Computer system for sensing a cable-connected peripheral and for supplying power thereto

A computer system, comprising:

• a chassis which includes:
• at least one central processing unit (CPU);
• at least one battery, and at least one external power connection, and power supply circuitry connected to said CPU to provide power from said battery or said external power connection;
• and
• a plurality of input/output devices operatively connected to said CPU, including at least one multiline I/O connector mounted on said chassis;
• a cable for connecting to said I/O connector;
• and
• at least one external data peripheral which includes a signal connector for connecting to said I/O connector of said system chassis through said cable, and which is connected to draw power solely from said battery through said signal connector and said cable;
• wherein said CPU controls said power supply circuitry, to selectively supply power to said external data peripheral, as determined by software running on said CPU.

A computer system, comprising:

• a system chassis which includes:
• at least one central processing unit (CPU);
• at least one battery, and at least one external power connection, and power supply circuitry connected to said CPU to provide power from said battery or said external power connection through a power supply line;
• a plurality of input/output devices, including at least one multiline I/O connector having a plurality of pins mounted on said system chassis;
• and
• circuitry connected to detect a presence or absence of a load on a first predetermined pin of said I/O connector, and accordingly to connect said power supply line from said battery to a second predetermined pin of said I/O connector;
• a cable for connecting to said I/O connector:
• and
• at least one external data peripheral which includes a signal connector for connecting to said I/O connector of said system chassis through said cable, and which is connected to draw power solely from said battery through said signal connector and said cable;
• and
• wherein said power supply circuitry supplies power to said external data peripheral, as enabled by said CPU.