External Device Charging While Notebook Is Off

• US 20110047393A1
• Filed: 02/22/2008
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Doczy, Paul J., Lev, Jeffrey A., Tracy, Mark S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,583,946 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips

Abstract

A computer comprises a power supply that provides operating power for the computer and a connector on the computer through which an external device can be coupled to the computer. The power supply powers an auxiliary power rail even when the computer is otherwise off. The auxiliary power rail is provided to the connector to thereby provide power to the external device even when the computer is off.

Claims

1. A computer, comprising:

a power supply that provides operating power for the computer as well as an auxiliary power rail; and

a connector on the computer through which an external device can be coupled to said computer;

wherein said power supply powers the auxiliary power rail even when the computer is otherwise off, and said auxiliary power rail is provided to said connector to thereby provide power to the external device even when said computer is off.

2. The computer of claim 1 wherein said connector is a universal serial bus (USB) connector.

3. The computer of claim 1 further comprising a. switch that selectively couples said auxiliary power rail to said connector,

4. The computer of claim 1 further comprising a visual indicator that visually indicates when said connector receives voltage from said auxiliary power rail,

5. The computer of claim 1 further comprising a visual indicator that visually indicates when said connector receives voltage from said auxiliary power rail when said computer is off,

6. The computer of claim 1 further comprising a visual indicator that visually indicates when said connector receives voltage from said auxiliary power rail,

7. The computer of claim l wherein said computer, via said connector, charges a battery in the external device even when the computer is off.

8. A computer, comprising;

means for electrically coupling to an external device; and

means for charging a battery in a device external to said computer when said computer is off.

9. The computer of claim 8 wherein said means for charging the battery comprises an auxiliary power rail from a power supply, said auxiliary power rail being active even when said computer is off.

10. The computer of claim 8 wherein said means for charging the battery comprises a switch that selectively provides power to said means for electrically mating.

11. The computer of claim 8 further comprising means for visually indicating to a user that the battery is being charged when said computer is off.

12. A computer, comprising:

a power supply that provides operating power for the computer as well as an auxiliary power rail, said auxiliary power rail remaining active even when said computer is otherwise in an off state;

a connector on the computer through which an external device can be coupled to said computer; and

a solid-state switch that selectively couples the auxiliary power rail to the external device via the connector when the computer is off and the external device is coupled to the connector.

13. The computer of claim 12 further comprising a visual indicator coupled to said solid-state switch, said visual indicator indicates when the auxiliary power rail is provided to the connector.