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Bidirectional inline power port

  • US 8,966,297 B2
  • Filed: 04/22/2013
  • Issued: 02/24/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:

  • a first communication port for communicating with a first device;

    a second communication port for communicating with a second device;

    a rechargeable power source; and

    a controller coupled to the first communication port, the second communication port, and the rechargeable power source, the controller being configured to;

    charge the rechargeable power source with power received from the first device through the first communication port upon a determination that the first device has surplus power;

    enable the apparatus to receive power through the second communication port upon a determination that the first device is not delivering power to the apparatus,deliver power from the rechargeable power source to a second rechargeable power source of the first device upon a determination that the second rechargeable power source of the first device requires a charge; and

    selectively operate each communication port as (i) a power sourcing equipment (PSE) port, (ii) a powered device (PD) port, and (iii) a physical port which is simultaneously both a PSE port and a PD port.

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