Connector blocking with automatic power management and balancing
US7871278B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 15, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 15, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S439/911
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for managing power to a group of connectors. The individual power limits of the connectors may be selectively increased while still complying with a group power limit. In one embodiment, a group of electronic connectors disposed on a host device each include a power portion and a data portion. A mechanical barrier is moveable into a blocked position for physically blocking at least the power portion of one or more of the electronic connectors while the other electronic connectors in the group remain unblocked. A power controller automatically increases an individual power limit of one or more of the unblocked electronic connectors in response to the mechanical barrier being in the blocked position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.