Power conservation device for a peripheral interface module
First Claim
1. A power conservation device for a peripheral interface module configured for use in an electronic device, said module having a housing, peripheral interface hardware mounted within said housing, a socket, mounted within said housing and electrically coupled to said peripheral interface hardware, for being engaged by a peripheral device plug and electrically coupling the peripheral device plug to said peripheral interface hardware, and a module power terminal for receiving power from an electronic device power terminal associated with said electronic device when said module is coupled to said electronic device, and for providing said power to said peripheral interface hardware, said power conservation device comprising:
- sensing means for sensing whether said peripheral device plug engages said socket; and
switching means, responsive to said sensing means, for disconnecting said module power terminal from said electronic device power terminal when said peripheral device plug does not engage said socket, and connecting said module power terminal to said electronic device power terminal when said peripheral device plug engages said socket.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power conservation device for a peripheral interface module configured for use in an electronic device includes a sensing means that senses whether the module is in use, and a switching means that connects power from the electronic device to the module when the module is in use, and disconnects power from the electronic device to the module when the module is not in use. The peripheral interface module is designed for use with a peripheral device that is coupled to the module via a peripheral device plug. The peripheral device plug engages a socket provided in the module. The sensing means senses whether the plug engages the socket as an indication of whether the module is actually in use. In response, the switching means disconnects power from the electronic device to the module when the plug does not engage the socket, and connects power from the electronic device to the module when the plug does engage the socket. The power conservation device generally limits power consumption to periods in which the module is in use, thereby improving power efficiency and conserving battery resources in the electronic device.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A power conservation device for a peripheral interface module configured for use in an electronic device, said module having a housing, peripheral interface hardware mounted within said housing, a socket, mounted within said housing and electrically coupled to said peripheral interface hardware, for being engaged by a peripheral device plug and electrically coupling the peripheral device plug to said peripheral interface hardware, and a module power terminal for receiving power from an electronic device power terminal associated with said electronic device when said module is coupled to said electronic device, and for providing said power to said peripheral interface hardware, said power conservation device comprising:
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sensing means for sensing whether said peripheral device plug engages said socket; and switching means, responsive to said sensing means, for disconnecting said module power terminal from said electronic device power terminal when said peripheral device plug does not engage said socket, and connecting said module power terminal to said electronic device power terminal when said peripheral device plug engages said socket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A peripheral interface module configured for use in an electronic device, said module comprising:
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a housing; peripheral interface hardware mounted within said housing; a socket, mounted within said housing and electrically coupled to said peripheral interface hardware, for being engaged by a peripheral device plug and electrically coupling the peripheral device plug to said peripheral interface hardware; a module power terminal for receiving power from an electronic device power terminal associated with said electronic device when said module is coupled to said electronic device, and for providing said power to said peripheral interface hardware; sensing means for sensing whether said peripheral device plug engages said socket; and switching means, responsive to said sensing means, for disconnecting said module power terminal from said electronic device power terminal when said peripheral device plug does not engage said socket, and connecting said module power terminal to said electronic device power terminal when said peripheral device plug engages said socket. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A power conservation device for a peripheral interface module configured for use in an electronic device, said module having a housing, peripheral interface hardware mounted within said housing, a socket, mounted within said housing and electrically coupled to said peripheral interface hardware, for being engaged by a peripheral device plug and electrically coupling the peripheral device plug to said peripheral interface hardware, wherein said socket is extendable from said housing to receive said peripheral device plug and retractable into said housing when said module is not in use, and a module power terminal for receiving power from an electronic device power terminal associated with said electronic device when said module is coupled to said electronic device, and for providing said power to said peripheral interface hardware, said power conservation device comprising:
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sensing means for sensing whether said socket is extended from said housing or retracted into said housing; and switching means, responsive to said sensing means, for disconnecting said module power terminal from said electronic device power terminal when said socket is retracted into said housing, and connecting said module power terminal to said electronic device power terminal when said socket is extended from said housing. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A peripheral interface module configured for use in an electronic device, said peripheral interface module comprising:
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a housing; peripheral interface hardware mounted within said housing; a socket, mounted within said housing and electrically coupled to said peripheral interface hardware, for being engaged by a peripheral device plug and electrically coupling the peripheral device plug to said peripheral interface hardware, wherein said socket is extendable from said housing to receive said peripheral device plug and retractable into said housing when said module is not in use; a module power terminal for receiving power from an electronic device power terminal associated with said electronic device when said module is coupled to said electronic device, and for providing said power to said peripheral interface hardware; sensing means for sensing whether said socket is extended from said housing or retracted into said housing; and switching means, responsive to said sensing means, for disconnecting said module power terminal from said electronic device power terminal when said socket is retracted into said housing, and connecting said module power terminal to said electronic device power terminal when said socket is extended from said housing. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification