Method for a network apparatus to control power provision to a powered device connected to the network apparatus, network apparatus implementing the method, and power switching management module of the network apparatus

A network apparatus comprising:

• a first port for connection to an electronic device;
• a second port for connection to a powered device;
• a third port for connection to a power supply device that provides electric power;
• a transmission unit connected between said first port and said second port for data transmission between the electronic device and the powered device, and configured to generate a first-port connection status that indicates whether said transmission unit is communicatively connected to the electronic device;
• a switch unit connected between said third port and said transmission unit, having a control terminal, and operable to switch between a conductive state where electric power received from said third port is permitted to pass through said switch unit and is directed toward said transmission unit, and a non-conductive state where electric power received from said third port is not permitted to pass through said switch unit;
• and
• a control unit connected to said control terminal of said switch unit for controlling operation of said switch unit, connected to said transmission unit for receiving the first-port connection status, and configured to control said switch unit to operate in the conductive state when the first-port connection status indicates that said transmission unit is communicatively connected to the electronic device, and to control said switch unit to operate in the non-conductive state when an interruption condition is met;
• wherein the interruption condition includes that the first-port connection status indicate that said transmission unit is not communicatively connected to the electronic device;
• and
• wherein said transmission unit is further configured to transmit the electric power passing through said third port and said switch unit to the powered device via said second port upon receipt of the electric power passing through said third port and said switch unit.

A power switching management module for use in a network apparatus that includes:

• a first port for connection to an electronic device;
• a second port for connection to the powered device;
• a third port for connection to a power supply device that provides electric power;
• and
• a transmission unit connected between the first port and the second port for data transmission between the electronic device and the powered device, and configured to generate a first-port connection status that indicates whether the transmission unit is communicatively connected to the electronic device via the first port;
• said power switching management module comprising:
• a switch unit to be connected between the third port and the transmission unit, having a control terminal, and operable to switch between a conductive state where electric power received from the third port is permitted to pass through said switch unit and is directed toward the transmission unit so that the transmission unit transmits the electric power passing through the third port and said switch unit to the powered device via the second port upon receipt of the electric power passing through the third port and said switch unit, and a non-conductive state where electric power received from the third port is not permitted to pass through said switch unit;
• and
• a control unit connected to said control terminal of said switch unit for controlling operation of said switch unit, to be connected to the transmission unit for receiving the first-port connection status, and configured to control said switch unit to operate in the conductive state when the first-port connection status indicates that the transmission unit is communicatively connected to the electronic device via the first port, and to control the switch unit to operate in the non-conductive state when an interruption condition is met;
• wherein the interruption condition includes that the first-port connection status indicate that the transmission unit is not communicatively connected to the electronic device.