Patent ID: 8578198

Claim:
A method for controlling power received through multiple bus interfaces in a portable computing device, comprising: sensing when power sources are plugged into bus interfaces in the portable computing device, wherein each bus interface is coupled to a dedicated power manager; upon sensing that a first power source is plugged into a first bus interface in the portable computing device, determining whether the first power source is a host or a power adapter, based upon whether the first power source is a host or a power adapter, using a first power manager coupled to the first bus interface to limit a first input current from the first power source to power the portable computing device, and to selectively provide a first charging current to a rechargeable battery for the portable computing device, and if the first power manager is providing a maximum charging current that the first power manager is capable of providing to the rechargeable battery and if the first power source is capable of providing additional current, routing the additional current to a second power manager associated with a second bus interface, so that the second power manager can provide the additional current as charging current for the rechargeable battery.