Power Supply Equipment Utilizing Interchangeable Tips to Provide Power and a Data Signal to Electronic Devices

Abstract

Power supply equipment includes an adapter which converts power from a power source to DC power for powering an electronic device. The power supply equipment includes circuitry which produces a data signal for use by the electronic device to control power drawn by the electronic device. A cable extends from the adapter. The power supply equipment further includes a tip which has an input side and an output side. The input side of the tip is detachable mateable to the cable. The output side of the tip is detachably mateable to the electronic device. The tip output side has a shape and size dependent on the shape and size of a power input opening of the electronic device. The tip provides the data signal, as well as the DC power, to the electronic device. Different tips may be used to provide appropriate data signals to different electronic devices.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . Power supply equipment comprising:
 an adapter to convert power from a power source, external to the adapter, to DC power for powering an electronic device;   the adapter including circuitry for producing a first data signal output which is representative of the amount of power available from the adapter;   an interconnection device which is placed between the adapter and the electronic device and being removable from the adapter and the electronic device, said interconnection device having:
 a plurality of conductors to transfer the DC power and the first data signal to the electronic device; and 
 receive and transmit circuitry to receive data from the electronic device which allows the electronic device to interrogate the interconnect device and in response transmit a second data output to the electronic device such that the electronic device may determine whether or not the interconnect device is approved to be used with the electronic device. 
   
     
     
         8 . The power supply equipment of  claim 7 , wherein the receive and transmit circuitry contains a microcontroller.