Palm, Incorporated

David Mai

Craig Stuart Skinner

Edward Joseph Vertatschitsch

Van Winston Oler

Ken Kelly

A handheld computer system is disclosed. The handheld computer system includes a housing, a display supported by the housing, and a processor coupled to the display. The handheld computer system also includes a rechargeable battery configured to power the processor and the display. Further, the handheld computer system includes a recharging connector coupled to the rechargeable battery. Further still, the handheld computer system includes a recharger coupled to the recharging connector. Yet further still, the handheld computer system includes a radio frequency transceiver coupled to the processor and powerable by the battery when the battery has a charge above a predetermined low level, the transceiver configured to send and receive data while the battery charge is below the low level and the charger provides charge to the rechargeable battery and to the transceiver.

Wireless transaction enabled handheld computer system and method

A circuit and method for automatically compensating display contrast for temperature changes allowing user preference setting. The invention can be applied to any device having a display, but in one embodiment, portable electronic devices such as palmtops, other portable computers, personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, portable web browsers, remote controls, pagers, etc. are described herein. The invention allows a user to set a desired contrast preference and provides display feedback to the user as the preference setting is being made. Once the preference is set, the invention automatically compensates the contrast adjustment based on variable temperature conditions to maintain the display according to the user preference. For instance, as the temperature falls, the invention automatically detects this and adjusts the contrast in a first direction to maintain the user preference. Alternatively, as the temperature rises, the invention automatically adjusts contrast in a second direction to maintain the user preference.

Circuit and method for temperature compensated contrast

A system for controlling battery charging. The system comprises a battery charging device, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The battery may be a Lithium polymer battery, or the like. The temperature sensor senses the battery temperature and outputs a temperature data signal. The controller inputs the temperature data signal and determines if the temperature data is outside of a range with an upper limit and lower limit. If so, the controller disables the battery charging circuit, wherein the battery is prevented from being charged. In this fashion, the battery's lifetime (e.g., number of charge/discharge cycles) is extended. In another embodiment, the system further comprises a display. The controller outputs a signal to the display, directing it to display a message indicating that the battery is not being charged because the temperature is out of the pre-determined range.

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Shoreline, WA, United States of America

David Mai