The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 12, 2012
Filed:
Mar. 04, 2009
Richard S Brink, Rochester, MN (US);
Michael R Curry, Rochester, MN (US);
Donald R Fearn, Rochester, MN (US);
Raymond a Richetta, Rochester, MN (US);
Timothy J Schmerbeck, Mantorville, MN (US);
Dereje G Yilma, Rochester, MN (US);
Richard S Brink, Rochester, MN (US);
Michael R Curry, Rochester, MN (US);
Donald R Fearn, Rochester, MN (US);
Raymond A Richetta, Rochester, MN (US);
Timothy J Schmerbeck, Mantorville, MN (US);
Dereje G Yilma, Rochester, MN (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a power saving method and apparatus for powering a lower voltage device from a higher voltage power source. The apparatus includes a switch having an input coupled to an output of the higher voltage power source. The apparatus further includes a high-to-low voltage converter having an input coupled to an output of the switch. The apparatus also includes a power plug having an input coupled to an output of the high-to-low voltage power converter, and an output configured to receive a power socket of the low voltage device. Finally, the apparatus includes a switch actuator coupled to the power plug and the switch. When the power plug is operatively engaged within the power socket of the lower voltage device, the switch actuator closes the switch. When the power plug is operatively disengaged from the power plug, the switch actuator opens the switch.