Layer 2 power classification support for Power-over-Ethernet personal computing devices
First Claim
1. In a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) system, a system for classifying power of one or more personal computing devices, comprising:
- one or more personal computing devices each having a PoE control module; and
a switch connected to the one or more personal computing devices,wherein the PoE control module and the switch are capable of communicating using a Layer 2 data link layer,wherein power information is communicated between the PoE control module and the switch using the Layer 2 data link layer, andwherein the switch determines a power classification for at least one personal computing device based on power requirement information it receives from the PoE control module;
wherein the switch provides power supply information to the at least one personal computing device based on the at least one personal computing device'"'"'s power classification; and
wherein the at least one personal computing device is configured to adjust its application loads based on the power supply information received from the switch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) communication system dynamically provides power and data communications over a communications link. In an enterprise environment made up of one or more personal computing devices (e.g., personal or laptop computers), a switch determines a power classification for each device via a PoE control module that can be part of, for example, a Power Source Equipment/Powered Device (PSE/PD) system or a LAN-On-Motherboard/Powered Device (LOM/PD) system. A method of classifying power for each device includes detecting a device, polling it for power requirement information using a Layer 2 data link layer, receiving power requirement information from the device, and determining a power classification for the device. Power requirement information can include battery charge status, power load, power mode, etc., of the device. Various types of data packets can be used. The method can be repeated on a periodic basis, allowing power classification to be dynamic.
47 Citations
19 Claims
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1. In a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) system, a system for classifying power of one or more personal computing devices, comprising:
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one or more personal computing devices each having a PoE control module; and a switch connected to the one or more personal computing devices, wherein the PoE control module and the switch are capable of communicating using a Layer 2 data link layer, wherein power information is communicated between the PoE control module and the switch using the Layer 2 data link layer, and wherein the switch determines a power classification for at least one personal computing device based on power requirement information it receives from the PoE control module; wherein the switch provides power supply information to the at least one personal computing device based on the at least one personal computing device'"'"'s power classification; and wherein the at least one personal computing device is configured to adjust its application loads based on the power supply information received from the switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. In a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) system, a method of classifying power of one or more personal computing devices, comprising:
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detecting a personal computing device; polling the personal computing device for power requirement information using a Layer 2 data link layer; receiving power requirement information from the personal computing device via the Layer 2 data link layer; and determining a power classification for the personal computing device based on the power requirement information; and providing power supply information to the personal computing device, wherein the personal computing device is capable of adjusting its application load based on the power supply information. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification