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Apple reportedly has been granted patent for developing a possible next generation docking station that will include accessory power management. The patent, as reported originally by Patently Apple and further looked into by CNET, describes an intelligent dock connector able to properly adjust power levels for multiple connected devices from a single outlet source. As portable devices become more powerful, the patent seems to indicate that Apple foresees a need for a dock that will be able to manage power more intelligently, the better to safely power up larger and more powerful devices.
As detailed by the patent, functions that the proposed intelligent docking adapter might perform would include the ability to:
-- "Prevent a portable computing device from drawing a high level of current that could be detrimental to an accessory, such as a cable;"
-- "Allow a battery pack or other accessory to instruct a portable computing device to not charge its internal battery;"
-- "Allow a portable computing device to determine which power supply among multiple power supplies should be used to power an accessory;"
-- "Allow an accessory to get charging current parameters from a portable computing device."
The patent also states, somewhat cryptically, that the new docking connector will additionally be able to power up "a monitor," -- which CNET speculates may mean the rumored forthcoming iTV or Apple-branded television set.
Sources:
Apple Wins Patent for Next-Gen Dock with Accessory Power Management (patentlyapple.com)
Apple wins patent for intelligent dock connector (cnet.com)
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