Method and system for powering a device using a data communications signal line

A method for receiving power from a data communications signal line, the data communications signal line being in a high impedance powerless state when idle, the method comprising:

• receiving a signal on the data communications signal line, the signal being comprised of power generation and non-power generation characters;
• converting power from the received signal to a form suitable for storage;
• stripping the power generation characters from the signal;
• and
• transmitting the non-power generation characters to a functional unit.

A system transferring power using a data communications signal line, the data communications signal line being in a high impedance powerless state when idle, the system comprising:

• a main device, the main device being electrically coupled to the data communications signal line, the main device generating and transmitting a signal on the data communications signal line, the signal being comprised of power generation and non-power generation characters;
• and
• a peripheral device electrically coupled to the data communications signal line, the peripheral device having:
• a functional unit arranged to perform a desired function for the peripheral device;
• a power conversion module, the power conversion module being electrically coupled to the data communications signal line and receiving the signal, the power conversion module converting power from the received signal to a form suitable for storage;
• and
• a controller, the controller in electrical communication with the functional unit and the power conversion module, the controller:
• receiving the power generation and non-power generation characters;
• stripping the power generation characters from the signal;
• and
• transmitting the non-power generation characters to the functional unit.