Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.P.

Hewlett-packard Company

Daniel C Rudolph

Chadwick W Stryker

Craig E McDaniel

Timothy F Myers

James F Bausch

Michael D Long

Charles S Stephens

Timothy M Souza

Paul G Massey

A method for determining whether to activate an illumination source includes directing an air current across at least a portion of the illumination source and across at least a portion of a temperature sensor. The method also includes sensing the temperature of the air current with the temperature sensor and determining whether to activate the illumination source based on the temperature of the air current.

Illumination source activation based on temperature sensing

Apparatus and methods associated with power adapter identification are described. In one embodiment the apparatus includes an adapter plug having at least two contacts and at least one circuit component connected to the at least two contacts.

Power adapter identification

A plug includes a disabling mechanism that, upon activation, resists removal of the shaft when inserted into a socket. The plug can also include an indicator that provides an indication that the disabling mechanism has been activated. The plug, which once inserted, changes the state of an electronic device in a substantially permanent manner.

Tamper resistant plug for changing a function of an electronic device

A battery pack includes battery storage. The battery storage has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. A power connector is connected to the positive terminal of the battery storage. A ground connector is to the negative terminal of the battery storage. The battery pack also includes an additional connector. Battery monitoring circuitry is used to monitor the battery storage. The battery monitoring circuitry has a power input. Disconnect circuitry is connected to the positive terminal of the battery storage, to the ground connector, to the additional connector and to the power input of the battery monitoring circuit. The disconnect circuitry, in response to a first voltage pattern on the additional connector, electrically connects the power input of the battery monitoring circuitry to the positive terminal of the battery storage. In response to a second voltage pattern on the additional connector, the disconnect circuitry electrically disconnects the power input of the battery monitoring circuitry from the positive terminal of the battery storage.

Electrical disconnection and automatic re-engagement of battery

A common dictionary definition of a 'diode' is 'any electronic device that restricts current flow chiefly to one direction.' This definition covers not only the conventional two lead PN junction semiconductor device presently known in the prior art (referred to herein as a 'conventional diode') but also the electronic device of this invention (referred to herein as a 'low power diode'). A low power diode has a comparator for comparing the voltage present at the anode and cathode of the diode. When the comparator determines that the voltage present at the anode of the low power diode equals or exceeds the voltage present at the cathode of the low power diode by a predetermined forward voltage, a signal is generated. This signal turns on a transistor acting as a switch, which in turn electronically connects the anode and the cathode of the low power diode together. Unlike conventional diodes that have a forward voltage (dependent on the physical silicon junction property of the diode) of approximately 0.7 Volts, this low power diode has a very small forward voltage (dependent on the drain to source resistance of the switch when on and the offset of the comparator) as low as 0.25 milliVolts.

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Corvallis, OR, United States of America

Daniel C Rudolph