Patent ID: 8171315
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of applying inline power from power source equipment to powered devices via a communications medium, the method comprising: receiving a first classification signal from a first powered device via the communications medium, the first classification signal indicating a power class of the first powered device; allocating a first amount of power to the first powered device based on the first classification signal; receiving a second classification signal from the first powered device via the communications medium, the second classification signal indicating a combined power class of a combination of the first powered device and a second powered device coupled to the first powered device; allocating a second amount of power to the first powered device based on the second classification signal to reflect the power requirements of both the first powered device and the second powered device; and supplying power from the power source equipment to the first powered device and the second powered device in accordance with the allocated second amount of power; wherein the second classification signal is a modulated current signal, and further comprising the power source equipment decoding the modulated current signal; and wherein the step of allocating the first amount of power includes setting a maximum power threshold that the power source equipment is allowed to deliver to the first powered device, and wherein an actual amount of power supplied from the power source equipment to the first powered device is less than the maximum power threshold.