USB port with smart power management
US8084987B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 13, 2008 |
| Grant date | Dec 27, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 20, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S323/901
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method involves detecting an inrush current that flows out of a USB port of a first electronic device when a central processing unit (CPU) of the first electronic device is not being powered. The inrush current is detected by a novel inrush current detect circuit when a second electronic device is connected to the USB port. In one example, the first electronic device is a laptop computer having a battery and a USB DC-to-DC converter. The inrush current detect circuit enables the USB DC-to-DC converter such that the USB DC-to-DC converter receives power from the battery and supplies a regulated voltage to the second electronic device through the USB port while the CPU remains unpowered (not drawing power from the battery).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.