System and method for voltage switching to supply various voltages and power levels to a peripheral device
First Claim
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1. A host device comprising:
- circuitry operable for receiving a request, from a peripheral device coupled to said host device, for a first power-related signal, wherein said host device is a computer system including at least one processor;
circuitry operable for sending said first power-related signal from said host device to said peripheral device in response to said request;
a power supply operable for providing said first power-related signal; and
a first switch operable for (1) receiving said first power-related signal from said power supply, and (2) switching said first power-related signal to be sent to a first port coupled to said peripheral device in response to decoder logic coupled to said receiving circuitry.
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Abstract
Within a data processing system, such as a personal computer, non-standard, or auxiliary, voltage and current may be supplied to an attached peripheral device along with standard Universal Standard Bus (USB) power and signalling. A communication protocol is enabled between the host system and the peripheral device to permit the peripheral device to communicate its power requirements to the host device so that the host device can switch the proper voltage and current through the USB cable to the peripheral device. This allows the peripheral device to obtain power without having to connect to an AC power supply.
325 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A host device comprising:
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circuitry operable for receiving a request, from a peripheral device coupled to said host device, for a first power-related signal, wherein said host device is a computer system including at least one processor; circuitry operable for sending said first power-related signal from said host device to said peripheral device in response to said request; a power supply operable for providing said first power-related signal; and a first switch operable for (1) receiving said first power-related signal from said power supply, and (2) switching said first power-related signal to be sent to a first port coupled to said peripheral device in response to decoder logic coupled to said receiving circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A host device comprising:
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circuitry operable for receiving a request, from a peripheral device coupled to said host device, for a first power-related signal; circuitry operable for sending said first power-related signal from said host device to said peripheral device in response to said request, wherein said peripheral device is coupled to said host device via an enhanced standard universal serial bus ("USB") interface, which includes a USB voltage signal and a standard USB communications link, wherein said peripheral device communicates said request to said host device via said link, and wherein said first power-related signal is a non-standard USB power signal.
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4. A peripheral device, comprising:
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circuitry adapatable for coupling to a bus having a data communications link and transmission lines operable for carrying first and second power-related signals; circuitry powered by said first power-related signal and operable for sending via said data communications link a request for said second power-related signal; and circuitry operable for receiving said second power-related signal from said bus. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In a data processing system, a method for providing auxiliary power from an upstream device to a downstream device, said method comprising the steps of:
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coupling said upstream device to said downstream device via a bus having a data communications link operable for transferring data communications and first and second power-related signals between said upstream device and said downstream device; transferring said first power-related signal from said upstream device to said downstream device, said downstream device initially powered by said first power-related signal; transferring, via said data communications link, from said downstream device to said upstream device a request for said second power-related signal; and transferring from said upstream device to said downstream device said second power-related signal in response to said request. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A data processing system comprising:
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a host computer having at least one processor; a peripheral device coupled to said host computer via a bus having a data communications link operable for transferring data communications and first and second power-related signals between said host computer device and said peripheral device; circuitry for transferring said first power-related signal from said host computer device to said peripheral device, said peripheral device initially powered by said first power-related signal; circuitry for transferring, via said data communications link, from said peripheral device to said host computer device a request for said second power-related signal; and circuitry for transferring from said host computer device to said peripheral device said second power-related signal in response to said request. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A host device comprising:
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circuitry operable for receiving a request, from a peripheral device coupled to said host device, for a first power-related signal; circuitry operable for sending said first power-related signal from said host device to said peripheral device in response to said request; a power supply operable for providing said first power-related signal; and a first switch operable for (1) receiving said first power-related signal from said power supply, and (2) switching said first power-related signal to be sent to a first port coupled to said peripheral device in response to decoder logic coupled to said receiving circuitry.
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Specification