Power distribution device

Abstract

To provide a power distribution device capable of distributing power to electronic apparatuses while considering user view points.SOLUTION: A power distribution device 100 of the present invention includes: ports 1 and 2; a PD negotiation unit 120 which determines a power level to be distributed to each USB compatible device, when a USB compatible device is connected to each of the port 1 and 2; and a power supply unit 130 which supplies power with a power level determined by the PD negotiation unit 120 to the USB compatible devices via the ports 1 and 2. The PD negotiation unit 120 determines a high priority USB compatible device according to a previously determined reference, and determines power to the USB compatible devices so that the power distribution to the high priority USB compatible device is prioritized than the other USB compatible devices.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power distribution device having a function of distributing power to a plurality of electronic devices connected to a plurality of ports, respectively. [Background technology]

[0002] As examples of power supply devices that supply power to electronic devices connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port (hereinafter referred to as USB-compatible devices), Patent Document 1 discloses a hub that can appropriately and actively distribute the total output power of a Type-C hub, and Patent Document 2 discloses a power supply system that increases the maximum power allocated to a second USB port when there is excess power in addition to the maximum power allocated to a first USB port. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-206394 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-87089 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With USB Type-C charging, the maximum power (voltage x current) that can be supplied to one port is fixed, so for example, one port can supply a maximum of 27W of power at 9V / 3A, or a maximum of 60W of power at 20V / 3A. For example, if the total output power that can be supplied from all the ports is 100W at 20V / 5A, power delivery (PD) to each USB-compatible device will be within that 100W range.

[0005] However, the specifications for power distribution in USB Type-C are not yet clearly defined, which poses the issue that power is not necessarily supplied to USB-compatible devices in the power distribution that users desire.

[0006] For example, in a USB host device 10 capable of supplying a maximum of 60 W of power across two ports, as shown in FIG. 1A, if device A, such as a PC or large-screen tablet, is connected to port 1 and a maximum of 60 W of power at 20 V / 3 A is allocated to port 1, and then device B, such as a smartphone supporting a maximum of 27 W at 9 V / 3 A, is connected to port 2 as shown in FIG. 1B, the power allocation or power sharing criteria are unclear. The current USB standard requires a minimum power of 7.5 W at 5 V / 1.5 A. Therefore, if power allocation were to satisfy the minimum requirements of the USB standard, port 1 would receive a maximum of 52.5 W at 20 V / 2.625 A, and port 2 would receive a maximum of 7.5 W at 5 V / 1.5 A. However, this power allocation would slow down charging of small devices such as smartphones, and is not necessarily desirable for frequent smartphone users.

[0007] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has an object to provide a power distribution device that can distribute power to electronic devices in consideration of the user's viewpoint. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The power distribution device of the present invention has the function of distributing power to a plurality of electronic devices, and includes a plurality of ports, a determination means for determining the power to be distributed to each electronic device when an electronic device is connected to each port, and a supply means for supplying the power determined by the determination means to each electronic device, wherein the determination means determines which electronic device has a high priority according to predetermined criteria, and determines the power to be supplied to the electronic device so that power distribution to the high-priority electronic device is prioritized over other electronic devices.

[0009] In one aspect, the power distribution device further includes a detection means for detecting whether an electronic device has been inserted or removed from a port within a certain period of time, and when the detection means detects the insertion or removal, the determination means changes the predetermined criterion and determines the inserted or removed electronic device as a high-priority electronic device. In one aspect, the determination means determines the power to be supplied to the high-priority electronic device within a total output power range that can supply power to all electronic devices. In another aspect, the determination means determines the power to be supplied to other electronic devices within a power range remaining after subtracting the power to be supplied to the high-priority electronic device from the total output power. In another aspect, the predetermined criterion is the amount of power required by an electronic device, and an electronic device requiring less power is a high-priority electronic device. In another aspect, the predetermined criterion is the amount of power required by an electronic device, and an electronic device requiring more power is a high-priority electronic device. In another aspect, the predetermined criterion is a priority assigned to a port, and an electronic device connected to a high-priority port is a high-priority electronic device. In one embodiment, when the electronic device is connected to the port or when the electronic device is inserted or removed from the port, the determining unit determines the voltage to be supplied to the electronic device by negotiating with the electronic device via the port. In one embodiment, the negotiation includes transmitting a power profile that defines one or more power levels to the electronic device and receiving a desired power profile from the electronic device. In one embodiment, the port supports USB Type-C. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, high priority electronic devices are determined according to predetermined criteria, and the power to be supplied to the electronic devices is determined so that power distribution to the high priority electronic devices is prioritized over other electronic devices, thereby enabling power distribution to electronic devices taking into account the user's perspective. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating problems with a conventional power distribution method for a USB host device. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of PD negotiation according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of the power distribution device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of the power distribution device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of the power distribution device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The power distribution device of the present invention distributes power to multiple electronic devices (smartphones, tablets, PCs, etc.) connected to multiple ports, and is mounted in an electronic device such as an in-vehicle device, for example. In a preferred embodiment, the power distribution device of the present invention complies with the USB Type-C standard for distributing power to USB-compatible devices, and is particularly equipped with a function for prioritizing power supply to small products such as smartphones. [Example]

[0013] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a power distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The power distribution device 100 includes at least two ports 1 and 2 to which USB-compatible devices can be connected, an insertion / removal detection unit 110 that detects insertion / removal (connection / disconnection) of the USB-compatible devices to the ports 1 and 2, a PD negotiation unit 120 that negotiates power distribution with the USB-compatible devices via the ports 1 and 2, and a power supply unit 130 that supplies power to the USB-compatible devices via the ports 1 and 2 in accordance with the power determined by the PD negotiation unit 120. The USB-compatible devices operate or charge their internal batteries using the power supplied from the power supply unit 130.

[0014] The power distribution device 100 is mounted, for example, in an in-vehicle device that implements a USB host function, although not limited thereto. The power distribution device 100 is configured using hardware and / or software resources, and includes, for example, a microcontroller including ROM / RAM, a power supply IC, etc., and can control power distribution using a program stored in the ROM / RAM.

[0015] The insertion / removal detection unit 110 detects whether a USB-compatible device has been inserted or removed from ports 1 and 2 within a certain period of time. Ports 1 and 2 correspond to USB ports, and the insertion / removal detection unit 110 detects the insertion or removal of a USB-compatible device by, for example, monitoring the voltage of a CC (Configuration Channel) terminal of a Type-C connector. The CC terminal rises to a certain voltage when a USB-compatible device is connected to a port. Alternatively, for example, if a charging IC included in the power supply unit 130 stores detection information on whether a USB-compatible device is connected or not in an internal register, the insertion / removal detection unit 110 may detect the insertion or removal by monitoring the detection information in the internal register.

[0016] The insertion / removal detection unit 110 detects the insertion / removal of a USB compatible device within a certain period of time, and is also capable of detecting when a USB compatible device is connected to a port and when a USB compatible device is removed from a port.

[0017] When a USB-compatible device is connected to port 1 or 2, or when insertion / removal detection unit 110 detects insertion / removal of a USB-compatible device within a certain period of time, PD negotiation unit 120 negotiates with the USB-compatible device regarding power distribution and determines the power to be supplied to the USB-compatible device. For example, if the total output power that power distribution device 100 can supply to all USB-compatible devices is 60 W, power distribution device 100 determines the power to be supplied to the USB-compatible devices connected to ports 1 and 2 within the total output power of 60 W (this is called power sharing). To determine the power to be shared, PD negotiation unit 120 negotiates with the USB-compatible devices connected via ports 1 and 2.

[0018] When the PD negotiation unit 120 detects the connection of a USB-compatible device to ports 1 and 2, it determines the power to be distributed to the USB-compatible device, for example, by transmitting a power profile that specifies the power that can be supplied to the USB-compatible device and receiving the desired power profile from the USB-compatible device.

[0019] 3 shows an example of the processing flow of negotiation by PD negotiation unit 120. When a USB-compatible device is connected to a port, the USB-compatible device requests the desired maximum power (maximum power is determined by voltage x current, for example, 20V / 3A) from power distribution device 100. PD negotiation unit 120 determines whether the power request from the USB-compatible device can be approved (S100), and if approved, sends a signal indicating that approval can be granted to the USB-compatible device and determines the power to be distributed to the USB-compatible device (S110).

[0020] On the other hand, if approval is not possible (for example, because the power request from the USB-compatible device exceeds the allocable power), a power profile specifying one or more powers, for example, a combination of multiple voltages and multiple currents, is created (S120), and the created power profile is sent to the USB-compatible device. The USB-compatible device selects a desired power profile from the received power profiles (S130) and sends the selected power profile to the PD negotiation unit 120. The PD negotiation unit 120 determines the maximum power (voltage x current) to be allocated to the USB-compatible device in accordance with the power profile received from the USB-compatible device (S140). Note that the above negotiation flow is an example, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to this flow.

[0021] Power supply unit 130 supplies the power determined by PD negotiation unit 120 to the USB-compatible device via ports 1 and 2. Power supply unit 130 may include a step-up circuit and / or a step-down circuit, and the step-up circuit / step-down circuit generates a voltage (e.g., 5V, 9V, 15V, 20V) according to the power determined by PD negotiation unit 120. When power distribution device 100 is implemented in an in-vehicle device, power supply unit 130 steps up or down the voltage (e.g., 12V) supplied from the battery.

[0022] One of the features of this embodiment is that PD negotiation unit 120 prioritizes power distribution to a USB device (hereinafter referred to as a small product) that requires a smaller maximum power when a USB device is connected to ports 1 and 2. In other words, PD negotiation unit 120 determines the power to be supplied to the small product within the range of the total output power of power distribution device 100, and determines the power to be supplied to a USB device (hereinafter referred to as a large product) that requires a larger maximum power within the range of power remaining after subtracting the maximum power of the small product from the total output power.

[0023] Examples of small products include smartphones and tablets with small screens, while large products include PCs and tablets with large screens. Small products are often configured using, for example, a single-cell lithium-ion battery (nominal 3.6V), which requires a power of 9V / 3A or 5V / 3A to charge the battery. Large products are often configured using, for example, a lithium-ion battery (nominal 10.8V) with three cells connected in series, which requires a power of 20V / 3A to charge the battery.

[0024] For example, when the total output power of the power distribution device 100 is 60W, from the user's perspective, large products that charge at a maximum of 60W at 20V / 3A are not often used when getting out of the car and going out, so it does not cause any major problems if the large products are not fully charged or fast charged. However, on the other hand, small products such as smartphones that are often used when getting out of the car and going out on foot often want to be fully charged or fast charged if possible.

[0025] Therefore, when multiple USB-compatible devices are connected to ports 1 and 2, PD negotiation unit 120 will, in principle, prioritize charging (power supply) to smaller products. However, there may be cases where a user wants to prioritize charging (power supply) to a larger product such as a 20V / 3A product. In such cases, the user can inform PD negotiation unit 120 that they want to prioritize charging (power supply) to the larger product by plugging and unplugging the USB-compatible device once within a certain period of time (for example, within a few seconds). When plugging and unplugging detection unit 110 detects plugging and unplugging, PD negotiation unit 120 prioritizes charging (power supply) to the plugged and unplugged USB-compatible device.

[0026] The basic operation of the PD negotiation unit 120 can be summarized as follows. 1) Priority is given to power distribution to the USB-compatible device with the lowest power supply voltage (power). 2) If you want to prioritize power distribution to a USB device with a higher power supply voltage (power), plug or unplug that USB device from the port. 3) If two USB devices with high power supply voltage requirements (power) are connected to ports 1 and 2 at the same time, power will be supplied equally to each. However, if you want to give priority to a particular USB device, you can remove or insert that device from the port.

[0027] Next, a specific example of the operation of the power distribution device of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Here, it is assumed that the total output power of power distribution device 100 is 60 W and that it is possible to supply power of 5 V, 9 V, 15 V, and 20 V to USB-compatible devices. In addition, the PD negotiation unit 120 determines whether the USB-compatible device is a small product or a large product by comparing the power supply voltage requested by the USB-compatible device.

[0028] 1) Cases where high power is supplied initially 4(A) shows an example in which device A (e.g., a PC / large-screen tablet, etc.) that can be charged at 20V / 3A and up to 60W is connected to port 1. When the connection of device A is detected via the CC terminal of the USB connector, PD negotiation unit 120 receives a request for power supply at 20V / 3A from device A and transmits approval for this request to device A. As a result, power supply unit 130 supplies device A with 20V / 3A and up to 60W from port 1.

[0029] Figure 4(B) shows an example in which device B (e.g., a smartphone or a small-screen tablet) that can be charged at 9V / 3A and a maximum of 27W is connected to port 2 while device A in Figure 4(A) is connected.

[0030] When connection of device B is detected via the CC terminal of the USB connector, the PD negotiation unit 120 receives a request for a power supply of 9V / 3A from device B. The PD negotiation unit 120 compares the power supply request voltage (20V) of device A with the power supply request voltage (9V) of device B, and because the power supply request voltage of device B is lower than the power supply request voltage of device A, it determines that device B is a small product and gives priority to power distribution to device B.

[0031] The PD negotiation unit 120 approves the power supply request from device B because the requested power of 27 W is within the total output power of 60 W. On the other hand, to prioritize power distribution to device B, the PD negotiation unit 120 renegotiates with device A, transmits to device A a power profile that specifies one or more powers (voltage x current) within the range of the remaining power (60 W - 27 W = 33 W) obtained by subtracting the maximum power to be supplied to device B from the total output power, receives the desired power profile from device A, and determines the power to be distributed to device A. FIG. 4(B) shows an example in which the requested maximum power of 27 W is supplied to device B and the remaining power of 33 W is supplied to device A. As a result, device B is charged (powered) at the desired maximum power.

[0032] 4(C) shows an example in which the priority of power distribution is changed to prioritize power distribution to device A. In this case, the user notifies the PD negotiation unit 120 that priority is to be given to power distribution to device A (port 1) by inserting or removing device A once within a certain period of time.

[0033] When the insertion / removal detection unit 110 detects insertion / removal of port 1, the PD negotiation unit 120 negotiates again with devices A and B to give priority to power distribution to device A.

[0034] Since the PD negotiation unit 120 needs to supply the minimum power (5V / 1.5A 7.5W) required by the USB standard to device B, it transmits to device A a power profile specifying one or more powers within the range of the remaining power (60-7.5=52.5W) obtained by subtracting the minimum power to device B from the total output power, receives the desired power profile from device A, and determines the power to be distributed to device A. Figure 4(C) shows an example in which device A selects a power profile of 20V / 2.625A with a maximum of 52.5W.

[0035] Furthermore, to prioritize power distribution to device A, the PD negotiation unit 120 transmits to device B a power profile that specifies one or more power levels within the range of the remaining power after subtracting the power to be supplied to device A from the total output power, receives the desired power profile from device B, and determines the power to be distributed to device B. In this example, since it is determined in negotiation with device A that 52.5 W of power should be supplied, the PD negotiation unit 120 transmits to device B a power profile specifying 7.5 W, the minimum power level specified by the USB standard. Note that even if a device other than device A is inserted into port 1, the PD negotiation unit 120 prioritizes power distribution to the different device connected to port 1.

[0036] 2) When power saving is initially supplied 5A shows an example in which device A (e.g., a smartphone or a small-screen tablet) that can be charged with a maximum power of 9V / 3A is connected to port 1. When the connection of device A is detected via the CC terminal of the USB connector, PD negotiation unit 120 receives a request for power supply of 9V / 3A from device A and transmits an approval for this request to device A. As a result, power supply unit 130 supplies a maximum power of 27W at 9V / 3A to device A via port 1.

[0037] Figure 5(B) shows an example in which device B (e.g., a PC or a large-screen tablet) that can be charged at 20V / 3A and a maximum of 60W is connected to port 2 when device A in Figure 5(A) is connected.

[0038] When connection of device B is detected via the CC terminal of the USB connector, the PD negotiation unit 120 receives a request for a power supply of 20 V / 3 A from device B. The PD negotiation unit 120 compares the requested power supply voltage of device A (9 V) with the requested power supply voltage of device B (20 V), and determines that device A is a small product because the requested power supply voltage of device A is lower than the requested power supply voltage of device B. In this case, even when device B is connected, the PD negotiation unit 120 prioritizes power distribution to device A, so it does not negotiate with device A and maintains the power supply to device A.

[0039] On the other hand, the 60 W power requested by device B exceeds the remaining 33 W obtained by subtracting the maximum power of 27 W to be supplied to device A from the total output power of 60 W. Therefore, the PD negotiation unit 120 does not approve the power supply request from device B. Instead, it transmits to device B a power profile specifying one or more power levels within the remaining 33 W power range, receives the desired power profile from device B, and determines the power to be supplied to device B. FIG. 5B shows an example in which a maximum of 27 W at 9 V / 3 A is supplied to device A and a maximum of 33 W at 20 V / 1.65 A is supplied to device B. In this way, even if device B requests a higher power supply, power distribution to device A is prioritized.

[0040] 5(C) shows an example in which the priority of power distribution is changed to prioritize power distribution to device B. In this case, the user notifies the PD negotiation unit 120 that priority is to be given to power distribution to device B (port 2) by inserting or removing device B once within a certain period of time.

[0041] When the insertion / removal detection unit 110 detects insertion / removal of port 2, the PD negotiation unit 120 negotiates again with devices A and B to give priority to power distribution to device B.

[0042] Since the PD negotiation unit 120 needs to supply device A with the minimum power (5V / 1.5A 7.5W) required by the USB standard, it transmits to device B a power profile that specifies one or more powers within the range of the total output power minus the minimum power to device A (60-7.5=52.5W), receives the desired power profile from device B, and determines the power to be distributed to device B. Figure 5(C) shows an example in which device B selects a power profile of 20V / 2.625A with a maximum of 52.5W.

[0043] Furthermore, to prioritize power distribution to device B, the PD negotiation unit 120 transmits to device A a power profile that specifies one or more power levels within the range of the remaining power after subtracting the power to be supplied to device A from the total output power, receives the desired power profile from device A, and determines the power to be distributed to device A. In this example, to determine that 52.5 W of power should be supplied in negotiation with device B, the PD negotiation unit 120 transmits to device A a power profile specifying 7.5 W, the minimum power level specified by the USB standard. Note that even if a device other than device B is inserted into port 2, the PD negotiation unit 120 prioritizes power distribution to the different device connected to port 2.

[0044] 3) Cases where large products are connected simultaneously 6(A) shows an example in which device A (e.g., a PC / large-screen tablet, etc.) that can be charged at 20V / 3A and up to 60W is connected to port 1. When the connection of device A is detected via the CC terminal of the USB connector, PD negotiation unit 120 receives a request for power supply at 20V / 3A from device A and transmits an approval for this request to device A. As a result, power supply unit 130 supplies device A with 20V / 3A and up to 60W via port 1.

[0045] Figure 6(B) shows an example in which device B, which can be charged at 20V / 3A and a maximum of 60W, is connected to port 2 while device A in Figure 6(A) is connected. Device B requires the same power as device A.

[0046] When the connection of device B is detected via the CC terminal of the USB connector, the PD negotiation unit 120 receives a request for a power supply of 20 V / 3 A from device B. The PD negotiation unit 120 compares the power supply request voltage (20 V) of device A with the power supply request voltage (20 V) of device B, and determines that the two match and therefore to supply equal power to device A and device B. The PD negotiation unit 120 again negotiates with device A, transmits a power profile to device A that specifies equal power (60 W / 2 = 30 W) within the total output power range, receives approval of the power profile from device A, and determines the power to be allocated to device A. The PD negotiation unit 120 also rejects the request for a power supply of 60 W from device B, transmits a power profile to device B that specifies equal power (60 W / 2 = 30 W), receives approval of the power profile from device B, and determines the power to be allocated to device B. FIG. 6B shows an example in which a maximum power of 30 W at 20 V / 1.5 A is evenly distributed to device A and device B.

[0047] Fig. 6(C) shows an example in which priority is given to power distribution to device A from the state of Fig. 6(B). In this case, the user notifies the PD negotiation unit 120 that priority is given to power distribution to device A (port 1) by inserting and removing device A once within a certain period of time.

[0048] When the insertion / removal detection unit 110 detects insertion / removal of port 1, the PD negotiation unit 120 negotiates again with devices A and B to give priority to power distribution to device A.

[0049] Because the PD negotiation unit 120 needs to supply device B with the minimum power (5V / 1.5A 7.5W) required by the USB standard, it transmits to device B a power profile specifying one or more powers within the range of the remaining power obtained by subtracting the power to be supplied to device A from the total output power, receives the desired power profile from device B, and determines the power to be distributed to device B. In this case, since it is determined in negotiation with device A that 52.5W of power will be supplied, the PD negotiation unit 120 transmits to device B a power profile specifying 7.5W of power, the minimum power required by the USB standard.

[0050] Thus, according to this embodiment, priority is given to power distribution to small products, and when it is desired to change the priority of power distribution to large products, the large product can be inserted or removed, thereby realizing power distribution that is preferable to the user.

[0051] In the above embodiment, priority is given to power distribution to small products, but this is just one example, and the criteria for determining which products are given priority in power distribution can be changed as appropriate. For example, if priority is given to power distribution to large products and it is desired to change the power distribution priority to small products, it is possible to plug or unplug the small product. Alternatively, priority is given to power distribution to a USB-compatible device connected to port 1 and it is desired to change the power distribution priority to port 2 by plugging or unplugging the USB-compatible device connected to port 2.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the power distribution device has two ports. However, the number of ports may be three or more. For example, if three USB-compatible devices are connected to three ports, the power supply request voltages from the three USB-compatible devices are compared, and the USB device with the lowest power supply request voltage is determined to have the highest priority. The power distribution can be prioritized in descending order of priority. For example, if a total output power of 60 W is connected to the three ports, and USB-compatible device A requires 9 V / 3 A, USB-compatible device B requires 15 V / 3 A, and USB-compatible device C requires 20 V / 3 A, the PD negotiation unit 120 can determine the following: supply a maximum of 27 W at 9 V / 3 A to USB-compatible device A; a maximum of 25.5 W (15 V / 1.7 A 25.5 W = 60 - 27 - 7.5) to USB-compatible device B; and supply the minimum 7.5 W required by the USB standard to USB-compatible device C.

[0053] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 100: Power distribution device 110: Insertion / removal detection unit 120:PD negotiation section 130: Power supply section

Claims

1. A power distribution device having a function of distributing power to a plurality of electronic devices, Multiple ports and a determining means for determining power to be distributed to each electronic device when the electronic device is connected to each port; a detection means for detecting whether or not an insertion / removal of an electronic device from a port has occurred within a certain period of time; a supplying means for supplying the power determined by the determining means to each electronic device, The determination means determines which electronic devices have a high priority according to predetermined criteria, determines the power to be supplied to the electronic devices so that power distribution to the high-priority electronic devices is prioritized over other electronic devices, and when the detection means detects insertion or removal, changes the predetermined criteria and determines that the inserted or removed electronic device is the high-priority electronic device.

2. A power distribution device as described in claim 1, wherein the detection means detects insertion / removal by monitoring the terminal voltage of a port to which an electronic device that is a USB-compatible device is connected.

3. 2. The power distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines the power to be supplied to the electronic device with the higher priority within a range of total output power that can supply power to all electronic devices.

4. 4. The power distribution device according to claim 3, wherein the determining means determines the power to be supplied to the other electronic devices within a range of power remaining after subtracting the power to be supplied to the electronic device with the higher priority from the total output power.

5. 2. The power distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined criterion is the amount of power required by the electronic device, and an electronic device requiring less power has a higher priority.

6. 2. The power distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined criterion is the amount of power required by the electronic device, and an electronic device requiring a larger amount of power has a higher priority.

7. 2. The power distribution device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined criteria is a priority assigned to a port, and an electronic device connected to a port with a higher priority is an electronic device with a higher priority.

8. 2. The power distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines the voltage to be supplied to the electronic device by negotiating with the electronic device via the port when the electronic device is inserted or removed from the port.

9. 9. The power distribution device according to claim 8, wherein the negotiation includes transmitting one or more power profiles that define power to the electronic device, and receiving a desired power profile from the electronic device from among the power profiles.

10. The power distribution unit of claim 1 , wherein the port is compatible with USB Type C.

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