Methods and apparatus for intelligently providing power to a device
US8661268B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 2010 |
| Grant date | Feb 25, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/266
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for intelligently powering an electronic device are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, a systems management controller controls a power interface to intelligently negotiate power distribution with a peer, client, or a host device. The primary data path is unaffected by the system management controller communications. Various aspects of the present invention are demonstrated with respect to an exemplary implementation of a unified interface, consisting of an optical link (data path) and a USB link (power). As described, one exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a device with power at levels which are much increased over prior art USB solutions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.