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;
• deriving power from the power generation characters;
• converting the power from the received signal to a form suitable for storage;
• supplying the stored power to energize components;
• stripping the power generation characters from the signal;
• transmitting the non-power generation characters to a functional unit of a device,
• the functional unit arranged to perform a desired function for the device;
• monitoring a power level of the device;
• and
• causing the transmission of a request on the data communication signal line for power generation characters when the power level drops below a predetermined threshold.

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 deriving power from the power generation characters and converting the power to a form suitable for storing and supplying the power to energize components;
• 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;
• transmitting the non-power generation characters to the functional unit;
• monitoring a power level of the device;
• and
• causing the transmission of a request on the serial line for power generation characters when the power level drops below a predetermined threshold.