Interface connection control based on voltage at input rail
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsRobert C Brooks, Robert S Wright, Nam Nguyen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments herein relate to controlling a connection to an interface. In an embodiment, a protection circuit is to detect a voltage at an input rail of a regulator, where the regulator is to provide power to a peripheral device via an interface. Next, the protection circuit is to compare the detected voltage to a reference voltage. Then, the protection circuit is to generate a detection signal based on the comparison. Lastly, the protection circuit is to disable a connection between the regulator and the interface based on the detection signal.
Claims14
A method for controlling a connection to an interface using a protection circuit, comprising:
- detecting a voltage at an input rail of a regulator, the regulator to provide power to a peripheral device via the interface;
- comparing the detected voltage to a reference voltage;
- outputting a detection signal based on the comparison;
- and
- disabling a connection between the regulator and the interface based on the detection signal, wherein
- the interface receives a current from the peripheral device if a voltage at a first terminal of the peripheral device exceeds a voltage at a second terminal of the interface.
A protection device, comprising:
- a detection circuit,
- to detect a first voltage at an input rail of a regulator to provide power to a peripheral device via an interface,
- to compare the detected voltage to a reference voltage, and
- to output a detection signal based on the comparison;
- and
- a disabling circuit to control a connection between the regulator and the interface based on the detection signal, wherein
- the first voltage at the input rail increases if a second voltage at a first terminal of the peripheral device exceeds a third voltage at a second terminal of the interface that connects to the first terminal.
A power system, comprising:
- a regulator to receive a first voltage at a first rail and to output a second voltage at a second rail;
- a detection circuit to monitor a voltage level at the first rail of the regulator;
- an interface to connect to a peripheral device;
- and
- a disabling circuit to control a connection between the regulator and the interface based on an output of the detection circuit, wherein
- the voltage level at the first rail increases if a voltage level of the peripheral device is greater than a voltage level of the interface along a connection between the interface and the peripheral device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.