Power management contracts for accessory devices
First Claim
1. A method implemented by a host computing device comprising:
- maintaining a data structure configured to associate authorized accessory devices with power contract settings for each authorized accessory device, the power contract settings including at least a power exchange direction and current limits;
detecting connection of an accessory device to the host computing device via an accessory interface;
determining whether the accessory device is an authorized accessory device by comparing identity data of the accessory device to known data that indicates respective identities of the authorized accessory devices;
when the accessory device is determined as an authorized accessory device, setting an active power contract for power exchange between the host computing device and the authorized accessory device, including;
obtaining, from the data structure, the power contract settings associated with the authorized accessory device; and
setting active power contract settings for the authorized accessory device based on the power contract settings obtained from the data structure;
monitoring power exchange conditions between the host computing device and the authorized accessory device;
detecting a change in the power exchange conditions prompting modification of the active power contract settings including modifying the data structure to reflect the modified active power contract settings; and
communicating an update message that includes the modified active power contract settings to the authorized accessory device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Power management contracts for accessory devices are described. In one or more implementations, a power management contract is established for a system including a host computing device and an accessory device based at least in part upon power exchange conditions observed for the system. The power management contracts define operating constraints for power exchange between components of the system, including at least a power exchange direction and current limits. The host computing device and accessory devices are each configured to renegotiate the power management contract to dynamically change operating constraints in “real-time.” Additionally, different power management contracts may be associated with identifying data corresponding to different types of accessory devices.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method implemented by a host computing device comprising:
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maintaining a data structure configured to associate authorized accessory devices with power contract settings for each authorized accessory device, the power contract settings including at least a power exchange direction and current limits; detecting connection of an accessory device to the host computing device via an accessory interface; determining whether the accessory device is an authorized accessory device by comparing identity data of the accessory device to known data that indicates respective identities of the authorized accessory devices; when the accessory device is determined as an authorized accessory device, setting an active power contract for power exchange between the host computing device and the authorized accessory device, including; obtaining, from the data structure, the power contract settings associated with the authorized accessory device; and setting active power contract settings for the authorized accessory device based on the power contract settings obtained from the data structure; monitoring power exchange conditions between the host computing device and the authorized accessory device; detecting a change in the power exchange conditions prompting modification of the active power contract settings including modifying the data structure to reflect the modified active power contract settings; and communicating an update message that includes the modified active power contract settings to the authorized accessory device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A host computing device comprising:
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one or more microcontrollers; one or more computer-readable storage media storing instructions that when executed via the one or more microcontrollers cause the host computing device to perform operations including; managing power exchange between the host computing device and an accessory device connected to the host computing device in accordance with settings for at least a power exchange direction and current limits defined by an active power management contract; maintaining a data structure configured to associate the accessory device with the settings for the active power management contract including at least the power exchange direction and the current limits defined by the active power management contract; monitoring to detect a change in conditions of the power exchange between the host computing device and the accessory device; monitoring to detect receipt of a power contract update message from the accessory device indicating a change in the conditions of the power exchange between the host computing device and the accessory device; determining whether the change to the conditions of the power exchange prompts modification of the active power exchange contract; and when the change to the conditions of the power exchange prompts the modification of the active power exchange contract; updating the settings of the active power management contract for at least the power exchange direction and the current limits in accordance with the conditions; and modifying the data structure to reflect the updated settings of the active power management contract. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An accessory device comprising:
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one or more hardware elements, including a computer processor; one or more executable modules stored as executable instructions that when executed via the computer processor cause the accessory device to perform operations including; supplying data to a host computing device indicative of an identity of the accessory device; exchanging power with the host computing device in accordance with settings defined by an active power contract associated with the identity of the accessory device, the settings including current limits and a power exchange direction; monitoring to detect a change in power exchange conditions between the host computing device and the accessory device; determining whether the change to the power exchange conditions prompts modification of the active power exchange contract and when the change to the power exchange conditions prompts the modification of the active power exchange contract; communicating a power contract update message to the host computing device to adjust the settings, the power contract update message specifying values for the power exchange direction and the current limits based on the power exchange conditions detected by the monitoring; detecting receipt of a power contract update message from the host computing device, the power contract update message indicating changes to the settings of the active power contract and the power contract update message indicating the power exchange conditions that prompt adjusting the settings; and subsequently exchanging the power with the host computing device in accordance with the changes to the settings for the current limits and the power exchange direction defined by an updated active power contract. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification