PROTOCOL FOR MANAGING A CONTROLLABLE POWER ADAPTER ACCESSORY
First Claim
1. A method of operating a host device, the method comprising, by the host device:
- receiving a device-class signal from an accessory via a first set of pins of a connector of the host device, the device-class signal corresponding to a device class that includes a controllable power adapter accessory;
establishing an accessory-protocol communication channel with the accessory using the first set of pins;
obtaining, via the accessory-protocol communication channel, accessory identification information from the accessory, the accessory identification information including information descriptive of a controllable power-supplying capability of the accessory;
receiving, via a second set of pins of the connector, cable authentication information from a cable connected between the host device and the accessory;
determining a power rating of the cable based at least in part on the cable authentication information;
determining a power profile for power to be supplied by the accessory to the host device via the cable, the determination of the power profile being based on the power-supplying capability of the accessory, the power rating of the cable, and a power need of the host device; and
sending a power management message to the accessory via the accessory protocol communication channel, the power management message specifying the power profile.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A host device can manage a controllable power adapter accessory using a communication protocol. Based on information provided by the controllable power adapter accessory as to its power capabilities and the power needs and preferences of the host device, the host device can determine a desired power profile and request power from the accessory conforming to the desired profile. The desired power profile can also depend in part on the power-carrying capability of one or more cables connected between the host device and the accessory. In some instances, the host device and controllable power adapter accessory can be connected via an intermediary accessory that can siphon power from the controllable power adapter accessory, and the host device can manage the power siphoning behavior of the intermediary accessory using the communication protocol.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of operating a host device, the method comprising, by the host device:
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receiving a device-class signal from an accessory via a first set of pins of a connector of the host device, the device-class signal corresponding to a device class that includes a controllable power adapter accessory; establishing an accessory-protocol communication channel with the accessory using the first set of pins; obtaining, via the accessory-protocol communication channel, accessory identification information from the accessory, the accessory identification information including information descriptive of a controllable power-supplying capability of the accessory; receiving, via a second set of pins of the connector, cable authentication information from a cable connected between the host device and the accessory; determining a power rating of the cable based at least in part on the cable authentication information; determining a power profile for power to be supplied by the accessory to the host device via the cable, the determination of the power profile being based on the power-supplying capability of the accessory, the power rating of the cable, and a power need of the host device; and sending a power management message to the accessory via the accessory protocol communication channel, the power management message specifying the power profile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of operating a host device, the method comprising, by the host device:
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determining that an interface of the host device is connected to a first cable and that that the first cable is connected to an intermediary accessory, establishing a first communication channel with the intermediary accessory; determining that the intermediary accessory is connected to a second cable and that the second cable is connected to a controllable power adapter accessory; establishing a second communication channel with the controllable power adapter accessory, wherein establishing the second communication channel includes establishing a tunnel through the intermediary accessory; receiving first cable authentication information from the first cable; receiving second cable authentication information from the second cable; determining a desired power profile for the controllable power adapter accessory based at least in part on a power-supplying capability of the controllable power adapter accessory, the first and second cable authentication information, and a power need of the host device; and sending a power management message via the second communication channel to the controllable power adapter accessory, the power management command specifying the desired power profile for the controllable power adapter accessory. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A host device comprising:
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a connector interface including an ID bus interface, a serial bus interface, and a power bus interface; a protocol manager coupled to the connector interface and configured to exchange messages conforming to an accessory protocol with an accessory via the serial bus interface of the connector interface, wherein the messages include; an identification message receivable by the host device, the identification message including power information specifying one or more controllable power parameters for power supplied by a controllable power supply accessory; and a power-control message sendable by the host device to the controllable power supply accessory, the power-control message specifying at least one characteristic of a power profile to be delivered from the controllable power supply accessory to the power bus interface; and a power management unit coupled to the protocol manager and the connector interface, the power management unit being configured to; receive the power information from the protocol manager; determine a power need of the host device; determine a desired characteristic for a power profile based at least in part on the power need and the power information; and communicate the desired characteristic to the protocol manager, wherein the protocol manager is further configured to send the power-control message to the controllable power supply accessory to specify the desired characteristic of the power profile in response to the communication from the power management unit. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification