Patent ID: 7489974

Claim:
An information processing apparatus comprising: an information processing unit configured to process various information; an interface capable of supplying electrical power to and communicating a signal with an electronic device external to the apparatus through a single connector; a power supply unit capable of supplying electrical power to the electronic device through the interface; an electronic device detection unit configured to detect connection of the electronic device to the apparatus; an external power supply detection unit configured to detect an external power supply to the apparatus, the external power supply operable to supply electrical power to the power supply unit; a power supply control unit, when the connection of the electronic device and the external power supply to the apparatus are detected by the electronic device detection unit and the external power supply detection unit respectively, configured to keep supplying electrical power to the electronic device through the interface even after deactivation of the apparatus, in the event an instruction to turn off a power supply of the apparatus or deactivate the apparatus is issued, and a type determination unit configured to determine a type of the electronic device connected to the apparatus, wherein, in the event the determined type indicates that the electronic device incorporates a rechargeable battery, the power supply control unit keeps supplying electrical power to the electronic device even after deactivation of the apparatus, and in the event the determined type does not indicate that the electronic device incorporates the rechargeable battery, the power supply control unit stops supply of electrical power to the electronic device after deactivation of the apparatus.