Methods and apparatus for intelligently providing power to a device
First Claim
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1. A computerized apparatus, comprising:
- a dual interface, comprising;
a first interface configured for data transfer; and
a second interface configurable for delivering power at a plurality of power output levels from an output power rail, and configurable for receiving power from an input power rail;
a processor coupled to the dual interface;
a demodulator coupled to the input power rail to demodulate an input power control command from the input power;
a modulator coupled to the output power rail to modulate an output power control command into the output power; and
a storage apparatus in data communication with the processor, the storage apparatus comprising computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor and responsive to coupling an external device to the dual interface;
determine a power level for the external device; and
enable power output at the power level via the dual interface based on a classification for the external device and the computerized apparatus as one of the group consisting of a chargeable device, a charging device, and a both chargeable and charging device, wherein the chargeable device is configured to drain power from the charging device.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for intelligently powering an electronic device are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, a systems management controller controls a power interface to intelligently negotiate power distribution with a peer, client, or a host device. The primary data path is unaffected by the system management controller communications. Various aspects of the present invention are demonstrated with respect to an exemplary implementation of a unified interface, consisting of an optical link (data path) and a USB link (power). As described, one exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a device with power at levels which are much increased over prior art USB solutions.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A computerized apparatus, comprising:
a dual interface, comprising; a first interface configured for data transfer; and a second interface configurable for delivering power at a plurality of power output levels from an output power rail, and configurable for receiving power from an input power rail; a processor coupled to the dual interface; a demodulator coupled to the input power rail to demodulate an input power control command from the input power; a modulator coupled to the output power rail to modulate an output power control command into the output power; and a storage apparatus in data communication with the processor, the storage apparatus comprising computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor and responsive to coupling an external device to the dual interface; determine a power level for the external device; and enable power output at the power level via the dual interface based on a classification for the external device and the computerized apparatus as one of the group consisting of a chargeable device, a charging device, and a both chargeable and charging device, wherein the chargeable device is configured to drain power from the charging device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of providing power in a computerized apparatus configured for data transfer over an interface, the method comprising:
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establishing at least one link between a first device and a second device, the at least one link configurable for power and data transfer via the interface; responsive to establishment of the at least one link, determining; a power delivery capability of the first device; and a required power level for the second device; negotiating a power control scheme between the first device and the second device via the interface; based at least in part on the act of negotiating, providing power to the second device via the interface, wherein negotiating a power control scheme comprises classifying the first device and the second device as one from the group consisting of a charging device, a chargeable device, and a both charging and chargeable device, and further wherein providing power to the second device comprises draining power from the charging device to the chargeable device; modulating in an output power rail in the first device a power control command into the output power provided by the first device; and demodulating in an input power rail in the second device the power control command from the input power received by the second device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A multipurpose interface for use with computerized devices, comprising:
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a first interface configured for data transfer; a second interface configured for power transfer, the second interface comprising an input power rail configured to receive a plurality of input power levels and an output power rail configured to provide an output power; a demodulator coupled to the input power rail to demodulate an input power control command from the input power; a modulator coupled to the output power rail to modulate an output power control command into the output power; and a logic apparatus coupled to the first interface and the second interface, and comprising a medium adapted to store computer-readable instructions, the instructions which, when executed; determine if a device is coupled to at least one of the first interface and the second interface; if the device is coupled, determine a required power for the device; negotiate with the device a power delivery scheme based at least in part on the act of determining the required power; and provide the required power to the device via the second interface in accordance with the scheme, wherein to negotiate a power deliver scheme comprises to classify the device as one from the group consisting of a charging device, a chargeable device, and a both charging and chargeable device, and further wherein to provide the required power comprises to drain power from the charging device to the chargeable device. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A storage apparatus for use with a computerized device, comprising:
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a storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the program configured to, when executed by the computerized device; classify an attached device and the computerized device according to one from the group consisting of a charging device, a chargeable device, and a both charging and chargeable device, the attached device being attached via an interface of the computerized device; determine a required power level for the attached device; and enable power output from the charging device to the chargeable device at the required power level via the interface; an output power rail configurable to deliver power at a plurality of power output levels when the storage apparatus is classified as a charging device, the delivered power comprising a delivered power control command; and an input power rail configurable to receive power when the storage apparatus is classified as a chargeable device, the received power comprising a received power control command. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A client peripheral apparatus configured to interface with a host computerized device, the client peripheral apparatus having no indigenous power source, the client peripheral apparatus comprising:
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a first logic configured to negotiate with the host device to obtain first electrical power via an interface, the first electrical power sufficient to power the client peripheral apparatus during a normal mode of operation; and a second logic configured to enable obtaining second electrical power sufficient to power the first logic, but insufficient to power the client peripheral apparatus in the normal mode, wherein the client peripheral apparatus is configured to receive a power control command to select an enhanced power mode from the group consisting of;
a power delivered over a different medium, a power of a different frequency, a power of a different phase, and a power that has been conditioned. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A device interface enabling a single cable to be used for transmitting electrical power and data between first and second computerized devices, the interface comprising:
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a data path; a power path sufficiently proximate to the data path within the interface so that the single cable can complete both the data path and the power path between the first and second computerized devices; and a power transceiver for negotiating power delivery from one of the first and second computerized devices to the other, wherein; negotiation of power delivery over the cable is performed substantially independent from software application traffic sent over the data path, and is performed classifying the first and the second computerized device as one from the group consisting of a charging device, a chargeable device, and a both charging and chargeable device, the power transceiver is configured to drain power from the charging device to the chargeable device, and the power path comprises; an input power rail coupled to a demodulator configured to demodulate a power control command in the first computerized device, and an output power rail coupled to a modulator configured to modulate the power control command in the second computerized device. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
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Specification