System and method for power control in a universal serial bus
First Claim
1. A system for the control of power in a universal serial bus coupled to a computer, the computer including a master hub continuously powered by the computer and providing a power source, the system comprising:
- a bus powered hub coupleable to the master hub via a first universal serial bus connection and coupleable to a peripheral device via a second universal serial bus connection;
a power supply connector coupleable to the master hub power source via said first universal serial bus connection to receive power therefrom;
a controller within said bus powered hub and coupleable to the computer via said first universal serial bus connection to receive commands from the computer, said controller being continuously powered from the master hub power source via said power supply connector; and
a power switch within said bus powered hub and coupleable to the master hub power source through said power supply connector, said power switch being responsive to a power command from said controller to selectively activate said power switch, said power switch sourcing power to the peripheral device via said second universal serial bus connection when said power switch is activated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bus powered hub having a switch to control power distribution in a universal serial bus. A single switch is used to control power distribution to a number of peripherals connected to the bus powered hub. When the bus powered hub is initialized, the switch is activated thus providing power to the peripheral devices coupled to the bus powered hub. The system subsequently queries the peripheral devices to determine if an illegal configuration exists. If an illegal configuration exists, the system generates an error message to the user indicating the nature of the illegal configuration. If no illegal configuration exists, the system initializes the various peripheral devices.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A system for the control of power in a universal serial bus coupled to a computer, the computer including a master hub continuously powered by the computer and providing a power source, the system comprising:
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a bus powered hub coupleable to the master hub via a first universal serial bus connection and coupleable to a peripheral device via a second universal serial bus connection; a power supply connector coupleable to the master hub power source via said first universal serial bus connection to receive power therefrom; a controller within said bus powered hub and coupleable to the computer via said first universal serial bus connection to receive commands from the computer, said controller being continuously powered from the master hub power source via said power supply connector; and a power switch within said bus powered hub and coupleable to the master hub power source through said power supply connector, said power switch being responsive to a power command from said controller to selectively activate said power switch, said power switch sourcing power to the peripheral device via said second universal serial bus connection when said power switch is activated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for the control of power in a universal serial bus coupled to a computer, the computer including a master hub continuously powered by the computer and providing a power source, the system comprising:
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a bus powered hub coupleable to the master hub via a first universal serial bus connection; a plurality of identical universal serial bus connectors to receive identical universal serial bus plugs from a plurality of peripheral devices; a controller within said bus powered hub and coupleable to the master hub via said first universal serial bus connection to receive data from the computer, said controller being continuously powered from the master hub power source; and a power switch within said bus powered hub and coupleable to the master hub power source, said power switch being responsive to a power command from said controller to selectively activate said power switch, said power switch sourcing power to said plurality of identical universal serial bus connectors when said power switch is activated. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for the control of power in a universal serial bus coupled to a computer, the computer including a master hub continuously powered by the computer and providing a power source, the system comprising:
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a bus powered hub coupleable to the master hub via a first universal serial bus connection; a wire cable connectable to the master hub to provide said first universal serial bus connection and thereby receive power from the master hub power source and to exchange data with the master hub; a controller within said bus powered hub and coupleable to the master hub by said wire cable to exchange data with the computer via the master hub, said controller being continuously powered from the master hub power source via said wire cable; a plurality of identical connectors to receive identical plugs from a plurality of peripheral devices; and a power switch within said bus powered hub and coupleable to the master hub power source via said wire cable and responsive to a power command from said controller to selectively activate said power switch, said power switch sourcing power to said plurality of identical connectors when activated.
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25. A method for the control of power in a universal serial bus powered hub coupled to a computer, the computer including a master hub continuously powered by the computer and providing a power source, the method comprising the steps of:
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connecting the bus powered hub to the master hub via a first universal serial bus connection, the bus powered hub being continuously powered from the master hub power source; in the bus powered hub, receiving data from the computer via said first universal serial bus connection; generating a power command in said bus powered hub in response to data received from the master hub; and activating a power switch coupled to the master hub power via said first universal serial bus connection to source power to a plurality of identical universal serial bus connectors. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification