How Devices Negotiate Power Sharing When Connected Together
A system for host devices like laptops to automatically set and update power-sharing rules with connected accessories based on identity and real-time power needs.
Original patent title: “Power management contracts for accessory devices”
A system for host devices like laptops to automatically set and update power-sharing rules with connected accessories based on identity and real-time power needs. Granted to Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC in 2018 with 23 claims and 6 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a method for a host device to manage how it shares electricity with an accessory, such as a docking station. When an accessory is plugged in, the host checks its identity against a list of authorized devices. Once verified, the host applies a 'power management contract' that dictates the direction of power flow (who charges whom) and current limits. If conditions change—like the accessory suddenly needing more power for other connected peripherals—the host and accessory can renegotiate these rules in real-time to prevent system crashes or hardware damage.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover generic power delivery protocols like standard USB-PD that lack the specific identity-based contract structure described.
- Does not cover devices that lack a mechanism to identify themselves via credentials or specific resistor values.
- Does not cover passive power cables that do not participate in a two-way communication or negotiation process.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The system treats power delivery as a dynamic contract that can be updated on the fly, using specific hardware identifiers (like resistor values) to distinguish between different accessory types before any power is even exchanged.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Microsoft Surface Dock power management
Laptop docking stations with integrated power delivery
Smart USB-C peripheral hubs
Why it matters
The bigger picture
As laptops became thinner and relied on external docks, managing power became complex. This patent provides a framework for 'smart' power negotiation, ensuring that a laptop doesn't try to draw more power than a dock can provide, or vice versa, which is essential for modern high-performance computing ecosystems.
Filed
May 19, 2014
Granted
January 23, 2018
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Microsoft continues to utilize these power management strategies within their Surface ecosystem. Other major laptop manufacturers and peripheral makers also implement similar proprietary handshake protocols to ensure safe power delivery between docks and host computers.
Market impact
This patent helps standardize how high-power accessories interact with host devices, reducing the risk of hardware failure and improving user experience. It reflects the industry shift toward intelligent, software-defined power management in consumer hardware.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a method for a host device to manage how it shares electricity with an accessory, such as a docking station. When an accessory is plugged in, the host checks its identity against a list of authorized devices. Once verified, the host applies a 'power management contract' that dictates the direction of power flow (who charges whom) and current limits. If conditions change—like the accessory suddenly needing more power for other connected peripherals—the host and accessory can renegotiate these rules in real-time to prevent system crashes or hardware damage.
The clever bit
The system treats power delivery as a dynamic contract that can be updated on the fly, using specific hardware identifiers (like resistor values) to distinguish between different accessory types before any power is even exchanged.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover generic power delivery protocols like standard USB-PD that lack the specific identity-based contract structure described.
- Does not cover devices that lack a mechanism to identify themselves via credentials or specific resistor values.
- Does not cover passive power cables that do not participate in a two-way communication or negotiation process.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Strong
Citation count
17/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
15/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$125K – $399K
Midpoint $250K · 7.9 yr remaining · industry ×1.6
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
23 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Huang, H., Obie, G. R., Evans, D. M., & He, Y. (2018). How Devices Negotiate Power Sharing When Connected Together (U.S. Patent No. 9,874,914). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9874914/hololens-mixed-reality-display
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Devices Negotiate Power Sharing When Connected Together cover?
A system for host devices like laptops to automatically set and update power-sharing rules with connected accessories based on identity and real-time power needs.
Who owns patent US 9874914?
Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC owns this patent, granted in 2018.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on January 23, 2038, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 9874914 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 6 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
As laptops became thinner and relied on external docks, managing power became complex. This patent provides a framework for 'smart' power negotiation, ensuring that a laptop doesn't try to draw more power than a dock can provide, or vice versa, which is essential for modern high-performance computing ecosystems.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover generic power delivery protocols like standard USB-PD that lack the specific identity-based contract structure described.
Same assignee
More from Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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