Information processing apparatus and method for controlling power supply of the apparatus

Abstract

An information processing apparatus includes an information processing unit, an interface supplying electrical power to and communicating a signal with an external electronic device through a single connector, a unit supplying electrical power to the electronic device through the interface and including a rechargeable battery. Detection units detect a connection of the electronic device to the apparatus, an external power supply. The power supply control, when the connections are detected, keeps supplying electrical power to the electronic device through the interface even after deactivation of the apparatus, in the event an instruction to turn off a power supply of the apparatus or deactivate the apparatus is issued. When the connection of the external power supply for charging the rechargeable battery to the apparatus is not detected, the power supply does not supply electrical power to the electronic device even during operation of the apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An information processing apparatus comprising:
 an information processing unit configured to process various information;   an interface capable of supplying electrical power to and communicating a signal with an external electronic device through a single connector;   a power supply unit configured to be capable of supplying electrical power to the external electronic device through the interface, the power supply unit including a rechargeable battery;   an electronic device detection unit configured to detect connection of the external electronic device;   an external power supply detection unit configured to detect an external power supply to the apparatus, the external power supply operable to supply electrical power to the power supply unit; and   a power supply control unit, when the connection of the external electronic device is detected by the electronic device detection unit and the connection of the external power supply for charging the rechargeable battery to the apparatus is detected by the external power supply detection unit, configured to keep supplying electrical power to the external electronic device through the interface even after deactivation of the apparatus, in the event an instruction to turn off a power supply of the apparatus or deactivate the apparatus is issued.   
     
     
         2 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a predetermined power saving unit, wherein the power supply control unit keeps supplying electrical power to the electronic device even after the apparatus is deactivated by the power saving unit. 
     
     
         3 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the external electronic device is a portable electronic device incorporating a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         4 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the interface is any one of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) compliant interface, IEEE-1394 compliant interface, and IEEE802. 3af-compliant Power-over-Ethernet interface. 
     
     
         5 . An information processing apparatus comprising:
 an information processing unit configured to process various information;   an interface capable of supplying electrical power to and communicating a signal with an external electronic device through a single connector;   a power supply unit configured to be capable of supplying electrical power to the external electronic device through the interface, the power supply unit including a rechargeable battery;   an electronic device detection unit configured to detect connection of the external electronic device to the apparatus;   an external power supply detection unit configured to detect an external power supply to the apparatus, the external power supply operable to supply electrical power to the power supply unit; and   a power supply control unit, when the connection of the external power supply for charging the rechargeable battery to the apparatus is not detected, configured not to supply the electrical power to the external electronic device through the interface even during operation of the apparatus.   
     
     
         6 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the external electronic device is a portable electronic device incorporating a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         7 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the interface is any one of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) compliant interface, IEEE-1394 compliant interface, and IEEE802. 3af-compliant Power-over-Ethernet interface. 
     
     
         8 . An information processing apparatus comprising:
 an information processing unit configured to process various information;   an interface capable of supplying electrical power to and communicating a signal with an external electronic device through a single connector;   a power supply unit configured to be capable of supplying electrical power to the external electronic device through the interface, the power supply unit including a rechargeable battery;   an electronic device detection unit configured to detect connection of the external electronic device;   an external power supply detection unit configured to detect an external power supply to the apparatus, the external power supply operable to supply electrical power to the power supply unit; and   a power supply control unit, when the remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery is not less than 70% of the rated capacity, configured to supply electrical power to the external electronic device through the interface.   
     
     
         9 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the external electronic device is a portable electronic device incorporating a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         10 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the interface is any one of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) compliant interface, IEEE-1394 compliant interface, and IEEE802. 3af-compliant Power-over-Ethernet interface.