Patent ID: 8543844

Claim:
A physical layer (PHY) of an inline power device of a network power system, inline power device including a media access control component connected to a media independent interface for sending and receiving data over a physical transmission link attached to a port of the inline power device, the PHY comprising: a set of external connection terminals including first signal terminals for connecting the PHY to the media independent interface of the inline power device, second terminals for connecting the PHY to a media dependent interface to the physical transmission link, and one or more third terminals carrying an inline power control signal; PHY sublayer circuitry constructed and arranged as a bridge between the media independent interface and the media dependent interface to provide for the exchange of data communications signals between the media access control component and an external device through the port of the inline power device; and an inline power control signal source coupled to the PHY sublayer circuitry and constructed and arranged to output the inline power control signal on the one or more third terminals, the inline power control signal being configured to control inline power, including (i) to supply power to the external device through the port when the external device is coupled to the port and (ii) to remove power from the port when the external device is decoupled from the port.