USB device that provides power that is different from power prescribed in the USB standard

• US 7,159,132 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2002
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Sugita, Hiroshi, Hoshino, Tsutomu, Kaneko, Tomokazu, Takahashi, Hirota, Edogawa, Kazuya, Sonobe, Kenichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Trujillo; James K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel; Anand B.
• Application Number:
  US10/320,534
• Publication Number:
  US 20030172312A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,477 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 713/310
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2213/0042 Universal serial bus [USB]

Abstract

A USB device for performing communications with a second device through a USB interface while supplying electric power to the second device through a power-source supplying line in the USB interface. The USB device includes a communication unit for communicating with the second device, a power source capable of outputting electric power of a voltage being different from a standard power voltage prescribed in the standards of the USB interface. The power source supplies the electric power to the second device through the power-source supplying line. The second device includes a low load unit and a high load unit The power source supplies the electric power having a power voltage higher than the standard power voltage to the high load unit through the power-source supplying line.

Claims

1. A USB device for performing communications with a second device through a USB interface while supplying electric power to the second device through a power-source supplying line in the USB interface, the USB device comprising:

a communication unit that communicates with the second device;

a power source that outputs a voltage selected from a plurality of voltages that include a standard USB interface voltage and a voltage different from a standard USB interface voltage; and

a selection unit that selects any one of the plurality of voltages for output by the power source;

wherein the power source supplies one of a selected different voltage and a selected standard USB interface voltage through the power-source supplying line, and

wherein the selection unit sets the selected voltage to a standard USB interface voltage after it is detected that the connection between the USB device and the second device is disconnected and before it is detected that a connection between the USB device and another device is established.

2. The USB device according to claim 1, wherein

the selection unit selects a standard USB interface voltage prescribed in the standards of the USB interface upon starting the connection to the second device;

and

the selection unit selects a voltage different from a standard USB interface voltage based on a negotiation of the USB device with the second device.

3. The USB device according to claim 1, wherein

the USB device is connected to a plurality of the second devices;

and

the selection unit selects one of the plurality of voltages according to an instruction based on requests of the second devices when the requests are coincident with one another.

4. A USB device for performing communications with a host device through a standard USB interface, while receiving electric power from the host device through the standard USB interface, the USB device comprising:

a communication unit that communicates with the host device through the standard USB interface;

a low load unit operable by electric power of the standard power voltage prescribed in the standard USB interface; and

a high load unit consuming electric power larger than the electric power consumed in the low load unit;

wherein the communication unit communicates with the host device to select a power voltage that is higher than a standard power voltage prescribed in the standard USB interface,

wherein the high load unit is supplied electric power having a power voltage higher than the standard power voltage from the host device through the standard USB interface, and

wherein the USB device resets to receive a standard power voltage from the host device through the standard USB interface after it is detected that the connection between the USB device and the host device is disconnected and before it is detected that another connection between the USB device and the host device is established.

5. The USB device according to claim 4, wherein the USB device requests the host device to supply large electric power during a negotiation of the USB device with the host device.

6. The USB device according to claim 5, wherein the USB device informs the host device that an external power source is needed when the request of supplying large electric power is rejected.

7. An apparatus for performing internal communications, comprising:

a first device;

a USB interface having a power-source supplying line, the USB interface connected to the first device; and

a second device connected to the first device through the USB interface;

wherein

the first device comprises;

a communication unit that communicates with the second device through the USB interface,

a power source that outputs a voltage selected from a plurality of voltages that include a standard USB interface voltage and a voltage different from a standard USB interface voltage; and

a selection unit that selects any one of the plurality of voltages for output by the power source;

wherein the power source supplies one of a selected voltage different from a standard USB interface voltage and a selected standard USB interface voltage to the second device through the power-source supplying line prescribed in the standards of the USB interface, and

wherein the selection unit sets the selected voltage to a standard USB interface voltage after it is detected that the connection between the first device and the second device is disconnected and before it is detected that a connection between the first device and another device is established.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein

the second device comprises:

a low load unit operable by electric power of a standard USB interface voltage prescribed in the standards of the USB interface, and

a high load unit consuming electric power larger than the electric power consumed in the low load unit; and

the power source supplies the electric power having a power voltage higher than a standard USB interface voltage to the high load unit.