Supplying remaining available current to port in excess of bus standard limit
US8266456B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 15, 2007 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02J7/00
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for dynamically adjusting the amount of power (or current) distributed to one or more connected devices via electrical interfaces. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first module adapted to detect current drawn by a first set of ports, and a second module adapted to adjust the current provided to a second set of ports based on the detected current. The second module is also optionally adapted to distribute unreserved current among the devices according to an allocation protocol. In the exemplary context of a plurality of interconnected serial bus devices, the invention enables a device to draw more current than that required to be reserved for that device (such as to comply with a specification such as USB), yet without increasing the total amount of power which must be dedicated to the serial ports as a whole. Power supply efficiency may also be advantageously optimized.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.