DYNAMIC PORT POWER ALLOCATION APPARATUS AND METHODS
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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.
12 Citations
51 Claims
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1-31. -31. (canceled)
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32. A method for regulating current delivered over a plurality of ports within an electronic device, comprising:
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detecting an amount of current drawn over a first of the ports to a first device; determining that the first device comprises a battery; based at least on the determining, communicating an adjusted current limitation with the first device; and distributing an excess amount of current available to a first of the ports without affecting the amount of current available to a second of the ports; wherein the adjusted amount of current enables accelerated charging of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. An electronic device configured to accelerate battery charging of at least one battery powered apparatus, the electronic device comprising:
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a plurality of ports; a power supply; and computerized logic in data communication with the power supply and the plurality of ports, the computerized logic configured to cause the electronic device to; determine that a device connected to a first of the plurality of ports comprises a battery powered apparatus; and based at least on the determination, adjust an amount of current available to the first port. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which are configured to, when executed by a processor, cause an electronic device to:
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determine an amount of current drawn by one or more ports of a plurality of ports of the electronic device; identify one or more devices connected to one of the plurality of ports that are battery powered; and adjust an amount of current drawn for at least a portion of the ports connected to the one or more battery powered devices. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification