Patent Description:
The figures are not to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts.

The proliferation of mobile electronic devices has caused a proliferation of battery charging devices. Many mobile electronic device users have become frustrated with having to purchase and carry around different types of chargers for a myriad of mobile electronic devices. Devices having USB Type C ports provide a charging solution that reduces the need to carry multiple battery chargers by permitting the coupling and charging of many different electronic devices via the USB Type C ports. For example, notebooks and/or laptops having USB Type C ports can be used to charge tablets, mobile telephones, video gaming devices, etc. The notebook/laptop need only be coupled to an electrical outlet via a power adaptor. The power adaptor supplied energy is then used to power/operate not only the notebook/laptop but also to energize electronic devices coupled to the notebook/laptop via the USB Type C port(s) of the notebook/laptop.

Video display devices may include USB Type C ports to enable power delivery to coupled electronic devices. Video display devices that offer such power delivery ports may be sold with higher rated, (and often higher cost) power adaptors that enable the delivery of power to coupled electronic devices. Such video display devices are configured to draw a larger amount of current/power than video display devices that do not include the power delivery option. As a result, the video display devices that do not offer power delivery ports are typically sold with lower-rated, lower cost power adaptors.

Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture disclosed herein enable the automatic configuration of power delivery capabilities of a display device based on sensing/detecting an amount of power supplied to a port of the display device. Some example devices disclosed herein sense an amount of power delivered to the display device via a power adaptor coupled to the display device via a port. Based on the amount of power, the display device is configured to operate in either of a first operating mode or a second operating mode. The first operating mode is different from the second operating mode. In some examples, the first operating mode is associated with a lower amount of power corresponding to a first threshold and the second operating mode is associated with a higher amount of power corresponding to a second threshold. In some examples, a sensor configured to sense the power delivered to port performs load testing to identify the amount of power. In some examples, the sensor configured to sense the power delivered to port reads information supplied on an input pin of the port. In some examples, sensors determine when other electronic device(s) are coupled to other port(s) of the display device. In some such examples, a power controller determines whether there is sufficient power supplied by the adaptor to energize the other device(s) and the display device. If so, the power controller causes a switch to enable ports by which the electronic devices are coupled to the display device. If not, the power controller causes the switch to disable the ports.

The ability to automatically configure a display device based on an amount of power sensed at a port provides a number of advantages. In particular, the display devices having the power controller disclosed herein can be sold with either a lower-rated, lower cost adaptor or a higher-rated, higher cost adaptor, thereby offering the consumer greater flexibility. Further, a user who opts for the lower-rated, lower cost adaptor, can later decide to upgrade to the high-rated, higher cost adaptor without having to purchase a new display device. In addition, because the display devices having the power controller disclosed herein are able to configure the operation of the display device automatically based on the amount of power sensed at a port of the device, either type of power adaptor can be coupled to the display devices without risk of overheating or otherwise damaging the power adaptor.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an example implementation of a video display device <NUM> having an example power controller <NUM>, an example first power and data port <NUM>, an example second power and data port <NUM>, an example third power and data port <NUM>, an example fourth power and data port <NUM>, an example video signal processor <NUM>, an example display backlight controller 114A, an example backlight 114B, and an example video display/screen <NUM>. In some examples, the example power controller <NUM> includes an example first sensor <NUM>, an example second sensor <NUM>, an example switch <NUM>, an example power distributor <NUM>, and an example mode controller <NUM>. The video display device <NUM> receives at the first power and data port <NUM> from a power adaptor power <NUM> coupled to a power outlet <NUM>. The power adaptor <NUM> can be implemented with either a first type of power adaptor that is rated to supply a first amount of power or a second type of power adaptor that is rated to supply a second amount of power. In some examples, the first amount of power associated with the first type of power adaptor is lower than the second amount of power associated with the second type of power adaptor.

In some examples, a first electronic device <NUM>, DEVICE A, is coupled to the second power and data port <NUM>, a second electronic device <NUM>, DEVICE B, is coupled to the third power and data port <NUM>, and a third electronic device <NUM>, DEVICE C, is coupled to the fourth power and data port <NUM>. The DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, and the DEVICE C <NUM> are mobile electronic devices that include rechargeable batteries. In some examples, the DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, and the DEVICE C <NUM> can be implemented using mobile telephones, video gaming devices, tablets, laptops, iPad™ devices, etc. In some examples, power supplied by the power adaptor <NUM> to the example first power and data port <NUM> is routed via the example power controller <NUM> to the DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, and/or the DEVICE C <NUM> via the example second power and data port <NUM>, the example third power and data port <NUM>, and the example fourth power and data port <NUM>, respectively.

In some examples, the example first sensor <NUM> of the example power controller <NUM> senses an amount of power received at the first power and data port <NUM>. The first sensor <NUM> identifies the amount of power supplied to the example power distributor <NUM>. In some examples, the power distributor <NUM> determines whether the amount of power satisfies a first power threshold corresponding to a first operating mode of the display device <NUM> or a second power threshold corresponding to a second operating mode of the display device <NUM>. When the amount of power satisfies the first power threshold but does not satisfy the second power threshold, the power distributor <NUM> notifies the example mode controller <NUM>, which responds by causing the example video processor <NUM> and the example backlight 114B to operate in a first operating mode. In some examples, the first operating mode is a basic operating mode in which the backlight 114B used to light the display screen <NUM> is not permitted to be lit beyond a threshold level. Further, the basic operating mode may limit the capabilities of the video processor <NUM>. When configured to operate in the first/basic operating mode, the backlight 114A and the video processor <NUM> are configured to draw an amount of power equal to or less than the first power threshold level from the first power and data port <NUM> via the example switch <NUM>. In some examples, the mode controller <NUM> adjusts the operating mode of the backlight 114B by instructing backlight controller 114A, which responds by changing the light setting of the backlight 114B.

In some examples, when the amount of power sensed by the first sensor <NUM> satisfies the first power threshold and the second power threshold, the power distributor <NUM> notifies the example mode controller <NUM> which responds by causing the example video processor <NUM> and the example backlight 114B (via the example backlight controller 114A) to operate in a second operating mode. In some examples, the second operating mode is an enhanced operating mode in which the backlight used to light the display screen is permitted to be lit to its maximum level. Further, when operating in the enhanced operating mode the video signal processor may have an expanded set of capabilities. When configured to operate in the second/enhanced operating mode, the backlight 114B and the video processor <NUM> are configured to draw an amount of power equal to or less than the second power threshold level from the first power and data port <NUM> via the example switch <NUM>.

Thus, the video display device <NUM> is configured to operate in either a first/basic operating mode or a second/enhanced operating mode depending on the amount of power supplied by the power adaptor <NUM> at the first power and data port <NUM>. In some examples, the first power threshold is equal to the first amount of power supplied by the first type of power adaptor and the second power threshold is equal to the second amount of power supplied by the second type of power adaptor. As such, instead of being able to operate with only one type of power adaptor <NUM> (as are conventional display devices) the video display device <NUM> having the power controller <NUM> is able to operate with either of a lower-rated power adaptor <NUM> or a higher-rated power adaptor <NUM>.

In some examples, after the example mode controller <NUM> of the example power controller <NUM> has automatically configured the operating mode of the video display device <NUM> based on the amount of power at the example first power and data port <NUM>, the example second sensor <NUM> determines that a device, e.g., the example DEVICE A <NUM>, is attempting to draw power from the first power and data port <NUM> (or has requested to draw such power). In some examples, the second sensor <NUM> notifies the example power distributor <NUM>, which responds by determining whether the amount of power supplied to the first power and data port <NUM> is sufficient to supply the requested power to the DEVICE A <NUM> while also continuing to operate the display device <NUM> in an operating mode (e.g., either the first operating mode or the second operating mode) currently being used by the display device <NUM>. If the power distributor determines the amount of power supplied to the first power and data port <NUM> is sufficient to supply the requested amount of power to the DEVICE A <NUM>, while also continuing to operate the display device <NUM> in the current operating mode, the power distributor <NUM> instructs the example switch <NUM> to enable a power supply capability of the second power and data port <NUM>. In some examples, when the power supply capability of the second power and data port <NUM> is enabled, power begins to flow from the first power and data port <NUM> through the switch <NUM> to the second power and data port <NUM> for consumption by the DEVICE A <NUM>.

In some examples, when the power distributor <NUM> determines the amount of power supplied to the first power and data port <NUM> is not sufficient to supply the requested amount of power to the DEVICE A <NUM>, while also continuing to operate the display device <NUM> in the current operating mode, the example power distributor <NUM> determines whether the display device <NUM> is currently operating in the second operating mode. When the power distributor <NUM> determines the display device <NUM> is currently operating in the second operating mode, the power distributor <NUM> can determine whether the amount of power supplied to the first power and data port <NUM> is sufficient to supply the requested amount of power to the DEVICE A <NUM>, while operating the display device <NUM> in the first operating mode. If the power distributor <NUM> determines the amount of power supplied to the first power and data port <NUM> is sufficient to supply the requested amount of power to the DEVICE A <NUM>, while operating the display device <NUM> in the first operating mode, the power distributor <NUM> instructs the mode controller <NUM> to automatically re-configure the display device <NUM> to operate in the first operating mode. In response, the mode controller <NUM> causes the example video signal processor <NUM> and the example display backlight to begin drawing an amount of power less than or equal to the first power threshold. In addition, the power distributor <NUM> instructs the example switch <NUM> to enable a power supply capability of the second power and data port <NUM> and power begins to flow from the first power and data port <NUM> through the switch <NUM> to the second power and data port <NUM> for consumption by the DEVICE A <NUM>.

In some examples, the example DEVICE B <NUM>, and/or the example DEVICE C <NUM> are additionally coupled to the video display device <NUM> via the third and fourth power and data ports <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. In some such examples, the second example sensor <NUM> identifies an amount of power required by DEVICE B <NUM> and DEVICE C <NUM> and determines whether there is sufficient power available at the first power and data port <NUM> to supply the DEVICE B <NUM> and the DEVICE C <NUM> while also operating the video display <NUM> at the current operating mode. As described with respect to the example DEVICE A <NUM>, depending on the amount of available power at the first power and data port <NUM>, the power distributor <NUM> causes the switch <NUM> to enable or disable the third and fourth power and data ports <NUM>, <NUM> accordingly. Additionally, the power distributor <NUM> can automatically reduce or increase the operating mode of the display device <NUM> to accommodate the power required by the DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, and/or the DEVICE C <NUM>.

In some examples, the example power distributor <NUM> determines which, if any, of the example DEVICE A <NUM>, the example DEVICE B <NUM>, and/or the example DEVICE C <NUM> is to be given power when there is insufficient power to supply the DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, and/or the DEVICE C <NUM>. In some such examples, the power distributor <NUM> may consult a priority assigned to the DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, and/or the DEVICE C <NUM>. In some examples, a user can assign, via the user interface <NUM>, a priority to different types of devices that may be coupled to the display device <NUM>. In some such examples, the priority information entered at the user interface <NUM> can be stored at the power distributor <NUM> for use in determining how power is to be distributed among the DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, and/or the DEVICE C <NUM>. In some examples, the user may be asked to specify a desired priority among different types of devices during an initial configuration of the display device <NUM>. In some examples, the user may be asked to specify a desired priority among different types of devices each time a new type of device is coupled to the display device <NUM> or at any other time in a periodic or aperiodic manner.

In some examples, the example first power and data port <NUM>, the example second power and data port <NUM>, the example third power and data port <NUM>, and the example fourth power and data port <NUM> are implemented with USB Type C ports. In some such examples, the first power and data port <NUM>, the second power and data port <NUM>, the third power and data port <NUM>, and the fourth power and data port <NUM> include a set of pins by which data flow and power flow are enabled. In some such examples, the example switch <NUM> enables the flow of power via any of the first power and data port <NUM>, the second power and data port <NUM>, the third power and data port <NUM>, and the fourth power and data port <NUM> by activating the pin(s). Further, in some examples, the first sensor <NUM> can identify an amount of power supplied at the first power and data port <NUM> by detecting information supplied on the pin(s) regarding the capabilities of the example power adaptor <NUM>. Likewise, in some examples, the second sensor <NUM> can identify the amount of power requested by, drawn by, required by the DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, and/or the DEVICE C <NUM> by reading information supplied by the pin(s) designated to carry data. In some examples, the DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, and/or the DEVICE C <NUM> can transmit information via the pin(s) of the second power and data port <NUM>, the third power and data port <NUM>, and the fourth power and data port <NUM>, respectively. The information can include, for example, a request for a specific amount of power, device identifying information, etc. In some examples, the example first power and data port <NUM>, the example second power and data port <NUM>, the example third power and data port <NUM>, and the example fourth power and data port <NUM> are implemented with USB Type A ports. In some examples, the example first power and data port <NUM>, the example second power and data port <NUM>, the example third power and data port <NUM>, and the example fourth power and data port <NUM> are implemented with any type of port capable of communicating data and power.

In some examples, the example first sensor <NUM> is implemented by a load tester. In some such examples, the first sensor <NUM> detects the amount of power supplied at the example first power and data port <NUM> by performing a load test or multiple load tests on the signal supplied at the first power and data port <NUM>. Such load tests can be conducted to identify an amount of power available at the first power and data port <NUM>. When the load testing is successfully completed, the first sensor <NUM> informs the example power distributor <NUM> as to the outcome of the testing, and the power distributor instructs the example mode controller <NUM> to configure the display device based on the outcome.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an example implementation of the example power distributor <NUM> of <FIG>. In the illustrated example, the power distributor <NUM> includes an example sensor monitor <NUM>, an example power comparator <NUM>, an example priority examiner <NUM>, an example allocator <NUM>, an example power data storage <NUM>, an example subtractor <NUM>, and an example switch controller <NUM>. In some examples, the sensor monitor <NUM> monitors information supplied by the example first sensor <NUM> and the example second sensor <NUM>. As described above, the information supplied by the example first sensor <NUM> can include information identifying an amount of power supplied by the power adaptor <NUM> to the example first power and data port <NUM>. Further, information supplied by the second sensor <NUM> can include requests for power received from any of the devices coupled to the display device <NUM> (e.g., the example DEVICE A <NUM>, the example DEVICE B <NUM>, and/or the example DEVICE C <NUM>), and/or device type information for any or all of the DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, and/or the DEVICE C <NUM>. In some examples, the sensor monitor causes all or some of the information supplied by the first sensor <NUM> and/or the second sensor <NUM> in the power data storage <NUM>. In some examples, the sensor monitor <NUM> monitors the first and the second sensors <NUM>, <NUM> for changes in the amount of power supplied to and/or drawn by the first power and data port <NUM>, the second power and data port <NUM>, the third power and data port <NUM>, and/or the fourth power and data port <NUM>.

In some examples, the example power comparator <NUM> compares the amount of power at the example first power and data port <NUM> to the first power threshold and to the second power threshold and notifies the example allocator <NUM> as to the results of the comparison. In some such examples, the allocator <NUM> responds to the results/output of the comparator by instructing the example mode controller <NUM> (see <FIG>) to configure the operating mode of the example display device <NUM> (see <FIG>). In some examples, the example subtractor <NUM> subtracts an amount of power requested/drawn by the example video signal processor <NUM> and/or the example DEVICE A <NUM>, the example DEVICE B <NUM>, and/or the example DEVICE C <NUM> from an amount of power available at the first power and data port <NUM> to determine whether there is sufficient power for the DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, and/or the DEVICE C <NUM>. In some such examples, the subtractor supplies the results of such a subtraction operation to the allocator <NUM> for use in allocating power to the display device <NUM>, the DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, and/or the DEVICE C <NUM>.

In some examples, the example priority examiner <NUM> examines a priority assigned to the DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, and/or the DEVICE C <NUM> to identify which, if any, of the devices has priority over any of the others with respect to power consumption. In some examples, the user interface <NUM> supplies priority information entered by a user to the priority examiner <NUM>. The priority examiner <NUM> may retain the information or may cause the priority information to be stored in the example power data storage <NUM>. In some examples, the priority examiner <NUM> notifies the allocator <NUM> as to which, if any, of the DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, the DEVICE C <NUM> has priority over the others. The allocator <NUM> then allocates power to the devices (any or all of the DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, the DEVICE C <NUM>) based on the priority information. In some examples, the allocator <NUM> uses information supplied by the sensor monitor <NUM>, the power comparator <NUM>, the subtractor <NUM>, the priority examiner <NUM>, and information stored in the power data storage <NUM> to allocate power among the display device <NUM>, the DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, and the DEVICE C <NUM>. The allocator <NUM> then instructs the example mode controller <NUM> and/or the example switch controller <NUM> to take action based on the allocations in the manner described above with reference to <FIG>.

While an example manner of implementing the example display device <NUM> having the example power controller <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the elements, processes and/or devices illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG> may be combined, divided, re-arranged, omitted, eliminated and/or implemented in any other way. Further, the example video signal processor <NUM>, the example display backlight controller 114A, the example backlight 114B, the example first sensor <NUM>, the example second sensor <NUM>, the example switch <NUM>, the example power distributor <NUM>, the example mode controller <NUM>, the example sensor monitor <NUM>, the example power comparator <NUM>, the example priority examiner <NUM>, the example allocator <NUM>, the example power data storage <NUM>, the example subtractor <NUM>, the example switch controller <NUM> and/or, more generally, the display device <NUM> having the power controller <NUM> may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware and/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Thus, for example, any of the example video signal processor <NUM>, the example display backlight controller 114A, the example backlight 114B, the example first sensor <NUM>, the example second sensor <NUM>, the example switch <NUM>, the example power distributor <NUM>, the example mode controller <NUM>, the example sensor monitor <NUM>, the example power comparator <NUM>, the example priority examiner <NUM>, the example allocator <NUM>, the example power data storage <NUM>, the example subtractor <NUM>, the example switch controller <NUM>, and/or, more generally, the example display device <NUM> having the power controller <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> could be implemented by analog or digital circuit(s), logic circuits, programmable processor(s), application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)), and/or field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)). When reading any of the apparatus or system claims of this patent to cover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one of the example video signal processor <NUM>, the example display backlight controller 114A, the example backlight 114B, the example video display/screen <NUM>, the example first sensor <NUM>, the example second sensor <NUM>, the example switch <NUM>, the example power distributor <NUM>, the example mode controller <NUM>, the example sensor monitor <NUM>, the example power comparator <NUM>, the example priority examiner <NUM>, the example allocator <NUM>, the example power data storage <NUM>, the example subtractor <NUM>, the example switch controller <NUM>, and/or the example display device having the example power controller <NUM> of <FIG>and <FIG> is/are hereby expressly defined to include a non-transitory computer readable storage device or storage disk such as a memory, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a compact disk (CD), a Blu-ray disk, etc. including the software. Further still, the example display device <NUM> having the example power controller <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> may include elements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, and/or may include more than one of any or all of the illustrated elements, processes, and devices.

Flowcharts representative of example machine readable instructions for implementing the display device <NUM> having the power controller <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> are shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In these examples, the machine readable instructions of the flowcharts of <FIG> and <FIG> comprise a program for execution by a processor such as the processor <NUM> shown in the example processor platform <NUM> discussed in connection with <FIG>. The programs may be embodied in software stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the processor <NUM>, but the entire program and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executed by a device other than the processor <NUM> and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware. Further, although the example programs are described with reference to the flowcharts illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, many other methods of implementing the example display device <NUM> having the power controller <NUM> may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined. Additionally or alternatively, any or all of the blocks may be implemented by hardware circuit(s) (e.g., discrete and/or integrated analog and/or digital circuitry, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated circuit (ASIC), a comparator, an operational-amplifier (op-amp), a logic circuit, etc.) structured to perform the corresponding operation without executing software or firmware.

As mentioned, the example processes of <FIG> an <NUM> may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer and/or machine readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer and/or machine readable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a cache, a random-access memory, and/or any other storage device or storage disk in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the term non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable storage device and/or storage disk and to exclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media. Thus, whenever a claim lists anything following any form of "include" or "comprise" (e.g., comprises, includes, comprising, including, etc.), it is to be understood that additional elements, terms, etc. may be present without falling outside the scope of the corresponding claim. As used herein, when the phrase "at least" is used as the transition term in a preamble of a claim, it is open-ended in the same manner as the term "comprising" and "including" are open ended.

The program <NUM> of <FIG> begins when the example first sensor <NUM> senses an electrical signal at the example first power and data port <NUM> (block <NUM>). In response to sensing the electrical signal, the power controller <NUM> configures the display device <NUM> to operate in a first operating mode (draw a first level of power) corresponding to a lower power rating/setting (block <NUM>). In some examples, the first sensor <NUM> notifies the power distributor <NUM> of the presence of the electrical signal, and the example power distributor <NUM> responds to the notification by causing the example mode controller <NUM> to configure the display device <NUM> to operate in the first operating mode.

The first sensor <NUM> attempts to determine an amount of power available at the example first power and data port <NUM> (block <NUM>). In some examples, determining the amount of power includes performing load test(s), reading information supplied on a data pin of the first power and data port <NUM>, etc. If the attempt to determine the amount of power is not successful (as determined at block <NUM>), the first sensor <NUM> returns to the block <NUM> and continues to attempt to determine the amount of power. If the attempt to determine the amount of power is successful (as determined at block <NUM>), the power distributor <NUM> determines whether the amount of power is sufficient to support operating the display device in the second operating mode (block <NUM>). In some examples, the example comparator <NUM> makes the determination by comparing the amount of power to the first power threshold corresponding to the first operating mode of the display device <NUM> and to the second power threshold corresponding to the second operating mode of the display device <NUM>. When the amount of power satisfies the first power threshold but does not satisfy the second power threshold (as determined at block <NUM>), either of the comparator <NUM> or the power distributor <NUM> notifies the example mode controller <NUM> which responds by causing the example video processor <NUM> and the example backlight 114B to continue operating in the first operating mode (block <NUM>).

In some examples, when the amount of power sensed by the first sensor <NUM> satisfies the first power threshold and the second power threshold (as determined at block <NUM>), the power distributor <NUM> and/or comparator <NUM> instructs the example mode controller <NUM> to cause the example video processor <NUM> and the example backlight 114B (via the example backlight controller 114A) to operate in the second operating mode (draw a second level of power) (block <NUM>). The video display device <NUM> continues to operate in the second operating mode <NUM> unless and until the first sensor <NUM> detects a drop in the available power at the first power and data port <NUM> (block <NUM>). When such a drop is detected, the program of <FIG> returns to the block <NUM> at which the power distributor <NUM> again instructs the mode controller <NUM> to configure the display device <NUM> to operate in the first operating mode.

Thus, according to the program of <FIG>, the video display device <NUM> is configured to operate in either a first/basic operating mode or a second/enhanced operating mode depending on the amount of power supplied by the power adaptor <NUM> at the first power and data port <NUM>. In some examples, the first power threshold is equal to the first amount of power supplied by the first type of power adaptor and the second power threshold is equal to the second amount of power supplied by the second type of power adaptor. As such, instead of being able to operate with only one type of power adaptor <NUM> (as are conventional display devices) the video display device <NUM> having the power controller <NUM> is able to operate with either of a lower-rated power adaptor <NUM> or a higher-rated power adaptor <NUM>.

The program <NUM> of <FIG> is implemented in display devices that are capable of automatically configuring an operating mode of the display device based on a detected amount of power and are also capable of supplying power to other device(s). The program of <FIG> begins when the when the example first sensor <NUM> senses an electrical signal (e.g., via a sensed voltage or current) at the example first power and data port <NUM> (block <NUM>). In response to sensing the electrical signal, the power controller <NUM> configures the display device <NUM> to operate in a first operating mode (draw a first level of power) corresponding to the lower power rating/setting (block <NUM>). In some examples, the first sensor <NUM> notifies the power distributor <NUM> of the presence of the electrical signal, and the example power distributor <NUM> responds to the notification by causing the example mode controller <NUM> to configure the display device <NUM> to operate in the first operating mode.

The first sensor <NUM> attempts to determine an amount of power available at the example first power and data port <NUM> (block <NUM>). If the attempt to determine the amount of power is not successful (as determined at block <NUM>), the first sensor <NUM> returns to the block <NUM> and continues to attempt to determine the amount of power. If the attempt to determine the amount of power is successful (as determined at block <NUM>), the power distributor <NUM> causes the mode controller <NUM> to configure the display device <NUM> to operate in the first operating mode or the second operating mode (e.g., to configure the display device <NUM> to draw power) based on the determined amount of supplied power (block <NUM>) In some examples, configuring the display device <NUM> to operate in either the first or the second operating mode includes determining whether the amount of power is sufficient to support operating the display device <NUM> in the second operating mode by comparing the amount of power detected by the first sensor <NUM> to the first power threshold corresponding to the first operating mode of the display device <NUM> and to the second power threshold corresponding to the second operating mode of the display device <NUM>. When the amount of power satisfies the first power threshold but does not satisfy the second power threshold, either of the comparator <NUM> or the power distributor <NUM> notifies the example mode controller <NUM> which responds by causing the example video processor <NUM> and the example backlight 114B to continue operating in the first operating mode. After configuring the display device <NUM>, the example sensor monitor <NUM> of the example power distributor <NUM> collects sensor information from the first sensor <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM>. When the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> indicate a change in either power demand or supply (as determined at the block <NUM>), the example sensor monitor <NUM> and/or the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> supply information identifying the amount of power supplied and the amount of power demanded (block <NUM>). In some examples, the amount of power demand and supply are stored in the power data storage <NUM> for reference by the example allocator <NUM> of the power distributor <NUM>.

The example allocator <NUM> then uses the information identifying the amount of power supply, the amount of power demand, and the current operating mode of the display device <NUM> to allocate power among the display device <NUM>, and devices (e.g., the DEVICE A <NUM>, the DEVICE B <NUM>, the DEVICE C <NUM>) coupled to the display device <NUM> (block <NUM>). In some examples, the allocator <NUM> instructs the subtractor <NUM> to subtract the amount of power demanded/requested by the device(s) coupled to the display device <NUM>, as well as the amount of power currently being drawn by the display device <NUM>, from the amount of power supplied by the power adaptor <NUM> at the first power and data port <NUM>. In some such examples, the allocator <NUM> uses the results of the subtraction operation to determine whether the amount of power at the first power and data port <NUM> is sufficient to supply the display device <NUM> and the device(s) coupled to the display device <NUM>. In some examples, when the power is sufficient to support only a subset of the devices, the allocator <NUM> requests the assistance of the priority examiner <NUM> to identify which of the device(s) are to be given priority in power allocation. The allocator <NUM>, upon determining how the power is to be allocated, instructs the mode controller <NUM> to configure the operating mode of the display device <NUM> and instructs the switch controller <NUM> to control the switch <NUM> to enable or disable the second, third, and/or fourth power and data ports. After the allocator <NUM> is finished allocating the power, the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and the sensor monitor <NUM> continue to monitor the power demand and power supply (block <NUM>) and when a change in either is detected at the block <NUM>, performs the operations of the blocks <NUM> - <NUM> to control the distribution of power among the display device <NUM> and the device(s) coupled to the display device <NUM>. The program <NUM> of <FIG> continues in this manner until the display device <NUM> is turned off and/or loses power.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an example processor platform <NUM> capable of executing the instructions of <FIG> and <FIG> to implement the display device <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. The processor platform <NUM> can be, for example, a server, a personal computer, a mobile device (e.g., a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet such as an iPad™), a personal digital assistant (PDA), an Internet appliance, a gaming console, a personal video recorder, or any other type of computing device.

For example, the processor <NUM> can be implemented by integrated circuit(s), logic circuit(s), microprocessor(s), or controller(s) from any desired family or manufacturer. The hardware processor may be a semiconductor based (e.g., silicon based) device. In this example, the processor <NUM> implements the power distributor <NUM>, the mode controller <NUM>, at least a portion of the first sensor <NUM>, at least a portion of the second sensor <NUM>, the switch <NUM>, the sensor monitor <NUM>, the comparator <NUM>, the priority examiner <NUM>, the power allocator <NUM>, the subtractor <NUM>, and the switch controller <NUM>, and/or more generally, the power controller <NUM>. In this example, the processor <NUM> can also implement the video signal processor <NUM> and the display backlight controller 114A.

In some examples, the main memory is used to implement the example power data storage <NUM>.

In this example, the interface implements the first power and data port <NUM>, the second power and data port <NUM>, the third power and data port <NUM>, and the fourth power and data port <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, input device(s) <NUM> are connected to the interface circuit <NUM>. The input device(s) can be implemented by, for example, an audio sensor, a microphone, a camera (still or video), a keyboard, a button, a mouse, a touchscreen, a track-pad, a trackball, isopoint, and/or a voice recognition system. The input device <NUM> can be used to implement the user interface <NUM>. In some examples, the input device can be used to implement at least a portion of the first sensor <NUM> and/or the second sensor <NUM>.

Output device(s) <NUM> are also connected to the interface circuit <NUM> of the illustrated example. The output devices <NUM> can be implemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystal display, a cathode ray tube display (CRT), a touchscreen, a tactile output device, a printer, and/or speakers). The interface circuit <NUM> of the illustrated example, thus, typically includes a graphics driver card, a graphics driver chip, and/or a graphics driver processor. The output device <NUM> can be used to implement the example video display screen <NUM>.

The interface circuit <NUM> of the illustrated example also includes a communication device such as a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, a modem, and/or network interface card to facilitate exchange of data with external machines (e.g., computing devices of any kind) via a network <NUM> (e.g., an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a telephone line, coaxial cable, a cellular telephone system, etc.).

The processor platform <NUM> of the illustrated example also includes mass storage device(s) <NUM> for storing software and/or data. The mass storage devices <NUM> can be used to implement the example power data storage <NUM>.

The coded instructions <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> may be stored in the mass storage device <NUM>, in the volatile memory <NUM>, in the non-volatile memory <NUM>, and/or on a removable tangible computer readable storage medium such as a CD or DVD.

Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been disclosed that automatically configure the operating mode of a display device based on an amount of power supplied to the display device. The disclosed technologies enable the operation of a display device with differently rated power adaptors thereby providing a display device user more flexibility in the type of display capabilities while also eliminating the risk that a power adaptor is damaged by the display device drawing more power/current than the power adaptor is rated to withstand.

Example devices, methods and apparatus disclosed herein include sensing an amount of power delivered to a display device via a power adaptor coupled to the display device via a port and, based on the amount of sensed power, configuring the display device to operate in either of a first operating mode or a second operating mode. In some examples, the display device can be configured, based on the power sensed at the port, to operate in any number of operating modes. In some such examples, the operating modes correspond to any number of power thresholds. Further the different operating modes and power thresholds can correspond to any number of different display features/capabilities. In some examples, operating modes corresponding to lower power thresholds may support a more limited number of display features than operating modes corresponding to higher power thresholds.

Claim 1:
A power controller (<NUM>) comprising:
a comparator configured to compare an amount of power supplied at a port (<NUM>) of a computer display device (<NUM>) to a first power threshold corresponding to a first operating mode of the computer display device (<NUM>) and a second power threshold corresponding to a second operating mode of the display device (<NUM>); and
a mode controller (<NUM>) adapted to configure the computer display device (<NUM>) to operate in at least one of the first operating mode or the second operating mode based on an output of the comparator;
characterized in that:
the first power threshold is different from the second power threshold;
and in that the amount of power is a first amount of power, the port is a first port (<NUM>) and the power controller (<NUM>) further includes:
a sensor monitor (<NUM>) configured to determine a second amount of power to be supplied to a second port (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the display device (<NUM>);
an allocator (<NUM>) configured to control a switch (<NUM>) that is configured to enable or disable the second port, the allocator configured to control the switch (<NUM>) based on whether the first amount of power is sufficient to provide the second amount of power to the second port when the computer display device (<NUM>) is configured to operate in the at least one of the first operating mode and the second operating mode.