Importance

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Abstract

A smart connector is provided by a jack that is removably engagable with a respective mateable plug to establish a power path between an external power supply and a circuit in an electronic device when the jack and mateable plug are mateably engaged. In an illustrative example, the jack functions as the DC power jack for the electronic device and the mateable plug is disposed in the power adapter plug of an AC-DC power adapter. A voltage sensor coupled to the jack compares the voltage supplied by the power supply against a reference that defines a power level that will operate the electronic device without causing damage. A power controller, coupled to the voltage sensor, controls the flow of power to the circuit in response to a control signal generated by the voltage sensor. In various illustrative embodiments, the power controller includes current limiting, voltage clamping and/or switching functions.

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First Claim