Apparatus and Method for Powering Electronic Devices by a Plurality of Power Sources
The present invention relates to powering electronic peripheral devices. Specifically, the present invention relates to switching, combining, and/or partially using power sources to efficiently and fully power peripheral devices, especially devices with high demand in voltage and/or current. More specifically, the present invention relates to drawing power from a direct current port and an alternate power source.
1 . A power apparatus comprising:
a first port capable of accepting a first cable, wherein the cable provides a first source of power to the power apparatus;
a second port capable of accepting a second cable, wherein the second cable provides a second source of power to the power apparatus; and
a controller for selectively powering a device using power from the first port, the second port, or a combination of the first port and the second port.
2 . The power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is powered solely from the first port.
3 . The power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is powered solely from the second port.
4 . The power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is powered by a combination of power from the first port and the second port.
5 . The power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is a peripheral device.
6 . The power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of a monitor, a storage device, an interface, a cellular device, and a media device.
7 . The power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power apparatus is integrally connected to the device.
8 . The power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power apparatus is removably connected to the device.
9 . The power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first port and the second port are the same type of port.
10 . The power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first port and the second port are different types of ports.
11 . The power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first port and the second port are each selected from the group consisting of a Thunderbolt port, a USB port and a DC power port.
12 . The power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first port is a Thunderbolt port and the second port is a USB port.
13 . The power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first port is a Thunderbolt port and the second port is a DC power port.
14 . The power apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controller is a multiplexor for selectively combining power from the first port and the second port.
15 . A power apparatus comprising:
a first port capable of accepting a first cable, wherein the cable provides a first source of power to the power apparatus;
a second port capable of accepting a second cable, wherein the second cable provides a second source of power to the power apparatus, and further wherein the power apparatus switches between the first source of power and the second source of power.
16 . The power apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:
a controller for switching between the first source of power and the second source of power.
17 . The power apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:
a controller for combining the power from the first source of power and the second source of power.
18 . The power apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:
a controller comprising a multiplexor for selectively combining the power from the first source of power and the second source of power.
19 . The power apparatus of claim 15 wherein the first port and the second port are each ports selected from the group consisting of a Thunderbolt port, a USB port and a DC power port.
20 . The power apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:
a device powered by the first source of power and the second source of power.