Hot-swap protection circuit

A method for protecting a target circuit, the method comprising:

• detecting power from a source of power;
• coupling the power to the target circuit in a gradual manner;
• detecting when a current supplied to the target circuit exceeds a threshold;
• and
• decoupling the power in response to detecting that the current supplied to the target circuit exceeds a threshold.

A circuit comprising:

• a switch configured to couple a target circuit with a source of power;
• a first detector configured to detect power provided by the source of power, the first detector operatively coupled with the switch, wherein the switch closes responsive to the first detector;
• and
• a second detector configured to detect noise in the power, the second detector operatively coupled to the switch, wherein a conductivity of the switch varies responsive to the second detector.

A circuit comprising:

• a switch configured to couple a target circuit with a source of power;
• a first detector configured to detect power from a source of power, the first detector operatively coupled with the switch, wherein the switch closes responsive to the first detector;
• and
• a second detector configured to detect when a current supplied to the target circuit exceeds a threshold, wherein the switch opens responsive to the second detector.

A circuit comprising:

• a switch configured to couple a target circuit with a source of power;
• a first detector configured to detect power from the source of power, the first detector operatively coupled with the switch, wherein the switch closes responsive to the first detector;
• and
• a second detector configured to detect when the source of power is decoupled from the target circuit, wherein the switch opens responsive to the second detector.

A circuit comprising:

• a switch configured to couple a target circuit with a source of power;
• a first detector configured to detect power from the source of power, the first detector operatively coupled with the switch, wherein the switch closes responsive to the first detector;
• and
• a second detector configured to detect a voltage change from a non-zero voltage towards a zero voltage, wherein the switch opens responsive to the second detector.

A circuit for coupling a power source to a device comprising:

• first circuit means for detecting a connection event wherein a connection is made between the first circuit and the power source;
• second circuit means, responsive to the first circuit means, for varying the amount of power from the power source that is applied to the device;
• third circuit means for filtering electrical noise originating from the power source to produce a filtered signal;
• and
• fourth circuit means for producing a control signal responsive to the filtered signal,
• the second circuit means further being responsive to the control signal so that the amount of power that is applied to the device varies in response to the electrical noise.

A circuit for coupling a power source to an electronic device comprising:

• first circuit means for detecting a connection event wherein a connection is made between the first circuit and the power source;
• second circuit means, responsive to the first circuit means, for coupling power from the power source to the electronic device so that power is applied to the electronic device in a gradual manner;
• third circuit means for detecting an overcurrent event wherein the electronic device draws current from the power source exceeding a predetermined level of current;
• and
• fourth circuit means for reducing the amount of power that is applied to the electronic device in response to the third means.

A circuit for coupling a power source to a device comprising:

• first circuit means for detecting a connection event wherein a connection is made between the first circuit and the power source;
• second circuit means, responsive to the first circuit means, for coupling power from the power source to the device, the second circuit means operable to vary the amount of power that is applied to the device;
• third circuit means for detecting a change in an electrical parameter of the second circuit means indicative of a disconnection between the circuit and the power source;
• fourth circuit means for decoupling the power source from the device in response to the third means.

A circuit for coupling a power source to a device comprising:

• first circuit means for detecting a connection event wherein a connection is made between the circuit and the power source;
• second circuit means, responsive to the first circuit means, for providing a varying amount of power from the power source to the device;
• third circuit means for detecting when the device draws current from the power source exceeding a predetermined level of current;
• fourth circuit means for decoupling the power source from the device in response to the third means;
• fifth circuit means for detecting a change in an electrical parameter of the second circuit means indicative of a disconnection between the circuit and the power source;
• and
• sixth circuit means for decoupling the power source from the device in response to the fifth means.