, a protective circuit module connected to the electrode tabs of the one or more battery cells, a frame accommodating the battery cells and the protective circuit module, and a protective tape covering the protective circuit module and the electrode tabs, a first surface of the protective tape including a plurality of grooves corresponding to the electrode tabs.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system having a battery module, where the battery module includes a housing having a top side, a lateral side, and an edge extending along and between the top side and the lateral side. The battery module also includes electrochemical cells disposed in the housing, and a heat sink disposed on the lateral side of the housing. A fan is disposed over the top side of the housing. A hood includes a first hood portion disposed over the top side of the housing and the fan and a second hood portion coupled to the first hood portion and disposed over the lateral side of the housing, where the hood defines an airspace between the hood and the housing and the hood is configured to guide an airflow through the airspace from the fan on the top side of the housing, over the edge between the top side and the lateral side of the housing, and over the heat sink disposed on the lateral side of the housing.

Abstract: An externally-attached PTC element attachable to one electrode terminal of a tubular battery with electrode terminals on both end surfaces, the externally-attached PTC element including: a bottom plate made of a metal plate; a plate-shaped PTC element; and a top panel made of a metal plate, the plate-shaped PTC element and the top panel being stacked in that order above the bottom plate disposed below, the PTC element being disposed in an opposed area between the top panel and the bottom plate, the top panel projecting and extending in one direction with respect to a planar area of the bottom plate, the top panel having a distal end formed into a lead terminal shape mountable to a circuit board.

Abstract: Methods and systems for regulating charging port attach and detach in an electronic device configured to receive a charging current from a charging port are provided. An example method includes automatically detecting a detach from the charging port. The method may further include automatically lowering a current limit associated with the charging current. The method may further include if during a predetermined wait time an attach to the charging port is detected, then ignoring the detach from the charging port and allowing the charging current to charge the electronic device at the lower current limit associated with the charging current. The method may further include if during the predetermined wait time the attach to the charging port is not detected, then initiating a charging port detach process.

Abstract: A hard disk drive has a gas-bearing slider supporting a write head with an electrically conductive structure, like a spin-torque oscillator (STO), in the write gap, and dual independent interface voltage control (IVC) circuitry coupled to elements on the slider. A first IVC circuitry provides a bias voltage to the slider body to assure substantially zero electrical potential between the slider body and the disk to minimize slider-disk contact and lubrication pick-up. A second IVC circuitry operates independently of the first IVC circuitry and provides a bias voltage to the electrically conductive structure region to assure a negative potential of the electrically conductive structure region relative to the disk to minimize degradation of the slider overcoat and thus oxidation of the electrically conductive structure.

Abstract: A rotary knob for a control panel of a home appliance comprises a support collar, a fixed frontal plate forming a cover cap that is arranged at a front end of the support collar, a fixed sensor layer that is operable to detect touch inputs at the frontal plate, discrete indicator elements forming an indicator layer, which are operable to provide operator guidance, a rotatable ring that is rotatably mounted to the support collar, the rotatable ring being rotatable with respect to the fixed frontal plate, and circuitry arranged to detect rotary inputs via the rotatable ring, and touch inputs via the frontal plate.

Abstract: A power storage adapter may use a method for efficient supply of power of multiple portable information handling systems. In particular, when electrical power is delivered from a battery to at least one of the portable information handling systems, the power storage adapter may deliver electrical power from the battery to another portable information handling system when the battery has sufficient battery capacity such that the power is supplied efficiently.

Abstract: A pinion gear, with a varied gear ratio, can be inline with a rack. When the rack moves, the pinion gear can rotate. This rotation can cause an interior of an electrical generator to rotate. Rotation of the interior of the electrical generator can cause an electricity to be produced and outputted.

Abstract: A battery charging system comprises a battery operated device, a battery charger, and a pair of electrical contacts to electrically connect the battery charger and battery operated device to enable charging the battery, wherein the battery operated device comprises at least a rechargeable battery and short-circuit protection means to prevent discharge of the battery if the electrical contacts become electrically connected, and wherein the battery charger comprises at least monitoring and control circuit to charge the battery.

Abstract: A rack system is disclosed. The racks and the computer systems included within the racks have a shallow configuration. The racks are placed next to one another in a back-to-back configuration in which the backs of each of the racks are adjacent to one another. All of the user-accessible components of the computers system face toward the front of each rack. The heated air from each of the computer systems is expelled in the space between each of the racks. The space between each of the racks is relatively narrow, as there are no user-accessible components between the racks. The racks are coupled to one another with a bar that may include at least some spring action to accommodate some movement of the racks toward or away from one another without the tipping of either rack.

Abstract: An adapter and a method for charging control are disclosed. The adapter includes a power conversion unit, a voltage feedback unit, a current feedback unit, and a power adjustment unit. The power adjustment unit includes an input end coupled to an output end of the voltage feedback unit to an output end of the current feedback unit, and an output end coupled to the power conversion unit. The power adjustment unit is used to receive the voltage feedback signal and the current feedback signal, and stabilize the output voltage and output current of the adapter when the voltage feedback signal indicates that the output voltage of the adapter has reached the target voltage or the current feedback signal indicates the output current of the adapter has reached the target current.

Abstract: A charging mode auto-detection module for a charging circuit and associated charging mode auto-detection method. The charging mode auto-detection module compatibly includes a voltage dividing charging mode, a BC1.2 mode, a SAMSUNG 1.2V/1.2V charging mode and a QC3.0 mode and can detect which of the charging modes is an adaptable charging mode to a needing to be charged device and generate an indication signal indicative of a required charging voltage by the needing to be charged device so that the charging circuit can regulate its bus voltage to the required charging voltage based on the indication signal.

Abstract: A portable terminal is provided. The portable terminal includes a shielding member attached to an inner surface of an external part, a shielding wall formed on the shielding member, a first coil attached to a surface of the shielding member that faces the inner surface of the external part, and a second coil attached to the surface of the shielding member, with the second coil surrounds the first coil on a same plane and the shielding wall being disposed between the first and second coil.

Abstract: A voltage supply unit for a vehicle is described, the voltage supply unit having a first output adapted to supply a first voltage to a first load and a second output adapted to supply a second voltage to a second load. The second voltage is obtained by a DC/DC converter powered by the first voltage, where the low voltage side of the DC/DC converter is connected to the second output and the high voltage side of the DC/DC converter is connected to the first output. Two different voltages can thereby be supplied by the use of one battery.

Abstract: A battery charging device includes: at least one power electronics unit supplying a charging voltage; at least one cooling unit cooling the power electronics unit; and an electronics housing accommodating the at least one power electronics unit in at least one of water-tight and dust-tight manner. The electronics housing is cooled from the outside by a fan of the at least one cooling unit during at least one operating mode.

Abstract: The object of the invention relates to a Portable flashlight for underwater use, which flashlight (10) has a waterproof casing (12), a rechargeable battery (14) arranged within it, a light source (15), as well as at least one charging connection (16, 16p, 16n) arranged on the external surface of the casing (12) and electrically isolated from the casing (12), and a first electric circuit (A1) is provided for ensuring electric connection between the rechargeable battery (14) and the at least one charging connection (16), and a second electric circuit (A2) is provided for ensuring electric connection between the rechargeable battery (14) and the light source (15).

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a USB connector compliant with a USB standard, and is configured to be electrically connectable to a device including an adaptor apparatus via the USB connector. The imaging apparatus includes a system control circuit that detects whether the adaptor apparatus is electrically connected via the USB connector, and a switch that performs processing for changing a signal group to be assigned to terminals of the USB connector, according to a result of detection by the system control circuit.

Abstract: When in long term storage, battery degradation is avoided by performing battery charge cycles at a voltage level where a change in the battery's voltage divided by a change in the battery's storage capacity is at a minimum, rather than discharging the battery to its minimum storage capacity and then charging to its maximum storage capacity. Further, based on physical and practical limitations, such battery charge cycles can instead be performed within a range or delta Depth of Discharge (“DOD”) and corresponding battery voltage levels rather than at a single voltage level, while still avoiding battery degradation.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery assembly including a grouping of battery cells and an integrated module attached to the grouping of battery cells. The integrated module includes an upper section housing at least one electronics component and a lower section establishing a vent chamber.

Abstract: A fixing structure for a coil device according to an aspect of the disclosure is an attachment structure for a coil device which attaches a flat coil device including a coil portion to an attachment portion, the attachment structure including a cylindrical holding portion provided in the attachment portion to hold the coil device, and a cylindrical engaged portion provided in the coil device and engaged with the holding portion, wherein the holding portion and the engaged portion are disposed along an axis extending in a thickness direction of the coil device, and the engaged portion is engaged over an entire circumference thereof with the holding portion.

Abstract: Provided are a method of predicting a battery charge limit not to cause lithium (Li)-plating, and a battery charging method and apparatus capable of quickly charging a battery based on the battery charge limit. A battery charge limit prediction method according to the present disclosure includes (a) fabricating a three-electrode cell including a unit cell and a reference electrode, (b) measuring a negative electrode potential (CCV) based on a state of charge (SOC) while charging the three-electrode cell, and (c) determining a point at which the negative electrode potential is not dropped but starts to be constant, as a lithium (Li)-plating occurrence point, and setting the Li-plating occurrence point as a charge limit.

Abstract: A charging stand is provided including a body having a first surface, and a bump having a top region and one or more sides. The one or more sides extend between the first surface and the top region. The charging stand further includes one or more base contact pins that are coupled to the body. Each base contact pin has an exposed end disposed at a first distance in a first direction from the first surface. The charging stand further includes a bump contact pin extending from the top region of the bump. The bump contact pin has an exposed end disposed a second distance in the first direction from the first surface, the second distance is greater than the first distance, and the first direction is perpendicular to the first surface.

Abstract: A system for optimal aggregation of small-scale energy storage capacity includes a processor operatively coupled to memory. The processor is configured to implement the steps of: generating predicted energy consumption data based on a model of expected energy usage within a given electrical network; generating predicted energy generation data based on a model of expected energy generation for the given electrical network; generating dispatchable energy storage capacity for one or more energy storing devices having a small-scale energy storage capacity for the given electrical network; determining a set of energy storage devices that need to be dispatched for the given electrical network; comparing the predicted energy consumption data with the predicted energy generation data; and dispatching the set of energy storage devices for the given electrical network.

Abstract: A battery charging device includes: a battery housing which delimits at least one battery receiving space at least in part; at least one power electronics unit supplying a charging voltage; and an electronics housing which (i) is formed separately from the battery housing, and (ii) accommodates the power electronics unit in at least one of water-protected manner and dust-protected manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a charging apparatus, a charging control circuit, and a charging control method. The charging apparatus includes a power conversion circuit for generating a DC output voltage and charging a battery by a DC output current, and a charging control circuit for controlling the power conversion circuit. When the DC output voltage or the battery voltage rises to a first reference threshold voltage, the DC output current is adjusted downward by a current down step, and when the DC output voltage or the battery voltage falls to a second reference threshold voltage, the DC output current is adjusted upward by a current up step.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charging device includes a processing unit having a memory with a routine stored therein which, when executed by the processing unit causes the processing unit to control circuitry to prevent the electric vehicle charging device from charging an electric vehicle for a random delay period and to allow the electric vehicle charging device to charge the electric vehicle starting when the random delay period ends, wherein the random delay period starts at a predetermined start time and lasts a random delay length of time. The random delay reduces the peak load on a transformer that the electric vehicle charging device and other electric vehicle charging devices receive power from.

Abstract: A frequency response optimization system includes a battery configured to store and discharge electric power, a power inverter configured to control an amount of the electric power stored or discharged from the battery at each of a plurality of time steps during a frequency response period, and a frequency response controller. The frequency response controller is configured to receive a regulation signal from an incentive provider, determine statistics of the regulation signal, use the statistics of the regulation signal to generate an optimal frequency response midpoint that achieves a desired change in a state-of-charge (SOC) of the battery while participating in a frequency response program, and use the midpoints to determine optimal battery power setpoints for the power inverter. The power inverter is configured to use the optimal battery power setpoints to control the amount of the electric power stored or discharged from the battery.

Abstract: An intelligent battery charging system for improving battery safety, battery longevity, and battery charging efficiency. The intelligent battery charging system includes a memory that is arranged to store an intelligent battery controller system. The intelligent battery controller system is executable by a processor and is in communication with a device state sensor, a battery temperature sensor, one or more current sensors, and a battery charge level sensor. The intelligent battery controller system is configured to monitor, via the battery temperature sensor, a temperature of the battery for a mobile device and apply one or more of a plurality of remedial actions to lower the temperature of the battery when a battery temperature above a certain threshold is measured.

Abstract: Methods, devices, apparatuses, and systems may provide integrated combined current sensing for parallel charging architecture. In one embodiment a charger includes a first charging device that includes a switching circuit having a switching output configured to be coupled to a first terminal of an inductive element. The first charging device further includes a charging terminal configured to couple a second terminal of the inductive element to a battery terminal to provide a first power source to charge a battery coupled to the battery terminal. The first charging device further includes a charge current sense element coupled between the charging terminal and the second terminal of the inductive element. The charge current sense element is configured to sense a charge current at the charging terminal.

Abstract: An adapter (10) and a charging control method, the adapter (10) comprising: a power conversion unit (11), used for converting an inputted alternating current so as to obtain an output voltage and an output current of the adapter (10), the output current of the adapter (10) being an alternating current or a pulsed direct current; a voltage holding unit (12), an input end of the voltage holding unit (12) being connected to the power conversion unit (11), the voltage holding unit (12) being used for obtaining an input voltage having a pulsed waveform from the power conversion unit (11) and converting the input voltage having the pulsed waveform into a target voltage, an output end of the voltage holding unit (12) being connected to a device in the adapter (10), the target voltage being used to power the device in the adapter (10), a peak value of the target voltage being between the lowest operating voltage and the highest operating voltage of the device.

Abstract: A detection can be made that a device is in a power charging state. Responsive to detecting that the device is in the power charging state, a current device use context associated with the power charging state can be determined. A user interface that corresponds to the current device use context associated with the power charging state can be selected. While the device is in the power charging state, the selected user interface can be presented.

Abstract: A battery charger is provided for charging the battery with the use of plural power converters, and the current balance control can be eliminated in the constant voltage charging operation. The battery charger includes the first to n-th power converters configured to convert the power supplied from the power supply and supply the converted power to the battery, and a charge controller configured to cause the power converters to perform a constant current charging operation, a constant power charging operation, and a constant voltage charging operation, to charge the battery. The charge controller causes the first to n-th power converters to operate in parallel in the constant current charging operation and the constant power charging operation, and causes one of the first to n-th power converters to solely operate in the constant voltage charging operation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing having a first connector port at a first end of the housing and a second connector port at a second end of the housing. The first end and the second end are opposite one another. An activator is configured to simultaneously move the first connector port and the second connector port when a force is applied. When the first connector port is extended beyond the housing, the second connector port is retracted into the housing, and when the second connector port is extended beyond the housing, the first connector port is retracted into the housing. An internal battery is coupled to the first connector port and configured to be charged via the first connector port from an external power source, and coupled to the second connector port and configured to provide power via the second connector port to an external device.

Abstract: The invention is a drone hangar enabling safe containment and recharging of a drone located close to an area of interest, such as a drone used to inspect wind turbines located off shore.

Abstract: Docking platforms formed in one of the largest-surface-area surfaces of mobile electronic devices. Such a docking platform may comprise a docking accessory cavity having a docking connection system comprising one or more docking connectors formed within the cavity, and optionally two or more electrical contacts within the cavity, the contacts electrically connected to electronics within the electronic device and constructed and arranged to allow electrical connection to detachable docking accessories. The docking connection system is operable to form detachable attachments to multiple independent docking accessories simultaneously. The cavities of the docking platforms are shaped to accommodate a broad range of docking accessories that are specially adapted to sit in a generally flush manner with the back surface of the mobile electronic device while attached to the docking connectors. One type of accessory forms an assembly with an expandable accordion attached to the docking platform.

Abstract: In a charge/discharge system having a battery mounted in an electric vehicle, a charging station that charges the battery, and a connector that connects the battery of the electric vehicle and the charging station through a power line, there are provided a detector that applies a voltage to a terminal connected to the power line of the connector and detects whether the connector connects the battery and the charging station based on change of the applied voltage, and a controller that controls charge/discharge of the battery through the connector based on the state of charge of the battery memorized in a memory when it is detected that the connector connects the battery and the charging station.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit can produce a pulsed charging current to charge a battery. During charging, without disconnecting the pulsed charging current from the battery, EIS measurements can be made. In other words, the pulsed charging current can serve double-duty, for battery charging and as a drive signal for the EIS measurements. The EIS measurements can be used to alter parameters of the pulsed charging current to improve battery life. In some instances, the parameters of the pulsed charging current can be momentarily changed for the purpose of making the EIS measurements, and then restored subsequent to making the measurements to parameters suitable for battery charging.

Abstract: An external battery backup unit includes a battery cell set, a power relay, a charging controller, a voltage and current monitoring unit, a microcontroller and a signaling coupling unit. The charging controller is configured to monitor the status of the battery cell set and the power relay in order to determine a charging current's amplitude. The voltage and current monitoring unit monitors the status of the battery cell set to control a discharging current's amplitude. The microcontroller is configured to respond to the change of state of the charging controller, the voltage and current monitoring unit, and the battery cell set. The microcontroller further generates the external battery backup unit's system information and encapsulates it into data envelopes. The signaling coupling unit is configured to embed the data envelopes into the power transmitted to the backend system.