Electrically adaptive mechanical connection for electronic devices

Abstract

An electronic device, like a mobile telephone, has a first section and a second section. The first section and second section are coupled together by a mechanical connection, for example a hinge, swivel or sliding connector. Electronic components in the first section are coupled to electronic components in the second section by conductors capable of transferring power between the first and second sections. A current detector is capable of detecting currents, like surface currents, while a controller is responsive to the current detector. A plurality of reactive elements, like capacitors for example, are coupled to a plurality of switches such that the controller may selectively couple any of the plurality of reactive elements to the conductors by actuating a corresponding switch. When the current detector detects a current in excess of a predetermined threshold, the controller alters the complex impedance between the first and second sections by actuating one or more of the switches, thereby coupling one or more of the reactive elements to the conductors.