Power hub

A hub for connecting a host device to a plurality of downstream devices, said hub comprising:

• a rechargeable power supply;
• a host connector adapted to couple to said host device;
• at least two device connectors each adapted to couple to a downstream device;
• a battery bypass circuit for bypassing said rechargeable battery when a current drawn by a downstream device exceeds a current threshold;
• and
• a battery bypass circuit for bypassing said rechargeable battery if a charge level of said rechargeable battery falls below a threshold level and no external power is available;
• wherein said rechargeable power supply is recharged when a host is connected to the host, connector and wherein said rechargeable power supply can supply power to a downstream device when a host is not connected to said host connector.

A method of operating a hub having a host connector, at least two device connectors, a rechargeable battery and an external power supply connection contained in a housing, said method comprising:

• detecting if external power is available from said external power supply connection and, if external power is available, powering said hub, charging said rechargeable battery and powering any devices connected to said device connectors with said external power;
• if no external power is available, detecting if host power is available from said host connector and, if host power is available, powering said hub, charging said rechargeable battery and powering any devices connected to said device connectors with said host power;
• monitoring a current level provided to downstream devices connected to said device connectors by said hub and stopping charging of said rechargeable battery when said current level exceeds a threshold level;
• if no external power or host power is available, powering said hub and any devices connected to said device connectors with said rechargeable battery;
• and
• placing said hub into a sleep mode whereby said rechargeable battery is disconnected from said hub if a charge level of said rechargeable battery falls below a threshold level and no external, power or host power is available.