Patent US6526516B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6526516B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power control system and method for distribution of power to peripheral devices
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1998-12-11
•
Granted: 2003-02-25
•
Expires: 2018-12-11
Abstract
Abstract In a system to which a plurality of devices are connected, each device has heretofore required a connector for an AC adapter and a connector for a signal line. Further, in order to arrange it so that the amount of power supplied to the overall system will not exceed a limit value, it has been required to adjust the amount of power during system use by turning the power source of each device on or off. According to the present invention, a signal line for data transfer and a power line for supply of power in a system connecting a plurality of devices are consolidated in a single cable to make it possible to connect both lines to one connector of each device. The power controller of a certain device acquires the properties of a plurality of devices connected to this device, decides the optimum power distribution and controls the power controllers of each of the other devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Hisashi Ishikawa
- 👤 Hiroshi Tajika
- 👤 Miyuki Fujita
- 👤 Yuji Konno
- 👤 Hiroo Inoue
- 👤 Kenji Takahashi
- 👤 Norihiro Kawatoko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:48
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/10; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/189; G06F1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 86
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A power control system, comprising: device connecting unit for connecting a plurality of devices for transferring data and supplying power between said connected plurality of devices; distribution deciding unit for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon power information in each device when power consumption exceeds a predetermined level while a connection status is unchanged; and mode control unit for controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A power control system, comprising: device connecting unit for connecting a plurality of devices for transferring data and supplying power between said connected plurality of devices; distribution deciding unit for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon power information in each device when power consumption exceeds a predetermined level while a connection status is unchanged; and mode control unit for controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein said power source is an AC external power source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein sum total of power distributed to each of said devices is less than a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the power consumption mode includes a mode in which the power source of the device is turned off.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein said distribution deciding unit decides distribution of power based upon a degree of priority set for each device in advance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 5 , wherein the degree of priority is set for every power consumption mode of each device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein said distribution deciding unit decides a distribution of power so as to maximize the number of devices that operate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein said distribution deciding unit decides the distribution of power to each device when the device is connected to said power source line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein said distribution deciding unit decides the distribution of power to each device when power is introduced to the device, which has been connected to said power source line.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein said mode controller changes the power consumption modes of said plurality of devices all at one time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system according to claim 1 , further comprising first multiplexer for multiplexing the power information onto said power source line; said distribution deciding unit deciding distribution of power to each device based upon the power information multiplexed by said first multiplexer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system according to claim 10 , wherein in a case where a power consumption mode is changed so as to reduce power consumption in any device of said plurality of devices, said mode controller changes the power consumption mode only of said device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system according to claim 11 , further comprising a second multiplexer for multiplexing a power control signal, which is based upon the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding unit, onto said power source line; said mode controller having unit for controlling the power consumption mode of each device based upon the power control signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system according to claim 11 , wherein said first multiplexer multiplexes a change request, which is for requesting a change of power consumption mode, onto said power source line; and said distribution deciding unit decides distribution of power to each device based upon the change request.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system according to claim 11 , wherein said first multiplexer multiplexes change schedule information, which is for scheduling a change of power information, onto said power source line; and said distribution deciding unit and said mode controller schedule distribution of power to each device and control of the power consumption of each device based upon the change schedule information.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system according to claim 11 , wherein said first multiplexer monitors power consumption of each device at prescribed time intervals and multiplexes results of monitoring onto said power source line; and said distribution deciding unit decides distribution of power to each device based upon the results of monitoring.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system according to claim 11 , wherein in a case where power consumption of each device has changed by more than a predetermined amount, said first multiplexer multiplexes power consumption information indicative of the changed power consumption onto said power source line; and said distribution deciding unit decides distribution of power to each device based upon this power consumption information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system according to claim 17 , wherein said power source line comprises a plurality of channels; said distribution deciding unit decides, on a per-channel basis, distribution of power to each connected device; and said mode controller controls the power consumption mode of each device on a per-channel basis in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein said power source line comprises a plurality of channels; said distribution deciding unit decides, on a per-channel basis, distribution of power to each connected device; and said mode controller controls the power consumption mode of each device on a per-channel basis in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
111 words
A power control system, comprising: device connecting means for serially connecting a plurality of devices for transferring data and supplying power between said connected plurality of devices; distribution deciding means for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon power information in each device; mode control means for controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding means; and first multiplexing means for multiplexing the power information onto said power source line; wherein said distribution deciding means deciding distribution of power to each device based upon the power information multiplexed by said first multiplexing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
111 words
A power control system, comprising: device connecting means for serially connecting a plurality of devices for transferring data and supplying power between said connected plurality of devices; distribution deciding means for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon power information in each device; mode control means for controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding means; and first multiplexing means for multiplexing the power information onto said power source line; wherein said distribution deciding means deciding distribution of power to each device based upon the power information multiplexed by said first multiplexing means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system according to claim 20 , further comprising second multiplexing means for multiplexing a power control signal, which is based upon the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding means, onto said power source line; said mode control means having means for controlling the power consumption mode of each device based upon the power control signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system according to claim 20 , wherein said first multiplexing means multiplexes a change request, which is for requesting a change of power consumption mode, onto said power source line; and said distribution deciding means decides distribution of power to each device based upon the change request.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system according to claim 20 , wherein said first multiplexing means multiplexes change schedule information, which is for scheduling a change of power information, onto said power source line; and said distribution deciding means and said mode control means schedule distribution of power to each device and control of the power consumption of each device based upon the change schedule information.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system according to claim 20 , wherein said first multiplexing means monitors power consumption of each device at prescribed time intervals and multiplexes results of monitoring onto said power source line; and said distribution deciding means decides distribution of power to each device based upon the results of monitoring.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system according to claim 20 , wherein in a case where power consumption of each device has changed by more than a predetermined amount, said first multiplexing means multiplexes power consumption information indicative of the changed power consumption onto said power source line; and said distribution deciding means decides distribution of power to each device based upon this power consumption information.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 25 , wherein the predetermined amount is decided in dependence upon power consumption of each device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
131 words
A power control system, comprising: device connecting means for serially connecting a plurality of devices for transferring data and supplying power between said connected plurality of devices; distribution deciding means for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon power information in each device; and mode control means for controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding means; wherein said power source line comprises a plurality of channels; said distribution deciding means decides, on a per-channel basis, distribution of power to each connected device; and said mode control means controls the power consumption mode of each device on a per-channel basis in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
131 words
A power control system, comprising: device connecting means for serially connecting a plurality of devices for transferring data and supplying power between said connected plurality of devices; distribution deciding means for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon power information in each device; and mode control means for controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding means; wherein said power source line comprises a plurality of channels; said distribution deciding means decides, on a per-channel basis, distribution of power to each connected device; and said mode control means controls the power consumption mode of each device on a per-channel basis in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
111 words
A power control system for supplying power to a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line, comprising: first multiplexing means for multiplexing current drain information in said plurality of devices onto said power source line; distribution deciding means for deciding distribution of current to each device based upon the current drain information multiplexed by said first multiplexing means; second multiplexing means for multiplexing a current control signal, which is based upon the distribution of current decided by said distribution deciding means, onto said power source line; and current control means for controlling current supplied, to each device, based upon the current control signal multiplexed by said second multiplexing means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
111 words
A power control system for supplying power to a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line, comprising: first multiplexing means for multiplexing current drain information in said plurality of devices onto said power source line; distribution deciding means for deciding distribution of current to each device based upon the current drain information multiplexed by said first multiplexing means; second multiplexing means for multiplexing a current control signal, which is based upon the distribution of current decided by said distribution deciding means, onto said power source line; and current control means for controlling current supplied, to each device, based upon the current control signal multiplexed by said second multiplexing means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system according to claim 28 , wherein in a case where current drain of each device has changed by more than a predetermined amount, said first multiplexing means multiplexes current drain information indicative of the changed current drain onto said power source line; and said distribution deciding means decides distribution of current to each device based upon this current drain information.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 29 , wherein the predetermined amount is decided in dependence upon current drain of each device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system according to claim 28 , wherein said power source line comprises a plurality of channels; said distribution deciding means decides, on a per-channel basis, distribution of current to each connected device; and said current control means controls the current, supplied to each device, on a per-channel basis in accordance with the distribution of current decided by said distribution deciding means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 31 , wherein said distribution deciding means judges status of connection of devices in each channel based upon the current drain of each channel.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 28 , wherein said plurality of devices include an adapter capable of connecting another device that is incompatible with this power control system.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 33 , wherein said adapter has notification means for giving notification of presently prevailing conditions under which power is being supplied.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
79 words
A power control method for supplying power, comprising the steps of: connecting a plurality of devices for transferring data and supplying power between said connected plurality of devices; deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon power information in each device when power consumption exceeds a predetermined level while a connection status is unchanged; and controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the distribution of power that has been decided.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
79 words
A power control method for supplying power, comprising the steps of: connecting a plurality of devices for transferring data and supplying power between said connected plurality of devices; deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon power information in each device when power consumption exceeds a predetermined level while a connection status is unchanged; and controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the distribution of power that has been decided.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
92 words
A power control method for supplying power to a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line, comprising the steps of: multiplexing current drain information in said plurality of devices onto said power source line; deciding distribution of current to each device based upon the current drain information that has been multiplexed; multiplexing a current control signal, which is based upon the distribution of current that has been decided, onto said power source line; and controlling current supplied, to each device, based upon the current control signal that has been multiplexed.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
92 words
A power control method for supplying power to a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line, comprising the steps of: multiplexing current drain information in said plurality of devices onto said power source line; deciding distribution of current to each device based upon the current drain information that has been multiplexed; multiplexing a current control signal, which is based upon the distribution of current that has been decided, onto said power source line; and controlling current supplied, to each device, based upon the current control signal that has been multiplexed.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
79 words
A recording medium on which has been recorded program code for power control processing, said program code comprising: code for deciding distribution of power to each of a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line based upon power information in each device when power consumption exceeds a predetermined level while a connection status is unchanged; and code for controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the distribution of power that has been decided.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
79 words
A recording medium on which has been recorded program code for power control processing, said program code comprising: code for deciding distribution of power to each of a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line based upon power information in each device when power consumption exceeds a predetermined level while a connection status is unchanged; and code for controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the distribution of power that has been decided.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
110 words
A recording medium on which has been recorded program code for power control processing for supplying power to a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line, said program code comprising: code for multiplexing current drain information in said plurality of devices onto said power source line; code for deciding distribution of current to each device based upon the current drain information that has been multiplexed; code for multiplexing a current control signal, which is based upon the distribution of current that has been decided, onto said power source line; and code for controlling current supplied, to each device, based upon the current control signal that has been multiplexed.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
110 words
A recording medium on which has been recorded program code for power control processing for supplying power to a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line, said program code comprising: code for multiplexing current drain information in said plurality of devices onto said power source line; code for deciding distribution of current to each device based upon the current drain information that has been multiplexed; code for multiplexing a current control signal, which is based upon the distribution of current that has been decided, onto said power source line; and code for controlling current supplied, to each device, based upon the current control signal that has been multiplexed.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
112 words
A power control system to which a plurality of devices are connected by connecting means for transferring data and supplying power, comprising: power-source connecting means for connecting a prescribed device among the plurality of devices to a power source; multiplexing means for multiplexing power information in each device onto said connecting means; distribution deciding means for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the power information multiplexed by said multiplexing means; and power control means for supplying power from said prescribed device to the other devices, which are connected via the connecting means, in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
112 words
A power control system to which a plurality of devices are connected by connecting means for transferring data and supplying power, comprising: power-source connecting means for connecting a prescribed device among the plurality of devices to a power source; multiplexing means for multiplexing power information in each device onto said connecting means; distribution deciding means for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the power information multiplexed by said multiplexing means; and power control means for supplying power from said prescribed device to the other devices, which are connected via the connecting means, in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 39 , wherein said distribution deciding means decides the distribution of power to each device when the device is connected to said power source line.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system according to claim 39 , wherein said distribution deciding means decides the distribution of power to each device when power is introduced to the device, which has been connected to said power source line.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
86 words
A power control system for supplying power to a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line, comprising: first multiplexing means for multiplexing power information in each device onto said power source line; distribution deciding means for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the power information multiplexed by said first multiplexing means; and mode control means for controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
86 words
A power control system for supplying power to a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line, comprising: first multiplexing means for multiplexing power information in each device onto said power source line; distribution deciding means for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the power information multiplexed by said first multiplexing means; and mode control means for controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding means.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system according to claim 42 , further comprising second multiplexing means for multiplexing a power control signal, which is based upon the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding means, onto said power source line; said mode control means having means for controlling the power consumption mode of each device based upon the power control signal.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 42 , wherein said distribution deciding means decides the distribution of power to each device when the device is connected to said power source line.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system according to claim 42 , wherein said distribution deciding means decides the distribution of power to each device when power is introduced to the device, which has been connected to said power source line.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
92 words
A power control method in a system to which a plurality of devices are connected by connecting means for transferring data and supplying power, comprising: supplying power to a prescribed device among the plurality of devices; multiplexing power information in each device onto said connecting means; deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the multiplexed power information in each device; and supplying power from said prescribed device to the other devices, which are connected via the connecting means, in accordance with the decided distribution of power.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
92 words
A power control method in a system to which a plurality of devices are connected by connecting means for transferring data and supplying power, comprising: supplying power to a prescribed device among the plurality of devices; multiplexing power information in each device onto said connecting means; deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the multiplexed power information in each device; and supplying power from said prescribed device to the other devices, which are connected via the connecting means, in accordance with the decided distribution of power.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
112 words
A recording medium on which has been recorded program code for power processing in a system to which a plurality of devices are connected by connecting means for transferring data and supplying power, said program code comprising: code for supplying power to a prescribed device among the plurality of devices; code for multiplexing power information in each device onto said connecting means; code for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the multiplexed power information in each device; and code for supplying power from said prescribed device to the other devices, which are connected via the connecting means, in accordance with the decided distribution of power.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
112 words
A recording medium on which has been recorded program code for power processing in a system to which a plurality of devices are connected by connecting means for transferring data and supplying power, said program code comprising: code for supplying power to a prescribed device among the plurality of devices; code for multiplexing power information in each device onto said connecting means; code for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the multiplexed power information in each device; and code for supplying power from said prescribed device to the other devices, which are connected via the connecting means, in accordance with the decided distribution of power.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
64 words
A power control method for supplying power to a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line, comprising: multiplexing power information in each device onto said power source line; deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the multiplexed power information; and controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the decided distribution of power.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
64 words
A power control method for supplying power to a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line, comprising: multiplexing power information in each device onto said power source line; deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the multiplexed power information; and controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the decided distribution of power.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
83 words
A recording medium on which has been recorded program code for power control processing for supplying power to a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line, said program code comprising: code for multiplexing power information in each device onto said power source line; code for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the multiplexed power information; and code for controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the decided distribution of power.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
83 words
A recording medium on which has been recorded program code for power control processing for supplying power to a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line, said program code comprising: code for multiplexing power information in each device onto said power source line; code for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the multiplexed power information; and code for controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the decided distribution of power.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
95 words
A power control system, comprising: device connecting unit for connecting a plurality of devices for transferring data and supplying power between said connected plurality of devices: distribution deciding unit for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon power information in each device when a predetermined signal is outputted by a software; and mode controller for controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding unit, wherein said predetermined signal is outputted based upon the schedule of said software.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
95 words
A power control system, comprising: device connecting unit for connecting a plurality of devices for transferring data and supplying power between said connected plurality of devices: distribution deciding unit for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon power information in each device when a predetermined signal is outputted by a software; and mode controller for controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding unit, wherein said predetermined signal is outputted based upon the schedule of said software.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
106 words
A power control system for supplying power to a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line, comprising: first multiplexer for multiplexing current drain information in said plurality of devices onto said power source line; distribution deciding unit for deciding distribution of current to each device based upon the current drain information multiplexed by said first multiplexer; second multiplexer for multiplexing a current control signal, which is based upon the distribution of current decided by said distribution deciding unit, onto said power source line; and current controller for controlling current supplied, to each device, based upon the current control signal multiplexed by said second multiplexer.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
106 words
A power control system for supplying power to a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line, comprising: first multiplexer for multiplexing current drain information in said plurality of devices onto said power source line; distribution deciding unit for deciding distribution of current to each device based upon the current drain information multiplexed by said first multiplexer; second multiplexer for multiplexing a current control signal, which is based upon the distribution of current decided by said distribution deciding unit, onto said power source line; and current controller for controlling current supplied, to each device, based upon the current control signal multiplexed by said second multiplexer.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system according to claim 51 , wherein in a case where current drain of each device has changed by more than a predetermined amount, said first multiplexer multiplexes current drain information indicative of the changed current drain onto said power source line; and said distribution deciding unit decides distribution of current to each device based upon this current drain information.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 52 , wherein the predetermined amount is decided in dependence upon current drain of each device.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system according to claim 51 , wherein said power source line comprises a plurality of channels; said distribution deciding unit decides, on a per-channel basis, distribution of current to each connected device; and said current controller controls the current, supplied to each device, on a per-channel basis in accordance with the distribution of current decided by said distribution deciding unit.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 54 , wherein said distribution deciding unit judges status of connection of devices in each channel based upon the current drain of each channel.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 51 , wherein said plurality of devices include an adapter capable of connecting another device that is incompatible with this power control system.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 56 , wherein said adapter has notification unit for giving notification of presently prevailing conditions under which power is being supplied.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
109 words
A power control system to which a plurality of devices are connected by connecting unit for transferring data and supplying power, comprising: power-source connecting unit for connecting a prescribed device among the plurality of devices to a power source; multiplexer for multiplexing power information in each device onto said connecting unit; distribution deciding unit for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the power information multiplexed by said multiplexer; and power controller for supplying power from said prescribed device to the other devices, which are connected via the connecting unit, in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding unit.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
109 words
A power control system to which a plurality of devices are connected by connecting unit for transferring data and supplying power, comprising: power-source connecting unit for connecting a prescribed device among the plurality of devices to a power source; multiplexer for multiplexing power information in each device onto said connecting unit; distribution deciding unit for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the power information multiplexed by said multiplexer; and power controller for supplying power from said prescribed device to the other devices, which are connected via the connecting unit, in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding unit.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 58 , wherein said distribution deciding unit decides the distribution of power to each device when the device is connected to said power source line.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system according to claim 58 , wherein said distribution deciding unit decides the distribution of power to each device when power is introduced to the device, which has been connected to said power source line.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
83 words
A power control system for supplying power to a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line, comprising: first multiplexer for multiplexing power information in each device onto said power source line; distribution deciding unit for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the power information multiplexed by said first multiplexer; and mode controller for controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding unit.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
83 words
A power control system for supplying power to a plurality of devices interconnected on a power source line, comprising: first multiplexer for multiplexing power information in each device onto said power source line; distribution deciding unit for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the power information multiplexed by said first multiplexer; and mode controller for controlling a power consumption mode of each device in accordance with the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding unit.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system according to claim 61 , further comprising a second multiplexer for multiplexing a power control signal, which is based upon the distribution of power decided by said distribution deciding unit, onto said power source line; said mode controller having a unit for controlling the power consumption mode of each device based upon the power control signal.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 61 , wherein said distribution deciding unit decides the distribution of power to each device when the device is connected to said power source line.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system according to claim 61 , wherein said distribution deciding unit decides the distribution of power to each device when power is introduced to the device, which has been connected to said power source line.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
93 words
A power control method in a system to which a plurality of devices are connected by a connecting unit for transferring data and supplying power, comprising: supplying power to a prescribed device among the plurality of devices; multiplexing power information in each device onto said connecting unit; deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the multiplexed power information in each device; and supplying power from said prescribed device to the other devices, which are connected via the connecting unit, in accordance with the decided distribution of power.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
93 words
A power control method in a system to which a plurality of devices are connected by a connecting unit for transferring data and supplying power, comprising: supplying power to a prescribed device among the plurality of devices; multiplexing power information in each device onto said connecting unit; deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the multiplexed power information in each device; and supplying power from said prescribed device to the other devices, which are connected via the connecting unit, in accordance with the decided distribution of power.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
113 words
A recording medium on which has been recorded program code for power processing in a system to which a plurality of devices are connected by a connecting unit for transferring data and supplying power, said program code comprising: code for supplying power to a prescribed device among the plurality of devices; code for multiplexing power information in each device onto said connecting unit; code for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the multiplexed power information in each device; and code for supplying power from said prescribed device to the other devices, which are connected via the connecting unit, in accordance with the decided distribution of power.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
113 words
A recording medium on which has been recorded program code for power processing in a system to which a plurality of devices are connected by a connecting unit for transferring data and supplying power, said program code comprising: code for supplying power to a prescribed device among the plurality of devices; code for multiplexing power information in each device onto said connecting unit; code for deciding distribution of power to each of said plurality of devices based upon the multiplexed power information in each device; and code for supplying power from said prescribed device to the other devices, which are connected via the connecting unit, in accordance with the decided distribution of power.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4862012A
Cited
CA2088989A1
Cited
US5483656A
Cited
US5560022A
Cited
US5652893A
Cited
US5964879A
Cited
US5630204A
Cited
US5675811A
Cited
US5675813A
Cited
US6301674B1
Cited
EP0862313A2
Cited
US5919264A
Cited
US5933656A
Cited
US6211581B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-02-24 | 2006-08-26 | 2007-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-24 | 2010-08-26 | 2011-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-24 | 2014-08-26 | 2015-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |