FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to power supplies, and more particularly, to methods and systems for efficiently operating and controlling multi-port power supplies .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Advanced electronic devices are typically connected to power supplies (also referred to as power adapters) having smart output ports (i.e. ports that support multiple output power levels and communication means) . However, when multi output ports power supplies are being used, there is a need, which has not been yet fully addressed by the solutions known in the art, to efficiently utilize these ports. For example, W02016013013 describes such a system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure may be summarized by referring to the appended claims.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a controlled power adapter hub adapted to efficiently provide DC power to electronic devices connected thereto.

Other objects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power adapter hub comprising: a power input port; a power supply circuit coupled to the input port configured to receive power from a power source and having a maximum rated output power; and a plurality of output ports coupled to the power supply circuit for supplying DC power therethrough to external devices, wherein the power adapter hub is configured, upon determining that the total power that is about to be supplied through the plurality of output ports might exceed the maximum rated output power, and although none of the output ports has currently exceeded its own maximum power delivery capabilities, to modify the DC power supplied through at least one of the plurality of output ports, wherein :

1) value of the modified DC power is specific to each respective output port;

2) the value of the modified DC power is within a range extending between zero and maximum power delivery capabilities of the respective output port;

3) at least one of the plurality of output ports is currently not connected to a load (e.g. an external device) ;

4) the value of the modified DC power of the currently unconnected output port, is set to a level lower than the default power level of that output port;

5) when the unconnected output port becomes connected to an external device, the value of its modified DC power is set to its default power level; and

6) the values of the modified DC powers associated with respective output ports, are set to ensure that the power adapter hub supplies power that does not exceed its maximum rated output power.

Obviously, as will be appreciated by any person skilled in the art, the power source can be an AC source, or a DC source, and the power supplied for the power source can be at any applicable power level.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power adapter hub comprising: a power input port; a power supply circuit coupled to the input port configured to receive power from a power source and having a maximum rated output power; a control unit implementing a pre-defined power adapter power allocation policy, and a plurality of smart output ports, coupled to the power supply circuit, for supplying DC power therethrough to external devices connected thereto, wherein each of the smart output ports is associated with a respective maximum DC power level, a default DC power level, a currently allocated DC power level and a currently delivered DC power level,

and wherein currently allocated power levels of the plurality of output ports are set according to the power allocation policy,

and wherein in a case where at least one smart output port is not connected to a load (e.g. an external device), its currently allocated DC power level is set to a level lower than its own default DC power level, and wherein the power adapter hub is configured to automatically set the currently allocated DC power level of the at least one smart output port to its default DC power level upon connecting that at least one unconnected output port to a load .

In some embodiments, the power adapter hub comprises of a controller, wherein the controller is adapted to configure the power supply circuit according to the present invention embodiments.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the term "maximum rated output power" as used herein throughout the specification and claims, is used to denote characterization of a power supply, defining a maximum value of power that can be delivered by an entity to which that term refers.

Also, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the term "power that is about to be supplied" or any variation thereof, should be understood to encompass power that will be provided thereafter, but not necessarily immediately thereafter.

Furthermore, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when reference is made to allocated or delivered DC power levels/values associated with an output port, or DC power levels/values associated the plurality of output ports, or any variation thereof, it should be understood to refer to a scenario whereby when the various DC power values are taken together, irrespective of whether a certain DC power value from among these various DC power values has been changed or not, the aggregated DC deliverable power comprised of the various DC power values (one per each DC output port), is in conformity with the power delivery capabilities of the power adapter hub.

Furthermore, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a connected output port, is a term that stands for several cases, all of which should be understood to be encompassed by the present invention. For example: a load connected to an output port via a power cable, a power cable connected to an output port (without a load) , a USB Type C to USB Type A adapter connected to an output port, etc. In addition, the term connected when referring to a smart output port, implies that a communication with the load has been established and/or a power request has been identified by the smart output port. A power request can be of different types, including but not limited to, a communication message and the like.

According to some embodiments, in a case where one of the external devices connected to the power adapter hub requests an additional amount of power, the provisioning of which would exceed a default DC power level associated with the smart output port to which the external device is connected, this request is addressed according to the power adapter power allocation policy. According to yet another embodiment, an aggregated sum of all maximum power values associated with the plurality of output ports comprised in the power adapter hub, is greater than the maximum rated output power value of the power supply circuit.

According to some embodiments, the power allocation policy is configured to enable that, upon determining that a aggregated value of the DC power that is about to be supplied through the plurality of output ports included in the power adapter hub might exceed the maximum rated output power of the power supply circuit, although none of the output ports has exceeded its own maximum power level, to modify the DC power level allocated to at least one of the plurality of output ports, such that values of modified allocated DC powers levels associated with respective output ports, are set to ensure that the power adapter hub supplies DC power at a level that does not exceed the maximum rated output power of the power supply circuit.

According to another embodiment, the allocated (or modified) DC power associated with an unconnected output port, is equal to, or less than a value of 500mW.

The modified (or allocated) DC power in many cases may be set to a zero value, but as those skilled in the art would appreciate, a power level lower than a low power threshold is a more practical target. For example, power value which is equal to or lower than 500mW is more practical target than zero, so a threshold of 500mW or any other a similar low level threshold may be selected.

In accordance with another embodiment, at least one output port of the power adapter hub is a USB output port that complies with a standard selected from a group that consists of: USB-A, USB-C, or USB Power Delivery, and the like . According to another embodiment, the value of the default power level of at least one of the plurality of smart output ports is 5V, 1.5A (7.5W) .

As explained above, the default value for USB Type C is 5V, 1.5A (7.5W) . However, it should be understood that in other cases, the default level value is referred to as a "minimum capability" which is still associated with the same values 5V, 1.5A (7.5W) .

According to another embodiment, the output port of the power adapter hub becomes connected upon insertion of a plug into the output port. Such plugs can be from different types. For example, a plug may be a part of a simple USB Type C to USB Type A adapter, a load cable, or a load connected either directly or through a power cable, and more.

According to another embodiment, there is at least one unconnected output port in the power adapter, and the difference between the power supply maximum rated output power and the sum of allocated power to all output ports, is smaller than the default power level of said at least one unconnected output port minus the allocated power to said unconnected output port.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, for a power adapter with at least one unconnected output port, the difference between the power adapter (supply) maximum rated output DC power and the aggregated sum of power allocated to all output ports, , will be referred to herein as "power pool". Therefore, the power pool is in fact equal to the total amount of unallocated power of all unconnected output plugs. When no power is allocated to any port, the power pool is equal to the maximum rate output power. If the sum of the allocated power levels of all ports equals to or exceeds the maximum rated output power of the power adapter hub, the power pool is equal to zero. In the latter case (i.e. when the power pool is equal to zero) and an unconnected output port becomes a connected one, so that its default power level needs to be immediately allocated thereto, fulfilling that needs implies that a reduction of the allocated power level associated with at least one output port, should take place, in order to support the allocation of the default power level to the newly connected output port .

The following example may be used to better clarify the novel power allocation policy as compared with conventional policies and to demonstrate its advantages over these conventional policies. Let us consider a power adapter hub, having a maximum rated output power of 70W, and three output ports, each supporting a USB Type C power delivery. In compliance with the USB Standard, each output port's default power level is 5V and 1.5A (7.5W) . In addition, let us assume that the modified DC power value that is less than the default value is selected to be OW. All ports are identical, where each output port can support up to 60W. When the power adapter hub operation starts, no load is connected to any one of the three output ports. According to a conventional power allocation policy, 7.5W are allocated to each output port/channel (all are unconnected), so that the power pool level is 47.5W (70W - 3* 7.5W) . In contradistinction, according to the novel policy, the allocated power to each unconnected output port is set to OW, so the power pool level is equal to 70W. When the first load is connected to one of the output ports, according to the conventional policy, there is no change in that port's power allocation till communication between the smart port and the load is established. According to the novel policy, upon connection, immediately 7.5W are allocated to the newly connected output port, and the power pool level is updated to 62.5W (70W - 7.5W) . Then communication between the load and the smart output port is established, and the load requests for example, to be provided with a power of 60W. According to the conventional policy, the maximum allocated power to this newly connected port can be as high as only 55W (7.5W that are already allocated to that smart output plug, plus 47.5W available from the power pool which can be supplied to the load) . However, according to the novel policy, the maximum available power that can be allocated is 70W (7.5W + 62.5W) , so 60W will be allocated to the newly connected output port and the power pool level is updated to 10W. In other words, in this example, implementing the conventional policy allows allocating only 55W (less than the requested 60W level, in spite of the availability of unused power), whereas the novel policy enables allocating the requested 60W. This example illustrates the advantages of the novel policy over the conventional ones.

Now, let us proceed with the above example, and assume that after some time, a second load is connected to another (a second) output port. According to a conventional policy, the 7.5W already allocated to the second output port, and this is the power that is available for the second load. According to the novel policy, as soon as the second output port becomes connected, this second output port and the power pool level are being checked. Since the output port allocated power is equal to 0 and the power pool level is 10W (greater than 7.5W) , a 7.5W would be allocated from the power pool to the newly connected output port, and the power pool level is updated to the value of 2.5W. Then communication is established, and the newly connected load, for example, requests 7.5W. According to both conventional and the novel policies, the load request may be fulfilled.

Now. Let us assume that after some time, a third load is connected to the third output port of the above example. According to conventional policy, 7.5W are already allocated to the third output port. According to the novel policy, as soon as the output port becomes connected, the third output port's allocated power needs to be changed from OW to its default value (7.5W) . The difference between the maximum rated output power (70W) and the total allocated power (67.5W) is checked and the result is 2.5W, which is in fact the power pool level. When this value is compared with the default level (7.5W), it is clear that the available 2.5W is less than the 7.5Wwhich are required to be allocated to the newly connected output port. According to the novel policy of the present solution, the status of the other ports is checked, their connection status, their requested, allocated and delivered power, and by implementing predefined priority rules, using the novel policy allows to reduce 5W from the allocated power to the first load (currently consuming 60W) so that its allocated power becomes now 55W, and the power pool level is increased to 7.5W. Then, the 7.5W in the power pool is allocated from the power pool to the newly connected third output port, and the power pool level is updated accordingly to OW. Then, communication is established, and the newly connected load requests its power level from the smart output port. The request is managed and responded by the power allocation policy.

In the above example, a reduced DC power having a value that is below the value of the default power level, can also be selected to be a different level (other than zero), for example 1W. In such a case, a similar process to the one described above can still be implemented.

Alternatively, the method described in the above example may start where the value of each unconnected output port is set to be the value of the default allocated power level. Now, suppose there is a load request, conveyed through a connected port, for the provisioning of a power at a level that cannot be satisfied by simply combining the output port allocated power level and the available power pool level. According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the novel policy may be implemented for reducing the allocated power level of an unconnected output port to a lower level than its default value. In that case, the difference between the previous and the updated power levels of the selected unconnected output port, is added to the power pool, and may then be allocated to support requested power of a load that could not have otherwise been fully satisfied.

It should be clear that power requests and changes are not limited to output ports having their mode changed from an unconnected mode to a connected mode, and can also be associated with different scenarios while the power adapter hub's output ports are connected or when these output ports are not connected.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a power adapter hub comprising: a power input port; a power supply circuit coupled to the input port, configured to receive power from a power source and having a maximum rated output power; and a plurality of output ports coupled to the power supply circuit for supplying DC power therethrough to external devices, wherein the power adapter hub is configured, (upon determining that the total power that is about to be supplied through the plurality of output ports might exceed the maximum rated output power, although none of the output ports has exceeded its own maximum power delivery capabilities), to modify the DC power supplied through at least one of the plurality of output ports, wherein:

a. the modified DC power value is specific to each respective output port, b. the modified DC power value is within a range extending between zero and maximum power delivery capabilities of the respective output port,

c. when delivered power through at least one output port is below a threshold of its allocated power, the allocated power is reduced to a lower value than its present value, and

d. the values of the modified DC powers associated with respective output ports, are set to ensure that the power adapter hub supplies power that does not exceed its maximum rated output power.

According to another embodiment the above power adapter hub is characterized in that:

a. when an unconnected output port becomes connected, its modified DC power is at its default power level, and b. when delivered power of at least one connected output port is reduced to a level lower than its default power level, the allocated power of that output port is set to its default power level.

According to another embodiment the above power adapter hub is characterized in that:

a. when an unconnected output port becomes connected, its modified DC power is at its default power level, and b. when delivered power of at least one connected output port is less than its default power level, the allocated power of that output port is set, at least temporarily, to a value lower than the value of the output port default power level .

In some embodiments, the power adapter hub comprises a controller, wherein the controller is adapted to carry out a configuration of the power supply circuit, in accordance with a pre-defined management policy.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, is associated with a method for handling an output port for which the power delivery level is less than its default level (7.5W) . Taking the above example let us assume that the third load is an electronic device having a rechargeable battery. After some time, as the battery becomes significantly charged, the power it requires to complete the charging process is reduced to a low level, for example, to less than 1W. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when such a situation (i.e. reduction of power being consumed by a device connected to an output port) is identified by the power adapter hub, the latter is configured to change the power allocation of that output port to say 2.5W (from previously 7.5W) in order to support the consumed (delivered) power of 1W and optionally add a certain margin. In such a case, 5W (the difference between the previously allocated 7.5W to the newly allocated 2.5W) is added to the power pool, and then, the 5W may be added back to the first load that had requested 60W but currently receives only 55W. In other words, the overall power allocation according to this example would be as follows: 60W requested and allocated via the first output port to the first load, 7.5W requested and allocated via the second output port, and 2.5W are allocated via the third output port to the third load (where only 1W is actually delivered) . In contrast, if a conventional policy were to be adapted, the power allocation via the first output port to the first load is 55W (less than the requested 60W) , 7.5W (as requested) are allocated via the second output port to the second load and 7.5W are allocated via the third output port, even though only 1W is actually delivered to the third load. Therefore, it is clear that the novel power allocation method of the present invention offers a better utilization of the power adapter power over the conventional one. As an alternative to the selection of the 2.5W allocation discussed above, the out port power allocation can be set to a minimal power level which still enables to support exchange of communications between the smart port and the load, or to a minimal power level that still support proper operation of the load connected to that output port. People skilled in the art would understand that such a power level change also includes affecting a change of voltage and/or a change of current.

In another aspect of the novel policy, when the novel allocation policy identifies that the load includes a rechargeable battery, and the charging current has been reduced over time to a very low level (below a threshold) , it may decide that the external device is fully charged, and change the allocation power for the connected port to a zero level. On that case, the policy may also, optionally, indicate to the user (for example using LEDs 132 in Fig 1) that the device is fully charged and can be disconnected from the power adapter hub.

According to another embodiment, the power adapter hub is configured to prevent the following scenario. Let us assume that the external device (e.g. a mobile telephone) connected to an output port of the power adapter hub of the present invention, has been fully charged but that external device still remains connected. Now, as time passes, the amount of the power stored at the external device decreases slowly (e.g. to 99% of the full capacity) . In such a case, power adapter hubs that are known in the art would make sure to supply the missing amount, and such cycles will continue as long as the external device remains connected to the power adapter hub, a process that has an adverse effect on the life rechargeable battery. In contradistinction, the power adapter hub of the present invention is configured to identify that the battery of the external device has been fully charged for the first time. Once that situation is reached and identified by the power adapter hub of the present invention, it will prevent that scenario from happening. This prevention can take place in any one of a number of ways such as for example by checking the current being consumed by the external device, or any other method that is known in the art per se.

In some other cases, where the allocated power of a connected device is set to a value lower than said output port default value, the novel policy may temporarily increase the smart output port allocated power (for example to its default power level) for a short period of time, to sense if a load that requires /requests power for its operation is connected to the output port.

From above examples and similar ones, it should be clear to people skilled in the art, that the power status is a dynamic one and can be changed also without an external trigger as connection or disconnection of output ports, and though being checked frequently (or continuously) (and not only when output ports are being connected or disconnected) , and the power allocation policy may adapt the power allocation, at least partially, according/in response to changes in the power and connectivity status of the output ports.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a power adapter hub comprising: a power input port; a power supply circuit coupled to the input port configured to receive power from a power source and having a maximum rated output power; and a plurality of output ports coupled to the power supply circuit for supplying DC power therethrough to external devices, wherein the power adapter hub is configured, upon determining that the total power that is about to be supplied through the plurality of output ports might exceed the maximum rated output power, although none of the plurality of output ports has exceeded its own maximum power delivery capabilities, to modify the DC power supplied through one or more of the plurality of output ports, wherein:

a. the modified DC power is specific to each respective output port,

b. the modified DC power is within a range extending between zero and maximum power delivery capabilities of said respective output port,

c. value of the modified DC power of at least one of the plurality of output ports is based on susceptibility to reduced DC power of an external device connected to that output port,

d. information that relates to susceptibility to reduced DC power of the external device is at least partially derived from a difference that exists between the requested power and delivered power to that external device, and e. values of modified DC powers are set to ensure that power supplied by the power adapter hub does not exceed its maximum rated output power.

People skilled in the art would appreciate that a noticeable difference that exists between the requested and delivered power can happen for example when a smart cable is used to connect a simple (dummy) DC powered load to a smart output port. Such a smart cable is one that is aware of the load maximum power level, even though often the load consumes power at a much lower level. For example, for a notebook, a maximum power level may be defined as the power level for charging a close-to-empty battery combined with the power required to enable running a power consuming application on the notebook. However, in many cases, when the battery is almost full, and no such a power consuming application is being run, the difference between the requested power and the consumed power is quite meaningful (for example a 65W notebook can consume in such a scenario less than 20W) .

The term "susceptibility" as used herein throughout the specification and claims of an external device to a reduced DC power, should be understood as the ability of the external device to operate at a power level that is lower than:

a) maximum power delivery capabilities of the output port to which the external device is connected, or

b) power currently being delivered to the external device, or

c) power being requested by the external device.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, operating the external device at a reduced DC power level being lower than the requested power level or the currently delivered power level or the power level that can be provided by the output port, enables diverting non-consumed DC power to one or more other output port(s) and/or external device (s), (e.g. which can benefit from this additional amount of DC power that may be delivered thereto) .

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, in a case where a difference between the maximum rated output power and an aggregated sum of the values of allocated power levels associated with all of the plurality of output ports, is smaller than a difference between a default power level associated with an unconnected output port and allocated power associated with that unconnected output port, upon connecting the output port to an external device, the power allocation policy is configured to reduce the DC power level allocated to at least one of the other output ports, to enable allocating the default power level to the output port when connected to the external device. According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a power adapter hub comprising: a power input port; a power supply circuit coupled to the input port and configured to receive power from a power source and having a maximum rated output power; a control unit implementing a pre-defined power allocation policy, and a plurality of smart output ports, coupled to the power supply circuit, for supplying DC power therethrough to external devices connected thereto,

wherein each of the smart output ports is associated with a respective maximum DC power level, a default DC power level, a currently allocated DC power level and a currently delivered DC power level,

wherein allocated DC power levels of each of the plurality of output ports comprised in said power adapter hub is set according to the power allocation policy,

wherein an aggregated sum of maximum power levels associated with all of the plurality of output ports comprised in that power adapter hub, is greater than the maximum rated output power of the power supply circuit, and wherein in a case that the level of the delivered DC power through at least one smart output port is less than its allocated DC power, the allocated DC power level of that smart output port is reduced to a level lower than its current one .

These and other features and benefits of the invention disclosed herein will be more fully understood upon consideration of the following description and the accompanying drawings . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a power adapter hub, construed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a flowchart that schematically illustrates a method for controlling DC power supplied by a power adapter hub, construed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 3 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a power supply system, construed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods and systems for powering electronic devices by smart DC power sources. The embodiments described hereinafter comprise power adapter hubs and a system combining both a hub and smart cables, construed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In a typical AC/DC power supply, the power supply is characterized by its input voltage range, and its output power and voltage. Alternatively, it may be characterized by its output voltage and current (power = voltage * current) . For example, an AC/DC 10W, 5V power supply, is equivalent to saying that the power supply delivers a voltage of 5V and current of 2A. This implies that the power may:

Supply an output power of 0-10W (10W being its maximum power delivery capability) ;

deliver 5V and 0-2A (when the current is at its maximal value, i.e. equal to 2 A, the output power is equivalent to 10W, or in other words, the latter conditions are the maximum current/power delivery capabilities) . Many times, power supplies terminology refers to the maximum power/current delivery capabilities without mentioning the word maximum and/or capabilities and/or referring to the actual delivered power/current . Although the disclosure provided herein refers mainly to CV (constant voltage) power supplies, still, it should be understood to be applicable to other types of power supplies, for example to CC (Constant Current) power supplies or to CP (Constant Power) power supplies.

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram that illustrates schematically a power adapter hub 100, construed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A power path through power adapter hub 100 starts with an AC input port 108. An AC to DC converter 112 produces either stabilized (regulated) or un-stabilized DC voltage that feeds multiple DC to DC converters 116.

The DC output power of converters 116 are conveyed to smart output ports 124. A controller, 128, is connected to smart output ports 124 for continuously calculating the overall power consumed by external devices (not shown in this Fig.) that are connected to and powered by the smart output ports 124.

Moreover, controller 128 is configured to calculate the power delivered through each of the channels, and/or alternatively the power delivered through those channels to which external loads are connected (i.e. utilized output ports) . Preferably, the controller's processor is configured to sum the power of the channels in order to calculate the overall delivered power. These calculations can preferably be done on a continuous basis and/or at certain pre-defined times, and/or upon occurrence of a trigging event. The above-described entities 112, 116, 124 comprise a power supply circuit (PS) for which a maximum, rated output power is specified.

The term "output port" as used herein, should be understood to encompass the DC power path (power channel), including blocks 112, 116 and 124, a path that extends till the respective output port connector.

In addition, it should be understood that smart output ports designated 124 in Fig. 1, may include additional elements for example, current sense, all without departing from the scope of the invention. Entities 132 depicted in FIG. 1 illustrate LEDs that provide indication on the respective smart output port status to the user. The indication can alternatively be an LCD for each channel, or a single LCD providing indication for all channels, or any other device known in the art per se that can provide a visual and/or an audio indication to the user.

Controller 128 may be made aware of the properties of the external devices, based on power requests information exchanged through smart output ports 124. Based on these properties and optionally on additional available information, such as for example maximum power delivery capabilities of the output port to which the external device is connected, controller 128 infers the susceptibility of each external device to a possible reduced DC power supplied thereto.

The power request information conveyed from the external devices to the smart output ports 124, is conveyed via the lines illustrated in Fig. 1 as dotted lines. The dotted lines illustrated in Fig. 1 are schematic lines and may preferably be implemented as part of the respective power lines, or as separate communication (and/or data) lines (wired or wireless), or as a combination thereof. As may be understood from the above, the processor may be configured to calculate power, either for the channels and/or the overall power, where power comprises delivered power and/or requested power and/or a combination thereof.

When controller 128 determines, based on the overall consumed power and/or requested power and/or power delivery capabilities of the output ports, that the maximum rated output power tends to (or is likely to) be exceeded, it concludes that the power supply is about to reach an "overload/overpower" condition (situation) and therefor initiates controlling actions in order to mitigate the overload as explained hereinafter. A management interface 136 may be used (as in the present example) for remotely monitoring and controlling power adapter hub 100. In various embodiments of the present invention, smart output ports 124 may comprise one or more features relating to various specifications such as USB Power Delivery (PD) , USB 3.x, USB-C, Quick Charge (QC) and Battery Charging (BC) .

Fig. 2 shows a flowchart that schematically illustrates part of a method for controlling DC power supplied by power adapter hub 100, also known as a power allocation policy, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the power allocation policy is implemented by the controller 128 of hub 100. For further clarification, the following example is provided. Assuming there is an AC/DC power adapter with a total rated output power of 70W, 4 smart output ports, each capable of supporting a USB Type C power delivery, 5- 20Vdc, 0-3A, i.e. each channel's maximum output power is 60W and the default power level is 5V 1.5A (i.e. 7.5W) . Now, let us assume that the reduced DC power that is below the output port default value is selected to be 0W. The method begins when power adapter 100 is powered up. During the power up, either no load is connected to any output port, or even if one or more loads are connected to output ports, it can be assumed that no loads are connected since no power is provided to any of them via the respective output ports till the power allocation method/policy is run by controller/processor 128. The power pool is defined as the total amount of unallocated power. In accordance with the power allocation policy as provided by the present disclosure, the DC power for each channel is set, in step 202, to a reduced DC power which is less than a default value. In the example shown in FIG. 2 it is set to OW (obviously, other values can also be set. Thus, the initial power pool is the maximum rated output power i.e. 70W. In Step 203, the controller is waiting till an external device is connected to a first of the output ports. Upon connection (or recognition of an already connected load) , the processor implementing the power allocation policy, checks in step 204, the power available in the power pool. If the power pool level is above the default power level of the newly connected output port (7.5W in our example), the power allocation policy, in step 206, allocates the required default power level to the newly connected output port, and updates the power level of the power pool (i.e. subtracts the default value, that is 7.5W in the example) .

If the power pool level is below the default power level of the output port, the processor implementing the power allocation policy, checks in step 205 the level of power allocated to each connected output port, and according to a predefined scheme reduces the level of allocated power to connected ports till the power pool level is equal to or higher than the default level (7.5W in the example) .

The power reduction scheme can be implemented according to different assumptions/goals and in many different ways. For example, it can be based on connection time, (as a queue) , where power will be reduced from the first load that was connected to the power adapter hub (or alternatively from the last load that was connected) . Moreover, if not enough power may be diverted from the first load, a reduction will apply to the second load that was connected to the power adapter hub, and so on.

An alternative approach that, may be adopted is that power will be reduced from the load that consumes most of the deliverable power of the power adapter hub (assuming that it is mainly for charging the load power storage (battery) and not only for its operation, thereby a reduced power will extend the charging time but will not affect the load operation, etc.

It should be noted that power reduction will preferably continue only till the default power level is secured, and only if there is not enough power available in the power pool. Additional power may be reduced from the proceeding connected port, according to the scheme provided, till the power pool level is equal to or greater than the default value of the newly connected port.

Then the processor implementing the power allocation policy allocates in step 206the default power level to the newly connected output port, and updates the power level of the power pool (i.e. subtracts the default value, that is 7.5W in the example) .

Next, the smart output port, communicates in step 207, with the load to get the load requested power level . In case the load is a smart one (e.g. supporting USB Type C Power Delivery) it will request power level according to its actual needs from the smart output port. In case of a non-smart load, lacking full communication means, no power request will be received by the smart output port, so the default power level will be left as is. In addition to the smart and dummy loads, there are additional types of loads, for example USB (e.g. Type A) supporting Quick Charge, where the data lines of the USB port define the requested power level. In some embodiments, the dummy load is connected via a smart cable, as described in applicants' US 10,061,280, where the cable controller communicates with the smart output port and requests, for example, the maximum power level of the load.

In Step 208, the processor implementing the power allocation policy checks if there is enough power to support the requested power level. Since the default power level, (e.g. 7.5W in this example) has already been allocated to the output port, the question being checked is if the power pool has the additional power required to support the requested power level (2.5W in a case where power of 10W is required) .

If there is enough power to be allocated, in step 209, allocation of the requested power is done and the power pool is updated accordingly (since 7.5W has already been allocated, only the difference between the requested power and the allocated default power is reduced form the power pool) .

If there is not enough power to support the requested power of the newly connected output port (i.e. P_REQ) , the processor executes in step 210 the power allocation policy. It reviews the levels of connectivity, requested, allocated and consumed/delivered power to each output port (including the newly connected output port) . Then, according to a predefined scheme, it reduces the level (s) of allocated power to output ports (including the newly connected output port) and assigns a power level P_ALL (i.e. allocated power to the newly connected output port), where P_ALL <= P_REQ, wherein the P_REQ is the requested power by the newly connected output port. This process continues till power pool level is equal or higher than P_ALL . As mentioned above, the power reduction scheme can be implemented according to different assumptions/goals and in many different ways.

After that, in step 211, allocation of P_ALL is done and the power pool level is updated accordingly (since 7.5W has already been allocated, only the difference between P_ALL and the default power level, is reduced from the power pool level) .

After that, the power allocation policy is set to a waiting mode, till a change in the status of at least one connected and/or unconnected output port (Fig. 2 does not include a change in the status of an output port from a connected mode to an unconnected mode) , or a change in power consumption of at least one connected output port (Fig. 2 does not include such change) . In any of the above cases, the processor will execute the power allocation policy once again. In such an execution, the allocation policy can only update according to the last set of requests and allocation, and/or review all status again and consequently, allocate power accordingly. As there is a large number of different ways to run such an allocation policy, the above described allocation policy can be considered only as an example of a simplified case.

In case the processor implementing the allocation method identifies a disconnection of an external device from an output port, the flow would be similar mutatis mutandis : the allocated power is reduced to zero, and the amount of the "saved" power is added to the power pool.

In case a noticeable change in the delivered power is detected (e.g. a change that is greater than 10% of the delivered power level, and above a minimum threshold, for a predefined period of time, for example: 1 min), the processor runs again the power allocation policy to reassign allocated power to each connected output port.

The predefined priority-based policy referred to hereinabove, may preferably address also other issues, and in addition it may choose how to implement the power reduction decision, as this decision may typically be implemented in any one of a number of ways, depending on the output port from which the power supply will be reduced and at the amount that will be reduced.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the above description exemplifies certain examples demonstrating the present invention, where the priority- based policy is implemented for preventing the power adapter hub from reaching an overload/overpower situation, while offering an efficient utilization of the power adapter power, when external devices are connected to some output ports. Yet, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described priority- based policy, and different policies may be implemented in order to address this problem.

Furthermore, the present invention should be understood to encompass cases and their respective polices, where some or none of the hub's ports are utilized, (i.e. no external device is connected to such a port) . In such cases, the processor is configured to change the power being allocated to at least one of the utilized or the non- utilized ports (even though no load has yet been connected to them) , in order to prevent overload scenarios (preferably when loads are being connected to the non- utilized ports, and in particularly, when the following load is connected) .

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram that illustrates schematically a power supply system, construed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system comprises power adapter hub 300, one which is similar to power hub 100 described in Fig. 1, and having power input 308 (either AC or DC) , and multiple smart output ports 324, each having a USB Type C interface 332. One power adapter smart cable 350, as described in more details in our US Patent 10,061,280 which is hereby incorporated by reference, having a USB Type C connector and USB Type C plug 354 on one end, a controller 352 located in the USB plug housing, power cable having at least 2 wires, and a DC connector 356 on the other end of the cable, having multi-region plug 358, that is connected to a DC input port 382 of a regular ( simple/dummy) DC powered electronic device 380. The smart cable connects a regular (simple) DC load to a smart output port of the power adapter thereby enabling to benefit from the smart output port capabilities. The controller 352 of the smart cable 350, sends power indications to the smart output port of the power adapter 324, to change its power level to fit the power requirements of the DC powered load 380. Since the load is a simple one, the power indication is causing the power supply to change its power level to fit the maximum power level of the DC load. Yet, in many cases, the power consumption of the load may be lower than its maximum power level, and the power allocation policy of the power supply may reduce the allocated power to the output port connected to the simple DC load, and accordingly increase the power pool level, thereby enabling diverting power that can be allocated to other power supply output ports.

To exemplify the above, let us consider a case of a notebook having a DC power input that is defined as 20V, 3A. Upon connecting the notebook to a smart output port via a smart cable, power request for 20V 3A (60W) will be sent, and if the power available at the power pool is high enough, the 60W will be allocated to the channel to which the notebook is connected. When the notebook battery is almost fully charged, and simple applications are being run at the notebook, the actual power consumption of the notebook is only 20V, 1.25A (25W) . In such a case, the processor implementing the power allocation policy may reduce the power level to 20V 1.5A (30W - the 25W actually consumed power level, plus a certain margin), so 30W are then re allocated back to the power pool.

The above description has focused on the specific embodiment elements and method steps that are essential for understanding certain features of the disclosed techniques. Detailed structure of the embodiment elements was omitted from the figures and associate description for the sake of simplicity but will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. The described embodiments and methods shall be referred to as examples, chosen purely for the sake of conceptual clarity. In alternative embodiments, any other suitable configurations and method steps can also be used .