METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHANGING POWER CLASS FOR A POWERED DEVICE
First Claim
1. A method of applying inline power from power source equipment to powered devices via a communications medium, the method comprising:
- receiving a first classification signal from a first powered device via the communications medium, the first classification signal indicating a power class of the first powered device;
allocating a first amount of power to the first powered device based on the first classification signal;
receiving a second classification signal from the first powered device via the communications medium, the second classification signal indicating a combined power class of a combination of the first powered device and a second powered device coupled to the first powered device;
allocating a second amount of power to the first powered device based on the second classification signal to reflect the power requirements of both the first powered device and the second powered device; and
supplying power from the power source equipment to the first powered device and the second powered device in accordance with the allocated second amount of power.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for changing power class for a powered device are provided. During operation, a powered device, such as an IP telephone, receives power from a power source via a PoE device. In the event that the powered device detects connection to a second powered device, such as an IP telephone module, the powered device transmits a classification signal to the power source. Based upon the classification signal, the power source performs a powered device classification procedure to reclassify the powered device, such as according to an IEEE 802.3af standard, and provide an increase amount of power to the powered device. The powered device, in turn, provides a portion of the power to the modular device. The modular powered device, therefore, receives power directly from the first powered device and does not require additional equipment in order to operate.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of applying inline power from power source equipment to powered devices via a communications medium, the method comprising:
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receiving a first classification signal from a first powered device via the communications medium, the first classification signal indicating a power class of the first powered device; allocating a first amount of power to the first powered device based on the first classification signal; receiving a second classification signal from the first powered device via the communications medium, the second classification signal indicating a combined power class of a combination of the first powered device and a second powered device coupled to the first powered device; allocating a second amount of power to the first powered device based on the second classification signal to reflect the power requirements of both the first powered device and the second powered device; and supplying power from the power source equipment to the first powered device and the second powered device in accordance with the allocated second amount of power. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A powered device for an inline power network, the powered device comprising:
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a first port for coupling the powered device to power source equipment; a second port for coupling the powered device to a modular device; a classification circuit coupled to the first port and to the second port, the classification circuit constructed and arranged (i) to output a classification signal, indicative of a power class of the powered device, to power source equipment via the first port, and (ii) to receive a connection signal, indicative of a coupling of the modular device to the powered device, from the modular device via the second port; and user circuitry constructed and arranged for receiving input from a user, the user circuitry being operable to disable power to the powered device and to direct the classification circuit to output to the power source equipment via the first port a classification signal indicative of a combined power class of the powered device and the modular device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of powering a powered device coupled to a modular device, which receive power from power source equipment in an inline power network, the method comprising:
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operating a user-operable circuit disposed in one of the powered device and the modular device; outputting, responsive to an operation of the user-operable circuit, a classification signal to the power source equipment via the inline power network, the classification signal being indicative of a combined power class of the powered device and the modular device; receiving power, from the power source equipment through the inline power network, in accordance with the combined power class of the powered device and modular device; and powering both the powered device and the modular device with the received power. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification