Patent ID: 8193663
Filing Date: 2012-06-05
Classification: G06F,H02J,Y02D

Abstract:
1. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a processor for performing an information processing; a power supply unit for receiving an external electric power from an external electric power source; a first power receiving unit connectable to a first communication medium connected to and in communication with a first host machine to receive a first electric power from the first communication medium; a second power receiving unit connectable to a second communication medium connected to and in communication with a second host machine to receive a second electric power from the second communication medium; an electric power detection unit for detecting the first electric power and the second electric power; a controller for detecting a maximum current allowed to be drawn from the second communication medium, a switching unit connected to the power supply unit, the first power receiving unit, and the second power receiving unit to receive the external electric power, the first electric power, and the second electric power, said switching unit receiving a result of detection from the electric power detection unit, wherein the switching unit supplies one of the external electric power, the first electric power, and the second electric power to the processor according to the result of detection made by the electric power detection unit and a result of detection made by the controller, and wherein even where the second power receiving unit can provide the second electric power, the second electric power is not supplied to the processor when the maximum current allowed to be drawn from the second communication medium is less than an electric current consumed by the processor.