Patent ID: 7613939

Claim:
In a first powered device configured to receive a first amount of power from a power source, via a communication medium, based upon a first classification signal provided to the power source by the first powered device, a method for providing power to a second powered device, comprising: detecting an electrical coupling of a second powered device to the first powered device; providing a second classification signal to the power source based upon the electrical coupling of the second powered device; receiving a second amount of power from the power source, via the communication medium, based upon the second classification signal, the second amount of power being greater than the first amount of power; and providing a portion of the second amount of power to the second powered device; wherein detecting comprises: detecting a current produced by a classification circuit of the first powered device, the classification circuit configured to electrically couple with the second powered device; comparing the measured current against a threshold value to form a result; detecting the absence of the electrical coupling to the second powered device when the result has a first value; and detecting the presence of the electrical coupling to the second powered device when the result has a second value, the second value being different than the first value.